Ep. 06-31: The Sorcerers (1967)

THE SORCERERS (1967)—revolves around an elderly couple, Professor Monserrat and his wife, who invent a mind-control device. They persuade a young man to be their experimental subject, giving them the power to experience his sensations. However, the experiment takes a dark turn as the couple becomes increasingly obsessed with the thrill of controlling another person’s actions, leading to tragic consequences.

This bizarre exploration of mind manipulation marks our inaugural venture into the realm of Michael Reeves. Join us, as we discuss why this oddity featuring the great Boris Karloff late in his career doesn’t fare so well today. Listen as Johnny Has the Keys revs up the mad scientist lab (in our apartment’s second bedroom) so that we can mesmerize the innocent and live vicariously through their actions.

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Ep. 05-32: Black Sabbath (1963)

Boris Karloff hosts (and stars in) this trio of atmospheric horror tales. In The Telephone, a woman is terrorized in her apartment by phone calls from a man in her past. In The Wurdalak, a Russian count in the early stumbles upon a family in the countryside trying to destroy a vicious line of vampires. And finally, in A Drop of Water, a nurse makes a fateful decision while preparing the corpse of one of her patients – an elderly medium who died during a seance.

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Ep. 05-22: The Mummy (1932 & 1959)

The Mummy (1932) – A team of British archaeologists led by Sir Joseph Wemple (Arthur Byron) discover the mummified remains of the ancient Egyptian prince Imhotep (Boris Karloff), along with the legendary scroll of Thoth. When one archaeologist recites the scroll aloud, Imhotep returns to life but escapes. Several years later, Imhotep has taken on the guise of a wealthy man, as he searches Egypt for his lost love, who he believes has been reincarnated as the lovely Helen Grosvenor (Zita Johann).

The Mummy (1959) – In the 1890s a team of British archaeologists discover the untouched tomb of Princess Ananka but accidentally bring the mummified body of her High Priest back to life. Three years later, back in England, a follower of the same Egyptian religion unleashes the mummy to exact grisly revenge on the despoilers of the sacred past.

Welcome to another of this season’s double features, and what better topic to delve into than our beloved mummies? Join us as we take on two classic studios and their original takes on the cursed character, both Universal and Hammer. Listen as we discuss the pros and cons of both films, their iconic casts, placement in history, and color vs. black and white! Listen as Johnny Has the Keys awakens, stumbling for our crypt in seeking vengeance from those that disturbed our ancient slumber.

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Ep. 03-28: The Raven (1935 & 1962)

DOUBLE FEATURE: The Raven (1935) – Dr. Vollin (Bela Lugosi) is a brilliant, unstable surgeon with a questionable obsession with instruments of torture. He saves the life of Judge Thatcher’s daughter, Jean, a beautiful young socialite injured in an automobile accident, and becomes increasingly attracted to her, enlisting the help of a wanted criminal, Edmund Bateman (Boris Karloff), to assist with a diabolical scheme. The Raven (1963) – Sorceror, Erasmus Craven (Vincent Price), is visited by Adolphus Bedlo (Peter Lorre), who has been turned into a raven by Dr. Scarabus (Boris Karloff), an evil wizard. After Craven transforms Bedlo back into a human, Bedlo claims to have seen Lenore, Craven’s dead wife, at Scarabus’ castle, prompting the two to seek Craven’s lost love.

Welcome to our fourth DOUBLE FEATURE of the season, and our first trip into the land of Edgar Allan Poe. In this episode, we ponder adapting a film from a poem, question the choice of comedy (both intentional and unintentional), and break down the pros (few) and cons (many) for both these films. Join us as we critique these two vastly different films, one traditionally Universal, and the other a Roger Corman star-power fiasco. Listen, as Johnny Has the Keys escorts you into the literary world of Poe and his sublime poem The Raven, for two film adaptations we care to visit nevermore.