Borgo Pass Horror Podcast
90 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 81 ratingsHosts Livio Merino from Kansas City and Jim Towns from Los Angeles humbly bring to you thorough, exciting, and fun reviews of all your vintage horror movie favorites. Our #1 focus, besides having a total blast talking about horror, is researching and delivering to the listeners little known and obscure facts about their favorite movies. The hosts have a special fondness for the Universal Studio films from the 1920's to the 1950's. This podcast is extremely interactive with the listeners thru social media, and are always open to movie suggestions and feedback!
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Episodes
Freaks
April 18, 2024 03:00 - 1 hour - 53.8 MBJim & Livio are back to discuss Tod Browning's unique, cult classic Dracula follow up: Freaks. This is a true one of a kind film, with a good story that boasts a great cast. In this episode we tackle the impact and legacy of this film, as well as the plot and inner workings of Tod Browning.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - 1920
April 03, 2024 23:00 - 1 hour - 76.2 MBOne hundred and four years ago, John Barrymore stepped off the stage and before the cameras to help bring Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novella (and its titular dual lead characters) to life. One hundred and four years later, Jim Towns and David Ullman dissect this trailblazing piece of classic horror cinema.
Godzilla pt. 2
March 28, 2024 05:00 - 1 hour - 42.1 MBTony and Jim raid again! Join us for part two of our discussion of the 1954 Toho Studios masterpiece Godzilla!
Godzilla pt. 1
March 22, 2024 19:00 - 1 hour - 43.8 MBKaiju connoisseur Tony Salvaggio returns to the Borgo Pass to discuss the original 1954 monster masterpiece Godzilla! (part 1 of 2)
Sherlock Holmes and the Scarlet Claw
March 07, 2024 00:00 - 1 hour - 77.6 MBFollow along as The Borgo Pass Horror Podcast investigates this great gothic mystery made by Universal Studios in 1944, which features many Universal Horror talents both in front and behind the camera! Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and Dr. John Watson (Nigel Bruce) find themselves in Canada, on the trail of a murdering ghost!
Abbott & Costello Meet The Mummy
February 22, 2024 06:00 - 1 hour - 60.8 MBWhich one's the dead guy?? Join Jim and Livio and they tackle this in their review of the 1955 film Abbott and Costello Meet The Mummy. A later film in the A&C series, but not without humor, charm, and a bit of spookiness!
Vampyr
February 08, 2024 03:00 - 1 hour - 80.3 MBReturning co-host David Ullman joins Jim Towns for a foray into the esoteric world of Carl Theodor Dreyer's 1932 gothic masterpiece Vampyr!
The Strange Case of Dr. RX
January 27, 2024 01:00 - 1 hour - 58.9 MBMantan Moreland, Lionel Atwill, Anne Gwynne, Shemp Howard, Samuel S. Hinds, A gorilla suit, fish bowl glasses, more plot twists than you could ever hope for - This is just some of the lunacy that Jim and Livio tackle as we discuss 1942's Strange Case of Dr RX. This is a 'deep cut' in the Universal Horror cycle - so dust off those fish bowl glasses, and journey with us as we try to make sense of this!
David J. Skal tribute
January 25, 2024 04:00 - 1 hour - 44.9 MBIn this audio version of the livestream, Jim is joined by Ian Bates from @UniversalStudiosMonsters and award-winning filmmaker, animator and top-tier Monster Kid Frank Dietz, to commemorate the life and work of David J. Skal: author, scholar and advocate for all things monsterific. Join them as they discuss David's influence on the course of each of their respective careers, and his prodigious influence on both classic monster scholarship and culture.
Cry of the Werewolf
January 10, 2024 19:00 - 1 hour - 67.4 MBMusician, graphic designer and horrorphile Chris Sahlin joins Jim to talk about Columbia Pictures' lesser-known 1944 werewolf film Cry of the Werewolf!
Calling Dr. Death
December 28, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 70.8 MBThis... is the Inner Sanctum! Jim & Livio finish 2023 just how they started it - by delving into another Inner Sanctum mystery, Calling Dr. Death. This is the inaugural Inner Sanctum starring Lon Chaney, Jr and also features the stunning Patricia Morison, as well as Universal regular J. Carrol Naish. Crack open a bottle of bubbly this New Years, and join us for an in depth look at this underrated Inner Sanctum mystery!
Son Of Kong
December 14, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 76.9 MBJim & Livio are back! and to celebrate, we are joining the soon to be indicted Carl Denham as he escapes back to Skull Island where he finds - the late King Kong's 12ft offspring. This is a hidden gem of a sequel, and we break it all down for you. Make sure to enjoy before the next Tropical Earthquake!
Spanish Dracula
November 30, 2023 06:00 - 2 hours - 103 MBTexas-based author and educator David Bowles joins Jim Towns for a plunge into a true Universal horror one-off: the 1931 Spanish language version of Dracula, which was filmed at night on the same stages as the Browning/Lugosi version, and which stars an entirely different cast including Carlos Villarilla as Conde Dracula and Lupita Tovar as Eva [Mina]. This excellently produced version of the film matches its English-language cousin in many ways, but at almost 30 minutes longer it also offe...
The Devil Bat
October 26, 2023 04:00 - 1 hour - 64.7 MBWe're baaaccckk! Jim and Livio make a spooky return and dive into a fun "Poverty Row" film - The Devil Bat. This is one of several low budget horror movies starring Bela Lugosi from the 40's. We go into Lugosi's impact in these roles, his broader impact in our pop culture, the shortcuts of the production and of course, the film itself. Enjoy just in time for Halloween - and be careful of the aftershave you put on!
Revenge Of The Creature
July 20, 2023 15:00 - 1 hour - 79.9 MBJim & Livio return to the depths of the Amazon! In this episode we cover the first of two sequels to Creature From The Black Lagoon. We talk about everything from the story, the differences between the first two films, the logistics of filming in Florida, and much much more!
I Walked with a Zombie
July 06, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 78.8 MBFor this episode Jim and frequent co-host David Ullman dive deep into RKO's 1943 Jacques Tournier/Val Lewton masterpiece I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE- Betsy is a nurse sent to the Caribbean island of San Sebastian to care for Jessica Holland, an invalid woman. There she finds family secrets, forbidden love, and zombies. With a screenplay co-penned by Curt Siodmak (The Wolf Man) and based on Jayne Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, this film tells an atmospheric and seductive story filled with complex ch...
Phantom Of The Opera (1925), pt.2
June 22, 2023 14:00 - 1 hour - 66.7 MBJim & Livio wrap up with part two on the Phantom of the Opera! We cover the last half of the film, Chaney's make-up, the alternate endings, and the legacy of this movie!
Phantom Of The Opera (1925), pt.1
June 08, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 64.6 MBWhat happens when Jim & Livio watch two different versions of the same movie? Find out in part 1 of our 2 episode discussion of the 1925 Phantom Of The Opera! This is truly a cornerstone for Universal Horror - the source code, as Jim calls it - and in part 1, we talk about the impact of the film, its stars, the many directors, as well as breaking down the first half of the film, the 1925 version. Feast your eyes, glut your soul on this accursed episode!
Jungle Captive
May 24, 2023 21:00 - 1 hour - 82.2 MBJim Towns and returning guest co-host Tony Salvaggio get into 1945's Jungle Captive, the third installment in Universal's Ape Woman series-- and their final monster franchise. Jungle Captive stars Vicky Lane (taking over for Acquanetta as Paula DuPree/the Ape Woman), cult favorite Rondo Hatton (House of Horrors/Brute Man/Spider Woman Strikes Back), Otto Kruger (Dracula's Daughter), and Phil Brown (Weird Woman/Star Wars: A New Hope). Directed by Harold Young and written by Dwight Babcock and...
The Mummy's Curse
May 11, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 74 MBThis podcast is on the loose and we're dancing with the devil! Jim & Livio tackle the last chapter of the Kharis story - 1944's The Mummy's Curse. In this episode, we break down the story, the breakneck shooting schedule, the timeline of the Kharis films, and much much more! So - HEY YOU! Give this one a listen!
The Way You Walked Was Thorny: The Curse of Larry Talbot and Universal's Wolf Man Legacy
May 04, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 65.9 MBBorgo Pass Horror Podcast presents another episode of "We Are the Monsters", hosted by Ian Bates of @Universalstudiosmonsters on Instagram. This episode features a live chat with Ian and Borgo Pass hosts Jim Towns and Livio Merino. Lon Chaney Jr. was the only actor to play Larry Talbot AKA the Wolf Man in the character's five appearances in Universal films, and the actor's connection to the character goes beyond simple casting. In this 90 minute live chat, the hosts review the history of th...
The Invisible Man's Revenge
April 27, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 64.1 MBJoin Jim & Livio as they tackle the fourth and final serious entry in the Universal Invisible Man series: 1944's The Invisible Man's Revenge. Jon Hall is in his second outing as the invisible one, though playing a different character. John Carradine gives a fantastic performance as the eccentric Dr. Drury, and the movie also boasts Gale Sondergaard, Lester Matthews, Evelyn Ankers and even Skelton Knaggs! Learn all about this story, it's place in the series and everything in between!
The Return of Dr. X
April 13, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 63.1 MBSeries host Jim Towns is joined by returning guest co-host David Ullman for a 90-minute deep dive into a unique and underappreciated piece of undead noir cinema: as The Borgo Pass Horror Podcast presents The Return of Dr. X! Released by Warner Bros. in 1939, this film features silver screen icon Humphrey Bogart in his ONLY horror role as Marshall Quesne aka Dr. Maurice Xavier: a pathological surgeon who was sent to the electric chair for his hideous experiments--then brought back by medicin...
Ghost Of Frankenstein, pt. 2
April 06, 2023 13:00 - 47 minutes - 32.7 MBThe conclusion of our two part episode on Ghost of Frankenstein! Jim & Livio wrap up with the films action packed climax, discussion on the fate of Ygor, what the ending meant for the rest of the series and much more!
Ghost Of Frankenstein, pt. 1
March 30, 2023 18:00 - 1 hour - 59.1 MBJim & Livio tackle Universal's 4th film in the Frankenstein series, and the first without Karloff - 1942's The Ghost Of Frankenstein. In part 1, they discuss the production, it's value compared to the first 3, Lon Chaney's busy year at Universal, and much much more!
The Seventh Victim
March 16, 2023 06:00 - 2 hours - 106 MBJason Henderson of Castle of Horror podcast and Castle Bridge Media publishing joins Jim Towns for an in-depth discussion on RKO's The Seventh Victim, from 1943. Produced by Val Lewton and directed by first timer Mark Robson, the film stars a young Kim Hunter (Zira in Planet of the Apes), Lewton regular Tom Conway, Jean Brooks (The Leopard Man/The Invisible Man Returns) and Hugh Beaumont ("Leave it to Beaver") in a dark tale of devil worship and mental derangement, evocatively photographed...
Ricou Browning tribute episode
March 05, 2023 21:00 - 1 hour - 61.2 MBIn this special episode, we present Ricou Browning: a Celebration of Life, recorded and streamed live on March 4, 2023 as part of the WE ARE THE MONSTERS series: moderated by Ian Bates of @Universalstudiosmonsters. Guest hosts include Jim Towns of the Borgo Pass, as well as Austin T. Hill of @Universalmonstersuniverse. Ricou Browning was born in 1930. While working as an underwater actor and marine entertainer in 1953, he was hired to escort the makers of the upcoming Creature from the Bla...
The Hound of the Baskervilles
March 02, 2023 05:00 - 2 hours - 89.2 MBIn this episode, our hosts take a perilous side trip to Devonshire, where a great hound has been prowling the moors. Watch out for the Great Grimpen Mire! Ian Bates joins series host Jim Towns in this deep delve into 1939's The Hound of the Baskervilles, which introduced the world to Basil Rathbone's touchstone performance as Sherlock Holmes. Produced by 20th Century Fox and co-starring Nigel Bruce as Holmes' faithful companion Dr. John Watson (and also featuring Universal faves Lionel Atwi...
The Monster And The Girl
February 17, 2023 15:00 - 2 hours - 91.5 MBJim & Livio tackle this seldom seen Paramount movie from 1941! Featuring an all star cast, moody atmosphere, a surprisingly good story, and the great Charles Gemora - this film does not disappoint! From mad science, to human trafficking, to The Mob, to a large Gorilla with a human brain... this one has it all! Kick back and enjoy our take and review of The Monster and The Girl!
Creature From The Black Lagoon
February 02, 2023 07:00 - 2 hours - 114 MBIt's finally here! One of our more requested movies to cover - 1954's Creature From The Black Lagoon. Hear Jim & a slightly raspy Livio spend 3 hours discussing everything from the story to behind the scenes to post production to it's lasting impact, and everything in between. Keep your rotenone handy and travel with us to the far reaches of the Amazon...
The Black Cat (1941)
January 19, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 74.5 MBJoin Jim and very special guest Kat Hearons as they discuss this great horror-mystery from 1941: The Black Cat. An often overlooked film, Jim & Kat break down the movie, go into detail on the all-star cast, and of course - Bela Lugosi!
Weird Woman
January 05, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 77 MBThis...is the Inner Sanctum! Kick off 2023 with Jim & Livio as they return to the realm of the Inner Sanctum with 1944's Weird Woman. Loosely based off 'Conjure Wife', this film follows Lon Chaney, Jr's Professor Norman Reed and his Island wife Paula (Anne Gwynne) as they tackle the beliefs of the supernatural, high education politics, and of course - murder. A stellar supporting cast, and Evelyn Ankers as a villain makes this a high mark in the Inner Sanctum series!
House of Frankenstein, pt. 2
December 29, 2022 06:00 - 1 hour - 82.2 MBPart 2 of our year end episode covering 1944's House of Frankenstein. Jim, Livio, and special guest Tony Salvaggio follow Dr. Neimann's chamber of horrors as he leaves Dracula in the dust (literally) and meets Ilonka, revives both Frankenstein's Monster and The Wolf Man, and tries to complete his quest for revenge. Celebrate the New Year with us in Vasaria (or was it Frankenstein?) and blame the headache on trying to decipher all the brain transplants!
House of Frankenstein, pt. 1
December 22, 2022 15:00 - 1 hour - 55 MBHordes of horror spawned by the devil! Now all together in one horrific podcast! Join this Devils Brood of Jim Towns, Livio Merino, and special guest Tony Salvaggio as they close out 2022 with a two part episode on 1944's House of Frankenstein. Universal's first 'Monster Rally' features an all star cast, a quick but effective production and a fantastic music score. In this first part, Jim, Livio, and Tony discuss the beginnings of this monster mash, the casting, brain transfers, and dissect ...
The Mummy's Ghost
December 08, 2022 06:00 - 2 hours - 87.8 MBJoin Jim & Livio as they take their talents to Arkam (formerly Karnak) and discuss the 3rd film in the Kharis franchise - The Mummy's Ghost! This movie sees a change in direction for both Kharis & Ananka, the reintroduction of reincarnation, and a very downbeat and grim ending. Jim & Livio cover all of this as well as several behind the scenes stories and opinions! For who shall defile the temples of the ancient Gods...shall be a cruel and violent death!
Tower Of London
November 24, 2022 16:00 - 2 hours - 92.8 MBThanksgiving gatherings have you feeling that you're trapped in a prison? Fear not! Pop in some headphones and listen to Jim & Livio breakdown the epic 1939 Universal Tower Of London. Over 2 hours of an in depth look at this masterfully produced movie, you'll hear everything from historical fact and details concerning the real events to production background and where we think this ranks in comparison to the more well known Universal Horrors.
Abbott & Costello Meet The Killer, Boris Karloff
November 10, 2022 06:00 - 2 hours - 87.7 MBFresh off the heels of Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein, Universal goes back to the well with 1949's Abbott & Costello Meet The Killer, Boris Karloff. Join Jim and special guest David Ullman for this in depth look at this classic 'who done it' horror/comedy!
King Kong, pt. 2
October 29, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 60.2 MBJim & Livio wrap up the great and influential King Kong! Part two of our special Halloween episode takes us from Kongs appearance in the jungle all the way through the heartbreaking ending!
King Kong, pt. 1
October 27, 2022 18:00 - 1 hour - 52.3 MBHappy Halloween! Our big Halloween episode this year is on arguably the most influential movies of the 20th century - King Kong! In part one, join Jim and Livio and they discuss the impact of this movie, the groundbreaking ways they made the film, and the movie itself, up until the appearance of Kong. Part two will drop on Saturday night!
Return Of The Vampire
October 13, 2022 05:00 - 2 hours - 86 MBWhat do you get when you mix Bela Lugosi, a werewolf servant, and Nazis?? You wind up with 1943's Return of the Vampire! Join Jim and special guest Kat Hearons for this look into a non-Universal horror film of the early 40's. Lugosi is very prominently featured here and is backed by a decent supporting cast and terrific music score - join us for a discussion on Lugosi and this great film!
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
September 29, 2022 05:00 - 2 hours - 93.3 MBJoin Jim and special guest David Ullman as they take a deep dive into this pre-code classic from Warner Brothers! This movie packs a major punch, still even today and absolutely pushes the limits with violence and sex. Made the same year as Dracula, this movie earned Fredric March an Academy Award for best actor. So grab your favorite elixir, and listen to the show as you stare into the mirror to watch yourself transform into a hideous alter ego!
The Brute Man
September 15, 2022 04:00 - 1 hour - 64 MBThe Creeper stalks again! Join Jim and Livio as they discuss the sequel (or is it prequel?) to House of Horrors - The Brute Man! Rondo Hatton's last movie, also the last of the Universal Horror films from the 40's "B Movie" era. This film is truly a diamond in the rough, and Jim & Livio discuss Rondo, how this film ended up in public domain, and Jim gives great insight into the greatness of some of these lower budget movies. Take a listen and make sure not to let any strange creeper person i...
Jungle Woman
September 01, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 78 MBJim welcomes special guest Tony Salvaggio to talk about all things Jungle Woman! This 1944 follow up to Captive Wild Woman continues the story of Paula Dupree - The Ape Woman! This is another seldom seen Universal Horror - but one with a great supporting cast and definitely worth talking about!
The Mad Ghoul
August 19, 2022 04:00 - 1 hour - 67.4 MBYou fool, you madman, what have you done?! Join Jim & Livio as they chronicle the misadventures of Zombie Ted and Dr. Morris. In this episode, you'll hear all about this lesser known entry in the Universal canon, as well as Evelyn Ankers as a singer (and potential villain), the great Robert Armstrong, George Zucco, Jack Pierce's makeup, Hans Salters music, Ben Pivar's production, and more!
The Invisible Man Returns
August 05, 2022 14:00 - 2 hours - 93.1 MBOn the heels of the success of Son Of Frankenstein, Universal goes further into the sequel pool with the Invisible Man Returns! In this episode, Jim & Livio break down this hidden gem of Universal Horror sequels. We cover Vincent Price, the comparisons to Claude Rains, Curt Siodmak, the music & special effects, the long shooting schedule and everything in between!
Son Of Frankenstein, part 2
July 21, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 53.3 MBPart 2 of our episode on the 1939 epic: Son Of Frankenstein! Join Jim & Livio as they discuss the climatic last half of this wonderful movie! You'll hear them discuss behind the scenes stories and anecdotes of Karloff & Lugosi, the styles of Rathbone and Atwill, Donnie Dunagan's memories of the film, and the action packed final scenes!
Son Of Frankenstein, part 1
July 14, 2022 20:00 - 1 hour - 71.2 MBWellllll Helllllloooooo!! Join Jim & Livio as they do a deep dive on the wonderful Son Of Frankenstein from 1939! This is a polarizing film - and one of extreme importance! In part 1 hear them discuss the films production, music, the quartet of Lugosi, Karloff, Rathbone, and Atwill, differences between James Whale and Rowland V. Lee, and much more!
Spider Woman Strikes Back
June 30, 2022 23:00 - 1 hour - 43.2 MBJoin Jim with very special guest Ian Bates as they delve into a Universal Horror deep cut - The Spider Woman Strikes Back!
The Mummy's Tomb
June 19, 2022 04:00 - 2 hours - 84.3 MBJim & Livio tackle the 2nd in the polarizing Kharis saga! For a movie that's 60 minutes long, with 15 minutes of flashbacks - there's a lot of stuff to cover here! We go into the switch from Tom Tyler to Lon Chaney, the boldness of the story and the demise of the previous film's heroes, stunt work, the ever-questioned time frame of the Kharis films, and how Jim has 4 degrees of separation from Elyse Knox! Download and listen now - or face the wrath of the high priests of Karnak!
White Zombie (1932)
June 06, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 81.3 MBJoin us on the Borgo Pass as we usher in a new season! Jim & Livio talk all about the Bela Lugosi classic from 1932: White Zombie!