BELA LUGOSI'S SHED

  In this episode we're bringing you some notorious nuptuals and some sanguinary spouses, because the theme for our Double Feature is brides, but we've found two very different ones to talk to you about. And we've had to squeeze them in, because my goodness we have a lot to talk about this episode - we've got loads of news and other Horrible Business to get through, and we have quite a bit to say about a very Fresh Hell too.   What Fresh Hell Is This? - Lockwood & Co (2023), from Netflix.

  Did you think we'd left you for ever? Heaven forfend - we love talking to you dearest listeners about horror too much to ever do that. Instead we've been preparing for this bumper crop, covering what we've been up to over the last 9 months, what we've enjoyed, some small bits of new and then the meat of the episode - watching three horror films and talking to you about them. We start with a delightful horror comedy, then jump straight into it with two recent remakes of peerless classic horror films. Are they duplicating the previous lightning in a bottle, or licking a 9 volt battery? Listen to find out. And we've missed you - it's good to be back.   Easily Available Horror: Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010) from Amazon Prime.

We're sorry! We promise never to leave you for this long again! But we're back in the Shed with another look at all that's chilling, and we've got a great episode on an absolutely iconic horror film this episode, and we are even quite complimentary about it's 21st Century remake, which is rare for us. There's also a horror drama podcast and lots of horror news (well it's been a while).   Easily Available Horror: Limetown, a 2015 podcast by Two Up Productions.

  We normally pride ourselves in a good punny title, but for this one we're going full Ronseal - exactly what it says on the tin. This packed episode features a three-way Royal Rumble of three of the biggest names in sci-fi horror but also finds room for the usual horror news and the biggest Dead Horse we've ever had the misfortune to flog.

  What's this - the Shed Boys trying something new? In an unprecedented move we throw format out of the window and try a freewheeling discussion about a random horror genre in our new Breaking Wheel section, but it's shorter than anticipated because we end up talking for over half an hour about a computer game from 2002, as is our wont.   (Unfortunately there's some background noise from about the 40 minute mark due to some nearby DIY that we weren't able to clean out, but hopefully it won't affect your enjoyment of the episode).   One From The Vaults: Clive Barker's Undying (2002) from GoG.com

  Well it's a whole New Year but we're back on our usual bullshit, talking about YET ANOTHER slasher franchise because that's all we do now. But this is the last slasher-focused episode for a while because even we're a bit burned out on this classic subgenre now. It's a doozy though, as we go for a Triple Feature that is actually almost a Quadruple Feature, on the Slumber Party Massacre franchise.

  We're on our usual short New Year's sabbatical from the podcast here in the Shed, but we've popped in just to put together this little retrospective. It's just a little and deeply self-indulgent episode bringing together all of the musical interludes that we've created over the past four years of episodes. Enjoy!

  It seems amazing that this is our fourth Christmas episode, given our attention spans, but here we are, and we definitely have a mixed bag of festive films for you in this one. In terms of Christmas movies we're pleased to present to you the good, the bad, and the very, very ugly. We'll let you decide which is which.   One From The Vaults: Black Christmas (1974) from Amazon Prime.

  You want ghosts? We got ghosts. One score and six ghosts, to be precise, because we're looking at a pair of films which both feature a baker's dozen of the ectoplasmic buggers. We compare a 1960 William Castle film to the 2001 remake by Dark Castle Entertainments, and also come right up to the present day with a horror fresh off the press from last month.   What Fresh Hell Is This?: There's Someone Inside Your House (2021) from Netflix.]

  This episode comes to you courtesy of that genre where everyone is beautiful, parties last forever and everywhere you look are mysterious dark figures carrying bodies about - the 90s Teen Slasher. We look at two of the biggest films in the genre that aren't Scream, and also have a good old listed to a podcast based on a Stephen King short story. It's all go here in the Shed, and another thing that is all go is the builders next door, so there might be a tiny bit of background drilling and banging, but we got most of it out!   Easily Available Horror - Strawberry Spring, a 2021 podcast on AudioUp, also on Apple Podcasts and Audible.

  This episode was released on Saturday the 30th October, two days early so it would be out for Hallowe'en, but the spookiest thing about this undead-filled episode is that we don't actually mention Hallowe'en at all - It's become quite a tradition for us to totally forget that Hallowe'en is a yearly thing for most people, not a lifestyle. But we do mention our opinions on two classic British zombie movies and a true-crime documentary that features horrors both real and supernatural.   Easily Available Horror: Cropsey (2009) on Amazon Prime.

  Hello one and all, apologies that this episode is a little late but unfortunately despite our best efforts COVID has infiltrated the damp planks of the Shed and so editing was slightly hampered, especially given the amount of deValmont's throat clearing and coughing that had to be cut out. But you're not here to talk about the real world, we're delving into the fantastical with two reality-bending films that are guaranteed to leave you reeling.   Easily Available Horror: The Burning (1981), from Youtube.

    In a pleasant change from the usual ripe and stinking corpses we have lying around the Shed, in this episode we cover three works that are all from this very year! When we watched this trilogy of retro horror films we decided we had to cover it on the Shed, so in this episode we replace our usual Easily Available Horrors and Fresh Hells for a fresh and easily available Triple Feature, so enjoy. But before that there's a pretty monster news section with a NEW SEGMENT! Although you'll probably recognise it from the smell.

  In one of our very rare acts of organisation this episode features an Easily(ish) Available Horror which fits in with the theme of our Double Feature, which is the enduring concept of the Drawing Room Play - a piece set in a single place with a small ensemble of characters, with a concentration on dialogue and developing relationships. This might not seem like a genre which meshes well with horror, but these three might persuade you otherwise.   (CW: The section on Hard Candy features discussion about child sexual assault, this film is covered from around 30:00 until 43:30 of the podcast.)   Easily Available Horror: The Exam (2009) on Amazon Prime.

  One horror genre that is often maligned is found footage - 'wobbly-cam' makes people throw up, it's low budget, the CGI is often ropey, but we've decided to wade through the swamp and bring you two excellent examples that the FF genre still has its occasional gems, even in the last decade. We also decided to drag a surprisingly good film out of the other swamp we often wade through - Bela Lugosi's Shed Poor Quality Film Club, which you can join us in on Mondays at 8pm, check Twitter for the film and Discord details.   Easily Available Horror - Mikey (1992), available to watch on Youtube.

  We've got a bit of a special episode for you this time, as HJ Doom has been joined by literary horror enthusiast Kit Rathenar for a longform discussion about the seminal horror writer Thomas Ligotti, taking a closer look at a selection of his short stories in the context of his oeuvre as a whole. It was recorded straight off the internet voice call so the  sound quality is a bit variable, with some background noise we couldn't completely excise, but I think you'll agree that the content more than makes up for it. And I (Richard deValmont) can say that, as I am not in this one. Which is probably why it's so good.

  In this frenetic episode we're having to put our foot to the floor as we get through a host of shorts, in this case brought together into two classic portmanteau films of the 70s and 80s. We talk about the individual segments as well as the concept of the anthology film as a whole, and we spend so much time doing so that this episode had no room for an Easily Available Horror, it's just so crammed with anthologies. Thanks, anthologies. Thanthologies.

  We've finally got to the final leg of our epic deep dive down Elm Street, and rest assured the home stretch is an absolute joy compared to some of what has gone before (Part 6. We mean Part 6). Here we look at the two films which come after the main sequence of the franchise, and also cast our eye over a gory labour of love from a recently departed creator.   Easily Available Horror: Laid to Rest (2009) from Amazon Prime.

  It's finally here - the part of the Nightmare on Elm Street deep dive that we've all been dreading, I'm sure. We've had it far too easy for far too long, but now we have to face the final curtain. Or the Final Nightmare, as the case may be. And face it we will, because we're determined to see this to the bitter end, and if it means watching one of the most unfailingly dreadful horror sequels then so be it. We also whet your appetite with a French Fresh Hell which we can't recommend enough.   What Fresh Hell Is This? : Un Couteau Dans Le Coeur (Knife + Heart) (2018), on MUBI, Apple TV and Amazon Video.

  It's Episode 2 of our deep dive into the Nightmare on Elm St franchise, which means we're looking at Parts 3 and 4. Confused yet? You will be, because we're also talking about a horror comic series which is both great and mysterious in equal measure. As well as that we're also taking some time to discuss the current state of horror media, and it's all packaged up for you here in a single hour of grisly fun.   What Fresh Hell Is This? : Gideon Falls (2018-2020) by Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino, Image Comics.

  It's been quite some time since we did our last franchise deep dive (Eight months if you're going by the calendar, but it might as well have been a different geological era relatively speaking) and we had so much fun with that one we had to do another. This time we've picked an even better known franchise which is very close to both our hearts. We also turned back time even further to look at a film in One From The Vaults that really lives up to the title as it was made over a century ago.   One From The Vaults: The Cabinet Of Doctor Caligari (1920), available to watch on Youtube.

  We're way past February the 14th but we've waited until now to bring the Sexy to the Shed, because this episode is officially NICE. Because we're in the mood this episode we've got two horrors of a distinctly alluring bent, but to make sure that you don't get too hot under the collar we've got an Easily Available Horror for you that is quite literally frigid. We also have a selection of current affairs of the horrible variety, as always. Easily Available Horror: The Terror (2018), on BBC iPlayer.

  In what we think is a first for the podcast (But we might be wrong as neither of us has the best memory) we're looking at a film alongside its own remake in this episode, as we compare a work starring acting powerhouse Vincent Price to a work starring acting power... well, starring Paris Hilton. We also spend a bit of time on a lovely British werewolf movie that went under the radar and the usual horror news and views.   What Fresh Hell Is This?: Howl (2015), on Amazon Prime.

  We're always trying to mix things up a bit here in the Shed to avoid the slow grinding onset of Ennui, so in this episode we've espoused the usual 'watch three films and talk about them' that we've done the last few episodes and tried to focus our horror eye elsewhere. We've got a great new horror graphic novel in our What Fresh Hell? segment, and in our Double Feature we look at a famous vampire property in two of its available forms. We also give you some exciting horror news and HJ Doom recounts some mistakes of judgment.   What Fresh Hell Is This? : Blue In Green (2020) by Ram V, Anand RK and John Pearson, Image Comics.

  What's a shed without a good Hammer? Well we don't have to find out, because this episode contains two great Hammers as we take another delve into the world of Hammer Film Productions, the legendary studio responsible for so many great horror films during its impressive thirty year reign. We also cast an eye over a shiny new film starring that wonderfully erratic star Nicolas Cage and a selection of current news as per usual.   What Fresh Hell Is This? : Willy's Wonderland (2021) available on Amazon Prime, iTunes and Youtube.

  In this episode we may appear at first glance to be dipping into the august library of the legendary Hammer Studios, but a further investigation will show that the serial numbers have been filed off and that our Double Feature this episode is two films by the young pretenders Tigon Productions. We have also listened to a brand new audio documentary by the BBC covering spooky happenings in the 1950s, and as always brought you all the horror new that's fit to print (or talk about).   What Fresh Hell Is This?: The Battersea Poltergeist, BBC Sounds.

  We are back, dull eyed and bushy-eyebrowed after our holiday break, but even though we're still the haggard facsimiles of humanity that we were before we're regained just enough energy to get a new episode of the podcast out to you, where we look at two films exploring the world of underwater horror, albeit the shark-free type. There's also an Easily Available Horror with a grisly theme and an even grislier star (topical!) and the usual news and chat. Welcome back to The Shed!   Easily Available Horror: Wounds (2019), from Netflix.

  Ho, ho, ho, Dearest Listener, it's that most wonderful time of the year and as has become traditional we're emptying our sacks of the usual horror and allowing ourselves to experience some of the Xmas spirit by watching some classic seasonal films. We're not completely losing our edge though, we're still looking at an Easily Available Horror and talking latest horror news.   (Also make sure you listen to the end for our usual Xmas musical interlude!)   Easily Available Horror: Rare Exports, A Christmas Tale (201) from Amazon Prime

  In this episode we find out that a way to a man's heart is straight through his ribcage, as we discuss a pair of films featuring women who turn into monsters after coming back from the dead. There's a 90s classic and some more modern fare, bot brimming with blood and guts in a particularly grisly episode. To balance out the visceral Double Feature we look at some more refined fare in an Easily Available Horror set in the Miami art scene.    Easily Available Horror: Velvet Buzzsaw (2019) A Netflix Original.

    We love a good urban legend here in the Shed - but we don't get to hear many, because the thing about 'Friend of a Friend' stories is to hear them, you need to have a friend. So instead we're taking solace in one of the most interesting urban legends in all of horror, and the first sequel that it spawned. And we also look at a book by the much-missed author Richard Laymon, and manage to cram even more Clive Barker into an episode than you ever thought possible. So say our name five times into a mirror, or just use the RSS feed, that's probably easier.   One From The Vault: Savage (1993), Richard Laymon.

  When there's something strange in your neighbourhood, who you gonna call? Because in this episode there's a trio of films with supernatural goings on in suburban settings, but not a jumpsuit or a proton pack in sight. Because it's Halloween, we're looking at two films in our Double Feature that are action-packed mass marketed Halloween Horrors, one from the 80s and one from a mere three years ago. And if you think that's up to date then you'll be amazed when you hear that our Fresh Hell was written, filmed and released since we all disappeared into lockdown like a load of mask-wearing Morlocks.   What Fresh Hell Is This? - Host (2020) from Shudder.

  We're not normally ones for covering up to the moment current affairs on this podcast, we're more comfortable with a couple of films that were released before we were even born, but it's hard to be in the middle of a worldwide pandemic and not cast your eye over the myriad horror films based around diseases and outbreaks. So we've picked out two that we particularly enjoyed and talked about them, and how we could maybe have learned a few lessons from them. We've also got a dark horror fantasy for you in our Easily Available Horror section and the usual bit of news and chat. There's a secret co-host who joins us for the last ten minutes or so - one of our many cats decided to visit the Shed and complain loudly that we were starving it to death because it was past feeding time!   Easily Available Horror: Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017) from Shudder on Amazon Prime.

  If you're a horror fan, particularly on in the UK, you probably think of Hammer Studios very fondly, but even the most fervent fan would have to admit that by the Seventies Hammer was beginning to look dated. And as we love Hammer but also love iconoclasm we're looking at a Hammer film from their wane against a gory up-and-comer from the same year. We also shine a fond light on an adored classic horror film.   One From The Vaults: Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986) from Blockbuster, Skipton branch.

  Like all horror media, Part 1 of our Final Destination Deep Dive has a sequel, where we round things off by taking a look at the third, fourth and fifth additions to the franchise and discuss what they did right, what they did wrong, and how the fourth one needs to be fired into the sun. (Spoilers!). This one was filmed earlier in the morning than usual (before lunch even!) and so Richard's stomach gurgles are the new co-host of the podcast, so that's something fun to listen out for, as is HJ Doom having a rare loss of composure as we address his horror film bête noire.   No Easily Available Horror this episode due to space constraints, but please join us for our Poor Quality Film Club on Monday nights at 8pm (the link is on our Twitter @BelaLugosisShed) where we watch a lovely selection of low-budget films available on Youtube.

It's only understandable at the moment that people are relying on the things that make them feel comfortable, and the Final Destination franchise is for us like pulling on an old sweater, and so we thought we'd watch all five of them and talk to you about why we enjoy them so much, so here we are with the first part of this franchise deep dive, and we also cast our (blindfolded) eyes over a not-so-fresh Netflix original horror that you probably watched over a year ago.   Easily Available Horror: Bird Box (2018), a Netflix Original.

  There's nothing quite like a big monster for getting a city to work together, and they're excellent for urban renewal programs, so in this episode we look at two classic Big Monster horror films, one modern and one from over 50 years ago. We also look over another real oldie in our One From The Vaults, but you'll find nothing big in there, it's all about the little things.   One From The Vaults: The Devil-Doll (1936) from Youtube.

  Life has got in the way a bit of late and so our release schedule has gone a bit to pot, but to fill in the gap here's a short essay about the Zombie in film recorded by Richard deValmont, we hope that it's enjoyable and educational, and both of us will hopefully be back with you shortly with a new full episode.

  This episode is a day late, but rest assured that makes it a day BETTER - it has had longer to mature and so is more full-bodied. And also actually finished, which it really wasn't yesterday. But it's here now, and we're very pleased to bring you a look at two very good but very different films which share the same title. We also have a cheeky little extra Double Feature because our One From The Vaults shares a lot in common with one of our creepy Creeps. So sit down, get comfortable, and enjoy!     One From The Vaults: Death Line (1972), available on Youtube or Amazon.

  Over the last fifty-two episodes we've only ever covered two computer games, and we decided that we needed to remedy that, and never ones to go about things without wild overreactions we have done it by covering nothing but computer games, and SIXTEEN of them to boot! We went through the recent Itch.io Black Lives Matter bundle and played as many of the horror games contained within as we could, and talked about them, for you to listen to. All of the games are still available on Itch.io to buy or download for free, so get playing!

  Has anyone ever done anything so terrible, so heinous, that you wish that you could unleash the literal forces of hell upon them? In our Double Feature this episode we look at two films where a wounded party has the ability to do exactly that, with predictably horrific results. And just to keep things nice and light at the top of the show we also use our Fresh Hell segment to shine a light on a bleak but highly recommended Spanish film about class systems, the prison-industrial complex, and the importance of good table manners.   What Fresh Hell Is This? - The Platform (2019) from Netflix.

  We're taking a trip down memory lane this episode as we look at two films which explore the terrifying and often confusing world of childhood fears. Even today we hang on to some of the things that scared us as a child - at least one of our hosts still can't hang a leg out of bed during the night for fear of it being grabbed by something unseen. So we're well qualified to look at this chilling Double Feature, as well as an impressive piece of freeware and the usual horror news.   Easily Available Horror: Total Chaos (2018) a standalone Doom 2 mod by Wadaholic.

  As there's all manner of real life getting in the way at the moment we decided to get out the third part of our look at early 20th Century short form horror with our guest host Doree, hopefully normal service will resume presently! We're looking at HJ Doom's selection this episode, a nautical William Hope Hodgson short.

  Well I'm sure that nobody expected this project to last this long, two years and 50 full episodes later we're still going strong, and to celebrate this landmark we're looking at THREE films in our Double Feature, just to make the name incorrect.   All three of the films we're looking at are also celebrating their 50th birthdays, all being films that were released in 1970, and so we look at how that exciting transitional period for horror was approached by filmmakers in the UK, US and in Europe.   No Easily Available Horror this episode, as it's just too packed!

  It's time for the second part of our three-part Short Sharp Shock where we look at three short stories by turn-of-the-century authors that had an influence on the later US authors like Lovecraft. We are again joined on this journey by Doree who provides the Shed with a bit of much-needed class.

  We're still going through a turbulent time, so here's one thing you can rely on - two middle-aged men hiding away from the world in a shed, talking about horror stuff for an hour. And we're setting our mind back to the 1950s this week as we look back at the originals of the two remakes we watched last episode (i know - Spoilers!)   We're also looking at a fascinatingly aloof British indie horror from the mind that brought us Garth Marenghi, and some horror news.   What Fresh Hell?: Possum (2018) from Amazon.

  This is a pretty odd time with lots of bizarre changes to our lifestyles, but hey - at least we're not turning into insects or being replaced by shapeshifting insects!* The characters in our Double Features this episode are not so lucky. And with a great horror anime for our EAH there's plenty of distractions here, especially if you're stuck in quarantine. Look after yourselves out there. *Yet.   Easily Available Horror: Castlevania (2017) from Netflix

  Due to scheduling conflicts and the fact that the world is currently experiencing a mild apocalypse we haven't been able to get a new episode together for this week, but we have something possibly even better - one of our Short Sharp Shocks featuring our awesome guest host from Episode 30, the always delightful and informative Doree!   This is the first of three short episodes where each of us pick a lesser-known short story that we love. Doree has first pick, and she's chosen The Willows by Algernon Blackwood for your pleasure.

  Well unless you picked 'Worldwide Plague' in the 'How We're All Going To Die' sweepstake you're probably not feeling too happy at the moment, so here's something to take your mind off things on this bleak Monday morning. This episode we're going all culinary, albeit for Long Pig, as we review, compare and contrast two films featuring women who eat human flesh, in very different ways.    And in an unusual bit of planning our Easily Available Horror is also one featuring cannibals, so nobody can accuse us of not doing the homework. And this episode can also be used as a useful reference for when we run out of food and turn on each other.   Easily Available Horror: Somos Lo Que Hay (trans: We Are What We Are) (2010) from Amazon.

  With all that's going on in the world, wouldn't it be nice to know that there's someone clever in charge? Someone with all the info, who knows what's best for everyone, who pledges unwavering loyalty to their infernal master? Maybe without that last bit, but this episode we're looking at two pieces of horror about mystical cults, and an audio horror and the usual news are a grim cherry on top that complete this morbid cake.   Easily Available Horror: Herbert West: Reanimator, by the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society

  As everything is terrible in the world right now we're regressing to when we were 18 and our biggest worry was whether we could get a piss and a pint in before the 12" version of Temple Of Love '92 finished. And in the cinemas at the time skies were black, coats were even blacker, and everyone ran across rooftops whilst listening to Stone Temple Pilots. It was a happier time. So we're getting all nostalgic, and also looking at a new film, but one featuring a 90's musician, because the present day is scary and wrong.   Easily Available Horror: He Never Died (2015) from Netflix.

  I hope you've got a comfortable set of headphones, because this is a long one. Prepare yourself for the longest Easily Available Horror yet, as we spend over half an hour talking about a very niche 1970's horror film about undead bikers. And that's just the starter, as our Double Feature is a brace of films taking Nazism into the 21st Century. You know, just like in real life!   One From The Vaults: Psychomania (1972), available on Archive.org and YouTube.