Episode 554 - The Monster Maker

We don't have any part in it, but we love Chaosium. We think it looks like a very cool project!

The new Hellions song is great. And since I listen to the podcast at 1.5 speed, I'm happy to say it sounds just as good sped up too.

nils hedglin

There were a few glimmers of Bradbury’s trademark lyricism, but mostly this played like a 1940s adventure comedy in space. I immediately pictured fast-talking Lee Tracy as Click Hathaway and Victor McLaglen as Marnagan.

Still a better Friends sequel than Joey

I wonder if this story influenced Alan Moore with "Watchmen", which kinda had a similar idea on a global scale.

I'm curious, was that a totally farfetched idea at the time or was rapid self developing film something featured in Popular Mechanics or something?

That song effing slaps

Kinda reminds me of the old Lost In Space tv show episode Flight into the Future in that there is a machine that can create illusions to scare off people.

Listened to the episode again on a walk and was, "Man, this score is awesome!" then realized what it was. I nominate all action scenes have that song as background music.

Seems like Bradbury may have invented Polaroids.

"The Net" and super-meteors are terrifying, but even more dreadful is the combination of the scariest parts of both - the film "Gravity"

Thunk

If they ever adapt this story for the screen, Hellions should play over the climactic fight scene. I love how it gets all Screamin' Jay Hawkins near the end.

Ok, I dug the new Pitch Black Manor.

Hahaha - totally forgot! Thank you for pointing that out!

I was convinced you had already covered this story, but then realized I was confusing it with the Monster Maker by WC Morrow.

“Way faster than a bullet is going to be our third Pitch Black Manor album” I am there for your foray into sci-fi rock opera concept albums! I especially look forward to the track Speedball Wizard. P.S. I loved Hellions! 🖤🖤🖤

I've been going through the old episodes again, filled with Lovecraft's casual racism. Bradbury's attitude toward the Irish fits comfortably within that bailiwick.

She also wrote another horror story about a bunch of small snails, “The Snail Watcher. “

Ben Gilbert

You know what monsters you guys have never done? Giant Man Eating Snails. You could dedicate a month to them...SnApril. I know there are almost too many giant man eating snail stories to ever choose which ones to cover but my favourite is Patricia Highsmith's "The Quest for Blank Claveringi" .

Hello Pippy

Also, anyone else see the trailer for “Chapelwaite”? Adrian Brody in a horror period piece = yes please!

Whelp, this holds the odd position of a middling Bradbury tale. Not superb, like "The Man Upstairs." Not utter dreck, like most of his stuff I've encountered. Just...middling. Well, Lorelai was, at least, an upside to the episode. I'd be happy to hear her read for a few more stories!

Mandy Reznor (She_It)

Maybe it’s the scenery-chewing dialogue or the “old villain in his asteroid hideout” schtick, but there’s some serious B-movie potential here. Not sure who I’d cast as our heroes, though. But Hellions? That track is FIRE. I swear, I’m ready to punch a brick.

Wow. That story was a stinker. But I suspect it might have inspired the ridiculous “red monsters” that feature into the staple Z-movie Starcrash, as they summon “Major Bradbury” over the PA just before the creatures attack. https://youtu.be/WVrpybLZzjU

Bret Kramer

Also getting a lovely Alien Sex Fiend vibe from Hellions... Nice :)

Lord Rancid

Between this story, that Next Gen episode you and Rachel just reviewed on RWST and the extended "directors Cut" of the Moon Pool that I've just finished reading, I think I'm done with all things Oirish (and I live in Ireland)...

Lord Rancid

Hey Chris and Chad is there any chance you'll be involved in the new Chaosium 1st edition Kickstarter? I see the HPLHS is going to do props. I just posted that I think you two should be involved in some way as well. Do you have some leverage to get your foot in the door, influence things, enchant people or otherwise get involved in this project? I really would love to see you be part of this but understand that disappointment is part of life. I'll forever have to choke down that my heroes could be unfairly excluded, like trying to breath on the surface of Yuggoth.

Mike Nusbaum

I appreciate the story, but it definitely scans along the lines of the original Axe Cop.

I like this story's use of everyday tools as "weapons." Is there a story about a man and his dot matrix printer printing an army of little origami men to fight space demons? If not, that needs to be written.

Robert Curtin

That single? Is awesome. I cannot wait for the album now, so please do the pre-order thing as soon as you can.

Really curious what you thought of this one. Bradbury doing almost "to spec" pulp SF was novel. I dunno if it was good, but it was novel.

Richard Horsman