I search and sift through the internet to help bring you interesting sites and sounds you might otherwise miss.
I first wanted to give kudos to the excellent KomicsKast podcast. The host Bruce, is quite tech savvy, and has put a few interesting sites and tech gadgets on my radar. In regards to the former, his mention of Archive.org was helpful. I was aware of the site but did not realize it contained old time radio as well as public domain films. I’ve been exploring it for the past couple weeks, and have uncovered a few things of note.
They have Nosferatu in quite a decent version, A film that despite its age remains somehow vital and compelling, in a way that few vampire films since can claim to be.
They also have HAXAN, another silent film, this one tracing the history of witchcraft. I’ve only watched a bit of it, looks interesting but the picture and audio are pretty poor.
Probably the jewels of my searching so far is a fantastic Librivox recording of Arthur Machen’s THE WHITE PEOPLE in 3 parts. It’s the first part however that is of interest as it works in thematically with my 2nd discovery, a 1932 audio recording of Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde, that is in 52 parts and blows away any filmed or television version of this oft told tale.
Absolutely fantastic, and holds up 70 years later as gripping edge of your seat stuff. The first episode is slow, and seemingly… wrong, but stick with it, it falls into place quickly, and the series does not look back.
Download all 52 episodes, and you will thank me later. LOST? BATTLE STAR GALACTICA? They don’t know what gripping is.
But before you listen, listen to episode 1 of Machen’s THE WHITE PEOPLE. There is a parity between the two, a very unique definition of evil that Machen’s most famous work espouses, and DR.JEKYLL/MR.HYDE illustrates. In this definition evil is not the brute who kicks his wife to death, but the alchemist/the scientist, the seeker into mysteries above and below his station, the stormer of heaven that is evil, in its truest definition. Riveting stuff.
Okay onto this installment’s podcasts. First up is the podcast CINEMA SLAVE.

CINEMA SLAVE- The two latest shows from this podcast, seem to be very different in scope from the preceding episodes, and I think in a very good way. Covering as it does the discovery of lost films, and DVD reviews of classic/cult films, with wit and passion. You can check their back catalog, but for my money episode #112 is a great jumping on point.
Cinema Slave #112- Discusses the 2008 discovery of the full 3 hour version of Fritz Lang’s METROPOLIS in Buenos Aires, Argentina. No doubt taken there by an escaping Nazi
. Also discusses the discovery of the Todd Browning film, THE UNKNOWN, and Todd Browning’s still lost film LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT. 1966 the sole existing print of that film was destroyed in an MGM fire. Ad for B MOVIE CAST (a very good Podcast).
NANOOK OF THE NORTH talks about the interesting recreation of a lost documentary. Discusses the missing Spider sequence in the original KING KONG. Praise for the Peter Jackson SPIDER PIT Documentary on the 2 disc 1933 Kong DVD, as one of the best DVD extras of all time. Ad for DR WHO Podcast.
Discussion on Orson Welles CITIZEN KANE, segueing into an overview of the butchering of his MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS (A film that despite editing, is still phenomenal), and the possible existence of Welles lost footage. [Which if true would, for me being a huge fan of Welles and MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS, be one of the greatest finds of cinema].
PHANTOMS and FOUR DEVILS, talk of rediscovery of Murnaus’s lost films. And discusses how studios just junk, rather than preserve, their old back catalog. And oddly enough (because I’ve been spending so much time on it) praises the Internet Media Archive. [A fantastic resource!]. Discusses a just found new print of the 1931 Dracula, that includes the epilogue to the movie. I would say a great, essential episode. B+/A-.
Cinema Slave #113- Joe B discusses the box set AMERICAN SILENT HORROR COLLECTION by Kino. Discusses news of LONDON AFTER DARK/HYPNOTIST possibly having been discovered. Ad for BATTLESHIP PRETENSION podcast.
Overall says the set AMERICAN SILENT HORROR COLLECTION doesn’t live up to its title. The DVDs in the set: CAT AND THE CANARY-more comedy and by a German director. THE MAN WHO LAUGHS- a good silent film, but not horror.
DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE 1920- The only film in the set that is actually horror. THE PENALTY- Great Chaney Melo-Drama film. KINGDOM OF SHADOWS- Documentary on the rise of Silent Film, is given the thumbs down. Is not a documentary, just an infomercial for Kino. Fun epilogue as he relates people trying to silence him from discussing politics on his personal blog. A very good show. B.

Today’s 2ND overview is on the podcast called B-MOVIE CAST hosted by Vince R.
B-MOVIE CAST- I got into this series with episode #38, and I think that’s a good starting point. The show, like many one person shows, is not for everyone. Initially it may seem dry, but once you get into it you’ll find a very informative, and well produced show. Of the earlier shows, you’ll have to see what grabs you, but for my money episode #7 is a must listen (Ulmer’s THE BLACK CAT for my money being one of the greatest Universal Films of all time, just inching out James Whale’s greatest films THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN and THE INVISIBLE MAN). I think Vince R’s review of this film is dead on.
Episode #38-Well produced one-man show from South Carolina hosted by Vince Rotollo, is a podcast that discusses B, Cult, Sci-fi, and related genre films. BOULEVARD MOVIES.COM Donated a movie for review. ICONS OF HORROR:THE SAM KATZMAN COLLECTION. Has a toll free number and website. Discusses briefly FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE SPACE MONSTER, LADY IN WHITE, TRUE BLOOD HBO TV Series.
CREATURE WITH THE ATOMIC BRAIN- Atomic Zombies?! What more could you want. 
THE WEREWOLF- Early Werewolf movie, that has scientific roots to the creation of the monster. Pretty good.
ZOMBIES OF MORITAR-Low budgert and silly, but fun.
THE GIANT CLAW- B-Movie Classic with ridiculous monster (so he says)
#39- Do you dream in color or Black and White? Recommendations for FRINGE, and MENTALIST. Review of Equinox film. Ad by Mailorder Zombie. Aspect Ratio podcast recommendation. BoomerByte podcast recommendation. Bloody Italiano blog. A remastered version of THE LAST MAN ON EARTH from LEGEND FILMS.NET, with black and white and remastered colorized versions in same set. Equinox, low budget film, pretty much a college project, but impressive for what it is.
#41- Torture Garden Anthology film is recommended, Palance meets Poe and stars Burgess Meredith, sounds like fun. PHASE IV film is reviewed. Directed by Saul Bass.
#5- Covers the Univeral DVD release of the CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON set.
#7- Format is improved. The News and Notes section appears to be a welcome addition. Discusses GHOST RIDER, 300. Six Degrees TV show. Discussion of Cludia Black starring on the Dredsen Files. Discusses LOST. Journeyman TV show. Babylon Fields TV show. Main review is on one of my favorite films, 1934’s THE BLACK CAT by Edgar Ulmer. HOLLYWOOD HORROR book is recommended.
To find these sites so you can sample there shows just use my recommended search engine to the right over there. Type in the names of the shows and presto! start downloading! And tell them that HT sent ya!
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