Bela Lugosi's Shed

We're taking a trip down memory lane this episode as we look at two films which explore the terrifying and often confusing world of childhood fears. Even today we hang on to some of the things that scared us as a child - at least one of our hosts still can't hang a leg out of bed during the night for fear of it being grabbed by something unseen. So we're well qualified to look at this chilling Double Feature, as well as an impressive piece of freeware and the usual horror news.   Easily Available Horror: Total Chaos (2018) a standalone Doom 2 mod by Wadaholic.

As there's all manner of real life getting in the way at the moment we decided to get out the third part of our look at early 20th Century short form horror with our guest host Doree, hopefully normal service will resume presently! We're looking at HJ Doom's selection this episode, a nautical William Hope Hodgson short.

Well I'm sure that nobody expected this project to last this long, two years and 50 full episodes later we're still going strong, and to celebrate this landmark we're looking at THREE films in our Double Feature, just to make the name incorrect.   All three of the films we're looking at are also celebrating their 50th birthdays, all being films that were released in 1970, and so we look at how that exciting transitional period for horror was approached by filmmakers in the UK, US and in Europe.   No Easily Available Horror this episode, as it's just too packed!

It's time for the second part of our three-part Short Sharp Shock where we look at three short stories by turn-of-the-century authors that had an influence on the later US authors like Lovecraft. We are again joined on this journey by Doree who provides the Shed with a bit of much-needed class.

We're still going through a turbulent time, so here's one thing you can rely on - two middle-aged men hiding away from the world in a shed, talking about horror stuff for an hour. And we're setting our mind back to the 1950s this week as we look back at the originals of the two remakes we watched last episode (i know - Spoilers!)   We're also looking at a fascinatingly aloof British indie horror from the mind that brought us Garth Marenghi, and some horror news.   What Fresh Hell?: Possum (2018) from Amazon.

This is a pretty odd time with lots of bizarre changes to our lifestyles, but hey - at least we're not turning into insects or being replaced by shapeshifting insects!* The characters in our Double Features this episode are not so lucky. And with a great horror anime for our EAH there's plenty of distractions here, especially if you're stuck in quarantine. Look after yourselves out there. *Yet.   Easily Available Horror: Castlevania (2017) from Netflix

Due to scheduling conflicts and the fact that the world is currently experiencing a mild apocalypse we haven't been able to get a new episode together for this week, but we have something possibly even better - one of our Short Sharp Shocks featuring our awesome guest host from Episode 30, the always delightful and informative Doree!   This is the first of three short episodes where each of us pick a lesser-known short story that we love. Doree has first pick, and she's chosen The Willows by Algernon Blackwood for your pleasure.

Well unless you picked 'Worldwide Plague' in the 'How We're All Going To Die' sweepstake you're probably not feeling too happy at the moment, so here's something to take your mind off things on this bleak Monday morning. This episode we're going all culinary, albeit for Long Pig, as we review, compare and contrast two films featuring women who eat human flesh, in very different ways.    And in an unusual bit of planning our Easily Available Horror is also one featuring cannibals, so nobody can accuse us of not doing the homework. And this episode can also be used as a useful reference for when we run out of food and turn on each other.   Easily Available Horror: Somos Lo Que Hay (trans: We Are What We Are) (2010) from Amazon.

With all that's going on in the world, wouldn't it be nice to know that there's someone clever in charge? Someone with all the info, who knows what's best for everyone, who pledges unwavering loyalty to their infernal master? Maybe without that last bit, but this episode we're looking at two pieces of horror about mystical cults, and an audio horror and the usual news are a grim cherry on top that complete this morbid cake.   Easily Available Horror: Herbert West: Reanimator, by the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society

As everything is terrible in the world right now we're regressing to when we were 18 and our biggest worry was whether we could get a piss and a pint in before the 12" version of Temple Of Love '92 finished. And in the cinemas at the time skies were black, coats were even blacker, and everyone ran across rooftops whilst listening to Stone Temple Pilots. It was a happier time. So we're getting all nostalgic, and also looking at a new film, but one featuring a 90's musician, because the present day is scary and wrong.   Easily Available Horror: He Never Died (2015) from Netflix.

I hope you've got a comfortable set of headphones, because this is a long one. Prepare yourself for the longest Easily Available Horror yet, as we spend over half an hour talking about a very niche 1970's horror film about undead bikers. And that's just the starter, as our Double Feature is a brace of films taking Nazism into the 21st Century. You know, just like in real life!   One From The Vaults: Psychomania (1972), available on Archive.org and YouTube.

Happy New Year from both of us in the Shed, and what better way to start 2020 than to listen to us talk about a film from 1982? We're doing something a bit different in this episode, instead of our usual segments we just sat down for an hour and talked about Friday the 13th, Part 3:3D, the film which truly put the franchise on the tracks to the greatness it became.   There's a bit of news and chat, but other than that this episode is wall-to-wall Friday the 13th, so enjoy!

It's nearly Christmas, and even though we're now living in a totalitarian hellhole we're still full of good cheer here in the Shed. We've watched a Christmas-themed comedy horror for our One From The Vaults, and have a little deviation from our usual fare for our Double Feature.   We're not sure what the release schedule will be over the holiday period, but we'll try and get something out, and we hope that you and yours have a lovely holiday.   One From The Vaults: Krampus (2015)

After the bonus ep last week we're pleased to be back with a full length Episode 41 for you today, now Richard deValmont is back from spending his 40th birthday climbing cathedrals, because he can only feel alive when facing death now, apparently. But in this episode we're looking at two films where a lot of death is faced, in the way that only 1970s British horror can. And with the usual news, views and a review of an incredible and odd indie horror there's a packed show for you to enjoy.   What Fresh Hell Is This?: Spring (2014) on Amazon.

It's a pretty busy time here in the Shed, what with family engagements, weekends away and annual moultings to deal with, so we're releasing one of our regular series of bonus episodes in lieu of our usual fare, but will be back to normal in two weeks for our Yuletide offering.   The short form horror we're looking at this episode is 'The Hanging Balloons' by the master of horror manga, Junji Ito.

They say that life begins at 40, if that's the case then this episode of the podcast is springing to life, attaching itself to your face and implanting an alien inside your chest. But via your ears, to avoid any copyright issues. In this one we're looking at two Lovecraft adaptations from that decade of horror restraint, the 1980s. There's also a contemporary horror brought to your attention alongside the usual news bits.   What Fresh Hell Is This?: In The Tall Grass (2019) from Netflix

Greethinksthh, vithitorth, thoo.. Sorry, I'll take out the huge plastic fangs for now. Greetings, visitors, to the Castle.. well, the Shed Of Dracula. Or Count Orlok, as we're contractually obligated to call him for copyright reasons. That's right, today we're looking at the history of the film Nosferatu, and its companion film Shadow Of The Vampire. We've also watched a gory 1960's classic and have a veritable shedload of news.   One From The Vaults: The Flesh Eaters (1964) from Youtube.

Due to life getting in the way we don't have the latest episode quite ready for you yet, but have no fear - there's still some content coming your way in the form of this bonus Short Sharp Shock, where we cast our eye over a review screener of an ambitious short film project, 'Occurrence At Mills Creek'.   The next episode will be with you next Monday, and until then enjoy this bonus episode.

This is one that we didn't really want to be recording, at least not for a good few years yet. But Sid Haig was a horror icon and so we thought nothing of scrapping the plans we had for this episode to bring you a look back at Sid and his wonderful horror roles. We also look at a fascinating but harrowing Easily Available Horror.   Easily Available Horror: Perfection (2019) from Netflix.

In this episode we are looking at one of the most iconic horror tropes - the plucky and intrepid survivor of the carnage, the Final Girl. But we're not just looking at any old Final Girls, though. We are looking at the most capable, cunning and inventive final girls that make it through by their own abilities. We are also going to look at a horror film currently in the cinema, and covering the usual horror news, and a cameo from Egg, one of Richard deValmont's cats (There are almost always cameos from our cats, but they're usually edited out!)  What Fresh Hell Is This?: IT: Chapter Two (2019)