Nat, Cody, and Robert are joined by Angela Fabbrini to take a look at three documentaries that explore various subjects associated with horror films and filmmaking with VIDEO NASTIES: MORAL PANIC, CENSORSHIP, AND VIDEOTAPE, BLOOD & FLESH: THE REEL LIFE AND GHASTLY DEATH OF AL ADAMSON, and WOODLANDS DARK & DAYS BEWITCHED: A HISTORY OF FOLK HORROR.
First up is 2010’s VIDEO NASTIES: MORAL PANIC, CENSORSHIP, AND VIDEOTAPE. Possibly the most relevant topic, sadly, as we are still dealing with insidious attempts to control how other people think through censorship in the 2020’s cloaked in “won’t someone think of the children” justifications and inherent class prejudices by those who know better. The documentary brings up memories of the 1980s and expands a discussion of censorship attempts back to the Hayes Code, the comics scare of the 1950s and the institution of the Comics Code Authority, the US Satanic Panic of the 1980s, attempts to label rap records in the 1990s. Sadly, people had their businesses damaged and were sentenced to prison in the 1980s and it needs to be remembered so as not to be repeated. We have a lively discussion around the phenomenon albeit there isn’t much discussion about the movies. But, THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE is art, dammit!
Next, we jump to 2017’s BLOOD & FLESH: THE REEL LIFE AND GHASTLY DEATH OF AL ADAMSON. This documentary isn’t truly about a horror director, but about an exploitation director who made some horror movies. But he crossed paths with some big names, made money, made friends, and is representative of a bygone era of films for a drive-in market which no longer really exists in an era of corporate consolidation and changing tastes. Of the documentaries we watched this year, it’s perhaps the most fun. At least until you get to the shocking true crime tale of the last third of the documentary that the title alludes to. The documentary is part of a box set and no doubt puts it into much better context.
Finally we arrive at WOODLANDS DARK & DAYS BEWITCHED: A HISTORY OF FOLK HORROR from 2021. It’s a documentary bundled with a box set, but what a box set! And if you’re interested in an examination of folk horror, this is the documentary for you. It’s by far the most thorough and academic film we discussed. Perhaps at a disservice to its entertainment aspects at times as we discuss. But, if you want to come out with a list of films to watch, this is a must see.
No need to wait for the documentary of this podcast to listen to this episode. You can give us a play below or Download the episode. Also, feel free to let us know what you think by commenting below or Email Us at skiespocast@gmail.com as we appreciate feedback.
Time tracks:
VIDEO NASTIES: MORAL PANIC, CENSORSHIP, AND VIDEOTAPE Discussion: 0:00
LOOD & FLESH: THE REEL LIFE AND GHASTLY DEATH OF AL ADAMSON Discussion 36:09
WOODLANDS DARK & DAYS BEWITCHED: A HISTORY OF FOLK HORROR Discussion 55:55
Later this month, we return to discuss THE DEVIL-DOLL (1936). We hope you’ll join us.
