Monster Movie Happy Hour

The crew get lost in the jungle while watching 1957's "From Hell it Came", the best walking tree stump monster movie ever made.

“Tabanga Tiki Tonic” Cocktail

1 oz White Rum

1 oz Pineapple or Coconut Rum

4 oz Root Beer

1/2 oz Pernod 

1 oz Lime Juice

1 oz Simple syrup

½ tsp Grenadine

3 dashes Angostura Bitters

3 drops Vanilla Extract

In a mixing glass, combine and gently stir ingredients, pour over ice in a Tiki...

The crew travel back in time to the American Civil War and encounter the "Ghost Brigade", a 1993 supernatural horror film starring Corbin Bernsen and Martin Sheen's chin beard.

Be warned - there is a LOT of history talk in this one, so you may want to try the cocktail Mary chose for this episode . . . 

“Jerry Thomas’ 1862 Brandy Sour”

1 tbsp sugar

 1 oz water

 2 oz brandy

slice of lemon

Muddle lemon slice in a low ball glass.

Combine sugar and water (or...

We are BACK after our looooong work break and have an "old school" classic for you, 1958's "Monster on the Campus", one of Dave's childhood favorites!

“Coelocanth Cooler” cocktail

 2 oz simple syrup

8 oz coconut water

3 oz coconut rum

1 or 2 coarse ground mint leaves

1 tsp shredded coconut

splash of Grenadine

In shaker, muddle mint leaves with simple syrup and coconut rum

Add ice and coconut water, shake until chilled, strain into Collins Glass<...

Hey friends - we are still alive and kicking, and will be back with a slew of new episodes in mid-September, as we begin our crawl towards SEASON 8 in October!

CHEERS!

Mary, Scott and Dave

The crew spend an eternity talking about 1988's "Lady in White", with just a few rabbit holes. Go figure?!

“White Lady” cocktail

1.5 oz Gin

1 oz Orange Liqueur

.5 oz lemon juice

.5 oz single syrup (optional)

Egg white

 Combine all ingredients in shaker. Shake 15 seconds. Add ice, shake again until cold. Strain into chilled martini glass. Enjoy!

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The crew dive into 1967's "Night Fright" - not 1985's "Fright Night", with Roddy McDowell  - and literally have trouble seeing the Hairy Gator Monster and B-movie stalwart John Agar, who is truly the best part of this underexposed, underwritten dreck . . . 

Yikes.

The "Mutated Alligator" cocktail

2.5 tbsp lemon concentrate 

2 oz. rum, preferably pineapple or coconut.

12 oz. Lone Star Beer (or a light lager)

Start with cold/chilled ingredients. Lemonade concentrate should be just soft enough to scoop out with spoo...

Scott, Mary and Dave strap on their spelunking gear, knock back a few Challman strength cocktails and fall, screaming, into Neil Marshall's  2005 horror film, "The Descent". 

"The Cave Crawler" 

2 oz. whiskey (preferably bourbon!)

3/4 lemon juice

1/2 oz. Aperol 

2 dash Angostura bitters

1 1/3 oz. tonic water 

Combine the whiskey, lemon juice, Aperol, and Angostura bitters in a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake until very cold, and strain into an cocktail glass. Top with tonic water and a spring of mint!

...

The crew deal with noisy and unruly neighbors in this episode . . . all while chatting about Prog Rock and 2024's splatter horror comedy, "Destroy  All Neighbors".

The "William Brown" cocktail

Ingredients: 
1 oz vodka
1 oz butterscotch schnapps 
½ oz blue curaçao 
3 oz cherry cola or cola
½ oz grenadine 

Instructions:
1. Shake everything except cherry cola and grenadine in a cocktail shaker.
2. Pour into Collins glass & fill with cola.
3. Top with grenadine 
4. Garnish with Maraschino cherry (or two!)

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Our dear friend, the film critic, blogger, broadcaster, quizmaster and collector of colourful plastic things, Marshall Julius, joins us for our chat about 1956's "Forbidden Planet" and we had damned fine time!

We sipped Bourbon and Scotch, so there were no cocktails this time around.

Note - 

Marshall is the co-author (with veteran special makeup effects king Howard Berger) of the book "Making Monsters", the follow-up to their fantastic "Masters of Make-up Effects", both of which you can find here:

https://www.makingmonsters.org/makingmonsters/shop/home

You can f...

For Dave's belated birthday episode we gathered around the swirling tube of liquid evil and watched John Carpenter's 1987, "The Prince of Darkness".

Our cocktail was tasty enough, though it COULD have looked SO much cooler . . . 

"Sweet Sleeper" cocktail

1 part white rum
1 part pineapple juice
1/2 part simple syrup
1/4 part green crème de menthe
Dash of orange bitters
Orange slice for garnish

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into martini glass.
Garnish and drink!
Note – the 1/4 part Crème de Me...

All right, you nerds - step into the dripping, wet Deep Dark Lounge, grab a drink and listen to our chat about 1983's "The Deadly Spawn".  This episode is for folks who can enjoy a movie shot on 16mm film, made largely by amateurs on a $25,000 budget in the pre-CGI age, chock-full of fake blood and surprisingly good creature design and practical effects.

The "Mother Spawn Sling"

75 oz. gin

.25 oz. cherry liqueur

.25 oz. orange liqueur 

1 oz. pineapple juice 

.5 oz. lime juice 

1...

For our first episode of the new year we dig down deep (ya like that alliteration?) into Roger Corman's "The Premature Burial", and have a Hell of a good time!

“Dirt Nap” cocktail 

1.5 oz rum 

1.5 oz Kahlua 

3 oz chocolate milk

1-2 maraschino cherries

Crushed/powdered Graham Crackers or Oreos.

Ice

Rim Old Fashioned glass with crushed graham crackers or Oreos. Fill glass with ice and add, in order: Rum and Kahlua, then fill glass with chocolate milk. Garnish with cherries.

...

Merry, SCARY Christmas!

We actually recorded this episode in late October, so it has a strong Halloween vibe, and in case you wondered, the irony of releasing an episode about 1973's "The Messiah of Evil" on Christmas day is NOT lost on us . . . purely coincidental, too!

"Point Dune Wallbanger"

1.5 oz Vodka

1 oz Galliano

3 oz Blood Orange juice

Shake with crushed ice 

Pour into Old Fashioned glass

Top of with a splash of Blood Ora...

We travel all the way to 1980 and Antonio Bay to get lost in . . . The Fog!

A good time was had by all and Mary's cocktail was delightful.

"Mr. Machen's Grog"

Dark Rum

5 oz. Ginger Beer

2 tsp. lime juice

2 tsp. blood orange juice

Combine ginger beer and juices in highball glass with ice.

Pour rum over a spoon to float on top of ginger beer

Garnish with wheel of blood orange.

Enjoy!

<...

In our 160th episode (and the beginning of season 7) we were happy to be guests on the Castle of Horror Podcast to talk with those dear friends about the most lavish version of Frankenstein to grace the big and small screen.

You can listen to the Castle of Horror Podcast EVERYWHERE!
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...

The crew FINALLY watch the first of the Final Destination movies. It took long enough, right??? Dave is a self-professed snob, so . . . 

"The Flight 180" cocktail

1 1/2 oz. white rum

1 oz. apple cider 

1 oz. sour apple schnapps

1/2 oz. lemon juice 

1 apple slice, for garnish 

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, and shake over ice until very cold. Strain into a martini glass and garnish the rim with an apple slice. Enjoy!

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The crew chat with long-time friend and award-winning comic creator Drew Edwards and DC Comics superstar artist Nicola Scott about their early work on Drew's "Halloween Man" series, which is now available in the "Halloween Man" Omnibus from Simon and Schuster.

To order the book, check out this link - 

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halloween-Man/Drew-Edwards/9781954167322

You can connect with Drew on many social media sites, including:

https://www.instagram.com/drew_halloween/?hl=en

You can find Nicola o...

We are back after a brief hiatus - and what better way to celebrate than chat about 1959's " The Alligator People"? Swamp atmosphere, Lon Chaney Jr. and some special make-up effects/masks that are the early work of the amazing Dick Smith adds up to a surprisingly fun movie!

Quicksand cocktail

1 oz. Baileys Irish Cream

1 oz. Vodka

.5 oz. Butterscotch Schnapps

.5 oz. Kahlua Coffee  Liqueur

 2 tsp. powdered chocolate or regular Graham cracker

maraschino cherries for garnish

Co...

Once again we got to join our dear friends at The Castle of Horror Podcast and talk monster stuff - this time, it was "1972's The Legend of Boggy Creek".

We fall down the usual rabbit holes . . . 

You can listen to the Castle of Horror Podcast EVERYWHERE!
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Chat with them on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/castleofhorrorpodcast

And on Twitter:
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Visit our website:
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C...

Vincent Price? Joseph Cotten? Terry-Thomas and his gap-toothed smile? Sign us up! 1971's "The Abominable Dr. Phibes" is a treat!

This is a LONG episode. Sorry folks . . .

"Phibe's Vibes" cocktail

2 oz gin 

1/2 lime juice

teaspoon of elderberry (or similar) liqueur (for color)

several dashes Lavender syrup

1/2 oz simple syrup

Shake with ice, strain into chilled martini glass

Enjoy.

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Here is our belated Scott Chesebrough birthday episode, wherein we chat about 1973's made-for-tv "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark', starring Kim Darby, Jim Hutton a bricked-up fireplace and some creepy little goblins!

Scott's "3 Nasty Gnomes" cocktail:

2.5 oz of Bourbon

.5 oz Grand Marnier

1 oz Orange soda water

1 tsp brown sugar simple syrup

1 tsp strawberry preserves

.25 tsp teaspoon cinnamon

Stir with ice

Strain into an Old Fashioned glass

Enjoy!

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The boys are back in town . . . or at least in the Deep Dark Lounge!

Fellow monster kids Howard Berger, special make-up effects legend, and Marshall Julius, veteran nerd journalist and blogger culture, have written ANOTHER fantastic book, "Making Monsters: Inside Stories from the Creators of Hollywood's Most Iconic Creatures".

Marshall Julius is ALL over the internet - this is simply one way to connect with him:

https://www.instagram.com/vintagegeekcentral/?hl=en

Howard Berger can be found here:

https://www.instagram.com...

It's 2018's "Mandy", folks, with the always entertaining Nicholas Cage and the ethereal Andrea Riseborough - what the HELL else can we say, except it's head-trippin' crazy and glorious.

As was Mary's cocktail . . . 

The Psychedelic Scream cocktail

1.5 oz. vodka 

.5 oz. black raspberry liqueur 

2 oz. cranberry juice 

.25 oz. lemon juice 

Mint, for garnish

Blackberries, for garnish

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and shake vigorously. Strain into a lowball glass, and garnish with a sprig of mint a...

The crew finally chat about Stuart Gordon's 1986 Lovecraft-inspired "From Beyond" - and what a grand old time it was!  Barbara Crampton, Jeffrey Combs, Ken Foree, pineal glands - what's not to like?

"Resonator" cocktail

 2 oz Gin

1 oz Cherry Liqueur

1/2 oz simple syrup

1/4 oz or less Pernod/Absinthe

Combine and shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.

Garnish with Orange twist.

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The crew celebrate their 150th episode by watching a . . . gem.

"Attack of the Beast Creatures" is . . . erm . . . whew . . . a noble attempt at . . . film making?

Scott's cocktail was tasty, however!

“Red Demon” cocktail 

1/3 cup Raspberry sherbet 

3 oz Regular ginger ale, raspberry ginger ale or 7up.

3 oz Cran-Raspberry juice.

2 oz white or coconut rum.

3-4 drops red food coloring (optional)

In large coup glass, combine juice, ginger ale, rum and optional food coloring. Stir.

Add 1/3...

Our dear friend and guest host Alex Taylor joins the crew to talk about his childhood trauma caused by 1992's GHOSTWATCH.

Join us for the therapy session!

"The Screaming Cat" cocktail

 2 oz light rum

1 oz blood orange juice

½ oz Lime juice

¾ oz simple syrup

Shake vigorously with ice, strain into a coupe glass, garnish with blood orange peel.

Enjoy!

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The crew celebrate Dave's belated birthday by watching 2023's "The Vourdalak", a French film based on the Russian novella, "The Family of the Vourdalak".

This movie has it all; a French noble, a beauty mark, a dysfunctional Serbian family with lots of issues and . . . a freaky marionette!

Scott's cocktail was damned tasty.

"The Vourdalak Cocktail"

1.5 oz Rum

1.5 oz White Chocolate Liqueur

.5 oz Luxardo Maraschino or Maraschino liqueur

⅛ tsp Vanilla Extract

White Chocolate Shavings & Maraschino Cherry, for garnish.

Combine and shake ingredients (ex...

Dave is joined by comic creators Drew Edwards and David Bowles to chat about their upcoming "The Matron" comic, a wild hybrid of Slasher meets Slavic myth in Central Texas. 

At the time of this posting, the project has a Kickstarter campaign, with very cool perks, below:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ipicomic/the-matron-slasher-meets-slavic-myth-in-central-texas?ref=project_tweet

The crew watch 1962's "Burn Witch Burn" ( Also known as "Night of the Eagle" ) when Mary is back for a visit to Deep Dark Lounge Midwest. The first attempt at recording was a disaster - cocktails MAY have been responsible. The second recording (after Mary had returned to Deep Dark Lounge East) was MUCH better.

Enjoy!

"Love Potion" cocktail

In a shaker without ice, shake vigorously for 30 -45 seconds, to froth egg white:

4 oz white rum

2 oz Aperol

4 oz pineapple juice

1 egg white

We spend a delightful evening as guests on the Castle of Horror Podcast to chat about 2000's "Shadow of the Vampire".
It was a blast hanging out with these folks as we put a cap on our look at Nosferatu movies.
Cheers!

You can listen to the Castle of Horror Podcast EVERYWHERE!
https://www.spreaker.com/show/castle-of-horror-podcast

Chat with them on Facebook:
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And on Twitter:
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Visit our website:
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Chat...

The crew lose themselves in the beautiful and terrifying 2024 version of "Nosferatu", brought to the big screen by one of their favorites, director Robert Eggers.

Whew!  It's a nightmarish feast for the eyes, ears and soul. You might need Scott's cocktail to steady your nerves.

"Wisborg Nightcap" cocktail

1/2 oz Vodka
1/2 oz Cointreau Liqueur
1/2 oz Gin
1/2 oz  Rum
1/2 oz Blue Curacao
1/2 oz Chambord
2 oz simple syrup

Combine and stir all but Chambord in an ice-filled "Old Fashioned" glass, drizzle Chambord on top, then garnish with a Ma...

Happy Bloodsucking Christmas from our twisted crew to you!

The gang watch and chat both 1922's "Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror" and 1979's "Nosferatu the Vampyre". Are you surprised that we love them?

Two movies equals two cocktails!

"Max’s Mix "
2 oz. Whiskey or bourbon
3/4 oz Cherry liquor 
3/4 oz. Fresh-squeezed lemon juice 
A dash of simple syrup

Combine all ingredients in a glass or a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Stir with a cocktail spoon until ice cold. Strain into a couple glass and garnish with a twis...

One of our listeners suggested that the crew watch 1958's "The Screaming Skull", and we aim to please. This movie is much maligned - and perhaps rightfully so - but we managed to find a lot to talk about and not all of it was negative. What a curious surprise . . .

Also we loved the cheeky warning at the beginning, ""The Screaming Skull is a motion picture that reaches its climax in shocking horror. Its impact is so terrifying it May have an unforeseen effect: it May kill you. Therefore, its producers feel they must assure free burial...

Rats!

No, seriously. This blast from the past has rats - LOTS of 'em!

The crew watch 1971's "Willard", starring a VERY young Bruce Davison, a middle-aged Ernest Borgnine and a rather old Elsa Lanchester. Did we mention the rats? What more do we have to say? Watch it!

The cocktail was . . . interesting.

"The White Rat" - Recipe to follow!

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Season 6 is off to a fun start as the crew encounter "The People Under the Stairs", Wes Craven's 1991 Horror Comedy. Comedy? Really? Goofy, perhaps . . . 

Mary's cocktail was, as ever, delightful

"The Landlord’s Chimney" 

2 ounces gin
3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
3/4 ounce cherry liquor 
1 small or medium egg white

 Combine all ingredients in a glass and shake vigorously over ice to get the egg white to froth. Strain into a Collins glass and garnish with a lime peel (not unlike a fresh green dollar bill!).

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We wrap up Season 5 with a two-movie extravaganza: Tim Burton's 1999 "Sleepy Hollow" and Disney's 1949 "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow".
This is a LOOOOONG one, folks, so grab a pillow, a blankie and Scott's cocktail . . .

"Crane’s Elixir"

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 Maraschino cherry 
2 oz apple cider
2 oz. Bourbon.   

 Instructions:

1. Mix two tablespoons of sugar with 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.  Place on plate. Coat rim of glass in maple syrup. Dip rim in sugar mixture...

The crew stumble upstairs and bump into 2019's "The Girl on the Third Floor", directed and co-written by Travis Stevens and starring Phil "CM Punk" Brooks (who looks a HELL of a lot like a hybrid of Dick York and Dick Sargent of "Bewitched").

Scott's cocktail was mighty tasty!

"Third Floor" cocktail 

3 oz Vodka
1 oz Triple Sec
4 oz Cranberry juice
2 oz Cherry juice 
1 oz lime
2 oz Ginger Ale

Pour all ingredients in shaker, shake well.
Serve in Collins glass 3/4 full with ice.
Add two ma...

The crew chat with Austin Jennings, co-creator and director of "The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs" about his just-released movie, "Eight Eyes". Austin gave  everyone an in-depth look at the creation of his wonderfully nasty little film, a Vinegar Syndrome release, scheduled to show on SHUDDER starting September 23. Strongly recommended.

You can connect with Austin on Twitter at:
https://x.com/RadioParfait

Check out details about the movie at:
https://www.8eyesfilm.com/

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The crew get all warm and fuzzy watching Cushing and Lee together again, in 1973's "The Creeping Flesh", directed by the fantastic Freddie Francis. Better than cold and slimy, right???

Mary's Challman strength cocktail was another winner. Yum!

"The Serum" cocktail

1 1/2 oz. Dry Gin 
2/3 oz. Chartreuse 
2/3 oz. Luxardo 
2/3 oz. Freshly squeezed lime juice 
1/4 oz. Ice cold water 

Shake all ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a coupe glass, and garnish with several cherries stacked together on a cocktail skewer (mimicking a severed finger)!

The crew checks out Dan Curtis' 1970 movie, "House of Dark Shadows", the first of two big screen versions of his "Dark Shadows"  TV soap opera.
Mary learns all about the Dark Shadows series, and the conversation runs far and wide, helped along by Dave's thinly-veiled Rum and Coke cocktail.

"Barnabas' Black Blood" cocktail

2 oz. DARK Rum

1 oz. Cherry Liqueur

In ice-filled low ball glass/ rocks glass, top with Coke, garnish with orange twist.

Enjoy this thinly disguised Rum and Coke!

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