Finn J.D. John/ Pulp-Lit Productions
The Penny Dreadful Hour: A Feast of Early-Victorian Street Literature and Stories
This is the podcast that carries you back to the sooty, foggy streets of early-Victorian London when a new issue of one of the "Penny Dreadful" blood-and-thunder story paper comes out! It's like an early-Victorian variety show, FEATURING ...— Sweeney Todd ...— Varney, the Vampyre ... — Highwayman Dick Turpin ... — mustache-twirling villains ...— virtuous ballet-girls ...—wicked gamblers ...... and more! Spiced with naughty cock-and-hen-club songs, broadsheet street ballads, and lots of old Regency "dad jokes."Join us!
Author
Finn J.D. John/ Pulp-Lit Productions
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 5, 2026
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Episodes
5.22: Miss Jeromette’s ghost is not as angry as she should be. — The hauntings of the Portadown Bridge massacre. — A spectral woman in white! (Segment 4 — The “Sixpenny Spookies.”) 12.03.2026 35:52
SHOW NOTES — for — MINISODE 22 (Season 5) (March 12, 2026) "THE SIXPENNY SPOOKIES"! ———— 00:30: THE TERRIFIC REGISTER: Five sworn witness descriptions of the haunting of the Portadown Bridge in Northern Ireland, the scene of a dreadful massacre of Protestant settlers by Catholic forces. 06:45: EARLY VICTORIAN GHOSTLY SHORT STORY, to-wit: MISS JEROMETTE and the CLERGYMAN, by WILKIE COLLIN...
5.021: The walls are closing on Sweeney Todd! — The woman who sold her murdered baby’s clothes to buy gin. — A bloody cautionary tale for “drinking men”! (Segment 3 — The “Ha’penny Horrids.”) 08.03.2026 46:51
SHOW NOTES — for — MINISODE 21 (Season 5) (March 8, 2026) "THE HA’PENNY HORRIDS"! ———— 01:00: HANGED TODAY IN HISTORY (MARCH 8, 1734): Judith Dufour, convicted of murdering her 2-year-old daughter to sell her clothes for a quartern of gin. It’s a well-known cautionary tale about the evil influence of alcohol. But, is that all there is to the story? No. No, it is not. Let’s explore “The R...
5.20: The skeletons in the vault. — A golden age of highway robbery and crime! — A very naughty song about sailing on “The Open C—.” (Segment 2 — The “Twopenny Torrids.”) 05.03.2026 57:04
SHOW NOTES — for — MINISODE 20 (Season 5) (MARCH 5, 2026) ———— EPISODE 5.20: The skeletons in the vault. — A golden age of highway robbery and crime! — A very naughty song about sailing on “The Open C—.” (Segment 2 — The “Twopenny Torrids.”) NOTE: The full show notes, including images and links, can be accessed at https://pennydread.com/discord 01:20: THE LIVES OF THE HIGHWAYMEN: A little scene-se...
5.19: The mob descends upon the graveyard, shovels in hand, seeking more vampyres! — Prince Albert and his “inexpressibles.” (Segment 1 — The “Penny Dreadfuls.”) 01.03.2026 51:28
SHOW NOTES — for — EPISODES 19-22 (Season 5) (March 1-14, 2026) ———— Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! Each segment is in its own sub-episode. The "Penny Dreadfuls" segment is in this main episode, followed by ... The “Twopenny Torrids” minisode coming Thu...
5.18: Choked by the fingers of a chain-rattling corpse! — Haunted by a child’s ghost? — The clergyman’s unpleasant pupil. (Segment 4 — The “Sixpenny Spookies.”) 25.02.2026 35:10
SHOW NOTES — for — MINISODE 18 (Season 5) (February 25, 2026) "THE SIXPENNY SPOOKIES"! For COMPLETE SHOW NOTES, including art and links to resources, see pennydread.com/discord. ———— IN TO-DAY'S "SIXPENNY SPOOKIES" EPISODE: 00:45: THE TERRIFIC REGISTER: Screams awakened the traveler, and running to investigate he found the fingers of a corpse, shackled with chains, locked...
5.17: Setting a trap for Sweeney Todd! — The Edgeware Road dismembered-torso murder. — Hanged Today in History. (Segment 3 — The “Ha’penny Horrids.”) 24.02.2026 35:17
SHOW NOTES — for — MINISODE 17 (Season 5) (February 22-25, 2026) "THE HA'PENNY HORRIDS"! For COMPLETE SHOW NOTES, including art and links to resources, see pennydread.com/discord. ———— IN TODAY'S "HA'PENNY HORRIDS" EPISODE: 00:45: HANGED TODAY IN HISTORY (February 24): A real downer, you might want to skip this one. But on Feb. 24, 1823, a 54-year-old closeted gay...
5.16: A scream rings out in the deserted mansion! — “German Princess” was a magnificent con artiste. (Segment 2 — The “Twopenny Torrids” feat. Highwayman Dick Turpin) 23.02.2026 33:50
SHOW NOTES — for — MINISODE 16 (Season 5) (February 23, 2026) THE "TWOPENNY TORRIDS"! For COMPLETE SHOW NOTES, including art and links to resources, see pennydread.com/discord. ———— IN TODAY'S "TWOPENNY TORRID" MINISODE: 01:00: THE LIVES OF THE HIGHWAYMEN: The short and merry life of one of history’s most gifted con artistes — Mary Carleton, a.k.a. The German Princess. 12:1...
5.15: Torches, pitchforks, and a vampire! — Unsolicited advice for ladies during courtship. — Lord Bellamont’s third ball. (Segment 1 — The “Penny Dreadfuls” — feat. Varney the Vampyre.) 22.02.2026 44:28
(ART: The angry mob and Dr. Chillingworth, from this episode’s chapter of Varney the Vampyre.) SHOW NOTES — for — EPISODES 15-18 (Season 5) (February 22-25, 2026) ———— Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! Each segment is in its own sub-episode. The "Penny Dreadful...
5.14: The mysterious Miss Jeromette. — The ghost’s return after 20 years. (A Sixpenny Spookies segment.) 15.02.2026 28:59
SHOW NOTES — for — EPISODE 14 (The fourth of four linked episodes aired February 15, 2026) ———— Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch, for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London!* ———— "THE SIXPENNY SPOOKIES" segment (No. 4 of 4): 00:30: THE TERRIFIC REGISTER: God’s judgement on a bishop who became cruel to his congr...
5.13: Sweeney Todd escapes … for now! (A Ha’penny Horrid H’episode.) Also — Hanged Today in History: The corpse that testified! — The bloody crime of William Corder. 15.02.2026 26:52
SHOW NOTES — for — EPISODES 11-14 (The third of four episodes aired February 15, 2026) ———— Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London! ———— "THE HA'PENNY HORRIDS" (Segment 3 of 4): 00:30: HANGED TODAY IN HISTORY (February 15, 1688): On this day, Philip Stansfield was hange...
5.12: Dick Turpin’s first highway robbery! — The Swedish count who tried to woo a wife by murdering her husband. — A very naughty song about spoon-making! (Twopenny Torrids segment) 15.02.2026 36:21
SHOW NOTES — for — EPISODES 12 (The second of four aired on February 15, 2026) ———— Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London! ———— "THE TWOPENNY TORRIDS" SEGMENT: 00:40: THE LIVES OF THE HIGHWAYMEN: The affair of Count Koenigsmark, a feisty Swedish nobleman who in 1682 tried...
5.11: The duel is interrupted by a mob with torches and pichforks! — The Wild and Wicked Youth. (Two-Bob Blood-and-Thunders segment) 15.02.2026 38:00
SHOW NOTES — for — EPISODE 11 (One of four aired on February 15, 2026) ———— Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London! ———— * The Barony of Dunwitch is located in a deep forest glade west of Arkham (where, as H.P. Lovecraft put it, “the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep w...
5.10: Sweeney Todd prepares to fly by night. — The murdering body-snatchers of Bethnel-green! — The highwaymen look for clues to Lady Dane’s fearful fate! 08.02.2026 1:46:59
Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London! ——— PART I: “THE HA’PENNY HORRIDS”: 01:44: HANGED TODAY IN HISTORY: On Feb. 8, 1804, 23-year-old Miss Ann Hurle was launched into eternity for a forgery/counterfeiting con so audacious that it’s hard to believe she worked it alone. (https://cap...
5.09: A view to a duel … with a vampire! — The murderer tries to claim his “prize,” but his ghostly victim has other plans for him. — What a lark on the Lord Mayor’s Day! 01.02.2026 1:20:47
Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London! PART I: “THE PENNY DREADFULS”: 04:15: ON THIS DREADFUL DAY (FEB. 1): Two young men were playing at fencing with real swords … when one of them slipped. (1855) 05:45: VARNEY THE VAMPYRE; or, THE FEAST OF BLOOD, Chapter 38: Dr. Chillingworth, who...
5.08: Sweeney Todd stalks abroad with a murder-list in his pocket! — The highwaymen investigate the secret of the old mansion. — 'Swift Nick' Nevison, the gentleman-robber friend of King Charles II! 28.01.2026 1:30:29
Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London! PART I: "THE HA’PENNY HORRIDS”: 01:20: HANGED TODAY IN HISTORY: The story of a colonial governor hanged in 1803 for murder after he had seven employees whipped so severely that three of them died. If you’re into schadenfreude, this is your...
5.07: Fangs at Ten Paces; or, Duelling with a vampyre! — A Bad Romance on the high seas? — “Landlord fill a Flowing Bowl,” a ripping fine drinking-song! 25.01.2026 1:15:47
Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London! PART I: “THE PENNY DREADFULS”: 02:50: VARNEY THE VAMPYRE; or, THE FEAST OF BLOOD, Chapter 37: As soon as he can get away, Henry goes next door and challenges Varney to a duel, following a very unsatisfactory conversation about the disposition o...
5.06: Mrs. Lovett vents her fury on Sweeney Todd! — The exploits of the original “gentleman highway robber.” — Hanged for murder, then handed over to the Reanimation Lab! 21.01.2026 1:23:10
Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch, * for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London! PART I: "THE HA’PENNY HORRIDS": 01:10: HANGED TODAY IN HISTORY: Convicted of murder, George Foster was hanged 223 years ago today … and then handed over to the Regency equivalent of Herbert West, Reanimator. ( More info from executedtoday.com...
5.05: Escape from the bandits' hotel — with a ghost's help! — The romantic end of the Bonnie and Clyde of highwaymen. — Varney's foes are foiled again! 18.01.2026 1:19:14
NOTICE/APOLOGY: There are a couple fairly egregious editing errors in this episode caused by my ill-advised attempt at multitasking. I haven't time to re-compile it, but please accept my assurances that I will be more careful in future! — The CORINTHIAN. Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers...
5.04: Mrs. Lovett cuts and runs! Or tries to … The highwaymen turn at bay. Is this the end for our felonious friends? — The man who mugged Olver Cromwell himself! — The Luddite Massacre of 1813. 14.01.2026 1:16:50
Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London! PART I: "THE HA’PENNY HORRIDS," 0:00 — 39:30: 01:20: DICKENS' DREADFUL ALMANAC for today: A desperate butler tried to save his job by pretending to have been jumped by robbers … it didn’t work. 03:20: HANGED TODAY IN HISTORY: On J...
5.03 (corrected): Alone with the vampire in the garden by night! — Mr. Wraxall finally meets Count Magnus and his tentacled companion! — A blasphemer’s Dreadful Fate! 11.01.2026 1:18:21
APOLOGIES — the wrong Dreadful was cued up for this episode when it was first posted. It has now been fixed! You may need to re-download to get the new one. PART I: “THE PENNY DREADFULS”: 0:00 — 32:00: 01:46: VARNEY THE VAMPYRE; or, THE FEAST OF BLOOD, Chapter 34: Varney wakes Flora up. “The vampire!” she shrieks. “Yes,” he replies, “the vampire.” He then tells Flora that he can only be un-vampire...
5.02: The inn owner who sold everything and became a highway robber! — Col. Jeffery shows us how NOT to woo a maid. — Dick Turpin and Tom King turn at bay, facing eight officers. Is this the end? 07.01.2026 1:25:06
Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London! PART I: "THE HA’PENNY HORRIDS," 0:00 — 49:00: 01:10: TODAY’S TERRIBLE TIDBIT — Jan. 8, 1851: A little chimney-sweeper boy who suffocated in the factory chimney he was cleaning, because the proprietor did not let it cool completely bef...
5.1: The night-stalking vampyre returns! — The evil Count Magnus has been dead 300 years ... right? — A "Tiger King" moment involving an escaped lion! — The ghost that came to Study Hall! 04.01.2026 1:06:23
Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch, for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London! PART I: “The HALF-CROWN CAMPIES” segment: 0:00 — 33:20: 01:27: VARNEY THE VAMPYRE; or, THE FEAST OF BLOOD, Chapter 33: Varney quits Ratford Abbey and walks to Bannerworth Hall; although the moon has not yet risen, he shows great familiarity with...
4.20: Mrs. Lovett prepares to fly by night! Will she get away? — The highwaymen rob a spluttering Navy captain. — Plus street poetry, dirty jokes, and a couple Horrid Murder tales!! 01.01.2026 1:19:43
Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London! PART I: "THE HA’PENNY HORRIDS," 0:00 — 41:25: 01:20: DICKENS' DREADFUL ALMANAC for today: Three years before, she walked in on a murder that had just been committed … 03:35: SWEENEY TODD, THE BARBER OF FLEET-STREET, Chapter 76-77:...
4.19: Lord Walter pays the price for disturbing the dead! — Varney the Vampyre's sinister visitor! — A fatal thunderstorm. 28.12.2025 1:15:50
Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London! This is our main one-hour Sunday-night episode. Including, after the break, the "Sixpenny Spookies" segment. PART I: “The HALF-CROWN CAMPIES” segment: 0:00 — 31:00: 01:20: VARNEY THE VAMPYRE; or, THE FEAST OF BLOOD, Chapter 32: Varney...
4.18: Sweeney Todd resolves to murder our brave, plucky heroine; is this the end? — The highwaymen's retribution upon a murderer! — A ballad about a "Frisky Country Lass." 25.12.2025 1:15:02
Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London! This is our hour-long Ha'penny Horrid 'Hursday episode, the second of our two weekly shows. It comes in two parts, to-wit: PART I: "THE HA’PENNY HORRIDS," 0:00 — 37:30: 01:10: DICKENS' DREADFUL ALMANAC for today: A Horrid (but mercifully short)...
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