Scream Scene Podcast

From director John Brahm comes (right at you) THE MAD MAGICIAN (1954) starring Vincent Price, Mary Murphy, and Eva Gabor! This 3D picture from Columbia Pictures excites and thrills, but is its horror just an illusion?

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 15:25; Discussion 38:03; Ranking 49:49

Coming right at you! It's PHANTOM OF THE RUE MORGUE (1954) from director Roy Del Ruth! This remake of 1932's MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE / adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's detective story still has some surprises in store...

Starring Karl Malden, Claude Dauphin, Patricia Medina, and Steve Forrest, the film also has cameos from Merv Griffin, Charles Gemora, and The Flying Zacchinis!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 27:56; Discussion 53:12; Ranking 1:08:54

Your dedicated hosts face off the 3D widescreen underwater horror CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954) from director Jack Arnold! Starring Richard Carlson, Julie Adams, Richard Denning and Ben Chapman & Ricou Browning as Gill Man himself!

From the men who played Gill Man, to how the legacy of his designer Milicent Patrick was hidden for years, we dive deep into the depths of this iconic horror film.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 35:35; Discussion 48:51; Ranking 1:13:12

We return to our regular timeline with EL MONSTRUO RESUCITADO, a 1953 Mexican horror film from director Chano Urueta, starring Miroslava and José María Linares-Rivas. See what this mix of Universal's greatest horror hits has in store!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 11:54; Discussion 38:39; Ranking 54:49

We continue our tour through Mexican horror with EL HOMBRE SIN ROSTRO (1950) from father of Mexican horror Juan Bustillo Oro!

This surrealist, film noir-inspired film stars Arturo de Córdova, Miguel Ángel Ferriz, and Carmen Molina.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 12:52; Discussion 32:44; Ranking 51:17

We travel to 1935's Mexico for EL MISTERIO DEL ROSTRO PÁLIDO from the father of Mexican horror himself, Juan Bustillo Oro!

The film stars familiar face Carlos Villarías, and newcomers Joaquín Busquets and Beatriz Ramos. This mad scientist Phantom of the Opera meet-cute is a film you won't want to miss!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 17:27; Discussion 36:13; Ranking 48:55

Your deadicated hosts put their heads together to watch DONOVAN'S BRAIN (1953) from director Felix Feist! This adaptation of Curt Siodmak's 1942 novel stars Lew Ayres, Nancy Davis, and Gene Evans.

We've faced similar premises before, but how does this straight adaptation fare against the horror films that came before?

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 27:45; Discussion 44:46; Ranking 59:02

Beware what you find in... THE MAZE (1953)! From director and production designer William Cameron Menzies comes this Gothic horror 3D film starring Richard Carlson, Veronica Hurst, and Katherine Emery.

Hear the background of the Allied Artists pictures Corporation and its long-lived producer Walter Mirisch! Plus, how does Salvador Dali factor in to this movie's story??

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 31:04; Discussion 39:43; Ranking 1:06:18

It's horror for children! Your deadicated hosts face off INVADERS FROM MARS (1953) in this German expressionist, surrealist sci-fi flick!

This indie film includes director/production designer William Cameron Menzies and stars Jimmy Hunt, Helena Carter, and Arthur Franz.

And, Ben explains Eastmancolor, Supercinecolor, and how Menzies earned a name for himself as production designer of... GONE WITH THE WIND!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 41:24; Discussion 1:03:45; Ranking 1:39:15

Your deadicated hosts travel to Turkey for the country's first horror film, DRAKULA İSTANBUL'DA (1953) from director Mehmet Muhtar! Starring Atif Kaptan as Dracula, Bülent Oran as Azmi (aka Jonathan Harker), and Annie Ball as Güzin (aka Mina).

Hear about the history of Turkey, its film industry, and the Dracula adaptation the film is inspired by, Kazıklı Voyvoda by Ali Riza Seyfi.

Book adaptation and history of Turkey 00:00; Film industry context setting 39:25; Synopsis 51:12; Discussion 1:07:28; Ranking 1:41:33