Be sure to stock up on silver bullets and wooden stakes before joining “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” on a journey across Europe, searching for the notes of Henry Frankenstein with Dracula, the Wolf Man and the Frankenstein monster! They discuss the project House of Frankenstein almost was, the absolutely star-studded cast it would’ve had, the discovery and subsequent success of Glenn Strange as a horror icon, the messy, nonsensical script and how that doesn’t matter, and how House of Fr...
Jul 29, 2022•1 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Grab those tana leaves because we’re heading back to Mapleton, Massachusetts, which is once again under siege by the evil mummy, Kharis! Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they discuss the strange continuity across the Mummy films, heroic dogs, the new neighborhood watch, the evolution of Jack Pierce’s mummy makeup, and why The Mummy’s Ghost might be a good introduction for someone who has never seen a Mummy film! If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out our...
Jun 24, 2022•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Look out! A lunatic with the power of invisibility is on the loose, but “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” are hot on his trail! Join them as they discuss Jon Hall’s return to the franchise, John Carradine’s underrated performance as Dr. Drury, John P. Fulton’s ever-improving special effects, a screenplay that seems curiously underdeveloped, and whether or not the use of broad comedy undercuts the horror in The Invisible Man’s Revenge! If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show,...
May 27, 2022•1 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Join “The Invisible Dan” Colón and “Monster Mike” Manzi as they head down to the bayous of Louisiana for some Southern Gothic vampire action in 1943’s Son of Dracula! They discuss Lon Chaney Jr.’s divisive performance as the nefarious Count Alucard, Robert Siodmak’s directorial debut with Universal, new vampire abilities, and why the film remains an interesting take on the classic Dracula formula despite a flawed screenplay. If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out our ...
Apr 29, 2022•1 hr 41 min•Season 1Ep. 19
It’s time to dust off the old tuxedo and warm up those vocal chords because “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” are heading back to the Paris Opera House to discuss Universal’s Technicolor musical remake of Phantom of the Opera! Join them as they dive into Claude Rains’ turn behind the mask, the various scripts and plot points that were left on the cutting room floor, early color film processing, and why this Phantom still has a lot to offer, despite being more of a musical romantic comedy th...
Mar 25, 2022•1 hr 52 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Prepare for the “Fight of the Titans” as Frankenstein’s monster and the Wolf Man collide in Universal’s first monster rally! Listen as “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” discuss the first shared universe from a major Hollywood studio, Bela Lugosi finally getting his turn in the Frankenstein makeup, Lon Chaney Jr. delivering his best performance as Lawrence Talbot, and why 1943’s Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man is essential for monster fans despite its myriad flaws. If you enjoy this episode,...
Feb 25, 2022•1 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Remember when our old pals Steve and Babe discovered the tomb of the Egyptian Princess Ananka and, in doing so, unleashed the fury of the mummy, Kharis? Well, the high priests of Karnak sure as hell haven’t forgotten, and they’re back with a vengeance! Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they discuss 1942’s The Mummy’s Tomb, its arbitrary jump 30 years into the future, Lon Chaney Jr. as the new Kharis, Universal’s strategy of throwing everything at the wall, and why, despite that, thi...
Jan 28, 2022•1 hr 42 min•Season 1Ep. 16
The world is at war, the Axis powers are planning a surprise attack on New York City and it’ll take a monster of our own to save us! Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they discuss Hollywood’s post-Pearl Harbor uptick in US propaganda, why Peter Lorre is one of the silver screen’s all-time great bad guys, John P. Fulton’s Academy Award-nominated special effects, and why Quentin Tarantino may have drawn from Invisible Agent when crafting his own alternate universe WWII epic! If you en...
Dec 31, 2021•1 hr 49 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Hold on to your hats because The Ghost of Frankenstein is absolutely out of its mind! Join “The Invisible Dan” Colón and “Monster Mike” Manzi as they discuss Universal’s “search” for a new Frankenstein monster, the efficiency of Scott Darling’s screenplay, the Wolf Man reunion, the flashback, the film’s titular ghost, Bela Lugosi’s last truly great performance, and why The Curse of Frankenstein is a WAY better title. If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out our Patreon!
Nov 26, 2021•1 hr 49 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Grab a gun and some silver bullets (or a silver knife, or a stick with a silver handle) because its time for Universal’s second foray into the world of lycanthropy! Join “The Invisible Dan” Colón and “Monster Mike” Manzi as they celebrate the 80th anniversary of The Wolf Man! They discuss the long road to stardom for Universal’s ultimate sad boy, Lon Chaney Jr.; Curt Siodmak’s genre-defining script; Robert F. Boyle’s stunning art direction, the difference between a werewolf and a wolf man (if th...
Oct 29, 2021•2 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Watch out for those banana peels because this time, Universal’s putting the scares on hold in favor of a all out farce! Join “The Invisible Dan Colon and “Monster Mike” Manzi as they discuss 1940’s The Invisible Woman, its incredible cast and the always impressive effects work of John P. Fulton (which earned him yet another Academy Award nomination), as well as Universal’s questionable decision to shift even further from horror with a full blown, laugh-a-minute invisible comedy that has absolute...
Sep 24, 2021•1 hr 40 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Imhotep is dead, and the age of Kharis is upon us! Brew yourself some tana tea (no more than three leaves!) and join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they once again trek through the sands of Egypt in search of an ancient tomb. They discuss Universal’s new streamlined production style, including tons of repurposed footage and music, Jack Pierce’s more efficient (but still very effective) makeup techniques, and why The Mummy’s Hand is basically a dry run for the Abbott & Costello adv...
Aug 27, 2021•1 hr 44 min•Season 1Ep. 11
It’s a race against time as Sir Geoffrey Radcliffe, wrongfully convicted of his brother’s murder, turns himself invisible to escape the noose, and hunt down his brother’s killer before the invisibility serum drives him raving mad! Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they discuss 1940’s The Invisible Man Returns, starring horror icon Vincent Price in his first horror role! They discuss the incredible advancements in John P. Fulton’s special effects, Universal horror’s shift to film noi...
Jul 30, 2021•1 hr 52 min•Season 1Ep. 10
The sins of the father come back to haunt us as we follow Baron Wolf von Frankenstein, son of Henry Frankenstein, back to the old family home to claim his inheritance, which ends up being a lot more than he ever could have expected. Listen as "The Invisible Dan" and "Monster Mike" chat about some old school Hollywood censorship, Bela Lugosi's incredible character work as Ygor, Boris Karloff's final performance as the monster, and why Son of Frankenstein still holds up as one of the truly great e...
Jun 25, 2021•2 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 9
What do you do when your dad is the ultimate blood-sucker? That's exactly what "The Invisible Dan" and "Monster Mike" are discussing as they head back to Carfax Abbey mere seconds after Professor Van Helsing drove a stake through the heart of Count Dracula! Join them as they discuss the very different (and kinky) movie Dracula's Daughter almost was (and still kind of is?), why Countess Zaleska is one of the most underrated monsters in the Universal canon, and more! If you enjoy this episode, and...
May 28, 2021•1 hr 47 min•Season 1Ep. 8
We hope you're howling for a good time because in this episode, "The Invisible Dan" and "Monster Mike" are scouring the rocky mountains of Tibet and the foggy streets of London, hunting werewolves! Join them as they discuss the first feature length werewolf movie ever made, its undeniable impact on future horror films, the unique choice to tie lycanthropy to the world of plants, and how its incredible transformation sequence (another Jack Pierce/John P. Fulton effort) makes it essential viewing ...
Apr 30, 2021•1 hr 47 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Grab your torches and pitchforks because in this episode, "The Invisible Dan" and "Monster Mike" are heading back to the world of Frankenstein to discuss the first sequel in Universal's Classic Monsters series! This time, the monster demands a mate! Find yourself a friend, and listen as they discuss James Whale's reluctance to return to Frankenstein, the colorful new cast of characters, Jack Pierce's evolving makeup designs, and why this weird film (that's almost a parody of the genre) continues...
Mar 26, 2021•1 hr 55 min•Season 1Ep. 6
What's all this? Strange things are afoot in the small English town of Iping, but "The Invisible Dan" and "Monster Mike" are on the case! Join them as they discuss their mutual favorite of the Universal monsters, what makes The Invisible Man a quintessential James Whale film, John P. Fulton's breathtaking special effects (that STILL hold up almost 90 years later), Claude Rains' iconic scenery-chewing performance, and more! If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out our Pa...
Feb 26, 2021•1 hr 55 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Join "The Invisible Dan" Colón and "Monster Mike" Manzi as they get wrapped up in a love story 3,700 years in the making! They discuss cinematographer Karl Fruend's directorial debut, Jack Pierce's iconic mummy makeup (as well as the 8 hours it took to apply it to Boris Karloff!), its unmistakable similarities to a previous Universal monster film, and why this original Mummy film might be the best ever made! But whatever you do, do NOT read the ancient scrolls! If you enjoy this episode, and wan...
Jan 29, 2021•1 hr 46 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Prepare yourselves for one of the strangest tales ever told! In this electrifying episode of The Monsters That Made Us, "The Invisible Dan" Colón and "Monster Mike" Manzi head deep into the Bavarian Alps where a mad scientists seeks to conquer the mysteries of life and death! Join them as they discuss Boris Karloff's brilliant performance, Jack Pierce's iconic make-up, the flawless German Expressionist production design & more in James Whale's classic 1931 production of Frankenstein! If you ...
Dec 25, 2020•1 hr 46 min•Season 1Ep. 3
We hope you have a crucifix and some wolfsbane handy because in this episode, we're heading to London to hunt vampires! Join “The Invisible Dan” Colón and "Monster Mike" Manzi as they sink their teeth into Tod Browning's 1931 adaptation of Dracula! They dive into the evolution of Dracula, from Bram Stoker's original novel to the Broadway play to Carl Laemmle Jr.'s iconic Universal production, and discuss why Bela Lugosi remains the definitive Dracula over 90 years later. If you enjoy this episod...
Nov 27, 2020•1 hr 53 min•Season 1Ep. 2
It’s time to don your mask and join “The Invisible Dan” Colon and “Monster Mike” Manzi for a night at the opera as they kick off The Monsters That Made Us with the first entry in the Universal Studios Classic Monster series! They get into the all of The Phantom of the Opera‘s many production troubles, the brilliant set designs and cinematography, Lon Chaney’s masterful makeup, and much, much more! If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out our Patreon!
Oct 30, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Welcome to The Monsters That Made Us! Join “The Invisible” Dan Colón and “Monster” Mike Manzi as they celebrate all of the SPOOKTACULAR characters and films in the classic Universal Studios monster series.
Oct 02, 2020•19 min
