Claim OwnershipMagical Mystery Media: The Stories We Tell in the Dark
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NEW format! NEW show! NEW start!
If you're here for strange and unusual stories about film and television, welcome!
If you're looking for our old conspiracy and paranormal episodes, please see the archives at MAGICAL MYSTERY RADIO: INANE RAMBLINGS FROM THE FRINGE.
THE STORIES WE TELL IN THE DARK is a discussion of cinema deep cuts, weird behind-the-scenes stories, and forgotten film lore.
SHADOWPLAY is an upcoming series of story-driven episodes about cinema’s bizarre and hidden histories.
FILM ON THE FRINGE was a limited series exploring modern cult classics and genre favorites and their connections to magic and mystery.
Host Adam Charles has written for Walt Disney Television, Amblin Entertainment, and more. He has crossed paths with so many media personalities over the years, he's come to think of himself as the Forrest Gump of film.
If you're here for strange and unusual stories about film and television, welcome!
If you're looking for our old conspiracy and paranormal episodes, please see the archives at MAGICAL MYSTERY RADIO: INANE RAMBLINGS FROM THE FRINGE.
THE STORIES WE TELL IN THE DARK is a discussion of cinema deep cuts, weird behind-the-scenes stories, and forgotten film lore.
SHADOWPLAY is an upcoming series of story-driven episodes about cinema’s bizarre and hidden histories.
FILM ON THE FRINGE was a limited series exploring modern cult classics and genre favorites and their connections to magic and mystery.
Host Adam Charles has written for Walt Disney Television, Amblin Entertainment, and more. He has crossed paths with so many media personalities over the years, he's come to think of himself as the Forrest Gump of film.
62 Episodes
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What do radioactive fallout, cannibal rats, and a flying turtle have in common? In this episode, Adam explores the dark origins of Japan’s most iconic monsters. From the real-life 1954 Lucky Dragon incident - sometimes called the “third atomic bombing” - to the scrapped rat-horror film that accidentally gave birth to Gamera, it’s a wild ride through film, folklore, and Cold War fear. Plus: just how big could a real kaiju actually get? Topics include: Godzilla’s link to post-war trauma and Shinto beliefs The Lucky Dragon #5 nuclear disaster How a failed giant rat movie led to Gamera Could a real giant monster actually exist? A monster-sized mix of pop culture, science, and the strange stories we tell in the dark. Movies mentioned: Gojira (1954) Godzilla (1956) King Kong (1933) Godzilla Raids AgainKing Kong Vs. Godzilla Rodan Mothra Them! Tarantula The Day the Earth Stood Still It Came from Beneath the Sea Beast from 20,000 Fathoms Gamera (1965) Giant Horde Beast Nezura (unmade)
What’s real, what’s not, and what the Warrens never told you. Is The Conjuring: Last Rites a true story? What really happened to the Smurl family - and how involved were Ed and Lorraine Warren? What's the real story of Annabelle the Doll? And what happened to Annabelle's handler in July? Visit https://magicalmystery.media for show notes (or to send a message). ========== For our "lost episodes" archive, check out MAGICAL MYSTERY RADIO: INANE RAMBLINGS FROM THE FRINGE.
Content warning: The first segment covers real-life on-air suicides and may be distressing to some listeners. This week, Adam shares a strange and tragic mix of stories: disturbing on-air deaths (one which anticipated Paddy Chayefsky's Network by two years); the real-life pain behind Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's creation of Superman; and a buried Michael Myers (Halloween) backstory from 1979. Real On-Air Deaths - The tragic story of Christine Chubbuck, the Sarasota news reporter who took her life on-air in 1974. - Budd Dwyer, a Pennsylvania politician who died during a press conference in 1987. - How both events shaped the conversation around broadcast delay. - The unplanned early 2000s event that was the final straw for the FCC. The True Origin of Superman - The truth behind the meme that says Jerry Siegel’s father was shot. - How Siegel & Schuster created Superman: from pulp zines to the character’s evolution in Action Comics #1. - Influences ranging from Gladiator by Philip Wylie to John Carter of Mars, Zorro, and even early Jewish mysticism (Kal-El, Jor-El). - The heartbreaking legal fight that left Superman’s creators broke – despite creating the most iconic superhero of all time. The Forgotten Backstory of Michael Myers - The 1979 novelization of Halloween, long out of print, included a mythic backstory tying Michael Myers to Enda, a cursed Celtic killer. - How the novel’s folk horror take differs from John Carpenter’s minimalist vision. - Why this supernatural twist was buried – and why it might have made more sense than the later convoluted Halloween sequels. Show notes at https://magicalmystery.media
Adam explores some of film’s most infamous curses - from Poltergeist and its real skeletons to the eerie disappearance of the man who may have invented cinema before Edison. Also: a FLESH EATERS resurrection, some Hollywood lore, and the show’s evolving format. Movies mentioned: FLESH EATERS, POLTERGEIST, THE FIRST FILM (Roundhay Garden Scene/Accordian Player/Traffic Crossing Leeds Bridge), THE OMEN, ROSEMARY'S BABY, THE EXORCIST, CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE, DRAG ME TO HELL, CURSE OF THE DEMON, CURSE OF THE MAN WHO SEES UFOS
In this week’s episode of Magical Mystery Media, Adam takes you on a strange journey through pop culture, folklore, and forgotten history – starting with the new film Weapons and ending with the real-life boy who inspired The Exorcist. Visit magicalmystery.media for show notes (or to send a message). For archived episodes of Magical Mystery Radio going back to 2016, search "Magical Mystery Radio: Inane Ramblings from the Fringe."
Adam shares memories of working with Troma Films in 1980s NYC, reflects on THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN, and solves two internet mysteries: the real origin of the famous time-travel ad that inspired SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED and the photo that inspired SEVERANCE by way of the eerie Backrooms phenomenon. Visit magicalmystery.media for show notes (or to send a message). For archived episodes of Magical Mystery Radio going back to 2016, search "Magical Mystery Radio: Inane Ramblings from the Fringe."
Adam reveals two chilling true stories he chose not to cover in his upcoming Shadow Play series: the disturbing case of Ed Gein, and the mysterious death of Elisa Lam. First, the strange case of Elisa Lam, a Canadian student whose bizarre behavior on hotel security footage went viral before she was tragically found dead in a rooftop water tank - eerily echoing plot details from the horror film Dark Water. Adam recounts his personal visit to the infamous Cecil Hotel in L.A. and reflects on the strange coincidences and conspiracy theories that continue to swirl around the case. Then, a look at the true story of Ed Gein, the real-life killer who inspired Psycho, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs. Adam shares what made him walk away from scripting the episode - despite the uncanny parallels to Norman Bates and his infamous "mother." Content warning: Discussion includes graphic details of true crime, mental illness, and disturbing real-world events. Visit magicalmystery.media Contact: magicalmysterymedia@gmail.com
![[Film on the Fringe 10] A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET: Dream Deaths, Shadow Men, Sleep Paralysis & Freddy Krueger](https://s3.castbox.fm/9f/a2/c2/d495a52a7d769a37eb8c456beb393c8e61_scaled_v1_400.jpg "[Film on the Fringe 10] A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET: Dream Deaths, Shadow Men, Sleep Paralysis & Freddy Krueger")
What if a dream could kill you? We revisit Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) and the real-life sleep phenomena that inspired it. We explore how Freddy Krueger emerged from Craven’s own childhood fears and reports of mysterious deaths among Hmong refugees. We also get into the strange science of sleep paralysis, the folklore of the “Old Hag,” the phenomenon of the Hat Man, and the viral mystery of This Man, a face reported in dreams around the world. Shownotes
Blade Runner is more than a sci-fi classic — it’s a meditation on memory, identity, and empathy. We explore Philip K. Dick’s 2-3-74 mystical VALIS experience, the meaning of the Voight-Kampff test, and why the film still resonates today as a cinematic awakening. Shownotes
From vodou to viral spores, zombies have always evolved with us. In this week’s episode of Film on the Fringe, we uncover the real roots of the undead—myth, science, and metaphor. 🧟 Highlights & References: The Last of Us and the real-world science of Cordyceps fungus White Zombie (1932) and the colonial legacy of the Haitian undead Vodou, slavery, and the soul in Haitian cosmology Clairvius Narcisse, Wade Davis, and The Serpent and the Rainbow Romero’s undead allegories: race, consumerism, class warfare 28 Days Later, Shaun of the Dead, Warm Bodies, Kingdom, Train to Busan Forgotten classics and deep cuts: Raising Stony Mayhall, Pontypool, The Night Eats the World Shownotes
Dr. Atom takes you behind the scenes of JURASSIC PARK—literally. After a personal story of working alongside the filmmakers, we explore the science of cloning dinosaurs, the truth behind amber-trapped DNA, and modern de-extinction efforts using CRISPR and AI. Then we dig into the 19th-century Bone Wars, Victorian dinosaur mania, and Arthur Conan Doyle’s THE LOST WORLD. Along the way, we follow a strange fossil trail into the world of young Earth creationism, Cambodian stegosaurus carvings, and fire-breathing beasts from the Book of Job. It’s science, history, and myth—all tangled up in one prehistoric narrative. Shownotes
Gremlins on the wing, goblins in the woods, and strange little beings at your window. From WWII aviation lore to Spielberg’s unmade alien siege story, this episode traces the evolution of mischievous trickster creatures through folklore, pop culture, and real-life encounters—including the night something came calling in Kentucky. Featured Films: Shadow in the Cloud (2020) Gremlins (1984) Poltergeist (1982) E.T. (1982) The Twilight Zone (Nightmare at 20,000 Feet) Amazing Stories (“The Mission”) Shownotes
Venture into the murky space between psychological manipulation and the supernatural. Today, we’re talking about The Quiet Ones (2014), a Hammer Films horror throwback inspired by one of the strangest real-world experiments ever attempted: the Philip Experiment. We’ll unpack how a group of researchers in 1970s Canada set out to create a ghost, explore Derren Brown’s Seance as a modern reinterpretation, and finally, discuss whether collective belief can actually influence physical reality. Shownotes
Let's explore The War of the Worlds — the iconic novel by H.G. Wells and the countless interpretations, adaptations, and conspiracy theories it inspired. We discuss: The 2005 Spielberg movie and the 1953 George Pal version The long-forgotten SEQUEL published only a year after the original The 1938 Orson Welles "panic broadcast" Wernher von Braun’s alleged warning of a staged alien invasion Project Blue Beam And finally, we ask: What would a real alien invasion look like? The War of the Worlds continues to fascinate because it reminds us of the fragility of our dominion over this Earth. It humbles us with a creeping dread that the universe may be – almost certainly is – teeming with ancient, unknowable threats. Shownotes
Let's dissect The Conjuring 2 and the real-life case that inspired it—the infamous Enfield Poltergeist. Was it a genuine supernatural event or an elaborate hoax that spiraled out of control? Join me as I explore how this case became one of the most documented hauntings in history. Ed and Lorraine Warren: Paranormal Pioneers or Masters of Mythmaking? Before discussing the Enfield case, I take a brief detour to talk about the legendary (and controversial) ghost-hunting duo, Ed and Lorraine Warren—from their involvement in the Amityville Horror to a bizarre court case where they allegedly “proved” a haunting in a Connecticut home. I share my personal connection to this incident, which was dubbed the Hebron Horror by sensationalist media. The Conjuring 2 (2016) – Fact, Fiction, and Some Very Creative Embellishments James Wan’s The Conjuring 2 delivers a chilling take on the Enfield case, but just how accurate is it? The film portrays the Warrens as the central investigators, battling a demonic nun and confronting a terrifying entity. In reality, they played only a minor role in the case, and some of the most iconic scares—like the Crooked Man and the dramatic exorcism—were pure invention. While the film captures the eerie atmosphere of 1970s England and delivers solid performances, it takes more than a few liberties with the truth. Shownotes
Enter the eerie world of artificial intelligence—from the sleek and unsettling Ex Machina to real-life AI developments that feel ripped straight from science fiction. We’ll explore the rapid evolution of AI, the ethical dilemmas that come with it, and some unsettling cases of chatbots behaving… strangely. Are we on the verge of creating a sentient machine? And if we were, how would we know? Shownotes
Explore the wild world of werewolves, from the cult classic Ginger Snaps to real-life sightings of “dog men.” We’ll discover the folklore behind our moon-dappled friends, look at how pop culture molded them into the creatures we recognize today, and figure out what exactly makes a man-wolf tick. Shownotes
![[Magical Mystery Media 45] Cancel Everything, NOTHING LASTS FOREVER](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/e/f/6/f/ef6f8e3b593e959d16c3140a3186d450/pyramid_radio-20250807-4ief1bydji.png "[Magical Mystery Media 45] Cancel Everything, NOTHING LASTS FOREVER")
We discuss cancel culture, the masons, breakaway civilizations, secret moon colonies... and one fascinating, mythical "lost" film from the 80s that ties it all together!
![[Magical Mystery Media 44] CALLING ALL EARTHLINGS: Aliens, TIme Travel, Immortality](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/5/b/8/5/5b85ea722f6b97b916c3140a3186d450/pyramid_radio-20250807-2aazibdmly.png "[Magical Mystery Media 44] CALLING ALL EARTHLINGS: Aliens, TIme Travel, Immortality")
We review the documentary CALLING ALL EARTHLINGS. And then we do it one better by actually covering the material that should have been in the movie. This is the story of George Van Tassel, eccentric, contactee, engineer... genius? Did Van Tassel channel messages from our alien brothers and sisters and use the information to construct a time machine? Join us and find out!
![[Magical Mystery Media 43] WALKING WITH TALL WHITES: The Charles James Hall Story](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/b/a/2/0/ba20fcda01312d8ed959afa2a1bf1c87/pyramid_radio-20250807-yohtovxvzv.png "[Magical Mystery Media 43] WALKING WITH TALL WHITES: The Charles James Hall Story")
1Is an advanced race of tall, albino-like extraterrestrials from Arcturus living on the Nevada test range? Has our government struck a deal with the aliens to obtain advanced military technology? Take a deep dive with us as we chronicle this fascinating, seemingly implausible story from one man who claims it's all true! [aka Magical Mystery Radio]
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40 minutes that I will never get back. Two snowflakes overanalyzing BS. I'm out. UNSUBSCRIBE
this episode is terrible.... the host contradict himself trying to dig himself out of a hole. very important issue and you dance round it " there is plenty I haven't said..." then you are part of the problem. danger of witch hunt.... this episode is a witch hunt. unless it's fact then shut up. I enjoy your chats but this episode is just shite. delete it, do it again. only stop with the ramble tinfoil hat crap. the issue is far to serious to dose it or contaminate the issue. good luck
FUCK YOU ERIC
not accusing anyone. but you can just tell the girls accusing trump are lying?
zeitgeist has been ripped to shreds by scholars and historians across the board, time and again (to the point of ridiculousness). utterly uneducated hokum, based on Murdoch's laughably idiotic and poorly-researched atheistic, agenda-driven bullshit book. even a little research will quickly prove this wrong.
Interesting material. Hard to listen to. Talking over each other. one at a time guys.
all one needs to do is read Peter Levenda's masterpiece, "RATLINE" for the real Hitler answers. not cool with autocorrecting that bastards last name to a capital H
Don't you hate when you say something on these things and some know-it-all conspiracy nut job what's the act like hes the government or she's I say she because he is a she I'm not Here to bother I just noticed the moment I made a harmless remark things start going off weirdie on me
I believe in America🤔🤨
another gem of an episode. keep up the good work.
😂🤣😅😆😎🤗🙄🤔🤨😏
What else was going on at that time in societee alley mcbeal the dancing baby lol remember the dancing baby remember when gifs were something high Tech
I do believe he shut off his opinion comment post on tunein because of myself or maybe hes as did it for me I'm not sure
Half the reason why I started the yeah but that's just a movie you know fiction campaign relatively recently in The last several years cars and plus Belle was a prick prick in a 1/2 shell prick power
There was the show on Fox that was similar to X files it was call millennium and he made a guest appearance on there and they were counting Down to the year 2000 and art bill was the snake oil salesman Trying to sale people bonkers and he played A long Which still is in the badd idea if I had the land and the fun step to I would buy a bunker but I don't believe in underground bunkers I believe in towers reinforced hours cause I do not want to be under water Actually not towers mounds towers that a buried in mounds of concrete similar to a dune or a temple or Pyramid a mound tower bunker a large mound tower bunker similar to the large as mound in Cahokia Illinois Saint Louis
And Beijing radios with a light C Crane it was another name from though the Beijing radio I think that's what they call those that was the time right before Y2K it was right years before Y2K the global super storm and the guy who was getting raped by aliens
Art bell I remember when he 1st started like ranting about contact before he started saying want to take a ride That's how I pinpoint the moment I realize what my parents were listening to it was a few key moments like that
The AI situation I visualize the future in the perspective of how you can Find Pristina quality atari ET video games in the Mexican landfill from 1985 these game Cartridges at least 33 years old and they've been buried in dirt under who knows what That's what the AI is we got the same thing with like ipods where I'm from people with steal rob you mug you take your ipod in do the same thing they would do with keys in credit cards from in the sewers in they settle at the bottom and they get Covered by sediment and no oxygen being fossilize like seashells in compacted into like shit than they're still alive because their AI I'm just talking and talking
The main reason why most are emotional attached to the flat Earth theory is because if it's fixed, flat, with pillars, and covered by a dome, it disproves the evolution theory. It will show that we are significant, unique, and special. It proves that the earth is created by a higher being. The Flat Earth Society is a disinformation organization. You make light of it as if there's nothing valid about it. Many isolated cultures believed this centuries ago and have drawings. It's told in various religious scriptures. Most won't take the time to look into it to understand why they believe it. If you honestly want to understand why, then check out the video, "The Strange Truth Project" on YouTube. Stop being biased and be more open minded and watch it with patience and you'll fully understand. It will definitely hope your eyes. Once you see all the lies, you will have to question, "Why?...". Well, here's a chance for you to open the door that I've brought you to with an invitation to open a