The Monsters That Made Us

In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” go WAY BACK to about 3,000 B.C. to witness the rise of the legendary Scorpion King! Join them as they discuss the first Universal Monster spin-off, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s debut as a leading man, the terrific practical effects, the horror roots of director Chuck Russell and co-star Kelly Hu, and why, despite leaving the monsters behind, T...

Nearly a decade after the events of The Mummy, Imhotep is back, Rick and Evy have a kid, and they’re all searching for the secret resting place of the fabled Scorpion King! Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they travel back to Egypt, then to London, then back to Egypt to discuss all the twists and turns and Stephen Sommers action crammed into 2001’s The Mummy Returns! If you enjoy thi...

It’s time for more mummy action as “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” discuss one of the biggest films of 1999! Join them as they dive into the 10+ years of The Mummy‘s development, including the various concepts from some well-known horror icons, plus some alternate casting choices, the genius blend of traditional practical effects with state-of-the-art digital effects, the similarities and d...

“The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” have returned from the grave to talk more Universal Monsters! Join them as they sink their teeth into 1979’s Dracula, starring Frank Langella, Laurence Olivier and Donald Pleasance! They revisit the original play, which served as the basis for this film, much like Tod Browning’s original film, and discuss how the two films compare, plus Frank Langella’s uniqu...

In the season 1 finale, we’re heading back to the Sunshine State for one last Gill-man adventure! Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they discuss the new Gill-man suit (and his clothes!), why so much of the underwater footage looks familiar, and why, despite a script that’s padded with a lot of science talk, philosophical nature vs nurture stuff, too many doctors, and a superfluous lov...

We interrupt your regularly scheduled Gill-Man mayhem to bring you Abbott and Costello’s final monster movie! Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they dive back into the the world of horror comedy for the iconic comedy team’s encounter with the mummy! They talk about Marie Windsor’s electrifying performance, the multitude of Batman connections in the cast, the incredible dance troupes s...

Remember to pack plenty of sunscreen because “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” are heading down to the Ocean Harbor Oceanarium in sunny Florida to check out their latest attraction: the Gill-Man! Join them as they discuss more similarities to King Kong and Jaws, shooting entirely in Florida, the changes to the Gill-Man suit, the new Gill-Man actor, why Helen Dobson ranks among the best of the...

All aboard! In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” cruise deep into the Amazon in search of a creature which may bridge the evolutionary gap between man and fish! Join them as they discuss the Gill-man’s painstaking design process, the narrative similarities to King Kong, the breathtaking underwater photography, and why Creature from the Black Lagoon is unquestionably one of the a...

There’s a two-faced killer on the loose, and Abbott and Costello are hot on his trail! Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they discuss the iconic comedy duo’s third monster encounter, the return of Boris Karloff, more Batman connections, and how Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde succeeds as a horror comedy by being a horror film first and a comedy second. Check out Carl...

Good evening, fright fans! Abbott & Costello are back, and they’ve dialed up the slapstick for their meeting with the Invisible Man! Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they break down Universal’s second monster flick with the iconic comedy duo. They discuss some of the fun cameos, Universal’s new go-to director for Abbott & Costello films, and maybe the best invisible effects to date,...

We’ve got scares and laughs in equal measure as the world’s greatest comedy duo come face-to-face Count Dracula, the Wolf Man, and the Frankenstein Monster! Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they discuss Universal’s corporate restructuring, the challenges of working with Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, the return of Bela Lugosi in the role that made him a horror icon, and why Abbott and...

Well, folks, Universal Studios horror has come to an end. For now, anyway. Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they discuss Universal’s decision to stop producing the horror films that had propped them up in their infancy, as well as the myriad problems with She-Wolf of London, the cast connections to some other CageClub Network shows, and why the once-effective Val Lewton-style unseen...

It’s an undead man’s party as Dracula, the Wolf Man, and Frankenstein’s monster descend on the Visarian home of Dr. Franz Edelmann! Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” for another monster rally where they talk about the Wolf Man vs. Dracula movie that almost was, why House of Dracula might be better than House of Frankenstein, and bid farewell to Erle C. Kenton, Jack Pierce, Lionel Atwill,...

The mummy’s on the loose, and he’s dancing with the devil! Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” for the thrilling conclusion of the Kharis saga with 1944’s The Mummy’s Curse! They discuss the rumors about whether or not Lon Chaney actually performed inside the mummy wrappings, the series’ overall consistency, why that works in its favor (and why the continuity doesn’t), and perhaps the sing...

Be sure to stock up on silver bullets and wooden stakes before joining “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” on a journey across Europe, searching for the notes of Henry Frankenstein with Dracula, the Wolf Man and the Frankenstein monster! They discuss the project House of Frankenstein almost was, the absolutely star-studded cast it would’ve had, the discovery and subsequent success of Glenn Stra...

Grab those tana leaves because we’re heading back to Mapleton, Massachusetts, which is once again under siege by the evil mummy, Kharis! Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they discuss the strange continuity across the Mummy films, heroic dogs, the new neighborhood watch, the evolution of Jack Pierce’s mummy makeup, and why The Mummy’s Ghost might be a good introduction for someone who...

Look out! A lunatic with the power of invisibility is on the loose, but “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” are hot on his trail! Join them as they discuss Jon Hall’s return to the franchise, John Carradine’s underrated performance as Dr. Drury, John P. Fulton’s ever-improving special effects, a screenplay that seems curiously underdeveloped, and whether or not the use of broad comedy undercuts...

Join “The Invisible Dan” Colón and “Monster Mike” Manzi as they head down to the bayous of Louisiana for some Southern Gothic vampire action in 1943’s Son of Dracula! They discuss Lon Chaney Jr.’s divisive performance as the nefarious Count Alucard, Robert Siodmak’s directorial debut with Universal, new vampire abilities, and why the film remains an interesting take on the classic Dracula formula...

It’s time to dust off the old tuxedo and warm up those vocal chords because “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” are heading back to the Paris Opera House to discuss Universal’s Technicolor musical remake of Phantom of the Opera! Join them as they dive into Claude Rains’ turn behind the mask, the various scripts and plot points that were left on the cutting room floor, early color film processin...

Prepare for the “Fight of the Titans” as Frankenstein’s monster and the Wolf Man collide in Universal’s first monster rally! Listen as “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” discuss the first shared universe from a major Hollywood studio, Bela Lugosi finally getting his turn in the Frankenstein makeup, Lon Chaney Jr. delivering his best performance as Lawrence Talbot, and why 1943’s Frankenstein M...

Remember when our old pals Steve and Babe discovered the tomb of the Egyptian Princess Ananka and, in doing so, unleashed the fury of the mummy, Kharis? Well, the high priests of Karnak sure as hell haven’t forgotten, and they’re back with a vengeance! Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they discuss 1942’s The Mummy’s Tomb, its arbitrary jump 30 years into the future, Lon Chaney Jr. as...

The world is at war, the Axis powers are planning a surprise attack on New York City and it’ll take a monster of our own to save us! Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they discuss Hollywood’s post-Pearl Harbor uptick in US propaganda, why Peter Lorre is one of the silver screen’s all-time great bad guys, John P. Fulton’s Academy Award-nominated special effects, and why Quentin Taranti...

Hold on to your hats because The Ghost of Frankenstein is absolutely out of its mind! Join “The Invisible Dan” Colón and “Monster Mike” Manzi as they discuss Universal’s “search” for a new Frankenstein monster, the efficiency of Scott Darling’s screenplay, the Wolf Man reunion, the flashback, the film’s titular ghost, Bela Lugosi’s last truly great performance, and why The Curse of Frankenstein is...

Grab a gun and some silver bullets (or a silver knife, or a stick with a silver handle) because its time for Universal’s second foray into the world of lycanthropy! Join “The Invisible Dan” Colón and “Monster Mike” Manzi as they celebrate the 80th anniversary of The Wolf Man! They discuss the long road to stardom for Universal’s ultimate sad boy, Lon Chaney Jr.; Curt Siodmak’s genre-defining scrip...

Watch out for those banana peels because this time, Universal’s putting the scares on hold in favor of a all out farce! Join “The Invisible Dan Colon and “Monster Mike” Manzi as they discuss 1940’s The Invisible Woman, its incredible cast and the always impressive effects work of John P. Fulton (which earned him yet another Academy Award nomination), as well as Universal’s questionable decision to...