Podcast | JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS

Podcast | JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS

By Tim Smith & David HortonComedyTV & FilmArtsVisual Arts
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Podcast | JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS episodes

  • Ep. 08-32: Black Sunday (1960)

    BLACK SUNDAY (1960)—A vengeful witch from 17th-century Bulgaria returns to terrorize the modern world through a living descendant. As she spreads fear and death, a brave doctor and his allies race to stop her malevolent plans. 

    https://johnnyhasthekeys.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/08-34-Black-Sunday-FINAL.mp3

    Johnny Has the Keys enters the shadowy, candlelit world of Mario Bava’s Black Sunday. Join us as we discuss the film’s atmospheric cinematography, haunting score, and the powerful performances that bring the vengeful witch to life. We’ll explore the screenplay, Gothic horror elements, and the tension that makes this classic both eerie and unforgettable. Prepare to feel the chill as the past reaches out to haunt the present—in the most terrifying ways.

    SHOW LINKS:

    • Black Sunday (1960)
    • Mario Bava
    • Viy by Nikolai Gogol
    • Val Lewton
    • Black Sabbath (1963)
    • Salem’s Lot (1979)
    • Witchfinder General (1968)
    • Hellraiser (1987)
    • The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)
    • Hammer Films
    • Frankenstein (1931)
    • Universal Pictures
    • The Haunting (1963)
    • The Evil Dead (1981)
    • The Omen (1976)
    • Dracula (1992)
    • The Brainiac (1962)
    • Terror in the Crypt (1964)
    • Bloody Pit of Horror (1964)
    • The She Beast (1966)
    • The Blood Demon (1967)
    • The Haunting of Morella (1990)
    • Sleepy Hollow (1999)
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        The post Ep. 08-32: Black Sunday (1960) first appeared on JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS.
        1 hr 2 min
      • Ep. 08-31: Oxygen (2021)

        OXYGEN (2021)—A woman awakens in a cryogenic chamber with no memory of how she got there. Trapped and running out of air, she must piece together her identity and solve the mystery of her confinement before time—and oxygen—runs out. A claustrophobic sci-fi thriller, the film combines tension, psychological intrigue, and inventive storytelling to explore survival, memory, and the resilience of the human spirit under extreme pressure.

        https://johnnyhasthekeys.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/08-31-Oxygen-FINAL.mp3

        This week, Johnny Has the Keys is locked in tight quarters with Oxygen. Join us as we discuss the film’s tense pacing, immersive set design, and the compelling central performance that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. We’ll explore the clever narrative twists, high-stakes survival elements, and the emotional journey of isolation and self-discovery. Breathe carefully—this suspenseful ride proves that sometimes the smallest spaces hold the greatest peril.

        SHOW LINKS:

        • Oxygen (2021)
        • Alexandre Aja
        • Planet of the Apes (1968)
        • The Longest Night (1972)
        • The Cold Equations by Tom Godwin
        • Robert A. Heinlein
        • Theodore Sturgeon
        • Project Hail Mary (2026)
        • The Premature Burial by Edgar Allan Poe
        • The Descent (2005)
        • Das Boot (1981)
        • Red Matter 
        • Gravity (2013)
        • Escape Rooms
        • Demon Seed (1977)
        • 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
        • Moon (2009)          
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            The post Ep. 08-31: Oxygen (2021) first appeared on JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS.
            54 min
          • Ep. 08-30: A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)

            A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT (2014)—An enigmatic, skateboarding vampire prowls the deserted streets of the Iranian ghost town Bad City. By day, the town is bleak and lonely; by night, the Girl hunts those who exploit or harm others. A genre-bending blend of horror, noir, and romance, the film explores loneliness, morality, and vengeance through striking black-and-white cinematography and a haunting, atmospheric score.

            https://johnnyhasthekeys.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Girl-Walks-Home-FINAL.mp3

            Johnny Has the Keys ventures into the neon-soaked shadows of Bad City with A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night. Join us as we discuss the film’s inventive blend of vampire lore, feminist undertones, and haunting visuals. We’ll explore the central performance, atmospheric soundtrack, and the poetic tension that makes this story part horror, part romance, and entirely unforgettable. Walk carefully—this vampire isn’t just out for blood; she’s out for justice.

            SHOW LINKS:

            • A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
            • Ana Lily Amirpour
            • The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
            • John Hughes
            • Peter Bogdonovich
            • The Last Picture Show (1971)
            • David Lynch
            • Eraserhead (1977)
            • The Elephant Man (1980)
            • The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice
            • Dracula (1931)
            • I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
            • John Carpenter
            • The Evil Dead (1981)
            • Quentin Tarantino
            • James Dean
            • Let the Right One In (2008)
            • Cat People (1942)
            • Val Lewton
            • Alien (1979)
            • Bechdel Test
            • Miyazaki
            • Spirited Away (2001)
            • Near Dark (1987)
            • Nosferatu (1922)
            • Sin City (2005)
            • Get your Johnny gear here!

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              Reach out to us…

              • CONTACT JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS
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              • Get Tim’s Book THE DEAD NEXT DOOR

                The post Ep. 08-30: A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014) first appeared on JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS.
                1 hr 13 min
              • Ep. 08-29: Minor Premise (2020)

                MINOR PREMISE (2020)—A brilliant but emotionally troubled neuroscientist tests an experimental device on himself, inadvertently fracturing his consciousness into multiple versions of his personality. As these conflicting selves clash and spiral out of control, he faces the terrifying consequences of splitting his mind. A taut psychological sci-fi thriller, the film explores identity, obsession, and the limits of human cognition in a high-stakes race against time and the self.

                https://johnnyhasthekeys.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/08-29-Minor-Premise-FINALaup3.mp3

                Johnny Has the Keys dives deep into the mind-bending world of Minor Premise. Join us as we explore the film’s inventive concept, tight pacing, and compelling central performance, which bring the fractured psyche to life. We’ll discuss the screenplay, visual storytelling, and the moral and existential dilemmas of experimenting on the human mind. Strap in for a cerebral journey that asks: what happens when you lose control of the most familiar person—yourself?

                SHOW LINKS:

                • Minor Premise (2020)
                • Frederick Schultz
                • The Evil Dead (1981)
                • Frankenstein (1931)
                • Pi (1998)
                • The Jetsons (1962)
                • Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)
                • Brainstorm (1983)
                • The Fly (1986)
                • Primer (2004)
                • Donnie Darko (2001)
                • Memento (2000)
                • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
                • Philip K. Dick
                • Total Recall (1990)
                • Star Trek: The Enemy Within (1966)
                • The Artifice Girl (2022)
                • Ken Russell
                • Get your Johnny gear here!

                  Support the show at…

                  Reach out to us…

                  • CONTACT JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS
                  • FACEBOOK
                  • TWITTER
                  • YOUTUBE
                  • INSTAGRAM
                  • Get Tim’s Book THE DEAD NEXT DOOR

                    The post Ep. 08-29: Minor Premise (2020) first appeared on JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS.
                    55 min
                  • Ep. 08-28: Werewolf of London (1935) & An American Werewolf in London (1981)

                    WEREWOLF OF LONDON (1935)—Botanist Dr. Glendon travels to Tibet in search of a rare plant, only to be bitten by a mysterious creature. Returning to England, he discovers that the bite has cursed him: under the full moon, he transforms into a savage werewolf. Blending gothic horror with early werewolf mythology, the film explores the struggle between man’s civilized self and the beast within.

                    AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON (1981)—Two American backpackers are attacked by a werewolf while traveling in the English countryside. One is killed, and the other, David, survives—but finds himself slowly transforming into a werewolf himself. Combining shocking gore, dark comedy, and groundbreaking special effects, John Landis’s film is both a chilling horror story and a tragic exploration of fate, isolation, and the uncontrollable power of the beast within.

                    https://johnnyhasthekeys.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/08-28-Werewolves-FINAL.mp3

                    This week, Johnny Has the Keys takes a bite out of cinematic lycanthropy with Werewolf of London and An American Werewolf in London. Join us as we compare the early gothic atmosphere and suspenseful horror of the 1935 classic with the visceral effects, dark humor, and modern sensibilities of the 1981 reinterpretation. We’ll discuss transformations, makeup, storytelling, and the evolution of the werewolf on screen—from chilling folklore to unforgettable horror-comedy. Beware the full moon—it’s coming.

                    SHOW LINKS:

                    • Werewolf of London (1935)
                    • Jack Pierce
                    • Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)
                    • The Wolf Man (1941)
                    • The Howling (1981)
                    • Greek Mythology (King Lycaon)
                    • Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon
                    • The Werewolf of London by Paul Roland
                    • Jack the Ripper
                    • The Invisible Man (1933)
                    • Universal monsters
                    • Tarantula (1955)
                    • The Fly (1958)
                    • Nosferatu (1922)
                    • Cat People (1942)
                    • Star Trek (1966)
                    • An American Werewolf in London (1981)
                    • John Landis
                    • The Curse of the Werewolf (1961)
                    • Dog Soldiers (2002)
                    • Ginger Snaps (2000)
                    • The Evil Dead (1981)
                    • Monty Python
                    • Peter Sellers
                    • Thriller by Michael Jackson
                    • X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
                    • Get your Johnny gear here!

                      Support the show at…

                      Reach out to us…

                      • CONTACT JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS
                      • FACEBOOK
                      • TWITTER
                      • YOUTUBE
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                      • Get Tim’s Book THE DEAD NEXT DOOR

                        The post Ep. 08-28: Werewolf of London (1935) & An American Werewolf in London (1981) first appeared on JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS.
                        1 hr 31 min
                      • 08-27: Fantastic Voyage (1966) REDUX

                        FANTASTIC VOYAGE (1966)p—a team of scientists is miniaturized and injected into the bloodstream of a critically ill scientist to remove a life-threatening blood clot. Racing against time, they navigate the human body’s inner landscapes—veins, arteries, and organs—facing deadly hazards at every turn. A landmark in visual effects and imaginative storytelling, the film combines science fiction adventure with high-stakes medical suspense, exploring the possibilities and dangers of scientific ingenuity.

                        https://johnnyhasthekeys.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/08-27-Fantastic-FINAL.mp3

                        This week, Johnny Has the Keys shrinks down for a journey unlike any other with Fantastic Voyage. Join us as we explore the groundbreaking visuals, tense suspense, and inventive storytelling that make this film a classic of 1960s sci-fi. We’ll discuss the cast, inventive set design, and the thrilling concept of exploring the human body from the inside out. Buckle up—this microscopic adventure proves that sometimes, the biggest thrills come in the smallest packages.

                        SHOW LINKS:

                        • Fantastic Voyage (1966)
                        • Richard Fleischer
                        • Jerome Bixby
                        • Issac Asimov
                        • Stephen Boyd
                        • Donald Pleasence
                        • Raquel Welch
                        • James Brolin
                        • The Andromeda Strain
                        • Irwin Allen
                        • Land of the Giants
                        • Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
                        • 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
                        • Soylent Green
                        • NOTLD end credits
                        • The Blob (1958)
                        • The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)
                        • The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981)
                        • Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
                        • Innerspace (1987)
                        • Get your Johnny gear here! Support the show at…

                          Reach out to us…

                          • CONTACT JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS
                          • FACEBOOK
                          • TWITTER
                          • YOUTUBE
                          • INSTAGRAM
                          • Get Tim’s Book THE DEAD NEXT DOOR

                            The post 08-27: Fantastic Voyage (1966) REDUX first appeared on JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS.
                            1 hr 3 min
                          • Ep. 08-26: The Terminal Man (1974)

                            THE TERMINAL MAN (1974)—a brilliant yet troubled computer scientist becomes the subject of an experimental procedure to control his violent seizures. When the surgery implants electrodes in his brain, the results spiral out of control, unleashing unpredictable and deadly behavior. Based on Michael Crichton’s novel, the film explores the dangers of technological intervention in human nature, raising unsettling questions about free will, control, and the unforeseen consequences of tampering with the mind.

                            https://johnnyhasthekeys.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/08-26-Terminal-Man-FINAL.mp3

                            This week, Johnny Has the Keys ventures into the uneasy intersection of technology and psychology with The Terminal Man. Join us as we discuss the film’s exploration of human fragility, its unsettling atmosphere, and the moral questions posed by tampering with the brain. We’ll examine the performances, direction, and the eerie resonance of a story that feels increasingly relevant in an age of ever-advancing neuroscience. 

                            SHOW LINKS:

                            • The Terminal Man (1974)
                            • Mike Hodges
                            • Michael Crichton
                            • Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
                            • Frankenstein (1931)
                            • Coma (1978)
                            • Charly (1968)
                            • Giallo
                            • Black Mirror (2011)
                            • The Shining (1980)
                            • The Ennis House
                            • Edward Hopper
                            • Get your Johnny gear here!

                              Support the show at…

                              Reach out to us…

                              • CONTACT JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS
                              • FACEBOOK
                              • TWITTER
                              • YOUTUBE
                              • INSTAGRAM
                              • Get Tim’s Book THE DEAD NEXT DOOR

                                The post Ep. 08-26: The Terminal Man (1974) first appeared on JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS.
                                1 hr 2 min
                              • Ep. 08-25: Natural Born Killers (1994)

                                NATURAL BORN KILLERS (1994)—Mickey and Mallory Knox blaze across America on a blood-soaked road trip, leaving chaos, corpses, and celebrity fascination in their wake. Hunted by the law and glorified by the media, the pair become symbols of violence-as-entertainment in a world obsessed with spectacle. Directed by Oliver Stone and written from a story by Quentin Tarantino, the film is a kaleidoscopic, satirical descent into love, madness, and media-fueled mayhem.

                                https://johnnyhasthekeys.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/08-25-Born-Killers-FINAL.mp3

                                This week, Johnny Has the Keys takes a wild ride through Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers—a film as controversial as it is unforgettable. Join us as we discuss its explosive style, dark humor, and biting commentary on America’s obsession with fame and violence. From frenetic editing to powerhouse performances by Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis, we’ll unpack what makes this movie both mesmerizing and disturbing. Strap in—it’s going to be one hell of a trip.

                                SHOW LINKS:

                                • Natural Born Killers (1994)
                                • Trailer
                                • Oliver Stone
                                • Quentin Tarantino
                                • The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
                                • Ken Russell
                                • Chicken glasses
                                • A Clockwork Orange (1971)
                                • True Crime podcasts
                                • Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
                                • Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
                                • MTV
                                • Straw Dogs (1971)
                                • RoboCop (1987)
                                • The Doors (1991)
                                • Heathers (1989)
                                • True Romance (1993)
                                • American Psycho (2000)
                                • Wild at Heart (1990)
                                • The Devil’s Rejects (2005)
                                • House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
                                • I Love Lucy (1951)
                                • Nightcrawler (2014)
                                • Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
                                • O.J. Simpson case
                                • Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan incident
                                • Rodney King beating
                                • Jack Ruby shoots Lee Harvey Oswald
                                • Charles Starkweather and Caril Fugate
                                • Badlands (1973)
                                • Geraldo Rivera’s interviews with Charles Manson
                                • Mike Wallace interview with Manuel Noriega
                                • Me and a Gun by Tori Amos
                                • 666 and the Book of Revelation
                                • Get your Johnny gear here!

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                                  • CONTACT JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS
                                  • FACEBOOK
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                                  • Get Tim’s Book THE DEAD NEXT DOOR

                                    The post Ep. 08-25: Natural Born Killers (1994) first appeared on JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS.
                                    1 hr 28 min
                                  • Ep. 08-24: Phase IV (1974) & Pi (1998)

                                    PHASE IV (1974)—strange cosmic event triggers a rapid evolution among Earth’s ants, transforming them into a collective intelligence with plans far beyond human comprehension. Isolated in the Arizona desert, two scientists attempt to study—and contain—the phenomenon, only to find themselves drawn into the insects’ mysterious and terrifying design. 

                                    PI (1998)—mathematician Max Cohen believes that everything in nature can be understood through numbers. Obsessively searching for a mathematical pattern that could unlock the secrets of the universe—and the stock market—Max spirals into paranoia and madness. As rival groups close in on his discovery, his grip on reality begins to fracture. 

                                    https://johnnyhasthekeys.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/08-24-Phase-IV-PI-FINAL.mp3

                                    This week, Johnny Has the Keys dives deep into the intersection of intellect and insanity with Phase IV and Pi. Join us as we explore these visionary tales of human minds pushing too far into the unknown—from cosmic evolution to mathematical revelation. We’ll unpack their haunting imagery, minimalist storytelling, and the existential dread that binds them both. Tune in as reason gives way to revelation, and the search for truth becomes the ultimate descent into madness.

                                    SHOW LINKS:

                                    • Phase IV (1974)
                                    • Trailer
                                    • Saul Bass
                                    • Pi (1998)
                                    • Trailer
                                    • Darren Aronofsky
                                    • 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
                                    • Empire of the Ants by H.G. Wells
                                    • The Monolith Monsters (1957)
                                    • The Thing (1982)
                                    • Alfred Hitchcock
                                    • The Hellstrom Chronicle (1971)
                                    • The Andromeda Strain (1971)
                                    • Forbidden Planet (1956)
                                    • Altered States (1980)
                                    • The War of the Worlds (1953)
                                    • The Hephaestus Plague by Thomas Page a.k.a. Bug (1975)
                                    • Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
                                    • Jaws (1975)
                                    • The Fly (1986)
                                    • Them! (1954)
                                    • The Naked Jungle (1954)
                                    • Phase IV by Barry N. Malzberg
                                    • Chaos theories & Golden Ratio
                                    • Numerology
                                    • Kabbalah
                                    • Torah
                                    • Quran
                                    • David Lynch
                                    • Eraserhead (1977)
                                    • Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989)
                                    • Sin City (2005)
                                    • A Clockwork Orange (1971)
                                    • The Twilight Zone (1959)
                                    • Roman Polanski
                                    • The Omen (1976)
                                    • Minority Report (2002)
                                    • Donnie Darko (2001)
                                    • Knowing (2009)
                                    • Possum (2018)
                                    • Clerks (1994)
                                    • A Beautiful Mind (2001)
                                    • Get your Johnny gear here!

                                      Support the show at…

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                                      • CONTACT JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS
                                      • FACEBOOK
                                      • TWITTER
                                      • YOUTUBE
                                      • INSTAGRAM
                                      • Get Tim’s Book THE DEAD NEXT DOOR

                                        The post Ep. 08-24: Phase IV (1974) & Pi (1998) first appeared on JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS.
                                        1 hr 12 min
                                      • Ep. 08-23: The Bad Seed (1956)

                                        THE BAD SEED (1956)—a seemingly perfect little girl, Rhoda Penmark, hides a chilling secret beneath her angelic demeanor. When a classmate dies under mysterious circumstances, her mother begins to suspect that Rhoda’s charm conceals something far more sinister. As maternal love clashes with growing horror, The Bad Seed explores the nature of evil—whether it’s born or made—and delivers one of cinema’s most unforgettable portrayals of innocence corrupted.

                                        https://johnnyhasthekeys.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/08-23-Bad-Seed-FINAL.mp3

                                        This week, Johnny Has the Keys invites you into the dark heart of suburbia, where sweetness and smiles may mask something deadly. Join us as we discuss The Bad Seed—its groundbreaking performances, stage-bound tension, and the shocking implications of inherited evil. We’ll talk morality, psychology, and that unforgettable ending. Pull up a chair and mind your manners, because little Rhoda’s got her eye on the prize—and she always gets what she wants.

                                        SHOW LINKS:

                                        • The Bad Seed (1956)
                                        • Trailer
                                        • Mervyn LeRoy
                                        • The Bad Seed by William March
                                        • The Bad Seed (play)
                                        • The Twilight Zone: It’s a Good Life (1961)
                                        • Village of the Damned (1960)
                                        • Child’s Play (1988)
                                        • M3GAN (2022)
                                        • The Omen (1976)
                                        • Night Must Fall (1964)
                                        • Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955)
                                        • We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
                                        • Bad Ronald (1974)
                                        • Mommy (1995)
                                        • House of Deadly Secrets (2018)
                                        • Ruthless! (play)
                                        • The Good Son (1993)
                                        • The Bad Seed (1985)
                                        • The Bad Seed (2018)
                                        • The Bad Seed Returns (2022)
                                        • Get your Johnny gear here!

                                          Support the show at…

                                          Reach out to us…

                                          • CONTACT JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS
                                          • FACEBOOK
                                          • TWITTER
                                          • YOUTUBE
                                          • INSTAGRAM
                                          • Get Tim’s Book THE DEAD NEXT DOOR

                                            The post Ep. 08-23: The Bad Seed (1956) first appeared on JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS.
                                            58 min

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