Scream Scene Podcast

Roger Corman partners with Edward Small for TOWER OF LONDON (1962), starring Vincent Price and Michael Pate! In this blend of Shakespeare's Richard the Third, Macbeth, and Hamlet, Corman challenges the historical record and makes Richard III a "Vincent Price wife guy," but does it succeed as a horror movie? Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 38:51; Discussion 45:57; Ranking 1:06:08

Your deadicated hosts encounter a film that appears to be a connecting dot for horror on the road to Romero and Lynch; it's CARNIVAL OF SOULS (1962) from director Herk Harvey, starring Candace Hilligoss! Listen to learn how this cult classic fits within the evolution of horror, and marks a shift toward the rising undead... Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 38:37; Discussion 53:32; Ranking 1:26:39

What do you get when you cross Gothic horror, witchcraft, and sci fi mad science? You get EL ESPEJO DE LA BRUJA (1962) aka THE WITCH'S MIRROR, from director Chano Urueta! The film stars Isabela Corona, Armando Calvo, and Rosita Arenas in this mish-mash hodge-podge of a horror movie. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 10:29; Discussion 21:12; Ranking 34:56

Your deadicated hosts enjoy this feature reel of Vincent Price in TALES OF TERROR (1962), a horror anthology from Roger Corman! Unfortunately, writer Richard Matheson stumbles in adapting Edgar Allan Poe's short stories "Morella," "The Black Cat," "The Cask of Amontillado," and "The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar." But does that matter when Price, Peter Lorre, and Basil Rathbone get to come together? Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 45:15; Discussion 59:17; Ranking 1:21:46

Have you ever wondered how Italian horror goes from black and white vampire flicks, to the colour-drenched mansion of SUSPIRIA? Director Riccardo Freda shows us the way with L'ORRIBILE SEGRETO DEL DR. HICHCOCK aka THE HORRIBLE DR HICHCOCK (1962)! This colourful Gothic movie includes a haunting, poisoning, and... necrophilia? Yep, it has everything! The film stars Barbara Steele and Robert Flemyng, and has no relation to Alfred Hitchcock. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 18:29; Discussion 28:11; Ranking 48:59

Hammer Horror and Terence Fisher tackle THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1962), but what they deliver is a simplified adaptation, a sympathetic Phantom, and a Joan of Arc opera. At least stars Michael Gough, Edward de Souza, and Herbert Lom seem to be having a good time! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 42:23; Discussion 55:34; Ranking 1:24:55

Just what the heck is Gregory Peck doing in a horror movie?! We dive in to 1962's CAPE FEAR, directed by J Lee Thompson, and starring Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum. Plus, we learn about the bet that led to the creation of the original novel, THE EXECUTIONERS, from author John D MacDonald. Please note this episode has a trigger warning for sexual assault and domestic violence, given the content of the book and movie. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 50:27; Discussion 1:06:07; Ranking 1:30:28

The behind-the-scenes story of this movie led us to believe it would be a disaster, but THE CABINET OF CALIGARI (1962) surprises your deadicated hosts! Directed by Roger Kay, written by Robert Bloch of PSYCHO fame, and starring Glynis Johns and Dan O'Herlihy, this remake of THE CABINET OF DR CALIGARI faces the catch-22 of balancing name recognition while hiding the twist until the end. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 35:27; Discussion 48:05; Ranking 1:22:50

We encounter the infamous schlock film THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE (1962) directed by Joseph Green and starring Virginia Leith and Jason Evers! But what we uncover is a seesaw of excitedly pushing boundaries and falling flat on its disembodied face. That being said, we appreciated watching a movie that had an actual theme: bodily autonomy and consent. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 15:35; Discussion 27:30; Ranking 52:13

What happens when faced with the question of whether you earned your position based on your own merits, or solely thanks to your wife being a... *checks notes* a witch?! Your deadicated hosts dive into NIGHT OF THE EAGLE (1962, Hayers), starring the enigmatic Peter Wyngarde, Janet Blair and Margaret Johnston! This movie, also known as BURN, WITCH, BURN! for it's American release, adapts the famous novel CONJURE WIFE by Fritz Leiber. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 48:45; Discussion 1:03:32; Ranking 1:30:16

Happy new year! We ring in 2026 with 1962's HANDS OF A STRANGER, written, produced and directed by Newt Arnold! This unofficial Hands of Orlac adaptation turns the emotions to 11 for its cast to chew the scenery like you've never seen. Starring Paul Lukather, Joan Harvey and James Stapleton. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 26:36; Discussion 41:20; Ranking 1:02:53

We're excited to make our way to Egypt for the country's first horror film! It's AL QASR AL MAL'OUN aka THE CURSED PALACE from 1962 and director Hassan Reda! This old dark house flick brings together horror and giallo tropes into a unique, though a little old fashioned, story. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 37:50; Discussion 49:08; Ranking 58:53

Sometimes you come across a movie that's just a little unfortunate. Maybe it needed another rewrite. Maybe it needed a more experienced director. In any case, our monster here is... just a guy with a skin condition... It's HAND OF DEATH (1962, Nelson) starring John Agar as our guy! ...at least the music by Sonny Burke is good? Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 26:05; Discussion 35:46; Discussion 49:07

Ahh yes, the classic question: Horror or thriller? We ask this as we watch THE COUCH (1962) from director Owen Crump! The film stars Grant Williams, Shirley Knight, and Onslow Stevens, with a screenplay by PSYCHO author Robert Bloch. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 14:54; Discussion 23:19; Ranking 50:09

Your hosts travel to Spain for the first Spanish horror film! GRITOS EN LA NOCHE aka SCREAMS IN THE NIGHT aka L'HORRIBLE DOCTEUR ORLOFF aka THE AWFUL DR. ORLOFF comes from Spanish director Jesús Franco as he maps his DARK EYES OF LONDON fanfic on to an EYES WITHOUT A FACE rip-off. But how does he balance delivering exposition versus exploitation through the female form? Well, just make different edits of the movie! We also give context on Francoist Spain and why we're only seeing a Spanish horror movie in the 1960s. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 57:20; Discussion 1:12:08; Ranking 1:29:33

Look, it's not that we don't like Ray Milland. He's just a little... milquetoast? That being said, your deadicated hosts did enjoy him in Roger Corman's THE PREMATURE BURIAL (1962)! In this week's episode, we talk about Edgar Allan Poe's short story, the fear of being buried alive, and the pettiness of American International Pictures when dealing with Roger Corman. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 29:42; Discussion 43:50; Ranking 1:00:02

From b-movie writer/director Roberto Mauri comes LA STRAGE DEI VAMPIRI (1962), aka Slaughter of the Vampires, aka Curse of the Blood Ghouls! This Italian horror borrows much from Dracula, but still manages to show off aesthetically -- in both cinematography and its female stars. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 8:24; Discussion 16:52; Ranking 33:39

Larry "schlockmeister" Buchanan directs, writes and edits THE NAKED WITCH (1961)! Your deadicated hosts aren't sure what to make of this exploitation flick, but they can at least agree it's an interesting artifact of early American folk horror! The film stars Libby Hall, Robert Short and Jo Maryman. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 18:14; Discussion 28:35; Ranking 46:28

The 1960s saw a range of different anxieties, from nuclear annihilation to the terror of teen street gangs. This week, we watch a film that brings these anxieties together in THE DAMNED (1961, Losey)! Adapted from H.L. Lawrence's novel THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT (1960), Hammer Horror tries to make their own VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED, unfortunately while relying on a director and writer more interested in philosophical ideas... Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 39:17; Discussion 1:02:08; Ranking 1:29:17

This week, your deadicated hosts cover the classic Gothic novel Henry James' THE TURN OF THE SCREW, and its film adaptation THE INNOCENTS (1961)! We discuss director Jack Clayton, the incredible cinematography from Freddie Francis, and how to turn a vague novel into a cohesive film. The film stars Deborah Kerr, Peter Wyngarde, Megs Jenkins, Michael Redgrave, Pamela Franklin and Martin Stephens. It's a biggie of an episode! Will your hosts reveal themselves as apparitionists or non-apparitionists? The one thing we definitely agree on: Miss Giddens is not okay! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 1:10:12; Discussion 1:27:04; Ranking 2:12:50

Is it horror? Thriller? Film noir, or maybe giallo? We discuss the intricacies of LYCANTHROPUS (1961) aka WEREWOLF IN A GIRLS' DORMITORY from director Paolo Heusch! At the very least, we have a werewolf mystery on our hands... Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 13:34; Discussion 24:31; Ranking 36:59

From director Tai Kato before his career of yakuza films comes 1961's KAIDAN OIWA NO BOREI, the latest adaptation of YOTSUYA KAIDAN! Starring Tomisaburō Wakayama as Iemon, Yoshiko Fujishiro as Oiwa, Hiroko Sakuramachi as Osode, and introducing Jūshirō Konoe as Naosuke, is a return to a more detailed version of this ghost story conducive to horror? Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 28:02; Discussion 47:54; Ranking 1:10:00

A vampire's blood feud; a demonic cult; avant garde piano... with these ingredients we get EL MUNDO DE LOS VAMPIROS (1961) from director Alfonso Corona Blake! Which unfortunately, is just another vampire movie. The film stars Guillermo Murray, Mauricio Garcés and Erna Martha Bauman. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 10:34; Discussion 26:10; Ranking 39:40

What happens when you mix psychiatry, addiction metaphors, surrealism and electronic music? The first Canadian horror movie and full length 3D fiction film, THE MASK (1961)! The film comes from director Julian Roffman and stars Paul Stevens and Claudette Nevins. Hear about the origins of Canadian film, LSD usage in psychiatry, and more! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 54:50; Discussion 1:08:10; Ranking 1:35:44

William Castle with two wolves inside him: One wants to shock and frighten his audience, and the other wants them to have a good time. In the case of MR. SARDONICUS (1961), he struggles to accomplish either one! Despite this, there are things your deadicated hosts find to praise and discuss! Enjoy our coverage of Castle's second entry in 1961, starring Ronald Lewis, Audrey Dalton and Guy Rolfe. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 24:16; Discussion 39:16; Ranking 1:04:54

Your deadicated hosts travel to Mexico to introduce you to LA MARCA DEL MUERTO (1961, Cortés), a gothic sci-fi horror flick that stars leading man Fernando Casanova in dual roles! The film also stars Sonia Furió and features cinematography by José Ortiz Ramos. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 16:06; Discussion 24:52; Ranking 38:46

These teens are being hunted! Can they survive... the hunter's BLOODLUST?! We find out in this 1961 adaptation of Richard Connell's THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME, from writer/producer/director Ralph Brooke. The film stars Wilton Graff, Robert Reed, June Kenney and Gene Persson. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 26:40; Discussion 37:44; Ranking 49:34

Mix witches with vague voodoo and you get THE DEVIL'S HAND (1961) from director William J. Hole Jr. Starring Linda Christian, Robert Alda, Ariadna Welter and Neil Hamilton, even a competent cast can't save this picture. Yet, there might be something worthwhile pulling the film in certain directions... maybe? Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 19:30; Discussion 30:32; 52:54

Roger Corman tasks Richard Matheson with expanding Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Pit and the Pendulum" into a feature length film... do they succeed?? Vincent Price, John Kerr, Barbara Steele and Luana Anders star in PIT AND THE PENDULUM (1961, Corman)! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 31:56; Discussion 41:51; Ranking 1:13:41

Like a snake eating its own tail, William Castle presents HOMICIDAL (1961), his take on Hitchcock's PSYCHO (1960), which was Hitchcock's take on Castle's gimmick approach to horror! With twists and turns throughout the movie, your deadicated hosts do their best to avoid spoilers until the synopsis. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 21:24; Discussion 40:18; Ranking 1:40:20 And to be completely clear, trans rights are human rights!

Would you still love me if I was a mermaid? With that as the central question, your hosts tackle NIGHT TIDE (1961) from writer/director Curtis Harrington! The film takes inspiration from William Hope Hodgson and Edgar Allan Poe, and stars Dennis Hopper, Linda Lawson and Gavin Muir. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 36:30; Discussion 48:34; Ranking 1:20:26

A female-led psychological horror movie in black and white? What is this, 1940's RKO? Nope, it's the latest from Hammer Film! Director Seth Holt takes on Jimmy Sangster's gothic thriller script for TASTE OF FEAR (1961) and magic is truly made! The film stars Susan Strasberg, Ronald Lewis, Ann Todd and Christopher Lee. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 23:46; Discussion 35:54; Ranking 1:07:08

Your hosts travel to Nevada for THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS (1961), directed by Coleman Francis and starring Tor Johnson! But does this indie horror land more towards Ed Wood charm or W. Lee Wilder incompetence? While we decide, we share facts about the Nevada Test Site, nuclear experiments and John Wayne's 1956 film THE CONQUEROR. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 27:20; Discussion 35:42; Ranking 45:08

If your beloved pet cat witnessed your murder... would it take revenge on your behalf? In THE SHADOW OF THE CAT (1961), the answer is YES! This latest entry from Hammer Productions is directed by John Gilling and stars Andre Morell, Barbara Shelley, William Lucas and Bunkie as Tabitha the cat! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 10:44; Discussion 18:00; Ranking 32:40

At last, your deadicated hosts make it to the first werewolf picture in colour: it's THE CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF (1961) from Terence Fisher! Starring Oliver Reed and adapting Guy Endore's THE WEREWOLF OF PARIS (1933), how does the film's lycanthropy stack up against the tried-and-true formula in past iterations? Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 44:28; Discussion 58:14; Ranking 1:25:52

With THE SNAKE WOMAN (1961), director Sidney Furie reminds us that the past isn't always better and the content-entertainment-churning machine has been hard at work since the beginning. The film stars Susan Travers, John McCarthy and Elsie Wagstaff, and includes a surprising amount of accurate snake facts! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 11:28; Discussion 27:08; Ranking 45:02

From Canadian director Sidney J Furie comes DOCTOR BLOOD'S COFFIN (1961), a British horror film... in colour?! The film stars Kieron Moore, Hazel Court and Ian Hunter in a typical mad scientist plot with a thriller/rom-com spin. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 11:53; Discussion 24:30; Ranking 42:51

Welcome to 1961! For our first film of the year, we cover the very first zombie movie in colour... THE DEAD ONE! From writer/director Barry Mahon, this voodoo zombie movie takes place on a Louisianan plantation, but will it mine the full depth of the horror available? Edited to add: A listener let us know the original upload of this episode lost the last few minutes, so we've re-uploaded as of Dec 28! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 44:06; Discussion 51:04; Ranking 1:10:06

We fast-forward through all THE TELL-TALE HEART adaptations over the decades to find ourselves at the 1960 version from director Ernest Morris! With an expanded story, will this adaptation keep you awake at night or wither beneath the floorboards? Starring Laurence Payne, Adrienne Corri and Dermot Walsh. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 24:49; Discussion 35:32; Ranking 53:01

Your hosts take a trip back in time to 1934 for Brian Desmond Hurst's adaptation of THE TELL-TALE HEART! We give a brief biography of Edgar Allan Poe and determine how this '30s indie film fairs on The List. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 21:57; Discussion 29:24; Ranking 38:38

From director Edmond Gréville comes THE HANDS OF ORLAC (1960)! Starring Mel Ferrer, Christopher Lee, Lucile Saint-Simon and Dany Carrel, will this British and French co-production be the best adaptation of the Maurice Renard novel yet? Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 17:12; Discussion 33:57; Ranking 55:28

Happy Halloween, Creatures of the Night! Let us take you to Italy for L'ULTIMA PREDA DEL VAMPIRO aka THE PLAYGIRLS AND THE VAMPIRE (1960) from director Piero Regnoli! Is this mix of classic Universal tropes charming or old fashioned? Let's find out! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 10:24; Discussion 18:40; Ranking 26:47

A domestic horror or a gothic melodrama? Why not both! It's THE HOUSEMAID (1960, Kim) aka HANYEO, Korea's first horror movie! Dealing with social commentary about Korea's changing class and addressing women's sexual desires, this is a one-of-a-kind movie. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 38:45; Discussion 55:06; Ranking 1:21:07

And we're back! After an unexpected hiatus, we're excited to kick off our return with THE TWO FACES OF DR. JEKYLL (1960) directed by Terence Fisher and starring Paul Massie, Dawn Addams and Christopher Lee. Thank you for your patience! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 50:56; Discussion 1:05:25; Ranking 1:44:58

Director Bert I. Gordon finally makes an appearance on the podcast with TORMENTED (1960)! Taking a break from his "Thing Big" schtick, Gordon takes on a ghost story that stars Richard Carlson, Juli Reding and Susan Gordon. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 21:16; Discussion 34:28; Ranking 50:42

Let's meander down Skid Row for the horror adjacent Roger Corman flick THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1960)! Your hosts discuss this movie's placement in Corman's filmography, and the pros and cons of filming an entire movie over a weekend. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 36:10; Discussion 48:48

Your hosts encounter the 1960 "erotic horror" film ET MOURIR DE PLAISIR (LE SANG ET LA ROSE) aka AND DIE OF PLEASURE (BLOOD AND ROSES) from director Roger Vadim! But where's the horror? More importantly, where's the eroticism?? Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 34:02; Discussion 44:20; Ranking 1:10:42

Your hosts encounter a film often overlooked... it's THE CITY OF THE DEAD (1960) aka HORROR HOTEL directed by John Llewellyn Moxey! Designed to compete with Hammer Horror, this proto-Amicus Productions film stars Christopher Lee, Patricia Jessel, Venetia Stevenson and Betta St. John. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 17:02; Discussion 30:42; Ranking 55:04

From Italian director Giorgio Ferroni comes the Gothic film IL MULINO DELLE DONNE DI PIETRA aka MILL OF THE STONE WOMEN (1960)... in COLOUR! The film stars Pierre Brice, Scilla Gabel, Wolfgang Preiss and Herbert Bohme. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 18:22; Discussion 29:57; Ranking 50:35

Continuing their time in Italy, your deadicated hosts encounter SEDDOK, L'EREDE DI SATANA aka ATOM AGE VAMPIRE (1960) from director Anton Giulio Majano! Designed to cash in on Mario Bava's success, this horror flick doesn't have much going for it...not to mention the gorilla on the loose! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 8:28; Discussion 18:23; Ranking 32:41