Castle of Horror Podcast

This week we have a look at the 1971 film ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET OF THE APES. This is Episode 484! Escape from the Planet of the Apes is a 1971 American science fiction film directed by Don Taylor and written by Paul Dehn. The film is the sequel to Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) and the third installment in the original Planet of the Apes film series. It stars Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Bradford Dillman, Natalie Trundy, Eric Braeden, Sal Mineo, and Ricardo Montalbán. In the film, Cornelius (McDowall) and Zira (Hunter) flee back through time to 20th-century Los Angeles, where they face fear and persecution.Escape from the Planet of the Apes was released in the United States on May 26, 1971, by 20th Century-Fox. The film received a mainly positive response from critics and is generally considered the best sequel of the original Apes series. Escape was followed by Conquest of the Planet of the Apes in 1972.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

Tonight we’re chatting with C. J. Dotson, author of the new book THESE FAMILIAR WALLS, out from St. Martin’s Press in April. THESE FAMILAR WALLS is a suburban horror novel about a woman who inherits her childhood home after her parents are murdered there, only to find it haunted by past trauma and a menacing presence, forcing her to confront dark secrets from her youth, including a troubled friendship and a mysterious fire. The story uses a dual timeline, flashing back to 1998 and forward to 2020, and is described as a chilling, twist-filled tale perfect for fans of authors like T. Kingfisher and Catriona Ward.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

This week we have a look at the 1971 film Let's Scare Jessica to Death. This is Episode 481! Let's Scare Jessica to Death is a 1971 American psychological horror film co-written and directed by John Hancock in his directorial debut, and starring Zohra Lampert, Barton Heyman, Kevin O'Connor, Gretchen Corbett, and Mariclare Costello. The film depicts the nightmarish experiences of a psychologically fragile woman who comes to believe that another strange, mysterious young woman she has let into her home may actually be a vampire.This week we are joined again by our executive producer, PENNY DREADFUL/SKYFALL screenwriter John Logan, whose film MICHAEL has just come out.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

This week we have a special Second Bite look at two films which we love and deserve more attention: 1970’s Count Yorga, Vampire and its 1971 sequel The Return of Count Yorga. This is Episode 479! Count Yorga, Vampire (1970) and The Return of Count Yorga (1971), both written and directed by Bob Kelljan and starring Robert Quarry, revitalized the vampire genre by transplanting the classic Dracula formula into contemporary California. We are joined once again by Tony-award-winning, Oscar-nominated writer John Logan, whose new film on Michael Jackson, Michael, opens in April.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

This week we take a look at the 1967 Hammer film Frankenstein Created Woman. This is Episode 478! Frankenstein Created Woman is a 1967 British Hammer horror film directed by Terence Fisher and starring Peter Cushing and Susan Denberg. The screenplay was written by Anthony Hinds (as John Elder). It is the fourth film in Hammer's Frankenstein series.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

This week we continue our Valentine's Day series of films with a look at the 1981 film My Bloody Valentine. This is Episode 476! My Bloody Valentine is a 1981 Canadian slasher film directed by George Mihalka from a screenplay by John Beaird. It features an ensemble cast that includes Paul Kelman, Lori Hallier, and Neil Affleck. The plot tells about a group of young adults who decide to throw a Valentine's Day party, only to incur the vengeful wrath of a maniac in mining gear who begins a killing spree.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

Tonight we’re chatting with Christina Kovac, author of the new book WATCH US FALL. Christina Kovac is a mystery author and former DC broadcast news producer with 17 years of experience managing Washington, DC newsrooms and producing crime and political stories. Her career in television journalism spanned Fox Five's Ten O'Clock News, ABC affiliate WJLA, and NBC News. She is the author of The Cutaway and lives with her family outside Washington, DC.In the book, main character Lucy is part of a small, tight-knit group of friends known as the Sweeties who live in a Georgetown row house, focused on their careers and romantic drama until one of them, Addie's, ex-boyfriend, an up-and-coming newscaster, suddenly goes missing. WATCH US FALL is out this month from Simon & Schuster.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

This week we have a look at the 1951 film SCROOGE. This is Episode #473! Scrooge (released as A Christmas Carol in the United States) is a 1951 British Christmas fantasy drama film and an adaptation of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol (1843). It stars Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge, and was produced and directed by Brian Desmond Hurst, with a screenplay by Noel Langley. It also features Michael Hordern, Kathleen Harrison, George Cole, Hermione Baddeley, Mervyn Johns, Clifford Mollison, Jack Warner, Ernest Thesiger and Patrick Macnee. Peter Bull narrates portions of Charles Dickens's words at the beginning and end of the film, and appears on-screen as a businessman.Upon its initial release, the movie was largely ignored by critics, and reactions from those that did watch it were varied. Nevertheless, the movie attracted a strong following on television, and subsequent reviews have been significantly more positive, with many critics considering it one of the best adaptions of the novel, with general praise for the performances, particularly Sim's portrayal of Scrooge.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

This week we are joined by the Monster Movie Happy Hour Podcast for a look at Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 film FRANKENSTEIN. This is Episode #472! Frankenstein is a 2025 American gothic drama film produced, written and directed by Guillermo del Toro, based on Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. The film stars Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, Jacob Elordi as the Creature, and Mia Goth as Elizabeth, with Felix Kammerer, David Bradley, Lars Mikkelsen, Christian Convery, Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz in the supporting roles. The story follows the life of Victor Frankenstein, an egotistical scientist whose experiment in creating new life results in dangerous consequences when his monstrous creation comes to life. Frankenstein had its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 30, 2025. It began a limited theatrical release on October 17, 2025, with a global digital release by Netflix on November 7. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with Elordi's performance receiving acclaim.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

Tonight we’re chatting with national bestselling author Christina Henry, whose first hardcover, The Place Where They Buried Your Heart (Berkley, Nov. 4), blends haunting suspense with deeply human themes.Christina is known for her dark fantasy and horror novels (Good Girls Don’t Die, The Ghost Tree, The House That Horror Built), each exploring the shadows in both supernatural forces and human hearts. Her latest is a chilling, emotionally layered haunted house story set in Chicago, where a sister must confront the darkness that claimed her brother decades earlier. And that same house may still be hungry. The book has received praise from the New York Times, Paul Tremblay and Christopher Golden, both of whom I’ve talked to on this show.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

This week we continue a cycle of Mario Bava films curated by special guest, three-time-Oscar nominated screenwriter John Logan, with a look at the 1964 film Blood and Black Lace. This is Episode #470!Blood and Black Lace (Italian: 6 donne per l'assassino, lit. 'Six Women for the Murderer') is a 1964 giallo film directed by Mario Bava and starring Eva Bartok and Cameron Mitchell. The story concerns the brutal murders of a Roman fashion house's models, committed by a masked killer in a desperate attempt to obtain a scandal-revealing diary.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

Tonight we’re chatting with Brian Asman, who’s been called “a singular voice in horror fiction,” author of MAN, F*CK THIS HOUSE (AND OTHER DISASTERS) from Blackstone Publishing, a collection of six brand-new stories of hauntings and California Weirdness. Brian Asman is a writer, actor, and director from San Diego. He’s the author of Good Dogs from Blackstone Publishing. His other books include I’m Not Even Supposed to Be Here Today, Neo Arcana, Nunchuck City, Jailbroke, Our Black Hearts Beat as One, and Return of the Living Elves. Find him on social media (@thebrianasman) or his website (www.BrianAsmanBooks.com).In the titular “Man, F*ck This House,” Sabrina Haskins and her family have just moved into their dream home. At first glance, the house is perfect. But things aren’t what they seem. Sabrina is hearing odd noises, seeing strange visions. Their neighbors are odd or absent. And Sabrina’s already-fraught relationship with her son is about to be tested in a way no parent could ever imagine. Because while the Haskins family might be the newest owners of this house, they’re far from its only residents…Join us!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

Tony Salvaggio checks in to discuss the highlights of Fantastic Fest 2023, where he watched an impressive 35 movies across various genres. From horror films exploring trauma to unique international cinema, Tony breaks down standout films like "Marama," "Obsession," and the newest "Silent Night, Deadly Night." He shares insights into the current state of genre filmmaking, emphasizing the importance of independent film festivals in showcasing diverse storytelling. Hear about secret screenings, unexpected gems, and Tony's passionate take on why genre cinema remains vibrant and essential.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.