ABBY (1974) – Episode 238 – Decades of Horror 1970s
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
Release Date: 04/09/2025
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
“You must seize the only specimen of the Mariphasa plant in England in the private laboratory of Dr. Wilfred Glendon. That flower is the only known antidote for werewolfery. Lycanthrophobia is the medical term for the affliction I speak of.” Werewolfery? Lycanthrophobia? Is this an example of lexical innovation? Join this episode’s Grue-Crew – Doc Rotten, Daphne Monary-Ernsdorff, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr – as they stalk the original (1935). Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Episode 206 – Werewolf of London (1935) Join the Crew on the...
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“Billy, they were the biggest things I ever saw, and they had tattoos on them. You know, I may be in love. I might just go right back in there and ask her out on a date.” It’s curious how Deputy Charlie was so enthralled with the biker chick’s big feet. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Crystal Cleveland, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, and Jeff Mohr – as they discover what kind of science fiction, horror movie stars Chuck Norris? The answer? (1982). Decades of Horror 1980s Episode 287 – Silent Rage (1982) Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel!...
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“You’re asking me questions, Harry, and I hear you. A scientist cannot afford the indulgence of guilt. And after all, if God doesn’t want me to continue, the means of my disposal are always at his command.” If you want to communicate with God, talking to a snake might be the wrong approach. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Doc Rotten, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, Daphne Monary-Ernsdroff, and Jeff Mohr – as they try their hand at snake wrangling while they finally get the chance to cover (1973). Decades of Horror 1970s Episode 243 – Sssssss (1973) Join the Crew on the...
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“Now, you said he touched your boobie. What else did he do?” Fixed the TV? Join your faithful Grue Crew – Crystal Cleveland, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, and Jeff Mohr – as they view the bizarre family dynamics and bigoted police detective as portrayed in (1981). Decades of Horror 1980s Episode 286 – Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker (1981) Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! Click the alert to get notified of new content! Gruesome Magazine is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL () which now includes video episodes of...
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“I know you think I’m crazy, but you must listen to me. You won’t want to believe what I’m telling you here, but you have to.” An ominous warning that no one heeds or even understands. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, Gregory Crosby, and Jeff Mohr – as they try to decipher the mysterious message from the research station in (1973). Decades of Horror 1970s Episode 242 – A Cold Night’s Death (1973) Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! And click the alert to get notified of new content! Decades of...
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“Our psycho-controls upset the balance of the neuroglandular system, causing incredible distortions in the skin, hair, and teeth. In this state, the patient cannot be saved.” Again with the glands? Join this episode’s Grue-Crew – Daphne Monary-Ernsdorff, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr – as they make a reservation for a night with a (1961). Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Episode 204 – Werewolf in a Girls’ Dormitory (1961) Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! And click the alert to get notified of new content! ...
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“Don’t you see? I’m just crazy ’bout this store.” Crazy enthusiastic or crazy deranged? Join your faithful Grue Crew – Crystal Cleveland, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, and Jeff Mohr – as they brave a grocery store in search of its (1989). Decades of Horror 1980s Episode 285 – Intruder (1989) Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! Click the alert to get notified of new content! Gruesome Magazine is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL () which now includes video episodes of Decades of Horror 1980s and is available on...
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“Well, they will have to get un-unanimous and un-choose her. Now, I’ve been going on Safari most of my life, and I’ve never taken a woman. And I’m not going to change now, Barney.” Spoken like a true dinosaur of the human variety. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, Gregory Crosby, and Jeff Mohr – as they discuss (1977), a movie whose title refers to two different kinds of last dinosaurs: one is the man-in-suit Tyrannosaurus Rex variety and one is the obsolete human variety. Decades of Horror 1970s Episode 241 – The Last Dinosaur (1977)...
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“Behold now the behemoth which I made with thee. He moveth his tail like a cedar. Out of his mouth glow burning lamps. And sparks of fire leap out from the behemoth. He maketh the oceans to boil like a pot. His breath kindleth coals and a flame goeth out of his mouth.” Yup. That pretty much covers it. Join this episode’s Grue-Crew – Daphne Monary-Ernsdorff, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr – as they take in some stop motion animation, Willis O’Brien and Pete Peterson style, in (1959). Yay! Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Episode 203 – The Giant...
info_outline“Are you trying to say that Abby has… flipped out?” Uh, pretty much. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, Gregory Crosby, and Jeff Mohr – as they cover the oft-mentioned, discussed at last, William Girdler’s Abby (1974), featuring William Marshall, Carol Speed, Terry Carter, Juanita Moore, and Austin Stoker.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 238 – Abby (1974)
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Decades of Horror 1970s is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL (https://wickedhorrortv.com/) which now includes video episodes of the podcast 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: A marriage counselor becomes possessed by a demon of sexuality when her father-in-law, an archaeologist and an exorcist, accidentally frees it while in Africa.
- Directed by: William Girdler
- Writing Credits: Gordon Cornell Layne (screenplay) (as G. Cornell Layne); (story) William Girdler & Gordon Cornell Layne (as G. Cornell Layne)
- Cinematographer: William L. Asman
- Editors: Bub Asman (credited as Henry Asman), Corky Ehlers
- Sound Department: John Asman (sound); Jack Davies (looping editor)
- Selected Cast:
- William Marshall as Bishop Garnet Williams
- Terry Carter as Rev. Emmett Williams
- Austin Stoker as Det. Cass Potter
- Carol Speed as Abby Williams
- Juanita Moore as Miranda ‘Momma’ Potter
- Charles Kissinger as Dr. Hennings
- Elliott Moffitt as Russell Lang
- Nathan Cook as Tafa Hassan
- Nancy Lee Owen as Mrs. Wiggins
- William P. Bradford as Dr. Rogers (as Billy Bradford)
- Joann Holcomb as Lois
- Claude Fulkerson as Benny
- Bill Wilson as Dan
- Charles Broaddus as Joe (as Chuck Broadus)
- Don Henderson as Flip
- John Miller as Hal
- Julia Jones as Louella
- Joan Ray as Sue
- George Robinson as George
- Mary Minor as Lolly
- Michael Cowden as Lantern Bearer
- Bobby Griffin as Ben
- Casey Brown as Corky
- Robin James as Robin
- Brice Amos as Simon
- Rhodi Hill as Rhodi
- Felice Kinchelow as Student (credited as Felece Kinchelow)
- Bob Holt as The Demon (voice)
After years of wanting to discuss Abby (1974) but holding off because of the poor visual quality, the ‘70s Grue-Crew, with Gregory Crosby along for the ride, finally pulled the trigger. The picture was very grainy, but they forged ahead nonetheless. Abby has always been a bit of a Holy Grail for the ‘70s crew with the Black Saint’s love of director William Girdler in conflict with the poor quality of the available version. Make no mistake. It’s not a good movie. Is it worth a watch? Yes! William Marshall’s on-screen gravitas combined with Carol Speed’s performance as the possessed title character make it so. Girdler’s improvement from Asylum for Satan (1972) and Three on a Meathook (1972) on the way to Grizzly (1976), Day of the Animals (1977), and The Manitou (1978) is evident. So check it out and check us out!
At the time of this writing, Abby (1974) is available to stream from Plex.
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 Gregory Crosby, will be Don Coscarelli’s Phantasm (1979), complete with Angus Scrimm and freaky flying metal balls. It was first covered in 70s episode 29, published over nine years ago, and hosted by a completely different crew. We can’t wait!
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