EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC (1977) – Episode 151 – Decades of Horror 1970s
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
Release Date: 11/08/2021
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
The Grue-Crew tackle THREADS (1984), a British-Australian apocalyptic television film directed by Mick Jackson, written by Barry Hines, and produced by the BBC. This may be more depressing and devastating film you may ever see. Instead or Morlocks and Giant Ants, the film simply goes for the grim reality of a nuclear war with a cautionary tale. Have things changed in the past 40 years? Bill even considers it superior to the similarly themed US Made for TV disaster film, Th Day After. The Grue provide the usual and expected terrific discussion about this gripping take on humanity's unescapable...
info_outlineDecades of Horror | Horror News Radio
Doc takes the Grue-Believers on a slight detour with his pick this week, MURDER BY DEATH (1976). The films spoofs various detective movies and literary characters along with "old dark house" chillers. Yeah, it's a comedy... from Neil Simon, no less. Regardless, the cast is astounding, featuring Eileen Brennan, Truman Capote, James Coco, Peter Falk, Alec Guinness, Elsa Lanchester, David Niven, Peter Sellers, Maggie Smith, Nancy Walker, James Cromwell, Richard Narita, and Estelle Winwood, along with Fay Wray (vocals) as the Screaming Door Bell. Sure, the comedy is outdated, the laughs are more...
info_outlineDecades of Horror | Horror News Radio
When it comes to classic Universal horror movies, FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN (1943) often comes up as the film that made Monster Kids into the horror fans they are. C'mon, two classic monsters locked in battle, the Frankenstein Monster and the Wolf Man, and the film serves as a sequel to two different films: The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942) and, of course, The Wolf Man (1941). Lon Chaney, Jr. reprises his role as the cursed Lawrence Talbot with Bela Lugosi stepping into the Frankenstein Monster's shoes - ironically, taking over the role from Chaney in Ghost who had taken the role over...
info_outlineDecades of Horror | Horror News Radio
This episode’s Grue Crew (Crystal, Bill, Gregory, & Jeff) takes on Tobe Hooper’s SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION (1989), a film Crystal chose, and they’re glad they did! The Crew enjoys this film much more than they expected to and think, in general, Mr. Hooper gets a bad rap. The same goes for Brad Dourif’s usual excellent performance (with explanation). Throw in beaucoup fire effects, multiple crispy critters, some nuclear-science shenanigans, and studio interference, and we have so much to discuss. SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION (1989) Episode 321 - Decades of Horror 1980s Quote: "It would take...
info_outlineDecades of Horror | Horror News Radio
Grue-Believers, Gregory invites the Grue-Crew to THE DEVIL'S WEDDING NIGHT (1973). In this Italian Gothic horror, Mark Damon plays twin brothers, Karl and Franz and they're both after The Ring of the Nibelungen discovered in Transylvania at -- yup, you guessed it --- Castle Dracula. And where you have any "Dracula," you have... VAMPIRES! This film turns out to be quite the discovery. It's beautifully shot, well scripted, and full of fangs and female anatomy. The Grue-Crew have a blast discussing this Euro Gothic forgotten masterpiece. Check it out and enjoy! THE DEVIL'S WEDDING NIGHT (1973)...
info_outlineDecades of Horror | Horror News Radio
Mexican wrestling, vampires, and the iconic , El Enmascarado de Plata, are the topic for this episode. Jeff has selected , just one of the 50+ Santo movies. While this series may be a niche within a niche, this film is campy fun with excellent cinematography and a whole coven of vampires for Santo to battle. Seriously, it is a blast. And, if you have never experienced a Santo movie SANTO VS THE VAMPIRE WOMEN is the perfect entry point into the iconic legend of Santo and the three decades of films in which he appeared. Give it a shot, you will be entertained. SANTO VS. THE VAMPIRE WOMEN (1962,...
info_outlineDecades of Horror | Horror News Radio
he Grue-Crew steps into the theater for STAGEFRIGHT (1987, Deliria), directed by Michele Soavi (The Church, The Sect, Cemetery Man). Part Friday the 13th, part Argento Giallo, all Slasher, Stagefright features an escaped madman donning the Owl Man costume from a stage play to slash and slay the entire cast and crew. What fun! The cinematography looks amazing, the gore is brilliantly executed, and the cast is better than anticipated. The Grue-Crew discuss the cast, the first-time director’s path, and the death count. Do not miss this one. STAGEFRIGHT (1987) Episode 320 – Decades of Horror...
info_outlineDecades 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_outlineDecades 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_outlineDecades 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“You realize what you're up against, don't you? Evil.” What? A horror movie with evil? Go figure. Join your faithful Grue Crew - Doc Rotten, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they somewhat hesitantly approach Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977).
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 151 – Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)
Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel!
Subscribe today! And click the alert to get notified of new content!
https://youtube.com/gruesomemagazine
A teenage girl once possessed by a demon finds that it still lurks within her. Meanwhile, a priest investigates the death of the girl's exorcist.
IMDb
- Director: John Boorman, Rospo Pallenberg (uncredited)
- Writers: William Goodhart, Rospo Pallenberg (uncredited); William Peter Blatty (based on characters created by)
- Selected cast:
- Linda Blair as Regan MacNeil
- Richard Burton as Father Philip Lamont
- Louise Fletcher as Dr. Gene Tuskin
- Max von Sydow as Father Lankester Merrin
- Kitty Winn as Sharon Spencer
- Paul Henreid as The Cardinal
- James Earl Jones as Kokumo
- Joey Green as young Kokumo
- Ned Beatty as Edwards
- Karen Knapp as the voice of Pazuzu
- Dana Plato as Sandra Phalor (uncredited)
Exorcist II: The Heretic is Chad’s pick and he’s really not sure what to think of it. He sees it as a confusing but intimate story about a man seeking redemption and trying to find his faith again. Even though it tries to be this epic story with a great cast, he is dumbfounded by where they took it. Bill went in with a negative attitude but does find some nuggets of gold. Good vs. evil where evil seeks out exceptional good is a nice idea, but it subverts the theme of The Exorcist (1973), according to Bill. He just plain dislikes this film. After hearing overwhelmingly negative reviews, Jeff managed to avoid it all these years. He tried to go in with an open mind but the filmmakers lost him early on with the weird synchronizing machine concept and never got him back. Exorcist II: The Heretic was very confusing and left a bad taste in Doc’s mouth. It seems to him that this film is the opposite of what The Exorcist is and what audiences wanted in a sequel. This time around, however, it’s not as bad as he remembers.
Despite the 1970s Grue-Crew’s generally negative take, Exorcist II: The Heretic definitely has its legion of fans. If you’re one of them. Let them know what they got wrong. In the meantime, Exorcist II: The Heretic is currently available to stream from HBOmax and various PPV services as well as on a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray disc from Scream Factory!
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 Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972), chosen by Doc. Welcome back Hammer Films, Peter Cushing, and Christopher Lee!
We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at [email protected].