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THE STEPFATHER (1987) – Episode 197 – Decades of Horror 1980s

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

Release Date: 01/10/2022

THE SKULL (1965) - Episode 241 - Decades of Horror: The Classic Era show art THE SKULL (1965) - Episode 241 - Decades of Horror: The Classic Era

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

The Grue-Crew tackle one of Amicus' non-portmanteau films, THE SKULL (1965) which features Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Freddie Francis directs from a Milton Subosky script featuring the villainous skull of the Marquis de Sade. The supporting cast includes Patrick Wymark, Jill Bennett, Nigel Green, Patrick McGee, and Michael Gough. "You will believer a skull can fly." - maybe, maybe not - regardless, you do get Skull-o-vision. The plot may seems a little silly; but, when you have Peter Cushing in the lead role, you have a character that makes all the supernatural shenanigans all the...

info_outline THREADS (1984) - Episode 322 - Decades of Horror 1980s show art THREADS (1984) - Episode 322 - Decades of Horror 1980s

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_outline MURDER BY DEATH (1976) - Episode 279 - Decades of Horror 1970s show art MURDER BY DEATH (1976) - Episode 279 - Decades of Horror 1970s

Decades 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 Sure, the comedy is outdated, the laughs are more...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_outline FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN (1943) - Episode 240 - Decades of Horror: The Classic Era show art FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN (1943) - Episode 240 - Decades of Horror: The Classic Era

Decades 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_outline SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION (1989) - Episode 321 - Decades of Horror 1980s show art SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION (1989) - Episode 321 - Decades of Horror 1980s

Decades 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_outline THE DEVIL'S WEDDING NIGHT (1973) - Episode 278 - Decades of Horror 1970s show art THE DEVIL'S WEDDING NIGHT (1973) - Episode 278 - Decades of Horror 1970s

Decades 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_outline SANTO VS. THE VAMPIRE WOMEN (1962, SANTO VS. LAS MUJERES VAMPIRO) – Episode 239 – Decades of Horror: The Classic Era show art SANTO VS. THE VAMPIRE WOMEN (1962, SANTO VS. LAS MUJERES VAMPIRO) – Episode 239 – Decades of Horror: The Classic Era

Decades 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_outline STAGEFRIGHT (1987) – Episode 320 – Decades of Horror 1980s show art STAGEFRIGHT (1987) – Episode 320 – Decades of Horror 1980s

Decades 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_outline 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...

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“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.

 

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).  

Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans:  leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at [email protected]