Scream Scene Podcast

Your deadicated hosts encounter a film that appears to be a connecting dot for horror on the road to Romero and Lynch; it's CARNIVAL OF SOULS (1962) from director Herk Harvey, starring Candace Hilligoss! Listen to learn how this cult classic fits within the evolution of horror, and marks a shift toward the rising undead...

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 38:37; Discussion 53:32; Ranking 1:26:39

What do you get when you cross Gothic horror, witchcraft, and sci fi mad science? You get EL ESPEJO DE LA BRUJA (1962) aka THE WITCH'S MIRROR, from director Chano Urueta! The film stars Isabela Corona, Armando Calvo, and Rosita Arenas in this mish-mash hodge-podge of a horror movie.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 10:29; Discussion 21:12; Ranking 34:56

Your deadicated hosts enjoy this feature reel of Vincent Price in TALES OF TERROR (1962), a horror anthology from Roger Corman! Unfortunately, writer Richard Matheson stumbles in adapting Edgar Allan Poe's short stories "Morella," "The Black Cat," "The Cask of Amontillado," and "The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar." But does that matter when Price, Peter Lorre, and Basil Rathbone get to come together?

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 45:15; Discussion 59:17; Ranking 1:21:46

Have you ever wondered how Italian horror goes from black and white vampire flicks, to the colour-drenched mansion of SUSPIRIA? Director Riccardo Freda shows us the way with L'ORRIBILE SEGRETO DEL DR. HICHCOCK aka THE HORRIBLE DR HICHCOCK (1962)! This colourful Gothic movie includes a haunting, poisoning, and... necrophilia? Yep, it has everything! The film stars Barbara Steele and Robert Flemyng, and has no relation to Alfred Hitchcock.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 18:29; Discussion 28:11; Ranking 48:59

Hammer Horror and Terence Fisher tackle THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1962), but what they deliver is a simplified adaptation, a sympathetic Phantom, and a Joan of Arc opera. At least stars Michael Gough, Edward de Souza, and Herbert Lom seem to be having a good time!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 42:23; Discussion 55:34; Ranking 1:24:55

Just what the heck is Gregory Peck doing in a horror movie?! We dive in to 1962's CAPE FEAR, directed by J Lee Thompson, and starring Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum. Plus, we learn about the bet that led to the creation of the original novel, THE EXECUTIONERS, from author John D MacDonald.

Please note this episode has a trigger warning for sexual assault and domestic violence, given the content of the book and movie.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 50:27; Discussion 1:06:07; Ranking 1:30:28

The behind-the-scenes story of this movie led us to believe it would be a disaster, but THE CABINET OF CALIGARI (1962) surprises your deadicated hosts! Directed by Roger Kay, written by Robert Bloch of PSYCHO fame, and starring Glynis Johns and Dan O'Herlihy, this remake of THE CABINET OF DR CALIGARI faces the catch-22 of balancing name recognition while hiding the twist until the end.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 35:27; Discussion 48:05; Ranking 1:22:50

We encounter the infamous schlock film THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE (1962) directed by Joseph Green and starring Virginia Leith and Jason Evers! But what we uncover is a seesaw of excitedly pushing boundaries and falling flat on its disembodied face. That being said, we appreciated watching a movie that had an actual theme: bodily autonomy and consent.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 15:35; Discussion 27:30; Ranking 52:13

What happens when faced with the question of whether you earned your position based on your own merits, or solely thanks to your wife being a... *checks notes* a witch?! Your deadicated hosts dive into NIGHT OF THE EAGLE (1962, Hayers), starring the enigmatic Peter Wyngarde, Janet Blair and Margaret Johnston! This movie, also known as BURN, WITCH, BURN! for it's American release, adapts the famous novel CONJURE WIFE by Fritz Leiber.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 48:45; Discussion 1:03:32; Ranking 1:30:16

Happy new year! We ring in 2026 with 1962's HANDS OF A STRANGER, written, produced and directed by Newt Arnold! This unofficial Hands of Orlac adaptation turns the emotions to 11 for its cast to chew the scenery like you've never seen. Starring Paul Lukather, Joan Harvey and James Stapleton.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 26:36; Discussion 41:20; Ranking 1:02:53