Journey Through Sci-Fi

This week on Journey Through Sci-Fi, we examine how Stanley Kubrick's Doctor Strangelove (1964) and Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein (1974). cleverly parody the mad scientist archetype. Whether it's triggering global catastrophe or reanimating the dead, these films remind us that playing god can lead to comedic—and catastrophic—consequences. Want to watch the iconic films we’re discussing on the podcast? Check out Dr. Strangelove and Young Frankenstein through our affiliate links 🎬 Dr. Strangelove (1964) Young Frankenstein (1974) Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON

​In this episode, we take a comedic detour into 60s sci-fi as we revisit Disney's "The Absent-Minded Professor" and Jerry Lewis' "The Nutty Professor." From gravity-defying Flubber to the egotistical Buddy Love, we unpack how these eccentric inventors helped shape the mad scientist archetype. Expect flying cars, chaotic labs, and a surprising amount of heart as we explore the cultural legacy of these iconic sci-fi comedies. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON

When science and obsession collide. We break down Eyes Without a Face (1960) and The Skin I Live In (2011), two chilling films about stolen faces, extreme body modifications, and the horror of losing yourself—literally. With guest Mike Muncer (Evolution of Horror), we discuss mad scientists, surgical nightmares, and the disturbing legacy of these two films. Want to watch the films we're covering on the podcast? Grab your copies of Eyes Without a Face and The Skin I Live In through our affiliate links 🎬 Eyes Without a Face (1960) The Skin I Live In (2011) Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON

From The Brain That Wouldn’t Die’s predatory surgeon to The Man with Two Brains’s lusty neurosurgeon, mad science films often mix unethical experiments with unchecked libido. We examine how these films handle (or fail to handle) their problematic gender dynamics and how exploitation cinema shaped the portrayal of scientists on screen. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON

This week, we're discussing The Fly—both the 1958 and 1986 versions—to talk about teleportation experiments gone very, very wrong. From the old-school murder mystery of the original to Cronenberg’s stomach-churning body horror, we dissect what makes these films ultimate mad science nightmares. Listen now... before your DNA gets scrambled Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON

What happens when science makes you way too small? This week, we’re diving into accidental shrinking in sci-fi, from the eerie existential crisis of The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) to the backyard-sized adventure of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989). Join us as we explore the thrills, fears, and fun of shrinking stories—why they captivate us, what they say about our place in the universe, and why a simple ant can become the scariest movie monster of all. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON

From high-tech fabric to genetically engineered dinos, we discuss The Man in the White Suit (1951) and Jurassic Park (1993), as Mad Science meets commerce in this weeks episode. What happens when groundbreaking inventions threaten the balance of power—and profits? We explore the ethical dilemmas, corporate greed, and unintended consequences behind these sci-fi classics.  Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON  

This week on Journey Through Sci-Fi, we’re tackling the science of shrinking with two unique takes on mad experiments. First, the technicolor terror of Dr. Cyclops (1940), where a power-mad scientist shrinks his colleagues to doll-sized proportions. Then, the satirical Downsizing (2017), where miniaturization is pitched as a solution to society’s woes—with some bizarre twists. Join us as we explore the science, the ethics, and why shrinking remains such a big deal in sci-fi. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON  

This week on Journey Through Sci-Fi, we’re disussing a couple of scientists who lose the plot thanks to their own experiments. First up, it’s a 1930s classic—The Invisible Ray (1936)—where Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi team up for a tale of cosmic rays, glowing death touches, and some tense scientific rivalry. Then, we fast-forward to Sam Raimi’s Darkman (1990), where Liam Neeson stars as a disfigured anti-hero who takes matters (and masks) into his own hands after a lab explosion. We’re unpacking the film history, the genre tropes, and why these stories of mad science still hold up. So grab your goggles and join us for another double dose of sci-fi madness. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON

In this week’s episode of Journey Through Sci-Fi, we're taking a look into the minds of scientists on the trail of killers and unraveling the mysterious motives of mad doctors! Join us as we explore Doctor X (1932), directed by Michael Curtiz. The pre-Code thriller in which Dr. Xavier and his team of scientists search for the notorious "Moon Killer." Then, we fast-forward to Time After Time (1979), where H.G. Wells must hunt down Jack the Ripper in 1970s San Francisco.  Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON

This week on Journey Through Sci-Fi, we cover another of H.G. Wells' works brought to the big screen—The Island of Dr. Moreau—and examine two film adaptations: Island of Lost Souls (1932) and The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996).   One is a haunting masterpiece from the 1930s, known for its eerie atmosphere and groundbreaking makeup effects, while the other is infamous for its chaotic production, behind-the-scenes drama, and a story as wild as the mad science it depicts. NB: We also make a lot of references to Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr. Moreau Directed By David Gregory - Which we highly recommend! Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON

On this episode of Journey Through Sci-Fi, we cover The Invisible Man from the father of sci-fi himself ,H.G. Wells. We’re tackling both the 1933 classic movie directed by James Whale and the 2020 modern reimagining from Leigh Whannell. From groundbreaking special effects to intense psychological horror, we explore how this sci-fi mad scientist evolved across the decades.  Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON

In this episode of Journey Through Sci-Fi, we dive into the cinematic history of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. From the early 1912 silent film to the groundbreaking 1931 adaptation, we explore how filmmakers brought Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic story to life on screen. We’ll break down the incredible visual effects, dive into the pre-code era’s bold storytelling, and discuss why this tale of good versus evil became a cornerstone of genre cinema. Join us for a deep dive into one of film history’s most iconic transformations! Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON

Join us on a new journey through sci-fi as we dive into the sub genre of Mad Science. In our first episode, we explore Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, often seen as the first science fiction novel. We'll discuss Shelley’s inspirations and examine two early film adaptations: the 1910 silent film and the iconic 1931 version by James Whale and Universal pictures. Discover how these adaptations shaped the "mad scientist" trope and influenced sci-fi cinema. Let the madness begin! Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON

After 27 episodes and 54 films and TV shows, we’ve finally reached the conclusion of our epic series on Space Opera! To celebrate, we’re recapping it all with the Journey Through Sci-Fi awards show, where we dish out some well-deserved awards to our favorite films and shows from this series. We’ll reflect on what we’ve learned along the way and share some of the highlights that made this journey so memorable. Plus, we’ll dip into our mailbag to hear what you, our listeners, have thought of the series and get your recommendations for other Space Opera shows and films that deserve a watch.  Don’t miss the grand finale of this incredible journey through Space Opera! Categories include: Best Space Opera Protagonist, Who Needs Science!?, Space Flopera, and the ultimate award Best Space Opera Film. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON