HORROR 101 with Dr. AC

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!

SHIVERS (1975) is a wonderfully squirmy milestone in body horror — and David Cronenberg's sleazy, slimy debut. A high-rise residence is thrown into chaos when a strange parasite begins turning tenants into uninhibited, sex-crazed versions of themselves. Part science fiction, part sleazy exploitation, Shivers introduced many of the themes that Cronenberg would return to again and again throughout his half-century behind the camera: disease, transformation, sexuality, technology, ethics, identity, and isolation. Not bad for a government-funded Canadian horror flick that can also be described as: "sex slugs take over the world." Produced by Ivan Reitman (Stripes, Ghostbusters, Kindergarten Cop), Shivers also features a perfectly off-kilter pair of performances from horror legends Barbara Steele and Lynn Lowry, alongside gloriously gooey practical effects by makeup maestro Joe Blasco. The film caused a media firestorm in Canada when word got out that taxpayer dollars had helped fund such a graphic and subversive movie — but that controversy only boosted its cult status and ticket sales. In the 50 years since its release, Shivers has been reappraised as a bold, brainy, and deeply weird classic of horror cinema — a film that helped define Cronenberg's voice and changed the genre forever. Join AC and his awesome panel of guests ( Emily Barney, Jason Coffman, Kate Hansen, John McDevitt, Cullen Wade) as we revisit Shivers, dissect its legacy, and celebrate one of the most bizarre and brilliant debuts in horror history. --------------------------------- EMILY BARNEY is a Chicagoan studying Czech language. She has an obsession for Czech and Slovak movies, which she blogs about at emily-barney.com. She's also a lifelong horror movie fan, the weirder the better. JASON COFFMAN is the Unrepentant Cinephile. Former contributor to Daily Grindhouse and Film Monthly (RIP). Director of Housesitters and occasional "recording artist." Proud owner of 35mm prints of Andy Milligan's Guru, the Mad Monk and Zalman King's Two Moon Junction. On Letterboxd at https://letterboxd.com/rabbitroom/ KATE HANSEN is a music teacher with a penchant for horror. She has been published in magazines like Ultra Violent and Horrorhound. She likes dogs, enjoys the smell of campfires, collects VHS, is afraid of heights, and has only ever received two speeding tickets. 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. CULLEN WADE is the author of S(p)lasher Flicks: The Swimming Pool in Horror Cinema, out in 2025 from McFarland Books. Follow him on letterboxd @tobe_whooper and Bluesky @cullenwade.bsky.social -------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!

THE SHINING (1980) d. Stanley Kubrick (USA) THE SHINING (1997) d. Mick Garris (USA) DOCTOR SLEEP (2019) d. Mike Flanagan (USA) The Shining (1980) remains one of the most iconic and unsettling horror films ever made. Based on Stephen King's novel but wildly reimagined through writer/director Stanley Kubrick's unique vision, this "masterpiece of modern horror" tells the story of Jack Torrance, an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic who takes a job as the winter caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel. As the unforgiving Colorado winter traps him, his wife Wendy and their son Danny inside, supernatural forces send them spiraling into madness and unforgettable terror. 45 years later, The Shining continues to inspire filmmakers, critics, and horror fans alike, sparking endless analysis and debate, challenging us to look deeper with every viewing. Its eerie imagery, narrative ambiguity and dreamlike atmosphere have cemented its place as a lasting part of horror cinema history. Join AC and his outstanding panel of guests (Kait Astrella, Ana Marie Cox, Daniel Ekholm, Anish Jethmalani, Bobby Zier) as we celebrate the film's groundbreaking cinematography, uncanny sound design, and timeless performances by Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Scatman Crothers, and little Danny Lloyd, as well as the deeper symbolism and hidden meanings that have surrounded The Shining for decades. --------------------------------------- ANA MARIE COX is a writer and podcaster. She co-hosts the sci-fi podcast Space the Nation and the work and life podcast Past Due. Her work appears in The New Republic and elsewhere. She lives in Austin and deeply trusts horror and sci-fi to tell the truth. KAIT ASTRELLA is a librarian, archivist, and indie book publicist working in New York City. Find her posting about printed books and strange fiction on Instagram @kastrella2 DANIEL EKHOLM has written about film in several Swedish magazines, including Moviezine, which is the leading film magazine in Sweden. He also contributed the essay on The Blob (d. Chuck Russell, 1988) for Hidden Horror. Daniel would like to write his own book about horror films one day, but since fair use does not exist in Sweden, he started writing a children's book that he plans to finish at some point. ANISH JETHMALANI is Chicago Actor who has been on stages and screens for 30 years. You may recognize him from the horror flick Girl on the Third Floor with CM Punk. He is passionate Cinephile who contributed an essay on The Omen for the original HORROR 101: The A-List of Horror Films and Monster Movies. You can find him on letterboxed at https://letterboxd.com/ajet/ BOBBY ZIER has a passion for Dracula and runs a TikTok/IG and YouTube channel called Lugosi Theatre. ‪@LugosiTheatre‬ He recently received his second "Monster Kid of the Year" Rondo Award for his efforts in keeping classic horror alive and well. ---------------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!

CUJO (1983) d. Lewis Teague (USA) THE DEAD ZONE (1983) d. David Cronenberg (USA) CHRISTINE (1983) d. John Carpenter (USA) Four decades ago, in the latter half of 1983, three films based on the works of a rising horror star hit theaters. Having already attracted such established veterans Stanley Kubrick and George A. Romero, as well as rising stars like Brian De Palma and Tobe Hooper, to helm the big-screen adaptations of his novels, STEPHEN KING was quickly becoming a pop culture icon, such that having his name attached to a project (almost) insured box office success. Tonight, AC sits down with authors Darren Callahan and Dan Caffrey to discuss three classic titles: CUJO (d. Lewis Teague), CHRISTINE (d. John Carpenter), and THE DEAD ZONE (d. David Cronenberg). DARREN CALLAHAN: A fan of horror ever since he saw the groundskeeper's head chopped off in Coppola's Dementia 13, Callahan has written drama for the BBC and SyFy, had a few gothic plays produced, inked many killer screenplays, composed a few scary film scores, and is currently producing the shoegaze band The Loud Bangs. He lives in LA... of course. http://darrencallahan.com/ DAN CAFFREY: Brooklyn-based playwright, screenwriter, podcaster, and lifelong horror fan Caffrey currently co-hosts The Losers' Club: A Stephen King Podcast and Halloweenies: A Horror Franchise Podcast, both on Bloody Disgusting's podcast network, Bloody FM. He received his MFA In Playwriting from UT Austin and has also written as a cultural critic for The A.V. Club, Consequence, Pitchfork, Vox, and elsewhere. His favorite horror movie is Halloween. His favorite movie-movie is also Halloween. https://www.dancaffreywrites.com/ Please let us know YOUR favorite Stephen King adaptation in the comments, as well as your thoughts on the three titles discussed herein. We love hearing from you! Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!

SE7EN (1995) d. David Fincher (USA) "This isn't going to have a happy ending." In a decade saturated with onscreen serial killers, David Fincher's 1995 thriller Se7en redefined the genre and left an indelible mark on modern cinema. Its bleak atmosphere, high-toned philosophy, and haunting narrative dared to confront viewers with uncomfortable truths about justice, morality, and human nature. The story of two detectives, played by Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt, tracking a killer whose crimes are based on the seven deadly sins, Se7en is a film that is as meticulous as it is disturbing, as much a meditation on societal decay as it is a procedural. Andrew Kevin Walker's uncompromising script is elevated by Fincher's brilliant direction, alongside a host of other creatives at the top of their game. 30 years later, Se7en remains as relevant, provocative, and unforgettable as ever, a masterclass in tension and tone, and a chilling reflection of man's darker instincts. Join AC and his marvelous panel of guests (Dodd Alley, Dino Clark, Novotny Lawrence, Chris Hainsworth, Katie McClean Hainsworth) as we explore perhaps the darkest of 1990s serial killer flicks. ----------------------------------------------------- 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. DINO CLARK has been a horror fan since he was a wee lad, after his parents bought their first VCR in the mid-80s. Born and raised in Chicago, he loves attending horror cons & chatting about his fave horror films with fellow fans! He has been in Human Resources for most of his career, which can be a mini-horror movie at times. WILLIAM NOVOTNY LAWRENCE is an Associate Professor of Cinema and Media Studies at Indiana University and serves as the Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Popular Culture. He is the co-editor of the anthologies Blaxploitation Cinema, Beyond Blaxploitation, and the recent Oxford Handbook of Black Horror Film, offering an expansive scholarly examination of Blackness within the horror genre, exploring its global dimensions and cultural significance. CHRIS HAINSWORTH (he/him/his) is an actor/writer/director represented by Big Mouth Talent Chicago. He is a DeathScribe winner 2009 for the audio drama "Remembrance" and author of The Fourth Wall, part of Motel 666 (2015). KATIE MCLEAN HAINSWORTH is a Chicago-based performer/writer, whom you can regularly find on both the DARK NEXUS and FAWX & STALLION podcasts. She's happily guested on HORROR 101 a few times as well as on Roll For Impact's THE STRANGER. -------------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!

THE MUMMY'S HAND (1940) d. Christy Cabanne (USA) THE MUMMY'S TOMB (1942) d. Harold Young (USA) THE MUMMY'S GHOST (1944) d. Reginald Le Borg (USA) THE MUMMY'S CURSE (1942) d. Leslie Goodwins (USA) Tonight we unwrap the 1940s Universal Mummy films! Leaving behind the melancholy tone of the 1932 Boris Karloff original, we were introduced to a new mummy, Kharis, a shambling and bandaged silent avenger played first by Tom Tyler in 1940's The Mummy's Hand, celebrating its 85th anniversary, and by Lon Chaney Jr. in three subsequent sequels, The Mummy's Tomb, The Mummy's Ghost, and The Mummy's Curse. Though often overlooked next to Dracula or Frankenstein, the Mummy series has its own weird and atmospheric B-movie charms, with each film picking up—at least loosely—where the last left off, transporting the action from Egypt to small-town New England to the swamps of Louisiana, all while ignoring the passage of time in any realistic fashion. With brief running times and minimal budgets, these creature features found a formula that worked: moldy murders by moonlight, duplicitous high priests, and lots and lots of tana leaves, while also conjuring unique traits for every installment. Join AC and his extraordinary panel of classic horror lovers (Barry Kaufman, Frank Merle, Michael Weber) as we pay our long overdue respects to this unfairly maligned franchise, the one that made the mummy a true monster icon in the Universal canon. ----------------------------------------- FRANK MERLE is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker originally from Chicago, IL. He has written and directed several award-winning and critically-acclaimed films, including The Employer (2013), starring Malcolm McDowell and Billy Zane, and From Jennifer (2017), starring Derek Mears and Tony Todd. Next up is Namaka, a dark fantasy starring Jamie Kennedy and David Howard Thornton. BARRY KAUFMAN has been committed to spreading the gospel of obscure horror and science-fiction cinema since writing the fanzines Monsters of Japan and Demonique in the 1970s and 80s. He ran All-Horror Video out of a house in the woods in Homewood, Illinois through the 1980s, followed by his shop The House of Monsters in Chicago from 1996 to 2007. He now vends at genre related shows and programs festivals in the Chicago area featuring his inconspicuous film favorites. 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. He is an avid fan of the Golden Age of Radio and the author of the play, WAR of the WELLeS (about Orson Welles' infamous radio broadcast.) -------------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!

WOLF CREEK (2005) d. Greg McLean (Australia) WOLF CREEK 2 (2013) d. Greg McLean (Australia) WOLF CREEK (2016-17) d. Tony Tilse/Greg McLean (Australia) HOSTEL (2005) d. Eli Roth (USA) HOSTEL: PART II (2007) d. Eli Roth (USA) HOSTEL: PART III (2011) d. Scott Spiegel (USA) Tonight, we'll be discussing two films that helped change the face of horror when they hit screens in late 2005, both from young and hungry writer/directors who wanted to make a splash… or splatter, as the case might be: Wolf Creek from Australian Greg McLean and Eli Roth's Hostel. Based loosely on real events in the Outback, Wolf Creek traded supernatural scares for realistic terror, introducing the relentless villain Mick Taylor, played unforgettably by longtime character Ozploitation character actor John Jarratt. Meanwhile, Hostel shocked audiences with its raw depiction of human trafficking and sadism in Eastern Europe, playing upon Western tourists' worst fears and pushing boundaries that mainstream horror had rarely crossed. Together, this dastardly duo helped pivot horror from an era of self-aware slashers and J-Horror remakes to something darker and more visceral. Ultimately, Wolf Creek and Hostel redefined what horror could show—and how far it could go. Join AC and his gore-loving gang (Cati Glidewell, Ciara Wylie, Anna Ceragioli, Dominic Conti) as we celebrate 20 years of severed Achilles tendons, heads on sticks, and unsafe travels! ------------------------------------------------------ ANNA CERAGIOLI is a Chicagoan who lives for horror movies. From throwing horror-themed dinner parties, playing Monster Bash in her pinball league, or chilling with a Goblin vinyl, it's all horror all the time for her. DOMINIC CONTI is a Chicago-based writer and actor. His first novel, Your Book Club, is now available. (Orders can be placed at [email protected], or you can just say hi.) 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. CIARA WYLIE is a lifelong horror fan and co-creator of Deep Cuts Horror Trivia in Chicago, IL. In her free time she can be found screaming into the uncaring void about Final Destination 3. --------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!!

THE BODY SNATCHER (1945) d. Robert Wise (USA) ISLE OF THE DEAD (1945) d. Mark Robson (USA) Producer Val Lewton, the master of atmospheric horror, collaborated with legendary actor Boris Karloff on two memorable films: The Body Snatcher (1945) and Isle of the Dead (1945). Both films showcase Lewton's signature blend of psychological tension and poetic visuals, while allowing Karloff to deliver some of his most nuanced performances. They remain standout entries in both men's careers and in the horror genre at large. The Body Snatcher, directed by Robert Wise, is a chilling adaptation of a Robert Louis Stevenson story. Karloff plays the sinister cabman John Gray, who supplies cadavers to a medical school through increasingly dark means. His menacing and strangely sympathetic portrayal perfectly embodies Lewton's predilections for morally ambiguous characters and subtle horror. Isle of the Dead, directed by Mark Robson, is set during a plague outbreak on a quarantined island during the Balkan Wars. Karloff plays General Pherides, a rigid military man who gradually succumbs to superstition and fear. The film explores themes of death, isolation, and psychological unraveling, with haunting visuals that reflect Lewton's artful low-budget storytelling. Join AC and his panel of classic-loving fanatics (Steve Archacki, Jon Kitley, Mike Mayo, Tyler Pistorius) as we discuss how Lewton and Karloff elevated horror beyond monsters and gore, focusing instead on dread, atmosphere, and the fragility of the human mind. --------------------------------------------- STEVE ARCHACKI is a connoisseur and collector of all things EuroTrash (especially Italian/Spanish gothic and giallo films and anything Hammer Horror). He also identifies as an avid vinyl soundtrack collector, lapsing metalhead, direct mail marketing guru, and to this day, still harbors perpetual crushes on Rosalba Neri and Dagmar Lassander. 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! https://kitleyskrypt.com/ MIKE MAYO has written several books about film and popular culture, among them VideoHound's Horror Show and American Murder. He is also the author of the Jimmy Quinn historical suspense novels set in Prohibition-era New York. https://www.mike-mayo.com/ 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!

THE STEPFORD WIVES (1975) d. Bryan Forbes (USA) REVENGE OF THE STEPFORD WIVES (1980) d. Robert Fuest (USA) THE STEPFORD CHILDREN (1987) d. Alan J. Levi (USA) THE STEPFORD HUSBANDS (1996) d. Fred Walton (USA) THE STEPFORD WIVES (2004) d. Frank Oz (USA) Sexy and funny, inflammatory and spooky, director Bryan Forbes and screenwriter William Goldman's adaptation of Ira Levin's bestseller The Stepford Wives is that rare animal: a socially relevant yet thoroughly entertaining sci-fi/horror thriller. Frustrated NYC photographer Joanna (Katharine Ross) moves with her family to the idyllic Connecticut suburb of Stepford. Before long, the liberated lass observes that the local female population is a submissive, domestic lot, unnaturally preoccupied with fulfilling their husbands' every passing desire. Cautionary women's lib tale? Nail-biting conspiracy yarn? Satire on sexual politics? Science fiction or social fact? Audiences of the day saw all of this and more, sparking controversy and heated discussions and it is a testament to all the artists in front of and behind the camera that it still packs a wallop today. Join AC and his brilliant panel of guests (Kait Astrella, Joe B., Anna Ceragioli, Dino Clark, Nicola McCafferty) as they celebrate 50 years of better living through robotics, The Stepford Wives! ------------------------------------------------ KAIT ASTRELLA is a librarian, archivist, and indie book publicist working in New York City. Find her posting about printed books and strange fiction on Instagram @kastrella2. JOE B. is a dad, a social media luddite, a mediocre bass player, and a devoted consumer of burritos. He teaches high school English as his day job, and he loves talkin' books and movies. ANNA CERAGIOLI is a Chicagoan who lives for horror movies. From throwing horror-themed dinner parties, playing Monster Bash in her pinball league, or chilling with a Goblin vinyl, it's all horror all the time for her. DINO CLARK has been a horror fan since I was wee lad, after my parents bought our first VCR in the mid-80s. Born and raised in Chicago, love attending horror cons & chatting about my fave horror films with fellow fans! Human Resources for most of my career, which can be a mini-horror movie at times. 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!

DEEP RED (aka PROFONDO ROSSO) (1975) d. Dario Argento (Italy) 🔪 Join us for a deep dive into Dario Argento's haunting giallo masterpiece! 🎬 Tonight, we dissect one of the most iconic films of Italian horror cinema. Deep Red isn't just a slasher—it's a symphony of style, blood, and mystery. With brutal kills, dreamlike visuals, and an unforgettable score by Goblin, Argento blends murder and art like no one else. Join AC and his blood-loving panel of horror enthusiasts (Derek Botelho, Darren Callahan, Kristy Jett, Bryan Martinez, Larry Sternshein) as we explore the film's themes of trauma and perception, its jaw-dropping set pieces, and how Deep Red capped the 1970s giallo heyday. Mirrors, Murders, and Music, we're pulling apart every detail. Whether you're a die-hard Argento fan or new to the world of Italian horror, this discussion uncovers what makes Deep Red such a lasting influence—from its visual storytelling to its shocking final twist. 👁️ Who's the real killer? 🎵 What makes that Goblin score so spine-tingling? 🎥 Why does Deep Red still cut deep 50 years later? ----------------------------------------- DEREK BOTELHO is an author, film journalist, playwright, and visual effects artist. Not one to rest on his laurels, nor do much about them either, he is currently writing his first novel. His book, The Argento Syndrome, is topically relevant and will only enhance this listening or viewing experience! DARREN CALLAHAN is an award-winning writer, director, and composer who has written drama, fiction, and non-fiction for many major outlets, mostly focused on the horror genre. He has also released nearly 100 records, from pop to noise to ambient to film soundtracks. His website is darrencallahan.com and his IMDB is http://www.imdb.me/darrencallahan. KRISTY JETT, faithful horror nerd of 40+ years, resides in Buffalo, NY and is the mother of nine cats. She remains now and forever the world's biggest fan of the film Popcorn (1991).

BRYAN MARTINEZ is a super cool cat, lives in the home burg of Svengoolie (BERWYN), and runs The Giallo Room (now stalking your favorite social media platform). 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. ---------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!!