Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy

The Adventures of Pinocchio (1996)

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

"Miracles are made in the heart, papa."

It's time for our double bill of peculiar Pinocchio movies - first up is this lavish live action international co-production with memorably uncanny puppet practical effects provided by Jim Henson's Creature Shop.

We also dive deep into our relationship with Carlo Collodi's story and its legacy including the Disney adaptation(s), Guillermo del Toro's stunning stopmotion passion project, the Spielberg-Kubrick collaboration AI: Artificial Intelligence and the excellent, book-faithful 2019 film from Matteo Garrone.

Jonathan Taylor Thomas, a nightmarish donkey transformation on a rollercoaster, opera pastiche, the fairytale charm of Prague, Bebe Neuwirth serving puss, a sea monster with human eyes and teeth, Sacro Bosco, a truly hideous CGI cricket and Dawn French's cream cakes await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

Which rock star provides Pinocchio's singing voice? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

Thumbelina (1994)

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

"After the rain goes, there are rainbows - I'll find my rainbow soon."

We return to the Don Bluth oeuvre with a Hans Christian Andersen fairytale adaptation starring Jodi Benson, hot on the heels of The Little Mermaid and the Disney renaissance at large.

An amphibious Charo's cuchi-cuchi, Bluth's preoccupation with both death and sparkles, Barry Manilow, fairy headgear, Thumbling stories, Carol Channing chatting to Betty White on the phone, the Danny Kaye movie musical, dark undercurrents and some distinctive vocal stylings await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

What does Andersen's penpal have to do with any of this? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

Labyrinth (1986) call for submissions - contribute to this Special Edition episode!

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:53:33 GMT

We want to hear from YOU about Labyrinth (1986)!

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of this classic, we want to do something special this summer.

We already covered Labyrinth in our first season, but to be honest we don’t think we did the film justice by squashing it into a double bill with The Princess and the Goblin. The pacing and sound quality of that old episode is a little crunchy too!

After seeing the gorgeous 4k remaster in the cinema this year, we knew we needed to give it another go, reworking elements from our previous conversation into a new standalone episode - Labyrinth: Special Edition.

Two of our best and most popular episodes - The Dark Crystal and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - are built around clips from listeners and friends of the pod sharing their thoughts. We love being able to react to these and incorporate them into our discussion.

So we’re looking to do the same with mini-contributions to this new special episode about Labyrinth - submissions deadline is 31st May.

If you’d like to take part, please make an audio recording (with the best quality audio you are able to) briefly introducing yourself and answering at least one of the following questions:

1. Nostalgia Nook: what are the memories or feelings Labyrinth conjures up for you?

2. Nightmare Nail: what are the frightening moments that most affected you?

3. Treasures: what are the best bits?

4. Just tell us what Labyrinth means to you!

You can send your audio recording to onceuponavhs AT gmail DOT com, or just leave us a voice note on Instagram!

Please note that we may make some edits to audio submissions for the sake of time or clarity. We look forward to hearing from you!

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

Gremlins (1984) with Movie Oubliette

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

"To understand, one has only to listen."

We've called upon Conrad and Dan of the brilliant Movie Oubliette podcast to help us tackle this Christmassy classic, throwing outlandish comedy, B-movie horror and Spielbergian schmaltz into a blender and making a real mess of the kitchen.

The origins of Amblin, Joe Dante's Looney Tunes leanings, the commodification of nostalgia, Zach Galligan getting his thunder stolen by a puppet, Scottish post-rock band Mogwai, cookies representing the nuclear family, Phoebe Cates' delivery of THAT monologue, a reported Furby lawsuit, shocking scenes in the YMCA pool, the movie magic behind Gizmo's expressive face, Mrs Deagle being catapulted, an unhinged deleted sequence from Chris Columbus' darker original spec script and Jerry Goldsmith's pitch-perfect score await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

Which character's name does Michael keep getting wrong? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

Pokémon: The First Movie (1998) with Duncan Lindsay

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

"You mean, we don't have to fight with each other?"

Our friend and resident Pokémon professor Duncan Lindsay pops by to chat all things Pocket Monsters with us - the franchise in general, the video games, the trading card game, the anime TV series and the many, many movies - focusing in on this hugely commercially successful theatrical release in which Mewtwo Strikes Back.

Pondering why gays love Pokémon, existential crises, an iconic pop soundtrack album, Pikachu's expressive voice, Team Rocket's dubious disguises, Mewtwo giving us Frankenstein's Monster and Cher, Dragonite flopping and Chansey being a f** p*** wh** await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

Were 4Kids cooking with their adaptational choices for the dub? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) with Tranna Wintour

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

"Help each other, draw upon one another, and always remember the power that binds you."

We're joined by comedian, writer, broadcaster, Faithful and all-round icon Tranna Wintour to discuss the totally tubular TMNT phenomenon - from comics to cartoons to tons of toys - focusing in on the Turtles' 1990 big screen debut. Fun fact - in the UK we originally knew them as "Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles"!

April O'Neil's yellow raincoat, soft masculinity, the grounding effect of pop culture references, Krang, Henson family dynamics, kung fu, Tranna's frozen pizza tips, malfunctioning animatronic faces, Pleasure Island, the questionable presence of Casey Jones, dad feelings, Shredder's sparkly jumpsuit, video nasties, and an emotive giant rat puppet await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

Who’s our favourite Turtle? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

Beetlejuice (1988)

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

"Paranormal? Is that what they're calling your kind these days?"

In honour of the late, great Catherine O'Hara and her brilliant turn as Delia Deetz, we're finally covering a Tim Burton film - and it's a goofy, ghoulish game changer that will rattle your funny bones.

An outsider's found family, nods to B-movie horror, Michael Keaton's bonkers energy, some delightfully absurd special effects, the Usborne Book of Ghosts, queer film lighting, Winona Ryder as goth icon Lydia Deetz, spontaneous human combustion, Sammy Davis Jr, a sweet love story, the camp of Miss Argentina, the Cathouse rock club, Alec Baldwin's chinos, ghost photography, the many careers and gay supernatural talents of Otho, and a truly memorable lipsync extravaganza await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

What was the originally scripted ending that would have made this the perfect fit for our Size Matters season? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992)

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

"We have too long forgotten the magic powers of nature. The time has come to call on them again."

We're going down under to dance with some fairies who conspicuously lack Australian accents in this gorgeously green animated eco-fable.

Tim Curry as a malevolent spirit singing about acid rain pouring down like egg chow mein, Crocodile Dundee, changing sociocultural perceptions of enviromentalism, Robin Williams improvising for 14 hours, Kath and Kim, a cyborg artist's antenna, Magi Lune serving so hard she crystallizes, a goanna voiced by Tone Loc, climate anxiety, Steve Irwin, a Walkman, romance, a Sheena Easton performance debacle, the influence of The Little Mermaid, the power of collective action and some wild deleted lyrics await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

Exactly how much of the Batty Rap do we feature? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

Small Soldiers (1998)

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

"Don't call it violence, call it action. Kids love action! It sells!"

Bustin' out of the box, we're prepared to defeat the Commando Elite in this sanded down but still bitingly satirical romp about AI toy warfare. Life in plastic? It's fantastic.

Joe Dante giving us Susan Sontag camp sensibility, the Everything Is Terrible Jerry Maguire video pyramid, transmascs loving shark movies, Action Man vs G.I. Joe, corporate synergy, Aladdin's nipples, Martika's Kitchen, the Toy Story of it all, Spinal Tap turning it up to 11 as assorted Gorgonites, the Frankenstein throwback of the Gwendy doll conversion, Sarah Michelle Gellar being sued by Burger King, contraband Furbies, the pronunciation of Kirsten Dunst, the Barbie Liberation Organisation, surprise Spice Girls connections, the diva doll herself Dead Meat's James A Janisse, Phil Hartman's big TV, loving Archer loving Encarta, Gremlins comparisons, putting away childish things, Led Zeppelin, the Creatures life simulator PC games and Titanic references await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

Why did we decide to cover this when there's no magical or supernatural element involved? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

Alice - Něco z Alenky (1988)

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

"Now you will see a film made for children... perhaps."

An experimental little solo episode from Callum, exploring this Czech surrealist stop motion dark fantasy from Jan Švankmajer.

It's an extra weird one, but that's what happens when you talk to yourself...

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

James and the Giant Peach (1996)

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

We're off on a fruity adventure with stop-motion animated insects in yet another dark delight discarded by Disney, an adaptation of the Roald Dahl novel helmed by Henry Selick, director of The Nightmare Before Christmas.

The Stinky Cheese Man, a very c***y spider, Tim Burton drama, suprisingly sobering themes, Revolting Recipes, the power of Pete Postlethwaite, a mechanical shark, Andy Partridge from XTC vs Randy Newman, a fabric rhino puppet in a tank, Joanna Lumley, the New York City set looking like a pop-up book, Microsoap and Callum's Miriam Margolyes story await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

If we were bugs, what kind of bugs would we be? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

The Gate (1987)

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

A real horror show aimed at a younger audience, this very 80s Canadian kindertrauma classic opens a portal to Hell in the backyard - and demons both fun-size and massive are coming to disrupt the pizza party with disturbing visions of death! We're not "f***ing off"!

The Satanic Panic, supernatural experiences, Stephen Dorff in his debut, swear words, spectacular stopmotion animation and special effects, and the Stranger Things of it all await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

What's tres uncool? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

Spice World (1997)

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 01:00:00 GMT

"Will you turn that bloody racket down?"

Time for some Girl Power! Who said anything about Space Ghettos? We celebrate the British pop phenomenon with a great big episode about their smash hit turned cult classic feature film Spiceworld and the Lynchian video for their single Viva Forever in which two children are spirited away by Aardman animated tin-toy fairies resembling Scary, Sporty, Ginger, Baby and Posh Spice.

Our renditions of notable ad libs, Michael's pitch for a biopic centred on Geri Halliwell, the presence of literal aliens, Spice Force 5, Trap Door, the socialist community in Liverpool, Rupert the Bear annuals, the Playstation game, Robb Stark getting his bum out, A Hard Day's Night vs The Monkees' Head, Chupa Chups lollipops, the clones of S Club Seeing Double, the coolness of Richard E. Grant and hot twink Alan Cumming, turbulent times on The Island of Doctor Moreau, deciding which Spice Girl would play various roles in Doctor Who, dreamfasting, the French and Saunders Mamma Mia sketch, high femme drag, toilet horror, the comedic timing of Victoria Beckham, buying the VHS tins in Woolworths, and a camera sticking out of a cow await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

Why the double bill with The Borrowers? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

The Borrowers (1997)

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

We're crashing into our new season with an action-packed adaptation of Mary Norton's classic children's books.

Comparisons with the 1992 and 2011 TV versions and Studio Ghibli's 2010 anime The Secret World of Arrietty, the Trocadero Centre, post-war allegory, the incredible filmography of visual effects supervisor Peter Chiang, ice cream made of mashed potato, Penelope Wilton delivering an impassioned speech in Bob & Rose, product placement, a hat on a hat, Celia Imrie's enormous Chappell Roan wig, an officious Ruby Wax, a cheese-eating dog, John Goodman getting tied up by a ceiling fan, Smack the Pony, Jane Norman carrier bags, The 10th Kingdom, life in a dystopian steampunk Hovis advert, and a young Tom Felton's chinchilla named Stanley await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

Why the double bill with Spice World? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1988 BBC TV series)

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

It's time for a Christmas VHS classic - the first instalment of the BBC's adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.

Thank you so much to all our guest contributors on this special episode: Richard, Daniel, Cullen, Sophie, Paul, Rob, and Daniel Boxyteeopatra.

We share our thoughts on the series and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

Which weapons would Father Christmas hand out to us? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

Sac Magique - Season Finale and Mailbag

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

It's time to wrap up the Season of the Witch by opening a magic bag full of listener questions, updates and also-rans.

Ursula K. Leguin's Carrier Bag Theory, Tilly from Tots TV, the population of Iceland, Bette Davis, Halloweentown, Poison for the Fairies, Hilary Duff, Grotbags and Wizadora await.

Want to find out our favourite fantasy novels? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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

BONUS: Wicked: For Good (2025)

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 21:51:05 GMT

I've heard it said that podcasts come into our lives for a reason...

SPOILER ALERT! This epic bonus episode features our extended and detailed discussion of the new movie Wicked: For Good, scene by scene.

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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

The Black Cauldron (1985) with James Swanton

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

It's time for one of the most infamous entries in the 80s dark fantasy canon - Disney's boldly ambitious animated epic, The Black Cauldron. Joining our discussion of the film's merits and shortcomings is actor, writer and horror icon James Swanton.

Three wayward witches, an oracular pig, green mist, Welsh mythology, Elmer Bernstein's ondes martenot-heavy score, and one bonechilling villain in the Horned King await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

How do we feel about Gurgi? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

The Worst Witch (1986) and A Return to Return to Oz (1985)

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Anything can happen on Halloween... Celebrating Once Upon A VHS icon Fairuza Balk, we have a special double-dunter!

First up, an addendum to last year's episode about our beloved Return to Oz. We saw the 40th anniversary screening of Return to Oz at the DCA in Dundee as part of the Dundead horror and cult film festival lineup, and give our reactions to seeing on the big screen as well as expanding on our thoughts and theories about this gothic and gorgeous movie.

Then we join Mildred Hubble for a whole lot of trouble in The Worst Witch, a TV movie adaptation of Jill Murphy's book series set at a magic boarding school with a wild cast including Charlotte Rae, Diana Rigg and Tim Curry. Oh, and some "remarkable" songs and visual effects.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

Has anybody seen my tambourine? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

The Company of Wolves (1984) with Rachel Lydia Barker (Girl on Film)

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 23:00:00 GMT

As you're pretty, so be wise - wolves may lurk in every guise...

Rachel Lydia Barker, film critic, video essayist and creator of the Girl on Film YouTube channel joins us in straying from the path to discuss a truly wild film. It's not just a dark and edgy reworking of Little Red Riding Hood, but a surreal and sensual gothic fairytale overflowing with symbolism, feminist allegory and sharp commentary about gender and power dynamics.

Literary trailblazer Angela Carter and The Bloody Chamber, roadtrips with a Brothers Grimm soundtrack, a boy named Howell, having a Sylvia Plath phase, Una's Becoming Unbecoming and the shadow of the Yorkshire Ripper, the truly baffling filmography of Neil Jordan, production designer Anton Furst's trees on wheels, a beautiful but flimsy puppet theatre, the unmade medieval musical fantasy MidKnight, the darker elements of coming of age narratives, The Village People, cyclical mother-daughter relationships, Rachel's Rat King Halloween costume, a very Doctor Who meets Skeksis banquet, a basketball court made of Sprite, Terence Stamp in an anachronistic Rolls Royce, Alison dressing up as Lady Gaga on Pretty Little Liars, a hedgehog running around the house, Grandmother Angela Lansbury's smashed porcelain head and puppet ermine, a very Jareth from Labyrinth bedazzled jacket, sexual transformation, Rose Tyler being chased by Bad Wolf, Amanda Seyfried, an Evanesence music video, a frightening picture of Oliver Reed as a werewolf, the ITV player, forbidden Nesquik, pink knickerbockers, Valerie and Her Week of Wonders, food colouring magic, glamorous day beds, gorgeous art direction, the 80s fantasy dream logic prelude to A Nightmare on Elm Street, the eroticism of passing script notes back and forward and plenty of wig discussion await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

How many references to The Life of a Showgirl will be made? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

Cannon Movie Tales: Hansel and Gretel (1987) with Movies That Made Us Gay

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 23:00:00 GMT

With Michael lost in the woods, Callum calls upon returning guest co-hosts Pete and Scott from the fabulous Movies That Made Us Gay podcast to dive into discussion, dissection and dissemination of the Cannon Films "package" of fairy tale films, focusing in on Hansel and Gretel - it is the season of the witch, after all!

We also discuss a few other adaptations of Hansel and Gretel including Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre, Tim Burton's kung fu influenced 1983 short, the 2020 horror film Gretel and Hansel from Osgood Perkins and a nightmare-inducing episode of the 1987 anime Grimm's Fairytale Classics.

The SurLaLune Fairytales website, the documentary Electric Boogaloo, being gauche at the Cannes Film Festival, briefly revisiting Masters of the Universe, the dinosaur puppets in the Super Mario Brothers Movie, Chuck Norris, Ninja III: The Domination, Cannon's bizarre expansion of Red Riding Hood, more than one Engelbert Humperdinck, mother giving us kitchen sink drama, Simon and the Witch, the hazards of leaving a trail of breadcrumbs, Ariana Grande in a donut shop, a notably awful bowl cut, David Warner's bag of meat, Griselda's disgusting carpet, red licorice wigs on the gingerbread child fence, Cloris Leachman being dunked in batter, the importance of a good magical staff, an Ibiza foam party explosion, Debbie Harry in Tales from the Darkside: The Movie, a pioneer woman in the woods, Gandalf taking out his pipe and popping in a crystal, Meg Mucklebones, spooky voices, aspic salads, and Michael's visceral reaction to styrofoam await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

How many deep cut RuPaul's Drag Race references do we manage to squeeze in? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

The Witches (1990) with Robert Berg

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Witches of England... you are a disgrace!

Robert Berg, writer and copy editorial director of Bona Books, a queer press specialising in fantasy, science fiction and horror, joins us to peel back the layers of weirdness with this unsettling adaptation.

The complicated legacy of Roald Dahl, loving a sad wash, the performance of gender, gay gasps at the long list of women who might have played the Grand High Witch, feminist filmmaking pioneer Mai Zetterling and her missing finger, feelings about the different endings of the book and film, the children's horror space, Jim Henson's mouse unit, bad ADR dubbing giving a giallo feel, Anne Hathaway saying "gooorlic" in the remake, British seaside hotels, being a grandma's boy, Chicken and Mushroom Pot Noodle, a girl being stuck in a painting, purple eyes, another snake, Creature Shop excellence, a monstrous striptease, distressing transformations, wet puppets, cock-a-leekie or cress soup preferences, and of course Anjelica Huston doing everything.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

Who loved the mum's shawl and who hated it? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

The Craft (1996) with Juno Dawson

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 23:00:00 GMT

We are the weirdos, mister. Light as a feather, stiff as a board. I bind you, Nancy, from doing harm... It's October, it's an iconic performance from Fairuza Balk, it's time to celebrate Fairuzaween with THE millennial mall-goth high school witch horror, 1996's The Craft.

Our special guest Juno Dawson, bestselling author of the bewitching Her Majesty's Royal Coven series, screenwriter, actress and cohost of So I Got To Thinking podcast, joins us to call the corners.

Sarah's cement-front wig, invoking Manon from KATSEYE, comparisons between The Craft: Legacy and The L Word: Generation Q, a pearl of wisdom from Rita Ora, living in a "Spanish", music video DVDs, Rachel True appreciation, queerness radiating out no matter what, Sex and the City, girl group chemistry, inconsistent elemental coding, Kath & Kim, cyberpunk earrings, sleepover shenanigans, Doctor Who companions, Neve Campbell's hideous satin blouse, giving the gays more than they wanted, multiple Buffy the Vampire Slayer tangents, the Jezebel Etsy witch curse, gaslighting, Heidi Klum, finger-snakes, young Hollywood in the 90s, the pronunciation of athame, manifesting a Bratz dolls collaboration and the best outro we've ever recorded await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

"Then why are you still bleeding?!" Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996) with Alice Boyd-Leslie

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Before the hugely popular 90s sitcom, Sabrina the Teenage Witch had something of a trial run with this tonally very different TV movie. The delightful Alice Boyd-Leslie of Drunken Horror and Not Another Teen Podcast joins us for a trip down Memory Lane in enchanted super-fast sneakers. We also discuss other incarnations from her 60s Archie Comics origin to the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix.

Melissa Joan Hart portraying two of the greatest teen girl characters of all time, Channel 5 vibes, Ryan Reynolds' butt, Filmation's proposed Bewitched cartoon, Salem being gay, the Paul Lynde Halloween special, Spice Girls Impulse body spray, the failed Elvira sitcom pilot, a lot of chat about clothes, comparisons to Spider-Man and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a white-and-silver prom, aunt Hilda having the personality of aunt Zelda and the wig of Tori Amos, shoplifting, Hilary Duff as Isabella of Paolo and Isabella, a dough boy getting baked, Peppa Pig being horrible, an app where a woman is running with ever-growing platform heels, the Britney Spears music video for "(You Drive Me) Crazy (The Stop! Remix)" and gaslighting someone you've just flown across the moon with await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

Do we sing the Clarissa Explains It All theme tune? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

The Little Mermaid (1989)

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Come on, you poor unfortunate souls! We've got gadgets and gizmos aplenty, and our first Disney animated classic deep dive brings us a real Renaissance woman for the season of the witch - Divine meets Joan Collins, the diva doll herself, Ursula. We have a sincere love for this one - just don't ask us to give up our voices for it.

Hans Christian Andersen crying on Charles Dickens' lawn, the queer genius of Howard Ashman, desire, the gorgeous art of Kay Nielsen, soft masculinity, a surprise appearance by Ambrosius from Labyrinth, reasons why we don't like the Broadway musical, a handheld LCD game, Queen Latifah, a garden of truly disgusting little freaks aka polyps, thoughts on the live-action remake, McDonalds tie-in toys, shrimp lipstick, and flowers for Nightmare Nail Animation Queen Kathy Zielinski and Live Action Reference Footage Queen Sherri "Voice of Slappy Squirrel" Stoner await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

Why does the statue in Copenhagen keep losing her head? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 23:00:00 GMT

A Kiki is a party for calming all your nerves, and we have a special delivery coming!

The Pippi Longstocking connection, Hayao Miyazaki's perfectionism, coming of age, British publishing jargon, the origins of Ursula's painting, San Francisco apparently being a European city, Totoro on stage, variations between dubs, His Dark Materials, grief, geese, not being the baby any more, herring and pumpkin pie, built-in obselence, etiquette, neurodiverse readings, freelancer burnout, women mentoring women, Jiji and Miss Puss, the value of community, mutual aid, various pronunciations of Ghibli, a dusty as hell bedroom, an ungrateful mean girl, a dirigible, branded mooncups, resistance and resilience await.

Does this episode set a record for number of the uses of the word "melancholy"? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

The Halloween Tree (1993)

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Pick your soul pumpkin and grab a corner of a cape as we hurtle into the second part of our Ray Bradbury double bill with this Hanna-Barbera animated treat.

Lollygagging, the Roseanne Halloween special, TV quality animation, "that mortician woman on YouTube" (Caitlin Doughty), edutainment, a slingshot on a sarcophagus, purple prose readings, Carmen Sandiego, the gargoyles of Notre Dame, transatlantic traditions, a big sombrero for Dia de Los Muertos, a beastly kite with lots of eyes and fangs, Mari Lwyd, collars for bin bag Dracula capes, Samhain, the categorisation of Hard Magic and Soft Magic, don't be fooled by the rocks that she's got - she's still Jenny from the block, candy skull ASMR, the weathervane agenda, and the Cartoon Network of it all await.

What were our own notable childhood Hallowe'en costumes? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Roll up, roll up! In this first part of our Ray Bradbury double bill, we take a ride on the creepy carousel of the October People in a dark and moody film that Disney would probably rather keep secret.

Our thoughts on Ray Bradbury's writing, the politics in the Dark Pandemonium Carnival, extreme Pam Grier appreciation mania, Grandpa Simpson's onion on his belt which was the style at the time, schmoozing with celebs, nostalgia as a sickness, the Vogue rap, American boyhood, 7 Faces of Dr. Lao, spiders in the bed, reshoots with terrible wigs, Michael not knowing who the High Sparrow in Game of Thrones is, regret, being the target market for Dust Witch lunchboxes, a coming of age for Old Dad, lockdown horror, Picnic at Hanging Rock, a mesmerising parade, a Stan Winston skeleton with skin on, becoming a baby in the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon, creepy statues, a Doctor Who mirror maze, Weapons, and Dust Witch lewks await.

What tortured metaphor do we use to describe Bradbury's influence on Stephen King? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

Snow White: A Tale of Terror (1997) with Tom Bloom

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 23:00:00 GMT

The Brothers Grimm get even grimmer with this gothic horror dark fairytale with possibly the most metal trailer in existence, Snow White: A Tale of Terror (1998). Writer, artist, coin-operated fortune teller and marketing and design superstar at indie perfumery Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, Tom Bloom, joins us for a deep dive into the old ways.

Sigourney Weaver being mother, the grunge roots of the Grimmification movement, whimsygoth culture, escaping from the Superstition Mountains, hagsploitation, the dark affirmations of fairytales, a child in a bad wig and a great cape, reclaiming Y2K fear, male filmmakers unconsciously reaching for gender euphoria through the figures of the wicked queen and the teen dream, blood 'n' tombstone imagery, some excellent crone makeup, "we mustn't blame mother", and a very nasty magic mirror await.

This episode also features our first foray into Smell-O-Audio as we also do a live sniff test of two themed fragrance oils from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Snow White and Poisoned Apple!

Ripley does what to Dr Alan Grant while talking about resurrecting their dead child? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

The Witches of Eastwick (1987) with Morgan M Page

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Is it feminist? Is it queer? It's Cher, bitch! Seduced by this wayward success story of the witch film canon, we join forces with our longtime friend, writer, historian, artist and activist Morgan M Page, to mull over this oddball outlier.

Barbra Streisand's fateful wig that led to giant mechanical spiders, everyone wanting a boyfriend who looks like a lesbian, zucchini, squirty cheese and cherry pits, deleted footage of an upsetting Veronica Cartwright animatronic, penis curvature conversations, VOLUME, "punk hun" Kathy Acker interviewing the Spice Girls, laughing to break a fall from a high balcony, Lilith Fair, doing a bit about titles of The Witches of East End episodes, Buffy eBay regrets, goth being forever, a phallic kaiju, our calls for a revival of the stage musical, snakes on a bed, unlikely cheerleader Jack Nicholson, coming together with other girls, gays and theys to destroy a man, Cher's cowboy boots and banana clipped pigtails, yassified Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer bouncing a tennis ball with her butt await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

Who would we cast in a remake? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

A Simple Wish (1997) with Tara Tagliaferro (Down the Yellow Brick Pod)

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Get your jelly sandals on and your magic wands at the ready - we're not in Manhattan any more! The wickedly talented Tara Tagliaferro of Down the Yellow Brick Pod returns to chat with us about this quirky little number that captivated a micro-generation with its peculiar charms, and highlights some favourite fantasy books from her childhood.

Truth-speaking 90s family movie icon Mara Wilson, preposterous auditions, Kathleen Turner's witch-to-conductor costume change, characters being flattened with early CGI magic, Lucy Simon giving us Broadway mega-musical pastiche with Two Cities, a giant rabbi, fairy godmother exams, Boots, Martin Short's Mad Hatter flipper, ketchup girl, The Jolly Postman and his tea-filled bladder, a treasury of Chappell Roans, NOT Tim Curry as NOT Andrew Lloyd Webber, self-insert fanfic, Bogus with Gerard Depardieu, paperback novelisations, madcap energy and Princess Furball await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

Will there be more than one magical human-dog fusion mentioned in this episode? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

Hocus Pocus (1993)

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 23:00:00 GMT

We're back - and it's the season of the witch! Join us as we fly over Salem with the Sanderson sisters for this Hallowe'en classic that is creepy, comedic, camp and a few other words beginning with "c".

Pop culture witchcraft (and drag) reemerging in turbulent times, inflating a squashed cat puppet, "kiss me I'm Alison!", Bette Midler going on Zoom, an apology to David Kirschner, a virgin lighting the Black Flame Candle, remarkable musical numbers, a book bound with human skin, retro company logos, Callum impersonating Rosie O'Donnell singing For Good, boo boxes, Michael's ghost gang, a little woman, master of horror Mick Garris, a mouthful of moths, Mariah Carey, great cloaks, putting a banging donk on Sarah's Theme, dodgy edits taped from the TV and Disney's Halloween House await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.

Sarah Jessica Parker-ca? Kathy Najimy? Is it Thora Birch or Thora Hird? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

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

BONUS Patreon Preview: Jim Henson's The Storyteller - Hans My Hedgehog (1987)

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:18:35 GMT

A preview of our brand new Patreon exclusive coverage of Jim Henson's The Storyteller featuring the pilot episode, Hans My Hedgehog. To hear the whole thing, our Star Wars and Lord of the Rings episodes and much more to come, check out our Patreon: https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs

Join our Clamshell Club for $5 or £4 per month to gain access to three strands of exclusive bonus episodes:

Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)

Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)

Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)

A new episode will be added to one of these strands each month. Clamshell Club members get a shoutout on main feed episodes. Thank you!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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

The Hero's Knapsack - Season Finale and Mailbag

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Hello Podlings, it's time for a chat! Join us as we talk a load of rubbish and have a rummage in the hero's knapsack. We answer listener questions, look back on our journey so far, share some exciting news about our Clamshell Club and crown this season's Miss Fan Favourite.

The Once Upon A Time magazine and audio cassette carrycase, Gobbolino the Witch's Cat, Michael's mum reading 50 Shades of Grey, our thoughts on the first episodes recent TV continuations Willow (2022) and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019), sword sapphics, pretending to like Rent, our pitch and casting for Robert Eggers' Labyrinth 2, mini reviews of fantastical recent releases including The Legend of Ochi, Death of a Unicorn, Sinners and I Saw The TV Glow (plus short documentary This Werewolf Complex), a relationship lore drop, the Placebo cover version of Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill, stories coming back to us when we need them, The Hunger Games prequels, Pride, John Yorke's Into the Woods, Joseph Campbell's The Hero's Journey, Maureen Murdock's The Heroine's Journey, Ginger Minj appreciating big girl Dorothy, more flowers for Molly Grue and Mrs Brisby, working class heroism, networking in old maiden type of shoes, Buffy listening to mariachi music, favourite Chappell Roan wig moments, a tribute to Jean Marsh, Doctor Who, and a celebration of the 40th anniversary of Return to Oz await.

Is the real NeverEnding Story the friends we made along the way? Listen and find out!

Story Teller website with digital versions of Once Upon A Time: https://storyteller.one/

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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

The Dark Crystal (1982)

Thu, 15 May 2025 23:00:00 GMT

In the Age of Wonder, everybody loves puppets! We're journeying through Thra, somewhere between the Land of Gorch and Fraggle Rock, on a quest to restore balance to a broken world. Or at least make an entertaining podcast.

To celebrate this iconic movie in the spirit of collaboration, community and The Great Conjunction, we invited our listeners and guests from previous episodes to contribute shards of their experiences with the film, scattered throughout the episode. A huge thank you to everyone who responded to the Crystal's call - Alice, Cullen, Daniel, Paul, Pete, Robert and Scott.

Underappreciated drag legend Frank Oz, the complicated career and legacy of Jim Henson, plastic witch fingers, the Muppets' sense of longing, Skeksis gender presentation, Orville the Duck, the faerie magic of Brian Froud, a scrapped attempt at Lord of the Rings, Bjork being part Gelfling, Alan Garner's The Owl Service, Na'vi skin, the hairy hands of Dartmoor, Miss Piggy doing Las Culturistas, Yoda, a Podling dancing on the table, purple glow, trans icon Janice, wood elf vibes, a sublime score from Trevor Jones, zooted hippie Mystics, Awkwafina, hard-working puppeteers on their haunches, a return to Droomvlucht at Efeteling, the Blue Peter annual, Kira the literal manic pixie dream girl, inspirational crocodile illustrations, Night of the Hunter, lightflex technology, the ghosts of Northumberland, losing Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab bottles in the Enchanted Forest, Andy Samberg, Fuerteventura vultures, a clockwork orrery, the 48 hour countdown for a Taylor Swift lilo, twinkling out of existence, Callum's misguided impressions, Michael's foray into fanfic, and the return of the Sphinx Question await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Is Aughra a witch? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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

Drop Dead Fred (1991) with Rose Ruane

Thu, 08 May 2025 23:00:00 GMT

We're joined by fabulous artist and writer Rose Ruane to unpick this oft-reviled movie about an unruly, uncouth and uncanny imaginary friend in the form of a surprisingly sexy Rik Mayall. Heads up: while packaged as a comedy caper, this film deals with some heavy topics of otherness, mental health and overcoming abuse, and we discuss its suprising emotional impact.

Queer failure, the hauntology of British public information films, mother's power-dressing, a tennis ball with a bit of fluff stuck on it, Carrie Fisher having a river condominium, the looming spectre of Tim Burton's Beetlejuice, and possibly the worst wig we've seen yet await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Is the real Drop Dead Fred the friends we made along the way? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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

Princess Mononoke (1997)

Thu, 01 May 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Kodama-rama! We finally cover a Studio Ghibli anime classic with this brutal and brilliant film from Hayao Miyazaki.

Gorgeous foliage, graphic violence, a wolf goddess with the voice of a drag queen, the curse of generative AI, Uncle Boonmee-coded apes, the "No Cuts" story, Final Fantasy VII, Lady Eboshi serving Creation Destruction Charisma Uniqueness Nerve and Talent, and a star-studded dub await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Is Michael an amoeba or a clever girl? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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

Ladyhawke (1985)

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 23:00:00 GMT

We're feeling the romantasy with this swoonworthy effort from Richard Donner. We also insist that Michelle Pfeiffer needs to get her flowers.

Great casting, gorgeous cinematography, grappling with the commodification of nostalgia, a horse in a wig, a detour to the origins of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the curse of desire, deleted monsters, reverse penetration, a hot take about Grease 2 and our thoughts about that infamously divisive Alan Parsons produced score await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Is it basically Challengers if Zendaya was a hawk? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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

Freddie as F.R.O.7. aka Freddie the Frog (1992) with Ryan Hunter (Radical Retro Rewind?!)

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Radical Ryan Hunter, hilarious host of Radical Retro Rewind?! podcast, joins us to dissect one helluva frog prince-turned-secret-agent in a deeply peculiar British animated adventure.

Chekhov's Nessie, shrinking monuments, Blockbuster nostalgia, a revealing behind-the-scenes documentary, Boy George's disdain for the Ninja Turtles, bemusing musical numbers, Electric Soldier Porygon, interspecies romance, the Queen's concealed face, and a screaming snake sorceress with the singing voice of Grace Jones await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Can a human-sized frog hop through space and time? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) with Joshua Tonks

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 23:00:00 GMT

We're joined by actor, writer and 90s afficionado Josh Tonks to revisit the oft-shaded original movie incarnation of an iconic heroine.

Gay vampire Pee Wee Herman's improvised death scene, the cultural significance of Tokyo Pop, Hilary Swank's stank face, Luke Perry's soul patch, Spike on a rollercoaster with Lisa Loeb, yellow jackets (but not those ones), Josh's musical pitch, Cher's home decor catalogue, and the latest in a long line of Chappell Roan wigs await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. How many times do we mention Sarah Michelle Gellar? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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Supergirl (1984) with Raisah Ahmed

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Super-talented writer, director and Superman aficionado Raisah Ahmed swoops in for a chat about a very peculiar entry in the superhero movie canon.

The magic of escapism, being starstruck at the BAFTAs by Christopher Reeve's kids, clingfilm walls, Dolly Parton not wanting to play a witch, making an entrance on a ghost train, Peter O'Toole waving around a bong in his H&M cardigan, "squirt", flying around in a hideous bumper car, Faye Dunaway's big rubber monster and a surprise reappearance from Gwildor's bucket of non-Popeye's fried chicken await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Are millennials the delulu generation? Listen and find out!

For more Superman-related chat from Raisah, be sure to check out an instalment of Michael's TV podcast A Very Special Episode where they chat about the Smallville episode Homecoming: https://shows.acast.com/a-very-special-episode/episodes/smallville-homecoming-with-raisah-ahmed

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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Clash of the Titans (1981)

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT

RELEASE THE KRAKEN!

The Harry Hamlin M&M (husband of the Lisa Rinna M&M), anachronistic garage door eyeshadow, Maggie Smith's face crack of the century, simping for Bubo, the Argos catalogue, grandad watching Teen Wolf, a Mia Goth household, a tangential trip to Gregory Maguire's island of Maricoor, Ray Harryhausen being gagged and gooped, and the greatest stop motion sequence of all time await. #susanalbumparty

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Which one of us dressed up as Athena and which one as Medusa? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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The Mask (1994)

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT

We were excited to revisit this oft-quoted smash from our childhoods but did NOT care for it on a rewatch! Ruh-roh! Awooga!

The peplum on Cameron Diaz's jacket, an electric pencil sharpener, green men issues, Anna Nicole Smith and Vanessa Williams entries in the multiverse, Canada's Walk of Fame, 2025 goggles, Caggie from Big Brother's single Prince Charming, Loki's greasy hair, the hugeness of Jim Carrey and a surprise recommendation await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Can we set a new record for uses of "I think"? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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Masters of the Universe (1987) with Chris O'Brien

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Our good friend Chris O'Brien joins us for an epic episode encompassing the Mattel toys, the various animated He-Man and She-Ra series, and the Cannon Films feature.

Skeletor's set of "boobs", The Eyes of Evil-lyn, Stinkor, Raspberry Pi powered Cosmic Key synths, Courtney Cox's grisly gash, Orko's glow up, BBQ on Gwildor's beard, the inaugural use of the Star Trek alarm, Filmation, financial fiascos and even more elephants in the room await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Can you really call it a good journey? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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Krull (1983) with Movies That Made Us Gay

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT

We're joined by Scott and Pete from the brilliant Movies That Made Us Gay podcast to grab the Glaive (ouch) for an epic sci-fi-infused fantasy adventure.

Dungeons and Drag Queens, British institution Todd Carty, Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, Princess Chappell Roan with the voice of Professor Maggie Walsh, a Beast of ambiguous scale, the Genre aisle, being bothered by Liam Neeson, a smidge of Star Wars influence and a host of connections to other 80s fantasy classics await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Would James Horner reuse his own material? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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The Secret of NIMH (1982)

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Hold on to your animated amulets as we explore Don Bluth's visually vibrant and emotionally potent directorial debut.

Mouse peril, scabby owls, Scissor Sisters, acid trips, divine intervention, magical twinkly stuff, gay rats, Charlotte's Web, the sartorial excellence of Vincent Valentine and lots of string await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Can we forgive Jeremy the stupid bird? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995)

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Uh-oh, we're in trouble! In addition to tackling the movie, we backflip into a potted history of the TV phenomenon and its Super Sentai tokusatsu origins.

Extensive discussion of Kimberley the Pink Power Ranger, Witch Bandora's flying Penny Farthing, hench Cenobite Lord Zedd, papier mache dinosaur bones, totally radical skydiving, Alpha's Magical Christmas, Ivan Ooze's gorgeous garments and Lady Gaga egg perfume await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Is Amy Jo Johnson the Meryl Streep of the Power Rangers world? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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Willow (1988)

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:00:19 GMT

We're back and Warwick Davis has a trick up his sleeve!

Tonka toys, the Ebert and Siskel dragon, the Lord of the Rings of it all, George Lucas being Alexandra Burke's elephant in the room, the joy of DVD extras, giant fairy queens in bad wigs and transformation trauma await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Who do we meet in the deleted scenes? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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Santa's Sack - Season Finale Christmas Special and Mailbag

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 21:31:24 GMT

A bawdy, bewitching and bewildering end-of-season festive celebration - adults only! Join us as we look back, answer listener questions and empty out Santa's Sack full of 80s and 90s fantasy Christmas goodies including Santa Claus: The Movie (1985), Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997), A Smoky Mountain Christmas (1986), Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special (1988), the ITV pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk (1998) and The Snowman (1982).

Dolly Parton, David Bowie, Grace Jones, Dudley Moore, Zsa Zsa Gabor, puppet reindeer, Tim Curry's impressive organ, Bernadette Peters, a can of Irn Bru, Paul Reubens, Denise Van Outen, Charo, the mountain witch Jezebel, questionable Falkor merchandise and John Lithgow hurtling into outer space await - after all, it wouldn't be Christmas without a little bit of desperation!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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BONUS: Wicked (2024)

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 13:55:53 GMT

Fellow Ozians! By "Popular" demand, here's an epic bonus episode - our unedited discussion of this year's fantasy blockbuster movie, going song-by-song through Wicked, Part One. Spoiler warning - see the film before you listen, but we don't spoil anything about next year's Part Two.

We waffle on for nearly the whole duration of the movie - our thoughts on the Gregory Maguire books, the stage musical, Jonathan Bailey's Goblin Winkie, Gelphie shipping with Ariana Grande, and defying gravity with Cynthia Erivo's 80s dark fantasy film picks for Elphaba await. Jon M. Chu, we're in queer media and we're holding space for YOU!

Our spoilery scene-by-scene breakdown of the film starts at 26:35.

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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Anastasia (1997)

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 11:56:27 GMT

Join us once upon a December on an animated journey to the past, historically accurate or otherwise.

A potted history of the Romanovs, Don Bluth's Dragon's Lair, Disney pettiness, Russia's greatest love machine Rasputin having a mouth in a place it doesn't belong, and Bartok Burger King toys await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Does Paris hold the key to our hearts? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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

Jumanji (1995) with Daniel Lammin (Ink & Paint)

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:35 GMT

Daniel Lammin, theatremaker, film critic and host of Ink & Paint podcast, joins us to roll the dice on this wild and intense blockbuster about a brutal boardgame, anchored by Robin Williams.

Plants with hair, Stephen King comparisons, Australian children's TV, Bebe Neuwirth's cleaning prowess and the Jurassic Park of it all await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. You just saw three monkeys go by on a motorcycle, didn't you? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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

Practical Magic (1998) with Kim Morrison (Little Red Horror)

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 23:00:29 GMT

Kim Morrison, writer and creator of Little Red Horror, joins us for a spell to discuss this witchy wonder.

Midnight margaritas, floating petals, being born under a diva sign, inappropriate whipped cream, Ceefax (or Teletext) and a surprising number of references to classic horror await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Who put the lime in the coconut and drank it all up? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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

Conan the Barbarian (1982) with Joshua Conkel (Bloodhaus)

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 23:00:19 GMT

Joshua Conkel, writer, filmmaker and one of the hosts of arthouse horror movie podcast Bloodhaus, joins us to discuss this brutal and often beautiful banger.

The riddle of steel, James Earl Jones in a Bettie Page wig, representation metadiscourse, Arnie's cheekbones, Cruella's mother getting knocked off a cliff by dalmatians and THE iconic score await.

We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. What is best in life? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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

Alice in Wonderland - Through the Looking Glass (1985) with Doom Generation

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 22:44:26 GMT

Nicole and Tessa, the hilarious hosts of Doom Generation podcast, join us through the looking glass for a chaotic whirl around the second part of an all-star TV movie musical extravanganza.

Carol Channing turning into a sheep, skibidi toilet, CATS, Pound Puppies, mother's crispy Aquanet hair, treacle, and the impressive resume of writer/director/Jabberwocky/mime Tom McLoughlin await.

We share our thoughts on the special and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Why is there jam tomorrow, jam yesterday but never ever jam today? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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

Time Bandits (1981) with Simon Eilbeck (Hot Mess)

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 23:00:05 GMT

Simon Eilbeck, Hot Mess DJ and queer dance party king, joins us to discuss this bizarre and boisterous beast of a film with one of the wildest endings we've ever seen.

Evil washing lines, jaunty George Harrison, diva antics, exploding dogs, Sean Connery impressions, philosophical questions and atmospheric smoky cinemas await. But not Baldrick.

We share our thoughts on the film and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. What do we think of the recent Apple TV series? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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The Wizard of Oz (1982 anime) with Down the Yellow Brick Pod

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 23:00:46 GMT

Tara and EmKay, hosts of Down the Yellow Brick Pod, join us to discuss this proto-Ghibli anime adaptation of the beloved story.

Aileen Quinn's Playbill shenanigans, surreal sound effects, Godzilla, a giant crow on fire, plenty of pie, turkey slices on a Pocahontas plate and a very purple Wicked Witch of the West await.

We share our thoughts on the film and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Is it strictly up to you to take your dreams and make your dreams come true on this delicious wizard of a day? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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Nightbreed (1990) with James Dewar (The Great British Bake Off)

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 23:00:21 GMT

James Dewar, star of The Great British Bake Off, joins us to discuss the director's cut of Clive Barker's misunderstood monster melange, Nightbreed.

Stop-motion animation, queer allegory, big demon statues, David Cronenberg in a gimp mask and furry jump scares await.

We share our thoughts on the film and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Do we stan Sheryl Ann? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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The Princess Bride (1987) with Not My Fantasy

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 23:00:24 GMT

We're back for Season 2 with some special guests! Cullen and Hannah from Not My Fantasy podcast join us to discuss this much beloved movie.

Mixtapes for Fred Savage, the Blorpo alien empire, storytelling as an act of love, Nicole-Bertha the Ancient Booer, and watching a lime-green Shrek VHS cassette on a TV that has an ass await.

We share our thoughts on the film and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Does anybody want a peanut? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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Lucky Bag - Season Finale and Mailbag

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 12:10:00 GMT

It's our end-of-season celebration! Join us as we look back, answer listener questions and rip open a Lucky Bag of 80s and 90s fantasy mini-topics including Starla and the Jewel Riders, The Pirates of Dark Water, Through the Dragon's Eye, Heroes of Might and Magic 3, Final Fantasy 7 and Highland Mysteryworld

Plus, we remember Faerie Tale Theatre legend Shelley Duvall, pick our theme song Top of the Pops, and crown Miss Fantasy!

Thank you for listening - we hope you'll join us soon for the next season of the podcast along with some special guests.

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter (1990) and Mio in the Land of Faraway (1987)

Sun, 07 Jul 2024 15:12:27 GMT

We return to Fantasia for The NeverEnding Story 2: Electric Boogaloo before a beard-flight to The Land of Faraway based on Astrid Lindgren's Mio min Mio.

Prepare for Christopher Lee's Sasha Fierce claw, Power Rangers meets Encarta 95 vibes, Benny and Bjorn from ABBA, a draggy sorceress, swimming pools, and Geiger counters.

We share our thoughts on the films and their themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Will we get vaporised by a Sphinx? No, because we forgot to do a Sphinx question this episode! Oh well! We call it a bird course because we fly right through.

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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Labyrinth (1986) and The Princess and the Goblin (1991)

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 18:44:40 GMT

Dance, magic dance! There is a spark inside us! Our goblin double bill brings us Henson hot takes, magic phone cards, a rotten Hoggle, the twelve tapdancing toes of the Goblin Queen, the best and worst of David Bowie's costume and a very special grandma ghost. Oh, and singing.

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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A Gnome Named Gnorm aka Upworld (1990) and Stan Winston Movie Magic Special

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 21:31:30 GMT

Episode 7 is a hot mess express with a lot of love for Stan Winston, special makeup effects artist and creature creator extraordinaire, but less so for his second feature as director, a bizarre buddy comedy with a puppet gnome. Derailing from our usual format, we share our thoughts on the film in the first half (with tangents about Mr Blobby's Blobbyland and the Psammead), and in the second half we chat about Stan Winston's movie magic throughout the years, from the Reese's peanut butter cup noses of The Wiz to the killer mermaid of She Creature, with Aliens, Predator, The Thing, The Terminator and a visit to Jurassic Park along the way.

Yeah, this episode is a LOT. It might even make your toes curl.

Other movies briefly discussed as part of our Stan Winston special:

The Wiz (1978)

Heartbeeps (1981)

The Thing (1982)

The Terminator (1984) and Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)

Aliens (1986)

Predator (1987)

Pumpkinhead (1988)

Batman Returns (1992)

Jurassic Park (1993)

Tank Girl (1995)

The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)

Small Soldiers (1998)

A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

She Creature (2001)

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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

Legend (1985) and Faeries (1981)

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 23:00:13 GMT

Well, excuuuuuuse me princess - our sixth episode is our wildest wander yet! With a tip of the hat to Brian Froud and Alan Lee's Faeries book and TV special, we find ourselves in the ridiculously glittery sets of Ridley Scott's Legend. The devilish Darkness, dancing dresses and Tom Cruise's thighs. Big nostalgic memories of the Atmosfear VHS board game and the Clarks Magic Steps shoe commercial.

We share our thoughts on the film and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. Will we get vaporised by a Sphinx? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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The Last Unicorn (1982)

Tue, 21 May 2024 10:00:50 GMT

Episode 5, how she sparkles, The Last Unicorn! Melancholy mythical creatures, surprising celebrity superfans, internalised unicorniphobia and more misguided impersonations.

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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

Hook (1991)

Tue, 07 May 2024 23:00:52 GMT

Bangarang! Spielberg's sequel to Peter Pan is our episode four focus. Maggie Smith's old age makeup, floating Carrie Fisher, moppet dirges and OG gay pirates. Rufio-no-they-didn't!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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Return to Oz (1985)

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 21:29:24 GMT

Episode 3 - Extreme Return to Oz Appreciation Mania. Fractured identities, Fairuzaween, blinged-out Tik-Tok, the Nome Queen of Chromatica, Mombi's head complaints and more. Beware the Wheelers...

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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The Pagemaster (1994)

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 23:00:33 GMT

The library is open for episode 2. Power ballads, scroll beards, the McDonalds coffee lawsuit and Whoopi Goldberg as an anthropomorphic book adjusting her pantyhose.

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

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The Neverending Story (1984)

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 12:14:21 GMT

From Falkor fur coats to Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas and a big warehouse full of fairies, join us in the magical land of Fantasia for our first episode.

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

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