BLUE MONKEY (1987) – Episode 277 – Decades of Horror 1980s
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
Release Date: 02/03/2025
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
The Grue-Crew head back to 1953 to tackle a film from the first wave of 3D films, THE MAZE (1953), featuring one of the most bizarre twist endings of the decade. If you haven't seen this movie, you won't see it coming. While the films looks great and the cast, featuring Richard Carlson, Veronica Hurst, and Katherine Pate, is solid, the story and pace are snooze-inducingly plodding. If ever a film needed 3D, it may be this one. Yet, with all its flaws, the film has a B-movie charm to it. Catalog THE MAZE for "only the curious." Enjoy! THE MAZE (1953) Episode 234 - Decades of Horror: The Classic...
info_outlineDecades of Horror | Horror News Radio
PRIMAL RAGE (1988) is a horror movie that gets very little mention, accolades, or fanfare. Many horror fans may not have heard of the film, instead maybe they recall the 1995 video came or 2018 movie of the same name. For this episode, Bill steps up and declare "The Grue-Crew shall watch Primal Rage!" And so we did. What did we find: Mad scientists, crazed baboons, a rage virus turning college students into rampaging zombie-like monsters, and a gore-soaked Halloween party. Let's party! Enjoy! PRIMAL RAGE (1988) Episode 316 - Decades of Horror 1980s Quote: “Trust me, she’s more than your...
info_outlineDecades of Horror | Horror News Radio
Is this even a real movie? Ed Wood? The Grue-Crew set out to find out, reviewing the schlock fest known by many names: THE REVENGE OF DR X (1970), BODY OF THE PREY, THE DEVIL'S GARDEN, and VENUS FLY TRAP. Which ever title it is under, the result is the same: the most bizarre and god awful film of all time; yet, somehow, it is entertaining in its terrible glory. James Craig is a mad NASA scientist who seems to take up botany and creates a hybrid creature as if he were Dr. Frankenstein. WTF? Check out what the Crew think on this one. You have been warned. Enjoy! THE REVENGE OF DOCTOR X (1970)...
info_outlineDecades of Horror | Horror News Radio
Bill picks one of his favorite British Sci-Fi/Horror classics, DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS (1954). Yup, Plan Nyah from Outer Space is on our streaming devices... and we love it. Sure, it is low budget. Sure, it is campy. This little gem is pure B-movie gold. An obnoxious, yet oddly beautiful, nutzo alien woman from Mars lands in the Scottish Highlands looking for men. Odd choice, but let's go with it. It's not long before she realized this was a mistake and she's ready to disintegrate them all.... all 7 or 8 of them. Poor, misguided alien. Hijinks ensue and the Grue-Crew are here to share their...
info_outlineDecades of Horror | Horror News Radio
The Grue-Crew revisit PSYCHO II (1983) - a horror movie sequel that shouldn't exist but does... and it's fantastic. Anthony Perkins returns to the franchise along with Vera Miles. They are joined by Meg Tilly, Robert Loggia, and Dennis Franz. Richard (Patrick, Road Games) Franklin directs from a Tom (Fright Night, Child's Play) Holland screenplay. The tables are turned and Norman Bates is now the prey... or is he? Mystery, plot twists, and mayhem ensue. Check out what the Crew think of this one as they discuss their first reactions, the cast of characters, and the stories behind the filming,...
info_outlineDecades of Horror | Horror News Radio
For this episode of Decades of Horror 1970s, the Grue-Crew cover the fourth film of the Blind Dead saga, NIGHT OF THE SEAGULLS (1975). To make this episode even more special, we've invited Patreon fan, Crew friend, and Templar Knights champion Jerry Chandler. The Crew, discuss if the film is the best made of the four or if it is the best Blind Dead film of the series. Regardless, the film wears a Lovecraftian coat and pulls back on the gore and nudity. Still good? The Crew will let you know, listen now! Enjoy. NIGHT OF THE SEAGULLS (1975) Episode 271 - Decades of Horror 1970s Tagline: "THEIR...
info_outlineDecades of Horror | Horror News Radio
Daphne mysteriously drives the crew back to 1965 to catch an early South Korean horror film, A BLOODTHIRSTY KILLER. With hints of Poe’s classics, Bava’s cinematography, and Murnau’s expressionistic scenery, writer/director Yong-min Lee blends together a rich thriller with strong early Asian horror themes and rich Korean lore. Follow the crew and guest-host Scott Wells in the depths of fear with killer cats, supernatural spirits, and gore galore. You won’t want to miss this. Enjoy! A BLOODTHIRSTY KILLER (1965, SALINMA) Episode 231 – Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Quote: “Grandma...
info_outlineDecades of Horror | Horror News Radio
The 3D craze was brief in the 1980s and the output quality was questionable, but the run was fun for all the wrong reasons. Among Friday the 13th part III, Jaws 3D, and Parasite, was AMITYVILLE 3D and the Grue-Crew are ready to investigate all the shenanigans. The film is from accomplished director Richard Fleisher and the cast includes Tony Roberts, Tess Harper, Candy Clark, and Robert Joy. And, in an early role, Meg Ryan appears alongside Lori Loughlin. The film has an unjust bad reputation, but it's much better then you'd expect. Some of the effects are laughable, while others are downright...
info_outlineDecades of Horror | Horror News Radio
For this episode, Doc picks MADHOUSE (1974), an Amicus / AIP horror film with a notorious reputation. Who knew? On set conflicts, heavy editing from the production team, Dr. Phibes director drops out with a celebrated editor taking the reins, and a script that was being rewritten every day are just some of the things that troubled this shoot. But what does the film have going for it? At it's core, it is a splendid idea, the locations and designs are often well done, and the cast is remarkable: Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, Robert Quarry, and Adrienne Corri. And then there's the "horror icon"...
info_outlineDecades of Horror | Horror News Radio
The Grue-Crew tackle the American pre-Code mystery-horror film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, Glenda Farrell, and Frank McHugh. That film is MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM (1933). Jeff invites a special guest-host and DoH Grue-Believer, Chris (ManCaveMan), to help better understand the special color process utilized to make this early color film. We also deep dive into the cast of characters, the taglines, marketing, and cast and crew. This episode (and this movie) should not be missed! Enjoy! MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM (1933) Episode 231 - Decades of Horror: The...
info_outline“I wonder if we’ll find anything down here? I bet we’re going to find a big blue monkey.” Or maybe you won’t. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, Jeff Mohr, and guest Ralph Miller III – as they do their best to find the blue monkey in Blue Monkey (1987). It’s Canadian horror, ay.
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 277 – Blue Monkey (1987)
Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel!
Subscribe today! Click the alert to get notified of new content!
https://youtube.com/gruesomemagazine
Gruesome Magazine is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL (https://wickedhorrortv.com/) which now includes video episodes of Decades of Horror 1980s and is available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, and its online website across all OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop.
Synopsis: Detective Jim Bishop and Dr. Rachel Carson must find a way to stop a giant monstrous insect before it procreates and spreads a deadly infection it’s carrying. Meanwhile, it’s eating people in Dr. Carson’s quarantined hospital.
- Directed by: William Fruet
- Writing Credits: George Goldsmith (written by); Chris Koseluk (story editor)
- Executive Producers: Sandy Howard, Tom Fox, Michael Masciarelli
- Special Effects by: Steve Neill (creature maker: Sirius Effects (uncredited) / creature supervisor: Sirius Effects (uncredited))
- Selected Cast:
- Ivan E. Roth as The Creature
- Steve Railsback as Detective Jim Bishop
- Gwynyth Walsh as Dr. Rachel Carson
- Don Lake as Elliot Jacobs
- Helen Hughes as Marwella Harbison
- Sandy Webster as Fred Adams
- Susan Anspach as Dr. Judith Glass
- Bill Lake as Paramedic
- Peter Van Wart as Oscar Willets
- Don Ritchie as Orderly #1
- Stuart Stone as Joey
- Marsha Moreau as Marcy
- Nathan Adamson as Tyrone
- Sarah Polley as Ellen
- Joy Coghill as Dede Wilkens
- Cynthia Belliveau as Alice Bradley
- John Vernon as Roger Levering
- Philip Akin as Anthony Rivers (as Phillip Akin)
- Laura Dickson as Desk Nurse #1
- Robin Duke as Sandra Baker
- Joe Flaherty as George Baker
- Jane Dingle as Desk Nurse #2
- Dan Lett as Ted Andrews
- Michael J. Reynolds as Albert Hooper
- Michael Caruana as Technician
- Gina Wilkinson as Nurse Michelle
- David Clement as Surgeon
- Ursula Balzer as O.R. Nurse
- Les Rubie as Rollo Jordan
- Reg Dreger as Policeman
- Karen Scanlan as ISO. Nurse
- Ralph Small as Security Guard
- Harry Booker as Bill Clemmins
- Jo Bates as Lobby Nurse (as Jo Anne Bates)
- Walker Boone as Johnson
- Rob Wilton as Orderly #2 (as Robert Wilton)
- Alan Rosenthal as Dr. Steinberg (as Allan Rosenthal)
- Ken Quinn as Patient
The 80s Grue-Crew and guest Ralph Miller III take a trip to a hospital in Canada to diagnose Blue Monkey (1987). This one features the beginnings of an epidemic, some ludicrous laser shenanigans, an extraordinary amount of green goo, and a freaky larva that magically metamorphoses (we think) into a giant insect that begins killing patients in the now quarantined hospital. All of this is accomplished with some generally good effects work and an abundance of pseudo-sciencing. Steven Railsback, Gwynyth Walsh, Don Lake, Susan Anspach, and John Vernon jump into the fray, accompanied by Marwella and Dede, a pair of golden girls getting drunk in the background, and Robin Dukes and Joe Flaherty having their first baby. Ah, yes. Canadian horror has such a unique flavor. As you can tell, there’s plenty of material for our talkabout… even though there’s no actual blue monkey.
At the time of this writing, Blue Monkey (1987) is available to stream from Tubi and multiple PPV sources.
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 Jeff, will be Angel (1984), starring… wait for it… Rory Calhoun! Joining him are Donna Wilkes, Cliff Gorman, Dick Shawn, Susan Tyrrell, and John Diehl, all cavorting on the strip. Unfortunately, there’s a serial killer on the prowl.
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 feedback@gruesomemagazine.com.