Scream Scene Podcast

All good things must come to an end, but does HOUSE OF DRACULA (1945, Kenton) do justice to Universal's monsters Dracula, Wolfman and Frankenstein's Creature? Will Universal's last classic monster rally film go out with a bang, or a whimper?

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 36:53; Discussion 59:46; Ranking 1:22:19

We uncover and review the lost second half of Republic's horror double feature in this episode on THE PHANTOM SPEAKS (1945) from director John English, writer John K Butler, and starring Richard Arlen, Stanley Ridges, and Tom Powers.

How will this film noir horror with supernatural themes fare up against other films on our ranked list?

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 13:30; Discussion 23:47; Ranking 30:34

For the day before Halloween, we humbly present our episode on ISLE OF THE DEAD (1945, Robson), inspired by Arnold Böcklin's painting of the same name! Karloff and Lewton strike gold again, this time in a unique vampire tale set in Greece.

It's a one-of-a-kind picture written by Ardel Wray and featuring Ellen Drew, Marc Cramer, Katherine Emery, Helene Thimig, Alan Napier, Jason Robards Sr, Ernst Deutsch, and Skelton Knaggs.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 33:47; Discussion 52:28; Ranking 1:12:40

It's six horror films for the price of one! This week your deadicated hosts review DEAD OF NIGHT (1945) from directors Alberto Cavalcanti, Charles Crichton, Basil Dearden, Robert Hamer.

Plus, insights into the British film industry, the Rank Organisation, HG Wells and EF Benson, past horror anthologies, and much more. It's our first British horror in a while, so there's a lot to catch up on!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 55:02; Discussion 1:16:05; Ranking 1:42:42

It's the third and final entry of the Paula Dupree franchise, plus the horror debut of Rondo Hatton. From director Harold Young comes 1945's JUNGLE CAPTIVE out of Universal Studios!

The film also features Otto Kruger, Amelita Ward, Phil Brown, Jerome Cowan and Vicky Lane as Paula Dupree (replacing Acquanetta).

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 21:09; Discussion 29:23; Ranking 45:15

We're back at RKO to dig up THE BODY SNATCHER (1945) from Val Lewton and director Robert Wise!

Boris Karloff, Henry Daniell and Russell Wade star in this adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic short story. Oh hey Bela Lugosi is here too!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 27:56; Discussion 41:04; Ranking 1:06:04

Wheel of cryptids turn turn turn, name the film that we'll discern... It's THE VAMPIRE'S GHOST (1945) from director Lesley Selander, writer Leigh Brackett, and starring John Abbott, Charles Gordon, Peggy Stewart and Grant Withers.

We follow the standard vampire and Dracula formula, this time in the Belgian Congo! But how does this film from Republic Pictures stack up against our other Dracula rip-offs?

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 19:02; Discussion 41:06; Ranking 55:40

From MGM comes THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY (1945, Lewin), plus proof that your time in university literature courses doesn't have to go to waste! This Aesthetic, Gothic and classy horror stars Hurd Hatfield, George Sanders, Angela Lansbury and Donna Reed.

We give an overview of Oscar Wilde, his 1890 novel, the Aestheticism literary movement, public versus private horror, and so! much! more!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 1:00:23; Discussion 1:23:31; Ranking 1:56:48.

Is it horror? Is it film noir? It's THE MAN IN HALF MOON STREET (1945, Murphy) starring Nils Asther and Helen Walker!

With a powerful score from Miklós Rózsa and a plot from Barré Lyndon, this certainly is A Film To Watch!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 18:31; Discussion 30:29; Ranking 43:21

Kharis the Mummy returns in THE MUMMY'S CURSE (1944, Goodwins) with Lon Chaney Jr, Virginia Christine, and Dennis Moore. Plus a secret cure to mummification: rest and rehydration!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 21:16; Discussion 34:02; Ranking 46:09