The Monsters That Made Us

In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” finally dive into their first genuine adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic gothic novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and boy, it's a doozy! Join them as they discuss Paul Massie’s unique dual role as the homely Dr. Jekyll and the handsome Mr. Hyde, the return of horror icon Christopher Lee in a non-monster role, plus another big screen icon making his first Hammer appearance, Hammer’s trademark use of bold colors, what constitutes a monster movie, and why The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll is far and away the most salacious film they’ve discussed so far! Trigger warning for this episode: Sexual assault If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out our Patreon!

The evil mummy Kharis has once again been resurrected to exact revenge on those who have disturbed the tomb of the Princess Ananka! In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” unwrap Hammer’s first legitimate remake, 1959’s The Mummy! Join them as they discuss the return of Hammer’s dream team, the distribution deal with Universal International that resulted in Hammer gaining access to Universal’s vaults, all of the borrowed elements from The Mummy (1932), The Mummy’s Hand, and The Mummy’s Tomb, and the subsequent lack of original material. Plus: they also ask the big questions like, can you get a DUI while operating a horse-drawn carriage? If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out our Patreon!

It’s time to dust off the ol’ crucifix because “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” are diving into the film that made Christopher Lee a household name, and may also have established Dracula as a sexy/sad character, rather than just a bloodthirsty monster. That’s right, they’re talking about 1958’s Dracula (aka Horror of Dracula)! Join them as they discuss Hammer’s journey bringing Dracula to the big screen, including whittling the source material down to its bare essentials, the challenges of including so much sex and violence, and the interesting connection Hammer shared with Universal Pictures from inception all the way to the film’s release. If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out our Patreon!

Happy Halloween! “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” are back with a brand new season of monster goodness! This time, they’re turning the clocks back to the 1930s to examine the humble beginnings of one of the most iconic horror houses in cinema history: Hammer Film Productions. Join them for a short little season 3 primer as they discuss Hammer co-founders William Hinds and Enrique Carreras, the studio’s decline during the war, and how their sons, Anthony Hinds and James Carreras resurrected the Hammer brand, and began production on the sci-fi and horror films which would ultimately become the studio’s bread and butter. If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out our Patreon!

In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” are hunting a ballerina vampire as they discuss 2024’s Abigail! Join them as they dive into all the gory details about the incredible ensemble cast (including plenty of gushing about Dan Stevens), the filmmaking duo Radio Silence and their knack for melding comedy and horror, and why Abigail is a fantastic take on the Dracula’s Daughter concept. If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out our Patreon!

In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” dive into Chris McKay’s over-the-top, action-packed horror comedy, Renfield! Join them as they discuss the film’s origins as part of the Dark Universe and its evolution into the film it eventually became, the brilliant performances from Nicholas Hoult and the iconic Nicolas Cage, the jaw-dropping practical makeup effects and stunt work, the occasionally uneasy balance between the film’s horror and comedic elements, and why Renfield is ultimately a fun addition to the Universal Monsters canon. If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out our Patreon!

In this second episode of The Monsters That You Made, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” chat with filmmaker Jakob Skrzypa, producer and co-writer of the new horror comedy, Vampire Zombies… From Space! Join them as they discuss Jakob’s history with the Universal Monsters, growing up with The Creature from the Black Lagoon and The Wolf Man, discovering the films of Ed Wood, and the 10+ year journey of breathing new life into a project that began way back in high school and finally getting it up on the big screen. Find Jakob and Vampire Zombies… From Space online: Website: vampirezombiesmovie.com Instagram: @vampirezombiesmovie Instagram: @jakobmakesmovies Facebook: facebook.com/vampirezombiesmovie If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out our Patreon!

Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they say hello and goodbye to Universal’s short-lived Dark Universe. In this episode, they discuss the origins of 2017’s The Mummy, its evolution into a launching pad for an enormous shared cinematic universe, the tumultuous early stages of its production, the brilliant action set pieces, the horrifying mummy moments, the questionable casting decisions, and why, despite its flaws, they still wish they had gotten to see more of the Dark Universe! If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out our Patreon!

Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they turn the clock all the way back to the 15th century to witness the transformation of Vlad Dracula, the Prince of Wallachia, into one of the most legendary monsters the world has ever seen. They discuss Luke Evans’ fantastic performance as the warrior Dracula, the feature film debut of director Gary Shore, the undeniable influence superhero movies had on Dracula’s origin, all the cool vampire stuff that is (or should’ve been) in this movie, and how Dracula Untold was almost definitely Universal’s first attempt at launching a cinematic universe of their own. If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out our Patreon!

In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” got that dog in ’em! Join them as they discuss Universal’s back-to-basics approach to their 2010 remake, The Wolfman, as well as the last minute personnel changes, the reshoots a year after principle photography wrapped, the differences between the theatrical cut and the (superior) unrated director’s cut, Rick Baker’s Academy Award-winning makeup, and so much more! If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out our Patreon!

It’s time to head back to kingdom of Akkad to witness the birth of a legend! Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they discuss young Mathayus in his first straight-to-DVD adventure which takes him deep into the Underworld to retrieve the Sword of Damocles, fight Randy Couture, and become the new Scorpion King. They get into the new cast, the (better) original title, the (mostly) excellent use of low-budget special effects, and why The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior is, ultimately, a goofy good time. If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out our Patreon!

Long before the Dark Universe, Universal had plans to build a massive franchise around the world’s most famous monster hunter, but unfortunately, it never got past the first installment. Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they discuss Van Helsing as a perfect concept to unite a shared monster universe, and how Stephen Sommers’ over-the-top, more-is-more approach may have ultimately doomed it from the start. If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out our Patreon!

Nearly a decade after the events of The Mummy, Imhotep is back, Rick and Evy have a kid, and they’re all searching for the secret resting place of the fabled Scorpion King! Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they travel back to Egypt, then to London, then back to Egypt to discuss all the twists and turns and Stephen Sommers action crammed into 2001’s The Mummy Returns! If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out our Patreon!