Study 082 - The Skeleton Count
We're taking a skeptical look at The Skeleton Count, or The Vampire Mistress, a story from the penny dreadfuls attributed to Elizabeth Caroline Grey.
Special thanks to our reader: Maeve Sawyer!
You can investigate the authorship of this story along with us, starting with these resources:
The Elizabeth Caroline Grey Hoax at Yesterday's Papers
The Many Mrs. Greys from The Papers of the Bibliographic Society of America
This episode features an excerpt from Nocturne in C-Sharp Minor by Frédéric Chopin.
Study 081 - School for the Unspeakable
March is for Draculas begins with the Manly Wade Wellman story School for the Unspeakable -- special guest Jamie Brittain in attendance!
Thanks to our reader Marsh Davies -- you can pick up his game TEETH here!
Check out that naughty Weird Tales cover!
And here's all the info you could want on the movie if....
Finally, don't forget to tune into The Crate and Crowbar podcast!
Extra Credit 020 - High Concept: What Is It?
We're talking about our time doing rounds of pitches to studios on "high concept" movies. But what the heck does "high concept" even mean?
Study 080 - Microcosmic God - Part 2
We're back with the conclusion to Theodore Sturgeon's Microcosmic God, and it's action-packed!
Special thanks to reader Greig Johnson! You can see all the cool things he's making by joining his Patreon, or grab everything you can from his Etsy page!
Check out They're Made out of Meat by the late, great Terry Bisson!
Next up: Extra Credit - What Does "High-Concept" Mean?
Study 079 - Microcosmic God - Part 1
Join us as we examine Theodore Sturgeon's Microcosmic God - one of the best sci-fi stories of all time!
Special thanks to reader Greig Johnson! You can see all the cool things he's making by joining his Patreon, or grab everything you can from his Etsy page!
Feedback 20 - Nostalgia for Quicksand
We're talking about your takes on vintage weird - it's the feedback show!
Here's that scene from Dunston Checks In. Wow.
Study 078 - The Plattner Story
We're entering the fourth dimension with The Plattner Story by H.G. Wells!
Special thanks to reader Erik Peabody of Viking Guitar Productions. Check out his full reading of our own Chris Lackey's short story SNACK TIME on the Horror Hill Podcast!
What is the Fourth Dimension? by Charles Howard Hinton.
Outro track - OBLITERATOR by Viking Guitar
Intro track - Gnossienne: No. 1 by Erik Satie
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