Scream Scene Podcast

This week, your deadicated hosts cover the classic Gothic novel Henry James' THE TURN OF THE SCREW, and its film adaptation THE INNOCENTS (1961)! We discuss director Jack Clayton, the incredible cinematography from Freddie Francis, and how to turn a vague novel into a cohesive film. The film stars Deborah Kerr, Peter Wyngarde, Megs Jenkins, Michael Redgrave, Pamela Franklin and Martin Stephens.

It's a biggie of an episode! Will your hosts reveal themselves as apparitionists or non-apparitionists? The one thing we definitely agree on: Miss Giddens is not okay!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 1:10:12; Discussion 1:27:04; Ranking 2:12:50

Is it horror? Thriller? Film noir, or maybe giallo? We discuss the intricacies of LYCANTHROPUS (1961) aka WEREWOLF IN A GIRLS' DORMITORY from director Paolo Heusch! At the very least, we have a werewolf mystery on our hands...

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 13:34; Discussion 24:31; Ranking 36:59

From director Tai Kato before his career of yakuza films comes 1961's KAIDAN OIWA NO BOREI, the latest adaptation of YOTSUYA KAIDAN! Starring Tomisaburō Wakayama as Iemon, Yoshiko Fujishiro as Oiwa, Hiroko Sakuramachi as Osode, and introducing Jūshirō Konoe as Naosuke, is a return to a more detailed version of this ghost story conducive to horror?

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 28:02; Discussion 47:54; Ranking 1:10:00

A vampire's blood feud; a demonic cult; avant garde piano... with these ingredients we get EL MUNDO DE LOS VAMPIROS (1961) from director Alfonso Corona Blake! Which unfortunately, is just another vampire movie. The film stars Guillermo Murray, Mauricio Garcés and Erna Martha Bauman.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 10:34; Discussion 26:10; Ranking 39:40

What happens when you mix psychiatry, addiction metaphors, surrealism and electronic music? The first Canadian horror movie and full length 3D fiction film, THE MASK (1961)! The film comes from director Julian Roffman and stars Paul Stevens and Claudette Nevins. Hear about the origins of Canadian film, LSD usage in psychiatry, and more!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 54:50; Discussion 1:08:10; Ranking 1:35:44

William Castle with two wolves inside him: One wants to shock and frighten his audience, and the other wants them to have a good time. In the case of MR. SARDONICUS (1961), he struggles to accomplish either one!

Despite this, there are things your deadicated hosts find to praise and discuss! Enjoy our coverage of Castle's second entry in 1961, starring Ronald Lewis, Audrey Dalton and Guy Rolfe.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 24:16; Discussion 39:16; Ranking 1:04:54

Your deadicated hosts travel to Mexico to introduce you to LA MARCA DEL MUERTO (1961, Cortés), a gothic sci-fi horror flick that stars leading man Fernando Casanova in dual roles! The film also stars Sonia Furió and features cinematography by José Ortiz Ramos.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 16:06; Discussion 24:52; Ranking 38:46

These teens are being hunted! Can they survive... the hunter's BLOODLUST?! We find out in this 1961 adaptation of Richard Connell's THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME, from writer/producer/director Ralph Brooke. The film stars Wilton Graff, Robert Reed, June Kenney and Gene Persson.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 26:40; Discussion 37:44; Ranking 49:34

Mix witches with vague voodoo and you get THE DEVIL'S HAND (1961) from director William J. Hole Jr. Starring Linda Christian, Robert Alda, Ariadna Welter and Neil Hamilton, even a competent cast can't save this picture. Yet, there might be something worthwhile pulling the film in certain directions... maybe?

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 19:30; Discussion 30:32; 52:54

Roger Corman tasks Richard Matheson with expanding Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Pit and the Pendulum" into a feature length film... do they succeed?? Vincent Price, John Kerr, Barbara Steele and Luana Anders star in PIT AND THE PENDULUM (1961, Corman)!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 31:56; Discussion 41:51; Ranking 1:13:41