Halloween Special 2022
As we hang up our horror host costumes, we can’t help but pass out that sweet sweet Test Pattern Halloween Candy. It’s time for one final Halloween Hoorah!
Oct 31, 2022•2 hr 47 min•Season 6Ep. 25
Test Pattern: A Horror Movie Podcast
A bi-weekly look at the monster movies, TV shows, cult films, and horror stuff that keeps YOU up at night! In the days before syndicated stations and 24 hour programming, television stations often showed old monster movies hosted by local on-air talent. It is in this spirit that “Test Pattern” is made – a little bit spooky, a little bit silly, but always informative! Jacob and Tab have a new topic each week, with a focus on the macabre offerings shown on television starting in the mid 1950s, favorite creature features, and B-movies (with occasional forays into the outer realms of horror).
Episodes
Episode 201: Dead is Better - Pet Sematary
We contemplate life and death and come to the realization that sometimes… dead is better. We read Stephen King’s darkest novel, Pet Sematary and watched the 1989 adaptation! Sources: On Writing by Stephen King Unearthed & Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary , documentary
Oct 31, 2022•4 hr 54 min•Season 6Ep. 24
Episode 200: Meet Me at the Waterfront - Sleepaway Camp
We come full circle, as we revisit our first movie together ... Sleepaway Camp ! Stay tuned after the episode for a bonus conversation with Jacob and James about their OG bad movie nights! Sources: Sleepaway Camp (1983) " Robert Hiltzik Talks the Making of Slasher Classic Sleepaway Camp " by Don Kaye, Den of Geek Actor commentary with Felissa Rose and Jonathan Tierston Director/Actor commentary with Robert Hiltzik and Felissa Rose...
Oct 27, 2022•4 hr 57 min•Season 6Ep. 23
Episode 199: No Exit - Jacob's Ladder (1990) & Silent Hill (with Brian Ivanhoe!)!)
We're joined by Brian Ivanhoe to explore the boundaries of reality with Jacob's Ladder and Silent Hill ! Sources: Jacob's Ladder (1990) " Hell Can Wait: Art, Trauma, and Other Demons " by Rich Johnson, Fangoria " Up Jacob's Ladder and into the Hell of a Veteran's Psyche " by Tim Golden, The New York Times " Understanding Jacob's Ladder " by Pinchas Leiser, My Jewish Learning " What is the Story of Jacob's Ladder " by Joel Ryan, Christianity.com " Jacob's Ladder ", Abrahamic Study Hall Director c...
Oct 21, 2022•5 hr 41 min•Season 6Ep. 22
Episode 198: No More Room In Hell Part 3 - Day of the Dead (1985)
The Dead have waited ... for our final installment of the Romero Dead Trilogy! We wrap things up with Day of the Dead! Day of the Dead (1986) Sources: Director/Crew/Actress commentary with George Romero, Tom Savini, Cletus Anderson, and Lori Cardille The World's End: The Making of Day of the Dead (documentary) Night of the Living Dead: Behind the Scenes of the Most Terrifying Zombie Movie Ever by Joe Kane...
Oct 13, 2022•2 hr 27 min•Season 6Ep. 21
Episode 197: No More Room in Hell Part 2 - Dawn of the Dead (1978)
First . . . there was the Night. Now, see if you can live through the Dawn! We continue our coverage of George Romero's Dead Trilogy with the original Dawn of the Dead! Dawn of the Dead (1978) Sources: The Dead Will Walk (Making of documentary) Director/SFX commentary with George Romero, Tom Savini, and Chris Romero Night of the Living Dead: Behind the Scenes of the Most Terrifying Zombie Movie Ever by Joe Kane...
Oct 10, 2022•2 hr 18 min•Season 6Ep. 20
Episode 196: No More Room in Hell Part 1 - Night of the Living Dead (1968)
They're coming to get you ... we kick off October (and our coverage of the Romero Dead Trilogy) with the classic that started it all - Night of the Living Dead! Night of the Living Dead (1968) Sources: Director/actor/producer commentary with George Romero, Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman, and John Ruso Actor/producer commentary with Russell Streiner, Vincent Survinski, Judith O'Dea, Bill Hinzman, Kyra Schon, and Keith Wayne Night of the Living Dead: Behind the Scenes of the Most Terrifying Zombie ...
Oct 06, 2022•2 hr 2 min•Season 6Ep. 19
Episode 195: Dino DNA - Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton & Jurassic Park (1993) (with Kris!)
We welcome you to ... Jurassic Park! We're joined by Tab's husband, Kris, to talk about his favorite movie and the Michael Crichton novel from which it was adapted! Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton Sources: "Michael Crichton on the Jurassic Park Phenomenon", featurette "Return to Jurassic Park: Dawn of a New Era", featurette Jurassic Park (1993) "The Movies That Made Us: Jurassic Park", Netflix Where to find Kris Online: @OffbrandKris...
Sep 08, 2022•3 hr 24 min•Season 6Ep. 18
Episode 194: There Can Be Only One - Highlander & Macbeth (2015) (with JX Dill!)
Don't lose your head! We're joined by JX Dill to explore the Scottish Highlands with Highlander and Justin Kurzel's adaptation of Macbeth! Sources: Highlander (1986) "T here Can Only Be One: Why Highlander Will Live Forever " by Ed Power, The Telegraph " 15 Immortal Facts About Highlander " by Jake Rossen, Mental Floss Macbeth (2015) " Michael Fassbender and the Robes of Royalty " by Rachel Lee Harris, The New York Times " Macbeth in Historical Context ", Columbia College...
Aug 25, 2022•4 hr 49 min•Season 6Ep. 17
Episode 191: Tales of Terror Vol. 10 - Kwaidan (1965) (with James B.!)
We're joined for the final time (at least officially) by James to talk about the gorgeous and ghostly Japanese anthology film, Kwaidan! Sources: Film historian commentary with Stephen Prince, author of A Dream of Resistance: The Cinema of Kobayashi Masaki " Kwaidan: No Way Out " by Geoffrey O'Brien, Criterion " Why Japan Keeps Apologizing for World War II ", NowThis World " Guillermo Del Toro talking about Kwaidan and Lafcadio Hearn" , Criterion " Ernest Dickerson on Kwaidan ", Trailers From Hel...
Aug 20, 2022•4 hr 36 min•Season 6Ep. 14
Episode 193: The Green River Killer
The clock strikes Soul's Midnight once again as we explore the case of the Green River Killer. This is a very disturbing, lengthy case that involves sexual assault, rape, murder, and necrophilia. We want to be very clear about that so that people who might experience distress from listening to discussions about those topics can stop the episode here. We want to encourage everyone to put their mental health and well-being first - if you are concerned about the topics that may be covered in this e...
Aug 11, 2022•5 hr 39 min•Season 6Ep. 16
Episode 192: The Funeral is About to Begin - Phantasm thru Phantasm IV: Oblivion
We're going to snag that tall dude! We go in depth on the original Phantasm and talk about the franchise up through Phantasm IV! Sources: " Cult Films Spell Success for Movie-Maker " by Steve Porath, The Evening News " Rewind: The Making of Phantasm " by Dominic Barlow, FilmInk Director and cast commentary with Don Coscarelli, A. Michael Baldwin, Bill Thornbury, and Angus Scrimm...
Jul 28, 2022•3 hr 29 min•Season 6Ep. 15
Episode 190: Hell is a Teenage Girl - Ginger Snaps & Excision
We're joined by Micah to talk about femme transformation horror in Ginger Snaps and Excision! Resources for Crisis Help USA: National Suicide Prevention Line - 1-800-273-8255 Self Harm Crisis Text Line - Text HOME to 741741 Trevor Project Crisis Line: Text START to 678-678 Call 1-866-488-7386 Start a Chat International Click this link to see a list of hotlines around the world Sources: Ginger Snaps (2000) " Ginger Snaps Press Kit " Writer commentary with Karen Walton Excision (2012) Writer-Direc...
Jun 24, 2022•3 hr 31 min•Season 6Ep. 13
Episode 189: Left of the Dial - Rock 'n' Roll High School & Pump Up the Volume
In honor of Tab's birthday, we're ready to rock out and talk hard with a couple of her favorite non-horror films. We watched Rock 'n' Roll High School and Pump Up the Volume ! Sources: Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979) " Rock 'n' Roll High at 40: How the Ramones and a Rebellious Female Lead Invaded Theaters " by Raj Tawney, Variety Pump Up the Volume (1990) " Talk Hard: The Making of the Teen-Angst Classic Pump Up the Volume " by Eric Ducker, The Ringer...
Jun 09, 2022•2 hr 6 min•Season 6Ep. 12
Episode 188: The Boy Who Cried Jason - Friday the 13th The Final Chapter & Jason Lives
We're making Crystal Lake memories! Hey, Jason! We watched Friday the 13th IV: The Final Chapter and Friday the 13th VI: Jason Lives! Source: Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th , documentary
May 26, 2022•3 hr 1 min•Season 6Ep. 11
Episode 187: I'm Into Survival - A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) & A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
After this, we'll never sleep again! We followed Nancy's story in A Nightmare on Elm Street and A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors! Source: Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (documentary)
May 12, 2022•2 hr 29 min•Season 6Ep. 10
Episode 186: One by One - The Evil Dead Trilogy
In this episode, JOIN US …as we bask in the glow of Hollywood’s most impressive chin with Bruce Campbell and the Evil Dead Trilogy - The Evil Dead, Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn, and Army of Darkness! Sources: The Evil Dead (1981) Commentary with Rob Tapert, Sam Raimi, and Bruce Campbell Commentary with Bruce Campbell The Evil Dead: The Untold Saga (documentary) Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn (1987) Commentary with Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell, Scott Speigel, and Greg Nicotero Swallowed Souls: The Making ...
Apr 28, 2022•4 hr 11 min•Season 6Ep. 9
Episode 185: Movies For Jacobs Who Like Movies - First Blood & The Warriors
In celebration of Jacob's birthday, we take a detour from the horror highway with a couple of his favorite non-horror films - First Blood and The Warriors! Sources: First Blood (1982) Commentary w/Sylvester Stallone Commentary w/novel author David Morrell The Warriors (1979) The Warriors Movie Site, warriorsmovie.co.uk " The Warriors at 40: the enduring appeal of a New York classic " by Charles Bramesco, The Guardian " Remember the Warriors: Behind the Chaotic, Drug-Fueled, and Often Terrifying ...
Apr 14, 2022•3 hr 54 min•Season 6Ep. 8
Episode 184: Mirror Image - The Broken (2008) & Us
We take a long look in the mirror with The Broken (2008) and Jordan Peele's Us! Sources: Us (2019) " The All-American Nightmares of Jordan Peele " by Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone " Jordan Peele on Us: 'This is a very different movie from Get Out '" by Steve Rose, The Guardian " Jordan Peele Explains the Significance of the Michael Jackson Imagery in Us " by Rachel Thompson, Mashable Clips: " Director: Jordan Peele about hidden meanings in Us film ", MarvelousTV " Us | Jordan Peele Gives Us a Glimp...
Mar 24, 2022•3 hr 34 min•Season 6Ep. 7
Episode 183: March Madness - The Crazies (1973) & The Signal (2007)
We lose our minds with George A Romero's The Crazies and The Signal (2007)! Sources: The Crazies (1973) " Special Article: Year of The Crazies: 1973 ", Bloody Disgusting " Insider Info (The Crazies) - Behind the Scenes " by Jeff Stafford, TCM " In the Know (The Crazies) - Trivia " by Jeff Stafford, TCM The Signal (2007) " The Signal: A Gory Forecast for Pop Culture " by Eric Bomba-Ire, CinemATL...
Mar 10, 2022•2 hr 5 min•Season 6Ep. 6
Episode 182: Hell Hath No Fury - Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II & Hellbound: Hellraiser II
In this episode, curated by Micah, we're celebrating badass female villains with Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II and Hellbound: Hellraiser II! Sources: Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II (1987) " High School Retrospective: A Look Back at Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II " by Phil Castor, Blumhouse " Interview: Director Bruce Pittman on Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II (1987) , TV Store Online Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988) Commentary with Tony Randel, Ashley Laurence, and Peter Atkins...
Feb 24, 2022•3 hr 50 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Episode 180: Your Friend Til The End - Child's Play (1988) & Child's Play 2
We just wanna play because we're your friends 'til the end! We watched the original Child's Play and Child's Play 2! Sources: Child's Play (1988) Commentary with Alex Vincent, Catherine Hicks, and Kevin Yaegher Commentary with David Kirschner and Don Mancini " Your Friend 'Til the End: An Oral History of Child's Play " by Jake Rossen, Mental Floss Child's Play 2 (1990) " Six Things You Didn't Know About the Child's Play Franchise " by Lindsay Case, AMC...
Feb 17, 2022•3 hr 54 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Episode 181: Let the Women Do the Work - The Slumber Party Massacre (1982) & Jennifer's Body
In honor of Women in Horror Month, we watched two movies that were written and directed by women and feature female main characters that subvert the tropes used in the genre - The Slumber Party Massacre and Jennifer's Body! Sources: The Slumber Party Massacre (1982) Commentary with Amy Holden Jones, Debra Deliso, and Michael Villella Jennifer's Body (2009) Commentary with Karyn Kusama and Diablo Cody " How Jennifer's Body went from a flop in 2009 to a feminist cult classic today " by Constance G...
Feb 10, 2022•2 hr 29 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Episode 179: Mama, I Can Move Things - Carrie (1976) & Chronicle
We're testing our powers with Brian De Palma's Carrie and Chronicle! Sources: Carrie (1976) On Writing by Stephen King, pgs. 72-87 " 10 Behind-the-Scenes Facts About the Making of Carrie (1976) " by Jake Dee, ScreenRant " Carrie Turns 40: Secrets Behind the Iconic Horror Film " by Nicole Pelletiere, ABC News Chronicle (2012) " Eight Women Accuse Hollywood Filmmaker Max Landis of Emotional and Sexual Abuse: 'We're Not People to Him '" by Amy Zimmerman, The Daily Beast " Josh Trank Banned Max Land...
Jan 13, 2022•3 hr 47 min•Season 6Ep. 2
Episode 178: State of the Podcast 2021
We're looking back at the fifth year of the podcast and looking ahead to what's next for Test Pattern! Episode Image by Truck Torrance
Jan 06, 2022•2 hr 44 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Episode 177: Bright Light! Bright Light! - Gremlins
Merry Christmas! We're discussing the dark holiday novel Gremlins and its more lighthearted film adaptation! ;) Gremlins by George Gipe (1984) " Gremlins Week: The 10 Maddest Excerpts From the Novelisation " by Nick De Semleyn, Empire " George Gipe is Dead at 53; A Film and Television Writer ", The New York Times Gremlins (1984) Production commentary with Joe Dante, Michael Finnell, and Chris Walas Director/Cast commentary with Joe Dante, Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Dick Miller, and Howie Mande...
Dec 23, 2021•2 hr 3 min•Season 5Ep. 26
Episode 176: Better Not Pout - The Children (2008) & Better Watch Out
We know some kids who are definitely getting coal in their stockings! We watched The Children (2008) and Better Watch Out! Sources: The Children (2008) " Tom Shankland Talks the Children " by Heather Wixson, Dread Central Better Watch Out (2016) " Fantasia 2017 Interview: Director Chris Peckover Talks Better Watch Out " by Michele Galgana, Screen Anarchy...
Dec 09, 2021•3 hr 31 min•Season 5Ep. 25
Episode 175: Nick or Treat!
Hey there, Halloweenies! It's time to gather round the big orange couch and tell five tales of frights - all from 90s Nickelodeon shows! "The Ghost Story" from "Salute Your Shorts" (1991) "Haunted House" from "Ren & Stimpy" (1992) "The Tale of the Twisted Claw" from "Are You Afraid of the Dark" (1992) "Halloweenie" from "The Adventures of Pete and Pete" (1994) "Sugar Frosted Frights" from "Rocko's Modern Life" (1995)...
Oct 28, 2021•2 hr 5 min•Season 5Ep. 24
Episode 174: Carnivorous Lunar Activities - An American Werewolf in London & The Howling
We're so excited we're howling at the moon because we watched An American Werewolf in London and The Howling! Sources: An American Werewolf in London (1981) Beware the Moon , documentary "I Walked with a Werewolf", featurette "Making An American Werewolf in London ", featurette "An Interview with John Landis", featurette "Makeup Artist Rick Baker on An American Werewolf in London ", featurette The Howling (1981) " Unleashing the Beast: The Making of The Howling ", documentary...
Oct 21, 2021•4 hr 30 min•Season 5Ep. 23
Episode 173: All Safe and Dead - The Haunting of Julia & The Others
In our latest episode, we're sensing the ghostly presence of a child. We watched The Haunting of Julia and The Others! Sources: The Haunting of Julia (1977) " An Interview with Colin Towns " by Kier-La Janisse, Spectacular Optical Strong Language & Violent Scenes Podcast - Episode 123: The Haunting of Julia (with Sam Zimmerman) The Others (2001) " The Others at 20: The Haunted House Movie that Reinvigorated the Genre " by Scott Tobias, The Guardian "A Look Inside The Others", featurette "An Inti...
Oct 14, 2021•3 hr 18 min•Season 5Ep. 22