HORROR 101 with Dr. AC

KING KONG (1933) d. Merian C. Cooper / Ernest B. Schoedsack (USA) SON OF KONG (1933) d. Ernest B. Schoedsack (USA) It's almost impossible to overstate the importance the original 1933 King Kong has had on the monster movie genre and on the history of cinema overall. As such, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that there was a time before Kong, and that there were individuals who brought the character and the film surrounding him into existence. People like producers Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, writers Edgar Wallace, James Creelman, and Ruth Rose, special effects wizards Willis O' Brien and Marcel Delgado, composer Max Steiner, sound effects pioneer Murray Spivack, and stars Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot, and the legendary Fay Wray. The alchemy of the entire production team coalesced into a masterpiece of action, adventure, drama, and romance that broke box office records during the height of the Great Depression, and grossed even higher returns during its re-releases in 1938 and 1952. Including its own sequel, Son of Kong, which amazingly premiered in December of 1933, a mere 9 months later, King Kong has inspired remakes, spin-offs, rip-offs, and the entire giant monster movie subgenre. The entire world knows the name of Kong, The Eighth Wonder of the World. The immortal ape is our subject tonight, and AC is joined once again by another truly epic panel: Stan Hyde, Doug Long, Michael Weber, and Bobby Zier. ------------------------------------------------------------------ STAN HYDE teaches, examines, and consults on international film programs for students (International Baccaluareate's Film Course), as well as writing about model making, film history, and some fiction. He is winner of the Mangled Sky-Scraper Award for helping bring G-FEST, the annual Godzilla Convention in Chicago to life since 1995, and is a 2021 Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association Hall of Fame recipient for his work with science fiction conventions, clubs, and fanzines. DOUG LONG teaches film-related classes at DePaul University and writes book reviews for film journals, including Film Quarterly and mise-en-scene. MICHAEL WEBER is an actor, director and currently the Artistic Director of Porchlight Music Theatre. A Chicago native his fascination with classic horror began with WGN's legendary Creature Features and The Son of Svengoolie. And avid fan of the Golden Age of Radio and he is author of the play, WAR of the WELLeS (about Orson Welles' infamous radio broadcast.) BOBBY ZIER has a passion for Dracula and runs a TikTok and YouTube channel called Lugosi Theatre. He recently received a Rondo Award for his effort in keeping classic horror alive and well. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!!

PHANTASM (1979) d. Don Coscarelli (USA) PHANTASM II (1989) d. Don Coscarelli (USA) PHANTASM III: LORD OF THE DEAD (1994) d. Don Coscarelli (USA) PHANTASM IV: OBLIVION (1998) d. Don Coscarelli (USA) PHANTASM V: RAVAGER (2016) d. David Hartman (USA)

When Phantasm premiered in early 1979, it was unlike anything horror fans had seen before. It was a coming of age tale that also dealt with death, loss, and abandonment. It had science fiction elements, Villainous morticians, bizarre magic, and gory set-pieces, all centering around a mysterious estate and an evil, if convoluted, plot to steal and enslave the dead, with terrific special effects on a minimal budget. The film was a huge hit in theaters, and found an even wider fanbase on television and home video, ultimately leading to four sequels and a labyrinthine mythology surrounding the Tall Man and his army of brain-sucking chrome spheres. Tonight, join AC and his amazing panel of guests (Matthew Amador, John W. Bowen, S.A. Bradley, Eric Fritzius) as they celebrate 45 years of Phantasm and its creators, led by writer/director Don Coscarelli (The Beastmaster), a tight-knit group who, over the course of five films, have reflected our world back to us through a crazy funhouse mirror where four-barreled shotguns and 1971 HemiCudas are your best friends... right alongside your best friends. --------------------------------------------- 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 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. 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. https://hellbentforhorror.com/ ERIC FRITZIUS writes things, acts in others and records mouth noises sold in the form of audiobooks. You can find his stuff at www.MisterHerman.com --------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE d. Jack Arnold (1953) (USA) INVADERS FROM MARS d. William Cameron Menzies (1953) (USA) WAR OF THE WORLDS d. Byron Haskin (1953) (USA) ROBOT MONSTER d. Phil Tucker (1953) (USA)

By the closing of the 1940s, it seemed that audiences had grown weary of the classic monsters of yesteryear, and were hungry for new thrills. Those exciting new stories came not from moldy crypts or ancient curses, but rather from beyond the stars. With space exploration already a going concern among the world powers and reports of UFOs starting to make their way into the public consciousness, it was no surprise that filmmakers also cast their gaze to the heavens, imagining what fresh wonders and threats might make their way toward our little planet.

With Destination Moon, and Rocketship X-M leading the charge in 1950, and The Day the Earth Stood Still, When Worlds Collide, and The Thing from Another World appearing the following year, the stage was set for a literal invasion of sci-fi thrills from studios large and small, and audiences couldn't get enough of it.

Tonight, AC and his interstellar panel of guests, Jon Kitley (Kitley's Krypt, Discover the Horror), Dave Kosanke (Liquid Cheese), Alan Tromp (We Belong Dead), and Doug Long (DePaul University) will be celebrating a quartet of features that have endured for 70 years in the hearts and minds of genre fans, four films that, despite their wildly disparate budgetary constraints and artistic visions, have earned a devout following and share a multitude of ideas and conceits, if not box office receipts.

Our show tonight is entitled, "It Came from 1953," and the world has never been the same since.

Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!

I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE (1943) d. Jacques Tourneur (USA) THE LEOPARD MAN (1943) d. Jacques Tourneur (USA) THE SEVENTH VICTIM (1943) d. Mark Robson From 1942 to 1946, when rust was appearing on the Frankenstein Monster's neck bolts, Dracula was growing longer in the tooth, and swaddled, swollen mummies were limping along, both literally and figuratively, a savior appeared on the horror horizon, who would provide welcome counter-programming to the usual parade of fur, fangs, and putty. That man was Val Lewton, and his debut production with RKO, 1942's Cat People, heralded a new style of horror, where less was infinitely more, where shadows grew ripe with menace lurking just beyond the edge of the frame. Tonight, we'll be discussing Lewton's 1943 follow-ups to Cat People, all three of which are celebrating their 80th anniversary: I Walked With a Zombie, The Leopard Man, and The Seventh Victim. Join AC and another fantastic panel of guests, S.A. Bradley (Hellbent for Horror), Stan Hyde (G-Fest), and Bobby Zier (Lugosi Theatre) as they discuss the Lewton Legacy. In the dark. In the quiet. In the shadows....--------------------------------------- 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. STAN HYDE teaches, examines, and consults on international film programs for students (International Baccaluareate's Film Course), as well as writing about model making, film history, and some fiction. He is winner of the Mangled Sky-Scraper Award for helping bring G-FEST, the annual Godzilla Convention in Chicago to life since 1995, and is a 2021 Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association Hall of Fame recipient for his work with science fiction conventions, clubs, and fanzines.

BOBBY ZIER has a passion for Dracula and runs a TikTok and YouTube channel called Lugosi Theatre. He recently received a Rondo Award for his effort in keeping classic horror alive and well. ------------------------------------------------------Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!!

GHIDORAH THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER (1964) d. Ishiro Honda (Japan) GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA (1974) d. Jun Fukuda (Japan) GODZILLA VS. BIOLLANTE (1989) d. Kazuki Ōmori (Japan) GODZILLA VS. SPACE GODZILLA (1994) d. Kensho Yamashita (Japan) GODZILLA: FINAL WARS (2004) d. Ryuhei Kitamura (Japan) Ever since the original Gojira debuted in Japan in 1954, followed by 1956's even more successful international cut, Godzilla king of the monsters, the giant radioactive lizard has been a going concern for 70 years. And one thing that director Ishiro Honda, FX wizard Eiji Tsuburaya, and screenwriter Shinichi Sekizawa quickly discovered was that as enjoyable as the Big G was on his own, he was even more entertaining when tangling with another oversized mutant, creature, or Interstellar menace. Join AC and his fantastic panel of guests (Tim Palace, Stan Hyde, Eli LaChance, and Jef and Al Burnham) as we celebrate a "Godzilla vs." film from each decade the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, each celebrating a significant anniversary. G-Force Unite!!! ------------------------------------ JEF BURNHAM (he/him) and AL BURNHAM (they/them) co-host the Silver Bolo Award-winning CadaverCast: A Monster Movie Podcast. When not podcasting, Jef is a screenwriter/screenwriting instructor and 12-year-old Al enjoys gaming and studying martial arts. STAN HYDE teaches, examines, and consults on international film programs for students (International Baccaluareate's Film Course), as well as writing about model making, film history, and some fiction. He is winner of the Mangled Sky-Scraper Award for helping bring G-FEST, the annual Godzilla Convention in Chicago to life since 1995, and is a 2021 Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association Hall of Fame recipient for his work with science fiction conventions, clubs, and fanzines. ELI LACHANCE is a horror writer, chemist, and paleontology enthusiast. He is currently starting his last year in UMSL's MFA in creative writing program. He resides in St. Louis, Missouri with his wife, dog, and two cats, one of which may be the living dead. Some of his writing can be found in Medium Chill and on Channel-31.com. When he's not writing, he loves walking with his dog, bird watching, and hunting fossils. TIM PALACE was born and raised on horror from an early age in Chicago, IL. A lifelong devotee to the genre and the preservation of physical media, 2024 should be the year he hits the 10,000 mark for titles in his collection. ------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!

LEPRECHAUN (1993) d. Mark Jones (USA) LEPRECHAUN 2 (1994) d. Rodman Flender (USA) LEPRECHAUN 3 (1995) d. Brian Trenchard-Smith (USA) LEPRECHAUN 4: IN SPACE (1996) d. Brian Trenchard-Smith (USA) LEPRECHAUN 5: IN THE HOOD (2000) d. Rob Spera (USA) LEPRECHAUN 6: BACK TO THA HOOD (2003) d. Steven Ayromlooi (USA) LEPRECHAUN: ORIGINS (2014) d. Zach Lipovski (USA) LEPRECHAUN RETURNS (2018) d. Steven Kostanski (USA) Throughout the slasher boom of the 1980s, nearly every holiday was offered up on the proverbial chopping block, from Halloween to Valentine's Day to Mother's Day to Christmas, from birthdays to prom nights and everything in between. However, one holiday remained untouched until 1993, when writer/director Mark Jones decided to put a horror spin on a certain date initially designed to honor an Irish bishop, Saint Patrick. And when our thoughts turn to Ireland, we instantly think of that mythical creature neatly filed between fairies, elves, and sprites, the Leprechaun! Across 30 years and eight films, our Little Green Man has been been all over the place, from the sticks to the Strip, from the darkest inner city alleys to the deepest reaches of space, and he shows no sign of slowing down with his patented brand of creative kills and rhyming criming. He's hundreds of years old, always bold, enjoys his gold, and he'll kill you stone cold. It's the Leprechaun, and he's coming for you! Join AC and his intrepid crew (Eric Anderson, Gert Verbeeck, Vanessa Morgan) for their St. Patrick's Day Odyssey through the entire Leprechaun franchise. It's more fun that a pint of Guinness... and cheaper too! ------------------------------------------- ERIC ANDERSON was not allowed to watch horror movies as a kid and he is now making up for lost time with a vengeance. He works in a large urban public library and spends as much time outdoors as possible. VANESSA MORGAN is the author of several horror novels and film guides (When Animals Attack, Strange blood, Evil Seeds) – available from Amazon https://amzn.to/3Hzm0wN. She's also the creator of Traveling Cats, the first travel blog for cat lovers – https://traveling-cats.com. GERT VERBEECK is a filmmaker, musician and writer from Brussels, Belgium. He likes his books, movies and music diverse, nuanced and intense. This reflects his look on life as well, with a little sense of humor added. --------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!

EYES OF FIRE (1983) d. Avery Crounse (USA)

When celebrated photographer Avery Crounse set out to make his feature film debut, he didn't opt for the simple route of an escaped psycho wielding a butcher knife like so many of his early '80s contemporaries. Eyes of Fire is instead an epic venture into the realm of magical realism, following a pair of families in 1750 on the run from their Puritanical community's torches and pitchforks. As they escape into the wilds of the American Frontier, they encounter not only justifiably hostile Native Americans defending their territory, but also tree demons and tortured spirits bent on taking their lives, stealing their souls, or worse. Crounse's visual eye is stunning, capturing the struggle between Man and Nature in bold relief, with breathtakingly beautiful tableaus trading beats with ambitious and creative practical effects. Eyes of Fire is a testament to artistic vision realized on a tiny budget, and, after years of obscurity, is thankfully enjoying a renewed wave of awareness, thanks to its inclusion in Severin's outstanding folk horror box set, All The Haunts Be Ours. Join AC and his awesome panel of guests (Aaron AuBuchon, S.A. Bradley, Alan Tromp, John McDevitt) as they celebrate this hidden gem, now revealed to a new generation of adventurous genre fans looking for something outside the proverbial box. ------------------------------------------------------- AARON AUBUCHON is a film professor and writer, and also an editor, director, motion graphics artist and producer. He is also co-host of the Discover the Horror podcast. 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. JOHN MCDEVITT is a lifelong cinephile who programs two monthly screening series: SUPER-HORROR-RAMA at FACETS and Fetish Film Forum at the Leather Archives & Museum, both in Chicago. 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. 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!

AUGUST UNDERGROUND (2001) d. Fred Vogel (USA) AUGUST UNDERGROUND'S MORDUM (2003) d. Fred Vogel (USA) AUGUST UNDERGROUND'S PENANCE (2007) d. Fred Vogel (USA) Inspired by the videotaped home invasion scene from Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer and the documentary aesthetic of both Man Bites Dog and The Blair Witch Project, makeup artist-turned-writer/director Fred Vogel elected to burrow below the surface of human depravity for his 2001 debut feature, August Underground. Playing the lead character (Peter) himself, Vogel takes the viewer, or perhaps kidnaps is a more appropriate word, on a journey alongside a thrill killing monster who seeks to match his damaged psyche blow for blow against an unsuspecting world. Two sequels followed, August Underground: Mordum and August Underground: Penance, each more damaging in their own way than their predecessor. Over the past two decades, thanks to publications like Ultra Violent and Rue Morgue, as well as tireless hours on the convention circuit, August Underground and Vogel's production/distribution company Toe Tag have carved out an avid, rabid fan base for their particular brand of confrontational horror. They are a legendary success story in the realm of DIY regional filmmaking, and now, thanks to Unearthed Films' recent Blu-ray sets of all three August Underground films, they are ready to be discovered by a new generation. Question is, as it has always been, are horror fans ready for what lies beneath? Join AC and his amazing panel of guests Art Ettinger (Ultra Violent Magazine), S.A. Bradley (Hellbent for Horror), Michelle Kisner (The Movie Sleuth), and superfan Allana Sleeth as we chat about these notorious bad boys of horror. Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!

CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954) d. Jack Arnold (USA) REVENGE OF THE CREATURE (1955) d. Jack Arnold (USA) THE CREATURE WALKS AMONG US (1956) d. John Sherwood (USA)

One of the best sci-fi/horror efforts of the 1950s and must-see material for any card-carrying genre fan, Creature from the Black Lagoon was the brainchild of producer William Alland who blatantly riffed on King Kong's storyline of a legendary beast sought out by civilized man for selfish designs. Screenwriters Harry Essex and Arthur Ross worked alongside legendary genre director Jack Arnold (who helmed such fare as It Came from Outer Space, Tarantula, and The Incredible Shrinking Man) to create an onscreen antagonist so fantastic that audiences could not help but empathize. The story follows a team of scientists (led by Richard Carlson, Richard Denning, and Julia Adams) who head into the wilds of South America in search of a mythical "living fossil," a scaly humanoid amphibian that could serve as a missing link between land and sea creatures, leading to a fierce battle of wits and sheer animal instinct that will leave the Amazonian waters red with blood.... The famous aquatic ballet between Kay and the lovestruck Gill Man remains one of the most iconic sequences in horror history. Credit to Scotty Welbourne and James C. Havens for their excellent underwater photography, made all the more challenging for being shot in 3D. Though makeup department head Bud Westmore received sole credit, it quickly became common knowledge that the memorable monster design came from the skilled mind of Millicent Patrick, brought to life by suited performers Ben Chapman (on land) and Ricou Browning (swimming sequences). Creature's famous three-note trumpets-blaring theme music was composed (uncredited) by Universal staff composer Herman Stein, with additional contributions from his studio staff colleagues Henry Mancini and Hans J. Salter, as well as cues from Universal's stock music library. Join AC and his awesome panel of guests (Dan Kiggins, Lee Price, Bobby Zier) as they celebrate the last of the classic Universal Monsters on its 70th Anniversary! ------------------------ DAN KIGGINS has worked on a number of independent features, shorts, TV shows, and innumerable commercials over the past 15 years as a Jack of all trades. A self-proclaimed cinephile, he has a vast collection of film ephemera including over 3000 movies. LEE PRICE is dedicated to preserving and celebrating our history, culture, and monster movies through his work with the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts and freelance writing. Occasional guest blogger at "Wonders in the Dark." BOBBY ZIER has a passion for Dracula and runs a TikTok and YouTube channel called Lugosi Theatre @DustyOldMovies He recently received a Rondo Award for his effort in keeping classic horror alive and well. ------------------------------------ Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!

DELLAMORTE DELLAMORE (aka Cemetery Man) (1994) d. Michele Soavi (Italy) Dellamorte Dellamore (aka Cemetery Man) is arguably the last great Italian horror movie of that country's heyday, and yet somehow still struggles for a place of respect amidst the masters. Originally a novel by Tziano Sclavi, and later adapted by Gianni Romoli and directed by Argento protege Michele Soavi, the story follows Buffalora Cemetery groundskeeper Francesco Dellamorte (Rupert Everett) spends his days helping the living put their loved ones to rest, and his nights keeping the dead in the ground. He sleepwalks through life, gunning down zombies and leafing through old phone books, with his only companion the semi-mute Gnaghi (Francois Hadji-Lazaro), until one day he meets a young and stunning widow (Anna Falchi) who awakens passion within him. An array of comic misadventures follows, with enough bloodshed, nudity, and WTF moments to satisfy the gorehounds, yet elevated by its extraordinary camerawork, gorgeous score, and thoughtful meditations on life, death, love, and human existence. Join AC and his amazing panel of guests (Dave M. Gray, Jon Kitley, Ryan Olson, Lawrence P. Raffel) as they celebrate this exemplary slice of Italian zombie cinema on its 30th anniversary of release (as well as Severin Films' extraordinary 4K Blu-ray release)! Ngah! ---------------------------------------- DAVE M. GRAY is just one alias for alien invasion advanced scout Yargnivad. This diabolical plan can be uncovered by decoding Raiders of the Podcast episodes (Raidersofthepodcast.blogspot.com or any podcast platform of your choice). JON KITLEY has been running his website, Kitley's Krypt for 25 years. He's a columnist for HorrorHound magazine, a co-host on the Discover the Horror podcast, and attends multiple conventions and all-night horror movie marathons at the drive-in theaters! RYAN OLSON (aka S. Ravenlord of The Cold Beyond music group) is the owner of Deadspeak Design and Night World Records, as well as a member of the Synapse Films street team and a regular on the Synapse Films podcast. His work has been featured in Liquid Cheese, Horrorhound, & Evilspeak Magazines. LAWRENCE P. RAFFEL started Monsters at Play in 2000, a DVD review site that started out as an experiment that grew into a thriving genre community. He joined with FEARnet (a multi platform horror network) in 2006, and oversaw editorial and all digital assets for FEARnet.com until 2014. --------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!