Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, Chucky, Leatherface, Pinhead. Those are some of the most iconic horror movie villains of all time. Film historian and horror movie fan Christopher P. Garetano joined Richard Syrett (Twitter) on Saturday's program to discuss some the greatest scary movies of all time and interesting backstories behind the making of these horror classics.
Garetano talked about his book (soon to be a motion picture), "South Texas Blues," which recounts the making of one of the most terrifying movies of all time, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. He explained his work interpreting the conversations and dynamics between director Toby Hooper and the cast and crew during the making of the movie. Garetano revealed he imagined how Hooper might reflect on his experiences years after the film's creation, and highlighted that while "South Texas Blues" is rooted in factual events and extensive research, it also incorporates elements of fantasy to capture the immense pressure Hooper faced while creating the horror classic.
Garetano delved into the harrowing experiences on the set of Massacre, describing incidents where actors, makeup artists, and the entire crew were subjected to discomfort and danger. These experiences included shooting in scorching temperatures, the use of formaldehyde to preserve decaying props, and actors running through thorn-infested terrain. "Safety wasn't first on this set... they had to bring [Marilyn Burns] to a doctor to surgically remove mesquite thorns out of her leg," he revealed. According to Garetano, the chaos and challenges on set are what ultimately imbued the film with a palpable and raw intensity.
The conversation shifted next to The Thing and its transformative impact on the horror genre. Garetano reported on the film's reception, explaining how it was initially panned but later recognized as a classic. He praised the special effects artist, Rob Bottin, for his groundbreaking work in creating innovative and terrifying effects for the movie. "What a brilliant special effects artist... these are some of the greatest special effects makeup creations in movie history," he said.
Garetano touched on other remakes in the horror genre and emphasizes the challenges and risks faced by filmmakers striving to push the boundaries of storytelling and special effects while preserving the essence of the original work. He also spoke about other classics in the horror genre, including The Exorcist and Return of the Living Dead.
------------------------------------------------
In the latter half of the show, Brandon Schexnayder, host of the Southern Gothic Podcast, shared the ghostly stories, haunted places, and eeriest tales he has uncovered through research. Schexnayder reported on the Myrtles Plantation located in St. Francisville, Louisiana, just outside Baton Rouge. "It's America's most haunted home — that's how it's always billed," he said. Schexnayder delved into the history of the plantation, dating back to 1796 when General Bradford built it. The plantation is infamous for over 10 murders that have occurred on the property. The most well-known ghost on the property is Chloe, a young enslaved woman who had a tumultuous relationship with Clark Woodruff, the son-in-law of General Bradford.
Chloe's story includes an incident where Woodruff cut off her ear as punishment, leading to a tragic poisoning attempt on Woodruff's children, resulting in their deaths, he explained. Chloe was eventually hanged, and her ghost is believed to haunt the Myrtles Plantation, he added. Schexnayder mentioned the uncertainty surrounding Chloe's existence, as her story has been embellished over the years, and there's little historical documentation to confirm her identity. However, the plantation is known for its paranormal activity, whether or not Chloe's story is entirely accurate.
Schexnayder talked about Lake Lanier in Georgia, a man-made lake with a dark reputation due to a high number of deaths in the area since its creation in 1956. There are theories about why the lake is cursed, including the presence of submerged cemeteries from the land that was flooded to create the lake. He recounted the story of two women, Susie Roberts and Delia Parker Young, who went missing in 1958 after driving off a bridge and their car was not recovered for over 30 years. Their remains were eventually found, leading to the belief that the ghost of a long-dead woman in a blue dress seen on the bridge is one of the women looking for her friend who was lost in the lake. Schexnayder described a visit to the cemetery where Young is buried and the emotional connection to the real people behind the ghost stories.
He also touched on Waverly Hills in Louisville, Kentucky, and its reputation for shadow people. Schexnayder shared a personal experience of staying on the property during the night and encountering an eerie vibe.