Scream Scene Podcast

Alfred Hitchcock teaches us that patience is a virtue with his slow burn, classic horror movie, THE BIRDS (1963)! We cover the film's source material, special effects processes, and Hitchcock's history with actress Tippi Hedren. Please note there is a content warning for discussion of sexual harassment. Sarah also manages to include some bird facts, for fun! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 1:16:48...

Your deadicated hosts encounter METEMPSYCO aka TOMB OF TORTURE (1963), the only film from Giallo writer Antonio Boccacci. How will Boccacci's Giallo and Gothic literary roots come into play on the screen? Take a listen and find out! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 10:29; Discussion 27:52; Ranking 38:06

With a title like HOUSE OF THE DAMNED (1963), this week's horror movie is loosely inspired by the Winchester Mystery House and the plot of FREAKS (1932). At the very least, this film from director Maury Dexter is the first appearance of Richard "Jaws" Kiel on the podcast! Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 20:50; Discussion 27:51; Ranking 37:22

Producer Edward Small tries to strike at horror again, this time with long-time director Reginald LeBorg. It's DIARY OF A MADMAN (1963), starring Vincent Price, Nancy Kovack, and Joseph Ruskin! LeBorg gives it the old college try with a dedicated crew. Unfortunately, Robert Kent's script holds them back significantly. At least there are many Star Trek connections to keep us entertained! Context se...

Mario Bava takes a strong step forward with a film commonly referred to as the first giallo film! Your deadicated hosts tackle LA RAGAZZA CHE SAPEVA TROPPO aka THE GIRL WHO KNEW TOO MUCH (1963)! Take a listen to hear the literary beginnings of giallo as a genre, through to the impact editing has on tone between the Italian and American releases (where it's known as EVIL EYE). Context setting 00:00...

Join us on a brief but fun side quest with the horror adjacent film THE RAVEN (1963) from Roger Corman! Loosely based off the Edgar Allan Poe poem, and featuring horror icons like Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, and Peter Lorre, the flick is a fun albeit silly time at the movies. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 23:21; Discussion 31:14

Though nearly overlooked, your deadicated hosts are pleased to share and review EL VAMPIRO SANGRIENTO aka THE BLOODY VAMPIRE (1962)! Written and directed by Miguel Morayta, with its own unique vampire mythology, we find the film interesting, spooky, experimental... but lacking in actually engaging with its own themes. Context Setting 00:00; Synopsis 10:14; Discussion 20:42; Ranking 46:15

This week's film features the unlikely combination of sorcery, astronomy, and science fiction! It's EL BARON DEL TERROR (1962) aka THE BRAINIAC from director Chano Urueta! Will the film's producer and star, Abel Salazar, be enough to carry this picture through this genre mix? Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 10:41; Discussion 17:40; Ranking 30:33

Your hosts take over the gossip mill with WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? from 1962, directed by Robert Aldrich! It's a big one, folks, with lots to say about the movie, Davis and Crawford's feud(s), and much more. A content warning about alcoholism for the movie itself, and our discussion. Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 1:15:00; Discussion 1:30:29; Ranking 2:11:24

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 toge...

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,...

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 o...

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 set...

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; Discuss...

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...

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:...

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...

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...