Scream Scene Podcast

Your deadicated hosts review THE MAD DOCTOR OF MARKET STREET (1942, Lewis), the last starring role for Lionel Atwill... but why would would this be the last time he'd star in a film? And what does Market Street have to do with a Polynesian island?

Featuring Una Merkel, Claire Dodd, Nat Pendleton, Richard Davies, and a whack of other characters in this over-stuffed film, including John Eldredge, Noble Johnson, Ray Mala, Rosina Galli, and Al Kikume.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 16:41; Discussion 26:26; Ranking 36:53

The Universal horror film that solidified werewolf myths and movies to come. It's 1941's THE WOLF MAN directed by George Waggner, written by Curt Siodmak, starring Lon Chaney Jr, Claude Rains, Ralph Bellamy, & Bela Lugosi.

We review how the werewolf myth has developed and was solidified by THE WOLF MAN, the history and cultural context around Rromani people, the Nazi allegories in the film crafted by Siodmak, and the effect World War II had on this film. All this and more in this (wolf)packed episode!

Context Setting 00:00; Synopsis 1:00:11; Discussion 1:12:25; Ranking 1:50:25

Entering the ring is MGM's 1941 remake of DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE, directed by Victor Fleming and starring Spencer Tracy, Ingrid Bergman, and Lana Turner!

The film challenges number one horror film on the list, 1931's DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE starring Fredric March... When you come at the king, you best not miss!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 51:44; Discussion 1:10:33; Ranking 1:40:12

It's yet another "inspired by Edgar Allen Poe" feature for your deadicated hosts... it's Universal Pictures' 1941 THE BLACK CAT (dir Rogell), with no relation to the 1934 horror of the same name.

Starring Basil Rathbone, Broderick Crawford, Hugh Herbert, and a very small role for Bela Lugosi, just where on the spectrum from comedy to horror does this film land?

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 29:25; Discussion 40:57; Ranking 57:08

See the INVISIBLE GHOST (1941) with your deadicated hosts! Directed by Joseph H Lewis, the sole screenwriting credit of actress Helen Martin, it's the first of Bela Lugosi's Monogram Nine... but how will it fare when ranked?

Is it old-fashioned or homage? Is the story nonsense or genre convention? Are the events psychological or supernatural? We try to sort it all out in this week’s episode!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 15:44; Discussion 37:34; Ranking 1:04:01

Your deadicated hosts travel back to 1934 Mexico to review DOS MONJES, directed by horror-heavyweight Juan Bustillo Oro. And, while there is analysis of the horror genre, there's also in-depth discussion on... Catholicism?!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 13:05; Discussion 30:27; Ranking 56:56

It's a surprise double feature from Scream Scene for Halloween!

If that wasn't enough to entice you, your hosts cover MAN-MADE MONSTER (Waggner, 1941) featuring Lon Chaney Jr's horror film debut! George Waggner writes and directs this Universal Studios' horror starring returning icon Lionel Atwill.

We had a trick earlier today with HORROR ISLAND, but here's a real treat!

Context Setting 00:00; Synopsis 21:46; Discussion 31:06; Ranking 54:18

Trick or treat, it's Halloween! Universal Studios takes another swing at horror with 1941's HORROR ISLAND, starring Dick Foran, Peggy Moran, Leo Carrillo and Fuzzy Knight.

Duelling singing cowboys and more characters you can count feature in this low-budget film directed by George Waggner. But do those ingredients add up to a horror-filled stew?

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 17:29; Discussion 31:47; Ranking 36:36

Your deadicated hosts travel (further) back in time to review the 1934 Mexican horror classic EL FANTASMA DEL CONVENTO, directed & co-written by Fernando de Fuentes.

Do the Google Translate subtitles hold up? How does EL FANTASMA compare to LA LLORONA from 1933? Tune in and find out!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 14:18; Discussion 34:02; Ranking 54:15

When the Devil commands, Karloff obeys! THE DEVIL COMMANDS (Dmytryk 1941) brings together Gothic horror and science fiction with a little big of Hitchcock’s REBECCA (1940).

Adapted from William Sloane’s The Edge of Running Water and starring Karloff and Anne Revere, listen to hear how this film brings together a mad scientist and spirit medium for some great results.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 12:42; Discussion 21:21; Ranking 51:00