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MESSIAH OF EVIL (1973) – Episode 146 – Decades of Horror 1970s

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

Release Date: 08/30/2021

RABID DOGS (1974, CANI ARRABBIATI) - Episode 277 - Decades of Horror 1970s show art RABID DOGS (1974, CANI ARRABBIATI) - Episode 277 - Decades of Horror 1970s

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

The Grue-Crew (Jeff, Gregory, and Bill) gather to discuss Mario Bava's film RABID DOGS (1974, CANI ARRABBIATI). The movie, filmed under its original title "L'uomo e il bambino", was shelved before it was finished when the financers died leaving it buried under bankruptcy for decades. From there, its strange road to a DVD release and a subsequent reedit by Bava's son Lamberto Bava continued. Bill, being a massive Bava fan, leads Jeff and Gregory to discuss this strange inclusion in a master director's filmography. Enjoy! RABID DOGS (1974, CANI ARRABBIATI) Episode 277 - Decades of Horror 1970s...

info_outline I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN (1957) - Episode 238 - Decades of Horror The Classic Era show art I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN (1957) - Episode 238 - Decades of Horror The Classic Era

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN (1957) is B-Movie gold, perfect for 1950s drive-in nonsense. The Grue-Crew discuss the film's goofy yet gory monster, the mastery of tempered scene chewing that is Whit Bissell, and the extreme lack of teenagers in this teenage monster movie. Is it a good movie? Nah, not really. But that doesn't mean it isn't a brilliantly fun movie of its time. There's plenty to enjoy. And, as Bill noted, somehow when viewing I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN now, it is both better and worse than remembered. Check this review out and enjoy. I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN (1957) Episode...

info_outline THE CAT CREATURE (1973) - Episode 276 - Decades of Horror 1970s show art THE CAT CREATURE (1973) - Episode 276 - Decades of Horror 1970s

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

For episode 276, Bill picks the early '70s ABC Movie of the Week, THE CAT CREATURE (1973). The TV Horror Movie is directed by Curtis Harrington and features Meredith Baxter, David Hedison, Gale Sondergaard, John Caradine, Stuart Whitman, Keye Luke, and Kent Smith. Written by Robert Bloch, the plot involves a stolen amulet removed from an Egyptian mummy, a deadly black cat, and 40s horror movie homages. What will the Grue-Crew think of this 1970s supernatural throwback? Ah! Check out the podcast to find out. Enjoy! THE CAT CREATURE (1973) Episode 276 - Decades of Horror 1970s Quote: "One thing...

info_outline JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (1963) – Episode 237 – Decades of Horror: The Classic Era show art JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (1963) – Episode 237 – Decades of Horror: The Classic Era

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

The Grue-Crew go mythical to revisit and review JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (1963) battling bronze giants, harrowing harpies, a horrifying hydra, and an army of skeletons. He who loves all things stop-motion, Bill Mulligan, steps up with his selection and results are amazing. The film still delivers awe and action all these years later and Ray Harryhausen’s mastery is in top form. As you can imagine, the discussion goes extra long diving into the cast of characters, the creatures, the stop-motion, and Greek legend. Join us for this episode, it is worth every minute. Thank you, Bill, great...

info_outline THE LAST SHARK (1981) – Episode 319 – Decades of Horror 1980s show art THE LAST SHARK (1981) – Episode 319 – Decades of Horror 1980s

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

For this episode of DOH80s, Doc has chosen THE LAST SHARK (1981, L’ultimo squalo) which is also known as GREAT WHITE and THE LAST JAWS. Yeah, if the last name there makes you wonder how Universal let that slide. Well, they didn’t! This is one of the most notorious accounts of cinematic plagiarism in film history. Universal Studios did sue and won which resulted in THE LAST SHARK being immediately removed from theaters and becoming unavailable in the States for decades. Is the film any good? Hell no, it’s a mess. However, it is so bad it’s good. James Franciscus and Vic Morrow lead the...

info_outline THE WEREWOLF VERSUS THE VAMPIRE WOMAN (1971) - Episode 275 - Decades of Horror 1970s show art THE WEREWOLF VERSUS THE VAMPIRE WOMAN (1971) - Episode 275 - Decades of Horror 1970s

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

The Grue-Crew head to France (actually Spain) to meet up with Waldemar Daninsky and Countess Wandesa to revisit THE WEREWOLF VS THE VAMPIRE WOMAN (1971, La Noche de Walpurgis). After decades of watching this classic Spanish wolfman film, seeing the restored 4k version is a revelation. Sure, it's a B-Movie, but it's a fantastic B-Movie. Now it is easy to see why this is Paul Naschy's most successful film, it clearly deserves that honor. If you've never seen THE WEREWOLF VS THE VAMPIRE WOMAN, seek out a 4K version or a streaming version of it online, stay away from the graining, overly dark...

info_outline THINGS TO COME (1936) - Episode 236 - Decades of Horror: The Classic Era show art THINGS TO COME (1936) - Episode 236 - Decades of Horror: The Classic Era

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

The Grue-Crew follow H.G. Wells and THING TO COME (1936) 90 years into the past to predict 10 years into the future. This film is fully politically charged but incredibly fascinating. While it slogs from time to time compared to modern films, it manages to deliver as a movie by the end. The film spans over four distinct dates: 1940, 1966, 1970, and 2036 encompassing a decades long war and the reformation of civilization afterwards. The main character that we follow is John Cabal as he goes from a cynical visionary to a liberator from the skies as part of the Wings Over the World; for the 2036...

info_outline A CHINESE GHOST STORY (1987) - Episode 318 - Decades of Horror 1980s show art A CHINESE GHOST STORY (1987) - Episode 318 - Decades of Horror 1980s

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

The Decades of Horror Grue Crews stick with the folk horror subgenre and bring in Scott Wells to help explain some of the details. This time, the film is A CHINESE GHOST STORY (1987), from Hong Kong producer Tsui Hark and director Siu-Tung Ching. The great Leslie Cheung and Joey Wang create the chemistry necessary to believe this “ghost meets innocent, naive tax collector” love story. Of course, they need the help of Wu Ma’s Monk/Swordsman to overcome the hold the Old Dame has over the two lovebirds. Much wire-work, special makeup effects, stop-motion animation, and mystical shenanigans...

info_outline NAZARENO CRUZ AND THE WOLF (1975) - Episode 274 - Decades of Horror 1970s show art NAZARENO CRUZ AND THE WOLF (1975) - Episode 274 - Decades of Horror 1970s

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

This exercise in lycanthropic folk horror from Argentina catches the Grue Crew by surprise. Lulled to sleep by the slow, freezer-burn pace of the first twenty minutes, they immediately perk up when the Devil shows his face. There are several reasons to watch this film: brilliant cinematography, an excellent performance from Alfredo Alcón, entertaining supporting characters, fascinating folk horror, and a WEREWOLF! Bill and Jeff are joined by Scott Wells, who adds his folklore expertise, and Gregory Crosby, who contributes his usual insightful analysis. Enjoy! NAZARENO CRUZ AND THE WOLF (1975)...

info_outline THE LIVING SKELETON (1968) - Episode 235 - Decades of Horror: The Classic Era show art THE LIVING SKELETON (1968) - Episode 235 - Decades of Horror: The Classic Era

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

Jeff picks an obscure Japanese horror film, THE LIVING SKELETON (1968 - Kyūketsu Dokurosen), for episode 235 of Decades of Horror The Classic Era. This black and white novelty was featured in Criterion's When Horror Came to Shochiku along with The X from Outer Space, Genocide, and Goke, Body Snatcher from Hell. While skeletons are featured in the film, the rumors of their being "living" are greatly exaggerated. Instead, and perhaps for the better, director Hiroshi Matsuno plays out a ghostly revenge tale featuring bats, haunted ships, and mad scientists. Still, sadly, no living skeletons. Oh,...

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More Episodes

“Don't be afraid. I'm an ugly old man, but I'm harmless.” Yeah, right. A likely story. Join your faithful Grue Crew - Doc Rotten, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they try to figure out exactly what is going on in Messiah of Evil (1973).

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 146 – Messiah of Evil (1973)

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A young woman goes searching for her missing artist father. Her journey takes her to a strange Californian seaside town governed by a mysterious undead cult.

 

Messiah of Evil is Chad’s pick and he likes some of the ideas behind it, calling it interesting but weird. In particular, he liked the concept of the Dark Stranger but he wanted more. Bill points out that Messiah of Evil has a lot of supporters, describing it as an art film with some cool set pieces and backgrounds. In the end, however, it fits into the category of the whole not being equal to the sum of its parts. Messiah of Evil has an appealing plotline but the story leaves out too much detail for Jeff. On the other hand, he always loves a dose of Elisha Cook Jr. and Royal Dano. Doc thinks Messiah of Evil to be an absolute mess, calling it the longest 90 minutes of his life. Once in a while, you get a really cool shot that is visually interesting, but in the end, it feels like a student film to him.

If you are one of the film’s supporters or just want to check it out, Messiah of Evil is currently available to stream on Shudder and Paramount Plus

Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next episode in their very flexible schedule will be Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970), chosen by Doc! Be sure to join us for that one. 

We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans:  leave us a message or leave a comment on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel, the website or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com.