Scream Scene Podcast

Mix witches with vague voodoo and you get THE DEVIL'S HAND (1961) from director William J. Hole Jr. Starring Linda Christian, Robert Alda, Ariadna Welter and Neil Hamilton, even a competent cast can't save this picture. Yet, there might be something worthwhile pulling the film in certain directions... maybe? Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 19:30; Discussion 30:32; 52:54

Roger Corman tasks Richard Matheson with expanding Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Pit and the Pendulum" into a feature length film... do they succeed?? Vincent Price, John Kerr, Barbara Steele and Luana Anders star in PIT AND THE PENDULUM (1961, Corman)! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 31:56; Discussion 41:51; Ranking 1:13:41

Like a snake eating its own tail, William Castle presents HOMICIDAL (1961), his take on Hitchcock's PSYCHO (1960), which was Hitchcock's take on Castle's gimmick approach to horror! With twists and turns throughout the movie, your deadicated hosts do their best to avoid spoilers until the synopsis. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 21:24; Discussion 40:18; Ranking 1:40:20 And to be completely clear, trans rights are human rights!

Would you still love me if I was a mermaid? With that as the central question, your hosts tackle NIGHT TIDE (1961) from writer/director Curtis Harrington! The film takes inspiration from William Hope Hodgson and Edgar Allan Poe, and stars Dennis Hopper, Linda Lawson and Gavin Muir. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 36:30; Discussion 48:34; Ranking 1:20:26

A female-led psychological horror movie in black and white? What is this, 1940's RKO? Nope, it's the latest from Hammer Film! Director Seth Holt takes on Jimmy Sangster's gothic thriller script for TASTE OF FEAR (1961) and magic is truly made! The film stars Susan Strasberg, Ronald Lewis, Ann Todd and Christopher Lee. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 23:46; Discussion 35:54; Ranking 1:07:08

Your hosts travel to Nevada for THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS (1961), directed by Coleman Francis and starring Tor Johnson! But does this indie horror land more towards Ed Wood charm or W. Lee Wilder incompetence? While we decide, we share facts about the Nevada Test Site, nuclear experiments and John Wayne's 1956 film THE CONQUEROR. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 27:20; Discussion 35:42; Ranking 45:08

If your beloved pet cat witnessed your murder... would it take revenge on your behalf? In THE SHADOW OF THE CAT (1961), the answer is YES! This latest entry from Hammer Productions is directed by John Gilling and stars Andre Morell, Barbara Shelley, William Lucas and Bunkie as Tabitha the cat! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 10:44; Discussion 18:00; Ranking 32:40

At last, your deadicated hosts make it to the first werewolf picture in colour: it's THE CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF (1961) from Terence Fisher! Starring Oliver Reed and adapting Guy Endore's THE WEREWOLF OF PARIS (1933), how does the film's lycanthropy stack up against the tried-and-true formula in past iterations? Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 44:28; Discussion 58:14; Ranking 1:25:52

With THE SNAKE WOMAN (1961), director Sidney Furie reminds us that the past isn't always better and the content-entertainment-churning machine has been hard at work since the beginning. The film stars Susan Travers, John McCarthy and Elsie Wagstaff, and includes a surprising amount of accurate snake facts! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 11:28; Discussion 27:08; Ranking 45:02

From Canadian director Sidney J Furie comes DOCTOR BLOOD'S COFFIN (1961), a British horror film... in colour?! The film stars Kieron Moore, Hazel Court and Ian Hunter in a typical mad scientist plot with a thriller/rom-com spin. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 11:53; Discussion 24:30; Ranking 42:51

Welcome to 1961! For our first film of the year, we cover the very first zombie movie in colour... THE DEAD ONE! From writer/director Barry Mahon, this voodoo zombie movie takes place on a Louisianan plantation, but will it mine the full depth of the horror available? Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 44:06; Discussion 51:04; Ranking 1:10:06

We fast-forward through all THE TELL-TALE HEART adaptations over the decades to find ourselves at the 1960 version from director Ernest Morris! With an expanded story, will this adaptation keep you awake at night or wither beneath the floorboards? Starring Laurence Payne, Adrienne Corri and Dermot Walsh. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 24:49; Discussion 35:32; Ranking 53:01

Your hosts take a trip back in time to 1934 for Brian Desmond Hurst's adaptation of THE TELL-TALE HEART! We give a brief biography of Edgar Allan Poe and determine how this '30s indie film fairs on The List. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 21:57; Discussion 29:24; Ranking 38:38

From director Edmond Gréville comes THE HANDS OF ORLAC (1960)! Starring Mel Ferrer, Christopher Lee, Lucile Saint-Simon and Dany Carrel, will this British and French co-production be the best adaptation of the Maurice Renard novel yet? Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 17:12; Discussion 33:57; Ranking 55:28

Happy Halloween, Creatures of the Night! Let us take you to Italy for L'ULTIMA PREDA DEL VAMPIRO aka THE PLAYGIRLS AND THE VAMPIRE (1960) from director Piero Regnoli! Is this mix of classic Universal tropes charming or old fashioned? Let's find out! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 10:24; Discussion 18:40; Ranking 26:47

A domestic horror or a gothic melodrama? Why not both! It's THE HOUSEMAID (1960, Kim) aka HANYEO, Korea's first horror movie! Dealing with social commentary about Korea's changing class and addressing women's sexual desires, this is a one-of-a-kind movie. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 38:45; Discussion 55:06; Ranking 1:21:07

And we're back! After an unexpected hiatus, we're excited to kick off our return with THE TWO FACES OF DR. JEKYLL (1960) directed by Terence Fisher and starring Paul Massie, Dawn Addams and Christopher Lee. Thank you for your patience! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 50:56; Discussion 1:05:25; Ranking 1:44:58

Director Bert I. Gordon finally makes an appearance on the podcast with TORMENTED (1960)! Taking a break from his "Thing Big" schtick, Gordon takes on a ghost story that stars Richard Carlson, Juli Reding and Susan Gordon. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 21:16; Discussion 34:28; Ranking 50:42

Let's meander down Skid Row for the horror adjacent Roger Corman flick THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1960)! Your hosts discuss this movie's placement in Corman's filmography, and the pros and cons of filming an entire movie over a weekend. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 36:10; Discussion 48:48

Your hosts encounter the 1960 "erotic horror" film ET MOURIR DE PLAISIR (LE SANG ET LA ROSE) aka AND DIE OF PLEASURE (BLOOD AND ROSES) from director Roger Vadim! But where's the horror? More importantly, where's the eroticism?? Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 34:02; Discussion 44:20; Ranking 1:10:42

Your hosts encounter a film often overlooked... it's THE CITY OF THE DEAD (1960) aka HORROR HOTEL directed by John Llewellyn Moxey! Designed to compete with Hammer Horror, this proto-Amicus Productions film stars Christopher Lee, Patricia Jessel, Venetia Stevenson and Betta St. John. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 17:02; Discussion 30:42; Ranking 55:04

From Italian director Giorgio Ferroni comes the Gothic film IL MULINO DELLE DONNE DI PIETRA aka MILL OF THE STONE WOMEN (1960)... in COLOUR! The film stars Pierre Brice, Scilla Gabel, Wolfgang Preiss and Herbert Bohme. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 18:22; Discussion 29:57; Ranking 50:35

Continuing their time in Italy, your deadicated hosts encounter SEDDOK, L'EREDE DI SATANA aka ATOM AGE VAMPIRE (1960) from director Anton Giulio Majano! Designed to cash in on Mario Bava's success, this horror flick doesn't have much going for it...not to mention the gorilla on the loose! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 8:28; Discussion 18:23; Ranking 32:41

Your deadicated hosts cover the directorial "debut" of Mario Bava, LA MASCHERA DEL DEMONIO aka THE MASK OF SATAN aka BLACK SUNDAY! Starring Barbara Steele and John Richardson, we detail the different screenplays and film releases available out there. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 57:12; Discussion 1:15:05; Ranking 1:37:01

Your hosts peek through "Illusion-O" glasses to review 13 GHOSTS (1960) from William Castle! This spoopy children's horror stars Donald Woods, Charles Herbert and Martin Milner. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 13:28; Discussion 27:33; Ranking 38:28

Celebrating episode 300, your deadicated hosts travel to Japan for Nobuo Nakagawa's masterpiece JIGOKU (1960)! The film stars Shigeru Amachi, Yoichi Numata and Utako Mitsuya. Your hosts discuss nihilism, Buddhism, gore and more in this landmark episode. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 36:08; Discussion 49:48; Ranking 1:22:57

Universal tries to copy Roger Corman with THE LEECH WOMAN (1960) directed by Edward Dein and starring Coleen Grey, Grant Williams, Phillip Terry and Gloria Talbot. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 14:00; Discussion 23:18; Ranking 36:28

Hammer Horror tries to strike Gothic gold again with THE BRIDES OF DRACULA (1960, Fisher)! With three different writers, the film's seams show despite the heavy lifting from stars Peter Cushing, Yvonne Monlaur and David Peel. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 23:59; Discussion 33:47; Ranking 57:12

Give Roger Corman more money and time to make a movie, and he goes FULLY RESPECTABLE!! It's THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER (1960) starring Vincent Price, Mark Damon and Myrna Fahey! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 35:22; Discussion 42:50; Ranking 1:06:40

Brick wall... Brick Wall... BRICK WALL!! This week we cover VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED (1960) from director Wolf Rilla! Adapted from the John Wyndham novel The Midwich Cuckoos, we discuss this evil children horror starring George Sanders, Barbara Shelley and Martin Stephens. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 42:11; Discussion 50:41; Ranking 1:22:21

Anthony Perkins. Janet Leigh. Alfred Hitchcock. It's 1960's PSYCHO! In a nearly three hour long episode, your hosts dig into the novel, its film adaptation, and how everything changes after PSYCHO's release. General content warning for discussion of transphobia, violence against women, psychosis, serial killers and cannibalism. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 40:23-44:30; Discussion 1:38:02; Ranking 2:32:39

The Italians try their hand at combining horror and sex appeal... and win?! It's L'AMANTE DEL VAMPIRO (1960) aka THE VAMPIRE AND THE BALLERINA from director Renato Polselli! We got castles, we got vampires, we got toxic relationships -- it's a Gothic horror! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 10:52; Discussion 21:44; Ranking 36:39

Your hosts travel to West Germany for EIN TOTER HING IM NETZ aka THE CORPSE IN THE WEB (1960) from director Fritz Böttger! This "nudie" horror film offers an early attempt at bridging sex appeal and horror, but is not necessarily successful at it. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 11:00; Discussion 16:48; Ranking 31:05

Completing Anglo-Amalgamated Production's "Sadian trilogy," it's CIRCUS OF HORRORS (1960) from director Sidney Hayers! Starring Anton Diffring, Jane Hylton, Kenneth Griffith and Erika Remberg, this film makes your hosts wonder... what's up with circuses? Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 13:42; Discussion 24:01; Ranking 39:42

Your hosts take on CLUE (1985, Lynn) for their last monthly horror adjacent bonus episode - the movie based on the game based on old cozy mystery thrillers! We run down the stellar cast and explain the board game's history. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 46:40; Discussion 56:15

Lasting less than a week in theatres when first released, it's PEEPING TOM (1960), a horror that nearly ruined its director Michael Powell's career! Written by Leo Marks and starring Carl Boehm, Anna Massey, Moira Shearer and Maxine Audley, the film digs into its themes of observation and voyeurism and doesn't let up. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 42:27; Discussion 54:54; Ranking 1:28:16

Larry Talbot returns for LA CASA DEL TERROR (1960)! Lon Chaney Jr reprises a legally-distinct-from-Universal Wolf Man in this Mexican horror movie starring comedian Tin-Tan, Yolanda Varela, Rafael Estrada and Yerye Beirute, directed by Gilberto Martinez Solares. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 11:54; Discussion 18:11; Ranking 27:14

It's been a long time since your hosts have travelled to France! This week we cover LES YEUX SANS VISAGE (1960) aka EYES WITHOUT A FACE from director Georges Franju! Based on the Jean Redon novel, the film stars Pierre Brasseur, Alida Valli and Édith Scob. It delivers French New Wave horror while keeping you at arm's length -- but will that work in its favour? Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 27:26; Discussion 35:33; Ranking 57:43

For our 23rd horror adjacent episode, it's ZOMBIES ON BROADWAY (1945)! Directed by Gordon Douglas, the film stars the knock-off Abbott and Costello duo of Alan Carney and Wally Brown, and features a great performance from Bela Lugosi! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 13:13; Discussion 19:24

Beware of the eye! Filmed in the exclusive HYPNOMAGIC, it's THE HYPNOTIC EYE (1960) from director George Blair! Imagined by a photographer who later became a true crime enthusiast, the film stars Jacques Bergerac, Allison Hayes, Marcia Henderson, and Joe Patridge. A warning for anyone watching THE HYPNOTIC EYE, there are frequent flashing lights right at the camera. It's also very very not good. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 33:48; Discussion 53:33; Ranking 1:06:29

Your deadicated hosts enter 1960 with a bang! It's THE FLESH AND THE FIENDS from director John Gilling, a Burke and Hare true crime movie starring Peter Cushing, George Rose and Donald Pleasence! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 25:59; Discussion 36:19; Ranking 59:36

Your deadicated hosts close out 1959 with TERROR IS A MAN, the very first Filipino horror movie! Directed by Gerardo de Leon and Eddie Romero, this Dr. Moreau adaptation feels more Tennessee Williams than H.G. Wells. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 33:22; Discussion 42:40; Ranking 59:12

Hammer Film Productions tries to update the play THE MAN IN HALF MOON STREET by Barré Lyndon, with mixed results. Take a listen to hear what we liked and didn't about 1959's THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH (Fisher)! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 22:30; Discussion 32:19; Ranking 46:04

It's Abbott and Costello... take two! This month's horror adjacent episode is on ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET THE INVISIBLE MAN (1951, Lamont) featuring the titular duo with Arthur Franz and Nancy Guild! It's a cross of THE INVISIBLE MAN and ROCKY, so what's not to like? Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 26:05; Discussion 29:39

From Roger Corman's Filmgroup, it's BEAST FROM HAUNTED CAVE (1959), directed by Monte Hellman (what a name!) and starring Michael Forest, Frank Wolff, Sheila Noonan, Wally Campo and Richard Sinatra. Have you ever wondered what KEY LARGO would be like, but in South Dakota and with a monster? Better strap in then! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 20:56; Discussion 31:12; Ranking 46:02

Buzz buzz, here comes THE WASP WOMAN (1959) from Roger Corman himself! The film stars Susan Cabot, Michael Mark, Fred Eisley, Barboura Morris and William Roerick. We discuss wasp facts, the history of cosmetics, and Susan Cabot's sad biography in this episode, so there's plenty to chew on. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 26:32; Discussion 43:57; Ranking 1:04:30

Let us share some leech facts to prepare you for ATTACK OF THE GIANT LEECHES (1959) from director Bernard L. Kowalski and starring Ken Clark, Yvette Vickers and Bruno VeSota! Everyone is a terrible person in this barely horror creature feature. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 18:53; Discussion 24:34; Ranking 38:32

It's us versus THEM! (1954, Douglas) Your deadicated hosts tackle the first big bug classic as part of their horror adjacent bonus episode series. We cover nuclear testing on US soil through the '50s, how they created the ants' iconic sound, and why this movie isn't horror (according to us!) Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 45:34; Discussion 51:53

Roger Corman plans his horror return with A BUCKET OF BLOOD (1959) starring Dick Miller and Barboura Morris! This MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM remake brings in the scariest beastie of them all... Beatniks! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 44:11; Discussion 58:26; Ranking 1:16:19

Your hosts tackle EL HOMBRE Y EL MONSTRUO (1959) from Rafael Baledón, starring Abel Salazar, Enrique Rambal, Martha Roth and Ofelia Guilmain! The alternative title for this episode was "A Gothic heroine who also happens to look exactly like the mysterious woman in the portrait" but it was too long! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 8:59; Discussion 24:12; Ranking 36:54

What's up Doc? It's time for February's horror adjacent bonus episode! This month we take a look at HAIR-RAISING HARE (1946) from Chuck Jones and starring Mel Blanc as Bugs Bunny! We trace the origins of Warner Bros' Merrie Melodies back to Disney's Silly Symphonies and highlight a few of the people who made these cartoons possible. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 52:50; Discussion 56:47