By Gratton Conwill & Matthew Fields
5
22 ratings
The podcast currently has 61 episodes available.
Episode 7 of Season 4! Host, Gratton Conwill and special guest, Matt Fields discuss House of the Long Shadows (1983).
So we come to our final movie of the year. House of the Long Shadows is a British comedy horror film, which premiered on June 17th 1983. Based on a 1913 novel, Seven Keys to Baldpate by author Earl Derr Biggers, House of the Long Shadows was directed by Pete Walker and penned by Michael Armstrong. Initially, Bigger’s novel was adapted into a play, and this film marks the seventh motion picture adaptation of that stage play.
The movie's ensemble cast included beloved actors such as Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, and John Carradine, bringing together an impressive array of talent that spanned generations of horror cinema. Each of these titans had made and indelible mark in the genre, and their collaboration in House of the Long Shadows was a dream come true for fans of classic horror, or should I say a nightmare?
House of the Long Shadows seemed like a perfect way to honor these beloved performers by giving them a chance to shine in a late career gothic horror mystery, a throwback to the types of movies which made them household names. However the movie was met with poor reception upon release with critics decrying the film’s waste of such talents. One critic even suggested the writing was so bad, it must have meant the writer hated the audience.what is the true measure of star power? And does it have the ability to save an otherwise unnoteworthy movie? Well that is what we’re going to try and figure out.
Only In Amityville is an ad-free, self funded podcast hosted by Gratton Conwill and Matthew Fields.
If you would like to support the show, you can donate to us at: https://anchor.fm/giant-monster-bs or buy our merch at: https://www.teepublic.com/user/cheesemouse2/albums/39997-giant-monster-bs-merch
Follow us on twitter at: https://twitter.com/GiantMonsterBS
Episode 6 of Season 4! Host, Gratton Conwill and special guest, Matt Fields discuss The Asphyx (1972).
The Asphyx is a British sci-fi horror film released December 5th, 1972. Peter Newbrook directed while his good friends Christina Beers, Laurence Beers, and Brian Comport did the writing. Like other movies on this year’s list, The Asphyx fits into the gothic sect of the horror genre. Some characteristics which make horror movies gothic are, oppressive settings, supernatural phenomena, and a battle between humanity and the forces of evil. With very little information available about this movie via the internet, this brief description of Gothic horror will have to be enough. When The Asphyx released, the US and the UK received different cuts of the film, with the UK version being the shorter of the two. For years the coveted extended american cut was only available through poor quality fan edits, but today we watch The Asphyx in its fullest form courtesy of Kino Lorber. Starring the likes of Robert Stephens, Jane Lapotaire, and many more, this could only be The Asphyx.
Only In Amityville is an ad-free, self funded podcast hosted by Gratton Conwill and Matthew Fields.
If you would like to support the show, you can donate to us at: https://anchor.fm/giant-monster-bs or buy our merch at: https://www.teepublic.com/user/cheesemouse2/albums/39997-giant-monster-bs-merch
Follow us on twitter at: https://twitter.com/GiantMonsterBS
Episode 5 of Season 4! Host, Gratton Conwill and special guest, Matt Fields discuss The Dunwich Horror (1969).
The Dunwich Horror is an American supernatural horror film that premiered on January 14, 1970 in Chicago Illinois, one of the scariest cities on record. It was directed by Daniel Haller and written by three men: Curtis Hanson, Henry Rosenbaum, and Ronald Silkosky. It was adapted from HP Lovecraft’s short story of the same name. The Dunwich Horror was yet another product of American International Pictures, known as AIP. And while many American movies are made in Hollywood, Daniel Haller and the gang opted to shoot most of The Dunwich Horror in Mendocino, California despite the movie’s humble Massachusetts setting. The movie stars Sandra Dee, Dean Stockwell, and Ed Begley, who died just three months after the movie released. Reviews from critics were mixed with some praising The Dunwich Horror for its polished appearance and eerie atmosphere. But others expressed dissatisfaction, drawing comparisons to Roger Corman’s earlier AIP films. But that hasn’t stopped The Dunwich Horror from being released on blu-ray and DVD all these years later.
Only In Amityville is an ad-free, self funded podcast hosted by Gratton Conwill and Matthew Fields.
If you would like to support the show, you can donate to us at: https://anchor.fm/giant-monster-bs or buy our merch at: https://www.teepublic.com/user/cheesemouse2/albums/39997-giant-monster-bs-merch
Follow us on twitter at: https://twitter.com/GiantMonsterBS
Episode 4 of Season 4! Host, Gratton Conwill and special guest, Matt Fields discuss The House That Screamed (1969).
Released on December 8th, 1969, The house That Screamed is a Spanish slasher horror film written and directed by Chicho Ibanez Serrador. It was Based on a short story by Juan Tébar. Director Serrador chose to make The house That Screamed, his first horror movie, as a product for international release. With a diverse cast of English and Spanish speaking actors, it was designed to be exported for foreign audiences. This is also why the entire movie was dubbed over in English, not just for an American release, but for its general release in Spain as well. It wouldn’t be until two years later that the US would get an edited down version released by AIP. Upon release, The house That Screamed would not make its budget back, and critics were mostly negative, with some more positive reviews conceding it was at least good for what it was. Today The house That Screamed has a cult following and its legacy as an atmospheric slasher would go on to influence directors like Dario Argento.
Only In Amityville is an ad-free, self funded podcast hosted by Gratton Conwill and Matthew Fields.
If you would like to support the show, you can donate to us at: https://anchor.fm/giant-monster-bs or buy our merch at: https://www.teepublic.com/user/cheesemouse2/albums/39997-giant-monster-bs-merch
Follow us on twitter at: https://twitter.com/GiantMonsterBS
Episode 3 of Season 4! Host, Gratton Conwill and special guest, Matt Fields discuss Die, Monster, Die! (1965).
Die, Monster, Die! is an American sci-fi Horror film released on October 27th 1965. It was directed by Daniel Haller and written by Jerry Sohl. It was a loose adaptation of HP Lovecraft’s “The Color out of Space” and featured Horror Legend Borris Karloff in a mad scientist role some have compared to his character in the 1935 film The Invisible Ray. For his role as Nahum Witley, Borris Karloff would don an iconic wheelchair to perform more comfortably. By 1965 Karloff was suffering from back problems that made walking a painful ordeal. Opposite Karloff is actor Nick Adams, known today for his roles in Frankenstein Conquers the World and Invasion of Astro Monster. As a result of not having back problems, Adams was denied the luxury of a wheelchair. The movie, produced by AIP, would shoot in Shepperton studios in England with Paul Beeson as cinematographer. However the movie would have its premiere in the United States a year before it reached the UK. Die, Monster, Die! marks the first time one of HP Lovecraft's stories would be adapted for the silver screen and the first time Daniel Haller would ever direct his own movie. Combining the gothic atmosphere of AIP’s typical genre movies with fear mongering cold war trepidations of radiation, Die, Monster, Die! was a bold endeavor. And its lofty ambitions landed it on a double feature with Mario Bava’s Planet of the Vampires. I have no idea if this movie made money, but reviews have been mixed to favorable. According to IMDB trivia, “a contemporary article in "Daily Variety" noted this was the first "monster" role for Boris Karloff in 30 years.” With Karloff having played a vampire in Mario Bava’s Black Sabbath just two years previously, not to mention Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde 12 years before, this claim is complete bullshit. Nonetheless, this obscure horror gem is appreciated today by horror fans worldwide with some even claiming it is quote, “the best movie ever made”.
Only In Amityville is an ad-free, self funded podcast hosted by Gratton Conwill and Matthew Fields.
If you would like to support the show, you can donate to us at: https://anchor.fm/giant-monster-bs or buy our merch at: https://www.teepublic.com/user/cheesemouse2/albums/39997-giant-monster-bs-merch
Follow us on twitter at: https://twitter.com/GiantMonsterBS
Episode 2 of Season 4! Host, Gratton Conwill and special guest, Matt Fields discuss The Gorgon (1964).
Released on October 18, 1964 in jolly old Ingerland. The Gorgon is a British gothic horror thriller directed by famed horror director Terence Fisher, and written By John Gilling and Anthony Nelson Keys. The movie was shot by cinematographer Michael Reed. While Roger Corman was making Hollywood Horror movies distributed by AIP, Terence Fisher was similarly working in the UK making films for British production company Hammer Film Productions. Hammer most notably rebooted many classic horror series in color throughout the 50’s and 60’s. The Gorgon, however, was not really a reboot, rather a reimagining of an ancient Greek legend, submitted by a Canadian fan directly to the Hammer company. The Gorgon is remembered today by horror fans for featuring both Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, two horror icons of the Hammer era. While many consider this one of the best Hammer horror movies, star Christopher Lee felt differently. He felt the poor special effects of the snakes let the film down and ruined the climax. Quote “Not a memorable film,but it could have been terrific,” end quote. Regardless, fans have managed to remember The Gorgon as part of director Terrence Fisher's Ouvre and a unique entry in the Hammer film library.
Only In Amityville is an ad-free, self funded podcast hosted by Gratton Conwill and Matthew Fields.
If you would like to support the show, you can donate to us at: https://anchor.fm/giant-monster-bs or buy our merch at: https://www.teepublic.com/user/cheesemouse2/albums/39997-giant-monster-bs-merch
Follow us on twitter at: https://twitter.com/GiantMonsterBS
Episode 1 of Season 4! Host, Gratton Conwill and special guest, Matt Fields discuss House of Usher (1960).
House of Usher is a mid budget Hollywood horror film directed and produced by Roger Corman. House of Usher was written by Richard Matheson. Matheson was an accomplished author and screenwriter, known for writing several episodes of The Twilight Zone TV series, Stephen Spielberg's first feature titled Duel, and The Devil Rides Out, a movie we reviewed for season 2: Escape from Amityville. The story was adapted from an Edgar Allen Poe short story titled “The Fall of the House of Usher”. Budget horror studio American International Pictures, known by movie fans as AIP, took a risk on this film when they decided to shoot on Eastman color film with a marginally larger budget compared to their previous black and white pictures. The risk would pay off when House of Usher took home 1 million dollars on a 300,000 dollar budget. Bringing together Corman, Poe, Matheson, and Vincent Price seemed to be a recipe for horror success. House of Usher would spawn seven more Poe adaptations directed by Corman throughout the early 60s.
Reviews from 1960 pointed out House of Usher’s sensational and cheesy nature. But it would take more than mixed reviews to stop House of Usher. Virtually every name attached is now associated with classic horror, and the movie is remembered fondly by horror fans today. And in 2005, House of Usher was listed with the United States National Film Registry as being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. And it was awarded one of the most prestigious accolades in 2023 when Gratton Conwill selected House of Usher for Only in Amityville season 4.
Only In Amityville is an ad-free, self funded podcast hosted by Gratton Conwill and Matthew Fields.
If you would like to support the show, you can donate to us at: https://anchor.fm/giant-monster-bs or buy our merch at: https://www.teepublic.com/user/cheesemouse2/albums/39997-giant-monster-bs-merch
Follow us on twitter at: https://twitter.com/GiantMonsterBS
Thanks for listening to Only in Amityville: Matt's Sick and Twisted Game. JUST in time for November, here's a little retrospective on this crazy thing we did this year. The smoke has cleared and the wounded are moaning, so it's time for us to do a deep dive on what made Only in Amityville: Matt's Sick and Twisted Game the most successful season of Only in Amityville yet!* And perhaps the most successful podcast ever posted to somewhere!* What the fuck is Amityville? Huh? Haunted house? I don't know what you're talking about. We just watch whatever movies now. You're crazy. You're fucking craaaaazzzyyyy (twirling fingers around head to symbolize psychosis). You're funny in the head and everybody knows it. No one else will love you but me.
Tune in for next season! Bye!
-Matt
Only In Amityville is an ad-free, self funded podcast hosted by Gratton Conwill and Matthew Fields. If you would like to support the show, you can donate to us at: https://anchor.fm/giant-monster-bs or buy our merch at: https://www.teepublic.com/user/cheesemouse2/albums/39997-giant-monster-bs-merch Follow us on twitter at: https://twitter.com/GiantMonsterBS
Episode 16 of Season 3!
Braindead (1992)
Endgame
Well, well, well... it does seem we've reached the terminal point. It's over. It's finished. It's done. The podcast is complete. It's hard to believe that it's been just one month since the beginning of this season. It feels like more, but it really has only been one month. Time flies when you're having fun, so to speak.
Free of the Amityville Curse, I can now look back on the time we spent on this season with a tear in my eye and my lip packed with dip, and think about all of the things that have happened in the course of this past month (of October). The laughs, the tears; the gleaming highs, the perilous lows; all the good, and every bit of the bad. I look back at it all (imagine me standing in a field/meadow/grassland on a hill (with mountains in distance) as a bleeding sun sinks below the horizon, turning the world a womblike amber, and I'm dressed in badass armor with like muscles and a hawk on my shoulder and I look cool and I'm looking at the sunset over my shoulder) and I wonder, "How could I possibly sum up this podcast season within the confines of a description that nobody will read? How could I possibly do it justice? There's a four-thousand-word limit." I've pondered this question for a long, long time, shutting my eyes really tight and straining so hard that one of my eyes is half-full (optimistically) of blood. And what I've come to realize is that all I need are three words.
Happy Halloween everyone.
-Matt
From the creators of Giant Monster BS: Gratton Conwill and Matt Fields bring you Only In Amityville Season 3: Matt's Sick and Twisted Game! Only In Amityville Season 3: Matt's Sick and Twisted Game is a limited series podcast event happening exclusively during October of 2022! Starting October 1st, we will review one movie every other day. Fans of Giant Monster BS and/or horror films will be right at home with this podcast. Vulgar, brutally honest, scary as hell, oh yeah... it's Only In Amityville time Baby! Only In Amityville Season 3: Matt's Sick and Twisted Game is an ad-free, self funded podcast hosted by Matthew Fields. Follow our new Podcast! Our operations on the GMBS podcast will resume November 1st. If you would like to support the show, you can donate to us at: https://anchor.fm/giant-monster-bs or buy our merch at: https://www.teepublic.com/user/cheesemouse2/albums/39997-giant-monster-bs-merch Follow us on twitter at: https://twitter.com/GiantMonsterBS
Episode 15 of Season 3!
Tales From the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995)
Checkmate
This game has changed me. The hallways in the castle (the one I live in) have grown dim, damp, an acrid smell having crept out of the cracks between the stones which construct the walls. The torches and sconces are unlit, lifeless, only remembered when caught in a pale and waning shard of moonlight. The servants have all gone - either starved or escaped, the scoundrels. The old family portrait in the study has taken on a curious black mold I have yet to investigate. The mirrors are shattered. I skulk through this hulk of composed earth, plotting the penultimate moves in my sick and twisted game. In the early days of the game, it was all such a civilized affair - me wearing a uniform, giving orders to various minions, moving little toy versions of me and Gratton and like horses and stuff around a big map on a table in order to keep track of the innumerable moving parts involved in my game. None of that remains. I believe I ate the map in a moment of particularly acute distress. I now have a hunchback, one bulging eye, and a rather nasty burn on the right side of my face. I recoil from my own reflection. My own sister tried to beat me to death with a brick when she saw me - a reaction derived purely from shock and horror. And it's all because of this damned game, which Gratton apparently refuses to lose. No matter... If Gratton thinks me a monster, then so be it, I will become a monster... The game has nearly reached its end. I expect I shall be victorious - of course - but at what cost...?
-Matt
From the creators of Giant Monster BS: Gratton Conwill and Matt Fields bring you Only In Amityville Season 3: Matt's Sick and Twisted Game! Only In Amityville Season 3: Matt's Sick and Twisted Game is a limited series podcast event happening exclusively during October of 2022! Starting October 1st, we will review one movie every other day. Fans of Giant Monster BS and/or horror films will be right at home with this podcast. Vulgar, brutally honest, scary as hell, oh yeah... it's Only In Amityville time Baby! Only In Amityville Season 3: Matt's Sick and Twisted Game is an ad-free, self funded podcast hosted by Matthew Fields. Follow our new Podcast! Our operations on the GMBS podcast will resume November 1st. If you would like to support the show, you can donate to us at: https://anchor.fm/giant-monster-bs or buy our merch at: https://www.teepublic.com/user/cheesemouse2/albums/39997-giant-monster-bs-merch Follow us on twitter at: https://twitter.com/GiantMonsterBS
The podcast currently has 61 episodes available.