CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD (aka THE GATES OF HELL) (1980) d. Lucio Fulci (Italy) Tonight we're returning to the eerie and bonkers world of Italian horror with a film that defies conventional storytelling — Lucio Fulci’s City of the Living Dead, known to American audiences as The Gates of Hell. Following up on the success of Zombie the year before, City of the Living Dead marked a turning point in Fulci’s career, steering him away from the multitude of genres he had previously worked in, into the surreal, apocalyptic horror that would ultimately come to define his legacy within the genre. Working with screenwriter Dardano Sacchetti, composer Fabio Frizzi, and special effects wizard Gino de Rossi, Fulci crafted a story where atmosphere outweighs logic, favoring mood and shock value over a linear plot. Despite — or perhaps because of — its fragmented narrative, this is a film that you feel more than follow, a surreal, almost metaphysical approach to horror, one that leaves audiences disoriented, fascinated, deeply unsettled, and hungry for another viewing Join AC and his amazing panel of guests (Jonathon Lucas, Dave James Parker, Larry Sternshein, Nathaniel Thompson) as we explore City of the Living Dead’s place in Fulci’s career and in Italian genre cinema, and why it continues to resonate with horror fans 45 years later. ------------------------------------------- JONATHON LUCAS is a horror fiend from Australia whose love for the genre predates his brain’s ability to form memories. He contributed the essay for At Midnight I’ll Take Your Soul for Hidden Horror. DAVE JAMES PARKER is a YouTube film reviewer, collector, and former indie actor who has been running the Mr. Parka YouTube channel and podcast for over 15 years. In recent years he has started a deep dive into 1980s horror films where he often collaborates with horror journalist, podcasters, and authors to discuss an assorted mix of genre films. He has made appearances in notable indie horrors Headless and Applecart. LARRY STERNSHEIN is a lifelong movie fan in Colorado and host of the movie memories podcast "Reel Early." Not only does he love talking about horror and action cinema, but is also a big pro wrestling fan. NATHANIEL THOMPSON has recorded 300 audio commentaries and written five books, most recently The FrightFest Guide to Vampire Movies. You can see him in shows like Eli Roth's History of Horror and Horror's Greatest, and read him yammering about all kinds of movies at mondo-digital.com. ------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!

PEEPING TOM (1960) d. Michael Powell (UK) A provocative psychological thriller and a daring exploration of voyeurism, Michael Powell’s PEEPING TOM tells the story of Mark Lewis, a withdrawn cameraman filled with deep pain and dark secrets. Powell’s brilliant examination of the human urge to look—but not be seen looking—turns Mark’s camera into both weapon and mirror.

Peeping Tom is a film about watching, made in a medium built for being watched. Powell, fully aware of cinema’s voyeuristic nature, floods the narrative with images of seeing, watching, and being seen—even including a blind character who “sees” more than others. Most disturbingly, Powell offers a psychopathic killer as the protagonist, forcing audiences not just to sympathize, but to identify with him—even more brazenly than Hitchcock’s Psycho, released the same year to far greater acclaim and success.

Audiences in 1960 Britain were unprepared for such a confrontational and honest viewpoint, and the film was condemned, reviled, and effectively ended Powell’s career at home. For decades, Peeping Tom languished in obscurity, more referenced than seen firsthand. Today, 65 years later, it is rightfully recognized as a visionary masterpiece—an unflinching look at the dark heart of cinema itself. 👁️ From taboo-breaking storytelling to its lasting legacy in the genre, Peeping Tom is more than a film—it’s a lens into horror’s darkest instincts. Join AC and his awesome panel of guests (Christianne Benedict, Dave M Gray, Mackenzie Parker, Lee Price) as they celebrate 65 years of PEEPING TOM! 📺 New horror history episodes every Friday night – Subscribe and hit the bell 🔔 to join the class! ----------------------------------------------------------------- CHRISTIANNE BENEDICT is a cartoonist, film writer, malcontent, and Bloginatrix at https://krelllabs.blogspot.com DAVE “M” GRAY is currently a test subject in a subterranean mad science lab and allowed to send proofs of life to Raiders of the Podcast (raidersofthepodcast.blogspot.com or anywhere you podcast) and Twitch (twitch.tv/sh4ggyr4nd) weekly. MACKENZIE PARKER is a filmmaker living in Los Angeles. He studied at Northern Illinois University and the Moscow Art Theater. He has worked on TV shows such as Sons of Anarchy and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and is currently working as a staff editor for Digital Alliance. LEE PRICE has dedicated his career to celebrating our history and culture (including horror films!) through freelance writing and 25 years with the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts. He is a guest blogger at “Wonders in the Dark.” ---------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!

MANIAC (1980) d. William Lustig (USA) Celebrating 45 years of William Lustig’s Maniac (1980) — a cult horror classic that’s part slasher, part psychological descent, and all Joe Spinell. Wildly controversial and undeniably influential, Maniac (1980) is one of the most unsettling slasher films of the early 1980s. Directed by William Lustig and starring Joe Spinell—who also co-wrote the screenplay—Maniac follows Frank Zito, a deeply disturbed and isolated man driven by trauma, navigating the grim streets of New York City. Unlike many slasher movies of the era, Maniac is a psychological horror film that focuses less on body count and more on the fractured mind of its killer. Tom Savini’s legendary practical effects are a standout, as is Lustig’s raw portrayal of urban decay. Jay Chattaway’s synth-heavy score and Robert Lindsay’s gritty cinematography contribute to a haunting atmosphere that has helped cement the film’s cult classic status. Criticized upon release for its extreme violence and perceived misogyny, Maniac has since been reevaluated as a bold example of independent horror cinema—transgressive, unforgettable, and essential viewing for fans of character-driven horror. Join AC and his awesome panel of guests (John W. Bowen, Art Ettinger, Nicola McCafferty) as we celebrate 45 years of MANIAC! ------------------------------------------------ JOHN W. BOWEN has been a columnist, reviewer and feature writer for Rue Morgue magazine since 1999, and has also written sporadically for more (...cough...) “civilized” publications, including the Kingston Whig-Standard, The Toronto Star and Kingston Life Magazine. Born in Dallas and raised in Kingston, Ontario, he is also a professional musician and recovering strip club DJ.

ART ETTINGER is the editor of Ultra Violent Magazine, a public defender, and a Razorcake record reviewer. He lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where his lifelong obsessions with punk rock and horror/exploitation cinema continue to consume him. NICOLA MCCAFFERTY is a PhD candidate in the department of Radio, Television, and Film at Northwestern University. Her research looks at screen representations of nonhuman women such as mannequins, dolls, robots, and aliens in order to deconstruct the overlapping categories of whiteness, humanity, and femininity. Outside of grad school, Nicola has a few stray bylines at Dread Central, has seen every Kristen Stewart movie, and runs an Etsy store (https://www.etsy.com/shop/vvitchroom/?etsrc=sdt) where she sells enamel pins, stickers, and prints inspired by horror and cult films from the 1960s to today.  ------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!

BATTLE ROYALE (2000) d. Kinji Fukasaku (Japan) How did Battle Royale become one of the most influential survival horror films of all time? In this HORROR 101 panel, we dive into Kinji Fukasaku’s controversial cult classic—an ultra-violent dystopian thriller where 42 students are forced to kill or be killed. Based on Koushun Takami’s novel, Battle Royale blends brutal action with haunting emotion, earning its place as a defining work of J-horror and 2000s cinema. Join AC and his incredible panel of J-Horror enthusiasts (Michelle Kisner, Grant Kuchan, Tyler Pistorius) as we explore the film’s horror roots, its commentary on youth, government control, and media spectacle, and how it helped shape everything from The Hunger Games to Fortnite. ----------------------------------------- MICHELLE KISNER is a film critic, freelance writer, and physical media advocate. She has contributed to several websites to include The Cultural Gutter and The Movie Sleuth and is also a member of the Michigan Movie Critics Guild. GRANT KUCHAN is a writer of pulp, wellness coach, and a real swell guy. He plays in any Jug Bands that let him. One day he’ll finish another novel, which will probably be available on Amazon, as well as at most Darktower Comics locations across the greater Chicagoland Area. The horror movie that still gives him nightmares is Matango. He saw it when he was six, and still doesn’t eat mushrooms. TYLER PISTORIUS is an actor, screenwriter, and producer living in Chicago. His recent works include Death is Business and A Missed Connection, and is currently in development on a new project. ------------------------------------------ Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!

1970 was a breakthrough year for vampire cinema — sexier, bloodier, and bolder than ever before. In this episode of HORROR 101, Dr. AC and his panel explore five iconic films that redefined the vampire mythos for a new era:

• COUNT YORGA, VAMPIRE (USA) – A modern bloodsucker stalks the streets of Los Angeles.

• HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS (USA) – Barnabas Collins goes full Gothic on the big screen.

• THE VAMPIRE LOVERS (UK) – Hammer Horror leans into eroticism with Ingrid Pitt as Carmilla.

• COUNT DRACULA (Spain) – Jess Franco directs Christopher Lee in a rarely faithful take on Bram Stoker’s novel.

• THE NUDE VAMPIRE (France) – Jean Rollin’s surreal art-horror vision blends sci-fi and sexuality.

🎙️ Featuring special guests: Chad Hawks, Barry Kaufman, Alan Tromp, and Bobby Zier.

If you're into classic horror, cult cinema, or just love a good vampire flick, this one’s for you. New episodes every Friday night!

REPULSION (1965) d. Roman Polanski (UK) Co-written and directed by Roman Polanski, Repulsion (1965) is a landmark psychological horror film that explores the mental disintegration of a young woman, Carole (expertly played by Catherine Deneuve), living alone in London. Polanski's first English-language feature—and the first in his iconic “Apartment Trilogy,” followed by Rosemary’s Baby and The Tenant—Repulsion dives deep into themes of isolation, sexual repression, and psychological trauma. When Carole’s sister leaves her alone for two weeks, paranoia and terrifying hallucinations take over her world. Polanski masterfully uses the apartment setting (designed by Seamus Flannery), Gil Taylor’s surreal camerawork, and Stephen Dalby’s eerie sound design to visualize Carole’s descent into madness. Cracking walls, grasping hands, and nightmarish shadows blur the line between reality and delusion, all set to Chico Hamilton’s moody jazz score. Join AC and his panel of horror enthusiasts (Dodd Alley, Matthew Amador, Thomas Puhr, and Elena Romea) as we analyze Repulsion’s lasting influence, its place in horror history, the complicated relationship between art and artist, and why it remains one of the 1960s' most disturbing and enduring works. --------------------------------------------- DODD ALLEY is an author (Gamers and Gorehounds: The Influence of Video Games on the Contemporary American Horror Film) and has a Masters in Film Studies from Ohio University, where he taught courses on Cult Cinema and Hollywood Reflexive films. MATTHEW AMADOR is an actor and owner of Matador Behavioral Health, where he utilizes narrative fiction as a means to process trauma and anxiety through psychotherapy.  www.MatadorChicago.com  THOMAS M. PUHR's writing has appeared in Bright Lights Film Journal and the Los Angeles Review of Books, among others. His book, Fate in Film: A Deterministic Approach to Cinema, is available from Wallflower Press. He is the co-host of Gut Punch, a new film podcast from Beneficial Shock! magazine. ELENA ROMEA is the creator behind SpanishFear.com and Horror Rises from Spain. A researcher in literature and cinema, she holds a Ph.D. in Spanish Studies with a dissertation about the filmmaker José Val del Omar. Her work explores themes of estrangement, horror, myth, and cultural conflict. ------------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!

PHENOMENA (1985) d. Dario Argento (Italy)  Perhaps the only “insect detective” movie out there on the shelves, featuring a very young Jennifer Connelly (released one year before Labyrinth) as the daughter of a famous American movie star sent away to study at an exclusive Swiss girl’s academy, whose students just happen to be falling victim to a homicidal killer. But as this is an Argento movie, things are hardly what they seem. Those familiar with Donald Pleasance primarily for his increasingly loony portrayals of Dr. Loomis in the Halloween series should check out his fine, subdued work here as a wheelchair-bound entomologist with a wavering Scottish accent, while Deep Red’s Daria Nicolodi adds another winning portrayal to her CV as the troubled Frau Bruckner. The strong opening half hour is followed by a middle section riddled with kinetic fits and starts, with a bizarre, gory ending that has “kitchen sink” writ large upon it. (All eyes on the monkey.) Argento elects for a song score comprised of myriad recording artists (including Bill Wyman, Motorhead, and Goblin), and while much of it works, it occasionally calls attention to itself rather than complementing the onscreen action (particularly with Iron Maiden’s offerings).  Potentially a bit much for the uninitiated, but those accustomed to Argento’s lack of narrative logic and flair for the unexpected will enjoy the ride. In honor of the film's 40th anniversary, we have a full house (of horrors): Jon Kitley (Kitley's Krypt, Discover the Horror), Bryan Martinez (The Giallo Room), Adam Rockoff (Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film, The Horror of It All), and Lawrence P. Raffel and Carl Lyon (Monsters at Play, FEARNet) sharing reminiscences about bootleg tape trading, early internet message boards and usernames, and, of course, their first encounters with PHENOMENA and how their feelings have changed (or not) over the years. Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!

MOTEL HELL (1980) d. Kevin Connor (USA) “It takes all kinds of critters to make Farmer Vincent’s Fritters.” So runs the tagline for 1980’s Motel Hell, an endearing oddball combo of black humor and horror, featuring veteran character actor Rory Calhoun as Vincent, the proprietor of the Motel Hello, where the O on the neon sign keeps going on the blink. Vincent and his equally wacky sister Ida (a pre-Porky’s Nancy Parsons) make their living by ensnaring unsuspecting motorists to fill up the skins of their famous Farmer Smith sausages. For his first American feature, Kevin Connor took a break from directing Amicus’ fantasy epics (such as The Land that Time Forgot, At The Earth’s Core, and Warlords of Atlantis) to helm the madness provided by the sibling screenwriting/producing team of Robert and Steven-Charles Jaffee, and does a smashing job balancing the chainsaws and chuckles. Calhoun and Parsons are terrific in their respective roles, and the spirited set-up and multitude of off-the-wall vignettes have earned Motel Hell a lasting cult reputation, distinguishing it from the glut of slashers emerging around the same time. Join AC and his awesome panel of guests (Jessalyn Abbott, S.A. Bradley, Eric Fritzius, Jen Olson, John Pata) as we head on down to the farm and celebrate 45 years of Motel Hell! -------------------------------------------------------- JESSALYN ABBOTT is a writer, producer and editor. She produced and edited LIKE ME which premiered at the 2017 SXSW Film Festival and was nominated for a grand jury award. Her most recent effort, PuLL: A Dark Comedy, is currently in pre-production. S.A. BRADLEY hosts the “Hellbent for Horror” podcast, is the author of “Screaming for Pleasure: How Horror Makes You Happy and Healthy,” and lectured at Webster University and The College of Idaho. His show, “My Horror Manifesto,” played in NYC. ERIC FRITZIUS writes things, acts in others and records mouth noises sold in the form of audiobooks. You can find his stuff at MisterHerman.com JENNIFER OLSON is a lifelong horror fan and mother of three monster kids. She is a former member of The Flint Horror Con, and currently part of the Synapse Films street team! JOHN PATA lives in Wisconsin. He’s made some horror films, he’s hosted some horror stuff, and he’s read some horror books. ------------------------------------------------ Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!

DEAD OF NIGHT (1945) d. Various (UK) A landmark horror film, 1945’s Dead of Night was produced by Britain’s famed Ealing Studios and directed by a team of mostly younger upstarts including Charles Crichton, Basil Dearden, and Robert Hamer, with veteran Alberto Cavalcanti and producer Michael Balcon marshaling their forces. Widely regarded as one of the earliest and most influential horror anthology films, Dead of Night presents a quintet of eerie and imaginative stories linked by a chilling framing narrative: an architect arrives at a country house, only to realize he’s been there before—in a recurring dream. As he shares this realization, the guests recount a series of supernatural tales involving haunted mirrors, ghostly hearses, creepy ventriloquist dummies, and more. Combining original stories and adaptations, Dead of Night blends psychological horror with dark humor, setting the blueprint for anthology series like The Twilight Zone, Tales from the Crypt, and Black Mirror. Its influence still echoes through horror cinema today. Lock your doors, pour yourself a cup of tea, and enjoy some bite-sized nightmares as AC and his incredible panel of guests (Christianne Benedict, Cati Glidewell, John McDevitt, Lee Price, Alan Tromp) celebrate the 80th anniversary of Dead of Night! BONUS: Here's the link to Lee's article referenced throughout: https://wondersinthedark.wordpress.com/2025/05/15/dead-of-night-1945-50-clinical-observations/ --------------------------------------------- CHRISTIANNE BENEDICT is a cartoonist, film writer, malcontent, and Bloginatrix at https://krelllabs.blogspot.com JOHN MCDEVITT is a lifelong cinephile who programs two recurring film events in Chicago: SUPER-HORROR-RAMA!, a weekly horror gathering with film screenings at Sideshow Gelato, and Fetish Film Forum, a monthly screening series about fetish, kink, leather, and BDSM at the Leather Archives & Museum. John is fascinated by all genres of cinema and appreciates horror most of all for its willingness to explore what makes us uncomfortable and for the compassion it often extends to its characters and the viewer.  CATI GLIDEWELL (aka The Blonde in Front) is a Chicago-based film critic, lifelong cinephile, film festival jury member, and a member of Chicago Indie Critics since 2020. You can find her on all social media platforms, as well as Post Mortem radio and Radio of Horror on YouTube. LEE PRICE has dedicated his career to celebrating our history and culture (including horror films!) through freelance writing and 25 years with the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts. He is a guest blogger at “Wonders in the Dark.” ALAN TROMP is a golden age Monster Kid, who has published articles in Filmfax, Twilight Zone Magazine, and We Belong Dead publications in the UK. He was scriptwriter for the shot-on-video nightmare, The Soul Eaters. --------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!

HOUSE OF USHER (1960) d. Roger Corman (USA) PIT AND THE PENDULUM (1961) d. Roger Corman (USA) Journey into the heart of gothic horror with House of Usher, Roger Corman’s moody and mesmerizing film version of Edgar Allan Poe’s short story. Released in 1960, Usher marks the beginning of Corman’s AIPoe series, his celebrated octet of Poe-inspired works, and it’s an atmospheric triumph of mood and style. Leading the cast is the legendary Vincent Price, in one of his most memorable roles, the fragile and haunted Roderick Usher—a man convinced that his family line is cursed and must come to an end. Price is joined by Mark Damon and Myrna Fahey, all making a meal of Richard Matheson's swirling dialogue. Belying the film’s moderate budget, Corman and cinematographer Floyd Crosby’s rich dramatic lighting lend a grand, visual presence. Daniel Haller’s stylized Usher sets become a living extension of the family’s doom, while Les Baxter’s moody musical cues evoke a decaying grandeur. Join AC and his legendary panel of guests (Jorge Didaco, Dave M. Gray, David Del Valle) as we celebrate 65 years of HOUSE OF USHER! ------------------------------------------------------ JORGE DIDACO is a Brazil-based teacher on theatre, performance, and film. He contributed the essays for The Innocents for Horror 101: The A-List of Horror Films and Monster Movies and In a Glass Cage for Hidden Horror. DAVE “M” GRAY is currently a test subject in a subterranean mad science lab and allowed to send proofs of life to Raiders of the Podcast (raidersofthepodcast.blogspot.com or anywhere you podcast) and Twitch (twitch.tv/sh4ggyr4nd) weekly. DAVID DEL VALLE is a renowned film historian, journalist, and commentator specializing in horror, science fiction, and cult cinema. He has contributed to publications like Fangoria and Cinefantastique, and produced Vincent Price's only interview focused on his horror career. Del Valle's books include Lost Horizons Beneath the Hollywood Sign and Six Reels Under. ----------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!