Category Archives: Discover the Horror Podcast

DtH Episode 132: Morbid Pleasures: Inside the Grand Guignol with David Gregory

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From 1897 until 1962, the Grand Guignol Theatre in Paris shows scenes of violence on stage, from decapitations, slashings, rape, eye-gouging, and plenty of bloodletting, all in view of the audiences that paid to witness such acts of depravity. The crowds that attended the small theatre ranged from the poor commonfolk to royalty from around the world. The film world soon followed the themes from the blood-soaked theater, bringing those images of violence to the silver screen. It shows us that there was always an audience for this time of “entertainment.”

Now, a new box set coming from Severin films, called , with 12 discs that has more than 80 hours of content, containing 60 films  dating from 1895 to 2025. This is truly a history lesson for horror fans, getting the opportunity to see just how far back these twisted tales were shown to audiences! And to help discuss this new set, we have Severin’s own David Gregory get down in the blood and guts of this set, the Grand Guignol, while disucssing a few other fun topics as well!

Films mentioned in this episode:

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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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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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DtH Episode 129 – Horror Through the Decades: 1920s

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We know this isn’t the first time we’ve preached the wonders of silent films, but there are so many amazing films from that era, that as horror historians that we all are, it’s always great to look back to when it all first started. While the ’30s is what fans usually go back to as “the beginning” because of Universal Studios, while they might not have been called horror films, they were there.

In this episode, we’re going to dig a little into the 1910s and 1920s to not only see what films were coming out at that time, but what was going on in the world that could have affected and even changed what we were seeing in the world of cinema. Even if silent films might not be your particular favorites, maybe by hearing some horror history, maybe you’ll want to try that road out again. Who knows, maybe this time around you’ll see something different. Or at the least, maybe you will learn a little about this genre that we all love.

Movies Mentioned in this Episode:

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DtH Episode 127 – Shock Theater

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Believe it or not, there was a time when instant access to hundreds of horror movies didn’t exist. Scary thought, huh? Before in the ’50s, unless you caught a movie in the theater, you probably weren’t going to see it, especially when you’re talking about the classic monster films, like Dracula and Frankenstein. But then in October of 1957, Universal had sold 52 of their titles, many of them being the classic monsters, were released to TV in what was called the Shock Theater package. And to help promote these, it was suggested for TV stations to have a “horror host” that would introduce the features. Simply put, it exploded. And help give birth to the Monster Kid generation.

Add in that Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine started the following year, there really was no turning back. Now you could see these monsters in the safety of your own home. A long way away from being able to hop on your computer or streaming TV service and find thousands of titles at your fingertips. But this was starting of real horror fandom, where you could get your weekly fix of monsters, as well as be reading Famous Monsters, buying your very own Aurora Monster model kits… life was great.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of this event and how it really was a game changer for horror movie fans. 

Films mentioned in this episode:

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DtH Episode 126: Twice Told Tales – Toolbox Murders

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The Toolbox Murders (1978) and Toolbox Murders (2004)

In this Twice Told Tales segment, we take a look at a film and its “remake”, which can be about as far apart as you can get. Some might say a remake in name only. But nonetheless, two films that while are different, do have some similarities, even if it might be behind-the-scenes information. But what you do have is one very uncomfortable exploitation film and a more modern tale with a supernatural slight to it. Or does it? Both of these films are products of their time, in what they are showing us, what they are trying to tell us, and what they feel the need to show us. 

The one thing they do have in common is the way of people are killed. Novelty or highly creative, that is up for you to decide. As to what you think of the original and if the second one is an actual remake, or just a cash grab. But if they are both entertaining, does it matter?

Films mentioned in this episode:

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DtH Episode 125 – Modern Supernatural Horror

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Rigor Mortis (2013), When Evil Lurks (2023), and Vicious (2025)

Pretty much from the very beginning of horror cinema—or cinema in general—supernatural horror has been part of the storytelling tradition. Granted, many of those early films were adaptations of famous works of literature dealing with ghosts, vampires, and other unworldly creatures, but more than a century later, the supernatural remains a huge gateway for creative filmmakers to walk through in order to create something interesting, and sometimes something genuinely new.

Many modern supernatural horror films deal with grief and how we cope with it. Some might call it cathartic, while in other films, it’s just downright mean! In the three movies we discuss in this episode, you’ll get a taste of all of that—and more. A couple of these films hit especially hard and will leave an impact on you days after the credits roll. You’ll either be running to tell your closest friends that they absolutely need to watch them, or you won’t say a word for fear that someone might ask, “Is everything okay at home?” But we think that films that can hit that hard deserve to be applauded. So, if you’re game, take that next step- and hit play.

Movies mentioned in this episode:

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DtH Episode 124 – The Fly Trilogy

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The Fly (1958), Return of the Fly (1959), and Curse of the Fly (1965)

With all the films out there were deviant mad scientists end up paying for their meddling in things that man shouldn’t, in 1958, you have a film where the scientist really was trying to create something for the betterment of mankind. Unfortunately, something unforeseen happens and tragedy soon ensues. And while it turns into a monster film, there is so much more than just a simple ’50s creature feature. And of course, when the movie does well at the box office, we have to have a sequel. Or two, even if that takes 6 years to bring to the screen. But the exploits of the Delambre family continue on, as well as their mistakes, and once again, at the cost of life and sanity.

While these films sometimes divide fans on which one is great and not-so-great, or even to which one is best, we decided to take the time to dive into this trilogy and maybe give you more to think about the next time you watch them. If you hear any buzzing around when you’re listening to the show, I’m sure it’s nothing.

Films mentioned in this episode:

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DtH Episode 123 – Jean Rollin

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The Shiver of the Vampire (1972), Lips of Blood (1975), and The Living Dead Girl (1982)

The films created by director Jean Rollin are unlike anything else in the history of cinema. If you make your way into his incredible filmic world, you will be entranced by its beauty, cinematic landscapes, and unique horrors. And the more you venture down this path, the more you’ll start to pick up on repeating themes and motifs. Like Rollin, liminality, memory and nostalgia, families, surrealism and expressionism, might become your obsessions- they were certainly his.

If it is carefully constructed plots, realistic storylines, and deeply developed characters that you are searching for, then Rollin probably isn’t for you. But if you want the unique, the obsessive, the utterly gorgeous? Then you must dive into Rollin’s work if you’ve never stepped into that sea. And if you’ve been here before? Well, then there is no time like the present to walk slowly through the surf, exploring the past and finding landmarks jutting up just past the beach like forlorn teeth in a skull being beaten by the waves of memory.

Films mentioned in this episode:

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DtH Episode 122 – Dario Argento’s Three Mothers Trilogy

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Suspiria (1977), Inferno (1980), and Mother of Tears (2007)

There are very few horror fans out there that do not know about Dario Argento’s work, and maybe mainly for the giallo-style films he’s known for. He never wandered into supernatural horror too often in his filmography, but when he did, like all of his films, he made it his own. After helping define what a giallo is with Deep Red (1975), he switched gears and gave us Suspiria, showing us violence through a blinding use of color and surrounded by an intense soundtrack that is pounding through the speakers. It looked like no film we’d really seen before. Then he continued this storyline of the dreaded Three Mothers with his film Inferno three years later, which gave us even more info on these wicked witches. We’d have to wait another 27 years before we got the final entry, Mother of Tears. Say what you will about any or all of these features, but they are all Dario Argento.

In this episode, we’re going to take a look at each of the three films, and Three Mothers, as well as the differences between the three films. We all have our favorite of the trilogy, but hopefully you’ll be able to see something in all three that maybe you missed out in previous viewings. So, join us in our little study group, as we learn more about Mater Suspiriorum, Mater Tenebrarum, and Mater Lachrymarum. But a word of caution… they don’t like people knowing about them, so be warned.

Films mentioned in this episode:

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