The Ghostly Gallery Podcast
The Ghostly Gallery Podcast
bmarkusen
Welcome to The Ghostly Gallery Podcast, your destination for horror, mystery, and cinematic suspense. Hosts Bruce Markusen and Tracy Asteria dive into the dark corners of film, television, literature, and popular culture, exploring what makes stories haunting, thrilling, and unforgettable.From classic horror icons to modern cult favorites, paranormal tales, and the psychological thrills that keep audiences on edge, we bring expert insights, interviews with filmmakers and scholars, and thoughtful analysis of the world’s most chilling stories.Whether you’re a lifelong fan of horror or just curious about the art of fear, join us each week for spine-tingling discussions, deep dives, and a celebration of the macabre.Subscribe and step inside The Ghostly Gallery, where horror, mystery, and cinema come alive!
Sam Irvin Interview | A Journey in Film, Brian De Palma, and Behind the Scenes Stories
In this episode of The Ghostly Gallery Podcast, we welcome back filmmaker, producer, author, and historian Sam Irvin. Sam has had an incredible career in Hollywood, from directing cult favorites like Elvira’s Haunted Hills to working closely with legendary director Brian De Palma on films like The Fury and Dressed to Kill. We dive into his new book, Confessions of a Brian De Palma Protégé: How I Shadowed the Director on The Fury, Dressed to Kill, and More, and the experiences that shaped his journey in film. Sam shares stories about starting in the industry, learning from De Palma, meeting iconic actors, and what it was really like being on set during unforgettable productions. We also explore his lifelong connection to Frankenstein, including seeing Guillermo del Toro’s new film, along with his recent convention appearances like Pensacon and Darkfest, where he connected with fans and fellow legends. If you enjoy behind the scenes Hollywood stories, filmmaking journeys, and conversations with passionate creators, this episode is for you. Episode 129 Subscribe to The Ghostly Gallery Podcast for more classic horror movie reviews, discussions, and interviews every week! Sam Irvin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sirvinprod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sam_irvin_director/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sam-Irvin/author/B003O8980S?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1743985996&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=5519b377-bddf-4c45-b8d3-69e5fce13fd6 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006787/ The Ghostly Gallery Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGhostlyGalleryPodcast Audio Podcast Available: Podbean: https://bmarkusen.podbean.com/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ghostly-gallery-podcast/id1824273985 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5PWrc4PJ6NUt2BZtcVFSy9?si=6481b6be011c4393 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GhostlyGallery X: https://twitter.com/markusen_s IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt34553033/ Email: [email protected]
Mar 5
1 hr 22 min
William Crain’s Untold Legacy | Vampires & Horror History with Brian Forrest “Toothpickings”
In this episode of The Ghostly Gallery Podcast, we welcome back vampire scholar Brian Forrest, also known as Toothpickings, for an insightful conversation about vampire culture, horror history, and the legacy of director William Crain. Brian shares his personal memories of Crain, the groundbreaking filmmaker behind the 1972 cult classic Blacula, and reflects on the challenges he faced breaking into Hollywood as a Black director during a pivotal era in genre cinema. We also explore Crain’s lesser-known film Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde, discuss the challenges surrounding its preservation and availability today, and consider what his lasting legacy should be within horror history. Beyond film discussion, Brian talks about his work in vampire scholarship, his recognition from the Children of the Night International Dracula Congress, and why vampire stories continue to captivate audiences after decades of evolution in popular culture. We also touch on the upcoming Academy Awards and the highly nominated film Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler. Episode 128 Subscribe to The Ghostly Gallery Podcast for more classic horror movie reviews, discussions, and interviews every week! Brian “Toothpickings” Forrest Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/toothpickings.blog YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@toothpickings9218 William Crain Documentary Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_EqxPQRu1U The Ghostly Gallery Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGhostlyGalleryPodcast Audio Podcast Available: Podbean: https://bmarkusen.podbean.com/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ghostly-gallery-podcast/id1824273985 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5PWrc4PJ6NUt2BZtcVFSy9?si=6481b6be011c4393 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GhostlyGallery X: https://twitter.com/markusen_s IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt34553033/ Email: [email protected]
Feb 26
57 min
Dracula 2026 and The Hitcher 1986 | Gothic Darkness and Highway Terror
In this episode of The Ghostly Gallery Podcast, we take on two very different sides of horror with Dracula from 2026 and the 1986 thriller The Hitcher. We begin with a fresh take on the Dracula legend, diving into Vlad’s tragic origin story, the emotional weight behind his transformation, and the performances that bring this darker version of the character to life. We talk about the gothic atmosphere and whether this new interpretation earns its place among other Dracula adaptations. Then we hit the highway with The Hitcher, revisiting the tense, unsettling cat-and-mouse game between Jim Halsey and the mysterious John Ryder. We break down the psychological intensity, the escalating danger, and why Rutger Hauer’s performance still stands out decades later. From shadowy castles to deserted roads, this episode explores two stories built on obsession, pursuit, and survival. Join us for another deep dive into horror, old and new. Episode 127 Subscribe to The Ghostly Gallery Podcast for more classic horror movie reviews, discussions, and interviews every week! The Ghostly Gallery Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGhostlyGalleryPodcast Audio Podcast Available: Podbean: https://bmarkusen.podbean.com/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ghostly-gallery-podcast/id1824273985 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5PWrc4PJ6NUt2BZtcVFSy9?si=6481b6be011c4393 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GhostlyGallery X: https://twitter.com/markusen_s IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt34553033/ Email: [email protected]
Feb 19
1 hr 15 min
My Bloody Valentine 1981 and Heart Eyes 2025 Review | Valentine Horror
Valentine’s Day gets a dark twist in this horror-themed episode of The Ghostly Gallery Podcast. Bruce and Tracy look at two slasher films from very different eras: the cult classic My Bloody Valentine from 1981 and the modern horror comedy slasher Heart Eyes from 2025. They talk about the stories, characters, setting, kills, and overall tone, with the moments that stood out and the parts that didn’t quite land. You’ll hear what surprised them, what felt dated or predictable, and which film works best depending on your horror taste. If you’re picking your next seasonal scare or just want a fun horror movie conversation, this is a great one to queue up! Episode 126 Subscribe to The Ghostly Gallery Podcast for more classic horror movie reviews, discussions, and interviews every week! The Ghostly Gallery Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGhostlyGalleryPodcast Audio Podcast Available: Podbean: https://bmarkusen.podbean.com/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ghostly-gallery-podcast/id1824273985 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5PWrc4PJ6NUt2BZtcVFSy9?si=6481b6be011c4393 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GhostlyGallery X: https://twitter.com/markusen_s IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt34553033/ Email: [email protected]
Feb 12
1 hr 2 min
Exploring Maritime Folklore with It Came From The Maritimes
The Ghostly Gallery Podcast Episode 125 – Exploring Maritime Folklore with It Came From The Maritimes Tonight, we are opening the door to the darker side of the Maritimes. This is a place where fog hangs over the coastline, the forests feel a little too quiet, and the past never really lets go. In this episode of The Ghostly Gallery Podcast, we are joined by Evan Carr Kinnear and Chelsea Carr Kinnear, the creators of It Came From The Maritimes, a show devoted to the folklore, mysteries, and paranormal history of Atlantic Canada. We talk about how their podcast began, what inspired them to focus on Maritime legends, and whether they feel a responsibility to preserve these stories before they fade away. Along the way, we explore some of the region’s most chilling tales, including the Cape Breton Hairy Man, Catherine McIntosh’s Grave, the Lunenburg Werewolf, the Vampire of Ingonish, the Curse of the Mary Celeste, Dagger Woods, and the mysterious Forerunners. They do not just tell these stories. They keep them alive. Episode 125 Subscribe to The Ghostly Gallery Podcast for more classic horror movie reviews, discussions, and interviews every week! It Came From The Maritimes YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ItCameFromTheMaritimes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/it-came-from-the-maritimes/id1737676857 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/itcamefromthemaritimes/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/itcamefromthemaritimes Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itcamefromthemaritimes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itcamefromthemaritimes BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/icftmaritimespod.bsky.social Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ItCameFromTheMaritimesPodcast The Ghostly Gallery Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGhostlyGalleryPodcast Audio Podcast Available: Podbean: https://bmarkusen.podbean.com/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ghostly-gallery-podcast/id1824273985 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5PWrc4PJ6NUt2BZtcVFSy9?si=6481b6be011c4393 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GhostlyGallery X: https://twitter.com/markusen_s IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt34553033/ Email: [email protected]
Feb 5
1 hr 12 min
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple & Primate (2026) – Survival Turns Savage
This week on The Ghostly Gallery Podcast, we start the show by discussing the latest Oscar nominations in the horror genre, including Sinners, which leads the pack with a record 16 nominations. We then dive into two intense new horror films from January 2026. First, we review Primate, a creature feature directed by Johannes Roberts. Set in a remote home in Hawaii, the film follows Lucy and her friends as they face a terrifying threat when a chimpanzee named Ben begins acting violently. We talk about the film’s shocking opening, the emotional setup, the use of practical effects, and whether the straightforward survival horror approach works. Next, we move on to The Bone Temple, the fourth film in the 28 Years Later series, directed by Nia DaCosta. The story continues directly from the previous film and follows Spike as he becomes trapped in a dangerous cult led by the unstable Jimmy Crystal. The film stars Jack O’Connell, Ralph Fiennes, Alfie Williams, and features a surprise appearance by Cillian Murphy. We discuss the disturbing storyline, the possibility that the infected may be curable, the unforgettable Bone Temple setting, and the standout performances. If you love creature features, zombie films, and survival horror, this episode is for you! Episode 124 Subscribe to The Ghostly Gallery Podcast for more classic horror movie reviews, discussions, and interviews every week! The Ghostly Gallery Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGhostlyGalleryPodcast Podbean: https://bmarkusen.podbean.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GhostlyGallery X: https://twitter.com/markusen_s IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt34553033/ Email: [email protected]
Jan 29
1 hr 1 min
Ellen Adair on The Housemaid, Horror Films, and Their Creative Journey
This week on the Ghostly Gallery Podcast, we are joined by actor, writer, and podcaster Ellen Adair. With more than 40 credits in film and television, Ellen has appeared in horror films such as Trick, Herd, and Cryptid. Ellen also had a recurring role on season two of The Sinner and appears in the current hit thriller The Housemaid. In this episode, Ellen talks about growing up without television and how they first became interested in acting. They share the people who encouraged and inspired them early on, and reflect on seeing The Housemaid for the first time as a finished film. We also discuss working in the horror genre, what Ellen has discovered creatively through writing, the upcoming screenplay Damned If You Do, and the podcast Take Me In to the Ballgame, co-hosted with Eric Gilde. It is a thoughtful and engaging conversation about creativity, inspiration, and the personal journey behind the work. Episode 123 Subscribe to The Ghostly Gallery Podcast for more classic horror movie reviews, discussions, and interviews every week! Ellen Adair: Website: https://www.ellenadair.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/ellenadairg Podcast - Take Me In To The Ballgame Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/take-me-in-to-the-ballgame/id1727260674 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kIbTLJpMJ8H6KHeZHaknV The Ghostly Gallery Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGhostlyGalleryPodcast Podbean: https://bmarkusen.podbean.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GhostlyGallery X: https://twitter.com/markusen_s IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt34553033/ Email: [email protected]
Jan 22
1 hr 7 min
Creature Features: The Best Werewolf Movies
In this episode of The Ghostly Gallery Podcast, we continue our Creature Features series with a look at one of horror’s most enduring and tragic monsters, the werewolf. Bruce Markusen and Tracy Asteria explore how werewolves have evolved in film, beginning with early silent-era appearances and moving through classic Universal horror, Hammer Films, and modern cult favorites. Along the way, they discuss how folklore, atmosphere, makeup effects, and performance helped shape the cinematic werewolf. Films covered include Werewolf of London, The Wolf Man, Curse of the Werewolf, The Howling, An American Werewolf in London, Silver Bullet, Ginger Snaps, and Dog Soldiers. The conversation highlights standout performances, practical effects, shifting mythology, and the emotional themes that make werewolf stories resonate across generations. If you enjoy monster movies, classic and modern horror, or thoughtful discussions about creature-driven films, this episode is a perfect fit. Episode 122 Subscribe to The Ghostly Gallery Podcast for more classic horror movie reviews, discussions, and interviews every week! The Ghostly Gallery Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGhostlyGalleryPodcast Podbean: https://bmarkusen.podbean.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GhostlyGallery X: https://twitter.com/markusen_s IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt34553033/ Email: [email protected]
Jan 15
1 hr 21 min
Underrated 2025 Horror Films: Bring Her Back & Keeper
On this week’s episode of The Ghostly Gallery Podcast, we talk about two horror films from 2025 that were quietly released but left a strong impression. While big titles like Sinners and Weapons dominated the conversation, Bring Her Back and Keeper deserve a closer look. We start with Bring Her Back, an Australian supernatural folk horror film from the directors of Talk To Me, Danny and Michael Philippou. The story follows two siblings placed into foster care after a traumatic loss, only to discover that their new home is shaped by grief, obsession, and dark occult practices. We discuss the disturbing atmosphere, the unsettling character of Ollie, and the way the film uses emotional trauma to drive its horror. We then move on to Keeper, directed by Osgood Perkins and starring Tatiana Maslany and Rossif Sutherland. What begins as a quiet anniversary getaway slowly turns into something far more disturbing. The film leans into slow tension, isolation, and ritual rather than jump scares. We talk about its eerie tone, divided audience reactions, and why it stands out from more conventional horror films. Both films explore grief, control, and the danger of crossing lines that should never be crossed. If you enjoy slow-burning horror, folk horror, and psychological tension, this episode is for you. Episode 121 Subscribe to The Ghostly Gallery Podcast for more classic horror movie reviews, discussions, and interviews every week! The Ghostly Gallery Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGhostlyGalleryPodcast Podbean: https://bmarkusen.podbean.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GhostlyGallery X: https://twitter.com/markusen_s IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt34553033/ Email: [email protected]
Jan 8
1 hr
The Best Horror Films: 2025 Edition
This week on The Ghostly Gallery Podcast, Bruce Markusen and Tracy Asteria welcome back horror historian and composer Kirk Hazen to count down his Top 5 Horror Films of 2025. Kirk breaks down the top horror movies of 2025, ranking the year’s most talked-about and critically discussed films, including The Monkey, 28 Years Later, Companion, Sinners, and his number one pick, Weapons. From unsettling slow burns to intense, thought-provoking horror, we explore what made these films stand out, which performances left the biggest impact, and why 2025 has been such a strong year for horror fans. And stay tuned after Kirk’s list, Bruce and Tracy reveal their own Top 3 Horror Films of 2025, sharing their personal favorites and celebrating the stories that made this year so memorable. If you love smart, atmospheric, and unforgettable horror, this episode is for you. Episode 120 Subscribe to The Ghostly Gallery Podcast for more classic horror movie reviews, discussions, and interviews every week! The Ghostly Gallery Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGhostlyGalleryPodcast Podbean: https://bmarkusen.podbean.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GhostlyGallery X: https://twitter.com/markusen_s IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt34553033/ Email: [email protected]
Jan 1
1 hr 26 min
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