The Monsters That Made Us

Stranded 2km outside of Karlsbad, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” brace themselves for the return of Christopher Lee as Count Dracula! Join them as they discuss the new silent Count, why everyone should be listening to “Queen of Hammer” Barbara Shelley, the badass new priest who deserves his own spin-off, the amped up violence, and why Dracula: Prince of Darkness is, in many ways, a return to form for Hammer Film Productions.

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It’s time to head back to Karlsbruck! Or is it Karlstadt? Who knows? In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” discuss the return of Peter Cushing as the abominable Victor Frankenstein, Hammer’s distribution deal with Universal Pictures and the subsequent ret-con of their Frankenstein continuity, the additional footage and storyline shot specifically for American television, and why The Evil of Frankenstein still manages to be fun despite its shortcomings.

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It’s time for yet another mummy movie! Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they head back to ancient Egypt to discuss Michael Carreras sliding into the director’s chair, his lackluster script, the awful Mummy costume, and why a few brilliant performances (*ahem* Fred Clark *ahem*), some amped up violence, and a shocking third act twist make The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb somewhat watchable.

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In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” dive back down into the sewers for another spin on the classic Phantom of the Opera! Join them as they discuss the new mask, the star that almost was, the similarities and differences between Hammer’s film and Universal’s 1925 and 1943 versions, and why this Phantom is ultimately just… fine?

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In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” are heading back to 18th Century Spain for Hammer’s one and only wolf man movie! Join them as they discuss the iconic Oliver Reed in his first lead role, producer Tony Hinds adapting the screenplay himself from “the Dracula of werewolf novels,” Hammer’s trademark cost-saving measures moving the story from Paris to Madrid, and why the focus on story–rather than star power–makes The Curse of the Werewolf a distinct entry into Hammer’s gothic horror canon.

TW: this episode contains a brief mention of sexual assault.

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In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” finally dive into their first genuine adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic gothic novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and boy, it's a doozy! Join them as they discuss Paul Massie’s unique dual role as the homely Dr. Jekyll and the handsome Mr. Hyde, the return of horror icon Christopher Lee in a non-monster role, plus another big screen icon making his first Hammer appearance, Hammer’s trademark use of bold colors, what constitutes a monster movie, and why The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll is far and away the most salacious film they’ve discussed so far!

Trigger warning for this episode: Sexual assault

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“The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” are, once again, heading back to Transylvania, where Count Dracula’s Cult of the Undead continues to spread in his absence. Join them as they discuss the return of Peter Cushing’s Van Helsing, the new vampire threat, the incredible cast of women, and how The Brides of Dracula finds ways to keep things fresh and exciting while staying true to the established Dracula mythology.

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The evil mummy Kharis has once again been resurrected to exact revenge on those who have disturbed the tomb of the Princess Ananka! In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” unwrap Hammer’s first legitimate remake, 1959’s The Mummy! Join them as they discuss the return of Hammer’s dream team, the distribution deal with Universal International that resulted in Hammer gaining access to Universal’s vaults, all of the borrowed elements from The Mummy (1932), The Mummy’s Hand, and The Mummy’s Tomb, and the subsequent lack of original material. Plus: they also ask the big questions like, can you get a DUI while operating a horse-drawn carriage?

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Frankenstein is dead! Or is he? In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” dissect all the brain-swapping mayhem in Hammer’s first Frankenstein sequel! Join them as they discuss the return of the Hammer dream team: Terence Fisher, Jimmy Sangster and Peter Cushing, plus the handsome new “monster” played by Michael Gwynn; the challenges of writing a follow-up to a film that beheaded its protagonist; more cost-cutting measures, including repurposing some of the Dracula sets; Hammer’s unproduced Frankenstein TV series; more James Bond connections; and so much more!

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It’s time to dust off the ol’ crucifix because “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” are diving into the film that made Christopher Lee a household name, and may also have established Dracula as a sexy/sad character, rather than just a bloodthirsty monster. That’s right, they’re talking about 1958’s Dracula (aka Horror of Dracula)! Join them as they discuss Hammer’s journey bringing Dracula to the big screen, including whittling the source material down to its bare essentials, the challenges of including so much sex and violence, and the interesting connection Hammer shared with Universal Pictures from inception all the way to the film’s release.

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