Classic Horrors Club

Lon Chaney once told Boris Karloff, "“The trick in this business is to do something totally different from the rest so they’ll take notice of you.” . This month we celebrate the birthday of the great Lon Chaney, "Man of a Thousand Faces." You already know him from The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Phantom of the Opera, but get to know him from He Who Gets Slapped, The Monster, and The Unknown, as we...

We're back and ready to launch into cosmic adventure with Professor Bernard Quatermass! In 1955, he performed an "xperiment" of The Creeping Unknown. In 1957, he returned in a sequel (or is it a prequel?) to face an Enemy from Space. And in 1967, he went into the pit to encounter alien grasshoppers that travelled Five Million Years to Earth. . Which one is your favorite? Can you rank them like Ric...

Wow! It's been five years since Jeff and Richard sat down in front of a microphone and recorded their conversation about King Kong (1976.) 64+ episodes and more than 150 movies later, they're still plugging away at it. Who knows if they sound any better, but they're still having fun... . To celebrate, they concoct a theme for movies with the word "Five" in their titles: Five (1951), DImension 5 (1...

Join Jeff & Richard in the crypt as they discuss two classic Eurohorror films featuring Christopher Lee: Crypt of the Vampire (1964) and The Castle of the Living Dead (1964.) Then, Steve Turek from the DieCast Movie Podcast appears with his thoughts on The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism (1967.) They also mention the other movies in the set: Sherlock Holmes & the Deadly Necklace (1962) and Challenge...

It's Naschy November as Jeff and Richard discuss the life and career of Paul Naschy, focusing on three specific movies: Vengeance of the Zombies (1973), The Mummy's Revenge (1975), and The Beast & the Magic Sword (1983.) They disagree on which one is their favorite, but not on the fact that, while Paul Naschy films may be an acquired taste, they're often a delicious Eurohorror feast. . Check out t...

Happy Halloween from Jeff and Richard as we take a look at the 1960-62 television anthology, Thriller, hosted by Boris Karloff. We each pick two episodes to "review." For Jeff it's Pigeons from Hell and the Weird Tailor. For Richard it's The Hungry Glass and Parasite Mansion. (Thank you for your suggestions on which episodes we should watch!) . Check out the video companion on our YouTube channel....

The power of Satan compels you... to listen to this month's episode of The Classic Horrors Club podcast! You'll learn how, at the peak of 1970s "Satanic Panic," three movies had more in common than simple devil worship: The Brotherhood of Satan (1971), The Devil's Rain (1975), and Race with the Devil (1975.) . Jeff and Richard have one of their biggest disagreements about one of them, but escape t...

Jeff and Rich travel through time and space once more for the summer. This time, it's the Riviera Drive-In in Oklahoma City, OK, circa 1977. The monsters are on the revolt and the world is on the brink of destruction as we watch Godzilla vs. the Cosmic Monster (aka Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla), Kingdom of the Spiders, and Night of the Damned (aka Messiah of Evil.) Along the way, we welcome our dear...

Jeff and Rich travel through time and space once again this month to visit the drive-in. This time, it's the Moonlite Drive-In in Smithfield, PA, circa 1974. We have a bloody good time discussing Doctor Blood's Coffin (1961), Blood from the Mummy's Tomb (1971), and Theater of Blood (1973.) . Which one is your favorite? Ours may surprise you. We invite you to join the conversation and let us know w...

It's that time of year and your backyard isn't the only place where the creepy crawlies come out at night. On a hot summer night in 1957, the South 29 Drive-In in Charlotte, NC, was invaded by giant spiders, preying mantises, and crabs. . Through the magic of modern technology, Jeff and Rich travel not only halfway across the country, but also 64 years into the past, to attend the drive-in and wat...

This month we return to a classic horror profile with the star of Dr. Renault's Secret (1942), Fog Island (1945), and Lured (1947), George Zucco. Known as a "spellbinder" on stage and "one-take Zucco" on screen, George Zucco carried a magnificent presence, but was always a gentleman. . Although he was a neighbor of Lionel Atwill, they didn't share the same social life. Nevertheless, the author of...

Come for the discussion of three mid-40s Universal, uh... classics, then stay for the speculation about the future of physical media collecting. Join Jeff, Richard, and Paula the Ape Woman, with an assist by Joe Carson (thank you, Joe), as they watch and enjoy Captive Wild Woman (1943), Jungle Woman (1944), and The Jungle Captive (1945.) . Yes, "enjoy." These three films sometimes get a bad rap, b...

You, without knowing, can commit murder... Bring a can of WD-40 to oil that squeaky door and join Jeff and Richard as they examine the Inner Sanctum franchise from books to radio to movies to TV. With a focus on the 6-film Universal Pictures film series of the mid-1940s starring Lon Chaney Jr., there are some differences about how your hosts would rank them, but they agree they're all worth watchi...

Strap yourselves in; it's going to be a topsy-turvy, shaky, wet ride as Jeff and Richard have fun with three disaster films of the 1970s: The Poseidon Adventure (1972), Earthquake (1974), and Airport '77 (1977.) Don't worry, we'll all survive. There's got to be a morning after... if we hang on through the night... . Be sure to watch a very special companion episode with all kinds of highlights and...

Welcome to the new year: 2133 A.D. Either Dylan Hunt (Alex Cord or John Saxon) or Anthony Vico (John Saxon) wake from suspended animation to find the world has changed. During this month's meeting of the Classic Horrors Club, Jeff and Richard discuss three of Gene Roddenberry's post-Star Trek attempts to launch a new TV series: Genesis II (1973), Planet Earth (1974), and Strange New World (1975.)...

Happy Holidays! Rich and Jeff end the year with a special holiday surprise: a bonus episode of the Classic Horrors Club Podcast! . If he doesn't make it clear, Rich absolutely loves the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol starring Alistair Sim. However, Jeff recently watched it for the very first time. Join the conversation as they discuss what many consider to be the definitive version of the class...

Join Jeff and Richard on a tour of the life and career of horror icon, Barbara Steele, and as they take a critical look at three of her films: The Ghost (1963), Terror-Creatures from the Grave (1965), and Revenge of the Blood Beast (1966.) Be sure to watch the companion episode with all kinds of highlights and bonus features on our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lrXnQrqxD0). If...

Shhh... We're back to our regular format this month with three classic silent films: The Golem (1920), The Phantom Carriage (1921), and The Man Who Laughs (1928.) There may be no talking in these movies, but you know Richard and Jeff will make up for it with their witty comments. . Be sure to watch the companion episode with all kinds of highlights and bonus features on our YouTube channel. If you...

You're invited to join us for a party as we celebrate not only Halloween, but also our 50th episode and the launch of our YouTube companion show! . Join Jeff, Richard, and a number of surprise guests that ring our doorbell for Halloween. We promise no tricks, only treats. Don't take your seats for this meeting because we'll enter and exit dancing... Call us at: (616) 649-2582 That's (616) 649-CLUB...

Rich and Jeff are honored to have author and film historian David J. Skal as their special guest for this month's meeting. You may have seen David on TCM last Friday night discussing with Dave Karger four of the 62 movies from his latest book, Fright Favorites. . We chat with David about that, as well as several other topics related to his books and studies. We also ask him the same question we as...

After last meeting's part one cliffhanger ending, Jeff and Richard return with their Fall Preview TV Guides for the 1973 and 1974 seasons. They watch the beloved Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (Oct. 10, 1973 - ABC Movie of the Week) and Where Have All the People Gone (Oct. 8, 1974 - NBC.) How much does the nostalgia of watching these movies affect their viewing today? Take your seat, turn on your TV,...

Jeff and Richard take a detour on their way home from school to pick up the Fall Preview TV Guide before their subscription issues arrive in the mail two days later. What do they find in its pages for the 1971 and 1972 seasons? Two of their viewing pleasures are When Michael Calls (February 5, 1972) and The Devil's Daughter (January 9, 1973), both airing on the ABC Movie of the Week. How do the fi...

Jeff and Richard have a wonderful evening’s entertainment lined up for you, one that will provide several hours of pleasurable relaxation and diversion for you and your family. Did you fail to dress up for tonight’s show? No tie, an old shirt and slacks, a house dress? Well, don’t give it a thought; we’re glad you came as you are. We just want you to enjoy yourselves…. a gay, pleasant evening for...

Jeff and Richard have a wonderful evening’s entertainment lined up for you, one that will provide several hours of pleasurable relaxation and diversion for you and your family. Did you fail to dress up for tonight’s show? No tie, an old shirt and slacks, a house dress? Well, don’t give it a thought; we’re glad you came as you are. We just want you to enjoy yourselves…. a gay, pleasant evening for...

Jeff and Richard have a wonderful evening’s entertainment lined up for you, one that will provide several hours of pleasurable relaxation and diversion for you and your family. Did you fail to dress up for tonight’s show? No tie, an old shirt and slacks, a house dress? Well, don’t give it a thought; we’re glad you came as you are. We just want you to enjoy yourselves…. a gay, pleasant evening for...