Podcasts
Progressive Portrayals of Women in Bob Clark’s ‘Black Christmas’ [Horror Queers Podcast]
Bitchin’ Barb.
After kicking off October with discussions of David Fincher’s Gone Girl (listen) and Tobe Hooper’s original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (listen), we’re tackling another juggernaut of horror history with a look at Bob Clark‘s Black Christmas.
Black Christmas follows sorority sisters Jess (Olivia Hussey), Barb (Margot Kidder) and Phyl (Andrea Martin) as they begin to receive anonymous, obscene phone calls in the days leading up to Christmas. When their other sorority sister Clare (Lynne Griffin) goes missing from the house, the girls frantically search for her, unaware that the mysterious caller has made a home for himself in their attic.
Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get a new episode every Wednesday. You can subscribe on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, TuneIn, Amazon Music, and RSS.
Episode 304: Black Christmas (1974) feat. Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
Bust out those American flags and prepare to get that child schnockered because we’re finally discussing Bob Clark‘s seminal horror classic Black Christmas (1974). Tagging in for the conversation is award-winning Australian film critic and author Alexandra Heller-Nicholas!
Join us as we do a deep dive into one of Elvis Presley’s favorite films (yes, really!), praising Queen Barb (Margot Kidder) and marveling at the sheer progressiveness of the film. From abortion subplots to discussions of female agency, Black Christmas is one pretty, piggy picture that’s a classic for a reason!
Cross out Black Christmas!
Coming up on Wednesday: We’re celebrating Halloween a little bit early as we head to Hull House to party with Angela in Night of the Demons (1988)!
P.S. Subscribe to our Patreon for over 340 hours of Patreon content including this month’s new episodes on Hannibal Season 1 Episode 10, Freeway II: Confessions of a Trickbaby, It’s What’s Inside, Apartment 7A, Salem’s Lot (2024) and, finally, our brand new audio commentary on Wes Craven’s New Nightmare for its 30th anniversary.
The Halloweenies take a break from the cenobites and dig up the deadites again to review Evil Dead Burn. It’s a full house for this installment and the feelings are all over the place with some divisive takes amongst the five of them. Lucky for you, there’s a seat at the table… join them and enjoy your mashed potatoes.
If you recall, the gang tackled the entire franchise — including Ash Vs. Evil Dead and unofficial entries like Drag Me to Hell and even Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness— in anticipation of 2023’s Evil Dead Rise. Be sure to revisit the entire season, starting with their two-part episode on Sam Raimi’s original DIY classic.
Stream the episode below. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and RSS. New to the Halloweenies? Catch up with the gang by revisiting their essential episodes on past franchises such as Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Scream, The Evil Dead, Chucky, Alien, and the Universal Monsters.This year? Hellraiser!
You can also become a member of their Patreon, The Rewind, for hilariously irreverent commentaries (e.g. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Re-Animator, Darkman), one-off deep dives on your favorite rentals (e.g. Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Manhunter, ), and even spinoffs like their recent run Fortune & Glory: An Indiana Jones Podcast.