Ep. 04-34: The Haunting (1963)

Dr. John Markway, an anthropologist with an interest in psychic phenomena, takes two specially selected women to Hill House, a reportedly haunted mansion. Eleanor (Julie Harris), a lonely, eccentric woman with a supernatural event in her past, and the bold Theodora (Claire Bloom), who has ESP, join John and the mansion’s heir, cynical Luke (Russ Tamblyn). Soon, strange sounds and mysterious events occur, and Eleanor comes to believe the house is alive and is addressing her.

THE HAUNTING

Welcome to the superbly haunted world of Robert Wise. We covered the recent Mike Flanagan series adaption of this movie in our first season, and now we’re tackling the first film adaption of the classic novel by Shirley Jackson. Join us as we discuss what makes this film a classic, including the sublimely talented Wise, the use of atmosphere over special effects, and the small but talented cast. Listen, as Johnny Has the Keys enter that the house where silence lay steadily and whatever walks there, walks alone.

SHOW LINKS

Get Tim’s Book THE DEAD NEXT DOOR

Do you like our show? Want more cool stuff? Help us continue…

Reach out to us…

Ep. 02-10: The Andromeda Strain (1971)

Episode 10 – THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN

Following the return of a satellite from space, all but two of the residents of a small New Mexico town are found dead. A team of skilled scientists is gathered in a secret, state-of-the-art lab to discover what contagion has returned with the satellite and determine a way that this deadly pathogen can be stopped.

Based on Michael Crichton’s best-selling first novel, The Andromeda Strain is a great example of a definitive science fiction film, where science plays heavily into the narrative drive. Join us as we discuss the key elements that make this film a classic, launching an entirely new sub-genre–the techno-thriller. Listen, as Johnny Has the Keys escorts you into the depths of an underground research lab where a team of top scientists races the clock to save mankind.

Continue reading “Ep. 02-10: The Andromeda Strain (1971)” →

Ep. 02-04: The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

Episode 02-04 – “The Day The Earth Stood Still”

Klaatu, a humanoid alien, and Gort, his robot, land their spaceship on Cold War-era Earth. They have come with a specific message that Klaatu asks to tell the representatives of all nations. But problems and paranoia arise, offering Klaatu firsthand observation of Earth’s humans and their reactionary behavior. Klaatu and Gort leave but not before issuing a strong ultimatum: The people of Earth must learn to live peacefully and avoid violence or they will be destroyed as a possible threat to other planets.

The Day the Earth Stood Still is a small film with a huge and timeless message: that violence results in violence and ultimately annihilation. Join Tim and David as they discuss this sci-fi classic and the not-so-hidden message it delivers. Listen… as Johnny has the Keys travels to mid-century America, where a spacecraft has landed and the world is captivated by an alien and his giant robot–not only as proof of life on other planets but also as an example that our way of living may not be as perfect as we’d like to think.