THE STEPFATHER (1987) – Episode 197 – Decades of Horror 1980s
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
Release Date: 01/10/2022
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
“Tear him up!” That’s not as hard as you might think when you have a mischief of rats at your command. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Doc Rotten, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, and Jeff Mohr – as they try their hand at rat wrangling as they cover (1971). Decades of Horror 1970s Episode 244 – Willard (1971) Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! And click the alert to get notified of new content! Decades of Horror 1970s is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL () which now includes video episodes of the podcast and is...
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“You must seize the only specimen of the Mariphasa plant in England in the private laboratory of Dr. Wilfred Glendon. That flower is the only known antidote for werewolfery. Lycanthrophobia is the medical term for the affliction I speak of.” Werewolfery? Lycanthrophobia? Is this an example of lexical innovation? Join this episode’s Grue-Crew – Doc Rotten, Daphne Monary-Ernsdorff, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr – as they stalk the original (1935). Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Episode 206 – Werewolf of London (1935) Join the Crew on the...
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“Billy, they were the biggest things I ever saw, and they had tattoos on them. You know, I may be in love. I might just go right back in there and ask her out on a date.” It’s curious how Deputy Charlie was so enthralled with the biker chick’s big feet. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Crystal Cleveland, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, and Jeff Mohr – as they discover what kind of science fiction, horror movie stars Chuck Norris? The answer? (1982). Decades of Horror 1980s Episode 287 – Silent Rage (1982) Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel!...
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“You’re asking me questions, Harry, and I hear you. A scientist cannot afford the indulgence of guilt. And after all, if God doesn’t want me to continue, the means of my disposal are always at his command.” If you want to communicate with God, talking to a snake might be the wrong approach. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Doc Rotten, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, Daphne Monary-Ernsdroff, and Jeff Mohr – as they try their hand at snake wrangling while they finally get the chance to cover (1973). Decades of Horror 1970s Episode 243 – Sssssss (1973) Join the Crew on the...
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“Yes, most distressing, but, alas, inevitably, you can’t have operations without screams. Pain and the knife, they’re inseparable!” But apparently not that distressing as long as some strong blokes are there to hold folks down? Join this episode’s Grue-Crew – Daphne Monary-Ernsdorff, Chad Hunt, Doc Rotten, and Jeff Mohr – as they walk the (1958) with Boris Karloff and Christopher Lee. Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Episode 205 – Corridors of Blood (1958) Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! And click the alert to get...
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“Now, you said he touched your boobie. What else did he do?” Fixed the TV? Join your faithful Grue Crew – Crystal Cleveland, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, and Jeff Mohr – as they view the bizarre family dynamics and bigoted police detective as portrayed in (1981). Decades of Horror 1980s Episode 286 – Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker (1981) Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! Click the alert to get notified of new content! Gruesome Magazine is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL () which now includes video episodes of...
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“I know you think I’m crazy, but you must listen to me. You won’t want to believe what I’m telling you here, but you have to.” An ominous warning that no one heeds or even understands. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, Gregory Crosby, and Jeff Mohr – as they try to decipher the mysterious message from the research station in (1973). Decades of Horror 1970s Episode 242 – A Cold Night’s Death (1973) Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! And click the alert to get notified of new content! Decades of...
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“Our psycho-controls upset the balance of the neuroglandular system, causing incredible distortions in the skin, hair, and teeth. In this state, the patient cannot be saved.” Again with the glands? Join this episode’s Grue-Crew – Daphne Monary-Ernsdorff, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr – as they make a reservation for a night with a (1961). Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Episode 204 – Werewolf in a Girls’ Dormitory (1961) Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! And click the alert to get notified of new content! ...
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“Don’t you see? I’m just crazy ’bout this store.” Crazy enthusiastic or crazy deranged? Join your faithful Grue Crew – Crystal Cleveland, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, and Jeff Mohr – as they brave a grocery store in search of its (1989). Decades of Horror 1980s Episode 285 – Intruder (1989) Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! Click the alert to get notified of new content! Gruesome Magazine is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL () which now includes video episodes of Decades of Horror 1980s and is available on...
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“Well, they will have to get un-unanimous and un-choose her. Now, I’ve been going on Safari most of my life, and I’ve never taken a woman. And I’m not going to change now, Barney.” Spoken like a true dinosaur of the human variety. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, Gregory Crosby, and Jeff Mohr – as they discuss (1977), a movie whose title refers to two different kinds of last dinosaurs: one is the man-in-suit Tyrannosaurus Rex variety and one is the obsolete human variety. Decades of Horror 1970s Episode 241 – The Last Dinosaur (1977)...
info_outline“All we need is a little order around here.” And Jerry Blake is just the guy to make that happen! Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr along with Vanessa Thompson - as they revel in Terry O’Quinn’s stellar performance in The Stepfather (1987).
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 197 – The Stepfather (1987)
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After murdering his entire family, a man marries a widow with a teenage daughter in another town and prepares to do it all over again.
- Director: Joseph Ruben
- Writer: Donald E. Westlake; (story) Carolyn Lefcourt, Donald E. Westlake, Brian Garfield
- Selected cast:
- Terry O'Quinn as Jerry Blake / Henry Morrison / Bill Hodgkins / The Stepfather
- Jill Schoelen as Stephanie Maine
- Shelley Hack as Susan Maine
- Charles Lanyer as Dr. A. Bondurant
- Stephen Shellen as Jim Ogilvie
- Stephen E. Miller as Al Brennan
- Robyn Stevan as Karen
- Jeff Schultz as Paul Baker
- Lindsay Bourne as Art Teacher
- Anna Hagan as Mrs. Leitner
- Gillian Barber as Annie Barnes
- Blu Mankuma as Lieutenant Jack Wall
The Stepfather is Bill’s pick and he is still super impressed by Terry O’Quinn’s performance in the title role, a character who is one step ahead of every other character in the film. What makes it even more chilling for Bill is that the story could really happen and indeed, it did. Chad is also wowed by O’Quinn’s performance which includes everything from subtle touches to all-out, over-the-top insanity. Crystal wasn’t available for this episode but Decades of Horror 1980s alumnus, Vanessa, stepped up to participate. She loves the opening scene and recognizes O’Quinn’s fantastic, unhinged performance as the driving force in The Stepfather, a film that is very uncomfortable to watch and puts the viewer on edge in a subtle way. Much to Jeff’s liking, The Stepfather puts its big reveal in the opening scene, leaving the audience in suspense while the other characters are unsuspecting of the potential violence and evil they are facing. Of course, he, too, loves the nuances and outright insanity of O’Quinn’s performance.
The Decades of Horror 1980s Grue-Crew are universally impressed with The Stepfather and highly recommend a watch, whether for the first time or a rewatch. As of this writing, The Stepfather is available for streaming from Shudder, Kanopy, and Peacock as well as other streaming services, and on physical media as a Blu-ray from Shout! Factory.
Every two weeks, Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1980s podcast will cover another horror film from the 1980s. The next episode’s film, chosen by Crystal, will be Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982).
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