Introducing Scream Scene, the horror movie podcast where your hosts watch every horror movie ever made in chronological order, then rank them best to worst.

Along the way we share film history, behind the scenes details, as well as social and historical context to better understand how and why these horror films were made. 

Join us, creatures of the night, on Spotify, SoundCloud and wherever fine podcasts are found. 

And see the full list of currently ranked movies at https://screamscenepodcast.tumblr.com/

Scream Scene Podcast

Scream Scene Trailer

Merry Christmas! Our horror adjacent episode this month is on Paul Leni's 1928 adaptation of THE MAN WHO LAUGHS!

We look at the relationship this film has with THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, plus some back story on author Victor Hugo.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 52:12; Discussion 1:02:27

Horror Adjacent 07 - Make 'Em Laugh

Dracula is... coming to America! Warn the housewives and use that white picket fence for making stakes -- it's THE RETURN OF DRACULA (1958) from director Paul Landres!

The film stars Frances Lederer, Norma Eberhardt and John Wengraf with music by Gerald Fried.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 15:47; Discussion 25:38; Ranking 39:45

Episode 234 - Chekov's Pit

From the pulp pages of Weird Tales onto the silver screen, it's FIEND WITHOUT A FACE (1958) from producers John Croydon and Richard Gordon, and director Arthur Crabtree! 

This Cold War horror set in Canada has more than its fair share of surprises; one would even call it... WILD! The film stars Marshall Thompson, Kynaston Reeves, Kim Parker and Stanley Maxted. 

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 34:55; Discussion 51:26; Ranking 1:03:56

Episode 235 - It's WILD

Dive into the history of Japanese ghost cats with BŌREI KAIBYŌ YASHIKI (1958), also known as BLACK CAT MANSION from director Nobuo Nakagawa! This film has everything: bakeneko, kabuki AND revenge!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 26:11; Discussion 43:05; Ranking 59:22

Episode 239 - Sarah Likes Cats

Based on the famous 1957 short story from George Langelaan comes THE FLY (1958) from director/producer Kurt Neumann! This disturbing horror stars Patricia Owens, David Hedison, Vincent Price and Herbert Marshall.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 48:16; Discussion 1:03:28; Ranking 1:35:40

Episode 240 - Buzz Buzz

Anthony Perkins. Janet Leigh. Alfred Hitchcock. It's 1960's PSYCHO! In a nearly three hour long episode, your hosts dig into the novel, its film adaptation, and how everything changes after PSYCHO's release.

General content warning for discussion of transphobia, violence against women, psychosis, serial killers and cannibalism.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 40:23-44:30; Discussion 1:38:02; Ranking 2:32:39

Episode 295 - Method to the Madness

Give Roger Corman more money and time to make a movie, and he goes FULLY RESPECTABLE!! It's THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER (1960) starring Vincent Price, Mark Damon and Myrna Fahey!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 35:22; Discussion 42:50; Ranking 1:06:40

Episode 297 - Full Respectability

If your beloved pet cat witnessed your murder... would it take revenge on your behalf? In THE SHADOW OF THE CAT (1961), the answer is YES! This latest entry from Hammer Productions is directed by John Gilling and stars Andre Morell, Barbara Shelley, William Lucas and Bunkie as Tabitha the cat!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 10:44; Discussion 18:00; Ranking 32:40

Episode 317 - A Gothic Diversion

Your hosts travel to Nevada for THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS (1961), directed by Coleman Francis and starring Tor Johnson! But does this indie horror land more towards Ed Wood charm or W. Lee Wilder incompetence? While we decide, we share facts about the Nevada Test Site, nuclear experiments and John Wayne's 1956 film THE CONQUEROR. 

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 27:20; Discussion 35:42; Ranking 45:08

Episode 318 - Get Off My Yucca Flats

A female-led psychological horror movie in black and white? What is this, 1940's RKO? Nope, it's the latest from Hammer Film! Director Seth Holt takes on Jimmy Sangster's gothic thriller script for TASTE OF FEAR (1961) and magic is truly made! The film stars Susan Strasberg, Ronald Lewis, Ann Todd and Christopher Lee. 

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 23:46; Discussion 35:54; Ranking 1:07:08

Episode 319 - 1960's Val Lewton

Would you still love me if I was a mermaid? With that as the central question, your hosts tackle NIGHT TIDE (1961) from writer/director Curtis Harrington! The film takes inspiration from William Hope Hodgson and Edgar Allan Poe, and stars Dennis Hopper, Linda Lawson and Gavin Muir.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 36:30; Discussion 48:34; Ranking 1:20:26

Episode 320 - A Not Cute Meet Cute

Like a snake eating its own tail, William Castle presents HOMICIDAL (1961), his take on Hitchcock's PSYCHO (1960), which was Hitchcock's take on Castle's gimmick approach to horror! With twists and turns throughout the movie, your deadicated hosts do their best to avoid spoilers until the synopsis. 

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 21:24; Discussion 40:18; Ranking 1:40:20

And to be completely clear, trans rights are human rights!

Episode 321 - Problematic Or Not?

Roger Corman tasks Richard Matheson with expanding Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Pit and the Pendulum" into a feature length film... do they succeed?? Vincent Price, John Kerr, Barbara Steele and Luana Anders star in PIT AND THE PENDULUM (1961, Corman)!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 31:56; Discussion 41:51; Ranking 1:13:41

Episode 322 - The Ben and the Pendulum

Mix witches with vague voodoo and you get THE DEVIL'S HAND (1961) from director William J. Hole Jr. Starring Linda Christian, Robert Alda, Ariadna Welter and Neil Hamilton, even a competent cast can't save this picture. Yet, there might be something worthwhile pulling the film in certain directions... maybe?

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 19:30; Discussion 30:32; 52:54

Episode 323 - Laissez-faire

These teens are being hunted! Can they survive... the hunter's BLOODLUST?! We find out in this 1961 adaptation of Richard Connell's THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME, from writer/producer/director Ralph Brooke. The film stars Wilton Graff, Robert Reed, June Kenney and Gene Persson.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 26:40; Discussion 37:44; Ranking 49:34

Episode 324 - Ain't Got No Riz

Your deadicated hosts travel to Mexico to introduce you to LA MARCA DEL MUERTO (1961, Cortés), a gothic sci-fi horror flick that stars leading man Fernando Casanova in dual roles! The film also stars Sonia Furió and features cinematography by José Ortiz Ramos.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 16:06; Discussion 24:52; Ranking 38:46

Episode 325 - Delivering On Vibes

William Castle with two wolves inside him: One wants to shock and frighten his audience, and the other wants them to have a good time. In the case of MR. SARDONICUS (1961), he struggles to accomplish either one! 

Despite this, there are things your deadicated hosts find to praise and discuss! Enjoy our coverage of Castle's second entry in 1961, starring Ronald Lewis, Audrey Dalton and Guy Rolfe. 

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 24:16; Discussion 39:16; Ranking 1:04:54

Episode 326 - Mr. Arbitrary

What happens when you mix psychiatry, addiction metaphors, surrealism and electronic music? The first Canadian horror movie and full length 3D fiction film, THE MASK (1961)! The film comes from director Julian Roffman and stars Paul Stevens and Claudette Nevins. Hear about the origins of Canadian film, LSD usage in psychiatry, and more! 

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 54:50; Discussion 1:08:10; Ranking 1:35:44

Episode 327 - Everything That You Want

We begin our tale of horror with a mystery; just what is Scream Scene? Who are our mysterious hosts? And, how do we decipher between terror and horror? Listen as our deadicated hosts Sarah and Ben watch the very first horror films ever made.

Films reviewed this episode:
Le Manoir du Diable (1896, Melies)
Le Chateau Hante (1897, Melies)
The Haunted Curiosity Shop (1901, Booth)
Le Monstre (1903, Melies)
Le Chaudron Infernal (1903, Melies)
The Sealed Room (1909, Griffith)
Frankenstein (1910, Dawley)
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1912, Henderson)
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1913, Brenon)

Scream Scene

Episode One - I'll Know It When I See It

Our hosts Ben and Sarah welcome you creature of the night to our second episode and our review of Der Student von Prag from 1913, by Paul Wegener.

Episode Two - Effectively Spooky

This week our hosts review Unheimliche Geschichten (1919) by Richard Oswald. Our first film with horror star Conrad Veidt!

Episode Four - Seance and Chill

The deadicated hosts uncover the mystery around Rouben Mamoulian's 1931 pre-Code horror film Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde starring Fredric March!

Context setting 00:00; plot summary 29:27; discussion 40:56; ranking 1:13:34

Episode 27 - Horror and Tragedy

The deadicated hosts review the second James Whale film for the list: 1932's OLD DARK HOUSE, starring Boris Karloff & a merry cast. What we find locked in the closet is a horror that we all can relate to...

This classic goes on to define the genre of Old Dark House horror, and with good reason. From the novel adaptation, to the character-driven horror on screen, we discuss the positives of offering just enough backstory.

Context setting 00:00; plot summary 27:43; discussion 38:47; ranking 1:24:38

Episode 34 - Just Enough Backstory

Horror returns after a three-year gap with 1939's SON OF FRANKENSTEIN, directed by Rowland Lee. What changed in America that Universal Studios was willing to raise this dead genre? How far does this apple fall from the Frankenstein tree? And how do Basil Rathbone, Lionel Atwill, and Bela Lugosi stand in comparison to Boris Karloff as the Monster?

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 38:59; Discussion 48:06; Ranking 1:09:07

Episode 66 - The Renaissance of Horror

It's the film that changed the horror genre, revived RKO, and launched Val Lewton into film history.

Your deadicated hosts watch CAT PEOPLE (1942, Tourneur) and dive into the history of women and mental health, sexuality, RKO and CITIZEN KANE, and so much more. Will this classic take the number one spot on the list?

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 59:59; Discussion 1:12:14; Ranking 1:43:08

Episode 98 - Obscure, Don't Tell

Your deadicated hosts go for a stroll with Val Lewton's second feature, I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE (1943) from director Jacques Tourneur. 

Featuring Haitian voodoo, incredible sound design, inspiration from Jane Eyre and more, we dive deep into our 100th ranked horror film on the list!

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 34:36; Discussion 44:46; Ranking 1:29:22

Episode 104 - A Quiet Kind Of Horror

Noirvember hits the Scream Scene team with THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE (1946), a film noir combining Gothic horror & slasher tropes.

Starring Dorothy McGuire, George Brent & Ethel Barrymore, this old dark house flick comes from RKO and director Robert Siodmak.

Context Setting 00:00; Synopsis 30:56; Discussion 40:12; Ranking 1:13:31

Episode 135 - Everyone's Just People

It's the film Martin Scorsese claims as "one of the few true classic of supernatural cinema;" it's 1949's THE QUEEN OF SPADES from director Thorold Dickinson and starring Anton Walbrook, Edith Evans, and Yvonne Mitchell.

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 26:57; Discussion 37:02; Ranking 1:04:25

Episode 152 - It All Makes Sense Now

It's 1951! UFOs, the Cold War, and the Sci-Fi genre get covered in our context setting, then an in-depth look at Christian Nyby's THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD! This Howard Hawks film stars Kenneth Tobey, Margaret Sheridan, Robert Cornthwaite, James Arness, and many other character actors.

Cultural context setting 00:00; Film context setting 42:05; Synopsis 1:12:15; Discussion 1:25:23; Ranking 1:57:45

Episode 154 - It's A Different Thing

Your deadicated hosts travel to 1950s Japan to cover GOJIRA (1954) from director Ishiro Honda! Plus, a brief history of post-war Japan, the atomic bomb, and the origins of the daikaiju genre.

A brief context-setting of Japan 00:00; Film background 18:45; Synopsis 1:33:02; Discussion 1:46:27; Ranking 2:28:22

Episode 172 - A Beefy Boy

They're here! And you're next!! Your deadicated hosts enter 1956 with INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS from director Don Siegel and producer Walter Wanger, based on the Jack Finney novel.

The film is often viewed with a Cold War, Red Scare lens, but is it really Communism we're supposed to be afraid of?

Context setting 00:00; Synopsis 43:38; Discussion 1:00:33; Ranking 1:35:49

Episode 186 - Chasing Nostalgia

Join our deadicated hosts Sarah and Ben as they review horror movies in chronological order and rank them from best to worst. Updated every other Wednesday.
Theme music Now I Know by Jared C. Balogh

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