“One tiny little hole in a fucking toe of his suit, man. No bigger than your dick. Yeah, the way the ocean came in, the pressure just crammed his whole body up into his helmet in a matter of seconds. We just buried his helmet.” Too much information? Yeah, thought so. Join your faithful Grue-Crew – Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, Crystal Cleveland, and Jeff Mohr – as they take a deep sea dive with Leviathan (1989), one of the many underwater-monster-themed films released during 1989-90.
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 204 – Leviathan (1989)
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Perched on the hull of a wrecked Soviet freighter, a team of deep-sea miners led by head oceanographer Steven Beck comes face to face with a mutant creature that’s the product of a failed genetic experiment.
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Chad is a natural-born monster kid from way back so it’s not surprising that Leviathan is his pick. Even though it’s obviously derivative of several other SF-horror films, he still enjoys it. He loves the comedic moments and doesn’t get enough of the nasty, icky, gooey, and creepy Stan Winston Studios-designed creature.
Crystal liked Leviathan when she first saw it and she still likes it, for telling a compelling story that makes sense, for its effects work, and for its phenomenal cast, especially Peter Weller. On the other hand, Bill thinks Leviathan is a little too formulaic, holding very few surprises. Even though all the parts are there for an excellent movie — writers, directors, cast, cinematographer, and effects — it seems like there is something missing. Jeff had a fun time with Leviathan and he, too, loves the cast. He has no trouble believing they had spent six months together at 16,000 feet beneath the ocean’s surface. A dash of Alien, a pinch of The Thing, and a smidgen of The Fly all added to the fun for him.
If you’re pining for a sea monster movie, Leviathan is a fun ride. As of this writing, Leviathan is currently available to stream free with ads from Tubi & PlutoTV and on a variety of subscription and PPV streaming services.
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 Halloween II (1981). Spend mid-Halloween’s Eve with Laurie, Michael, Dr. “I shot him six times!” Loomis, and the gang for this fiery treat.
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 203 – Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf (1985)
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A man discovers that his sister was a werewolf, and helps an investigator track down a gang of the monsters through the United States and eastern Europe.
Howling II: Your Sister is a Werewolf is Crystal’s pick so obviously, this movie is awesome! She gets a kick from the werewolf orgy and the hot girls, and, of course, Christopher Lee looks awesome in his new wave sunglasses and his clubbing outfit. She even finds herself frequently singing the theme song.
On the other hand, Chad hates Howling II, with the exception of Christopher Lee. He just can’t get past the beginning of the movie which presents itself as a direct story sequel to The Howling (1981). Otherwise, he might be able to appreciate it as a trashy B-movie. Bill doesn’t love it near as much as Chad does, describing Howling II as failing on every level. In his view, the street puppets are scarier than any of the werewolves. Jeff had managed to avoid Howling II… until now. He laments the lack of consistency in the look of the werewolves and hated the cheesy re-creation of Dee Wallace’s character’s death from The Howling.
If you’re a fan of Howling II: Your Sister is a Werewolf like Crystal is, rejoice! At the time of this writing, the film is available to stream with ads from Tubi and PPV from iTunes.
For more adventures in lycanthropy, check out these other Decades of Horror episodes:
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 Chad, will be Leviathan (1989), starring Peter Weller, Richard Crenna, Amanda Pays, Daniel Stern, Lisa Eilbacher, Michael Carmine, Meg Foster, Ernie Hudson, and Hector Elizondo.
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 202 – Dreamscape (1984)
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A man who can enter and manipulate people’s dreams is recruited by a government agency to help cure the President of the United States of his nightmares about nuclear war but stumbles upon an assassination plot
Dreamscape is a Decades of Horror 1980s double-tap, first covered in episode 100 by Doc Rotten, Christopher G. Moore, and Thomas Mariani. This time around, Dreamscape is Bill’s pick and he was sucked in by the glowing nunchucks in ads. Although the cast is great, it doesn’t hold up as much as Bill wishes it did and it is far too obvious who the bad guys are. Having said that, it is still a very 80s movie and he would like to see it remade.
Chad thought Dreamscape was great at the time and he still enjoys it even though not everything holds up. In his view, it was hard to pull off everything they were trying to incorporate with the budget they had to work with it. On the other hand, Crystal thinks Dreamscape holds up just fine and she rewatches frequently. Even so, she too would like to see it remade. Jeff still really, really likes it and loves the melding of stop motion animation and other practical effects. He doesn’t appreciate Dennis Quaid’s girl-killer smile but otherwise thinks the cast is incredible.
Regardless of whether or not you’re in the “holds up” or “doesn’t hold up” camps, Dreamscape is a fun 80s flick that tries hard to be a lot of things. At the time of this writing, it’s available to stream from Tubi and Kanopy, and on physical media as a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray from Shout Factory.
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 Crystal, will be Howling II: … Your Sister Is a Werewolf (1985), also known as Howling II: Stirba – Werewolf Bitch. Discussing this masterpiece should be howling good fun. …sorry.
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
“It's not you, Ferdy. I'm just not used to being chased around a mall in the middle of the night by killer robots.” Don’t worry. It won’t last long. Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, Crystal Cleveland, and Jeff Mohr - as they head right back to a very familiar mall in Chopping Mall (1986).
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 201 – Chopping Mall (1986)
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A group of young shopping mall employees stays behind for a late-night party in one of the stores. When the mall goes on lock-down before they can get out, the robot security system malfunctions, and goes on a killing spree.
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Jeff chose Chopping Mall based on connections to the 80s Grue-Crew’s last two episodes, namely Barbara Crampton, Kelli Maroney, Mary Woronov, and the Sherman Oaks Galleria. For him, the cast and the shout-outs to other horror movies are the best parts of Chopping Mall. Even though there’s no “chopping” taking place, it’s a fun flick.
Androids are more Crystal’s thing than killbots, but she still enjoys this entertaining movie. Does it go without saying that Barbara Crampton and Kelli Maroney are really cute in Chopping Mall? Yes, but it needs saying anyway and Crystal obliges. Chad likes the references and nods to other movies and the exploding head kill. In the end, he calls Chopping Mall pure Jim Wynorski cheese. Limburger cheese. After pausing for a discussion about Limburger cheese, Bill reveals that he doesn’t find the kind of robots found in Chopping Mall to be very scary. That being said, the film has a following and a lot of people have a kind of nostalgic fondness for it. And he loves the cameos by folks like Mary Woronov, Paul Bartel, Dick Miller, Mel Welles, and Gerrit Graham.
If you haven’t seen Chopping Mall for a while or you’re a big Chopping Mall fan, now might be a good time to make another trip to the mall. As of this writing, Chopping Mall is available to stream on Shudder and a variety of other subscription services or free streaming services with ads. It’s also available on physical media as a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray from Vestron/Lionsgate.
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 Bill, will be Dreamscape (1984). Welcome to their nightmare!
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
“Well, how about the hard-on I got? Is there a statistical correlation for that too?” Will you calculate the standard deviation while you’re at it? Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, Crystal Cleveland, and Jeff Mohr, along with special guest Ralph Miller - as they take a goo-filled trip to From Beyond (1986)!
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 199 – From Beyond (1986)
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A group of scientists have developed the Resonator, a machine which allows whoever is within range to see beyond normal perceptible reality. But when the experiment succeeds, they are immediately attacked by terrible life forms.
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From Beyond is Chad’s pick and the first time he saw it, he was flabbergasted by the special effects, the gore, and the goo! He still loves it today, adding that the pacing delivers one flabbergast right after another and the acting - Barbara Crampton, Jeffrey Combs, and Ken Foree - is great. Bill loves the great cast and the practical effects of From Beyond but laments how the color scheme hid some of the details of the monsters. In case you haven’t realized it by now, Crystal has a definite thing for Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton. She also loves From Beyond’s memorable effects and the way the body horror progresses throughout the movie, becoming more and more gruesome. Jeff loves From Beyond too, agreeing with everyone on the excellence of the effects and the cast. Ralph, who worked on the “shrimp monster’s” animatronics for John Buechler’s MMI, loves Barabara Crampton’s impressive performance portraying her character’s arc. Ralph admits he’s a creature person and loves the creature designs as the special effects units do their best to materialize Lovecraft’s imaginings in From Beyond.
Stuart Gordon, H.P. Lovecraft, Dennis Paoli, Brian Yuzna, Barbara Crampton, Jeffrey Combs, Ken Foree, Ted Sorel, and some of the best effects this side of The Thing! So what are you waiting for? As of this writing, From Beyond is available to stream from Tubi and PlutoTV and as PPV on Amazon and Vudu.
This episode is a “double-tap” for From Beyond. Check out a previous 1980s Grue-Crew discussion on the film at Episode 129 of Decades Of Horror 1980s, 28 January 2018.
You can also check out our partial career overview of Ralph Miller’s special effects work in Episode 155 – Decades Of Horror 1980s, 7 May 2020.
Every two weeks, Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1980s podcast will cover another horror film from the 1980s. Next up is the podcast's landmark 200th episode. The subject film has been chosen by our listeners and viewers in polls on Patreon, YouTube, and Facebook, and will be Night of the Comet (1984)! You won’t want to miss the Decades of Horror 1980s Grue-Crew’s discussion of the film whose working title was Teenage Mutant Horror Comet Zombies. What else could you ask for from an 80s horror flick?
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
“It's almost time, kids. The clock is ticking. Be in front of your TV sets for the Horrorthon, followed by the Big Giveaway. Don't miss it. And don't forget to wear your masks. The clock is ticking. It's almost time.” Everybody sing! Three more days to Halloween, Halloween, Halloween … Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, Crystal Cleveland, and Jeff Mohr - as they give evidence to their belief that every day is Halloween by covering Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) in January.
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 198 – Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
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Kids all over America want Silver Shamrock masks for Halloween. Doctor Daniel Challis seeks to uncover a plot by Silver Shamrock owner Conal Cochran.
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Halloween III: Season of the Witch is Crystal’s pick and it has always been her favorite of all of the followups to the original Halloween (1978) and loves it just as much today as the first time she saw it. Those who know Crystal know she has a thing for androids and that goes for Tom Atkins and Dan O’Herlihy as well. Chad is really into this “no Michael Myers” concept of Halloween III and an anthology-like series of Halloween movies. He loved H3 the first time he saw it and he loves it still. For Bill, there’s a huge dropoff in the sequels to Halloween (1978). As for H3, he had to get over the “no Michael Myers” hump, and even though the story makes no sense, he now enjoys it more each time he sees it. H3’s 14-time repetition of its famous jingle annoyed Jeff to no end when he first saw the movie. But like Bill, he now enjoys the film and even the jingle.
Halloween III: Season of the Witch gets a universal thumbs-up from your 1980s Grue-Crew! If you haven’t seen it for a while, or if it previously left a bad taste in your mouth, it might be time to check it out again. After all, it’s only 280 days to Halloween, Halloween, Halloween…
At the time of this writing, Halloween III: Season of the Witch is available for streaming on multiple PPV services and on physical media as a 4K UHD Collector’s Edition from Shout! Factory.
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 Chad, will be From Beyond (1986). Lovecraft, Gordon, Crampton, and Combs for episode 199!
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
“All we need is a little order around here.” And Jerry Blake is just the guy to make that happen! Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr along with Vanessa Thompson - as they revel in Terry O’Quinn’s stellar performance in The Stepfather (1987).
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 197 – The Stepfather (1987)
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After murdering his entire family, a man marries a widow with a teenage daughter in another town and prepares to do it all over again.
The Stepfather is Bill’s pick and he is still super impressed by Terry O’Quinn’s performance in the title role, a character who is one step ahead of every other character in the film. What makes it even more chilling for Bill is that the story could really happen and indeed, it did. Chad is also wowed by O’Quinn’s performance which includes everything from subtle touches to all-out, over-the-top insanity. Crystal wasn’t available for this episode but Decades of Horror 1980s alumnus, Vanessa, stepped up to participate. She loves the opening scene and recognizes O’Quinn’s fantastic, unhinged performance as the driving force in The Stepfather, a film that is very uncomfortable to watch and puts the viewer on edge in a subtle way. Much to Jeff’s liking, The Stepfather puts its big reveal in the opening scene, leaving the audience in suspense while the other characters are unsuspecting of the potential violence and evil they are facing. Of course, he, too, loves the nuances and outright insanity of O’Quinn’s performance.
The Decades of Horror 1980s Grue-Crew are universally impressed with The Stepfather and highly recommend a watch, whether for the first time or a rewatch. As of this writing, The Stepfather is available for streaming from Shudder, Kanopy, and Peacock as well as other streaming services, and on physical media as a Blu-ray from Shout! Factory.
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 Crystal, will be Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982).
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
“I think this place is possessed by demonic demons.” “Your head's going to be possessed by the butt of this gun if you don't shut up.” Sounds like a typical conversation while hunting demonic scarecrows in the dark. Join your faithful Grue-Crew – Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr – as they check out Scarecrows (1988), a movie that saw a limited theatrical release in one theater… in Des Moines, Iowa.
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 196 – Scarecrows (1988)
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Criminals hijack a plane and force the pilot and his daughter to fly them to Mexico. However, an unexpected landing finds them in a cemetery inhabited by killer scarecrows.
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Scarecrows is Jeff’s pick. He just couldn’t resist a movie released only in Des Moines and, as it turns out, he kind of likes it, especially the effects and the nighttime camera work. It’s better than Bill thought it was going to be even though there’s no real explanation for the supernatural occurrences except… occult! He describes Scarecrows as fairly well made and technically sound with good effects work. Chad, too, is pleasantly surprised with Scarecrows. He felt like he was transported back to a theater in the 80s watching a cheesy movie with outstanding makeup effects.
If you’re up for a trip out to the country for an encounter with a supernatural pickup and possessed scarecrows, as of this writing, Scarecrows is available to stream on Amazon Prime. Unfortunately, the 2015 Shout Factory Blu-ray is out-of-print.
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 Bill, will be The Stepfather (1987) starring Terry O’Quinn. Nothing says psychotic family member like the holidays.
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
“Now let me get this straight. You're telling me that these, these things are inside the Golden Gate Bridge, one. Two, that they only come out at night. And three, that they're responsible for the death of fifteen or more kids and three of my police officers? [breaks down laughing]” What’s so hard to believe about that? It is 80s horror, you know. Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they journey to the Golden Gate Bridge to battle monsters who are inexplicably known as Neon Maniacs (1986).
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 195 – Neon Maniacs (1986)
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A group of teenagers in San Francisco discovers a nest of homicidal monsters living in a tower of the Golden Gate Bridge, but when they try to tell authorities, no one believes them.
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Neon Maniacs is Chad’s pick and he thinks it’s pretty cool. He loves the randomness of the story and let making sense be damned. Where do they come from? Why do monsters who can be destroyed by water live underneath a bridge? No one knows. Crystal loves Neon Maniacs, especially the music and the battle-of-the-bands sequence. Calling the story nearly nonexistent, she still thinks it’s awesome. Bill likens monsters vulnerable to water living under a bridge to vampires hiding in a garlic factory over a silver mine where they make crucifixes. According to Bill, Neon Maniacs is typical 80s horror with an ending that seems to be building up to something and then… fade to black and go home. Though the story is filled with huge holes and the police are more clueless than usual, Jeff had fun with Neon Maniacs, watching it with a big smile on his face.
Though Neon Maniacs is not a good movie by any measure, it is a fun watch. If you choose to do so, it is currently available to stream on Tubi and on YouTube, and on Blu-ray as Spanish or German imports.
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 Scarecrows (1988), mostly because its one-theater theatrical release was in Des Moines, Iowa.
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
“Oh, good! So you've taken to our local specialty. Pickled earthworms in aspic is not to everyone's taste, I can tell you.” By the way, aspic is a savory jelly made with meat stock, set in a mold, and used to contain pieces of meat, seafood, eggs, or, apparently, earthworms. Sound better now? Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they take a trip into the bizarre world of Ken Russell’s The Lair of the White Worm (1988).
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 194 – The Lair of the White Worm (1988)
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When an archaeologist uncovers a strange skull in a foreign land, the residents of a nearby town begin to disappear, leading to further inexplicable occurrences.
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The Lair of the White Worm is Crystal’s pick, but alas, she was unavailable and we had to go ahead without her. Chad’s first impression is along the lines of, “It’s a Ken Russell movie alright.” It starts with finding a skull in the field and just keeps getting weirder and weirder and more phallic and weirder and more phallic and... Bill is a big fan of Russell’s Altered States (1980) and loves this weird, 1980s slice of Ken Russell with its neat, little take on the legend of the Lampton Worm (D’Ampton Worm, get it?). In his view, the best thing about The Lair of the White Worm is Amanda Donahoe. Sammi Davis’s performance was an unexpected treat for Jeff and he loved the commonsense approach to fighting the “snake people.” Rather than a high priest reading an incantation from a volume of forgotten lore, the film’s heroes resort to snake-charming with a bagpipe, followed by releasing a mongoose and throwing a hand grenade, both having been hidden in Angus’s (Peter Capaldi) sporran.
If you’re in the mood for some Ken Russell bizarre hallucinations/dream sequences, gratuitous nudity, and what-the-f***ery, The Lair of the White Worm should be just the ticket. At the time of this writing, The Lair of the White Worm is available to stream on Amazon Prime and a variety of other free-with-ads or PPV services, as well as on physical media as a Blu-ray from Vestron Video and Lionsgate.
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 Chad, will be Neon Maniacs (1986). Here on Decades of Horror 1980s, we do love films with “maniac” in the title.
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
“Wakey, wakey. Hands off snakey!” Wait, what? Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they take a trip down under for Razorback (1984), some genuine, original, Ozploitation.
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 193 – Razorback (1984)
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As a vicious wild boar terrorizes the Australian outback, the husband of one of the victims is joined by a hunter and a farmer in a search for the beast.
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Razorback is Bill’s pick and he thinks it might have been the first VHS he rented after he got a player. He was expecting a giant pig running around killing people but what he got was a movie directed by a guy who directed all his favorite music videos. It’s very stylistic, beautiful, desolate, scary, and weird, and he likes it! Crystal didn’t know what to expect but she really enjoys Razorback. The performances are wonderful and she likes the clever way the boar sequences are edited as well as the amazing fog machine! Or was it fifty fog machines? Chad also rented Razorback and the style really grabbed him. It was apparent to him that Russell Mulcahy had done a lot of music videos. There was no reason for all the backlighting and fog but it looked cool as hell. Jeff absolutely loves Razorback, calling it a visual feast and a lot of fun.
Razorback is a must-see in the canon of Ozploitation films. At the time of this writing, it is available to rent from several streaming services and on physical media as a Blu-ray from Umbrella Entertainment.
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 Crystal, will be Ken Russell’s The Lair of the White Worm (1988), starring Amanda Donohoe and Hugh Grant. Mm-mmm.
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
Hank: “Look at that hair.” Frank: “You look at the hair.” Hank: “I'm looking at the hair.” Frank: “Yeah, I'm not looking at the hair.” Hank: “She got pretty hair.” Frank: “Mm-hmm.” Would you trust Hank and Frank to protect the citizenry from the children turning everyone into crispy critters? Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they take a look at a Grue-Believer recommendation, The Children (1980).
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 192 – The Children (1980)
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A nuclear-plant leak turns a bus-load of children into murderous atomic zombies with black fingernails.
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The Children is Jeff’s pick, based on a viewer/listener’s recommendation that the Grue-Crew finally found online. This one had one of Jeff’s phobias from way back (the “what if you weren’t you” trope) which always gives him the heebie-jeebies and to top it off, kid killers, kids killed, and monster kid dismemberment. Chad had a tough time getting into it. He thought The Children had a good concept but didn’t have the budget to see it through. Right off the bat, Crystal knew The Children was going to get weird because it doesn’t make any sense. Even so, she did enjoy parts of it. Bill likes The Children for what it is and suggests it would make a great, weird-kids, 1980s double feature with The Pit (1981).
This one’s for you, Evil! Though not the best film, the 80s Grue-Crew can see how The Children could definitely freak out someone who saw it when they were a kid and it’s worth a watch. At this writing, The Children is available to stream on YouTube and some PPV services and is also available as a Blu-ray from Troma
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 Bill, will be Razorback (1984). Are you ready for some Ozploitation?
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
"He was here before Christ, before civilization. He was king here! Rawhead, that's what they called him! RAWHEAD!" Okay, okay. Call him Rawhead, already. Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they visit rural Ireland with Clive Barker’s Rawhead Rex (1986) on episode 191 (even though Jeff calls it episode 190).
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 191 – Rawhead Rex (1986)
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An ancient creature called Rawhead is awakened from its slumber near an Irish village and goes on a rampage killing anyone in sight.
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Chad, like most of us, is a big fan of Clive Barker’s work and Rawhead Rex is his pick. As is often the case, the movie varies from the story even though Clive Barker wrote the screenplay. Chad admits it’s not very good but he still has fun with it because it brings back memories of having fun going to monster movies with his buddies. Crystal, also a Clive Barker fan, loves the movie but thinks it would be even better if it had a more of a Barker feel to it. She does love the monster and its glowing eyes. Rawhead Rex doesn’t feel like Clive Barker according to Bill and though he loves the original story, he hates the movie. And don’t get him started on what he calls the big goofy monster and the limited movement of its mouth. For Jeff, Clive Barker’s prose has a definite feel and tone which is missing in Rawhead Rex. On the plus side, he enjoyed Ronan Wilmott’s over-the-top performance as the church’s verger and Rawhead’s disciple.
If you’re a Clive Barker completist or just love 1980s monster movies, Rawhead Rex is currently available to stream on Shudder, AMC+, Spectrum, and Arrow subscription services as well as on a Limited Edition Steelbook Blu-ray from Kino Lorber.
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 The Children (1980). You won’t want to miss that one!
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
"I can't exist by myself because I'm afraid of myself, ...because I'm the maker of my own evil." This quote is a pretty good metaphor for the theme of this movie… maybe? Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they relish Metrograph’s brand new 4K restoration of Possession (1981), Andrzej Zulawski’s brilliant and demented film.
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 190 – Possession (1981)
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A woman starts exhibiting increasingly disturbing behavior after asking her husband for a divorce. Suspicions of infidelity soon give way to something much more sinister.
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Chad first saw this film at a drive-in theater when he was a teen and thought it was incredibly boring. This time around, he found the relationship split brought to life to be incredibly intense with the camera work adding to the claustrophobic feel. Crystal loved it as well, calling Possession brilliance wrapped in a madness spiral with an amazing monster. Generally, Bill is not a fan of “artsy-fartsy European” movies, but he agrees with Crystal that Possession is a masterpiece even though he is not sure if he understands it or if he is supposed to understand it. He calls Isabelle Adjani’s performance in this strange, well-directed, beautiful film to be one of the bravest he has seen. Jeff loves this film and is extremely excited to have the chance to cover it. He is delighted with the new 4K restoration from Metrograph which is far superior to the Blu-ray release in his collection.
If you’re interested in checking out this incredible 4K restoration of Possession, and you should be, it opens theatrically and digitally exclusively at the Metrograph October 1-14 and in theaters nationwide on October 15.
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 Chad, and will be Rawhead Rex (1986). Really! They’re not kidding this time. You won’t want to miss that one!
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
NOTE: The images below are from prior releases and not from the new 4K restoration.
"Smokes. Smokes, I got joints and bags. Nickel and dime bags. Gold Colombia smoke. I got acid, blotters, rainbows, windowpanes, speed, downs …” This goes on at some length so you’ll just have to check out the podcast to hear Chad do the whole spiel. Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they play a-tisket, a-tasket with Frank Henenlotter’s Basket Case (1982).
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 189 – Basket Case (1982)
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A solitary and strange preteen boy wreaks revenge on his harassers when he makes a disturbing discovery in the depth of a forest.
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Crystal is a big Frank Henenlotter fan so it’s no surprise that Basket Case is her pick and she still loves it, calling it super weird and super messed up. She also recommends the Joe Bob Briggs treatment, currently available on Shudder. Chad rented Basket Case as a VHS tape and he fell in love with it. He appreciates the way Henenlotter brings the oddest concepts to life and is able to mix just the right amount of comedy with horror. Back in the day, Bill used to hang out in Glens Falls, NY, one of the filming locations for Basket Case. Not surprisingly, the scene depicting “the boys” aunt reading to them while they sit in her lap always gets to him. Jeff is most impressed by the special effects found in Basket Case and all for a budget of $35,000.
Basket Case is currently available to stream on Shudder on a Blu-ray disc form Arrow Video.
Every two weeks, Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1980s podcast will cover another horror film from the 1980s. The next episode’s film will be a special treat! Gruesome Magazine and the Decades of Horror 1980s Grue Crew have been given advanced access to a new 4K restoration of Andrzej Żuławski's POSSESSION (1981) starring Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill. This new restoration of the film opens theatrically and digitally exclusively at Metrograph October 1 and in theaters nationwide October 15. You won’t want to miss that one!
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
"Do you like washing me?" Knowing this is a 12-year-old boy talking to his adult babysitter definitely ramps of the cringe quotient. Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they brave the cringe found in The Pit(1981).
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 188 – The Pit (1981)
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A solitary and strange preteen boy wreaks revenge on his harassers when he makes a disturbing discovery in the depth of a forest.
IMDb
The Pit is Bill’s pick and he describes it as a fascinating mess of a movie that epitomizes that certain something indicative of low-budget, Canadian horror movies of the time. Crystal loves The Pit because it is so cringy and gross, adding that the hypersexual kid is disgusting yet compelling. The Pit would’ve been loved by 15-year-old Chad but it is a tough watch for him now, especially with the annoying kid as the main character. Jeff agrees that The Pit is a bit of a mess and doesn’t seem to know what it wants to be, citing how the music often doesn’t fit the scene.
If you’re a fan of low-budget 80s trash, check out The Pit. As of this writing, The Pit is available for streaming on Shudder and on physical media as a Blu-ray disc from KL Studio Classics.
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 Crystal, will be Basket Case (1982). You won’t want to miss that one!
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
"Do it now, or your punishment shall be a thousand deaths, each more horrible than the last!" Seems like once would be enough. Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they walk behind the rows in search of “He Who” in Stephen King’s Children of the Corn (1984).
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 187 – Children of the Corn (1984)
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A young couple is trapped in a remote town where a dangerous religious cult of children believes that everyone over age 18 must be killed.
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Jeff picked Children of the Corn thinking he might have missed something in his original viewing, which was not favorable. He is, however, disappointed to find his assessment hasn’t changed. He calls Isaac (John Franklin) and Malachi (Courtney Gains) the best things about the film but laments the filmmakers didn’t stick with the original script or something closer to King’s short story. Crystal saw Children of the Corn when she was a little kid, probably too little she admits, and she loved the idea of kids ruling the world. She still loves the film but goes so far as to say it does suffer a bit now. Hating it then and still not thinking too much of it, Chad felt cheated by the ending. He did find the character of Isaac mesmerizing but he still doesn’t understand why Children of the Corn is sometimes referred to as a classic. Bill loves King’s original story and is irritated with the film when almost immediately he realizes it doesn’t follow the story’s plot. He likes the film's title, the poster, and the great folk horror mythology of “He Who Walks Behind The Rows,” but, in his view, the filmmakers made too many bad choices.
If you are so inclined, Children of the Corn is currently available for streaming on Hulu and Amazon Prime and on physical media as a Special Edition Blu-ray from Arrow Video.
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 Bill, will be The Pit (1981).. You won’t want to miss that one!
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
"I hate 'em when they ain't been shaved." Take that however you want. Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they check out Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow’s Near Dark (1987), a western-tinged vampire film starring Bill Paxton and Lance Henrickson.
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 186 – Near Dark (1987)
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A small-town farmer's son reluctantly joins a traveling group of vampires after he is bitten by a beautiful drifter.
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Near Dark is Chad’s pick and he loves the dirty, gritty, and nasty version of vampires depicted in this modernized western, calling it one of his favorite vampire movies. Tangerine Dream’s soundtrack is also a big plus in Chad’s book. Crystal loves a good vampire movie and ranks Near Dark alongside Fright Night (1985) and The Lost Boys (1987). For her, Bill Paxton’s performance is a big part of what makes this movie so good and, of course, Adrian Pasdar’s presence in the cast doesn’t hurt either. Bill loves how Near Dark nails the kind of miserable, addictive, grimy existence vampires would have instead of glorifying them. He also thinks the film is perfectly cast, especially the Aliens (1986) alumni. Jeff also loves Bill Paxton’s performance and points out this is the last film produced by DEG before it went bankrupt, severely hampering the film’s marketing.
The 80s Grue-Crew also recommends the first Decades of Horror 1980s podcast on Near Dark, recorded live from DragonCon 2017 and featuring Thomas Mariani, Christopher G. Moore, Doc Rotten, Bill Mulligan, and special guest C. Robert Cargill. You can check it out at Decades of Horror 1980s Episode 116.
If you haven’t seen it for a while or maybe if it just slipped through the cracks for you, Near Dark is currently streaming on Shudder. Check it out!
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 Children of the Corn (1984). You won’t want to miss that one!
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
"Now what are you dirty hooers doing on my planet?" Hooers. That’s Kiwi for the world’s oldest profession if you know what we mean and we think you do. Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they check out the wonder that is Peter Jackson’s first film, Bad Taste (1987).
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 185 – Bad Taste (1987)
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The population of a small town disappears and is replaced by aliens that chase human flesh for their intergalactic fast-food chain.
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Bad Taste is Crystal’s pick and for her, it starts off a little slow, but she loves how it ramps up and thinks it is hilarious. She also loves the aliens, commenting, “I love their butts.” Bad Taste has the feeling of a bunch of friends who got together to make a movie and in that way, reminds Bill of Equinox (1970). He’s amazed at how ambitious the filmmakers were and how impressive the special effects are, especially on its low budget. Chad tells how he used to remove the 2nd-finger-sticker from the box art and give it a strategic placement on other VHS boxes. He calls Bad Taste a great combination of gore, splatter, comedy, and absurd scenarios but he still wishes there were more exploding sheep. Jeff is flabbergasted and flummoxed that Jackson et al stuck with it for four years, calling Bad Taste amazing, amazing, amazing!
As of this writing, Bad Taste is available VOD and as a Blu-ray (Region A/B/C) import from Spain.
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 Chad, will be Oscar-winner Kathryn Bigelow’s first film, Near Dark (1987). You won’t want to miss that one!
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
"Cats take orders from no one." No comment. Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they try to figure out exactly what’s up with the cat in Lucio Fulci’s version of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Black Cat (1981).
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 184 – The Black Cat (1981)
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A professor with the psychic ability to communicate with the dead uses his powers on his pet cat in order to take vengeance upon his enemies.
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The Black Cat is Bill’s pick and he admits to being pleasantly surprised. Even so, he points out the film does come amidst some of Fulci’s best work. Chad really enjoyed The Black Cat, identifying the story and Patrick Magee’s performance as high points. It seemed a little rough at first to Crystal, but The Black Cat did grow on her. She identifies the story as being better than those in many of Fulci’s films and you have to love Patrick Magee and, of course, the cat. Not quite as gruesome as many of Fulci’s films, Jeff wonders why The Black Cat’s most graphic shot is scaled back in the film as opposed to what’s shown in the trailer. The exact nature of the cat is left open to interpretation but the crew tries to nail it down anyway.
As of this writing, The Black Cat is available to stream VOD and on physical media as a Blu-ray disc from Arrow Video.
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 Crystal, will be Peter Jackson’s first film, Bad Taste (1987). You won’t want to miss that one!
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
"Official? Who do you think you are? The only thing official you've ever done is lick stamps! Now get off my place!" That should get rid of Otis P. Hazelrigg, right? Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they watch a misguided band of vigilantes get their just deserts in Frank De Felitta’s Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981).
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 183 – Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981)
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In a small Southern town, a wrongfully killed man exacts revenge from beyond the grave on those who murdered him.
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Jeff originally chose The Nest (1987) for this episode but it was not to be. Instead, based on recommendations from several Grue-Believers, he opted for Dark Night of the Scarecrow, a Halloween TV movie directed by Frank De Felitta. Unfortunately, Crystal did not get the message about the movie switch because Jeff neglected to correct the Grue-Crew’s calendar. Doh! Even so, she contributes with questions about Dark Night of the Scarecrow’s story and comments on the excellent cast in this film.
The music is perfect, according to Jeff, and though there isn’t much for onscreen gore, the implied violence in Dark Night of the Scarecrow is chilling. In fact, he watched the film three times and liked it better each time. Bill instantly got into it, calling it his favorite horror-related TV-movie (after The Nightstalker (1972), of course), and he crows about the beautiful print resulting from the restoration for the Blu-ray edition. Dark Night of the Scarecrow is a happy surprise for Bill and he highly recommends it. The only one of the Grue-Crew who saw Dark Night of the Scarecrow when it first ran on TV is Chad and he compares it to an extended episode of Tales from the Crypt (1989-1996). This time around, he reveled in the darker undertones he didn’t pick up as a kid and loves the ambiguous conclusion. Chad, Bill, and Jeff all loved the direct cut from the woodchipper to Large Marge (actually Alice Nunn as Mrs. Bunch) dropping a large dollop of red jam onto a white plate.
Your Decades of Horror 1970s Grue-Crew highly recommends Dark Night of the Scarecrow. The film is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime and on physical media as a Blu-ray from VCI Video.
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 Bill will be Lucio Fulci’s The Black Cat (1981). You won’t want to miss that one!
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the Gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
"It all started during a campfire at North Sea Cottages, a special retreat for gifted children..." “Special,” as in, “you may never come back?” Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they check out the lesser-known, low-budget slasher, Madman (1981).
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 182 – Madman (1981)
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A legendary psychopathic murderer stalks a summer camp.
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Madman is Chad’s pick even though he admits to not being much of a slasher fan. The character of Madman Marz and his backstory appealed to him, however, along with all the good killing going on. This time around, he also realized Galen Ross, the female lead, has a lead role in Dawn of the Dead (1978). Bill’s not much of a slasher fan either and fails to see the appeal of Madman, calling it a bit generic. Though they are similar in their basic plots, he much prefers The Burning (1981) over Madman. On the other hand, Jeff prefers Madman to The Burning. For him, the action Madman starts off more quickly and is more evenly paced. The music is the rub for Crystal, who labels it among the worst music she’s heard in movies, almost to the point of being infuriating. On the plus side, she loves the non-sex, hot tub sex scene, describing it as hilarious.
None of the Decades of Horror Grue-Crew call Madman a great or even a good movie, but it can be a fun movie, and Madman Marz is something else.
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 The Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981). You won’t want to miss that one!
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
"Our interest lies in finding that damned book, and thwarting a vile beast of a man who shall not rest until God himself is thrown down, and all of creation becomes Satan's black hell-besmeared farting hole!" Okay, but only if it’s hell-besmeared. Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they learn the ins and outs of life as a witch-hunter in Warlock (1989).
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 181 – Warlock (1981)
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A warlock flees from the 17th to the 20th century, with a witch-hunter in hot pursuit.
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Crystal likes Julian Sands almost as much as she likes a good fog machine, so it came as no surprise that her pick for this episode is Warlock. She also likes the different take that comes from featuring a warlock rather than a witch and still enjoys the film, despite the poor aging makeup effects on Lori Singer’s character. Bill points out that the weak aging effects are not the fault of the makeup effects artists and are the result of the actor’s choice. He also admits he expected a late 80s cheese-fest and his expectations are fulfilled by the cheesy visual special effects necessitated by the budget restrictions. Chad likes Warlock, especially Richard Grant’s and Julian Sands’ performances, but thinks it could be a lot better with a little more money. Jeff liked Warlock when he saw it back in the day and still does, but agrees with the rest of the Grue-Crew that the animated effects are a bit on the cheesy side.
Despite being dated, in particular in terms of animated effects, your Decades of Horror 1970s Grue-Crew is glad to have covered Warlock. Currently, Warlock is available VOD and on Blu-ray as part of the Warlock 1-3 Collection from Lionsgate.
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 Chad will be Madman (1981). You won’t want to miss that one!
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
"They're men turned inside out! And worse... they're still alive!" Wow! Yeah, that might be worse. Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they unsuccessfully search for the men turned inside out, living or dead, in Sergio Martini’s Screamers(1981).
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 180 – Screamers (1981)
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After their prison ship sinks in the Caribbean, a group of prisoners and a doctor wash ashore on a seemingly deserted island. They soon discover a strange couple, who invite them to stay at their house. While the prisoners try to plan an escape, the doctor does some investigating, and soon finds out just what the pair are really doing, and why the prisoners keep disappearing mysteriously.
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Screamers (aka The Island of the Fishmen, aka L'isola degli uomini pesce, aka Something Waits in the Dark) is Bill’s pick and he is surprised by how much he likes it. He describes it as a Jules Verne/Edgar Rice Burroughs, old-fashioned adventure with some wildly inappropriate gore tacked onto the beginning. Chad’s also a sucker for adventure-type stories and likens Screamers to Doc Savage with monsters or maybe Dr. Moreau meets the Creature. Either way, he calls it a fun watch. Screamers had Crystal at “fog machines,” but she is also impressed with the sets. Like Bill, she likes it a lot more than she thought she would. Jeff favors the original, Italian version but loves the effects in the footage shot for the U.S. release. And the Fishmen are way cool, so say they all.
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 Crystal, will be Warlock (1989) with Julian Sands, Lori Singer, and Richard E. Grant. And Julian Sands is almost on par with a good fog machine. You won’t want to miss that one!
Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com
"My mama likes the yams." Does that sound like good small talk for a first date? Well, it did to Stanley. Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they dig a little deeper into Stanley’s story as well as the other stories found in this lesser-known portmanteau featuring Vincent Price in the framing story, From a Whisper to a Scream (1987).
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 179 – From a Whisper to a Scream (1987)
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In the small Tennessee town of Oldfield, a historian, who is also the uncle of an executed murderess, relates four horror stories to a reporter: “Stanley” - an elderly man pursues a romance with a younger woman, even to the grave and beyond; “On the Run” - a wounded man on the run from creditors is rescued by a backwoods hermit with the secret to eternal life; "Lovecraft's Traveling Amusements" - a glass-eating carny pays the ultimate price for looking for love on the outside; "Four Soldiers" - Civil War soldiers are held captive by a household of orphans with strange intentions for them.
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From a Whisper to a Scream is a dark and twisty anthology featuring Vincent Price in the framing story, supported by recognizable faces leading each of the four segments. Bill first knew of this film as The Offspring, and remarks that it’s an unusually mean-spirited anthology with a helluva cast. He’s also impressed that director Jeff Burr is able to land Vincent Price as the film’s centerpiece, even though it is Burr’s first directorial effort. Crystal enjoyed From a Whisper to a Scream, adding that it pushes boundaries and agreeing with Bill that it’s pretty hardcore in terms of punishment. “What other movie gives you incest, necrophilia, a zombie baby, and child murder?” asks Chad. Along with the nice twists that end each segment, he loves Vincent Price’s Tennessee accent and calls From a Whisper to a Scream a fun, fun movie. Jeff picked the movie after watching Severin’s new Tales of the Uncanny documentary about anthology horror films. For him, From a Whisper to a Scream had the feel of Night Gallery episodes but with far more graphic violence and endings that go one, or even two, steps further than what are found in the 1970s TV series.
The Decades of Horror 1980s Grue-Crew all enjoyed the grizzly nature and twist endings of From a Whisper to a Scream. At the time of this writing, the film can be streamed on Amazon Prime, but unfortunately, the Scream Factory Blu-ray is currently out-of-print.
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 Bill, will be Screamers (1981), a US version of Sergio Martino’s Island of the Fishmen (1979). You won’t want to miss that one!