Ep. 04-18: Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

A fossil of a mysterious animal’s claw is discovered in a remote jungle, and a group of scientists seeks to determine whether it is evidence of an undiscovered beast. To accomplish this task, the scientists (Antonio Moreno, Richard Carlson, Richard Denning, Whit Bissell) must brave the South American jungles. But the terrain is nothing compared to the danger posed by an otherworldly being lurking beneath the waters of their boat.

Creature from the Black Lagoon

We’re back in the land of Universal monsters! Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) is not only a classic horror film but the creature design is also one of the most iconic, ranking up there with the Frankenstein monster and the Wolfman. Join us as we discuss the origins of this truly unique film, as well as the writers, cast, and crew. Listen as Johnny Has the Keys dives deep in the Amazon, where a missing link from evolution still dwells within the murky black waters!

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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.

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Ep. 02-19: The Wolf Man (1941)

After his brother’s death, Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney Jr.) returns to Wales to reconcile with his father (Claude Rains). While there, he visits an antique shop where he meets Gwen (Evelyn Ankers), the attractive shopkeeper, and buys a silver walking cane. Later that evening, he is forced to kill an attacking wolf with the cane, only to learn that he has actually killed a man (Bela Lugosi). An old gypsy woman explains to him that it was her son, a werewolf, he killed and that Larry is now cursed to become one himself.

1941, just days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Universal released this gem of a film featuring one of the top-tier iconic movie monsters of all time: The Wolf Man. Listen as we discuss the folklore and origins of the movie including its predecessor Werewolf of London (1935), as well as its many incarnations over several decades. Listen, as Johnny Has the Keys, takes you to the foggy forests of Wales where even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright!

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Ep. 01-25: Frankenstein (1931)

An obsessed scientist, Dr. Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive), attempts to create life by assembling a creature from the body parts of the recently deceased. Aided by his loyal assistant, Fritz (Dwight Frye), Frankenstein succeeds in animating his creation (Boris Karloff). But the creature is confused and traumatized, escaping to the countryside where it wreaks havoc. Henry Frankenstein searches for and eventually confronts his tormented creation.

Frankenstein (1931) stands tall, a monolith in the canon of horror film history. Evidence of the paradigm–largely contributed to the iconic makeup of Jack Pierce–is still relevant today, almost 90 years since the film was produced. Join us as we discuss what magical elements brought this mammoth film to life–the 19th-century novel, the stage adaptions, cast, director, makeup… Listen, as Johnny has The Keys travels to the Bavarian countryside, where mad scientists rob graves, piece body parts together, and create life from death.

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