DtH Episode 131 – Horror Through the Decades: 1930s

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For our second episode in this series, we move up to the 1930s. Besides the boom of Universal, and honestly the creation of what became the horror genre, there was still a lot going on during that time. From the Great Depression to the introduction of the Hayes Code to getting ready for another World War, it seems audiences wanted to continue to escape into the world of monsters. But while these are considered “old classics”, there is still a lot of dark subject matters here.

So, join us as we go through this decade, discussing some major events and titles that happened in the horror genre, almost 100 years ago!

Titles mentioned in this episode:

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Mystery Photo 9-14

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We got back from HorrorHound Weekend early this morning, so going on about 4-5 hours of sleep. I apologize up front for any errors! But we had one hell of a time at the show, so thanks to everyone that came out and stopped by our table, to buy some books or just talk movies!!! Such a fun weekend. But let’s get to business. It looks like our last photo stumped a bunch of our regulars. The movie is David Schmoeller’s Crawlspace (1986), starring the one and only Klaus Kinski! Kudos to Hoby Abernathy and Christopher Highland for sending in the correct answer!

Okay, let’s get to this week’s photo, so I can go take nap! Take a peek below and see if you can recognize what movie this is from. Just remember to send your guess to me in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good luck!

Music Box Celebrates Horror in October!

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This year’s Music Box of Horrors, their annual 24-hour horror movie marathon, as we know sold-out in record time this year. Literally within minutes. Just crazy. But honestly, it shouldn’t be a surprise with what the Music Box has been programming, with plenty of stuff to keep us horror fiends excited all year long. They have announced a few more titles for this year’s marathon, which we have everything they have listed on their website below, or you can just click HERE to right to their page.

  • Amityville II: The Possession (1982) with Diane Franklin in person for a post-film Q&A
  • Attack the Block (2011)
  • Black Magic with Buddha (1983)
  • Danse Macabre (2011)
  • The German Chainsaw Massacre (1990)
  • The Haunted House (1921)
  • I Saw the Devil (2010)
  • The Leopard Man (1943) – Val Lewton!!!
  • Suspiria (1977) – Ultra-rare IB Tech 35mm print English-language, original UK release version

But it is the rest of October that is just jar-droppingly stunning with the number of amazing features, Q&As, and everything else they have listed. This isn’t the full list, but just a few titles that I think are pretty special or have a special guest attending! For the entire lineup, just click HERE.

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HorrorHound This Weekend!

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Our next stop on the 2026 Kryptic World Tour is back in Cincinnati for HorrorHound Weekend! Not only do they have a hell of a lineup, but for fans of Euro-Horror, they have some real royalty appear at this show. First and foremost, we have Barbara Steele, who appeared in so many incredible films in the ’60s, working with some amazing directors, such as Mario Bava and Antonio Margheriti, amongst others. But we also have Lamberto Bava appearing as well, director of both Demons (1985) and Demons 2 (1986), just to name a few. And to make the Demons connection even better, we have Geretta Geretta, who played Rosemary in Demons, and Coralina Cataldie-Tassoni who played Sally in Demons 2, as well as her co-star David Edwin Knight! So, it will be a nice little Demons reunion! I couldn’t recommend taking the opportunity to meet Bava and Steele at the show. Who knows now many more shows they will be attending, so make sure you don’t regret it later!

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Mystery Photo 9-7

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Welcome to September! Hopefully the temps outside are dropping a bit and we can feel like we’re not living in an oven! Not to mention that Halloween is not only just around the corner, but this October is looking to be, once again, busy as hell with a lot of fun things to do. But first, a little business. Last week’s photo was from Hangover Square (1945), directed by John Brahm and starring Laird Cregar, who had just worked together the previous year on The Lodger (1944). I couldn’t recommend both movies enough! Congrats to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Cate Cameron, Dave Fronto, Vincent Simonelli, and William Wilson. Well done!

This week’s photo is a little more current, so take a peek below and see what you can come up with. Just remember, as always, just send your guess to me in an email to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Movie Review: Forbidden Planet

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(1956)
Directed by Fred M. Wilcox
Starring Walter Pidgeon, Leslie Nielsen, Anne Francis, Warren Stevens, Jack Kelly, Richard Anderson, Earl Holliman, Robert Dix, James Best, and Les Tremayne as the Narrator

Yeap, here we are again with another NON-horror title!?!? What is going on here at the Krypt? Okay, okay… hang on. There is a monster in here, and one like you’ve never almost seen before, so I think I’m good. But in reality, I do like this movie because of its originality, of course the incredible look of the whole thing, but also giving audiences not just a monster we’ve never seen before, but an idea that was new and something different, especially its origin. But enough of that…no spoilers! Nonetheless, there are so many things in this film to admire.

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Victor Miller – Rest in Peace

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It’s strange how you could be a 3-time Emmy winner, nominated 8 times, and countless other awards in Daytime Television, but it is because of writing one film that most people are going to remember him by. That film was the first, the one and only Friday the 13th. And no, he’s not the creator of Jason, because it is only the first film that he ever wrote, not even liking the sequels because he didn’t care for the fact that Jason was now the killer. But nonetheless, he helped give us one of horror’s most famous franchises and kept a lot of people from camping in the woods!

But it is with sadness when we read of his passing on August 31st, at the age of 86. But he will be remembered for his work on that one specific film. And that’s okay. Because that series will always have a fanbase, and they will always remember the man that helped start it all. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family during this difficult time. Rest in Peace, Victor.

Super-Horror-Rama: Am I Evil?

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This month, the fine folks at Super-Horror-Rama have put together a very devilish double feature, one of them being a personal favorite because we had this at the theater when I worked there, way back in 1981!!!

On Friday, September 25th, at 11:30pm, they will be screening Evilspeak (1981), starring the amazing Clint Howard in one of my favorite roles of his. Over the top gore, nudity, and contacting evil through your home computer! Who would have thought that possible? Of course, let’s not forget a co-starring R.G. Armstrong in one of the most terrifying characters you’ll see onscreen!

Then on Saturday, September 26th, at 11:30pm, they will be screening 976-EVIL (1988), the very first movie directed by Freddy Krueger himself, Robert Englund, and starring Stephen Geoffreys!

As always, there will be limited-edition pinback buttons with every ticket, and each night there is trivia prizes (this time out, the category is Techno-Horror), hosted by John McDevitt, and prizes donated by The Shadowboxery, Cryptid Craft, Migzie Flores, Drive-In Asylum, Night Natalie, and FULL BLEED!

Both films will be screening at the Music Box Theatre in the wonderful new theater 3! The past Super-Horror-Rama screenings have been selling out, so if you’re interested, get your tickets now! Just click HERE for all the information.

DtH Episode 130 – Twice Told Tales: Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark

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Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (1973 & 2010)

We know we’ve covered our share of made-for-TV movies, especially from the 70s, but this time out we’re looking at a staple from the 70s that was later remade in 2010, with none other than Guillermo del Toro producing. The story is about an old house that has something living in the sealed-up fireplace. And when you’re warned not to open it, maybe you should listen. For those that grew up in the ’70s, the original was one that gave that generation a lot of nightmares. Even if you didn’t see it upon the original airing, it was one that was sought out by horror fans because of its reputation. Then over 35 years later, since del Toro was one of those kids affected by it, he wanted to do his version.

While these two versions are similar in some ways, they are also very different. How effective is the original, and then compared to the updated remake? Tune in to find out!

Movies mentioned in this episode:

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Book Review: Monsters on the Couch

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Monsters on the Couch: The Real Psychological Disorders Behind Your Favorite Horror Movies
Published by Chicago Review Press, 2024. 274 pages.
By Brian A. Sharpless

When I started reading this title, I thought it would be a look at specific movie titles and putting them through a psychological profile or study of the monster. It’s kind of is that, but not really specific movies, though there are a few. It mainly covers the different real-life psychological disorders that plague some people, that are tied into different horror sub-genres. Granted, some of these disorders are pretty rare, but honestly, some of them are pretty damn fascination.

We get to read about the history of lycanthropy, going back to folklore hundreds of years before we saw them on the big screen. Did you know that in Serbia, it is believed that if you drink water that has collected in the paw print of a wolf, you can become a werewolf? Or in Scandinavia, you’ll get the curse by wearing a wolfskin belt. Or there are many different kinds of ‘anthropy’, from turning into a horse, cow, or even a gerbil! It is kind of cool to see where it started, and how it… transformed into what we know about werewolf legends and mythology now because of film. Once the movie world gets a hold of it, those almost becomes the new “facts”, even though 90% of them came from some screenwriter’s imagination.

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