50 Date Night Screams

Season 1 Wrap Up With Mike and Amber

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 04:00:48 GMT

There's no movie for this episode because we finished all 50 episodes! I'm calling this "Season 1" and Mike is maybe not convinced that we should go on to Season 2. We go over our ratings and discuss the movies we rated lowest and highest. Then Mike quizzes Amber on the characters he created from this series of movies and...well, you'll just have to listen to find out how well she did. Or didn't do.

Learn about what we'll be up to next and if you have an opinion, you're welcome to share it! Find us on the interwebs:

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House of Secrets (1936)

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 04:00:31 GMT

"The House of Secrets" is an old, dark house mystery from 1936. When a man unexpectedly inherits an English estate, he tries to take over the property only to find squatters there. He's later attacked by a group of American gangsters, and along with a detective friend, works to find out the mystery of why everyone wants to get into his house. Amber and Mike sum up the plot of this confusing movie, and Mike shares the original character he created based on this movie that you can download for use in tabletop role playing games.

Title: The House of Secrets

Director: Roland D. Reed

IMDB Rating: 5.0 out of 10

Rating: Approved

Content warnings: Misogyny, trivializing mental illness, kidnapping and abduction, violence, murder

5th Edition Character: Hector Munson, a poison gas wizard

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The House of Mystery (1934)

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 04:00:03 GMT

In "The House of Mystery," an archeologist is cursed after stealing treasure from a temple. Twenty years after he goes home, he invites the investors he shrifted over to his old, dark house for shenanigans and murder. This movie, like many in the genre, is offense, because it trivializes Hinduism in several different ways. Plus, it trivializes disability and involves animal abuse. Other than that, it hits all the notes for your basic haunted house movie, including a seance which makes no sense at all. Amber and Mike sum up the plot of this movie and Mike shares the original character he created based on this movie that you can download for use in tabletop role playing games.

Editor's Note: The movie Saltburn is mentioned in a general way at 1:05:00. You may want to skip 30 seconds if you don't want any whiff of the plot of that movie.

Title: The House of Mystery

Director: William Nigh

IMDB Rating: 4.8 out of 10

Content warnings: Racism, trivializing disability, trivializing religion, animal abuse

Notable actors: Joyzelle Joyner

5th Edition Character: Chanda the Gorilla Queen

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House of Danger (1934)

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 04:00:13 GMT

"House of Danger" is not really a mystery -- the audience is in on the "mystery" almost from the beginning. Instead, it's more of a romance/thriller, where the main characters work out how to disengage from the mess they put themselves in. It's an uneven film, with a few nice moments sprinkled in, and an ending that we guessed at, but couldn't quite believe actually happened. Stay to the end to hear about the character Mike created while inspired by this movie for use in tabletop role playing games.

Title: House of Danger

Alternate Title: The Great Gamble

Director: Charles Hutchison

B/W or Color: B/W

IMDB Rating: 5.2/10

Content warnings: Suicide, kidnapping, car crash, impersonating someone

Hilarious tagline: “A MYSTERY STORY OF THRILLS AND ROMANCE!"

5th Edition Character: Gordon, a villainous manservant

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The Savage Girl - 1932

Fri, 31 May 2024 04:00:49 GMT

"The Savage Girl," starting with its title and continuing on to its conclusion, is a loathsome male power fantasy passing as a jungle adventure. A rich man with an alcohol dependency talks a big game trapper into traveling with him to Africa. While there, they cross paths with a White woman living alone in the jungle, and the men of the expedition fight over who can possess her. Amber and Mike go through this stinker but in the end, find nothing redeeming in it. However, Mike creates a brilliant and glorious non-player character from the ashes, which is free for use in tabletop role playing games.

About The Movie

Title: The Savage Girl

Year: 1932

B/W or Color: B/W

Director: Harry Frasher

IMDB Rating: 4.4 out of 10

Hilarious tagline: A wild goddess rules the jungle!

Length: 1 hour and 6 minutes

Content warnings: Racism, misogyny, attempted rape, violence

5th Edition Character: The Goddess, an elven druid

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The Phantom of 42nd Street - 1945

Fri, 24 May 2024 04:00:50 GMT

"The Phantom of 42nd Street" takes the trope of the reporter as a detective a step further and has a newsletter theater critic turning detective. A wealthy and prominent theater owner is murdered and his family and employees are all suspects. Tony, the Broadway theater critic, reluctantly takes on the investigation to find the killer. This mystery from 1945 suffers from an inscrutable plot, although it's well acted and there are some high points. Mike and Amber go through the plot of this movie and share an original character for use in tabletop role playing games that listeners can download for use in their campaigns.

Title: The Phantom of 42nd Street
Year: 1945
B/W or Color: B/W
Director: Albert Herman
5.2 out of 10 on IMDB
Length: 57 minutes
Content warnings: Gunplay, murder, trivializing mental illness
5th Edition Character: The Thesbian, a shape shifting actor

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The Lion Man - 1936

Fri, 17 May 2024 04:00:09 GMT

"The Lion Man" is a desert adventure from 1936 that is set in the middle east, but was filmed in Arizona. A titled man from England takes his young son on a business trip, but it turns violent and the boy is orphaned an left to be raised by a man who trains lions. As he grows, he finds there is disharmony in the community and winds up being a pawn between two groups. Amber and Mike try to understand this murky plot and Mike describes the original character he created for use in tabletop role playing games that he developed based on this movie.

Title: The Lion Man

Director: John P. McCarthy

IMDB Rating: 4.8 out of 10

Rating: Approved

Content warnings: death of an animal, kidnapping, murder, human trafficking, violence against children, drugging someone against their will, hostage situation

Hilarious tagline: “He led an army of lions!"

5th Edition Character: El Lion, a lion-themed barbarian who ferociously defends his territory.

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Wanted: Babysitter - 1975

Fri, 10 May 2024 04:00:37 GMT

In "Wanted: Babysitter," the young son of a wealthy man and his babysitter are held hostage by a disparate group. The plan goes awry and results in a series of events that puts everyone at risk. This thriller from 1975 starts out strong and has a few twists and turns but is ultimately difficult to follow due to the poor quality and number of characters who behave in ways that often don't make sense. Mike and Amber go through this movie and try to understand who ended up with the ransom money. Plus, Mike shares an original character that he created for tabletop role playing games which is available for free download (see below).

Title: Wanted: Babysitter

Director: René Clément

IMDB Rating: 5.4 out of 10

Rating: NR

Content warnings: Kidnapping, child abuse, domestic abuse, the dog dies, murder, nudity, body horror, trauma, extortion, suicide, adultery

5th Edition Character: Vic the kidnapper

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The Thirteenth Guest - 1932

Fri, 03 May 2024 04:00:40 GMT

"The Thirteenth Guest" is an old, dark house / whodunit from 1932. It was one of Ginger Rogers' early film roles, although it doesn't showcase her talent. A wealthy man left his millions to a "thirteenth guest," but no one knows this person's identity. His former home has lain empty for many years and is now the site of several murders which the police and a private investigator are tasked with solving. Mike and Amber try to understand all the twists and turns of this movie and Mike shares an original character that he created for tabletop role playing games which is available for free download.

Title: The Thirteenth Guest

Director: Albert Ray

IMDB Rating: 5.7 out of 10

Rating: NR

Notable actors: Ginger Rogers, who is probably best known for 42nd Street, which won best picture in 1934

Content warnings: Misogyny, infantilization of women, murder

Hilarious tagline: “BAFFLING! BREATHTAKING! CHILLS-THRILLS!"

5th Edition Character: The Hooded Terror — A lightning Gnome

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The Tell-Tale Heart - 1960

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 04:00:24 GMT

"The Tell-Tale Heart" from 1960 is a loose adaptation of the 1843 short story by Edgar Allan Poe. A man becomes obsessed with his neighbor, Betty, and goes on a few dates with her while covertly spying on her through her bedroom window. Edgar introduces Betty to a friend of his, Carl, and Betty and Carl consummate their relationship in full view from Edgar's window. Edgar takes out his jealousy on Carl and is driven mad by his guilt. Mike and Amber review this worthy effort that takes Poe's work and expands upon it to bring a new perspective. Plus, Mike shares his original character based on this movie that is created for use in tabletop role playing games.

Title: The Tell-Tale Heart

Director:Ernest Morris

IMDB Rating: 5.8 out of 10

Rating: N/R

Content warnings: Murder, Violence, Drug Use, Sexual Predator, Mutilation of Corpses

Hilarious tagline: "From the Terrifying Pages of Edgar Allan Poe!"

5th Edition Character: Edgar Marsh, bard, cursed to live a life without love

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Son of Ingagi - 1940

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 04:00:08 GMT

"Son of Ingagi" is a 1940 monster movie directed by Richard C. Kahn and based on Spencer Williams' short story, House of Horror. It is thought to be the first horror film to feature an all-black cast. A married couple inherits a house from an acquaintance, not knowing there are many surprises waiting for them in the basement. Amber and Mike take on the nuances of this film. At the end of the episode, Mike describes the character that he created for tabletop role playing games that's available for download (see links below).

Title: Son of Ingagi

Director: Richard C. Kahn

IMDB Rating: 4.3 out of 10

Rating: Not rated

Content warnings: Murder, violence, gunplay

Hilarious tagline: “Terror reigns when the giant of the jungles breaks loose!"

5th Edition Character: N'gina, a bugbear rogue with a strangle attack

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More background on this film:

Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horror_Noire:_A_History_of_Black_Horror

CP TIME - BLACK HORROR MOVIES: https://www.cc.com/playlists/wgh9az/the-daily-show-with-trevor-noah-cp-time-roy-wood-jr-celebrates-black-history/mb6xqb

How Hetty Green Became ‘The Richest Woman In America’ During The Gilded Age: https://allthatsinteresting.com/hetty-green

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Green Eyes - 1934

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 04:00:08 GMT

A wealthy man is murdered at a costume party, and all his houseguests and family are suspects. As the story unfolds, we learn that the murdered man has a difficult history with his family, his finances were not as expected, and that his granddaughter was a disappointment to him. A snarky novelist works with the police to solve the crime, but not before becoming a target for the murder himself. This difficult to follow mystery has some unique moments, but overall Mike and Amber found "Green Eyes" to be a challenging film to understand and discuss. Stick around to the end for the original character Mike created for use in tabletop role playing games.

Title: Green Eyes
Year: 1934
B/W or Color: B/W
Director: Richard Thorpe
IMDB Rating: 5.2 out of 10
Hilarious tagline: "A diabolical tale of mystery and murder."
Length: 1 hour and 8 minutes
Content warnings: Murder, suicide, controlling family members, racism
Notable actors: Charles Starrett, who was one of the seventeen founders of the Screen Actors Guild. He starred in 72 movies as The Durango Kid, which was the longest film series in Western history.

5th Edition Character: "Green Eyes," a cursed mask

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Ghosts on the Loose - 1943

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 04:00:29 GMT

"Ghosts on the Loose" is a comedy/old, dark house movie from 1943. It starred a comedy group called "The East Side Kids," which was a rotating cast of young men who starred in many movies of the time. Amber and Mike take you through the plot, which includes the bust of a ring of propagandists and an ending that didn't need to be there which needs some explanation, because it includes a potentially upsetting symbol from World War II that we don't use casually today.

Title: Ghosts on the Loose

Director: William Beaudine

IMDB Rating: 5.0 out of 10

Rating: Not Rated

Content warnings: Overlooked female characters, war symbolism, trivialization of illness

Hilarious tagline: "You'll yell with glee when these happy-go-lucky hooligans invade the shivery domain of the Man of a Thousand Horrors! It's Chill-arious!"

5th Edition Character: Emil, a bardish wear-boar that awakens other animals

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The Ghost and the Guest - 1943

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 04:00:21 GMT

"The Ghost and the Guest" from 1943 is a poverty row comedy that also includes elements of the mystery and old, dark house genres. The one-liner humor holds up in some cases, and it did have Mike and Amber laughing. However, this movie also contains a disturbing thread of execution by hanging. It's played for laughs in the movie, but it exposes how pervasive and dangerous racism was used as a comedic trope. This makes a commentary on this movie nuanced but important in being aware of how racism was coded in early movies.

Title: The Ghost and the Guest

Director: William Nigh

IMDB Rating: 4.5 out of 10

Rating: Not rated

Content warnings: Racism, misogyny, murder, execution, and a discussion of lynching, which doesn't occur in the movie, but which we address in the commentary

Hilarious tagline: “A newlywed couple winds up spending their honeymoon night in an old, dark, spooky mansion."

5th Edition Character: Honeyboy, an undead in search of his jewels, and his gang of jewel thieves

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Reference Material:

History of Lynching in America: https://naacp.org/find-resources/history-explained/history-lynching-america

As American as the Blues: Lynching in Film and TV: https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/blog/as-american-as-the-blues-lynching-in-film-and-tv/

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The Face at the Window - 1939

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 04:00:37 GMT

Another Tod Slaughter vehicle, "The Face at the Window," shows us 1880 France, where a serial killer is stalking Paris. After a bank is robbed and a clerk is killed, presumably by the murder known as "The Face," a wealthy benefactor seeks to exploit the banker and his daughter to get what he wants. The true identity of the killer is finally revealed only with the use of an elaborate ruse. Mike and Amber take on this film which makes some unnecessary turns, but finally lands with a sensational conclusion.

Title: The Face at the Window

Director: George King

IMDB Rating: 5.9 out of 10

Rating: NR

Content warnings: Abuse, kidnapping, mental illness and ableism, violence, assault, murder, misogyny

5th Edition Character: Le Loup, a werewolf mastermind and his half-ogre brother

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The Ticket of Leave Man - 1937

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 04:00:32 GMT

"The Ticket of Leave Man" from 1937 is a British thriller directed by George King. A young man is set up by a criminal known as 'The Tiger' (played by Tod Slaughter) and serves a prison sentence for something he didn't do. When he is released on "ticket of leave," The Tiger tries to keep him from getting a job and getting married. Mike and Amber go through this film and try to understand all the little points to the plot while enjoying the characteristic scenery chewing from Tod Slaughter.

Title: The Ticket of Leave Man

Director: George King

IMDB Rating: 5.5 out of 10

Content warnings: Anti-semitism, sexual assault, murder

Hilarious tagline: “A man is accused of a series of murders that were actually committed by a crazed killer called "The Tiger." He must prove his innocence and catch the murderer."

5th Edition Character: The Tiger, a weretiger

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Drums of Africa (Jungle Man) - 1941

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 05:00:49 GMT

"Drums of Africa (Jungle Man)" is a jungle adventure that suffers from a lack of a plot as well as an insidious white savior complex. This Buster Crabbe vehicle follows a family who travels from the United States to Africa in order to search for a lost city and also visit an uncle who happens to be a missionary. While there, they also find Dr Hammond, who was working on a treatment for an infectious disease that's in danger of becoming an epidemic. An outbreak of the condition, encounters with wild animals, and a sunken ship all come into play as the newcomers try to find the lost city and Dr Hammond tries to save lives. Mike and Amber go through the huge problems with this film, including how it treats the entire continent of Africa and its lack of a plot.

Title: Drums of Africa (Jungle Man)

Director: Harry L. Fraser

Writer: Rita Douglas

IMDB Rating: 3.6 out of 10

Rating: NR

Content warnings: Misogyny, racism, mistreatment of animals, death

Notable actors: Buster Crabbe, who was Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon and Charles Middleton, who played Ming the Merciless in the 30s. He was also in Duck Soup with the Marx brothers.

5th Edition Character: Malaka, a tiger-like beast with a spiky spine ending in a barbed tail, large bat-like wings, and a humanoid face

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The Crooked Circle - 1932

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 13:07:02 GMT

"The Crooked Circle" from 1932 is an 'old dark house' mystery/comedy that pits an amateur detective group against a crime syndicate. The Crooked Circle gang has marked a member of The Sphinx Club for death. But they first have to find him at his country house on Long Island, which is supposedly haunted by the violin playing ghost of a jilted lover. Mike and Amber take on this Zasu Pitts vehicle that delivers on some fronts but falls short of others. Plus, Mike debuts a truly unique character for use in tabletop role playing games, which you will absolutely not find anywhere else!

Title: The Crooked Circle

Director: H. Bruce Humberstone

IMDB Rating: 5.3/10

Rating: NR

Content warnings: Racism and racial slurs, trivializing mental illness, drugging someone against their will, stalking

Notable actors: Zasu Pitts (Strangers of the Evening), James Gleason (he fought in the Spanish American War and World War 1, Arsenic and Old Lace, lots of TV)

Hilarious tagline: “Evil is on the way, and it’s tied with a string."

5th Edition Character: The Crooked One, a violin-playing skeleton

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The Shadow of Silk Lennox

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 05:00:23 GMT

Lon Chaney, Jr is once again the headliner for this post-Hayes code crime drama, "The Shadow of Silk Lennox.” This movie follows a crime boss, Silk, who decides to rob a bank with the help of his gang. He has been running his criminal enterprise mostly unopposed by the local police. But this time, federal agents show up on the scene and he is out of his depth. This movie has some interesting moments, but Mike and Amber both nitpicked on some things that they really hated about it.

Title: The Shadow of Silk Lennox

Director: Ray Kirkwood and Jack Nelson

IMDB Rating: 4.2/10

Rating: NR

Content warnings: Assault, murder, violence, racism, kidnapping, misogyny, threats against women

Hilarious tagline: “A crooked nightclub owner, pretending to go straight, is forced to kill a henchman when the latter tries to run off with the gang's latest haul."

5th Edition Character: Silk, a wizard and master illusionist

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A Scream in the Night - 1935

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

"A Scream in the Night” from 1935 is a Lon Chaney, Jr vehicle that is deeply problematic when viewed today. On the face of it, it’s a crime drama set somewhere in the Middle East. However, as typical for the time, it manages to include a whole lot of things that aren’t necessary to tell the story of a jewel thief and the detectives looking to stop him. Mike and Amber dig into the highly questionable parts of this film while putting it into historical context and looking for something good in the narrative.

Title: A Scream in the Night

Director: Fred C. Newmeyer

IMDB Rating: 4.3 out of 10

Rating: Unrated

Notable actors: Lon Chaney Jr.

Content warnings: Racism and racial slurs, violence, kidnapping, domestic violence, misogyny

5th Edition Character: The Fly, a jewel thief and murderer

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The Phantom Express - 1932

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 05:00:35 GMT

When is a train not a train? When it’s a phantom! In "The Phantom Express,” from 1932, the number of train accidents taking place is becoming alarming. The engineers are claiming that they are seeing a train on their track, come straight at them, leading to them applying the brakes and leading to derailment. But: there’s no train actually there. This poverty row thriller/whodunit offers some surprises and ingenuity as well as the cutest model train set ever. Get aboard with Mike and Amber for the details on this film as well as too many train puns.

Title: The Phantom Express

Director: Emory Johnson

IMDB Rating: 5.3 out of 10

Rating: Not Rated

Content warnings: Death, train wreck, violence, kidnapping

Hilarious tagline: “Terror rides the rails!"

5th Edition Character: The Phantom Express, a ghost locomotive run by a wraith named Huntely and his 14 specters.

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Watch this movie on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUQABR7eyKk

Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/phantom_express

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Murder at Midnight - 1931

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 05:00:32 GMT

"Murder at Midnight” kept us guessing about the identity of the killer to the end. A high society party game of charades turns deadly when a man accidentally shoots a friend. The local police start to unravel the mystery behind the shooting when more bodies start piling up. Just when you think you know who the murderer is: they wind up dead themselves. Mike and Amber dig into this pre-Hayes early talkie that delivers some unique moments and surprising one-liners.

Title: Murder at Midnight

Director: Frank R. Strayer

IMDB Rating: 5.4 out of 10

Rating: Not rated

Content warnings: Murder, gunplay, suicide

Hilarious tagline: “Is he dead?” “No. It’s his day off!"

5th Edition Character: Phillipe Montrose, a rogue who mingles in high society

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Manfish - 1956

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 11:50:24 GMT

“Manfish,” from 1956, is a “find the treasure” adventure flick which takes place in the Caribbean. What sets this story apart is that it’s based on two Edgar Allan Poe stories, "The Gold-Bug" and "The Tell-Tale Heart.” The movie follows a ne’er do well captain of a turtle fishing boat and his crew, as they get involved with a local treasure hunter. They find mistrust and misadventure in equal measure, and wind up getting more than they bargained for. Mike and Amber take on this uneven but interesting film and discuss the original non-player character that Mike created after being inspired by “Manfish."

Title: Manfish

Director: W. Lee Wilder

IMDB Rating: 4.6 out of 10

Length: 1 hour and 26 minutes

Notable actors: Lon Chaney Jr.

Content warnings: Alcoholism, racism, misogyny, murder, animal cruelty

Hilarious tagline: "Three deep sea divers get involved in murder while searching for a lost treasure."

5th Edition Character: Swede, the Wereshark

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Strangers of the Evening - 1932

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 05:00:05 GMT

"Strangers of the Evening" is a pre-Hayes code mystery from 1932. There's some body switching going on at the coroner's office, in order to cover up a crime. When a prominent person is presumed murdered, his daughter and her fiancée are the main suspects, because they've left town abruptly. Are these two completely different storylines that don't seem to have any connection? Yes, they are. How do they wind up coming together? Well, Amber had to watch the movie several times to understand. Amber and Mike discuss how it all ends and talk about the character Mike created for use in tabletop role playing games which you can download for free.

Title: Strangers of the Evening

Director: H. Bruce Humberstone

IMDB Rating: 5.0 out of 10

Rating: Not rating

Content warnings: Murder, Violence, and Death

Hilarious tagline: “Snookie, tell me what happened!"

Notable actors: Zasu Pitts, who was known for her self-effacing comedic roles in over 200 productions

5th Edition Character: Dr. Chandler, a necromancer

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The Vampires Night Orgy - 1973

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 05:00:49 GMT

"The Vampires' Night Orgy" is a Spanish horror film from 1973 and directed by León Klimovsky. A group of stranded travelers seek refuge in a seemingly deserted village. However, they are attacked one by one by the villagers, who are undead creatures. Amber and Mike go over the high and low points of this quirky and inscrutable horror flick. Mike also discusses the non-player character he created for tabletop role playing games that is available for download.

Title: The Vampires Night Orgy

Director: León Klimovsky

IMDB Rating: 4.8 out of 10

Rating: R

Content warnings: blood, gore, death of a child, voyeurism, nudity, gross images, murder, violence

Hilarious tagline: "When the moon is up the fun begins."

5th Edition Character: The Countess, a vampire

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The Midnight Warning - 1932

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 05:00:34 GMT

"The Midnight Warning” is a mystery based on an urban legend. The plot follows the legend which might be called "The Vanishing Hotel Room" or "The Vanishing Lady.” A woman insists her brother was staying in a hotel room, but the hotel staff says they have no record that he was ever there. Mike and Amber go through this plot, which has some interesting twists, but falls flat at the ending, which was typical of a pre-Hayes code flick.

Title: The Midnight Warning
Director: Spencer Gordon Bennet
IMDB Rating: 4.9 out of 10
Rating: Not rated
Content warnings: Kidnapping/abduction, mental torture, trivialization of mental illness, trauma, corpse mutilation (offscreen), death (offscreen)
Hilarious tagline: “Capitalism is a the real villain."

5th Edition Character: Huntley Gordon, a necromancer who runs a profitable inn (Clarendon Arms) but performs plague experiments in the basement

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Watch this movie on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBFTVQPVNT4

Colorized version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbGuQKikD7E

Urban legend “the vanishing hotel room”: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-vanishing-hotel-room/

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Death in the Shadows (De Prooi) - 1985

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 05:00:18 GMT

"Death in the Shadows” is a mystery/thriller set outside of Amsterdam. When a woman is murdered, her high school aged daughter is left orphaned and looking for answers. Along the way she discovers some unpleasant truths, and becomes a target for the murderer herself. Mike and Amber take on this quirky little film that demonstrates why adults shouldn’t try to outsmart teenaged girls.

Title: Death in the Shadows

Director: Vivian Pieters

IMDB Rating: 5.1 out of 10

Rating: R (?)

Content warnings: Pornographic content, Sex with a Minor, Violence, Trivializing Mental Illness

Positive content: Teen empowerment, justice served

Hilarious tagline: “They murdered the woman she thought was her mother — and now they’re after her — but why?"

5th Edition Character: Van Maurik, a villainous gnomish banker

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Watch this movie on YouTube:

English Dubbed: https://youtu.be/Jpm_FJWCK_E

Dutch Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0OKOsRXmic

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The Wasp Woman - 1959

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 05:00:02 GMT

“The Wasp Woman” is a monster of the week movie that has many facets. It makes use of some tired tropes, but it also brings something new to the genre. The founder of a cosmetic company is afraid of losing her looks as she ages, and decides to use an experimental treatment to look younger. The script plays fast and loose with wasp morphology and society in order to make the premise work. Mike and Amber get into it, teasing out the themes of corporate greed, feminism, ageism, and addiction.

Title: The Wasp Woman

Director: Roger Corman

IMDB Rating: 4.8 out of 10

Rating: Not rated

Content warnings: Animal cruelty, Drug Use, Murder, Body Shaming, Ageism

Hilarious tagline: “A beautiful woman by day — a lusting queen wasp by night."

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpPAN6frZmU

Colorized version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiL8C_O5YwA

5th Edition Character: Starlin, a werewasp

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These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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The Phantom - 1931

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT

"The Phantom," a thriller/mystery from 1931 may in fact be a parody. It’s an early "talkie," and was the final film for silent movie star Allene Ray. It is filled with some of the tropes we are familiar with today: a daring prison escape, a masked killer, mistaken identity, and characters who provide some comic relief through overacting. It’s a worthy effort for the time, and Mike and Amber discuss both the merits and the pitfalls of this historical curiosity.

Title: The Phantom
Director: Alan James
IMDB Rating: 4.3 out of 10
Content warnings: Kidnapping and abduction, Mental illness and ableism. Trivializing Mental Illness
Hilarious tagline: "A group of people are stalked by a masked killer in an old mansion."
Length: 1 hour and 2 minutes
5th Edition Character: The Phantom, a mind flayer (can't use mind flayers though) with affinity for brain transplants

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These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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The Invisible Killer - 1939

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 05:00:13 GMT

We still don’t know if the title of this move, "The Invisible Killer” from 1939, referred to a person or to the method used for the murders. It’s a whodunit crime drama that has a few comedic moments, although those might not play as well for modern audiences. Mike and Amber try to give this movie a fair shake, and Mike admits to a significant parasocial relationship with the lead actress and her character, plucky reporter Sue Walker.

Title: The Invisible Killer
Director: Sam Newfield
IMDB Rating: 4.2 out of 10
Notable actors: Grace Bradley, whose husband was the actor who was Hopalong Cassidy. Her IMDB profile basically is his profile, where it talks about how she protected his legacy.
Content warnings: Parter/domestic violence, torture, murder
Hilarious tagline: "A fiendish killer uses sound waves to commit his murders."
5th Edition Character: The Invisible Killer

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I Killed That Man - 1941

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 16:52:18 GMT

Mike and Amber once again dig into the plot of a poverty row thriller/whodunit: "I Killed That Man” from 1941. A man who is sentenced to be executed is murdered in a room full of witnesses, but nobody knows how he died or who did it. The plot then combines many familiar elements, including a plucky reporter, a hapless police department, a crime boss hiding in plain sight, and a not-so unique murder device. Stick around for the end to hear about the villainous character you can download for use in your tabletop role playing game.

Title: I Killed That Man

Director: Phil Rosen

IMDB Rating: 5.7 out of 10

Content warnings: Murder, Execution,

Hilarious tagline: "Extra! Murderer Murdered in a Death Chamber”

5th Edition Character: King, an assassin with a penchant for poison darts.

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Watch this movie for free at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSDrisjKvXs

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Kiss Me, Kill Me (Baba Yaga) - 1973

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 05:00:25 GMT

The Italian film, Baba Yaga or Kiss Me, Kill Me, is a story of a photographer who finds her life complicated by a relationship with a mysterious woman. This film really tries to do a lot: it’s a social commentary, a mystery, and erotica all rolled up together. Unsurprisingly, that gives Mike and Amber lots to discuss as they make their way through this art film that is perhaps spread too thin to make good on any of its promise.

Title: Kiss Me, Kill Me or Baba Yaga

Director: Corrado Farina

IMDB Rating: 5.7 out of 10

Rating:

Content Warning: Nazis, Nudity, Sex, Racism, Homophobia, Torture

Summary: "A photographer finds herself falling under the spell of a witch."

5th Edition Character: Baba Yaga

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Watch this movie on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI5tHOJeIe0

Books referenced on this episode:

Tsar Rising: https://amzn.to/3uitYqR

The Dancing Hut: https://amzn.to/3SJNR4b

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Killers of the Sea - 1937

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 05:00:03 GMT

When is a documentary not a documentary? Amber and Mike are not certain that this movie is what it is purported to be. Supposedly a movie about a man who is tasked with protecting the fishing industry, it is actually a look into the culture of animal cruelty. A ship captain and his crew take to the Gulf of Mexico to find “Killers of the Sea” from the title, but it’s actually they who do all of the killing in this bizarre movie from 1937.

Title: Killers of the Sea

Director: Raymond Friedgen

IMDB Rating: 3.8 out of 10

Length: 1 hour and 3 minutes

Content warnings: Racism, Animal cruelty, Animal Death, Animal Torture

Hilarious tagline: “The man of steel — conquerer of sea monsters!”

Best quote from a reviewer: "Killers of the Sea is a documentary about a group of fishermen who go out to the ocean to kill and torture sea creatures."

5th Edition Character: Caswell, a merrow with a murderous streak who hunts and kills anything entering his territory.

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Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqIPqmtyLic

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The Embalmer - 1965

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 05:00:28 GMT

Venice is the backdrop for "The Embalmer,” a horror movie set in the catacombs below the city. Women are missing, but the police and city leaders don’t seem too concerned. A reporter is on the trail, trying to solve the disappearances, until he gets pulled into the mystery himself. Mike and Amber go through the ups and downs of this film which is inventive even for today, let alone in the Italian cinema of 1965.

Title: The Embalmer

Director: Dino Tavella

IMDB Rating: 4.6 out of 10

Rating: PG

Content warnings: Murder, Kidnapping and abduction, Mutilation of Corpses

Hilarious tagline: “Beauty after beauty dragged to a sunken crypt…petrified play-captives of The Embalmer."

5th Edition Character: The Embalmer

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Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbHxgKirg_U

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Grave of the Vampire - 1972

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 04:00:32 GMT

Amber and Mike are excited to review “Grave of the Vampire,” a solid vampire movie from 1972. A couple is assaulted by a vampire, and the woman later gives birth to a child that will only drink blood. When he reaches adulthood, the child hunts down his vampire father, who is passing for human and teaching classes at a university. The movie features prolific character actor Michael Pataki, who turns in a decent performance, even though his co-stars can’t quite keep up with him.

Title: Grave of the Vampire

Director: John Hayes

IMDB Rating: 5.0 out of 10

Rating: PG

Content warnings: Rape, abortion, murder, violence

Hilarious tagline: “Just pray you're not around at feeding time...somebody will be!"

Bonus hilarious tagline: "Father and son related by BLOOD!!! EVERYONE'S BLOOD!!"

5th Edition Character: Croyden, a vampire necromancer obsessed with resurrecting his wife Sarah, who will stop at nothing to bring her spirit into a living vessel.

Watch this movie on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwGLZMvjPoA

Learn more at World of Welstar:

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Death Warmed Up - 1984

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 04:00:06 GMT

A scientist experiments on Michael, the child of his partner, eventually leading the boy to kill his own parents. After serving 17 years in an institution for the murders, Michael vows to track down the scientist and kill him. He talks his girlfriend and two other friends into coming on vacation with him with the ulterior motive of killing the scientist who is now running a local clinic. Amber and Mike discuss this horror film that was shot over 4 weeks with practical effects and dig into some of its unseemly aspects.

Content warning: Abuse, Child abuse, Murder, Racism, Violence, Drug Use, Trauma, Drugging Someone Against Their Will

Title: Death Warmed Up

Year: 1984

Director: David Blyth

IMDB Rating: 4.5 out of 10

Hilarious tagline: “I’ll get you…I’ll get you all…"

Length: 1 hour and 22 minutes

Summary: "A kid is hypnotized by a scientist to kill his parents and ends in a mental institution. As a grown up he returns to seek revenge over the scientist."

5th Edition Character: Dr Howell, an undead Lich scientist wielding a scalpel and needle, with an army of lobotomized minions at his disposal.

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Watch this movie on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyuUmsnA4nE

Buy the 50 movie set: https://amzn.to/3Nj5PGn

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Frankenstein '80 - 1972

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 04:00:05 GMT

When the sister of reporter Karl Schein dies after a heart transplant, it’s discovered that the serum which may have saved her life from organ rejection is missing. Dr. Otto Frankenstein stole the serum, to treat Mosaic, a man he created from the body parts of other people. Mosaic, nonverbal and in pain, escapes from Frankenstein’s private lab and reigns terror on the women of the city.

Title: Frankenstein '80
Director: Mario Mancini
IMDB Rating: 4.1 out of 10
Year: 1972
Length: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Content Warning: Rape, sexual assault, body mutilation, sex, nudity, murder, violence
5th Edition Character: Mosaico, a flesh golem that is a ticking time bomb, which must be stopped before it explodes

Learn more at World of Welstar:

Watch this movie on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-rGXYr0Bmk

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Daughter of the Tong - 1939

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 04:00:12 GMT

"Daughter of the Tong,” is an outdated crime drama that tells the story of a young woman who is trying to rescue her brother from a gang. It is set during the early days of the FBI, who are trying to infiltrate the gang. Amber and Mike discuss the obvious problems of this film, which go beyond the plot and into social issues.

Title: Daughter of the Tong

Director: Raymond K. Johnson

IMDB Rating: 4.7 out of 10

Year: 1939

Length: 1 hour and 31 minutes

Tagline: "A detective matches wits with the female leader of an Oriental crime ring."

Content Warning: Racism and racial slurs, Murder, Violence

5th Edition Character: The Illustrious One, a villainous mastermind of a gang of monks

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Watch this movie on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KVDUKorHE4

Buy the 50 movie set: https://amzn.to/3Nj5PGn

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Editor’s Note: Amber refers to the character of Ralph as Grant at certain points, which is actually the name of the actor.

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Carnage - 1984

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 04:00:31 GMT

"Carnage" is a 1986 horror film directed by Andy Milligan. The movie is known for its low-budget production and cult status within the horror genre. Amber and Mike discuss this haunted house film that tries really hard but never quite sticks the landing. The themes of the movie also include a cynical look at relationships, especially those between romantic partners and between parents and children. Even with all that happening: the body count is pretty high, and there’s some practical effects that were impressively gory.

Title: CarnageDirector: Andy Milligan

IMDB Rating: 3.5 out of 10

Length: 1 hour and 31 minutes

Hilarious tagline: “Just keep saying to yourself…’It’s only a house…it’s only a house…it’s only a…’"

Notable actors: NONE AT ALL

Summary: "Carol and Jonathan, a newlywed couple, move into their new house which is haunted by the ghosts of another newlywed couple who committed suicide in the house three years earlier."

Content Warning: Suicide, Murder, Miscarriage, Cancer

5th Edition Character: The Newlyweds, A ghost tag-team with a decapitation (vorpal sword effect) and disembowel attack

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Watch this movie on YouTube: https://youtu.be/W5KQNg7xa-k

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The Devil's Sleep - 1949

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 04:00:45 GMT

In "The Devil's Sleep,” a con man named Umberto Scalli is using a “women’s health spa” as a front for a drug ring. He deals to women as well as teenagers. The local law enforcement is aware but they are only able to shut everything down after the judge’s daughter is blackmailed. Amber and Mike give some perspective on the reasons this film (and others) were made and how it fit into American culture and values at the time.

Title: The Devil's Sleep

Director: W. Merle Connell

IMDB Rating: 4.0 out of 10

Rating: Unrated

Length: 1 hour and 12 minutes

Content warnings: Drug use, Diet culture, Suicide, Racism, Being drugged against your will

5th Edition Character: Scalli, a crime boss who offers drugs that create a haste effect but cause exhaustion afterward, with an addictive quality that ensures his clients come back for more.

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Twitter: @WorldofWelstar

Instagram: @world_of_welstar

Facebook: @worldofwelstar

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talien

Buy the 50 movie set: https://amzn.to/3Nj5PGn

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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The Dungeons of Harrow

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 04:00:17 GMT

"The Dungeons of Harrow" is a 1962 low-budget horror film directed by Pat Boyette. The movie tells the story of a reclusive Count, who lives in a decaying mansion on a remote island. A shipwreck survivor named Jonathan arrives seeking refuge and becomes entangled in the Count's dark world. Amber and Mike go through this eerie and campy film, giving some perspective on the liberties taken with the plot points, but also the admirable creativity that the cast and crew used during production.

Title: The Dungeon of Harrow

Director: Pat Boyette (co-creator of the original Peacemaker and artist who drew "Howard The Duck")

IMDB Rating: 3.4 out of 10

Rating: Unrated

Length: 1 hour and 26 minutes

Content warnings: Slavery, abelism/mutism, murder

5th Edition Character: DeSade, a delusional count, and his manservant Mantis

Learn more at World of Welstar:

Twitter: @WorldofWelstar

Instagram: @world_of_welstar

Facebook: @worldofwelstar

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talien

Buy the 50 movie set: https://amzn.to/3Nj5PGn

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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A Shot in the Dark

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 04:00:11 GMT

"A Shot in the Dark" is a 1935 American mystery directed by Charles Lamont. Amber and Mike go through the problematic plot which involves some unsolved murders at Dartmouth College. A student is found in an apparent suicide, but it turns out he was murdered. An amateur detective seeks to uncover the motive, which turns out to be buried deep under some family secrets.

Title: A Shot in the Dark

Director: Charles Lamont

IMDB Rating: 5.3 out of 10

Rating: Unrated?

Length: 1 hour and 9 minutes

Content warnings: Suicide, Hanging (by suicide), Controlling Parents, Murder

Hilarious tagline: “The infallible detective meets the perfect crime!"

5th Edition Character: The Conductor

Learn more at World of Welstar:

Twitter: @WorldofWelstar

Instagram: @world_of_welstar

Facebook: @worldofwelstar

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talien

Buy the 50 movie set: https://amzn.to/3Nj5PGn

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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A Face in the Fog

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 04:00:01 GMT

"A Face in the Fog" is a mystery from 1936 directed by Robert F. Hill. A killer known as “The Fiend” is terrorizing the local theater circuit. It’s not clear how the murders were committed because there’s no wounds on the bodies. Two newspaper reporters and their photographer get involved to try to solve the case. A playwright turned detective also tries to solve the case. The Fiend is going to kill again and it’s a race to figure out his identity before he does.

Title: A Face in the Fog

Director: Robert F. Hill

IMDB Rating: 4.4 out of 10

Rating: Unrated

Content warnings: Homophobia, Mental illness and ableism, Murder

Hilarious tagline: "From out of the darkness strikes — the fiend!"

5th Edition Character: The Fiend

Learn more at World of Welstar:

Twitter: @WorldofWelstar

Instagram: @world_of_welstar

Facebook: @worldofwelstar

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talien

Buy the 50 movie set: https://amzn.to/3Nj5PGn

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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She Gods of Shark Reef

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 04:00:05 GMT

"She Gods of Shark Reef" is a 1958 adventure film directed by Roger Corman and the topic of Amber and Mike’s discussion. The movie follows two brothers, Chris and Lee, who are stranded on a remote Pacific island. The island is inhabited by a group of native women led by the powerful and mystical Nani. As the brothers navigate their new environment, they become entangled in the tribal conflicts and a forbidden romance. The brothers try to escape the island while facing challenges posed by the treacherous waters and the fierce loyalties of the women they encounter. The film features elements of adventure, romance, and suspense, with a backdrop of tropical beauty and danger. "She Gods of Shark Reef" is known for its exploitation-style narrative and exotic setting, typical of films of that era.

Title: She Gods of Shark Reef

Director: Roger Corman

IMDB Rating: 2.8 out of 10

Rating: Unrated

Content warnings: Violence, Murder, Female Oppression

Hilarious tagline: “Beautiful Maidens in a lush tropical paradise ruled by a hideous stone god"

5th Edition Character: Queen Pua, priestess of Dagon, who can control sharks

Learn more at World of Welstar:

Twitter: @WorldofWelstar

Instagram: @world_of_welstar

Facebook: @worldofwelstar

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talien

Buy the 50 movie set: https://amzn.to/3Nj5PGn

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Night Tide

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 04:01:18 GMT

Amber and Mike review “Night Tide,” a movie from 1961 starring Dennis Hopper and directed by Curtis Harrington. A young sailor, Johnny, becomes infatuated with a mysterious woman named Mora. As their relationship develops, he discovers that Mora is associated with the legend of the mermaid who lures men to their death. Johnny becomes uncertain about Mora's true nature and intentions, leading to an exploration of love, myth, and the unknown. The film combines elements of psychological drama, romance, and supernatural mystery, creating an eerie experience that has gained a cult following.

To get the most out of this episode, we recommend you watch the movie before listening:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ3ijKSAx3s

Title: Night Tide

Director: Curtis Harrington

IMDB Rating: 6.4 out of 10

Rating: Unrated

Content warnings: Abuse, kidnapping and abduction, mental illness and ableism, murder, nightmares about traumatic events, slut shaming

Hilarious tagline: “Temptress from the sea…loving…killing”

Notable actors: Dennis Hopper, who was also known for Blue Velvet and Waterworld. He had many film and TV credits before he did this movie.

5th Edition Character: The Sea Witch, a mermaid who is a were-octopus

Learn more at World of Welstar:

Twitter: @WorldofWelstar

Instagram: @world_of_welstar

Facebook: @worldofwelstar

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talien

Buy the 50 movie set: https://amzn.to/3Nj5PGn

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Nabonga

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 04:00:28 GMT

Title: Nabonga

Director: Sam Newfield

IMDB Rating: 4.2 out of 10

Rating: Unrated

Content warnings: Animal cruelty, violence, prejudice, animal death

Hilarious tagline: “A white girl rules the jungle...Her strength of power was “NABONGA!”

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037115/?ref_=rw_urv

Summary: When a treasure hunter seeks a downed airplane in the jungles of Africa, he encounters the passenger's young daughter, now fully grown, and with a gorilla protector.

5th Edition Character: White Witch

Learn more at World of Welstar:

Twitter: @WorldofWelstar

Instagram: @world_of_welstar

Facebook: @worldofwelstar

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talien

Watch it on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS60lH--zqY

Buy the set: https://amzn.to/3Nj5PGn

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Midnight Phantom

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Title: Midnight Phantom

Director: Bernard B. Ray

IMDB Rating: 4.5 out of 10

Rating: Unrated

Content warnings: Controlling parents, murder, violence, police brutality, execution

Hilarious tagline: "An unseen hand spreading terror!"

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026711/?ref_=rw_urv

Summary: The new police chief vows to clean up the corrupt police department and bring in a new era of respectability to the force. After the new chief is found murdered and the attending physician is killed in the same manner, a criminologist identifies a detective dating the chief’s daughter as the killer. The detective and his girlfriend set out to prove his innocence and find the identity of the true killer before he’s sent away for a crime he didn’t commit.

5th Edition Character: Midnight Phantom

Learn more at World of Welstar:

Twitter: @WorldofWelstar

Instagram: @world_of_welstar

Facebook: @worldofwelstar

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talien

Watch it on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW6PRty0whQ

Buy the movie box set: https://amzn.to/3Nj5PGn

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Buried Alive

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Title: Buried Alive

Director: Victor Halperin

IMDB Rating: 4.7 out of 10

Rating: Unrated

Content warnings: Mental illness and ableism, Murder, Violence, Police Brutality, Execution

Hilarious tagline: "Love finds its way... behind the gates of prison!"

Summary: A prison trustee is soon to be released from prison when he ends up stopping a bar brawl involving one of the prison guards. After some unkind press for him on the bar brawl, the convict is turned down for his early parole. Will his love for the prison nurse help him in getting past all of the people trying to keep him in prison and looking at the electric chair?

5th Edition Character: Big Billy

Learn more at World of Welstar:

Twitter: @WorldofWelstar

Instagram: @world_of_welstar

Facebook: @worldofwelstar

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talien

Watch it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUK53ko2Xm8

Buy the set: https://amzn.to/3Nj5PGn

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Anatomy of a Psycho

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 04:00:58 GMT

Title: Anatomy of a Psycho

Director: Boris Petroff

IMDB Rating: 4.1 out of 10

Rating: Unrated

Content warnings: Hostage Situation, Underage Drinking, Death, Death of a Loved One, Alcoholism, Mental illness and ableism

Summary: Chet, the younger brother of a man sentenced to death for murder, becomes distraught over the execution. Chet’s sister, friends, and girlfriend are unable to keep him tethered to reality. He begins to strike out in anger against the sons of the judge and the prosecuting attorney. He sets a house on fire and frames a man for murder before the police finally catch up with him and take him into custody.

5th Edition Character: Chet the Psycho

Learn more at World of Welstar:

Twitter: @WorldofWelstar

Instagram: @world_of_welstar

Facebook: @worldofwelstar

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talien

Watch it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyBu_1mscwA

Buy the set: https://amzn.to/3Nj5PGn

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

City of Missing Girls

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 11:26:47 GMT

Title: City of Missing Girls

Director: Elmer Clifton

IMDB Rating: 4.9 out of 10

Rating: Unrated

Content warnings: Abduction, human Trafficking, sexual predator, sexual situations

Summary: A string of mysterious deaths and disappearances of young women have all been traced to a drama school, where all the girls were students. The district attorney suspects the school may be a front for a prostitution ring and sets out to investigate it. After the D.A. is blackmailed into dropping the investigation, a female reporter decides to go undercover to learn the truth.

5th Edition Character: The Crescent School: A bardic college that is actually a front for courtesans run by The King, who "disappears" students who step out of line.

Learn more at World of Welstar:

Twitter: @WorldofWelstar

Instagram: @world_of_welstar

Facebook: @worldofwelstar

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talien

Watch it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3BlKp3S4TM

Buy the set: https://amzn.to/3Nj5PGn

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bloody Pit of Horror

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Title: Bloody Pit of Horror

Director: Massimo Pupillo

IMDB Rating: 4.5 out of 10

Rating: Unrated

Content warnings: Death, torture, sexual situations

Notable actors: Mickey Hargitay, who was Mr Universe 1955. He was also married to Jayne Mansfield, and had 3 children with her, one of whom is Mariska Hargitay.

Summary: An agent for a company that publishes paperback mystery novels is in the Italian countryside to find a location where he can shoot photos for book covers. With him is the author and his secretary, the models, and the photographer. They find a great location in an old castle, but there’s no answer when they knock on the door and they think it’s abandoned. They break in to find the owner is there, but he allows them to stay. During the photo shoots, the models and the photographer are tortured and murdered one by one.

5th Edition Character: The Crimson Executioner

Learn more at World of Welstar:

Twitter: @WorldofWelstar

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Facebook: @worldofwelstar

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talien

Watch The Crimson Executioner on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUK53ko2Xm8

Buy the 50 movie set: https://amzn.to/3Nj5PGn

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

50 Date Night Screams Trailer

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 17:19:47 GMT

Have you ever wondered about the origins of horror, thrillers, and mystery films? Some of the early films in these genres are in the public domain, so they're often free to watch. They can be interesting, compelling, frustrating, and unintentionally hilarious. Mike and Amber are a married couple who decided to create a show out of the 50 box set of public domain "horror" movies they received as a gift.

It may seem as though old movies are throwaways: not interesting. But Mike and Amber are finding that this is not true at all. They find significant discussion points in all of these movies, especially when viewed through a modern lens of two GenX parents.

Plus: Mike is a veteran tabletop role playing author and he designs an original character based on each movie that can be downloaded and played for free.

50 Date Night Screams is a dramady: it contains adult discussions punctured with a lot of laughs and so is intended for mature audiences.

Learn more at World of Welstar:

Twitter: @WorldofWelstar

Instagram: @world_of_welstar

Facebook: @worldofwelstar

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talien

TRANSCRIPT:

Amber: Welcome to 50 Date Night Screams.

Amber: I’m Amber Tresca.

Mike: And I’m Mike Tresca.

Mike: We're a married couple who decided to celebrate our 50th birthdays by watching some old movies.

Amber: A LOT of old movies.

Amber: Join us as we watch 50 movies on our date nights and have fun dissecting them.

Mike: As a bonus, each episode is accompanied by an original character I created and designed for use in your tabletop roleplaying games.

Amber: Many of the movies we watch are unrated, but this podcast is not. 50 Date Night Screams contains mature themes and is intended for adult audiences, so take care when listening.

Mike: We’re glad you’re here! Have a seat, grab a glass of your favorite beverage, and get ready to scream along with us.

Amber: Listen to 50 Date Night Screams in your favorite podcast app.

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