Welcome back to A Podcask of Amontillado, where we delve into the dark, dreadful, and terrifying parts of the world.

When it comes to horror characters, there are a few that are true legends. Iconic characters that have stood the test of time. Ones that came to define the genre in their now classic films, and have dominated pop culture for nearly 100 years – The Universal Monsters!

To discuss these titans of terror, Erin & Gary are joined by Amy Chandler from Earth Station One. Join them as they discuss when the Universal Horror era started, the Classic Era and it’s transition to Atomic Horror, the Universal films as gateway horror, lost and found scenes, the two versions of Dracula, Bela’s version of the Count, how the movies were inventing cinema, the respect deserved by Dwight Fry, putting yourself in the mindset of the era, the makeup of Jack Pierce, the performances by Karloff, renaming issues, early censorship & the Hays Code, pre-code heroines, if The Mummy is actually the most powerful monster, reasonable reactions to the Undead, and Yeeting Fritz.

TV Tropes on the Universal Monsters

Dracula trailer 

The Return of Doctor X trailer

Dwight Fry’s terrifying Renfield 

Frankenstein’s Monster meets Maria

Gods and Monsters trailer

Freaks trailer

The Mummy 1932 & 1999

The Ring of Thoth by Arthur Conan Doyle

NECA Universal Monsters figures & Funko Pop! versions

Opening and closing music is “Softly Shall You Sleep,” by Valentine Wolfe.

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A Vino, Atrocitas.