Tv Terror

I'm joined by Mark Dawidziak, author of The Night Stalker Companion to discuss Kolchak The Night Stalker. Mark has a new book about Edgar Allen Poe as well as The Shawshank Redemption. We discuss these as prelude to our main topic: Kolchak. Mark is the world's leading authority on the subject and it's our privilege to have him with us for today's episode.

Aliens! Dr. Who! And more!... We visit with actor/writer/filmmaker Anthony DP Mann to discuss how a love affair with classic television led to his current project, Bug-Eyed Monsters Invade The Earth! Listen in....

I'm joined by special guest Patricia D to discuss THE LEGEND OF LIZZIE BORDEN (1975), starring Elizabeth Montgomery. We discuss the Borden true crime case in light of the 1975 film and beyond. The 1975 production proves a fine foundation for anyone who is new to the subject. We hope you'll join us for this conversation.

One of the first things to spin-off of the NBC Mystery Movie "Wheel" format was McCloud, starring Dennis Weaver (Duel, The Twilight Zone). It galloped across television sets from 1970-1977 and rode off into the sunset with its final episode, McCloud Meets Dracula, co-starring John Carradine (Stagecoach, The Ten Commandments). We talk McCloud and a whole lot more as I'm joined by a special guest, my brother, Vincent, to reminisce about television memories, days that found us in one of television's great eras. Listen in!

It's the 60th anniversary of The Twilight Zone's THE HOWLING MAN episode. Penned by the brilliant Charles Beaumont, it furnishes a stellar example of what the series offered. I'm joined by my friend, Patricia, as we survey the appearance of The Devil throughout The Twilight Zone. I'm also joined by returning guest, Jason V Brock, for a deeper dive into Beaumont and The Howling Man. This episode was a long time coming. Warmest wishes for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and a bright New Year!

We remember Diana Rigg, the British actress who defined the high point of the classic British television series THE AVENGERS as Emma Peel. LISTEN IN....

Carrie Fisher headlines the 1984 British production of FRANKENSTEIN, co-starring UK greats Robert Powell, David Warner and John Gielgud. I'm joined by Canadian filmmakers and collaborators Anthony DP Mann and Seb Godin, the duo behind the forthcoming film, The Abominations of Frankenstein. LISTEN IN...

EPISODE 110: Starsky & Hutch was one of the top cop shows of the 1970s. A police drama grounded in the real world, our favorite buddy team nevertheless had occasion to go up against the supernatural. In this case, a vampire, played by John Saxon. LISTEN IN!

EPISODE 109: THE HOUSE THAT WOULD NOT DIE (1970): The legendary Barbara Stanwyck (The Big Valley) has got restless spirits on her hands after moving into an inherited family manse with her niece (Kitty Winn, The Exorcist). With the help of a medium and the professor next door (Richard Egan), she must uncover the secret that imprisons these ghosts of the past. A haunting ABC Movie of the Week.

Robert Culp (I SPY, Columbo, Greatest American Hero) is a man driven to take matters into his own hands after he is harassed by out-of-control teens. A telefilm released in the era of Walking Tall and Death Wish, it is based on true events, a tale of do-it-yourself justice. Malcolm Johnson of The Horror Show contributes a segment.

One of the most lavish productions of Mary Shelley's immortal classic was told on the small screen as FRANKENSTEIN THE TRUE STORY (1973), starring Michael Sarrazin, Jane Seymour, and James Mason. I'm joined by my friend, Canadian filmmaker, actor, audio dramatist Anthony DP Mann to tackle this literate NBC mini-series. LISTEN IN...

Peter Graves (Mission Impossible, Scream of the Wolf) and a young Kathleen Quinlan (Event Horizon) co-star in WHERE HAVE ALL THE PEOPLE GONE? (1974), about a father, son, and daughter who find themselves coping in a post-apocalyptic world. This time, the world-wrecker is a sudden, massive solar flare, poisoning exposed human beings with radiation and reducing them to piles of dust.

One of film's great franchises crash landed on the small screen in 1974, giving us THE PLANET of the APES, The Television Series. Roddy McDowall, Ron Harper, and James Naughton are our trio of heroes, fugitives in a future world where apes rule men. We explore the Pilot as well as episode #12, The Cure, a story about contagion. At this time of worldwide concern over the virus COVID-19, this episode goes out with warm wishes for health and safety.

CORONAVIRUS EDITION: In light of Coronavirus worries, it's opportune to discuss BBC's classic post-apocalyptic series, SURVIVORS (1975), in which Chinese scientists unleash an engineered virus, triggering a pandemic, and wiping out all but a remnant who remain to rebuild.

We usher in 2020 with talk of the Dan Curtis (1973) and BBC (2007) productions of FRANKENSTEIN. These adaptations are a study in contrast: we're given a gothic treatment by Dark Shadows creator Dan Curtis, while BBC updates the core story for the biological engineering age of stem cell research. Happy New Year, everyone!

TV TERROR is on location in New York to meet with our friend, Kevin Shinick, author of the new book, STAR WARS: FORCE COLLECTOR, which coincides with the broad release of Episode IX. We discuss the novel, his work in film and television, and what he's watching for Christmas. Join us!

EPISODE 100: In this landmark episode, we celebrate the yuletide with the help of our special friend -- actor, filmmaker, and audio dramatist, Anthony DP Mann, who joins me in a our main discussion about 1984's CBS Presentation of A Christmas Carol, starring George C. Scott. This version is renowned for its fidelity and excellence, an annual tradition for many who cherish Dickens' most famous ghost story. And Rockford Jay weighs in to discuss some related artifacts. Won't you make merry with us?

EPISODE 99: Robert Forster and Melvyn Douglas star in the ABC Movie of the Week, THE DEATH SQUAD (1974), a story about cops who take the law into their own hands and the one standout who goes up against them. We take a moment to give thanks and to remember Forster, whom we lost this season. Thanks to all who listen to this show. LISTEN IN.... Note: Special thanks to Vic Sage and the use of his article, available in full here:  https://popcultureretrorama.com/2019/10/12/rest-in-peace-robert-forster-1941-2019/

It's a Halloween party! I'm joined by some podcaster friends and special guests, THE TATERS to discuss TV Terror programming, classic horror hosts, and more! This one is being released just after midnight on Halloween to celebrate the spooky season. LISTEN IN!...

Paul Lynde was among the most hilarious comedic talents working during the 1960s and 1970s. Famous for Hollywood Squares and his many film and television appearances, his legacy includes a HALLOWEEN SPECIAL like none other. I'm joined by Rockford Jay (Saturday Frights) to discuss Lynde and this one-of-a-kind show.