Hypnogoria

In this episode, Mr Jim Moon travels back into Universal horror history to witness the birth of a new movie monster, Kharis the Mummy! We take an in-depth look at  The Mummy's Hand  (1940), a movie that not only kick-started the Universal Mummy franchise but was to have a huge influence on all subsequent mummy movies! 

This week we gather round the cosy fireside of the Great Library of Dreams to hear a classic tale of mummy terror -  Lot No. 249  by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a story that would provide the template for many a mummy movie... 

In a special Tomegoria to tie in with our Mysteries of the Mummy series, Odile and Jim take a look at Bram Stoker's The Jewel of Seven Stars - a classic of Victorian mummy fiction, packed full of gothic chills and ancient Egyptian lore! 

Mr Jim Moon takes on Boris Karloff's evil immortal mummy Imhotep in a full commentary on the 1932 Universal horror classic  The Mummy ! 

In this episode we follow the course of mummy stories in early 20th century weird and genre fiction, with tales of strange curses and evil immortals!  And then we discover how he shambled onto the silver screen in the silent era in a surprising number of early outings!

In this episode, we take a side-step into the world of old time radio to sample a variety of Egyptological thrills. Firstly we have an adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's tale  The Ring of Thoth  presented by  Escape ! and then hear the tale of the  Living Mummy  from  The World Adventurers Club . And finally we round off with a spine-chilling tale of opening an ancient tom  Whence You Came  fr...

In the second part of our Mummy saga, Mr Jim Moon explores the development and evolution of Egyptian horrors in fiction and literature. We encounter ancient princesses, reincarnated lovers, dire curses from the tomb and, of course, the reanimated dead! 

Mr Moon begins an epic journey through the history of a horror icon - the Mummy! In this episode, we journey to ancient Egypt to unwrap the mysteries of mummification, unlock the secrets of the dead,  discover the truth about tomb curses, and encounter legends of bandaged ghouls! 

The future is cancelled! Find out why as Mr Jim Moon dons a black car coat and loads up his needlegun to go on the trail of one of Michael Moorcock's more offbeat SF heroes, the legendary Jerry Cornelius, in the cult classic  The Final Programme , directed by Robert Fuest.

Due to popular demand, here's a commentary for the earlier collaboration between Jim Henson and Brian Froud - one of the stand-out fantasy films of the '80s and a landmark in puppetry and SFX,  The Dark Crystal  from 1982!

This month Odile and Jim take a trip back in time to 17th century New England for a tale of historical hauntings and horrors! In  Revenants   by Daniel Mills we'll encounter madness, murder, missing girls, and something nasty lurking in the woods...

Following on from our  Labyrinth  episode, Mr Jim Moon delves into the legend and lore of the changelings, monstrous impostors left by the faeries!

Mr Jim Moon draws close to the fire to discuss the various and strange natures of the entities haunting the stories of the great MR James. And we also take a look at a wonderful new Jamesian card game - we believe the first of its kind - created by Mr James Drewett and Mr Richard Svensson which features 30 creatures and villains from the fiction of MR James.

To mark the passing of the late great David Bowie, Mr Jim Moon sets off to a magical realm where Alice in Wonderland meets Monty Python, where the Wizard of Oz meets George Lucas, and where David Bowie meets a load of ruddy goblins! Yes, we are having a viewing of that classic second team-up of Henson and faerie illustrator Brian Froud: 1986's  Labyrinth  with Mr Jim providing an audio commentary...

In the first show in a new year, Jim and Odile take a trip into the near future, to a future Bangkok packed full of exotic new species, clockwork technology, and hazardous genetics gone wild! 

In the final chapter of this epic festive investigation, Mr Jim Moon explores the history of the British Father Christmas, goes on the trail of the German Weihnachtsmann, and perhaps finally gets to the bottom of where Santa Claus really comes from!

Of course, Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without gathering by the fireside for a reading of a tale by the great MR James. And so here's a story considered by many to be one of his finest... 

In the next leg of our epic investigation of the history and mystery of Santa Claus, we examine the development of his image through 19th century America, of his appearances in Victorian England, and how he came to inhabit grottoes in our stores come December time! 

In our second night of ghostly tales for Christmas, we pay a return trip to HP Lovecraft's Kingsport to witness a very curious Yuletide tradition. We also discover another side to the Old Gentleman of Providence as we enjoy some recitations of the verses he wrote for Christmas!

In the second part of our very special Christmas series, we further investigate the origins of Santa Claus, exploring the life and legend of St. Nicholas, his role in the tradition of Christmas presents, the assorted magical gift bringers he transmuted into in Europe, bring light to the dark rumours of Krampus and satanic Santas, and examine the forgotten alternative American Santa Belsnickel

'Tis the Yuletide, and hence once again it's time to gather round the fireside of the Great Library of Dreams for a selection of ghost stories to haunt your nights before Christmas. We open this festive season's round of eerie readings with a witty tale that pays homage to the great MR James and raises a Christmas spirit or two!

In this first in a series of Christmas specials, Mr Jim Moon sets off in search of Santa. Travelling down the centuries in a borrowed magic sleigh, we bust some myths about the Bearded Gentleman himself, before uncovering the roles played by the poem  A Visit From St. Nicholas , the writings of Mr Washington Irving, and the drawings of Mr Thomas Nast in the development of legend of Santa Claus.

As it is that time of the year again, and the wolves are running once more, Odile and Jim take a look at a classic children's book with a festive theme - John Masefield's  The Box of Delights . Hurry along now - time and tide and buttered eggs wait for no man!

In this special festive episode, Mr Jim Moon explores the legends and lore surrounding that favourite Christmas bird, the robin redbreast. We learn of superstitions and old tales of the robin, and discover some interesting links with the tale of Babes in the Wood, pantomimes, ghost stories, MR James and other many other fascinating and festive things!

From the cosy fireside in the Great Library of Dreams, Mr Jim Moon takes us on a trip into Lovecraft country, to the ancient town of Kingsport. Here we will meet  The Terrible Old Man   and pay a visit to  The Strange High House in the Mist .