Vintage Episode 39: Rear Window with Josh Robbins (Late Bloomer, Alright, Self Aware Records)
Years of Fear: A History of Horror
Release Date: 04/27/2020
1961: The Pit and the Pendulum
Years of Fear: A History of Horror
In 1960, Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho introduced the world to the future of my horror. But before the genre would embrace it, it would first confront it's very origins with a boom of Gothic Horror films that would make icons out of people like Vincent Price, Barbara Steele, and Christopher Lee. Perhaps no one would have a greater impact on this era of the macabre than Roger Corman, the b-movie king whose adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe's classic works changed horror forever. Perhaps nonemoreso than his 1961 classic The Pit and the Pendulum. This week on Years of Fear, we explore the legacy of...
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1960: Psycho (Part 2)
Years of Fear: A History of Horror
In 1960, Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho ushered in the modern era of horror filmmaking. But in order for the film to make the impact that Hitch wanted, he was going to need to overcome several massive obstacles to fulfill his vision. Whether it was the censor board, struggles with the music editing, or the very way that films were screened at the time, it was all going to be an uphill battle. Join us for the conclusion to our two-part debut episode on Psycho. Stick around to the end to hear the announcement for our 1961 episode, which will be released on 11/13/2025. If you want to get...
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1960: Psycho (Part 1)
Years of Fear: A History of Horror
In 1960, Alfred Hitchcock released Psycho, a bold new sort of horror film that shocked audience's with it's sequences of murder and depravity, including a shower stabbing sequence that is firmly in the canon of iconic film moments. But where did this cinematic burst of bloodlust come from? In part 1 of our debut episode of Years of Fear, we explore the evolution of the first 60+ years of onscreen violence and death that lead up to Janet Leigh's iconic death sequence. We also explore the film's director, his early career, and the artistic dead end that made Psycho possible. Join us for the...
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Coming Soon- Years of Fear: A History of Horror
Years of Fear: A History of Horror
From the creator of Toxic Schlock comes "Years of Fear: A History of Horror", a horror history podcast that explores the movies that shaped horror, the people that made them, and the culture that made them possible. Every episode explores the most important horror film of the year, beginning in 1960 with Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. This preview clip of the show's debut episode, which premieres on 10/23/2025, sets the table for the beginning of the world's entry into a new world of fear.
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Vintage Episode: The Host with Jesse Akman + the End of Toxic Schlock
Years of Fear: A History of Horror
We wrap up our final mini series with an exploration of the South Korean monster movie modern classic THE HOST! We explore the controversial events that inspired the film, and the cultural influences that director Bong Joon-Ho mirrored in the fim. We're then joined by friend of the show Jesse Akman to discuss Korean cinema, Bong Joon-Ho, and all things the HOST. Stick around after the episode to hear the final words from host Michael Kent as Toxic Schlock comes to a close and discusses future horror related projects.
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Vintage Episode: The Fly (1986) with Sam Sutherland (155, Extremely Online, Junior Battles)
Years of Fear: A History of Horror
Our Monster Movie series enters the golden age of practical FX with an exploration of David Cronenberg's 1986 classic THE FLY! We covered Cronenberg's early career in our episode on THE BROOD during our Body Horror series, and now we follow it up with a deep dive into his incredible run of Scanners, Videodrome, and the Dead Zone, leading to his botched attempt at TOTAL RECALL, and the tragedy that made his work on The Fly possible. We're then joined by returning guest Sam Sutherland (155 Podcast) to discuss Cronenberg, Canadian horror, practical FX, and the many allegorical readings of the...
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Vintage Episode: Godzilla with Winston Ward (Infinite Worlds)
Years of Fear: A History of Horror
Our Monster Movie series continues with a deep dive on the king of all monsters GODZILLA! We explore the slew of tragic historical events that led to the inception of the 1954 Kaiju classic GOJIRA, the early life of director Ishiro Honda, and the cultural impact left in the film's wake. We're then joined by Winston Ward of the fantastic magazine and podcast INFINITE WORLDS to discuss the history, evolution, and legacy of one of cinema's most iconic creations.
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Vintage Episode: The Crawling Eye with John Darnielle (The Mountain Goats)
Years of Fear: A History of Horror
In a very special bonus Monster Movie episode, John Darnielle (The Mountain Goats) returns to the show to discuss 50s b-movies, the evolution and perception of Monster Movies, and his film pick, the 1958 gem THE CRAWLING EYE.
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Vintage Episode: 3rd Annual Toxic Schlock Halloween Bonus Episode
Years of Fear: A History of Horror
Our special Halloween bonus episode has come around once more, and Michael is again joined by his wife Sam, but this time around, they do a ranking of the Halloween franchise!! Its not as bad as they make it sound in the episode, and most of the Halloween movies have some great moments, but its also a series with some absolute absurdity in between them.
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Vintage Episode: Frankenstein with Horror Vanguard
Years of Fear: A History of Horror
We kick off our final Toxic Schlock mini series on Monster movies by going back to where it all started: FRANKENSTEIN! We explore the early life of author Mary Shelly and the road to the creation of her debut novel, and how it ended up in 1931 as the most iconic horror film of all time. We're then joined by the hosts of Horror Vanguard to discuss Shelley, Boris Karloff, and the politics (and many adaptations) of Frankenstein!
info_outlineJosh Robbins returns to Toxic Schlock to discuss the Alfred Hitchcock murder mystery classic REAR WINDOW. Michael and Josh dig into the horror vs thriller dynamic, the best and worst of found footage films, Hitchcock's iconic style, Arnold Schwarzenegger, envisioning a remake of Rear Window, and much more!