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In this episode, we conclude our deep dive into screen adaptations of Nigel Kneale’s legendary sci-fi creation, Professor Bernard Quatermass. We take a look at the 1979 Euston Films/Thames Television serial The Quatermass Conclusion (also known as Quatermass IV or Quatermass), starring Oscar-winner John Mills as the titular professor. Plus, stick around after the end credits for an exclusive clip preview from Room 5064 and B7 Media’s full-cast audio adaptation of Ramsey Campbell’s iconic folk horror novel, The Hungry Moon – starring Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Louise Jameson, Mina Anwar, and Jemma Moore. In This Episode:The End of Quatermass: How Nigel Kneale brought his flagship character full circle after his groundbreaking BBC serials (The Quatermass Experiment, Quatermass II, Quatermass and the Pit) and iconic Hammer Films adaptations.Remastering the Score: News on Buried Treasure Records' upcoming remaster of the Quatermass Conclusion soundtrack composed by Nic Rowley and Marc Wilkinson – featuring music clips in this episode.Folk Horror Audio Preview: An exclusive clip from Episode 1 of The Hungry Moon, featuring a sinister local folk song and a trip to the dark depths beneath the Peak District village of Moonwell.LinksListen to all our Quatermass coverage: General Witchfinder Quatermass ArchiveGrab a copy of our print zine: General Witchfinder Official ShopFollow Buried Treasure Records on Bandcamp: buriedtreasure.bandcamp.comFeatured Audio Drama: The Hungry MoonSet in 1984 in the Peak District, Ramsey Campbell's Lovecraftian tale of religious superstition pits ancient evil against nuclear dread. Starring: Peter Davison (Doctor Who), Colin Baker (Doctor Who), Louise Jameson (Doctor Who, EastEnders), Mina Anwar (The Sarah Jane Adventures), and Jemma Moore (Host).Run time: 250 minutes (Includes exclusive 90-minute interview with Ramsey Campbell).Get The Hungry Moon audio drama: Buy on Room 5064 PayHipBuy on AudioteriaSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last time, the files of General Witchfinders Department X revealed how psychic powers and parapsychology grew to be one of the leading frights of 70s horror culture. Now, we look closer at one of the key texts from the 60s counter-culture milieu that drove the psychic boom: Pauwels and Bergier’s ‘The Morning of the Magicians’. Join James and Ross as they take a white-knuckle ride through a book that’s a who’s who of the occult: Charles Fort, H. P. Lovecraft, Arthur Machen and the Golden Dawn, generous amounts of alchemy, ancient aliens – and Nazis! This version of the episode includes background music. If you prefer a voice-only experience without music, listen to the alternative version here. So turn on, tune in and freak out to the second part of the Department X triptych… Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the second episode of the General Witchfinders Book Club – a spin-off from our regular British horror podcast, run in partnership with Teasel & Skylark, an independent bookshop in Dorchester. To accompany our real-life, face-to-face book club meet-ups, host Ross Cleaver invites a special guest co-host onto the show every two months to discuss our latest reading choice. On this episode, Ross welcomes Dylan Rees. Dylan is an Emmy-winning producer and line producer across British television and independent film. Alongside his screen production work, Rees writes about the history of cult television and the "Wilderness Years" of Doctor Who, including Downtime: The Lost Years of Doctor Who and Doctor Who Myths and Legends: The Reeltime Pictures Story. He is also the host of The Too Hot For TV Podcast, which explores the extended universes of your favourite film and TV franchises. Together, they discuss J.B. Priestley’s 1927 novel, Benighted (also known as The Old Dark House). BenightedPhilip and Margaret Waverton and their friend Roger Penderel are driving through the mountains of Wales when a torrential downpour washes away the road and forces them to seek shelter for the night. They take refuge in an ancient, crumbling mansion inhabited by the strange and sinister Femm family and their brutish servant Morgan. Determined to make the best of the circumstances, the benighted travellers drink, talk, and play games to pass the time while the storm rages outside. But as the night progresses and tensions rise, dangerous and unexpected secrets emerge. On the house's top floor are two locked doors; behind one of them lies the mysterious, unseen Sir Roderick Femm, and behind the other lurks an unspeakable terror. Which is more deadly: the apocalyptic storm outside the house or the unknown horrors that await within? And will any of them survive the night? b How to Get InvolvedWe want to build a community around these books, both locally in Dorset and remotely with our podcast listeners and zine readers. Join us in Dorchester: Ross leads the in-person discussions at the King’s Arms Hotel. Spaces are limited, so sign up at the Teasel & Skylark shop. Local club members get 10% off the featured books, plus 10% off all other books and gifts in-store (excluding original artwork). These discounts are only available in person at the shop.Join us from elsewhere: If you are not local, read along at home and send your thoughts or audio voicemails to [email protected]. Support Independent BookshopsIf you are close enough to Dorchester, please order your copy through Teasel & Skylark and pop in to collect it. If you cannot get to West Dorset, please find your local indie store via Bookshop.org. Links & ResourcesBook Club Info: General Witchfinders Book ClubOur Partner Bookshop: Teasel & SkylarkFind Indie Shops Nationwide: Bookshop.orgSupport the Show: General Witchfinders PatreonSocial Media: Instagram | Bluesky. Featured Guest Links (Dylan Rees): Linktree: Dylan Rees Links including podcast links (do go check these out)One of Ross's guest appearances on Too Hot For TV talking about TerminatorBooks: Downtime – The Lost Years of Doctor Who | Doctor Who Myths and Legends: The Reeltime Pictures Story Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alternative 3 (1977) – Conspiracies, Secret Mars Bases, Brian Eno and 1970s TV Hoaxes Our #SummerOfStrange continues. We step away from Hammer, Amicus, vampires, and classic screen monsters to explore British television’s most infamous media hoax: Alternative 3. Produced for Anglia Television’s Science Report and written by David Ambrose, this 1977 mockumentary sparked widespread paranoia regarding climate emergencies, the UK "brain drain", secret space programmes, and covert Mars bases. We unpack the production history, cultural legacy, and fringe theories stemming from the broadcast – from its delayed April Fools’ Day airing to its impact on UFO literature, sci-fi audio dramas, and cult cinema. Key Links & Upcoming Live EventLive Screening & Podcast Event: Join us on Friday 30th October at 7:30pm at ActOne Cinema in Acton for Hammer’s Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde plus a live podcast recording – Book tickets hereWatch Alternative 3 on YouTube: Stream the full television broadcastRead the 1978 Novelisation: Alternative 3 by Leslie Watkins on Archive.orgKey Discussion PointsThe Plot & The Hoax: How a fake documentary detailing climate catastrophe and moon-colonisation duped viewers across the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.The Aftermath & Pop Culture Legacy: Leslie Watkins’ 1978 tie-in book Alternative 003, Jim Keith’s conspiracy text Casebook on Alternative 3, Richard Linklater’s Slacker, and parallels to the Dimension X radio story "The Man in the Moon".Brian Eno’s Electronic Score: Ambient music tracks featured on Music for Films, Eno’s work with Roxy Music, high-profile production credits for David Bowie, Talking Heads, and U2, and creating the Windows 95 startup sound on a Mac. Plus, secondary score releases from Add N to (X), Stereolab, and Hairy Butter.Writer David Ambrose & Director Christopher Miles: Screenwriting credits behind D.A.R.Y.L., The Final Countdown, Taffin, The Survivor, and Oscar-nominated short The Six Sided Triangle.Cast & Trivia Deep DivesTim Brinton (Presenter): ITN and BBC newsreader and Conservative MP featured in Carry On Emmannuelle, Dixon of Dock Green, and The Avengers.Shane Rimmer (Bob Grodin): Voice of Scott Tracy in Thunderbirds, actor in Dr. Strangelove, Star Wars: A New Hope, Rollerball, Space: 1999, Superman I–III, Batman Begins, and James Bond films You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever, and The Spy Who Loved Me.Richard Marner (Dr Carl Gerstein): Colonel Von Strohm in 'Allo 'Allo!, with roles in Count Dracula, The African Queen, The Dirty Dozen, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, The Boys from Brazil, Children of the Damned, and The Sum of All Fears.David Baxt (Harry): Played Thomas Wayne in Tim Burton's Batman, with appearances in Inseminoid, The Shining, and The Tomorrow People.Gregory Munroe (Colin Benson): Appeared in Mixed Blessings, Ace of Wands, and as Fariah in Doctor Who: The Enemy of the World.Ivor Roberts (George Pendlebury): Featured in Penda's Fen, Oh, Doctor Beeching!, You Rang, M'Lord?, and Boon.Listen & FollowCatch up on our previous #SummerOfStrange episodes covering Penda's Fen and 1970s parapsychology mania on your podcast app of choice. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 16th episode of the fourth season of the BBC anthology series Play for Today, Penda’s Fen – originally broadcast on 21 March 1974 – is widely celebrated as a visionary masterpiece of British folk horror and 1970s television drama. Written by David Rudkin and directed by Alan Clarke, Time Out London named it one of the 100 best British films. The Visionary Realism of Alan Clarke Director Alan Clarke is renowned for his stark social realism and controversial depictions of institutionalised communities. His 1977 borstal drama Scum was banned by the BBC, later returning as a 1979 feature film, while his television film Made in Britain introduced Tim Roth as a racist skinhead. He tackled corporate corruption in Beloved Enemy, military interrogation in Psy-Warriors, and directed David Bowie in Bertolt Brecht’s Baal. His final work, The Firm starring Gary Oldman, drew heavy press criticism for its depiction of violent football hooliganism in Thatcher’s Britain. While Penda’s Fen trades Clarke’s urban realism for a mystical landscape of angels and demons, it retains his fierce preoccupation with identity, authority, and systemic oppression. Cult Television & Audio Connections The surreal atmosphere is driven by an electronic score from Paddy Kingsland of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Kingsland manipulated a Benjamin Britten recording for the play, and went on to score The Changes, the radio and TV versions of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and classic Doctor Who serials. The cast links directly to landmark British cult media: Spencer Banks (Stephen Franklin): The quintessential 1970s television adolescent, Banks also starred as Simon Randall in the children’s sci-fi series Timeslip.Georgine Anderson (Mrs Franklin): A veteran of the Royal Shakespeare Company who later played May in the 2007 Doctor Who episode ‘Gridlock’ – representing the show’s first married same-sex couple.Ian Hogg (Arne): Famous as the lead in Rockliffe’s Babies and the villainous Josiah Samuel Smith in the Doctor Who story Ghost Light.Jennie Hesselwood (Mrs Arne): Mother of Toby Jones and wife of Freddie Jones (Dune, The Elephant Man).Graham Leaman (Sir Edward Elgar): Features a massive Doctor Who pedigree including The Macra Terror (tying directly back to the Macra in ‘Gridlock’), The Seeds of Death, and The Three Doctors.Ivor Roberts (Cooke): A familiar face from the ‘Croftiverse’ comedies Oh, Doctor Beeching! and You Rang, M’Lord?, as well as Genesis of the Daleks.Ron Smerczak (Joel): Later transitioned to action cinema in American Ninja 4: The Annihilation and Cyborg Cop. Current Promotions & Events The General Witchfinders Book Club: Our debut spin-off episode is out now, run with independent bookshop Teaseland & Skylark in Dorchester. Host Ross welcomes author Ray Newman (The Grave Digger’s Boy) to unpack Andrew Michael Hurley’s folk horror novel, Starve Acre. Listen here: https://tinyurl.com/GW-BC-01Summer Spin-Off – Department X: Join James and Ross as they investigate the 1970s obsession with ESP, telekinesis, and psychic premonitions. Listen to 'Mysterious Powers & Strange Forces' here: https://tinyurl.com/MYSpowerLondon Halloween Live Show: We are taking over ActOne Cinema in Acton on Friday 30th October at 7:30pm for a screening of Hammer’s Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde and a live podcast recording. Tickets are £14: https://tinyurl.com/DRJeky11'Hammer Presents' Blu-ray Giveaway: Win a bundle of restored rarities including The Snake Woman, Dr. Blood’s Coffin, Cry of the Banshee, and Crucible of Horror. Enter before Friday 31st July: https://tinyurl.com/HamPrizeGeneral Witchfinders Issue 4: Grab our 76-page zine of unsettling folk horror fiction, original artwork, and deep-dive features: https://tinyurl.com/gwZINE Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the very first episode of the General Witchfinders Book Club – a new spin-off from our regular British horror podcast, run in partnership with Teasel & Skylark, an independent bookshop in Dorchester. To accompany our real-life, face-to-face book club meet-ups, host Ross Cleaver invites a special guest co-host onto the show every two months to discuss our latest reading choice. On this inaugural episode, Ross welcomes author Ray Newman. Ray is the author of the novel The Grave Digger’s Boy, as well as three exceptional collections of short stories: Municipal Gothic, Intervals of Darkness, and Thin Places in Hard Concrete. Together, they delve into Andrew Michael Hurley’s acclaimed 2019 novel, Starve Acre. Starve Acre ‘An impeccable work of folk horror’ – The Irish Times The worst thing possible has happened. Richard and Juliette Willoughby's son, Ewan, has died suddenly at the age of five. Convinced that the boy still lives on in some form, and desperate to make contact, Juliette seeks the help of the Beacons, a seemingly benevolent group of occultists. Richard, an art historian, tries to blot out the pain of his grief by turning his attention to the field opposite their house, Starve Acre. Patiently he digs in the barren soil looking for the roots of a legendary oak tree, but unearths something which ought to have remained buried. ‘I will confidently predict that no reader will guess where it's heading . . . Hurley's ability to create a world that's like ours in many ways and really not in many others is again on full display’ – The Times How to Get InvolvedWe want to build a community around these books, both locally in Dorset and remotely with our podcast listeners and zine readers. Join us in Dorchester: Ross leads the in-person discussions at the King’s Arms Hotel. Spaces are limited, so sign up at the Teasel & Skylark shop. Local club members get 10% off the featured books, plus 10% off all other books and gifts in-store (excluding original artwork). These discounts are only available in person at the shop. Join us from elsewhere: If you are not local, read along at home and send your thoughts or audio voicemails to [email protected]. Support Independent BookshopsIf you are close enough to Dorchester, please order your copy through Teasel & Skylark and pop in to collect it. If you cannot get to West Dorset, please find your local indie store via Bookshop.org. Links & ResourcesBook Club Info: General Witchfinders Book ClubOur Partner Bookshop: Teasel & SkylarkFind Indie Shops Nationwide: Bookshop.orgSupport the Show: General Witchfinders PatreonSocial Media: Instagram | Bluesky Featured Guest Links (Ray Newman): Blog: Precast ReinforcedBluesky: Ray Newman on BlueskyBooks: The Grave Digger’s Boy | Thin Places in Hard Concrete | Intervals of Darkness | Municipal GothicSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summer is the season of the spin-off at General Witchfinders. We have a few episodes beyond our usual format to share, starting with James’s exploration of parapsychology in the 1970s. Why did that decade see such a dramatic rise in the cultural obsession with ESP, telekinesis, and psychic premonitions? James has been digging into the archives and thinks he has the answer. Join James and Ross for an intriguing journey into the seventies counterculture in our new spin-off: ‘General Witchfinders – Department X: Mysterious Powers & Strange Forces’. For people who struggle with background music behind speech, here is a voice-only version – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1am2tJWJtB_wIqxax3E11S-7eZQVLzyAw/view?usp=sharing Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

https://www.actonecinema.co.uk/movie/general-witchfinders-present-dr-jekyll-sister-hyde/ We are bringing General Witchfinders to London on Halloween-eve – Friday 30th October at 7:30pm. We really want to make this night a success – and by success, we mean not spending a load of money just to watch a film in a cinema all on our own! If you can make it, please grab a ticket and bring along a Hammer-friendly friend or two to help us fill the room. We would also massively appreciate your help to spread the word so we can reach as many people as possible. We are teaming up with ActOne Cinema in Acton for a big-screen outing of Hammer’s Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde, followed by a live podcast recording. Tickets are £14 and available now. https://www.actonecinema.co.uk/movie/general-witchfinders-present-dr-jekyll-sister-hyde/ If you can tell everyone you know, it would mean the world to us. ActOne Cinema, 119 – 121 High Street, London, W3 6NA Acton Town (Tube) and Acton Central (Overground). Bus routes 70, 266, 440, E3, 207, SL8, and 218 stop nearby. Salisbury Street car park is a two-minute walk away. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hammer Horror delivered one of its finest 1970s films with Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb, despite a notoriously cursed production. This 1971 British release is the studio’s fourth and final Mummy film, loosely adapted by Christopher Wicking from Bram Stoker’s 1903 novel The Jewel of Seven Stars. Crucially, it remains the only entry in the franchise where a physical mummy never actually appears. The trouble began early when a gap in the studio schedule forced the film into premature production. Wicking wanted to keep Stoker's original book title, but James Carreras refused, leading to a brainstorming session that birthed Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb – a title Wicking never expected them to use. Wicking also clashed with producer Howard Brandy and was barred from the set, forcing him to work with director Seth Holt secretly in the evenings. Brandy later claimed the script was unshootable and heavily rewritten by Holt. Brandy also wanted to cast Amy Grant, but Sir James Carreras insisted on Valerie Leon. Tragedy struck five weeks into the six-week shoot when Seth Holt suffered a fatal heart attack on set, collapsing into the arms of actor Aubrey Morris. Michael Carreras tried to recruit Don Sharp to finish the film, but Sharp was committed to a project in Israel. Michael Carreras ultimately directed the final week himself, later noting that Holt’s footage did not cut together well, forcing them to salvage what they could. Valerie Leon shines in the dual roles of Margaret Fuchs and Queen Tera. Beyond her famous Hai Karate aftershave adverts and seven Carry On appearances – including Carry On Christmas: Carry On Stuffing – Leon delivered a critically praised performance but clashed with the studio. She was deeply upset when producers denied her time off to attend Holt’s funeral, and her refusal to perform a nude scene required a body double. Hammer never hired her again. Her career later included roles alongside two different James Bonds, Roger Moore and Sean Connery. The supporting cast features incredible British character talent. James Villiers plays Corbeck, George Coulouris plays Berigan, and Aubrey Morris features as Doctor Putnum. Morris was described by Jeremy Brett to Noël Coward as the finest small-part player in London, boasting roles in The Wicker Man, A Clockwork Orange, and as the bubble-bathing B-Ark captain in The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Rosalie Crutchley plays Helen Dickerson. James Cossins brings his trademark blustering authority to the role of an abusive psychiatric nurse, and a young Anthony Head makes an uncredited appearance. Andrew Keir plays Julian Fuchs, stepping in after Peter Cushing completed just one day of filming before leaving due to his wife’s emphysema diagnosis. Keir's presence links back to our Quatermass and the Pit reviews, Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 A.D., and Cleopatra alongside Richard Burton. The film is elevated by a brilliant electronic score by Tristram Ogilvie Cary, the pioneer who founded EMS, created the VCS 3 synthesiser, and composed the music for the first Doctor Who Dalek serial. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special live episode, we dive deep into the world of Folk Horror, discussing the legendary Big Christopher Lee, the ghost stories of M.R. James, and the groundbreaking television work of Nigel Kneale. Recorded live at the King’s Arms Hotel in Dorchester, this event was hosted in partnership with our local independent bookshop, Teasel & Skylark, to celebrate the launch of our new zine. We explore the roots of British weird fiction, the enduring legacy of classic horror cinema, and the stories that keep us up at night. This episode features the main discussion from the evening. If you would like to hear the five live readings from the zine, you can grab a physical copy from our website or sign up as a supporter to get access to additional exclusive content. Get the Zine: www.generalwitchfinders.comSupport us on Patreon: patreon.com/generalwitchfindersA massive thank you to Teasel & Skylark and everyone who came out to support our first live event! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Medusa Touch (1978): Richard Burton and the Power of CatastropheIn this episode, we investigate the 1978 supernatural horror thriller The Medusa Touch. Directed by Jack Gold and adapted from the Peter Van Greenaway novel, The Medusa Touch is a quintessential piece of seventies British cinema that sits at the dark intersection of the disaster movie and the occult thriller. The film follows the investigation into the apparent murder of John Morlar, played with volcanic intensity by Richard Burton. Richard Burton is the undeniable gravitational centre of The Medusa Touch. Despite Richard Burton only filming for three weeks and demanding a massive upfront fee, his presence as the telekinetic John Morlar defines the movie’s grim atmosphere. We discuss how Richard Burton portrayed a man who believed his thoughts could cause jumbo jets to crash and cathedrals to crumble. Interestingly, because of Richard Burton’s high cost, his character is often seen heavily bandaged in a hospital bed, allowing a stand-in to do the heavy lifting while Richard Burton provided the piercing close-ups and that legendary voice. Fans of 90s rock will know that a specific line from Richard Burton in The Medusa Touch – ‘I will bring the whole edifice down on their unworthy heads’ – was famously sampled by the Manic Street Preachers. This misanthropic energy is what makes John Morlar such a compelling antagonist. Throughout our review of The Medusa Touch, we explore how Richard Burton channeled his own real-life disillusionment into the role of John Morlar, creating a performance that feels both radioactive and world-weary. The supporting cast of The Medusa Touch is equally impressive. We look at Lino Ventura as Detective-Inspector Brunel, the man tasked with solving the mystery of John Morlar. Since The Medusa Touch was a co-production between the UK and France, Ventura provides a gritty, European perspective to this very British tale of destruction. Lee Remick, known for her work in The Omen, appears here as Dr Zonfeld, the psychiatrist who holds the keys to understanding the psychic pressure building inside John Morlar. We also dive into the rich layer of British character actors that populates The Medusa Touch. From Jeremy Brett, the future Sherlock Holmes, playing the man who steals John Morlar’s wife, to the ubiquitous Harry Andrews and Gordon Jackson, The Medusa Touch serves as a ‘who’s who’ of the era’s talent. We even touch upon the vocal work of David de Keyser, whose rich tones dubbed Ventura and appeared in everything from Superman to Doctor Who. Whether you are a fan of seventies horror, telekinesis films, or the legendary career of Richard Burton, this deep dive into The Medusa Touch has something for you. We examine the film's legacy, its sociopolitical commentary, and the sheer technical spectacle of the climactic cathedral collapse. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Frankenstein Created Woman (1967) | Hammer Horror & Peter Cushing Deep DiveWelcome to another atmospheric installment of the General Witchfinders podcast. In this episode, we are throwing chronology to the wind and jumping straight into the heart of the Hammer Films oeuvre. Having previously explored the Baron’s first experiment in The Curse of Frankenstein and his final bow in Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell, we now settle into the middle of the franchise with the 1967 cult classic: Frankenstein Created Woman. Directed by the undisputed master of gothic cinema, Terence Fisher, and featuring a career-defining performance by Peter Cushing, this film stands as one of the most intellectually provocative entries in the Hammer Horror canon. Interestingly, this is famously cited as one of Martin Scorsese’s favorite films, proving that the brilliance of the Baron transcends the "B-movie" label. The Soul of Science: Baron Victor FrankensteinIn Frankenstein Created Woman, Peter Cushing returns as Baron Victor Frankenstein. Unlike earlier iterations where the focus was on the stitching of limbs and the reanimation of dead tissue, the screenplay by Anthony Hinds (writing as John Elder) takes a metaphysical turn. Here, the Baron is obsessed with the soul. The plot follows the wrongful execution of Hans Werner (Robert Morris), the lover of the physically scarred Christina Kleve (Susan Denberg). After Christina takes her own life in grief, the Baron captures Hans’s soul and traps it within Christina’s surgically repaired body. This results in a "soul-swapping" revenge thriller that remains unique within the Frankenstein series. Cushing’s performance is refined, showing a Baron who is less of a graverobber and more of a cold, calculated philosopher of the macabre. The Legend of Susan Denberg and Nikki van der ZylThe casting of Susan Denberg is central to the film's legacy. A German-Austrian model and 1966 Playboy Miss August Playmate, Denberg was already known to sci-fi fans for her appearance in the Star Trek episode "Mudd’s Women." While her visual presence is striking, the production decided her Austrian accent was too strong for the character. Enter the legendary Nikki van der Zyl. If you have watched a James Bond film, you have likely heard her voice. She famously dubbed Honey Ryder in Dr. No and provided dialogue for countless Bond girls and even Gert Fröbe in Goldfinger. Her work on Frankenstein Created Woman adds a layer of polished professional mystery to Christina’s character, bridging the gap between Hammer Horror and the 1960s spy-fi aesthetic. The Hammer Character Actor NexusAs we always do at General Witchfinders, we track the "mother nexus" of British character actors who populated the halls of Bray Studios. This film is a treasure trove for genre enthusiasts: Thorley Walters (Dr. Hertz): A close personal friend of director Terence Fisher, Walters brings a much-needed warmth to the role of the Baron's assistant. Fans will recognize him as a recurring Doctor Watson in various Sherlock Holmes adaptations, including Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace.Duncan Lamont (Werner): A veteran of the Hammer stable, Lamont appeared in the original Quatermass Experiment and returned for the 1967 film version of Quatermass and the Pit. He is also a favorite of ours from The Creeping Flesh.Robert Morris (Hans Werner): Another Quatermass alum who brings a tragic weight to the first half of the film.Derek Fowlds (Johann): Long before he was a household name in Yes Minister and Heartbeat, Fowlds was a RADA scholar cutting his teeth in the world of horror.Production History: From Bray Studios to the ScreenThe road to Frankenstein Created Woman was long. It was originally mooted as a follow-up to The Revenge of Frankenstein in 1958, capitalizing on the popularity of Roger Vadim's And God Created Woman. By the time it went into production at Bray Studios in July 1966, it was one of the penultimate productions at that iconic location. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Asphyx (1972) In this episode, we dive deep into the 1972 British science fiction horror cult classic, The Asphyx (also known as Spirit of the Dead or The Horror of Death). Set in the Victorian era, this unique period chiller follows a wealthy philanthropist and amateur scientist, Sir Hugo Cunningham, who stumbles upon a way to photograph the "Asphyx"—the Ancient Greek spirit of death that appears at the precise moment of a person's demise. A Quick Mea Culpa on Picture QualityBefore we get into the meat of the film, we have to address the elephant in the room: the visuals. Throughout the episode, you’ll hear us absolutely tear into the "pan and scan" and the ropy, grainy picture quality of the version we watched. Full disclosure: We’ve since realized we were watching a particularly bottom-of-the-barrel DVD. It turns out there are actually stunning, high-quality HD versions of The Asphyx available for free on YouTube! From the Todd-AO 35mm widescreen transfers to beautifully restored prints, the real film looks pretty good. If you want to see what Freddie Young actually intended, go search for it—it’s easy to find and looks worlds better than the disc we suffered through. Inside the Episode: Behind the Lens of a Horror Oddity. Despite our technical hurdles, The Asphyx is a fascinating piece of British cinema history. We explore the career of director Peter Newbrook, who rose from a messenger boy to the second unit photographer for the legendary mirage shot in Lawrence of Arabia. Key Discussion Points: The Legend Freddie Young: How a three-time Academy Award-winning cinematographer ended up shooting a 70s mad scientist flick. The Ghostbusters Connection: We examine the theory that this film’s spirit-trapping tech was the direct blueprint for the 1984 Ghostbusters equipment. The Remake That Never Was: Details on the failed 2011 reboot that was set to star Bond girl Alison Doody. Music: Composer Bill McGuffie (of Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. fame) and his incredible story of overcoming a childhood injury to master the piano. A Star-Studded Cast of British Icons. The acting pedigree in this film is surprisingly high, featuring some of the most recognizable faces in British television and film: Robert Stephens: The star of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes. We discuss his marriage to Maggie Smith and his iconic work in The Box of Delights.Robert Powell: From Jesus of Nazareth to fighting rats in Doomwatch, Powell brings a certain intensity to the role of Giles. Jane Lapotaire: A Tony-winner and star of The Crown (as Princess Alice). We also take a detour into her role in One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing. Fiona Walker & Ralph Arliss: Spotting familiar faces from Doctor Who, I, Claudius, The Abominable Dr. Phibes, and the classic series Survivors. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the 1981 television pilot K-9 and Company, a unique and historic entry in the Doctor Who universe. Produced as a proposed Doctor Who spin-off, K-9 and Company stars the legendary Elisabeth Sladen as investigative journalist Sarah Jane Smith alongside the robotic dog K9, voiced by John Leeson. While both were iconic former companions of the Fourth Doctor in Doctor Who, they had never appeared together on screen until the K-9 and Company pilot episode, titled A Girl’s Best Friend. Broadcast on BBC1 as a Doctor Who related Christmas special on 28 December 1981, K-9 and Company remains a vital piece of the Doctor Who franchise history despite not being commissioned for a full series. The existence of K-9 and Company was largely due to Doctor Who producer John Nathan-Turner, who wanted to bring Elisabeth Sladen back to the Doctor Who family. His initial 1980 plan for the actress would have seen Sarah Jane Smith travel in the TARDIS during the Doctor Who transition from Tom Baker to Peter Davison. However, Sladen wanted a role that evolved beyond her previous Doctor Who narrative. Simultaneously, the Doctor Who production team was struggling with the logistics of K9. While K9 was a massive hit with Doctor Who viewers, the prop was technically awkward and made the Doctor Who heroes too capable. The solution was K-9 and Company, a child-orientated Doctor Who spin-off where Sarah Jane Smith would be the central heroic lead. Before K-9 and Company, Elisabeth Clara Heath Sladen built a career in theatre and television, appearing in Z-Cars and Doomwatch. Her work on Z-Cars led directly to her casting in Doctor Who. Interestingly, the Doctor Who role of the new companion for The Time Warrior was originally cast with April Walker. However, Doctor Who lead Jon Pertwee felt the chemistry was wrong, leading to Sladen being cast as the definitive Sarah Jane Smith. She played the role in Doctor Who from 1973 to 1976, eventually returning for the K-9 and Company pilot. Her Doctor Who legacy continued in 2006 with David Tennant and the successful Doctor Who spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures. Following her death in 2011, Doctor Who aired a tribute during The Impossible Astronaut, proving her status as a Doctor Who icon. The voice behind the metal dog in K-9 and Company, John Leeson, first voiced K9 in the 1977 Doctor Who serial The Invisible Enemy. While Tom Baker had a difficult relationship with the K9 prop, he worked well with Leeson. Leeson briefly left Doctor Who to avoid being typecast but returned for K-9 and Company and later the Doctor Who anniversary special The Five Doctors. The K-9 and Company pilot also featured Colin Jeavons, known for his work in The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and the Doctor Who serial The Underwater Menace, and Mary Wimbush, a stalwart of The Archers. Written by Terence Dudley, a writer and director for Doctor Who stories like Meglos, the K-9 and Company pilot stands as a fascinating "what if" in the wider Doctor Who mythology. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ice House is part of the BBC Ghost Stories for Christmas tradition, originally broadcast under the banner A Ghost Story for Christmas. First shown on BBC1 on Christmas Day 1978, it marked the final instalment of the original 1971 to 1978 run. This episode completes our podcast coverage of that era. - Written by John Bowen, who previously delivered The Treasure of Abbot Thomas, The Ice House was produced by Rosemary Hill and directed by Derek Lister. Its Christmas Day broadcast made it only the second entry in the strand to air on 25 December, following Lost Hearts, securing its place in the BBC Ghost Story for Christmas canon despite being quietly sidelined over the years. - Starring John Stride as Paul, Geoffrey Burridge as Clovis and Elizabeth Romilly as Jessica, The Ice House breaks from tradition by being a contemporary ghost story rather than a period adaptation. This change was driven by Rosemary Hill after she took over the strand. Series creator Lawrence Gordon Clark preferred the earlier M R James style and left after Stigma, making The Ice House the only film in the original run not directed by him. - John Stride had appeared uncredited in Sink the Bismarck! before gaining wider recognition in The Omen and A Bridge Too Far. He later starred in the BBC adaptation of The Old Devils. Producer Adrian Mourby later described Stride as a powerful actor whose volatility could be difficult to manage. - Geoffrey Burridge is remembered for Blake’s 7, Emmerdale Farm and his appearance in An American Werewolf in London. He died in 1987 from an AIDS related illness. His partner Alec McCowen later insisted their relationship be acknowledged during the broadcast of This Is Your Life. McCowen also connects back to the podcast through Frenzy and his role as Q in Never Say Never Again. - Elizabeth Romilly appeared in several television plays and in Secrets of a Door to Door Salesman. By 2011 she had left acting and was working as a lawyer in the Government Legal Service. - Writer John Bowen went on to create Hetty Wainthropp Investigates and wrote for Dead of Night and The Guardians, a 1971 series imagining a fascist Britain. It feels increasingly relevant and is very much on our list for future podcast coverage. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.