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Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Once Upon A VHS
On a queer and neverending quest through the fantasy films of the 80s & 90s, and all the memories and feelings they conjure up. From animated adventures and sword and sorcery epics to magical romcoms and fairytale horror, we will journey through the big blockbusters and cult classics.https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhsJoin our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy<
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- Today1h 3m
Mannequin (1987)
"Oh my God, he's in love with a... dummy!"Kicking off our new Romantasy season, it's time for the diva dummy herself: Mannequin!The scat stylings of Liverpool's answer to Cleopatra Kim Cattrall, the glorious gayness of Meshach Taylor's turn as Hollywood Montrose, the dawn of market research, department store delirium, Brat Pack credentials, a pink Cadillac, hang glider ridiculousness, an extended fancy dress montage and a massive organ await.We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.Is anything going to stop us now? Listen and find out!Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhsJoin our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Jun 23, 20263h 17m
Labyrinth (1986) - Special Edition
"Dance, magic dance!"To celebrate the 40 year anniversary of Labyrinth, here's our epic new standalone episode revisiting this truly iconic 80s dark fantasy musical masterpiece from Muppet maestro Jim Henson, starring Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie.We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and conjure up personal memories of the film and its impact.Responding to guest contributions from listeners and friends of the pod as well as snippets of our previous review back on the first season, it's time to reconsider our rating and discover the reasons why this film continues to cast a captivating spell over generation after generation.Thank you so much to all our guest contributors on this special episode: Raisah, Pete, Scott, Alice, Liam, Lena, Byron, Courtney, Connor, Kate, Rachel and Rob.Who are the Venerable Beadles? Have we changed our mind about Sir Didymus? What babe? What power? Who do? Do what? Why are Shirley Temple and Cary Grant here? Listen and find out!Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhsJoin our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Jun 4, 20261h 46m
Snack Pack - Season Finale and Mailbag
We wrap up our Size Matters season by bursting open a bag full of listener questions, reflections on the movies we've covered and three brand-spanking-new mini-reviews of The Elm-Chanted Forest (1986), The Indian in the Cupboard (1995) and The Return of the King (1980) as well as our thoughts on mystical British comedy-drama TV series Small Prophets (2026). Lots of delicious little snacks to share!Thematic resonance, homunculi, Monster In My Pocket, the origins of our rating system, Australasian kids' TV, Serendipity the Pink Dragon/Dinosaur, some favourite non-fantasy films, the Ernest series, the fairies from Sleeping Beauty, remake potential and more Buffy the Vampire Slayer references await.What's the theme of our next season, coming later this summer? Listen and find out!Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- May 21, 20261h 31m
FairyTale: A True Story (1997) with Michael Valvo
"Masters of illusion never reveal their secrets."The scandalous story of the Cottingley Fairies hoax that captivated Britain in the early 20th century is magically transformed into a prestige fantasy drama - one of two major motion pictures adapting these events. We chat with the delightful actor and memorabilia collector Michael Valvo about this hidden gem.Skydancers, spiritualism, Harvey Keitel as Harry Houdini with a noticeable prosthetic nose, Radical Faeries, Doctor Who connections, high end production design, grief and growing up await.We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.Are there fairies at the bottom of the garden, or are we faking it in the campest way possible with hat pins and Princess Mary's Gift Book? Listen and find out!Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhsJoin our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- May 14, 20261h 7m
Dolls (1987) with Bright Light Bright Light
"The girl was right. The little people, they're f***ing dolls!"We're thrilled to be joined by pop legend Bright Light Bright Light to discuss a favourite cult classic midnight movie directed by Stuart Gordon - the whimsical horror comedy dark fairytale Dolls!That iconic poster image, Charles Band going from Empire Pictures to Full Moon Features, a BOYTOY belt, filming back-to-back with the absolutely wild From Beyond, Hilary's soup recipe, the evil toys of Barbarella, gruesome gore, Madonna cosplay, being a hairdresser having to cut mouldy dollies' hair on It's A Small World, a descendant of Pocahontas, the Sean Astin timeline, Puppet Master facial inspiration, Camden Market girls, a giant killer teddy bear, the joy of vinyl and Kim Cattrall not wanting to be in a situation for even an hour where she's not enjoying herself await.We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.Which cast member also features in a truly iconic music video? Listen and find out!Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhsJoin our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- May 7, 20261h 13m
The BFG (1989) with Dr Liam Casey
"Whizzpop, whizzbang, feel the bubbles go down!"Our friend, clinical psychologist and mental health researcher Dr Liam Casey joins us to discuss this animated Roald Dahl adaptation, originally made for UK TV by Cosgrove Hall productions.A song about farting, The Delicious Miss (Sophie) Dahl, World Book Day, the 2016 Spielberg film being dragged through the mud, Mrs. Slocombe's you-know-what, grandpa feelings, making Frobscottle with a Berocca, Liam's library of dreams, the Kate Bush Fruitopia commercials, retro British children's TV including Rainbow and The Dreamstone, a terrifying monstrous giant rising from the sea, I Don't Know How To Love Him from Jesus Christ Superstar, and the concept of replacing Queen Elizabeth II with Kylie Minogue await.We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.What do human beans from Sweden taste like? Sweden sour! Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhsJoin our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Apr 30, 20261h 8m
Harry and the Hendersons (1987) with Antonio Palacios
"No, no, no Bigfoot here, Sergeant. I was just joking."Joining us on the trail of a very special sasquatch is a connoisseur of cult movies, Antonio Palacios from The Cultworthy Cinema Podcast and Back 2 The Balcony. It's time for a family comedy that became a real VHS staple - initially known in the UK as "Bigfoot and the Hendersons"!Rick Baker providing stunning makeup effects and having beef with Spielberg, a surprising connection to The Monkees, cryptid chat including Sam the Sandown Clown, and a wood-panelled station wagon await.We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.Is this our most "dad stuff" episode so far? Listen and find out!Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhsJoin our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Apr 23, 202654 min
Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night (1987)
"Only you can choose your fate."In the second part of our double bill of peculiar Pinocchio movies, we revisit one of Callum's childhood favourites - Filmation's ill-fated cartoon pseudo-sequel which provoked the wrath of Disney - fitting for a film that flits between saccharine sweetness and a dark carnival of deeply disturbing imagery.Surreal animation, an absolutely wild voice cast including James Earl Jones, Rickie Lee Jones, Ed Asner, Tom Bosley, Don Knotts and Scott Grimes, the respective puppet provenance of Twinkle and Puppetino, glittering green grog at the Neon Cabaret, the Blue Fairy aka Fairy Godmother giving us a zooted musical number then skedaddling, the cosmic horror of a great big eldritch villain, L'Oreal putting the kibosh on the spinoff TV series nobody wanted, a raccoon with a breastplate and a problematic monkey await.We share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch.What do we make of Gee Whillickers and Grumblebee? Listen and find out!Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhsJoin our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
About Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy
On a queer and neverending quest through the fantasy films of the 80s & 90s, and all the memories and feelings they conjure up. From animated adventures and sword and sorcery epics to magical romcoms and fairytale horror, we will journey through the big blockbusters and cult classics.https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhsJoin our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy<
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