Bela Lugosi's Shed

In this episode we're bringing you some notorious nuptuals and some sanguinary spouses, because the theme for our Double Feature is brides, but we've found two very different ones to talk to you about. And we've had to squeeze them in, because my goodness we have a lot to talk about this episode - we've got loads of news and other Horrible Business to get through, and we have quite a bit to say about a very Fresh Hell too.   What Fresh Hell Is This? - Lockwood & Co (2023), from Netflix.

Did you think we'd left you for ever? Heaven forfend - we love talking to you dearest listeners about horror too much to ever do that. Instead we've been preparing for this bumper crop, covering what we've been up to over the last 9 months, what we've enjoyed, some small bits of new and then the meat of the episode - watching three horror films and talking to you about them. We start with a delightful horror comedy, then jump straight into it with two recent remakes of peerless classic horror films. Are they duplicating the previous lightning in a bottle, or licking a 9 volt battery? Listen to find out. And we've missed you - it's good to be back.   Easily Available Horror: Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010) from Amazon Prime.

We're sorry! We promise never to leave you for this long again! But we're back in the Shed with another look at all that's chilling, and we've got a great episode on an absolutely iconic horror film this episode, and we are even quite complimentary about it's 21st Century remake, which is rare for us. There's also a horror drama podcast and lots of horror news (well it's been a while).   Easily Available Horror: Limetown, a 2015 podcast by Two Up Productions.

We normally pride ourselves in a good punny title, but for this one we're going full Ronseal - exactly what it says on the tin. This packed episode features a three-way Royal Rumble of three of the biggest names in sci-fi horror but also finds room for the usual horror news and the biggest Dead Horse we've ever had the misfortune to flog.

What's this - the Shed Boys trying something new? In an unprecedented move we throw format out of the window and try a freewheeling discussion about a random horror genre in our new Breaking Wheel section, but it's shorter than anticipated because we end up talking for over half an hour about a computer game from 2002, as is our wont.   (Unfortunately there's some background noise from about the 40 minute mark due to some nearby DIY that we weren't able to clean out, but hopefully it won't affect your enjoyment of the episode).   One From The Vaults: Clive Barker's Undying (2002) from GoG.com

Well it's a whole New Year but we're back on our usual bullshit, talking about YET ANOTHER slasher franchise because that's all we do now. But this is the last slasher-focused episode for a while because even we're a bit burned out on this classic subgenre now. It's a doozy though, as we go for a Triple Feature that is actually almost a Quadruple Feature, on the Slumber Party Massacre franchise.

We're on our usual short New Year's sabbatical from the podcast here in the Shed, but we've popped in just to put together this little retrospective. It's just a little and deeply self-indulgent episode bringing together all of the musical interludes that we've created over the past four years of episodes. Enjoy!

It seems amazing that this is our fourth Christmas episode, given our attention spans, but here we are, and we definitely have a mixed bag of festive films for you in this one. In terms of Christmas movies we're pleased to present to you the good, the bad, and the very, very ugly. We'll let you decide which is which.   One From The Vaults: Black Christmas (1974) from Amazon Prime.

You want ghosts? We got ghosts. One score and six ghosts, to be precise, because we're looking at a pair of films which both feature a baker's dozen of the ectoplasmic buggers. We compare a 1960 William Castle film to the 2001 remake by Dark Castle Entertainments, and also come right up to the present day with a horror fresh off the press from last month.   What Fresh Hell Is This?: There's Someone Inside Your House (2021) from Netflix.

This episode comes to you courtesy of that genre where everyone is beautiful, parties last forever and everywhere you look are mysterious dark figures carrying bodies about - the 90s Teen Slasher. We look at two of the biggest films in the genre that aren't Scream, and also have a good old listed to a podcast based on a Stephen King short story. It's all go here in the Shed, and another thing that is all go is the builders next door, so there might be a tiny bit of background drilling and banging, but we got most of it out!   Easily Available Horror - Strawberry Spring, a 2021 podcast on AudioUp, also on Apple Podcasts and Audible.

This episode was released on Saturday the 30th October, two days early so it would be out for Hallowe'en, but the spookiest thing about this undead-filled episode is that we don't actually mention Hallowe'en at all - It's become quite a tradition for us to totally forget that Hallowe'en is a yearly thing for most people, not a lifestyle. But we do mention our opinions on two classic British zombie movies and a true-crime documentary that features horrors both real and supernatural.   Easily Available Horror: Cropsey (2009) on Amazon Prime.

Hello one and all, apologies that this episode is a little late but unfortunately despite our best efforts COVID has infiltrated the damp planks of the Shed and so editing was slightly hampered, especially given the amount of deValmont's throat clearing and coughing that had to be cut out. But you're not here to talk about the real world, we're delving into the fantastical with two reality-bending films that are guaranteed to leave you reeling.   Easily Available Horror: The Burning (1981), from Youtube.

In a pleasant change from the usual ripe and stinking corpses we have lying around the Shed, in this episode we cover three works that are all from this very year! When we watched this trilogy of retro horror films we decided we had to cover it on the Shed, so in this episode we replace our usual Easily Available Horrors and Fresh Hells for a fresh and easily available Triple Feature, so enjoy. But before that there's a pretty monster news section with a NEW SEGMENT! Although you'll probably recognise it from the smell.

In one of our very rare acts of organisation this episode features an Easily(ish) Available Horror which fits in with the theme of our Double Feature, which is the enduring concept of the Drawing Room Play - a piece set in a single place with a small ensemble of characters, with a concentration on dialogue and developing relationships. This might not seem like a genre which meshes well with horror, but these three might persuade you otherwise.   (CW: The section on Hard Candy features discussion about child sexual assault, this film is covered from around 30:00 until 43:30 of the podcast.)   Easily Available Horror: The Exam (2009) on Amazon Prime.

One horror genre that is often maligned is found footage - 'wobbly-cam' makes people throw up, it's low budget, the CGI is often ropey, but we've decided to wade through the swamp and bring you two excellent examples that the FF genre still has its occasional gems, even in the last decade. We also decided to drag a surprisingly good film out of the other swamp we often wade through - Bela Lugosi's Shed Poor Quality Film Club, which you can join us in on Mondays at 8pm, check Twitter for the film and Discord details.   Easily Available Horror - Mikey (1992), available to watch on Youtube.

We've got a bit of a special episode for you this time, as HJ Doom has been joined by literary horror enthusiast Kit Rathenar for a longform discussion about the seminal horror writer Thomas Ligotti, taking a closer look at a selection of his short stories in the context of his oeuvre as a whole. It was recorded straight off the internet voice call so the  sound quality is a bit variable, with some background noise we couldn't completely excise, but I think you'll agree that the content more than makes up for it. And I (Richard deValmont) can say that, as I am not in this one. Which is probably why it's so good.

In this frenetic episode we're having to put our foot to the floor as we get through a host of shorts, in this case brought together into two classic portmanteau films of the 70s and 80s. We talk about the individual segments as well as the concept of the anthology film as a whole, and we spend so much time doing so that this episode had no room for an Easily Available Horror, it's just so crammed with anthologies. Thanks, anthologies. Thanthologies.

We've finally got to the final leg of our epic deep dive down Elm Street, and rest assured the home stretch is an absolute joy compared to some of what has gone before (Part 6. We mean Part 6). Here we look at the two films which come after the main sequence of the franchise, and also cast our eye over a gory labour of love from a recently departed creator.   Easily Available Horror: Laid to Rest (2009) from Amazon Prime.

It's finally here - the part of the Nightmare on Elm Street deep dive that we've all been dreading, I'm sure. We've had it far too easy for far too long, but now we have to face the final curtain. Or the Final Nightmare, as the case may be. And face it we will, because we're determined to see this to the bitter end, and if it means watching one of the most unfailingly dreadful horror sequels then so be it. We also whet your appetite with a French Fresh Hell which we can't recommend enough.   What Fresh Hell Is This? : Un Couteau Dans Le Coeur (Knife + Heart) (2018), on MUBI, Apple TV and Amazon Video.

It's Episode 2 of our deep dive into the Nightmare on Elm St franchise, which means we're looking at Parts 3 and 4. Confused yet? You will be, because we're also talking about a horror comic series which is both great and mysterious in equal measure. As well as that we're also taking some time to discuss the current state of horror media, and it's all packaged up for you here in a single hour of grisly fun.   What Fresh Hell Is This? : Gideon Falls (2018-2020) by Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino, Image Comics.