The Bloody Pit #222 - HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1944)

It’s Monster Rally time! Troy and I have been looking forward to discussing this Universal Horror film for a long time. Easily one of the most fun of the studio’s 1940’s horror films HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1944) has extraordinary highs and some bizarre lows. We dig into every single one we can think of including my obsession with werewolf footwear. I’ll admit that I may have been overprepared for this episode which explains how the show’s running time stretches to double the length of the film itself!

Of course, this movie marks Boris Karloff’s return to the Frankenstein series but in a new role as a mad scientist. He is fantastic here with his character’s short-sighted goals always overruling wiser choices. Stepping into the oversized boots of the Frankenstein Monster for the first time is Glenn Strange, causing us to look at the common use of his version of the creature in products aimed at fans. John Carradine becomes Universal’s new Dracula in the episodic film’s first segment but I make the argument that he might be playing an imposter. “Is you is, or is you ain’t my Dracula?”

 

J. Carrol Naish appears as the hunchbacked assistant to Karloff and the actor does his usual excellent job playing a character that swings wildly from brutal murderer to pitiable, lovelorn soul. We also discuss several of the returning bit players that always show up in these movies and lament that George Zucco doesn’t get more screentime. At a certain point we realize that we have gotten lost on the brain swapping carousel trying to figure out which noggin should get which lump of gray matter. Luckily the film has a proper torches and pitchforks villager attack to bring things to a destructive end. Plus – quicksand!

 

If you have any comments about this film or any of the Universal horror movies thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to send them. Thank you for listening and Happy Halloween!

The Bloody Pit #211 - THE CLIMAX (1944)

We take a trip to Vienna to see what Boris Karloff looks like in color! Or is that colour?

 

Troy and I discuss THE CLIMAX (1944), Universal’s attempt to craft a follow-up to their 1943 hit remake of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. They took a 1909 stage play, grafted on some Phantom elements and used the same sets from the previous year’s film to create a beautiful looking final product. They even carried over some of the cast in similar roles. But did they make a good movie?

 

We dig into the things we like and dislike about this often overlooked entry in the horror films of the 1940’s. Both of us marvel at the opulent sets while being impressed by Susanna Foster’s singing talents. We examine some of our favorite cast members including Gale Sondergaard and Thomas Gomez. The multiple audiences that the film was trying to appeal to comes under scrutiny as we lament the fact that the horror portion of the mix seems to get little attention. Sometimes striving for broad appeal results in a work that pleases no one. As the episode goes on we give voice to our many questions about the story’s details that require an almost supernatural suspension of disbelief.

 

If you have any comments about THE CLIMAX thebloodypit@gmail.com is the address. If you want to hear me ramble on about movies and media even more my Patreon page is active. Thank you for listening!

Boris Karloff Movie Poster Artwork

These are comfort viewing for me. 

 

Boris Karloff: Tales of Mystery Cover Gallery

 

The Bloody Pit #183 - Inner Sanctum Radio Shows

Since we will be covering four more Inner Sanctum films in 2024 it was suggested that I might want to acquaint podcast listeners with some of the old radio shows. I love these wonderful horror and suspense tales but most folks have never sought them out. They are quite entertaining as examples of ‘Theater of the Mind’ exercises and, as I explain in my introductions, the Inner Sanctum show may have been the starting point for a horror trope that persists to this day.

 

I have picked three interesting episodes that I think will give you a good idea of the tone the program trafficked in and there is even a performance from Boris Karloff to get us started! He is the main character in an adaptation of Poe’s The Tell Tale Heart while Richard Widmark stars in the second grisly story about man’s lust for immortality. The final story I chose because it fits the October season with the title A Corpse for Halloween. Enjoy!

If you have any comments or suggestions thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to send them. Thanks for listening and Happy Halloween! 

The Bloody Pit #161 - It's Alive! by Julian David Stone

This episode I welcome writer Julian David Stone to discuss his new novel, It’s Alive! The book explores the struggle to produce FRANKENSTEIN (1931) at Universal Studio. Stone’s story uses the perspectives of Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff and studio head Carl Laemmle, Jr. to relate the difficult path to getting that revered classic film off the ground. We get inside the heads of this trio of talented people giving us an insightful view of each and their motivations during this important period in film history. Fans of the Universal classic horror movies often think of these films in terms of one success leading inevitably to another but the resistance to bringing these macabre tales to the screen was strong. ‘It’s Alive’ presents an excellent look at the battle to create not just one movie but an entire cycle of them that changed how Hollywood thought about horror cinema.

Of course, I can’t have a discussion that touches on the Universal horror films without the conversation spiraling out to other movies in the series. We dig a little into favorite entries including defenses of some of the underpraised films of later years. As expected, Mr. Stone is a Monster Kid from way back and his love for these film shines through. We had a great time talking and I can highly recommend It’s Alive!

If you have any comments or questions thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to write or send voice messages. Thank you for listening and we’ll be back soon.

Stone's Website LINK

FRANKENSTEIN 1970 (1958) Poster Art

I know I'm one of the few that really loves this one but I suspect the amazing poster art is greatly admired. 

 

Trailer - Boris Karloff: The Man Behind The Monster (2021)

Here is the trailer for the new feature length documentary about the life and career of Boris Karloff. It is showing in selected locations around the country and available for rent on Prime, Apple TV and other streaming services. I'm hoping to see it soon!

 

Trailers From Hell - THE COMEDY OF TERROR (1963)

Jacques Tourneur’s 1963 horror romp retains most of the actors and crew from Roger Corman’s Poe adaptations—including poster art from Reynold Brown. The film lacks the luster of Mr. Corman’s efforts but with Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, and Basil Rathbone on board, who’s complaining? Price and Lorre play luckless undertakers who start supplying their own corpses.

Video - Boris Karloff in 'Sting of Death' (1955)

Were you aware that Boris Karloff once played Sherlock Holmes? Well, he certainly did, as the script for this television adaptation of Gerald Heard's 1941 mystery novel 'A Taste of Honey' makes perfectly plain without ever using that famous name. Mr. Mycroft (wink, wink) is an older, retired gentleman living in a small English village raising bees (nudge, nudge) who realizes that not all is good with a neighboring beekeeper. In fact, he suspects him of being a murderer! Enter the fussy honey devotee Mr. Silchester and Mr. Mycroft realizes he will have to handle things in his customary fashion - outside the law. 

Of course, this is a very set bound production made with little money and obvious false backdrops but the actors are wonderful and the story is quite satisfying. I recommend checking it out! 

Poster Art and Lobby Cards - THE BLACK CAT (1935)

Boris Karloff Tales of Mystery - Cover Gallery

I really wish I had grabbed a few of those hardcover reprints of these a few years back.