A GHOST STORY FOR CHRISTMAS (1968, 1973, 1976) – Episode 231 – Decades of Horror 1970s
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
Release Date: 01/01/2025
DON'T TORTURE A DUCKLING (1972) - Episode 266 - Decades of Horror 1970s
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
The Grue-Crew delve into an early Lucio Fulci pre-Giallo mini-masterpiece with Don't Torture a Duckling (1972). In the film, you can see the beginning of Fulci's signature direction he would become known for with Zombi (1979) and his eighties gore-fest films. For this movie, the story is a murder mystery that contains hints of witchcraft and characters meeting a gruesome, bloody demise. It's pure early 70s Italian film making at its best. Check it out. Enjoy! DON'T TORTURE A DUCKLING (1972) Episode 266 - Decades of Horror 1970s Quote: "That's why she tore off the head of the doll and the...
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THE BOOGIE MAN WILL GET YOU (1942) - Episode 228 - Decades of Horror: The Classic Era
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
Boris Karloff! Peter Lorre! The Boogie Man Will Get You (1942) is one of Karloff's Columbia pictures horror pictures from the 1940s. Each of these films, with the exception of The Black Room, has Boris in the role of a mad scientist; however, with Boogie Man, the film allows Karloff of Peter Lorre the opportunity to parody the genre and have a great time doing so. These two are so much fun to watch as is the remaining cast of eccentric characters. Tune in to Decades of Horror The Classic Era to find out what the Grue-Crew think of this often overlooked horror-comedy gem. Enjoy! THE BOOGIE MAN...
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THE PROWLER (1981) - Episode 309 - Decade of Horror 1980s
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
Jeff Mohr returns as the Grue-Crew for THE PROWLER (1981), a film the helped defined the slasher era of the 1980s alongside Friday the 13th, The Burning, My Bloody Valentine and more. In this entry, a killer returns after a 35-year absence to take out some college kids at a graduation party. Sound familiar? The big draw is Tom Savini’s special makeup & FX work, but the film pulls in some old-timer star power with Farley Granger and Lawrence Tierney, as well as Vicky Dawson, Christopher Goutman, & Cindy Weintraub. This has everything a growing slasher films needs -- gore, boobs, and a...
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THE WITCH WHO CAME FROM THE SEA (1976) - Episode 265 - Decades of Horror 1970s
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
Jeff returns to join the Grue-Crew with a review of the Seventies cult film, THE WITCH WHO CAME FROM THE SEA (1976). This movie is weird, disturbing in its own way, and intensely sad. What do the Crew make of this indie film that is about as 70s as it gets? You'll have to listen to find out. Enjoy! The Witch Who Came in from the Sea (1982) Episode 265 - Decades of Horror 1970s Quote: "Why don't you act like a man and go hide in the closet, cowboy?" - Molly Synopsis: "A disturbed woman is haunted by memories of childhood abuse, which culminates in a murder spree." Director: Matt Cimber Writer:...
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THE LEOPARD MAN (1943) – Episode 227 – Decades of Horror The Classic Era
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
Jeff returns to Decades of Horror The Classic Era picking the Val Lewton and Jacques Tourneur classic THE LEOPARD MAN (1943) for review. The Grue-Crew have a blast exploring this often overlooked RKO Radio pictures gem with its sharp dialog, exquisite black and white cinematography, and inventive direction. The cast is fantastic as well: Dennis O’Keefe, Margo, Jean Brooks, James Bell, and more — oh, and Dynamite as The Leopard. Synopsis: A seemingly-tame leopard used for a publicity stunt escapes and kills a young girl, spreading panic throughout a sleepy New Mexico town. Producer: Val...
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FORBIDDEN WORLD (1982) – Episode 308 – Decades of Horror 1980s
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
The Grue-Crew unleash the New World Picture’s Alien rip-off, FORBIDDEN WORLD (1982) from Roger Corman. Directed by Allan Holzman, this trashy cult classic features effects from John Carl Buechler, Mark Shostrom, and more handling the Mutant gooey and gory designs and make-up. The cast includes Dan Oliver, Jesse Vint, June Chadwick, Linden Chiles, Scott Paulin, Dawn Dunlap, Fox Harris, Michael Bowen, and Ray Oliver. For those old enough, you likely watched this movie multiple times on cable movie channels, not because it was good but because it was bonkers. Enjoy! FORBIDDEN WORLD (1982)...
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THE AMITYVILLE HORROR (1979) - Episode 264 - Decades of Horror 1970s
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
The Grue-Crew head to New Jersey to visit THE AMITYVILLE HORROR (1979), directed by Stuart Rosenberg. The cast includes James Brolin, Margot Kidder, Rod Steiger, Don Stroud, Murray Hamilton, and Natasha Ryan. Based on a "true story" and the best-selling novel by Jay Anson, the movie cements the Amityville house with its eerily lit pair of attic windows into horror film history. When people think of haunted houses, they most likely think of this house - even to this day decades later. Despite it feeling somewhat tame today, The Amityville Horror frightened audiences world wide to the tune of...
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THE MAGNETIC MONSTER (1953) – Episode 226 – Decades of Horror The Classic Era
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
The Grue-Crew return to the 1950s to battle the fear of the atom bomb with the better than you'd expect, often overlooked THE MAGNETIC MONSTER (1953), directed by Curt Siodmak and Herbert L. Strock (uncredited). The cast includes Richard Carlson, King Donovan, Jean Byron, Harry Ellerbe, Leo Britt, Leonard Mudie, and Byron Foulger. And Strother Martin appears briefly in one scene as an airliner co-pilot. The film also incorporates scenes from a 1934 German movie GOLD. While it doesn't feature a "Monster" in typical terms, the threat of the Magnetic Monster is no less formable. Check this one...
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HELLO MARY LOU PROM NIGHT II (1987) – Episode 307 – Decades of Horror 1980s
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
The Grue-Crew head back to the Eighties, back to school, and back to senior prom for the cult favorite HELLO MARY LOU: PROM NIGHT II (1987). Directed by Bruce Pittman and written by Ron Oliver, the film features Michael Ironside, Wendy Lyon, Louis Ferreira, and Lisa Schrage as Mary Lou Maloney. It feels a bit like a supernatural infused "Carrie" clone but it contains fun kills, gore when it needs it, and a fun new horror villain that we deserved much more of in this movie… and more. Check this one out on streaming if you haven't seen it and enjoy the Grue-Crew's take on this entertaining...
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KISS MEETS THE PHANTOM OF THE PARK (1978) - Episode 263 - Decades of Horror 1970s
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
The 70s Grue-Crew are finally reviewing KISS MEETS THE PHANTOM OF THE PARK (1978) to Chad's delight... well, maybe all of ours, Bill, Dave, and Doc. Turns out we are all KISS fans -- Chad even sports his KISS ARMY cap -- and we all watched this when it originally aired on NBC TV in the States on Saturday, October 28, 1978. This episode is a fun discussion on the film, the cast, and each member of KISS -- Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Gene Simmons, and Paul Stanley. We hope you join us. KISS MEETS THE PHANTOM OF THE PARK (1978) Episode 263 - Decades of Horror 1970s KISS MEETS THE PHANTOM OF THE...
info_outline“Ghosts? That’s a rather sticky one, isn’t it? I’m not quite certain what you mean, I mean, I’m never quite certain what we are invited to believe, I mean, when anybody asks me a question like that. I’m not even quite certain what I’m being invited to disbelieve.” Ah, yes. British ghost stories. And on Christmas. What could be better? Join your faithful Grue Crew – Doc Rotten, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, and Jeff Mohr – as they create a makeshift anthology from the 1970s BBC series, A Ghost Story for Christmas!
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 231 – A Ghost Story for Christmas (1970s)
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A Ghost Story for Christmas
- “Whistle and I’ll Come to You,” Omnibus S1.E17 ( May 7, 1968)
- Synopsis: A skeptical professor on vacation in Norfolk finds a cursed whistle.
- Directed by: Jonathan Miller
- Writing Credits: M.R. James (story “Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My Lad,” ); Jonathan Miller (adaptation)
- Selected Cast:
- Michael Hordern as Professor Parkins
- Ambrose Coghill as Colonel
- George Woodbridge as Hotel Proprietor
- Nora Gordon as Proprietress
- Freda Dowie as Maid
- “Lost Hearts” (Dec 25, 1973)
- Synopsis: A young orphan, Stephen, is sent to live with his strange, much older cousin at his remote country house. Once there, Stephen experiences terrible dreams in which he sees a young girl and boy.
- Directed by: Lawrence Gordon Clark
- Writing Credits: M.R. James (story); Robin Chapman (dramatization)
- Selected Cast:
- Simon Gipps-Kent as Stephen
- Joseph O’Conor as Mr. Abney
- James Mellor as Parkes
- Susan Richards as Mrs. Bunch
- Christopher Davis as Boy
- Michelle Foster as Girl
- Roger Milner as Vicar
- Carina Wyeth as Girl – Flashback Scenes (uncredited)
- “The Signalman” (Dec 22, 1976)
- Synopsis. A lonely Signalman is visited by a stranger.
- Directed by: Lawrence Gordon Clark
- Writing Credits: Charles Dickens (story); Andrew Davies (adaptation)
- Selected Cast:
- Denholm Elliott as The Signalman
- Bernard Lloyd as The Traveller
- Reginald Jessup as The Engine Driver
- Carina Wyeth as The Bride
The Grue-Crew assembled their own anthology for this holiday episode and cheated a bit on the decade. They discuss three ghost stories from the United Kingdom. Two are based on stories by M.R. James and one by Charles Dickens; two tales are taken from the 1970s BBC series A Ghost Story for Christmas and the third is the 1968 inspiration for the series. The subjects of this episode are:
- “Whistle and I’ll Come to You,” Omnibus S1.E17, M.R. James ( May 7, 1968)
- “Lost Hearts,” A Ghost Story for Christmas, M.R. James (Dec 25, 1973)
- “The Signalman” A Ghost Story for Christmas, Charles Dickens (Dec 22, 1976)
The 70s crew are divided on one of the shorts but unanimously enthusiastic on the other two. The Brits do ghost stories very well, don’t they?
At the time of this writing, all episodes of A Ghost Story for Christmas (1970s) are available to stream from Shudder. They are also available on physical media on six Blu-ray formatted discs contained in Ghost Stories for Christmas, Volumes 1 & 2, from BFI (may not play on most DVD/Blu-Ray players sold in the US due to region encoding incompatibility).
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, chosen by Chad, will be Eyes of Laura Mars (1978), with a script co-written by John Carpenter and starring Faye Dunaway, Tommy Lee Jones, Rene Auberjonois, Brad Dourif, and Raul Julia. Hmmm. What will they think?
We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com.