Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

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Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio episodes

  • Lake of Dracula (1971) – Episode 86 – Decades of Horror 1970s

    Who knew Dracula had a lake? Join your faithful Grue Crew - Doc Rotten, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they go for a swim in Lake of Dracula (1971) volume two in Toho's legendary vampire trilogy.

    Decades of Horror 1970s Episode 86 – Lake of Dracula (1971)

    At one time, because it was so hard to get, Toho's Legacy of Dracula trilogy was thought of as a holy grail by fans of Toho and vampire movies. Through the wonders of the world in which we live, all three films are available via streaming sources and as Arrow Video Blu-rays, repackaged as The Bloodthirsty Trilogy: Vampire Doll (1970), Lake of Dracula (1971), and Evil of Dracula (1974).

    Written by Ei Ogawa and Masaru Takesue, Lake of Dracula (the middle volume in the trilogy directed by Michio Yamamoto), tells the story of a Japanese descendant of Dracula in search of women to serve as his "brides." Owing to the film's title, it comes as no surprise that he hunts these women on the shores of a lake. The action soon moves to the vampire's secluded home, a castle that looks curiously European, and an all-out battle ensues between one of the women's boyfriends and Dracula's descendant.

    Of course, the Grue Crew was excited to see Lake of Dracula and, it should again be no surprise, Bill is the only one to have previously viewed Lake of Dracula. Even so, he was excited to see a visually improved version. Everyone thought the film looked very much like what you would expect a Japanese version of a Hammer Film to look like. Bill surfaced several logic flaws in the story and the lack-of-depth of the characters but loved the look of the film. The somewhat plodding and visually muted early portions of the film were a distraction to Doc and Chad. However, Doc thought the final fight sequence was one of the better vampire battles he'd seen, and Chad thought the vampire himself (Shin Kishida) was the best part of Lake of Dracula. Jeff probably liked the film the most but couldn't argue against the existence of the plot flaws and the generally lackluster early portion of the film. His judgment was understandably clouded by his infatuation with the porcelain-faced vampire bride. The entire crew agrees, whatever you do, don't miss the scene with the crescent wrench-wielding Kyûsaku (Kaku Takashina). It defies … logic? Or physics? Or surely, something?

    Even though Lake of Dracula is not the best vampire movie you will ever see, it is definitely worth watching for the place it holds in horror history as Toho's contribution to vampire film canon and its unique take on vampire lore.

    We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at [email protected].

    1 hr 2 min
  • Robert Kurtzman Interview - The Night Eats the World - Episode 300 - Horror News Radio

    For our 300th episode, we are honored to interview Robert Kurtzman, the legendary effects artist who also oversaw the effects for THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE. The Grue-Crew also review THE NIGHT EATS THE WORLD (2018) from director Dominique Rocher, due to a troll-worthy recommendation from the one-and-only Stephen King. Join Dave Dreher, Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore, and Vanessa Thompson as we discuss Horror News of the Week and review the latest horror offerings.

    As always, the HNR Grue-Crew would love to hear from you! Reach out via email at feedback(AT)horrornewsradio(DOT)com. Also, please like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.

    Horror News Radio Episode 300 - The Night Eats the World Interview Robert Kurtzman - The Haunting of Hill House Subscribe – iTunes – Facebook – Stitcher

    ANNOUNCEMENTS
    • HNR Is brought to you by the generous contributions to our Patreon account Thank you to our patrons
    • NEW YORK CITY HORROR FILM FESTIVAL: Thursday, November 29 - Sunday, December 2, New York, New York
    INTERVIEW: Robert Kurtzman

    The Grue-Crew discuss the effects that went into the phenomenal NETFLIX horror TV show, THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE with the legendary effects artist Robert Kurtzman. He also shares some memories and behind-the-scenes secrets from his long list of effects credits, including Evil Dead 2, Intruder, Army of Darkness, From Dusk Till Dawn, and John Dies at the End.

    HORROR NEWS OF THE WEEK
    • R.I.P. Nicolas Roeg, director of Don't Look Now, The Witches, and more
    • Friday the 13th stars team up for the indie film - 13 FANBOY
    • We get our first solid look at David Harbour as HELLBOY
    • THE WALKING DEAD kills off another main character - amid controversy - and gets scary again.
    FEATURE TOPIC: The Night Eats the World (La Nuit a dévoré le monde)

    The morning after a party, a young man wakes up to find Paris invaded by zombies.

    Director: Dominique Rocher Cast: Anders Danielsen Lie, Golshifteh Farahani, Denis Lavant

    SUPPORT HNR:

    THIS MONTH ON PATREON http://horrornewsradio.com/patreon HNR T-SHIRTS http://horrornewsradio.com/tees

    FEEDBACK: [email protected] EXIT

    Thanks to Rocky Gray for our killer new HNR theme song Next Week on HNR: The Possession of Hannah Grace

    1 hr 58 min
  • The Haunting (1963) - Episode 46 - Decades of Horror: The Classic Era

    "... I leave before the dark. We live over in town, miles away. … We couldn't hear you. In the night. No one could. ... No one will come any nearer than that. In the night. In the dark." Okay, get the picture? Hill House is an inviting and comforting place to stay, right? In fact, you'll feel so at home, you might never want to leave. Join this episode's Grue Crew - Whitney Collazo, Chad Hunt, and Jeff Mohr - as they brave a few nights in Hill House with The Haunting (1963)!

    Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Episode 46 – The Haunting (1963)

    Dr. Markway (Richard Johnson), a researcher in psychic phenomena, has gained permission to stay in Hill House, a 90-year-old mansion with an evil, deadly history. Markway invites six people with a variety of psychic abilities to accompany him as research assistants, but only two take the bait: Eleanor (Julie Harris), a woman with a history of poltergeist phenomena, and Theo (Claire Bloom), who has proven ESP abilities. Luke (Russ Tamblyn), a member of the owning family and a skeptic, comes along to keep an eye on his property. Mrs. Dudley (Rosalie Crutchley), one of the caretakers of Hill House, makes an appearance early on to ominously warn the researchers that after dark, they will be alone and no one will come to help them. Almost immediately, Hill House begins to exert its power over the interlopers. They only last three nights and not everyone survives The Haunting.

    The film is brilliantly directed by Robert Wise, sandwiched between his Oscar-winning efforts on West Side Story (1961) and The Sound of Music (1965). Wise, one of Val Lewton's acolytes at RKO, exhibits mastery of Lewton's preference for implicit, rather than explicit, danger in The Haunting. The screenplay by Nelson Gidding, adapted from Shirley Jackson's novel, The Haunting of Hill House (1959), deftly establishes the four personalities of the research team members, their interpersonal relationships, and how Hill House interacts with and affects them. The acting, cinematography, and music fit the filmmakers' vision perfectly, ramping up its nearly unbearable, sinister atmosphere.

    Once again, the Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Grue Crew have a much greater appreciation for the film they discussed than they had going into this episode. Whitney loves the character of Eleanor and Julie Harris' portrayal. She also likes the way the story walks a tightrope between the supernatural and insanity. On the other hand, Chad is all over the supernatural justification of events in The Haunting and loves the scenes with the inexplicable pounding on the Eleanor's and Theo's bedroom walls. Jeff was entranced with the optical distortions created by Wise's intentional use of a not-ready-for-primetime lens and loved the introductory "history of Hill House" scenes. Of course, Chad managed to, yet again, find a Batman reference. Your Grue Crew highly recommends The Haunting (1963) as one of the top haunted house films in history, and especially now as a comparison to the recent Netflix series, The Haunting of Hill House.

    The Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Grue Crew plan to release a new episode every other week. The next episode in our very flexible schedule will be Herk Harvey's one-off classic, Carnival of Souls (1962).

    Please let us know what you think of Decades of Horror: The Classic Era! After all, without you, we're just four nutjobs talking about the films we love. Send us an email or leave us a message, a review, or a comment at GruesomeMagazine.com, iTunes, or the Gruesome Magazine Horror News Radio Facebook group.

    To each of you from each of us, "Thank you so much for listening!"

    1 hr 13 min
  • May the Devil Take You - Episode 299 - Horror News Radio

    New genre films are announced for Bad Robot and Blumhouse. Look for FOODIES and KNOB GOBLINS from co-host Christopher G. Moore on Hulu and Amazon Prime. And, it looks like they've made a crappy sequel to THE CAR (1977). The Grue-Crew review MAY THE DEVIL TAKE YOU (2018) from director Timo Tjahjanto, currently streaming on NETFLIX. Join Dave Dreher, Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore, and Vanessa Thompson as we discuss Horror News of the Week and review the latest horror offerings.

    As always, the HNR Grue-Crew would love to hear from you! Reach out via email at feedback(AT)horrornewsradio(DOT)com. Also, please like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.

    Horror News Radio Episode 299 - May the Devil Take You (2018) Subscribe – iTunes – Facebook – Stitcher

    ANNOUNCEMENTS
    • HNR Is brought to you by the generous contributions to our Patreon account Thank you to our patrons
    • NEW YORK CITY HORROR FILM FESTIVAL: Thursday, November 29 - Sunday, December 2, New York, New York
    HORROR NEWS OF THE WEEK
    • Knob Goblins and Foodie are now available within the anthology film WATCH IF YOU DARE streaming now on Amazon Prime and Hulu: Catch Christopher G. Moore's award-winning short horror films today!
    • Finally - a Monster Universe we can all get behind. General Mills Cereals pitches a wild idea
    • Trailer news: LEPRECHAUN RETURNS
    • Bad Robot announces the development of two new horror features THE STEPS and an untitled Megan Amram thriller
    • Amazon and Blumhouse unite to create eight new feature-length thrillers
    • Scream Factory releases an Uncut version of THE MANGLER
    • Wait one effn minute! THE CAR: ROAD TO REVENGE is a thing?
    FEATURE TOPIC: May the Devil Take You

    When her estranged father falls into a mysterious coma, a young woman seeks answers at his old villa, where she and her stepsister uncover dark truths.

    Director: Timo Tjahjanto Cast: Chelsea Islan, Pevita Pearce, Ray Sahetapy

    SUPPORT HNR:

    THIS MONTH ON PATREON http://horrornewsradio.com/patreon HNR T-SHIRTS http://horrornewsradio.com/tees

    FEEDBACK: [email protected] EXIT

    Thanks to Rocky Gray for our killer new HNR theme song Next Week on HNR: The Night Eats the World (d. Dominique Rocher, La Nuit a Dévoré le Monde)

    1 hr 27 min
  • Infra-Man (1975) – Episode 85 – Decades of Horror 1970s

    "Greetings to you, Earthlings. I am Princess Dragon Mom. I have taken over this planet. Now I own the Earth and you'll be my slaves for all eternity." Oh no! What will we ever do? Never fear fellow Earthlings! Infra-Man to the rescue! Join your faithful Grue Crew - Doc Rotten, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they try to describe the indescribable. Of course, the topic for this episode is the Shaw Brothers 1975 classic, Infra-Man, the man beyond bionics!

    Decades of Horror 1970s Episode 85 – Infra-Man (1975)

    What could be more fun than a band of ten-million-year-old mutant monsters and thirty henchmen bent on owning Earth and enslaving all Earthlings? What if their fearless leader's curiously translated title is Princess Dragon Mom? And what if the Earthlings just happen to have, at the ready, a complete set of plans for a being to battle Princess Dragon Mom and her minions? A sort of Chinese Superman, if you will? With another curious translation - and there are plenty of them - this Chinese Superman, aka Zhong guo chao ren, became known in the U.S. as Infra-Man!

    Under the category of more curious translations, in the original Chinese dub, the monsters of Infra-Man are named Demon Princess Elzebub, Witch Eye, Fire Dragon, Spider Monster, Plant Monster, Drill Arm, Long-Haired Monster, and Iron Armor Monsters. However, they are renamed in the English dub as Princess Dragon Mom, She-Demon, Emperor of Doom, Giant Beetle Monster, Octopus Mutant, Driller Beast, Laser Horn Monster, and Iron Fist Robots.

    Danny Lee plays Infra-Man and because this is the third of his films covered by the Grue Crew in 2018, Doc has proclaimed Lee their actor of the year. The Oily Maniac (1976) and The Mighty Peking Man (1977) are the other two of Lee's Shaw Brothers releases they've covered. Chad saw this film at the time of its U.S. theatrical release. He loved it then and he loves, loves, loves it now! He also points out some pant-splitting moments in the film that Bill and Jeff missed; they'll have to watch it again! Though he wasn't ga-ga over Infra-Man the first time he viewed it, Bill has gained an appreciation of the film over the years. He jokingly wonders how Infra-Man decides when to use his powers and when not to use his powers. They all agree it's a bit of a mystery that only adds to the film's appeal. Only Jeff had not seen Infra-Man before preparing for this podcast and he is forever grateful to Chad, Doc, and Bill for introducing him to its wonders and thinks it is one of the funniest movies he's seen in a long while. In fact, he's so enamored of the film, he promises his next step is to introduce it to his grand-munchkins and to search out the pant-splitting.

    The members of the Grue Crew all agree Infra-Man is not a good movie by any stretch of the imagination. However, watching it is more fun than a movie should be allowed to be. It's time to make it a family viewing tradition! The Black Saint and Chad had often trumpeted their love of Infra-Man and Princess Dragon Mom in the past and the Decades of Horror 1970s Grue Crew decided now was the time. This one's for you, Santos.

    We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at [email protected].

    1 hr 3 min
  • Parasite (1982) - Episode 141 - Decades of Horror 1980s

    "Once it gets inside you, it will do anything to get out!" the tagline for Parasite 3-D .promised buckets of 3-D gruesome gore. The film partially delivers with Stan Winston creature effects that hold up and the presence of a young Demi Moore. And, then there is the 3-D, effective and restrained, not as over-the-top as later films or the previous Comin' At You. Christopher G. Moore is joined by co-host, Doc Rotten to discuss a Charles Band classic seen in its original 3-D presentation at the Carolina Theater in Durham, North Carolina..

    Decades of Horror 1980s Episode 141 – Parasite (1982)

    On Horror News Radio, week after week, as the Grue-Crew mentioned the upcoming Splatterflix Film Series, Christopher shared his memories of seeing stills from Parasite in Fangoria, specifically the shot of a victim with a hollow pipe sticking out of his chest with blood dripping out the far end. Each week, we would eagerly announce that Parasite would be showing at the event. To see Parasite in 3-D would certainly be amazing. On Saturday, October 13, 2018, Christopher is finally able to see this scene on the big screen...and in its original 3-D presentation thanks to Jim Carl, from the Carolina Theater and Harry Guerro, from Exhumed Films. Finally, all is right in the world.

    But, let's not forget this is a Charles Band film. Despite his reputation, Parasite proves there is more to the low-budget legendary director than mere schlock and exploitation...well, yes, there remains plenty of that too; but...the film holds up remarkably well. This is mostly due to the terrific early effects work from Stan Winston, a quick plot, and retro-fueled fascination in its 80s 3-D work. While not a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination, it may be better than the discouraging reviews heaped upon the film during its release. Christopher and Doc take a look at the film, the cast, the director, the 3-D, and the Parasite creature itself this week. It's in 3-D, so you know Doc is happy. Ha! Take a listen, and you may be convinced to give the film a second chance...maybe.

    Paul Dean has created a deadly parasite that is now attached to his stomach. He and his female companion, Patricia Welles, must find a way to destroy it while also trying to avoid Ricus, his rednecks, and an evil government agent named Merchant.

    55 min
  • Overlord (2018) - Episode 298 - Horror News Radio

    Finally, the gang wraps up their thoughts about CASTLE ROCK. Pop culture geekdom says goodbye to a legendary icon, Stan Lee. And, horror fans may get to see a lost George A. Romero film from 1973, THE AMUSEMENT PARK. The Grue-Crew review OVERLORD (2018) from director Julius Avery. Join Dave Dreher, Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore, and Vanessa Thompson as we discuss Horror News of the Week and review the latest horror offerings.

    As always, the HNR Grue-Crew would love to hear from you! Reach out via email at feedback(AT)horrornewsradio(DOT)com. Also, please like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.

    Horror News Radio Episode 298 - Overlord (2018) Subscribe – iTunes – Facebook – Stitcher

    ANNOUNCEMENTS
    • HNR Is brought to you by the generous contributions to our Patreon account Thank you to our patrons
    • NEW YORK CITY HORROR FILM FESTIVAL: Thursday, November 29 - Sunday December 2, New York, New York
    HORROR NEWS OF THE WEEK
    • RIP Stan Lee
    • The Buzz begins, THE AMUSEMENT PARK (1973) from director George A. Romero discovered
    • Have you been enjoying SABRINA on NETFLIX - get ready for chilling holiday special episode
    • In January 2019, NETFLIX unleaded the undead with KINGDOM TV series
    • Low Budget Horror Maestro Todd (Bonehill Road) Sheets unleashes CLOWNADO
    • How did we all miss the EVIL DEAD nod in THE WALKING DEAD
    • Casting News: Sophia Lillis now filming GRETEL AND HANSEL from Osgood "Oz" Perkins
    • Casting News: Jacob Tremblay reunites with Mike Flanagan for DOCTOR SLEEP
    FEATURE TOPIC: Overlord (2018)

    A little squad of American soldiers finds horror behind enemy lines on the eve of D-Day.

    Director: Julius AveryCast:

    • Jovan Adepo ... Boyce
    • Wyatt Russell ... Ford
    • Mathilde Ollivier ... Chloe
    • Pilou Asbæk ... Wafner
    • John Magaro ... Tibbet
    • Iain De Caestecker ... Chase
    • Jacob Anderson ... Dawson
    • Dominic Applewhite ... Rosenfeld
    • Gianny Taufer ... Paul
    • Joseph Quinn ... Grunauer
    • Bokeem Woodbine ... Rensin
    • Erich Redman ... Dr. Schmidt
    SUPPORT HNR:

    THIS MONTH ON PATREON http://horrornewsradio.com/patreon HNR T-SHIRTS http://horrornewsradio.com/tees

    FEEDBACK: [email protected] EXIT

    Thanks to Rocky Gray for our killer new HNR theme song Next Week on HNR: May the Devil Take You (d. Timo Tjahjanto, NETFLIX)

    2 hr 1 min
  • The Killer Shrews (1959) - Episode 45 - Decades of Horror: The Classic Era

    "Look, Ann, this is a mistake any one of us might've made. And I'm getting a little sick of being called an irresponsible drunk, now believe me I am." Who hasn't accidentally unleashed a pack of killer creatures while irresponsibly drunk? Join this episode's Grue Crew - Whitney Collazo, Chad Hunt, Joseph Perry, and Jeff Mohr - as they journey to a remote island and are trapped with The Killer Shrews (1959)!

    Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Episode 45 – The Killer Shrews (1959)

    Gordon McLendon, the owner of a chain of drive-in movie theaters and a network of radio stations, decided to cut out the middle man and formed a short-lived movie production company to crank out a pair of typical, regional horror films. He enlisted Ray Kellogg as his director and Jay Simms as his screenwriter. The products of their efforts are The Killer Shrews and The Giant Gila Monster (1959).

    The Killer Shrews tells an oft-told tale of pseudoscience gone wrong. Scientists on a remote island experiment on shrews in search of a way to reduce food shortages and the effects of population growth by making people smaller. Instead, they manage to enlarge the tiny creatures to the size of large dogs. Entering this cozy enclave is the captain of a charter vessel delivering supplies and his crewman, coincidentally arriving as a hurricane hits the island and are trapped. They soon learn that one of the island-dwellers recently released the enlarged shrews while "irresponsibly" drunk. The result is a horde of hungry, teeth-gnashing, rampaging killer shrews on the loose!

    The original residents of the island are played by Baruch Lumet (Dr. Craigis), Glendon McLendon (Dr. Baines), Ingrid Goude (Dr. Craigis' daughter, Ann), Ken Curtis (Ann's fiance), and Alfredo de Soto (Mario, their assistant). James Best is Captain Thorne Sherman and Judge Henry Dupree is Rook Griswold, his crewman.

    No one will ever mistake The Killer Shrews as a great movie. The effects, the dialogue, and some of the acting rank high on the cheese-factor scale. It is, however, a boatload of fun! Whitney recounts seeing the film as a child with her grandmother and gives us the "You do what you have to do" mantra of the low-budget, independent filmmaker. Though he has come to love it, Chad hated the movie when he saw it as a child. He also wishes Judge Henry Dupree and Alfredo de Soto had lasted longer into the film, though they both did have heroic deaths. Joseph points out that Baruch Lumet was director Sidney Lumet's father and opines that James Best is giving it his all as the lead protagonist. The colorized version of The Killer Shrews gets a short test run from Jeff and he also reveals the connection between Ken Curtis and legendary director John Ford. Unsurprisingly, your Grue Crew gives a unanimous, cheese-dipped, thumbs-up to The Killer Shrews!

    The Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Grue Crew plan to release a new episode every other week. The next episode in our very flexible schedule will be The Haunting (1963). We thought it was time to revisit the original following the recent release of The Haunting of Hill House as a Netflix series.

    Please let us know what you think of Decades of Horror: The Classic Era! We want to hear from you! After all, without you, we're just four nutjobs talking about the films we love. Send us an email or leave us a message, a review, or a comment at GruesomeMagazine.com, iTunes, Stitcher, Google Podcast, or the Horror News Radio Facebook group.

    To each of you from each of us, "Thank you so much for listening!"

    1 hr 23 min
  • Suspiria (2018) - Episode 297 - Horror News Radio

    NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, THE WALKING DEAD, and LEPRECHAUN RETURNS top the horror news of the week. The Grue-Crew review SUSPIRIA (2018) from director Luca Guadagnino which promises to be a divisive and challenging horror film, possibly one that will be discussed for years and years. Join Dave Dreher, Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore, and Vanessa Thompson as we discuss Horror News of the Week and review the latest horror offerings.

    As always, the HNR Grue-Crew would love to hear from you! Reach out via email at feedback(AT)horrornewsradio(DOT)com. Also, please like us on Facebook and join the Horror News Radio Facebook Group.

    Horror News Radio Episode 297 - Suspiria (2018) Subscribe – iTunes – Facebook – Stitcher

    ANNOUNCEMENTS
    • HNR Is brought to you by the generous contributions to our Patreon account Thank you to our patrons
    • NEW YORK CITY HORROR FILM FESTIVAL: Thursday, November 29 - Sunday December 2, New York, New York
    HORROR NEWS OF THE WEEK
    • A direct sequel to Romero's 1968 classic NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD in the works
    • Andrew Lincoln exits THE WALKING DEAD Series - announces three Rick Grimes films
    • Lionsgate announces release info for LEPRECHAUN RETURNS
    • UnCork'd Entertainment attempts to renew our fear of the cornfields with a trailer for SCARECROWS
    • The "little franchise that could" will continue with SKYLINES
    • Blumhouse is legit, in case you didn't already know it: crossed $4 BILLION in worldwide gross
    • Jason has daddy issues but not many other issues as FRIDAY THE 13TH: VENGEANCE lands full funding and some notable cast
    FEATURE TOPIC: Suspiria (2018)

    A darkness swirls at the center of a world-renowned dance company, one that will engulf the artistic director, an ambitious young dancer, and a grieving psychotherapist. Some will succumb to the nightmare. Others will finally wake up.

    Director: Luca GuadagninoCast: Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton, Doris Hick

    SUPPORT HNR:

    THIS MONTH ON PATREON http://horrornewsradio.com/patreon HNR T-SHIRTS http://horrornewsradio.com/tees

    FEEDBACK: [email protected] EXIT

    Thanks to Rocky Gray for our killer new HNR theme song Next Week on HNR: OVERLORD

    1 hr 55 min
  • The Night Stalker (1972) – Episode 84 – Decades of Horror 1970s

    "So think about it and try to tell yourself wherever you may be, in the quiet of your home, in the safety of your bed, try to tell yourself, It couldn't happen here." As all horror fans know, of course, it could happen here. It always happens here! Join your faithful Grue Crew - Doc Rotten, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they journey back to 1970s Las Vegas with Carl Kolchak in search of The Night Stalker (1972).

    Decades of Horror 1970s Episode 83 – The Night Stalker (1972)

    Before it premiered in 1972, no one predicted the impact The Night Stalker would have on the horror genre as seen on network television. Produced by Dan Curtis, directed by John Llewellyn Moxey, written by Richard Matheson from a novel by Jeff Rice, the film unexpectedly set a ratings record for TV-movies. Its success led to a follow-up telefilm, The Night Strangler (1973), and a legendary TV series, Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974-1975). To top it off, The Night Stalker was the first film in the successful pairing of Curtis and Matheson that would last for half-a-dozen films through Dead of Night (1977).

    The story of The Night Stalker is told through a series of audio tape recordings, documenting an unprinted story written by Carl Kolchak, a rebellious, idealistic reporter. Kolchak believes a series of killings have been committed by a vampire but, not surprisingly, he can't seem to convince anyone else. When the powers-that-be are finally forced to face the truth, a temporarily triumphant Kolchak discovers he's been playing a rigged game all along.

    Darren McGavin is Carl Kolchak as he creates an iconic character from Matheson's brilliant screenplay. McGavin is supported by a cast of venerable character actors that include Simon Oakland as Vincenzo, Kolchak's editor; Ralph Meeker as Bernie Jenks, one of Kolchak's few allies; Claude Akins as Sheriff Butcher; Kent Smith as D.A. Paine; Charles McGraw as Chief Masterson; Elisha Cook Jr. as Mickey Crawford, Kolchak's key source; and Larry Linville as Coroner Makurji. The superlative cast of The Night Stalker is rounded out by Carol Lynley and Barry Atwater, as Kolchak's girlfriend Gail and the vampire Janos Skorzeny, respectively.

    The 1970s Grue Crew all saw the television premiere of The Night Stalker and are adamant regarding how well it holds up. Chad reflects on the after-effects experienced by his young self when he first saw the film, and emphatically declares his love for all things Kolchak. As a vampire aficionado, Bill is impressed by the feral nature of Atwater's portrayal of Skorzeny, and voices his appreciation for the unique elements this film brings to the vampire canon. Jeff talks about how well Bob Cobert's score enhances the film and gives some shoutouts to the classic era of horror by means of a short quiz about two of the film's many character actors. Kolchak's signature attire (porkpie hat and shabby suit) gets Doc fired up and the final confrontation between Kolchak and Skorzeny fans his flame even higher. As the Grue Crew's fearless leader, Doc does his usual masterful job keeping everyone on track and what would a Gruesome Magazine podcast be without a demonstration of his skill at the innovative pronunciation of names? How many ways can you say "Janos Skorzeny?" (We love you, Doc!)

    We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at [email protected].

    1 hr 12 min

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