Jun 24 2023
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Episodes, Uncategorized

Episode 119. Metamorphosis: The Fly (1958) and The Fly (1986)

Dust off the telepods and put your swatters away – it’s time for our thoughts about a short story, an iconic original film, and an even better remake to mingle molecules in an all-new episode.
 
 

REQUIRED READING

The Fly. Dir. Kurt Neumann, 1958. 
The Fly. Dir. David Cronenberg, 1986. 
 

EXTRA CREDIT

“The Fly” By George Langelann. The original short story that appeared in Playboy in 1957.

From Pathos to Tragedy: Two Versions of The Fly. Mary Ferguson Pharr’s essay about the different interpretations of the two films.

The Beetle and the Fly. David Cronenberg’s essay about aging, Kafka and his version of The Fly.
 
On translating Kafka’s “The Matamorphosis.” Susan Bernofsky’s afterword to her 2014 translation of Kafka’s story.
 

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May 26 2023
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Episodes, Uncategorized

Episode 118. Friends till the End. Child’s Play (1988)

In this episode we look at the origins of the original “Good Guy.” From his place in the history of toys to his ties to masculinity to the anxiety around 1980s family structures, we go deep with Chucky to find out what makes him kill. 
 
 

REQUIRED READING

Child’s Play. Dir. Tom Holland, 1988. 
 

EXTRA CREDIT

The History of Creepy Dolls. An examination of how dolls became part of our nightmares.
 
Technology’s Covert Socialization of Children: High-Tech Toys. How “high-tech” toys create a false sense of safety. 
 
Hasbro’s My Buddy Doll. A history of the doll that inspired Chucky.
 
“Midnight Scenes and Orgies”: Public Narratives of Voodoo in New Orleans and Nineteenth-Century Discourses of White Supremacy. 
 
The Child and Adult Trauma in American Horror of the 1980s. Freud’s uncanny child in the era of consumerism.
 
The Place of Play: Toys and Digital Cultures. A look at toys as “generation-shapers.” 
 
Hasbro Brazil’s ad for Baby Alive, encouraging parents to examine their gender biases.
 

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Apr 25 2023
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Episodes, Uncategorized

Episode 117. Fear of Folk: The Blood on Satan’s Claw (1971)

We’re back on our old stomping grounds of Salem Horror Fest to plow the fertile fields of themes and metaphors to unearth why the British folk horror classic, The Blood on Satan’s Claw, left us feeling so icky. From teens and occultism to PSAs and power, we dig deep. 
 
 
 

REQUIRED READING

The Blood on Satan’s Claw. Dir Piers Haggard, 1971. 
 

EXTRA CREDIT

Folk Horror Hours Dreadful And Things Strange. Paul Scovell’s essential text for British folk horror. 
 
Satanic Tourism: Adolescent Dabblers and Identity Work. Pseudo-Satanism as harmless teen fun!
 
 

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Mar 23 2023
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Episodes, Uncategorized

Episode 116. Carrying On: The Quatermass Xperiment

In this episode we look at what happens when an American experiment crash lands in the British countryside. By looking at the state of England after two World Wars, a crisis of masculinity and humanity’s shaky grasp on scientific responsibility, Andrea and Alex uncover what is truly driving innovation and our need to win. 
 
 

REQUIRED READING

The Quatermass Xperiment. Dir. Val Guest, 1955. 
 

EXTRA CREDIT

Hammer and Beyond by Peter Hutchings. An in-depth examination of the studio and its impact. 
 
Seeing is Believing by Peter Biskind. A definitive text for American films in the 1950s. 
 
The Imagination of Disaster. Susan Sontag’s essay about the role of science-fiction in the midst of the Cold War. 
 

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