The Wolf Man (1941) Retro Movie Review
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
This week our retro movie review continues looking back at the 1941 Universal horror classic The Wolf Man starring Lon Chaney, Jr. While this is perhaps my least favorite of the Universal Pictures horror classics it did lay down the lore for much of what we know as the werewolf mythology. The movie does have its good points also and today host Karl from talks The Wolf Man (1941).
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Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941) Retro Serial Review
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
This episode takes a look back at the 1941 Republic Movie serial on Captain Marvel (Shazam) which is considered one of the best of the old-time movie serials. Support us on Patreon -
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Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988) Movie Review Podcast
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
Once again it is Friday the 13th so, of course, we have a Friday the 13th movie review! Part VII: The New Blood (1988) features the first appearance of Kane Hodder as Jason Vorhees who also sets a filming record in this movie for the longest legit stunt fire scene up to that date. There is a new cast of victims for Jason to prey upon, but the same tired formula continues in this very predictable movie leading to future changes. Did you know this movie was supposed to be Carrie verses Jason? It was also supposed to be Freddy verses Jason too but that was pushed down the road a few years. Let's...
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Green Hornet (1940) Retro Movie Review
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
On this When It Was Cool Patreon special I review a movie condensed from the 1940 Green Hornet film serial. Green Hornet and the Lone Ranger exist inside the same fictional universe, in fact, later cannon has Green Hornet as the great nephew of the Lone Ranger. Keye Luke who later played BIind Master Po in Kung Fu is Kato in this series. Karl Stern talks you through this often-overlooked corner of the superhero universe.
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Captain America: Brave New World (2025) Movie Review Podcast
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
I have sadly sworn off the MCU for some time now. None of the offerings in recent years have appealed to me but when Captain America: Brave New World showed up on Disney Plus I decided to give it a try. Featuring the debut of Harrison Ford's Red Hulk character, could this be the movie that brings me back into the Marvel Universe? Not so fast. Join me while I try to find a ray of hope inside this flawed super hero movie.
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Long Form History of Wrestling Podcast - June 1985 - Action Figures, AWA, Hulk Hogan, More!
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
My podcast today takes a detailed look back at June 1985 in pro wrestling history. The text is taken from my book . In June 1985 pro wrestling's first action figures become available, a set of AWA action figures by Remco toy company and WWF figures by LJN. In addition to that, Sgt. Slaughter sort of wins a title in the AWA, there is finally some life in Jim Crockett Promotions because of Magnum TA, and Japan is red hot! Check out the extended version on Patreon -
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G.I. Joe The Cartoons
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
Today I wrap up my three-part series on the appeal of one of my favorite pop-culture properties: G.I. Joe. Previously, I have taken a look at both the action figures and the comic books and today I look at the multiple cartoon series that have featured G.I. Joe since the mid-1980s including the favorably remembered Sunbow series and the less favorably remembered DIC series, plus more!
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Son of Frankenstein (1939) Movie Review
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
When It Was Cool Dark looks back at 1939's Universal Monster movie Son of Frankenstein where the son of the original Dr. Frankenstein comes to claim his family estate and discovers The Monster has been saved by Ygor (played by Bela Lugosi of Dracula fame) and is being used as a weapon against Ygor's enemies. Karl and Tonya (from When It Was Cool website) discuss the movie and the changes in macabre films over the years and what are the modern equivalents of this type cinema.
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Bride of Frankenstein (1935) Movie Review
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
Many believe this is the greatest of the classic monster movies and who am I do disagree? Bride of Frankenstein was a 1935 classic and sequel to the excellent Frankenstein. Join pop culture historian Karl from as he discusses this classic.
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G.I. Joe: The Comics
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
One of my favorite aspects of the G.I. Joe franchise were the Marvel comic book series. G.I. Joe had other comic book runs dating as far back as the Golden Age of comics, but it was the 1980s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic book series that really tied everything together. From fan favorites like Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow, to deeper dives like Bazooka and Grand Slam, G.I. Joe is a fantastic franchise that is still going strong today. Support When It Was Cool on Patreon -
info_outlineWhen It Was Cool Dark looks back at 1939's Universal Monster movie Son of Frankenstein where the son of the original Dr. Frankenstein comes to claim his family estate and discovers The Monster has been saved by Ygor (played by Bela Lugosi of Dracula fame) and is being used as a weapon against Ygor's enemies. Karl and Tonya (from When It Was Cool website) discuss the movie and the changes in macabre films over the years and what are the modern equivalents of this type cinema.