Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

Doc takes the Grue-Believers on a slight detour with his pick this week, MURDER BY DEATH (1976). The films spoofs various detective movies and literary characters along with "old dark house" chillers. Yeah, it's a comedy... from Neil Simon, no less. Regardless, the cast is astounding, featuring Eileen Brennan, Truman Capote, James Coco, Peter Falk, Alec Guinness, Elsa Lanchester, David Niven, Peter Sellers, Maggie Smith, Nancy Walker, James Cromwell, Richard Narita, and Estelle Winwood, along with Fay Wray (vocals) as the Screaming Door Bell. Sure, the comedy is outdated, the laughs are more like snickers, and one (or more) characters are cringeworthy for modern audiences, but this film is of its time before SNL and National Lampoon would ramp cinema comedy up to eleven. Of note, Peter Falk's character, Sam Diamond, would return in The Cheap Detective (1978). Enjoy! MURDER BY DEATH (1976) Episode 279 - Decades of Horror 1970s Quote: "I never did nothin' to a man that I wouldn't do to a woman." Sam Diamond Synopsis: Five famous literary detective characters and their sidekicks are invited to a bizarre mansion to solve an even stranger mystery. Director: Robert Moore Writer: Neil Simon Selected Cast: Eileen Brennan as Tess Skeffington Truman Capote as Lionel Twain James Coco as Milo Perrier Peter Falk as Sam Diamond Alec Guinness as Bensonmum Elsa Lanchester as Jessica Marbles David Niven as Dick Charleston Peter Sellers as Sidney Wang Maggie Smith as Dora Charleston Nancy Walker as Maid Estelle Winwood as Nurse James Cromwell as Marcel Richard Narita as Willie Wang Gruesome Magazine's Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next '70s episode, chosen by Bill is Terror in the Wax Museum (1973). We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: make a comment on the site, the Gruesome Magazine YouTube Channel, or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at [email protected].

When it comes to classic Universal horror movies, FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN (1943) often comes up as the film that made Monster Kids into the horror fans they are. C'mon, two classic monsters locked in battle, the Frankenstein Monster and the Wolf Man, and the film serves as a sequel to two different films: The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942) and, of course, The Wolf Man (1941). Lon Chaney, Jr. reprises his role as the cursed Lawrence Talbot with Bela Lugosi stepping into the Frankenstein Monster's shoes - ironically, taking over the role from Chaney in Ghost who had taken the role over from Boris Karloff in Son of Frankenstein (1939). Oh, man, it's so fun to be a Universal Monster movie fan. The film is fantastic and highly nostalgic and the discussion is lively and fun. Enjoy! FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN (1943) Episode 240 - Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Quote: "Stop that! Stop it! Quit that singing! Eternally! I don't want to live eternally! Why did you say that to me? Get away from me! Stay away! Go away, all of you! Let me alone! Stay away! " – Lawrence Talbot Synopsis: The resurrected Wolf Man, seeking a cure for his malady, enlists the aid of a mad scientist, who claims he will not only rid the Wolf Man of his nocturnal metamorphosis, but also revive the frozen body of Frankenstein's inhuman creation. Director: Roy William Neill Writer: Curt Siodmak Selected Cast: Lon Chaney Jr. as The Wolf Man - Lawrence Stewart Talbot (credited as Lon Chaney) Ilona Massey as Baroness Elsa Frankenstein Patric Knowles as Dr. Frank Mannering Lionel Atwill as Mayor Bela Lugosi as Monster Maria Ouspenskaya as Maleva Dennis Hoey as Inspector Owen Don Barclay as Franzec Rex Evans as Vazec Dwight Frye as Rudi Every 2 weeks, we'll focus on a specific film released between 1920 and 1969. Next up, chosen by Daphne, is THE SKULL (1965), featuring Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Nigel Green, Michael Gough, and more! Just wait until Doc finds out. Woot!

This episode's Grue Crew (Crystal, Bill, Gregory, & Jeff) takes on Tobe Hooper's SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION (1989), a film Crystal chose, and they're glad they did! The Crew enjoys this film much more than they expected to and think, in general, Mr. Hooper gets a bad rap. The same goes for Brad Dourif's usual excellent performance (with explanation). Throw in beaucoup fire effects, multiple crispy critters, some nuclear-science shenanigans, and studio interference, and we have so much to discuss. SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION (1989) Episode 321 - Decades of Horror 1980s Quote: "It would take a temperature of 6000 degrees centigrade to do something like this. It's the cleanest kill I ever saw." - Scientist Synopsis: A young man finds out that his parents had been used in an atomic-weapons experiment shortly before he was born, and that the results have had some unexpected effects on him. Director: Tobe Hooper Writers: Tobe Hooper and Howard Goldberg (screenplay); Tobe Hooper (story) Selected Cast: Brad Dourif as Sam Cynthia Bain as Lisa Wilcox Jon Cypher as Dr. Marsh William Prince as Lew Orlander Melinda Dillon as Nina Dey Young as Rachel Tegan West as Springer Michael Keys Hall as Dr. Cagney Dale Dye as General Dick Butkus as Lt. General Gruesome Magazine's Decades of Horror 1980s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1970s. In two weeks, the next '80s episode, chosen by Jeff, is Threads (1984). We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: make a comment on the site, the Gruesome Magazine YouTube Channel, or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at [email protected].

Grue-Believers, Gregory invites the Grue-Crew to THE DEVIL'S WEDDING NIGHT (1973). In this Italian Gothic horror, Mark Damon plays twin brothers, Karl and Franz and they're both after The Ring of the Nibelungen discovered in Transylvania at -- yup, you guessed it --- Castle Dracula. And where you have any "Dracula," you have... VAMPIRES! This film turns out to be quite the discovery. It's beautifully shot, well scripted, and full of fangs and female anatomy. The Grue-Crew have a blast discussing this Euro Gothic forgotten masterpiece. Check it out and enjoy! THE DEVIL'S WEDDING NIGHT (1973) Episode 278 - Decades of Horror 1970s Quote: "The ring's golden band had embedded in it a large glowing stone having the color of blood. And when the light of the full moon struck its surface, weird, eerie, and uncanny phenomena took place, and sinister night creatures lurking in the shadows would have their black feast." - Karl Synopsis: Scholarly Karl Schiller seeks a legendary ring when his twin disappears at Dracula's castle, but a seductive countess and a recurring village ritual threaten his search for the artifact and his brother. Director: Luigi Batzella (as Paul Solvay) Writer: Ralph Zucker and Mark Damon (credited as Alan M. Harris) (screenplay); Ralph Zucker and Ian Danby (original story: "The Brides of Countess Dracula"); Ralph Zucker (dialogue adaptation) Selected Cast: Mark Damon as Franz Schiller/Karl Schiller Rosalba Neri as La Contessa Dolingen de Vries (credited as Sara Bay) Esmeralda Barros as Lara - Zombie Enza Sbordone as Tanya - Innkeeper's Daughter (credited as Francesca Romana Davila) Xiro Papas as The Vampire Monster (credited as Ciro Papas) Gengher Gatti as The Mysterious Man (credited as Alexander Getty) Gruesome Magazine's Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next '70s episode, chosen by Doc is Murder By Death (1976). We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: make a comment on the site, the Gruesome Magazine YouTube Channel, or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at [email protected].

Mexican wrestling, vampires, and the iconic Santo, El Enmascarado de Plata, are the topic for this episode. Jeff has selected SANTO VS THE VAMPIRE WOMEN (1962, SANTO VS. LAS MUJERES VAMPIRO), just one of the 50+ Santo movies. While this series may be a niche within a niche, this film is campy fun with excellent cinematography and a whole coven of vampires for Santo to battle. Seriously, it is a blast. And, if you have never experienced a Santo movie SANTO VS THE VAMPIRE WOMEN is the perfect entry point into the iconic legend of Santo and the three decades of films in which he appeared. Give it a shot, you will be entertained. SANTO VS. THE VAMPIRE WOMEN (1962, SANTO VS. LAS MUJERES VAMPIRO) Episode 239 – Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Quote: "I will return you and the others to nothingness." – Zorina, queen of the vampires Synopsis: A professor recruits a professional wrestler to protect his daughter from vampires intent on kidnapping her and marrying her to the devil. Director: Alfonso Corona Blake Writers: (Story by) Antonio Orellana & Fernando Osés and Rafael García Travesi; Rafael García Travesi (adaption); Alfonso Corona Blake (scenario consultant) Producer: Alberto López Composer: Raúl Lavista Cinematographer: José Ortiz Ramos Special Effects: Juan Muñoz Ravelo Selected Cast: Santo as El Enmascarado de Plata Lorena Velázquez as Zorina, queen of the vampires María Duval as Diana Orlof Jaime Fernández as Insp. Carlos Augusto Benedico as Prof. Orlof Xavier Loyá as Jorge – Diana's fiance (credited as Javier Loya) Ofelia Montesco as Tundra, vampire priestess Fernando Osés as Igor Guillermo Hernández as Marcus Nathanael León as Taras (credited as Leon Moreno) Ricardo Adalid as Detective at Party Cavernario Galindo as Cavernario Ray Mendoza as El Indio Alejandro Cruz as Black Shadow Bobby Bonales as Self Eduardo Bonada as Self Alfredo Wally Barrón as Santo's 'Second' (uncredited) Evelia Esquivel as Vampira (uncredited) Every 2 weeks, we'll focus on a specific film released between 1920 and 1969. Next up, chosen by the crew for our Halloween episode, is the first Universal Monster Rally, Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943)! We're excited, and we hope you are too!