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THE MONSTER SQUAD (1987) – Episode 282 – Decades of Horror 1980s

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

Release Date: 04/18/2025

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 Sure, the comedy is outdated, the laughs are more...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...

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...

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“One hundred years before this story begins, it was a time of darkness in Transylvania, a time when Dr. Abraham Van Helsing and a small band of freedom fighters conspired to rid the world of vampires and monsters and to save mankind from the forces of eternal evil. … They blew it.” Will the Monster Squad blow it, too? Join your faithful Grue Crew – Crystal Cleveland, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, and Jeff Mohr – as they follow the battle between the young monster fighters and the pseudo-Universal Monsters in The Monster Squad (1987).

Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 282 – The Monster Squad (1987)

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Synopsis: A group of 12-year-olds form a Universal Monsters fan club called The Monster Squad and have to save their hometown from Count Dracula and his monsters when they show up for real.

The Monster Squad (1987), underappreciated at its release, has, nonetheless, risen to become a fan favorite over the years. With effects provided by the Stan Winston Studio and dialogue from the pens of Shane Black and Fred Dekker, the film follows the proven template used in Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), i.e., the copies of Universal monsters are deadly serious while the youthful monster fighters provide humor. In light of current events, it is an excellent time to revisit this horror comedy with a heart and a happy ending. And while you’re at it, take in Wolfman’s Got Nards (2018), the documentary about the film and its growth in popularity. It might bring a tear or two to your eyes.

At the time of this writing, The Monster Squad (1987) is available to stream from Hoopla, PlutoTV, Prime, and several PPV sources. It is also available on physical media as a 3-disc set that includes a 4K UHD disc, a Blu-ray disc, and Wolfman’s Got Nards (2018) Blu-ray disc, from KL Studio Classics.

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 Bill, will be Critters (1986), another franchise-starting film showcasing the effects work of Chiodo Brothers Productions (Killer Clowns from Outer Space, 1988) and an experienced cast featuring Dee Wallace and M. Emmet Walsh. The Grue Crew is excited about discussing this one.

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