01.14.2025 THE MAD MOVIE SMACKDOWN: A.D. 2025!!! With ED GRANT!
THE SMACKDOWN IS BACK! AND NOT A MINUTE TOO SOON!
JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, start the year with a game that is really just an excuse for genre film nerds to read more. Can your inflated sense of film trivia entitlement handle... THE MAD MOVIE SMACKDOWN A.D. 2025!!!?
MONSTER PARTY fans know the drill, but if you're late to the game, here's how it works: We each take turns thumbing through a genre film reference book, randomly stop on a page, blindly point at a film entry, and discuss said film with the group. What results is the kind of white-hot excitement you've come to expect from MONSTER PARTY!
Joining us for this marvelous melee of meandering movie madness is a beloved return guest! You've listened in awe at his rapid-fire encyclopedic knowledge of obscure movies on our CULT FILMS episodes, and been yearning for his return. Not only is he a well-respected writer, editor, and film journalist, he is also the host of the long-running TV show, MEDIA FUNHOUSE! Please welcome back the always captivating... ED GRANT! (THE MOTION PICTURE GUIDE, TV GUIDE, MOVIES ON TV, FILMS IN REVIEW, PSYCHOTRONIC VIDEO, VIDEOSCOPE, THEE VIDEO MOVIE GUIDE, GROOVY MOVIES, TIME.COM)
MONSTER PARTY STARTS 2025 WITH A SMACK! AND IT HURTS SO GOOD!
Guest(s)
Follow Ed: Instagram (@undefined)| Home - Media Funhouse| mediafunhouse | OK social network. Communication with friends on OK. Your meeting place with classmates
Key Topics Discussed
The "Mad Movie Smackdown" Format: The hosts and their guest, Ed Grant, introduce the episode's premise, which involves randomly selecting movies from various cult, horror, and sci-fi film guidebooks (like Psychotronic and John Stanley's Creature Features) and discussing whatever title they land on.
Deep Dives into Obscure Cinema: The selections lead to discussions on a wide range of obscure films, including the "Tabunga" tree monster in From Hell It Came , the Spanish "killer kid" movie Who Can Kill a Child? , and the sleazy 1970s film The Freak Maker.
Guest Ed Grant's Expertise: Film expert Ed Grant provides deep-cut knowledge on many of the selections, discussing the work of directors like Hugo Haas and Larry Buchanan , sharing an anecdote about interviewing Russ Meyer , and promoting his long-running cable access show, Media Funhouse.
Classic 1970s TV Horror: The hosts celebrate several 1970s made-for-TV movies, including the disaster film Runaway (1973) and the horror classic Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (1973) , which they refer to as a "juggernaut" and part of the "holy trinity" of TV horror.
Listener Tributes and Gifts: The hosts dedicate a segment to listener shout-outs, thanking fans for sending collectible gifts like Godzilla figures and Famous Monsters replicas. This section also includes a heartfelt tribute by Matt Weinhold to his late friend, comedian Jim Short, whom he reveals helped get the Monster Party podcast started.
Timestamps
00:05:10: Guest Ed Grant is introduced by the hosts.
00:07:58: The "Mad Movie Smackdown" segment begins, with Matt's first pick, Edge of Hell.
01:24:24: Ed Grant discusses his work, including his blog and his long-running cable show, Media Funhouse.
01:33:04: The "Listener Shout Out" segment begins.
01:33:20: The hosts thank listener Mark Rem for sending gifts, including Count Chocula and Murderous Maidens action figures.
01:35:03: The hosts thank listener Adam Holtz for sending Funko Godzilla mini-figures.
01:38:19: Matt gives a heartfelt tribute to his late friend, comedian Jim Short, and reveals Jim helped start the Monster Party podcast.
01:42:17: Matt thanks his friend Aaron LaPlante for creating and gifting "Emotional Support Objects" based on Famous Monsters, House on Haunted Hill, and The Ghost and Mr. Chicken.
01:46:13: James Gonas thanks the listeners for their condolences regarding his father's passing.
01:47:28: The hosts begin promotions, starting with the Monster Party merchandise store.
Resources/Links Mentioned
Films
Dracula A.D. 1972: Matt mentions it because the episode title, "Mad Movie Smackdown A.D. 2025," is a parody of it.
Edge of Hell (1956): This is Matt's first "Smackdown" pick from the Psychotronic guide. It's a film directed by and starring Hugo Haas as a beggar with a trick dog.
Pickup: Guest Ed Grant mentions this as a well-known, public domain Hugo Haas film.
Bait: Ed mentions this is another Hugo Haas film that "opens with the devil" introducing the story.
Umberto D.: Ed compares Edge of Hell to this Vittoria de Sica film about an old man who has a dog and can't afford to live.
Miracle in Milan: Ed also compares Edge of Hell to this Vittoria de Sica film about vagrants who go to heaven at the end.
The Other Woman: Ed mentions this as another Hugo Haas film, this one starring Cleo Moore.
Night of the Quarter Moon: Ed mentions this as one of the few big-budget Hugo Haas films that TCM plays.
Paradise Alley (1963): Ed identifies this as Hugo Haas's last film.
The Devil Rides Out (1968): This is Larry's first "Smackdown" pick, from the Fright Favorites book. It's a Hammer film where Christopher Lee plays the hero battling a satanic high priest.
Invasion of the Saucer-Men: This is mentioned as the "classic A.I.P." film that The Eye Creatures was an "awful uncredited remake" of.
Zontar, the Thing from Venus: Shawn mentions this as another Larry Buchanan remake, based on It Conquered the World.
It Conquered the World: The film that Zontar was a remake of.
In the Year 2889: Another Larry Buchanan remake mentioned, this one of Day the World Ended.
Day the World Ended: The original film that In the Year 2889 was based on.
Creature of Destruction: Another Larry Buchanan remake mentioned, this one of The She Creature.
The She Creature: The original film that Creature of Destruction was based on.
Curse of the Swamp Creature: Another Larry Buchanan film mentioned, which features John Agar.
Beyond the Doors: Ed discusses this later-period Larry Buchanan conspiracy film where Richard Nixon orders the murder of 1960s rock stars.
From Hell It Came (1957): This is James's first "Smackdown" pick, from John Stanley's guide. It's the famous movie about a tree monster named "Tabunga".
Poltergeist: Matt brings this up as a comparison, noting that many people were freaked out by the tree in that film.
Love Potion No. 9 (1992): This is Ed's first "Smackdown" pick. It's a romantic comedy starring a young Sandra Bullock who gets mixed up with a "love spray".
The Immoral Mr. Teas (1959): This is Matt's second "Smackdown" pick. It's a "low budget sex fantasy" by Russ Meyer about a man who gets a drug that lets him see through clothing.
Vixen!: Mentioned as a classic Russ Meyer film just released on Blu-ray.
Supervixens: Mentioned as a classic Russ Meyer film just released on Blu-ray.
Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens: Mentioned as a classic Russ Meyer film just released on Blu-ray.
Nude on the Moon: Shawn mentions this Doris Wishman film as an example of a "nudie cutie" that got around laws by not relating nudity to sex.
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!: Matt mentions meeting the actresses from this Russ Meyer film at an autograph show.
Irma la Douce: Ed mentions asking actress Tura Satana about working for this film's director, Billy Wilder.
Ghost Fever (1987): This is Larry's second "Smackdown" pick. It's a slapstick comedy starring Sherman Hemsley, which the hosts note was directed by "Alan Smithee," a bad sign.
The Freak Maker (1973) (also The Mutations): This is Shawn's second "Smackdown" pick. It's described as a "sleazy 70s updating of Freaks" starring Donald Pleasence and Tom Baker.
Freaks: The classic 1930s film that The Freak Maker is an update of.
She Freak: Shawn suggests a triple feature of Freaks, The Freak Maker, and this film.
Quien puede matar a un niño? (1975) (also Who Can Kill a Child?): This is James's second "Smackdown" pick. It's a Spanish film about an island where the children have murdered all the adults.
The Birds: The film guide review compares Who Can Kill a Child? to this Hitchcock classic.
Come Out and Play (2012): Matt mentions this is a modern, "unnecessary" remake of Who Can Kill a Child?.
The House That Screamed: Shawn mentions this is an earlier "proto-slasher" film from the same director.
Future Kill (1985): This is Ed's second "Smackdown" pick. It's a "straight to video" sci-fi action movie chiefly remembered for its H.R. Giger poster.
Hold On! (1966): This is Matt's third "Smackdown" pick. It's a Herman's Hermits movie with a "wholesome" sci-fi plot about NASA naming a spaceship after the band.
Help!: The Herman's Hermits movie Hold On! is described as the "American answer" to this Beatles film.
Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter: Mentioned as the other Herman's Hermits film.
The Fly (1958): This is Larry's third "Smackdown" pick. The classic color sci-fi film about the scientist and the matter transmitter.
Return of the Fly: Larry mentions he likes this black-and-white sequel.
Curse of the Fly: The third film in the original Fly series, which Larry also likes.
The Extraordinary Seaman (1967): This is Shawn's third "Smackdown" pick. It's a "critical and commercial disaster" directed by John Frankenheimer, starring David Niven as a ghost on a WWII gunboat.
Seconds: Ed mentions this as a great John Frankenheimer film, highlighting the "dip" in his career that The Extraordinary Seaman represents.
French Connection II: Another John Frankenheimer film Ed mentions.
Manchurian Candidate: Another classic Frankenheimer film Ed mentions.
Seven Days in May: Another classic Frankenheimer film Ed mentions.
Runaway: When James picks the TV movie Runaway, the hosts clarify it's not the Tom Selleck/Gene Simmons sci-fi film.
Looker: Mentioned as another Michael Crichton film from the same era as the Tom Selleck Runaway.
Hurricane (1937): This is Ed's third "Smackdown" pick. It's a John Ford film included in the Psychotronic guide for its "spectacular typhoon" special effects.
Hurricane (1979): The "absurd big-budget flop" remake of the 1937 film, starring Mia Farrow.
Avalanche: Mentioned in the review for the Hurricane remake as another Mia Farrow flop.
Godzilla vs. The Thing (1964): This is Matt's fourth "Smackdown" pick. The hosts discuss that "The Thing" is just Mothra, a fact obscured in the U.S. release due to copyright issues.
Mothra: The standalone Mothra film, which was released by a different studio in the U.S., causing the copyright issue.
Godzilla vs. Kong: Shawn mistakenly guesses this is the film where Godzilla smashes a temple.
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (2010): The Guillermo del Toro-produced remake of the 1973 TV movie, which the hosts feel "doesn't hold a candle to the original".
Chariots of the Gods (1969): This is Shawn's fourth "Smackdown" pick. It's the popular "pseudo-documentary" based on Erich von Däniken's book positing that aliens visited ancient civilizations.
In Search of Noah's Ark: Mentioned as another paranormal documentary from the same company, Sunn Classics.
The Late Great Planet Earth: Ed mentions this was another similar documentary from the era, narrated by Orson Welles.
Roman Scandals (1933): This is James's fourth "Smackdown" pick. It's an Eddie Cantor comedy included in the guide because its plot involves time travel to ancient Rome.
Ben-Hur: The review for Roman Scandals notes its chariot race "makes sport" of this film.
The Invisible Man: Mentioned because Roman Scandals co-star Gloria Stuart was also in this film.
Titanic (1997): Also mentioned as a film Gloria Stuart was in.
Strike Me Pink: James mentions this is his favorite Eddie Cantor movie, about him fending off gangsters at an amusement park.
Kid Boots: Ed mentions seeing this Eddie Cantor film at a revival screening.
Blood Red (1986): This is Ed's fourth "Smackdown" pick. Its only notable feature is that it's the only film to star both Eric Roberts and his sister, Julia Roberts.
Destination Inner Space: Ed mentions this as a film that character actor James Hong had a tiny part in.
The In-Laws: Ed also mentions James Hong was "hilarious" in this.
The Swordsman (1992): This is Ed's final bonus "Smackdown" pick. It's a "dull Lorenzo Lamas" film described as a "Highlander copy".
Frenzy: Ed mentions this is the film Alfred Hitchcock was likely promoting when he appeared on the Mike Douglas Show.
Family Plot: Ed's second guess for the film Hitchcock was promoting.
Homicidal: Ed tells a story about James Brown mistakenly asking Hitchcock about this William Castle film.
The Godmothers (1973): Ed describes this as "one of the worst comedies you've ever seen," a Godfather parody written by and starring Mickey Rooney in drag.
It's a Wonderful Life: Mentioned as the source of a "Zuzu's petals" replica gift Matt received.
The Ghost and Mr. Chicken: Mentioned as the source of a "can of Bon-Ami" replica gift Matt received.
Phantom of the Paradise: The hosts joke Ed sounds like the Phantom when his mic gets static-y.
Better Man: The hosts discuss the upcoming Robbie Williams biopic, in which the singer is bizarrely portrayed as a CGI chimp.
King Kung Fu: Ed mentions this 1970s King Kong parody.
Goldstein: Ed mentions this as the "totally free-form" first film by director Phil Kaufman, which features actor Severin Darden.
Fearless Frank: Ed discusses Phil Kaufman's second film, a "superhero movie" starring Jon Voight and Severin Darden.
Werewolves on Wheels: Ed mentions Severin Darden appeared in this film.
The President's Analyst: Ed also mentions Severin Darden appeared in this film.
Television
Media Funhouse: This is guest Ed Grant's long-running weekly cable program, which he has hosted for over 30 years.
The Eye Creatures (1965): This is Shawn Sheridan's first "Smackdown" pick. It is identified as a "slapdash" and "awful uncredited" made-for-TV remake of the film Invasion of the Saucerman.
H.R. Pufnstuf: Matt mentions that the "hippie tree" in this show was scary.
Runaway! (1973): This is James's third "Smackdown" pick, from a book on 1970s TV fright films. It's a TV movie about a runaway train full of skiers.
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (1973): This is Larry's fourth "Smackdown" pick. The hosts praise it as a "classic" and a "juggernaut of horror TV," despite the book calling it "minor". Shawn calls it part of the "holy trinity" of 1970s horror TV movies.
One Step Beyond: The show is mentioned because its host, John Newland, was the director of the Don't Be Afraid of the Dark TV movie.
Gargoyles (1972): Shawn mentions this as one of his "holy trinity" of great 1970s horror TV movies, alongside Don't Be Afraid of the Dark and Trilogy of Terror.
Trilogy of Terror (1975): Shawn includes this as the third film in his "holy trinity" of great 1970s horror TV movies.
Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell: Shawn mentions this as an example of a lesser, later-70s TV movie.
Ellery Queen: The TV series is mentioned as star Jim Hutton (from Don't Be Afraid of the Dark) was in it around the same time.
My Three Sons: The show is mentioned to identify actor William Demarest, who played "Uncle Charlie".
Late Night with David Letterman: Matt mentions his late friend, comedian Jim Short, appeared on the show.
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson: Matt mentions Jim Short also appeared on this show.
Late Night with Conan O'Brien: Matt mentions Jim Short appeared on this show as well.
Uzumaki: Matt mentions that his friend, voice artist Aaron LaPlante, had a role in the recent adaptation.
The Mike Douglas Show: Ed Grant discusses a rare collection of the show he's featuring on Media Funhouse, specifically a week with Bobby Darin. He also tells a story about James Brown asking Alfred Hitchcock a question about the wrong movie on the show.
The Dick Cavett Show: Ed contrasts The Mike Douglas Show with this one, noting Mike Douglas wasn't as "intellectual".
The Tonight Show: Ed contrasts The Mike Douglas Show with this, noting it wasn't as "A-list".
The Incredibly Strange Film Show: Shawn mentions he has been revisiting this early 90s cable show hosted by Jonathan Ross.
Reel Wild Cinema: Shawn also mentions revisiting this show, which was hosted by Sandra Bernhard.
Kolchak: Ed mentions that actor Severin Darden (who was in Planet of the Apes films) also appeared in an episode of Kolchak.
Books, Comics, etc.
Videoscope: Ed is introduced as having written for this magazine.
Films in Review: Ed is introduced as having written for this magazine.
Psychotronic: Ed is introduced as having written for this magazine.
Movies on TV books by Stephen Scheuer: Ed is introduced as a former managing editor for this series.
DiscDish.com: Ed is introduced as having written for this website.
Time.com: Ed is introduced as having written for this website. Mentioned as the publication whose critic Richard Corliss praised Ed's show (Magazine).
The Motion Picture Guide Annual: Ed is introduced as having edited this reference book.
The New York Times: Ed mentions a Times reviewer's punny review for From Hell It Came.
Variety: Larry mentions seeing a young Sandra Bullock on the cover, and Ed describes an ad in the back for "make it yourself" rock tours.
TV Guide: Ed mentions Michael Weldon used to go through it for his newsletter. James also finds an old ad for the TV movie Runaway!.
Walk on the Wild Side: Ed notes the author of this book, Nelson Algren, appears in Fearless Frank.
The Man with the Golden Arm: Ed also notes Nelson Algren, author of this book, is in Fearless Frank.
Hold On soundtrack: Ed mentions seeing this Herman's Hermits soundtrack in discount bins.
JustUs: James identifies this as the comeback album The Monkees released around the time Larry saw them in concert.
Famous Monsters of Film Land magazine: Matt mentions his friend Aaron LaPlante made miniature replicas of issue #3.
Muhammad Ali vs. Superman: Ed compares the Planet of the Apes comic crossovers to this famous comic book.
Planet of the Apes comic crossovers: The hosts discuss various comic crossovers, including Tarzan and King Kong on the Planet of the Apes, as well as Star Trek/Planet of the Apes.
Monsters of Talk: This is mentioned as a podcast that Jim Short co-hosted with Margaret Cho.
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