Scream Scene Podcast

We travel to Japan for 1949's YOTSUYA KAIDAN from director Keisuke Kinoshita, starring Kinuyo Tanaka & Ken Uehara!

From its origins as a Kabuki play, to what Japan's post-war film industry looks like, we introduce Japan's most famous ghost story to Scream Scene listeners.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 53:02; Discussion 1:11:14; Ranking 1:42:41

It's the film Martin Scorsese claims as "one of the few true classic of supernatural cinema;" it's 1949's THE QUEEN OF SPADES from director Thorold Dickinson and starring Anton Walbrook, Edith Evans, and Yvonne Mitchell.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 26:57; Discussion 37:02; Ranking 1:04:25

Your deadicated hosts travel to Russia and back in time for 1916's PIKOVAYA DAMA aka THE QUEEN OF SPADES!

Director Yakov Protazanov adapts the Aleksandr Pushkin short story featuring Ivan Mosjoukine in the title role.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 28:52; Discussion 34:34; Ranking 52:14

Your deadicated hosts tackle the 1948 film THE MONKEY'S PAW from directors Norman Lee and Barbara Toy! It's the first time we're covering this timeless story, and we'll share what we know of the author, how effective the film is, and just where the film ranks as horror.

Starring Milton Rosmer, Megs Jenkins, Michael Martin Harvey, and many more, will this UK film from the Butcher's Film Service have a tight grip on your hosts?

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 23:03; Discussion 35:11; Ranking 53:10

From Jean Yarbrough and Reliance Pictures comes THE CREEPER (1948)! While the film takes the name of his character, the film has more in common with CAT PEOPLE than Rondo Hatton (maybe, kinda, sorta). Starring Janis Wilson, Onslow Stevens, & John Baragrey.

Context Setting 00:00; Synopsis 11:21; Discussion 19:48; Ranking 47:49

From Eagle-Lion Films and director Bernard Vorhaus comes THE AMAZING MR. X / THE SPIRITUALIST (1948)! Turhan Bey stars alongside Lynn Bari and Cathy O'Donnell, but can his charm save this big-budget B-movie?

We swoon over the stylish cinematography from John Alton and struggle with the old-fashioned flavour of Crane Wilbur's writing. But at the end of the day, what genre is this?

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 19:30; Discussion 29:10; Ranking 1:02:54

It's Bela Lugosi in colour in SCARED TO DEATH (1947) from director Christy Cabanne! This bonkers movie also stars George Zucco, Molly Lamont, Douglas Fowley and many others. It can only be experienced for yourself, so sit back and enjoy the ride!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 13:28; Discussion 27:53; Ranking 48:41

From director Robert Florey comes 1946's THE BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS starring Peter Lorre, Robert Alda, Andrea King and J Carrol Naish! Writer Curt Siodmak adapts the short story from WF Harvey for the unlikely Warner Bros Studio.

Does Robert Florey learn from his earlier tone mistakes in MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE, or is horror more than he can HANDle?

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 30:36; Discussion 44:11; Ranking 1:00:57

74 years after his death, your deadicated hosts review Rondo Hatton's last film THE BRUTE MAN (1946)! It's the most famous of Hatton's Creeper films, co-starring Jane Adams, Tom Neal, and Jan Wiley, and directed by Jean Yarbrough.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 23:53; Discussion 31:48; Ranking 55:00

It's the last Republic Pictures horror film and the other half of the double feature with CATMAN OF PARIS: this week your hosts review VALLEY OF THE ZOMBIES (1946) directed by Philip Ford & starring Robert Livingston, Lorna Gray/Adrian Booth, & Ian Keith!

Will this poverty row horror help liven up the dying genre, or will it add to Republic's sinking ship?

Context Setting 00:00; Synopsis 14:14; Discussion 21:05; Ranking 38:24