Category Archives: Discover the Horror Podcast

DtH Episode 109 – Hammer Frankenstein Films Pt.2

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Frankenstein Created Woman (1967), Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969), Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974)

Continuing our quest to get through the rest of Hammer’s Frankenstein films which starred Peter Cushing, we cover the last three titles that Hammer made. Cushing loved to play this character, and he’s done it like no one ever had, or ever has. Along with the screenwriters, Cushing made this character his own and really made him the real monster in this series.

While these films might be well covered by others, sometimes we forget just how good some of these are, as well as what we might be missing the first time or two that we watched it. And as we’ve mentioned many times before, watching them in sequence in a relatively short time, more things can come to light.

Films mention in this episode:

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DtH Podcast Episode 108 – Hammer’s Frankenstein Part 1

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The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958), and The Evil of Frankenstein (1964)

What can you say about the Hammer Frankenstein films that hasn’t been said before?

Well, a lot, actually!

In 1957, a relatively small, mostly unknown studio made a film that would forever change horror and kick off a cycle of sensual, bloody, and atmospheric fright flicks that would dominate the genre for around twenty years. To say that The Curse of Frankenstein is a classic is almost like saying that water is wet, but it is also a film that lives up to its reputation. It and its sequels are films that not only deserve regular revisits, but they also belong in more modern conversations about horror. While nearly all the films shard crewmembers and all but one were directed by Terence Fisher, one constant defined the series: Peter Cushing’s mesmerizing take on Victor Frankenstein, equal parts gentleman and ghoul.

On this episode we look at the first three films in the Cushing Frankenstein cycle, and in a very real way, make a pilgrimage to one of horror’s holy places. We love these films, and we hope that either you do too, or that you will by the time you are done listening.

Films mentioned in this episode:

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DtH Episode 107 – Making Monsters

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No matter what kind of horror fan you are, most likely you’re going to love the monsters. Whether it’s from the Universal Classics, Hammer’s colorful reinterpretations, the amazing creatures from Ray Harryhausen, to even Star Wars, they all showed us a variety of monsters. It’s one of the things that us horror fans rally around, and just love to discuss, from our favorites, how some are designed, their movements, and everything in between.

Oscar winning special makeup effects artist Howard Berger and author Marshall Julius have a new book out entitled Making Monsters: Inside Stories from the Creators of Hollywood’s Most Iconic Creatures, so we asked them to be on our show to talk all about monsters, and those special memories that we all have from the films we love.

Films mentioned in this episode:

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Episode 106: Hammer’s Quatermass Films

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The Quatermass Xperiment (1955), Quatermass 2 (1957), Quatermass and the Pit (1967)

Everyone knows the name Hammer Films (at least, we hope they do!) but most people associate it with gothic horror, particularly their reimagining of the Universal classic Frankenstein in The Curse of Frankenstein (1957). Yet Hammer had been around long before Peter Cushing breathed life into that first stitched-together corpse. Founded in the 1930s as a distribution company, the studio gradually moved into producing films, often adapted from popular TV and radio series.

In 1953, the BBC aired a six-part serial, The Quatermass Experiment. Hammer quickly recognized its potential, adapted it into a feature film, and in doing so set itself firmly on the path toward becoming “the studio that dripped blood.” In this episode, we cover all three Quatermass films. While they lean more toward science fiction than Hammer’s later gothic output, they are steeped in horror… and we think they’re well worth your time.

Films mentioned in this episode:

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DtH Episode 105 – Andy Milligan

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The Ghastly Ones (1968), The Man with Two Heads (1972), and Carnage (1984)

There are not many filmmakers like Andy Milligan. Sure, there’s were a lot of independents during that same era, working with zero budgets that somehow got their finished pictures to play theaters and released on home video. But not too many where their real life was almost as terrifying as the films they made. Milligan could fit into that category. Making over 30 pictures in almost 25 years, with some of the most outrageous and memorable titles, he still remains very close to obscurity. But he does have some fans out there. In fact, a few years ago, Severin Films released a box set that included over a dozen of his films, packed with extras. So why not take a look into this strange filmmaker and three of his films.

But a warning… his films are not for everyone. Some refer to them as high school stage plays that were filmed. They can be mean. Talky. Bizarre camerawork. And pretty shoddy makeup. Nonetheless, they still have a charm to them. To some at least. So, take your next steps with caution, and as the saying goes, “Well… we warned you.”

Films mentioned in this episode:

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DtH Episode 104: Fantasy Horror

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A Company of Wolves (1984), Nightbreed (1990), Errementari (2017)

As horror fans, we might not really think about the amount of horror elements that are in other sub-genres, such as fantasy. Sure, we all know titles like Conan the Barbarian (1982) that has a guy who turns into a giant snake, or Legend (1985) where one of the main characters is some sort of demon or devil, do those elements make it a horror film?

We all know that horror is used in many different genres of films, even some where the filmmakers themselves go out of their way to make sure to define it NOT as horror. But we know.

But when it comes to Fantasy / Horror, that’s where the story might be based on fairy tales or folklore, and definitely has some elements of horror in there, either in content or maybe just characters. The line can get kind of blurry. But we also know that if its entertaining, then does it really matter?

Take a listen as we discuss 3 titles that we all felt hit the Fantasy / Horror sub-genre, for a variety of reasons. Tune in and find out why.

Titles mentioned in this episode:

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DtH – Episode 103: Late Night Snack with Horror Artist Don England

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If you’ve been to a few horror conventions over the years, you’ll notice there are a few different artists set up there. Do you stop by and look at their work, browsing through what they have on display? These artists are bringing their visions of different horror ideas and concepts, in an illustrated way, hoping to catch the eye of a fan wandering by. One of these artists that has been setting up at shows for the last couple of decades is Don England. Doing the old-style pen & ink style of illustrations, his is very unique and very good.

We’ve known Don for many, many years, and know he’s as big of a horror fan as we are, so we invited him onto the show to not only talk horror, but also his art, where he gets his inspirations, and giving fans that might now know this side of the horror shows, a little insight into what it takes to be an artist. As well as his latest project, a little chapter size book called Late Night Snack, that covers a variety of subjects, filled with Don’s artwork, as well as essays on movies, short fiction, a comic, and much more. For more info about Don’s work, just click HERE.

Films mentioned in this episode:

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DtH Episode 102 – Bob Clark

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Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things (1972), Deathdream (1974), Black Christmas (1974)

Director Bob Clark will probably always be remembered for his now classic holiday film, A Christmas Story (1983), released the same year as his previous film, Porky’s, which is one of the raunchiest sex comedies of that era! But he started off making horror films, 3 of them in particular, before he moved on to making films in just about every other sub-genre. But it is these 3 horror films that we are going to discuss on this episode. One of these set many of the standards of what would be known as a slasher film, while the others have two very different take on zombies. All made low to moderate budgets, but still are still so well made, it’s a shame that Clark didn’t continue on in the horror genre. Maybe that’s why he’s not remembered as much as names like Carpenter, Cronenberg, or Craven. And that’s why we’re discussing it now!

Films mentioned in this episode:

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DtH: Episode 101 – Horror 101 with Dr. AC

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Better get your pad and pencil before you hit play on this episode. In this extra-long episode, where we go through some different sub-genres and come up with some titles that each of us feel is a good representation of that sub-genre. Not the best, but one that we feel can define that specific category. And to do that, we’ve asked Aaron Christensen, aka Dr. AC, back to the show to help us tackle this ridiculous attempt to such a task. 

Hopefully you have seen a lot of what we’re discussing, but I have a feeling there will be a few titles you never heard of, or knew about, but never got around to. Now’s your chance to start that new list! Again, these aren’t the best, but ones that we feel are pretty important, not to mention well worth your time. Okay… all set? Got your notes ready? Maybe some coffee or energy drink ready? Then hit play!

And if you haven’t already, go check out Aaron’s YouTube Channel HERE.

Titles mentioned in this episode:

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DtH Episode 100 – The Bloody Best Of!

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That’s right . . . we made it to episode 100! Taking a nod from Fangoria Magazine from back in the day, when they would put out their annual “Bloody Best Of” issue, we’re going to follow suit (in a way) by revisiting favorite moments from our previous 99.

When we published our first episode back on Oct. 5th, 2021, who knew we were going to make it this far? But we can honestly say that hearing all the positive feedback from you, our listeners, and hearing that you are seeking out films because we talked about them, seeing them either for the first time, or maybe seeing more of them a second or third time around, really does make all the work we put into each show worth it. And has us excited to bring you another 100.

So, we have much more in store for you, but for now, sit back and enjoy some highlights from past shows, as well as learning once again why keep this going, and why we all will never stop Discovering the Horror!

Films mentioned in this episode:

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