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

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

Release Date: 11/04/2026

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 Sure, the comedy is outdated, the laughs are more...

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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...

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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...

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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)...

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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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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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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JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (1963) – Episode 237 – Decades of Horror: The Classic Era show art JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (1963) – Episode 237 – Decades of Horror: The Classic Era

Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

The Grue-Crew go mythical to revisit and review JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (1963) battling bronze giants, harrowing harpies, a horrifying hydra, and an army of skeletons. He who loves all things stop-motion, Bill Mulligan, steps up with his selection and results are amazing. The film still delivers awe and action all these years later and Ray Harryhausen’s mastery is in top form. As you can imagine, the discussion goes extra long diving into the cast of characters, the creatures, the stop-motion, and Greek legend. Join us for this episode, it is worth every minute. Thank you, Bill, great...

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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 like snickers, and one (or more) characters are cringeworthy for modern audiences, but this film is of its time before SNL and National Lampoon would ramp cinema comedy up to eleven. Of note, Peter Falk's character, Sam Diamond, would return in The Cheap Detective (1978). Enjoy!

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

Quote: "I never did nothin' to a man that I wouldn't do to a woman." Sam Diamond

Synopsis: Five famous literary detective characters and their sidekicks are invited to a bizarre mansion to solve an even stranger mystery.

Director: Robert Moore
Writer: Neil Simon
Selected Cast:
Eileen Brennan as Tess Skeffington
Truman Capote as Lionel Twain
James Coco as Milo Perrier
Peter Falk as Sam Diamond
Alec Guinness as Bensonmum
Elsa Lanchester as Jessica Marbles
David Niven as Dick Charleston
Peter Sellers as Sidney Wang
Maggie Smith as Dora Charleston
Nancy Walker as Maid
Estelle Winwood as Nurse
James Cromwell as Marcel
Richard Narita as Willie Wang

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 ‘70s episode, chosen by Bill is Terror in the Wax Museum (1973).

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