There have been many horror writers that have been important to the genre, but few have had the outsized impact of the one and only Chas. Balun. Whether it was his work in Fangoria, Gorezone, or his own magazine Deep Red, even if you didn’t see his name at the head of the article, you knew it was him within a few sentences, by either by the tone of the writing, or maybe the films he was covering. Chas’ style was humorous and more than a little confrontational, but he was always waving the flag in support of movies that he felt were important and hadn’t received enough attention. Sure, they tended to be on the gory side, but for Chas. it wasn't just about the gore. Not entirely, anyway.

While the three of us knew his work and the impact it had on us personally, for this very special episode, we felt we needed to talk with other folks who were just as impacted by him, and also knew him personally. In the second half of the show, you'll hear from John Szpunar, author of Xeroxferox: The Wild World of the Horror Film Fanzine and Blood Sucking Freak: The Life and Films of the Incredible Joel M. Reed; Art Ettinger, editor at Ultra Violent magazine; and finally Shawn Lewis, creator of Rotten Cotten and Eibon Press. They all share their own stories of Chas, and we all discuss the profound the impact Chas. had on us and on the horror genre in general.  Don’t miss this one!

Films mentioned in this episode:

Abomination (1988), Bad Taste (1987), The Beyond (1981), Beyond the Darkness (1979), Blood Sucking Freaks (1976), Blue Velvet (1986), Braindead (1992), Bug (1975), Cannibal Holocaust (1980), City of the Walking Dead (1980), Dellamorte Dellamore (1994), The Exorcist (1973), Friday the 13th (1980), Guinea Pig 2: The Flower of Flesh and Blood (1985), Hell of the Living Dead (1980), Last House on Dead End Street (1973), Last House on the Left (1972), Mad Ron’s Prevues from Hell (1987), The Nest (1987), Night of the Demon (1980), The Omen (1976), Pieces (1982), Splatterfest Exhumed (2024), Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), Tombs of the Blind Dead (1972), Zoltan: Hound of Dracula (1977), Zombie (1979)

A Taste of Evil (1971), Snowbeast (1977), This House Possessed (1981)

We’re back on the small screen for our fourth dive into the world of made-for-TV horror—which should tell you something: we love these things. Maybe it’s nostalgia from growing up in an era when you couldn’t stream whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted. Or maybe it's because some of these films were just plain good—tight, creepy little stories that managed to leave a mark.

This time around, we're not talking about the crown jewels of the genre, but rather three solid, middle-of-the-pack entries: well-made, weirdly memorable, and wildly watchable. You’ve got disturbed minds, ski lodge mayhem, and a haunted house that’s a little too into you. If the stories don’t grab you, the casts just might.

Films mentioned in this episode:

1941 (1979), Abominable (2006), Alien (1979), Amityville Horror (1979), Asylum (1972), Beetlejuice (1988), Beyond the Door (1974), Blazing Saddles (1974), Butcher Baker, Nightmare Maker (1981), City of the Dead (1960), City Slickers (1991), The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), Don’t be Afraid of the Dark (1973), Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981), Devil Dog: Hound of Hell (1978), The Devil’s Daughter (1973), Double Indemnity (1944), Drag Me to Hell (2009), Duel (1971), Frankenstein: The True Story (1973), Halloween (1978), House by the Cemetery (1981), House that Wouldn’t Die (1970), Horror of Dracula (1958), I, Desire (1982), The Dirty Dozen (1967), Jaws (1975), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Night of the Creeps (1986), The Night Stalker (1972), The Night Walker (1964), Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973), Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987), Psycho (1960), Re-Animator (1985), Salem’s Lot (1979), Satan’s School for Girls (1973), Scream of Fear (1961), Shriek of the Mutilated (1974), Snowbeast (1977), Strange and Deadly Occurrence (1974), Suspiria (1977), A Taste of Evil (1971), Three Stooges Meet Hercules (1962), This House of Possessed (1981), The Tingler (1959), Trilogy of Terror (1975), Videodrome (1983)

Black Sunday (1960), Blood and Black Lace (1964), and A Bay of Blood (1971)

There are films by certain directors that are truly iconic—classics of the genre we sometimes assume everyone has already seen. But it’s easy to forget that, right now, there are fans just beginning their journey into horror. Whether due to age or a newfound curiosity, they’re taking their first steps into the genre.

For those unfamiliar with him, we’d like to introduce one of horror’s true maestros: Mario Bava. And for those already acquainted with his work, maybe it’s time for a revisit—to once again be stunned by what he brings to the screen. If it’s been a few years, you may find yourself seeing things in a whole new way. That’s one of the beautiful things about cinema.

The three films we’ve chosen highlight important parts of Bava’s career and show how his work helped shape entire subgenres—from gothic horror to giallo to the slasher film. Whether you’re discovering him for the first time or coming back for a fresh look, these films are a perfect place to begin.

One quick correction: Edgar Wallace was a British writer, not American.

Films mentioned in this episode:

Baron Blood (1972), A Bay of Blood (1971), Black Sabbath (1963), Black Sunday (1960), Blood and Black Lace (1964), Caltiki the Immortal Monster (1959), The Church (1989), Creature with the Blue Hand (1967), Curse of the Crying Woman (1963), Curse of Frankenstein (1957), Danger: Diabolik (1968), The Day the Sky Exploded (1958), Death Walks at Midnight (1972), Death Walks in High Heels (1971), Deep Red (1975), The Demon (1982), Demons (1985), Django Kill…If You Live, Shoot! (1967), Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs (1966), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932), Erik the Conqueror (1961), Eyeball (1975), The Four of the Apocalypse (1975), Frankenstein ’80 (1972), Frankenstein Island (1981), Friday the 13th (1980), Friday the 13th (1981), The Giant of Marathon (1959), The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1963), The Great Silence (1968), Hatchet for a Honeymoon (1970), Hercules in the Haunted World (1961), Horror of Dracula (1958), Inferno (1980), I Vampiri (1957), Knives of the Avenger (1966), Long Hair of Death (1964), Night Child (1975), Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), Planet of the Vampires (1965), Psycho (1960), She (1965), Shock (1977), Suspiria (1977), Thunderball (1965), The Toolbox Murders (1978), Torso (1973), The Whip and the Body (1963), Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key (1972)

As horror fans, it's hard enough trying to keep up with all the movies—let alone the memorabilia and collectibles—but just imagine having to live with one of us! 

In this episode, we've invited our wives onto the show to share their perspectives—not just on living with a slightly obsessive fan, but on how they've come to embrace the genre themselves.

You'll hear how they became fans in their own right, and what kinds of films still give them the shivers. As you'll learn, being a horror fan has evolved into a shared experience—a communal passion that binds us together. While we might not all love the same titles, we all agree on one thing: this genre rules.

We welcome Kat AuBuchon, Jenn Glonek, and Dawn Kitley as they join us to help Discover the Horror!

Films Mentioned in this episode:

August Underground (2001), August Underground’s Mordum (2003), Cannibal Ferox (1981), Carcinoma (2014), Deadly Games aka Dial Code Santa Clause (1989), Demoniacs (1974), The Descent (2005), Flesh for Frankenstein (1973), Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971), Frankenstein (1931), Friday the 13th (1980), Funny Games (1997), The Godfather (1972), Gods of the Deep (2023), Godzilla (1954), Halloween (1978), Halloween II (1981),  Halloween V: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989), Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995), Hard Ticket to Hawaii (1987), High Tension (2003), Hostel (2005), Human Centipede (First Sequence) (2009), Inside (2007), Longlegs (2024), Mandy (2018), Nekromantik (1988), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Psycho (1960), Oddity (2024), One Missed Call (2008), Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), The Redsin Tower (2006), The Rule of Jenny Penn (2025), Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975), Scream (1996), A Serbian Film (2010), Session 9 (2001), Sleepaway Camp (1983), Society (1989), Sting of Death (1966), The Substance (2024), The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014), Terrifier (2016), Terror Firmer (1999), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), The Thing (1982), Three on a Meathook (1972), Tromeo and Juliet (1996), Two Evil Eyes (1990), Without Warning (1980), Z.A.A.T. (1971)

Hardware (1990), Death Machine (1994), and Event Horizon (1997)

The 1990s are often thought of as a decade of dread for horror fans—not because of what was on the screen, but because nothing good supposedly came out of it. Or at least, that’s the typical response. But as we continue down the path to Discover the Horror, we’re starting to realize that what we remember about the past isn’t always accurate—whether it's based on our own memories or what we were told.

When you really dig into those ten years, there's actually a lot of great stuff that came out—even just here in the U.S. And when you look beyond to international horror, it gets even better. Browse through the list and you’re bound to say, “Oh yeah, I forgot about that one.”

In this episode, we decided to tackle that decade and picked three titles that, as it turns out, share some very similar themes. And we think all three are well worth watching.

Films mentioned in this episode:

Alien (1979), Aliens (1986), Batman Returns (1992), The Blair Witch Project (1999), The Boneyard (1991), Braindead (1992), Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992), Candyman (1992), Cronos (1992), Day of the Dead (1985), Death Machine (1994), Dellamorte Dellamore (1994), The Descent (2005), Dr. Giggles (1992), Dust Devil (1992), Event Horizon (1997), Evil Dead 2 (1987), The Exorcist (1973), Faces of Death (1978), Freeway (1996), Goodfellas (1990), Godzilla (1998), Gravity (2013), Halloween (1978), Halloween H20 (1998), Hardware (1990), Hellraiser (1987), Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992), High Tension (2003), I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), In the Mouth of Madness (1994), Judge Dredd (1995), Jurassic Park (1993), Lord of Illusion (1995), Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994), Meet the Feebles (1989), Mimic (1997), Misery (1990), The Mummy (1999), Nightbreed (1990), Pulp Fiction (1994), The Princess Bride (1987), Reign of Fire (2002), The Resurrected (1991), Return of the Living Dead (1985), Return to Splatter Farm (2020), Ringu (1998), Scream (1996), Scream 2 (1997), The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Star Wars (1977), Thelma & Louise (1991), The Thing (1982), Valentine (2001), Warning Sign (1985), Willow (1988)

Die, Monster, Die! (1965), Necronomicon (1993), and Gods of the Deep (2023)

While Stephen King may dominate when it comes to movie adaptations of his work—good or bad—one might expect that H.P. Lovecraft, given his immense impact on the literary world, would inspire just as many films. Yet, despite his influence, far fewer movies have been made from his stories than you’d think. Perhaps it’s because Lovecraft’s horror isn’t about the details of what his characters see, but rather what those horrors do to them—often driving them into madness. And therein lies the beauty of his work.

In this episode, we dive into three very different films, spanning three decades, each drawing from the strange and unsettling tales of this enigmatic author from Providence, Rhode Island. If you’re not well-versed in Lovecraft’s work, this is your chance to experience three adaptations—loose as they may be—that offer a glimpse into his nightmarish imagination.

Films Mentioned in this Episode:

Castle Freak (1995), Color Out of Space (2019), Creepshow (1982), The Crimson Blade (1963), Crying Freeman (1995), Demon Wind (1990), The Devil-Ship Pirates (1964), Die, Monster, Die! (1965), Dracula Prince of Darkness (1966), The Dunwich Horror (1970), The Evil Dead (1981), From Beyond (1986), Gamera, Guardian of the Universe (1995), Gods of the Deep (2023), Hatchet (2006), The Haunted Palace (1963), Humanoids from the Deep (1981), In the Mouth of Madness (1994), The Invisible Ray (1935), Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988), Leprechaun (1993), Leprechaun 2 (1994), Leprechaun 4: In Space (1996), Leprechaun 5: In the Hood (2000), Leprechaun 6: Back 2 Tha Hood (2003), Lovecraft Country (2020), Lurking Fear (1994), Necronomicon (1993), Re-Animator (1985), Return of the Living Dead III (1993), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), The Unnamable (1988), Vampyres (1974)

In our search for more knowledge about the horror genre, the films we love, and the people behind them, many horror fans began their journey with reference books. Long before the internet, these books served as stepping stones, introducing fans to films they had never heard of and offering deeper insight into the people behind the movies they already knew and loved. It was like opening doors for the first time—or pushing open ones that had only been slightly ajar—allowing us to explore and learn so much more.

In this episode, we welcome author Bryan Senn to the show to discuss these essential reference books. With over three decades of experience writing about sci-fi and horror in a variety of magazines—not to mention his own books on multiple subjects—Bryan brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation. So sit back and enjoy—but keep a notepad handy, because you might want to jot down a few titles to track down!

Films mentioned in this episode:

The Abyss (1989), Angel Heart (1987), Attack of the Beast Creatures (1985), The Believers (1987), Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb (1971), The Body Snatcher (1945), Captive Wild Women (1943), Chloe, Love is Calling You (1934), Class of Nuke ’em High (1986), The Corpse Grinders (1971), Cry of the Banshee (1970), Death Curse of Tartu (1966), The Descent (2005), Dog Soldiers (2002), Evil Dead (1981), The Fly (1986), The Fly II (1989), Frankenstein’s Daughter (1958), Friday the 13th (1980), A Game of Death (1945), The Ghost Ship (1943), The Giant Gila Monster (1959), Halloween (1978), The Haunting (1963), The Howling (1981), The Howling V: The Rebirth (1989), Howling: New Moon Rising (1995), Lady Terminator (1989), Late Phases (2014), Leprechaun (1993), Leviathan (1989), The Long Hair of Death (1964), Lords of the Deep (1989), Most Dangerous Game (1932), The Mummy (1932), The Mummy (1959), The Mummy and the Curse of the Jackals (1969), The Mummy’s Hand (1940), The Mummy’s Tomb (1942), Mystics in Bali (1981), Nazi Mummy (2019), Night of the 1000 Cats (1972), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Onibaba (1964), Robot Jox (1989), Scream Blacula Scream (1973), The Secret of the Mummy (1982), Serpent and the Rainbow (1988), The Seventh Victim (1943), Signs (2002), Sound of Music (1965), Sting of Death (1966), The Strangeness (1985), Sugar Hill (1974), The Thing (1982), Toxic Avenger (1984), The Uncanny (1977), Uninvited (1988), Van Helsing (2004), Voodoo Black Exorcist (1974), Voodoo Heartbeat (1973)

Night of the Bloody Apes (1969), Don't Go in the House (1979), Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker (1981)

In 1984, in the U.K., the Video Recording Act was passed, which required certification of all video releases by the British Board of Film Classification, aka BBFC. This all came about due to a list of video titles that a group of various religious and other social groups run by the likes of Mary Whitehouse, deemed unsuitable to be viewed and thought for sure it would help corrupt the youth of England. The initial list had 72 titles on it, both films that had already been released after obtaining a BBFC certificate but now was deemed too offensive, as well as a whole bunch of other titles that were believed to fall under the obscenity law. If you own a shop that rented or sold one of these titles, you could be shut down, fined, and possibly even go to jail for it. And this all took place, not in the dark ages, but in the mid 1980s. Hard to believe it, especially growing up here in the U.S.

Some of those titles have only recently gotten passed and released over in the U.K., even 40 years later. Blows the mind.

In this episode, we discuss not only the whole Video Nasty era, but cover 3 films from that list, with each of us watching all 3 and see if we made it through without turning us into mindless deviants. Oops. Too late.

Films mentioned in this episode:

The Bat Woman (1968), Beast in Heat (1977), The Body Snatcher (1957), The Braniac (1962), The Burning (1981), Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker (1981), Curse of the Crying Woman (1962), The Curious Dr. Hump (1969), Dead of Winter (1987), Doctor of Doom (1963), Don’t Answer the Phone (1980), Don’t Go in the House (1979), Don’t Look in the Basement (1973), Don’t Open Till Christmas (1984), Driller Killer (1979), Entrails of a Virgin (1986), Eyes of a Stranger (1981), Faces of Death (1978), Fear No Evil (1981), The Gestapo’s Last Orgy (1977), Horror High (1973), I Drink Your Blood (1971), I Spit on Your Grave (1978), Let Sleeping Corpses Lie (1974), Maniac (1980), Mortuary (1982), Mother’s Day (1980), Nekromantik (1988), New York Ripper (1982), Night of the Bloody Apes (1969), Perdita Durango (1997), The Prowler (1981), Psycho (1960), Roar (1981), Santo and Blue Demon vs. Dracula and the Wolf Man (1973), Santo and Blue Demon vs. the Monsters (1970), Santo vs. Frankenstein’s Daughter (1972), Santo vs. the Head Hunters (1971), Santo in the Treasure of Dracula (1969),Santo in the Vengeance of the Mummy (1971), Shock Waves (1977), Silent Night Deadly Night (1984), Speed (1994), SS Experiment Love Camp (1976), Subspecies (1991), Suspiria (1977), Terrorvision (1986), Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), Twister (1996), Unhinged (1982), El Vampiro (1957), The Wresting Women vs. the Aztec Mummy (1964)

In the horror community, the easiest way to show you are a fan is by what you wear. The horror T-shirt has been a staple in the fandom for what seems like forever. But it wasn’t always like that. To say that fans have it easy today is a slight understatement. Not only in terms of their availability, but of the selection that is out there! It is an easy way to show the public that you are a card-carrying horror fan, whether you’re wearing a Texas Chain Saw t-shirt, Cannibal Holocaust, or even a Night of the Living Dead shirt, it gives others that immediate notation that this person likes horror films.

Fright Rags, one of the bigger horror T-shirt companies, has been around for over 2 decades, so we decided to ask owner/operator Ben Scrivens on the show to not only talk about the ins and outs of running a T-shirt company, but also to talk about our love of horror films and conventions.

Films mentioned in this episode:

Blood Sucking Freaks (1976), Braindead (1992), Bride of Re-Animator (1990), Burial Ground (1981), Cannibal Holocaust (1980), Christine (1983), Day of the Dead (1985), E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead 2 (1987), Faces of Death (1978), Friday the 13th (1980), Friday the 13th Part 3 (1982), Friday the 13th: The New Blood (1988), The Gates of Hell (1980), The Greasy Strangler (2016), Halloween (1978), Halloween II (1981), Hellraiser (1987), House by the Cemetery (1981), Humanoids from the Deep (1980), I Spit on your Grave (1978), It’s Alive (1974), Jaws 2 (1978), Jaws 3D (1983), Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988), Let Sleeping Corpse Lie (1974), A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985), Night of the Living Dead (1982), Q: The Winged Serpent (1982), Return of the Living Dead (1985), The Shining (1980), Tales from the Darkside (1990), Tenebrae (1982), Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986), They Live (1988), The Thing (1982), Videodrome (1983), The Warriors (1979), The Wicker Man (1973)

The Leopard Man (1943), The Seventh Victim (1943), Isle of the Dead (1945)

Back in episode 23, we covered producer Val Lewton and three of his films. While Lewton only produced about a dozen films—and only a handful of them horror—his work made a huge impact on the genre. That’s why we’ve decided to discuss three more of his films, hoping to inspire other fans to seek out not only the ones we’ve covered but his other titles as well.

With the help of a talented group of craftsmen—including directors Jacques Tourneur and Mark Robson, screenwriter Ardel Wray, and a skilled cast of actors he worked with repeatedly—Lewton created films that stood apart. They weren’t just different from what he was hired to produce; they defied the expectations of most horror fans at the time. His films had style, compelling stories, and uniquely well-developed characters. They’re a testament to how effective something as simple as a walk down the street can be when crafted by the right people.

Films mentioned in this episode:

The Body Snatcher (1945), Cat People (1942), The Curse the Cat People (1944), Curse of the Demon (1957), The Day After (1983), Isle of the Dead (1945), I Walked with a Zombie (1943), The Leopard Man (1943), Old Dark House (1932), The Seventh Victim (1943)