Study 077 - The Last Question
We're laser-blasting into a month of science fiction, starting with Isaac Asimov's beloved short story, The Last Question!
Special thanks to reader Ryan Negron!
And don't forget to check out The Key of Dreams - an immersive theater experience with delicious Weird Fiction flavor!
Extra Credit 019 - Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island
ZOINKS! We're talking about the 90s Scooby movie in which the monsters are real! It's Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island!
Also referenced: The 20-Minute Workout
Study 076 - The Spirit Fakers of Hermannstadt
One hundred years ago a ripping yarn by celebrity illusionist Harry Houdini graced the pages of Weird Tales - it's The Spirit Fakers of Hermannstadt!!
Special thanks to reader Andrew Leman - grab up The Temple of Jupiter Ammon now!
Investigate this article on Houdini's ghost writers, as well as this one from Deep Cuts in a Lovecraftian Vein.
Check out the silent film Terror Island featuring a swimming Houdini.
And don't forget to pick up your copy of FHTAGN! which will be releasing February 2nd from Mayhem Lettuce!
Study 075 - The Monstrosity
We're putting our eyes on The Monstrosity by George W. Crane, a story that appeared in Weird Tales 100 years ago this month!
Special thanks to reader Levi Nunez of Loot the Body!
Learn more about Crane's computer dating program and his marital rating charts!
And here's more information about the Organ Autonomy trope!
Up next: The Spirit Fakers of Hermannstadt by HOUDINI!!
Feedback 019 - Grimm Revelations
We're discussing your comments on our month of Grimm's Fairy Tales and uncovering STUNNING facts about Lenin's body, Commando's literary heritage, dolls crapping gold, Santa "The Cannibal" and so much more!
And here's that Atlas Obscura article on the Hansel and Gretel hoax!
Study 074 - The Thing of a Thousand Shapes - Part 2
Jump in as we conclude our look at The Thing of a Thousand Shapes by Otis Adelbert Kline, featured in the second issue of Weird Tales!
Special thanks to reader Andrew Leman - grab up The Temple of Jupiter Ammon now!
Non-Fifer musical selection: Gnossienne: No. 1 by Erik Satie
Next up: The Monstrosity by George W. Crane
Study 073 - The Thing of a Thousand Shapes - Part 1
We're celebrating 101 years of Weird Tales with a look at The Thing of a Thousand Shapes by Otis Adelbert Kline - straight outta the first issue!
Special thanks to reader Andrew Leman - grab up The Temple of Jupiter Ammon now!
Enjoy Kline's essay "Why Weird Tales?" in full!
Non-Fifer musical selection: Gnossienne: No. 1 by Erik Satie
Next up: more shapes!
Study 072 - Hansel and Gretel
We take our final trip into the woods of Grimm's Fairy Tales, accompanied by the original wonder twins: Hansel and Gretel!
Special thanks to our reader, Rachel Lackey of Rachel Watches Star Trek!
Check out Harryhausen's Hansel and Gretel.
And here's Bugs Bunny's version: "Bewitched Bunny"
Save big money AT MENARDS!!!
We are reading this month's selections in The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, translated and annotated by Jack Zipes.
Non-Fifer musical selections: Carnival of the Animals: XIII. The Swan and VII. Aquarium by Camille Saint-Saëns | Nocturnes in C-Sharp Minor and E Minor by Frédéric Chopin
Next up: a look at 100 years of Weird Tales with The Thing of a Thousand Shapes!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Study 071 - The Elves & Rumpelstiltskin
It's a double-feature of Grimm's Fairy Tales!
First up, The Elves, a tale in three parts, followed by our headliner: Rumpelstiltskin.
Special thanks to our reader, Heather Klinke!
We are reading this month's selections in The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, translated and annotated by Jack Zipes.
Non-Fifer musical selections: Carnival of the Animals: XIII. The Swan and VII. Aquarium by Camille Saint-Saëns | Nocturne in C-Sharp Minor by Frédéric Chopin | It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas by Meredith Willson.
And here's all the info you need on the Aarne-Thompson-Uther Index!
Next up: Hansel and Gretel
Feedback 018 - Cabo Wabo and Wabi Shabby
We're talking Grand Guignol, WW2 PSYOPs, Back to School (the movie) and so much more!
Next up: The Elves and Rumpelstiltskin
Study 070 - The Juniper Tree
Our month on Grimm's Fairy Tales continues with a disturbing tale of decapitation, cannibalism and shiny-happy songbirds: The Juniper Tree!
Special thanks to our reader: Greig Johnson! Don't forget to check out his Etsy shop!
We are reading this month's selections in The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, translated and annotated by Jack Zipes.
Non-Fifer musical selections: Nocturne No. 19 in E Minor, Op. 72, No. 1 by Frédéric Chopin | The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act II, No. 12b, Divertissement. Coffee, Arabian Dance by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Get a load of Grimm's John Wick: The Dog and the Sparrow
Next up: The Elves and Rumpelstiltskin
Extra Credit 018 - A Holiday Ghost Story
Ghost stories are a tradition this time of year, and we want in!
Our story is The Water Ghost of Harrowby Hall by John Kendrick Bangs.
Bangs was a New Yorker best known as the Editor of the Department of Humor for Harpers’ publications, and later the editor of Puck, the first successful humor magazine in the United States.
This is a humorous tale that first appeared in Harpers Weekly, way back in 1891, and is suitable for all audiences.
Our production is a full reading by Fifer with an intro by Lackey and some short discussion at the end.
Have a listen with the family and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Study 069 - Snow White
We're celebrating the holidays with a month on Grimm's Fairy Tales. First up: Snow White, featuring 100% more torture than we anticipated!
Special thanks to our reader, Michelle Sawyer!
We are reading this month's selections in The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, translated and annotated by Jack Zipes.
Non-Fifer musical selections: Carnival of the Animals: VII. Aquarium by Camille Saint-Saëns | Nocturne in C-Sharp Minor by Frédéric Chopin.
And don't forget to check out Greig Johnson's Etsy shop!
Next up: The Juniper Tree
Extra Credit 017 - Wabi Sabi and Weird Fiction
Weird fiction deals with imperfect, unfinished narratives that expose the impermanence of all things, which are core tenants of the Japanese philosophy Wabi Sabi.
Study 068 - Harrison Bergeron & 2BR02B
It's a Kurt Vonnegut double feature for Thanksgiving as we speculate on speculative stories Harrison Bergeron and 2BR02B!
Special thanks to reader Erik Peabody of the Horror Hill Podcast and Viking Guitar Productions!
Next up: Wabi Sabi and Weird Fiction
Study 067 - The Bet
Could you do fifteen years in solitude for thirty million bucks? We put the question to the test in Anton Chekhov's The Bet!
Special thanks to our reader, Jeff C. Carter, host of We Bleed Orange and Black and author of We Bleed Red and Green!
Readings are accompanied by Prelude No. 4 and 22 of Shostakovich's 24 Preludes and Fugues, Opus 87.
Next up: Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron and 2BR02B!
Feedback 017 - Who Put Bella in the Witch Elm?
We're reading your comments from October and they're horrifically insightful!
Macho Man Randy Savage - The Cream of the Crop!
Study 066 - The Rocking-Horse Winner
It's your lucky day! We're discussing The Rocking-Horse Winner by D.H. Lawrence and the odds are good you'll enjoy the ride!
Special thanks to our reader, George Woodruff of Full Throttle Sound. You can hear his COMPLETE READING of The Rocking-Horse Winner on the Full Throttle Sound Podcast.
Next up: Feedback, then some Vonnegut!
Study 065 - The Living Dead
Treat that Halloween hangover with a shot of Blochtober! We're discussing Robert Bloch's Nazi vampire fable, The Living Dead!
Special thanks to reader Paul Fricker of Mason and Fricker's Eldritch Stories and The Good Friends of Jackson Elias!
Check out this 90s-lookin' book cover for Great Tales of Madness and the Macabre, compiled by Charles Ardai.
