Welcome to episode 54 of The Horror Double Bill the podcast where each week we pair two movies to create something greater than the sum of their parts

This week we are plunging into the world of ecological horror, with two films that suggest that unless we learn to learn more harmoniously with the planet, we will suffer the consequences – one way or another

First, we have The Day the Earth Caught Fire from 1961. This was written and directed by Val Guest and stars Edward Judd, Janet Monroe, Leo McKern, Michael Goodliffe, and Bernard Braden.

Then we follow this with our first Australian movie on the podcast, which is Long Weekend from 1978. This was written by Everett De Roche, directed by Colin Eggleston and stars Peter Hargreaves and Briony Behets

Along the way, we’ll be discussing the career of writer director Val Guest, British nuclear test in the 1950s, why Australia banned horror for 20 years, the birth of the Australian horror movement, the career of screenwriter Everett De Roche and much much more.

Recommendations

The Quatermass Xperminent (1955)

Quatermass 2 (1957)

The Twilight Zone – episode The Midnight Sun (1961)

Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense – In Possession (1984)

The Last Wave (1977)

References

British Science Fiction Cinema, edited by I. Q. Hunter

The Day the Earth Caught Fire BFI blu ray – interviews, commentaries and special features

https://historyproject.org.uk/interview/val-guest

https://www.ajb007.co.uk/discussion/56473/interviews-with-cast-and-crew-non-bond-films

https://nzpetesmatteshot.blogspot.com/

https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/panic-streets-london-filming-day-earth-caught-fire

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2006/may/16/guardianobituaries.obituaries

Australian Horror Films 1973 to 2010 by Peter Shelley

Australian Gothic: A Cinema of Horrors by Jonathan Rayner

https://www.naa.gov.au/blog/exit-ghouls

https://www.sensesofcinema.com/2008/dossier-on-australian-exploitation/everett-de-roche/

https://www.cine-excess.co.uk/down-under-rises-up-naturersquos-revenge-in-ozploitation-cinema.html

https://cinemaaustralia.com.au/2015/10/11/5-things-you-never-knew-about-long-weekend/

https://lwlies.com/home-ents/long-weekend-ozploitation-classic

https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hargreaves-john-william-31765

https://newtheatrehistory.org.au/wiki/index.php/Person_-_John_Hargreaves

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0362970/bio/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Weekend_%281978_film%29

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Day_the_Earth_Caught_Fire

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0066909/

Instagram: @thehorrordoublebill

email: thehorrordoublebill@gmail.com

youtube: @thehorrordoublebill

artwork by Justin Parker (IG jpkr_illustration.com)

Welcome to episode 53 of The Horror Double Bill the podcast where nearly every week we pair two movies to create something greater than the sum of their parts.

This week we are off to Hollywood, with two films that explore the horrors of the silver screen, from obsessive fandom and fantasy to the darkest depths of ambition.

First up we have Fade to Black from 1980. This was written and directed by Vernon Zimmerman, and stars Dennis Christopher, Tim Thomerson, Linda Kerridge, and Eve Brent

Then we jump forward to 2014 and Starry Eyes, written and directed by Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer. This stars Alexandra Essoe, Amanda Fuller, Noah Segan and Fabianne Therese.

Along the way, we’ll be discussing the career of producer Irwin Yablans, depictions of Hollywood in the horror film, directors Kevin Kolsche and Dennis Widmyer and much much more

Recommendations

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (1962)

Torture Garden (1967)

Barton Fink (1991)

Mulholland Drive (2001)

References:

The Man Who Created Halloween by Irwin Yablans

Going to Pieces: The Rise & Fall of the Slasher Film by Adam Rockoff

Fade to Black: special features and interviews from the blu ray from 88 Films.

https://anthemmagazine.com/alex-essoe-pays-the-price-of-fame/

https://thehollywoodnews.com/2015/03/11/thn-interview-starry-eyes-directors-dennis-widmyer-kevin-kolsch/

https://brokehorrorfan.com/post/102534766538/interview-kevin-kolsch-dennis-widmyer-starry

https://btchflcks.com/2015/01/old-hollywood-legend-in-a-new-skin-an-interview-with-the-filmmakers-of-starry-eyes.html

https://thewolfmancometh.com/2014/03/25/writerdirectors-kevin-kolsch-and-dennis-widmyer-producer-travis-stevens-and-star-alex-essoe-talk-starry-eyes-interview-sxsw-14/

https://www.flickfeast.co.uk/spotlight/starry-eyes-interview-kevin-kolsch-dennis-widmyer/

https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/547793/28-things-we-learned-from-the-fade-to-black-commentary/

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-05-26-ca-8461-story.html

https://itcamefromblog.com/2022/11/15/paint-it-black-when-dennis-christopher-detoured-into-slasher-territory/

https://www.hysteria-lives.co.uk/hysterialives/Hysteria/fade_to_black.htm

https://www.starburstmagazine.com/features/kevin-koelsch-and-dennis-widmyer-starry-eyes/

https://wickedhorror.com/features/interviews/exclusive-alex-essoe-talks-starry-eyes/

https://youtu.be/bE-m4rVJC4o?si=TguU9KKs_TUe8neu

https://youtu.be/Ya6-7k48FAU?si=l0GJOqE7gJIOdZWA

Instagram: @thehorrordoublebill

email: thehorrordoublebill@gmail.com

youtube: @thehorrordoublebill

artwork by Justin Parker (IG jpkr_illustration.com)