Borgo Pass Horror Podcast

Claude Rains and Lionel Atwill co-star in this 1934 Universal war drama that while technically isn't a monster movie, has its share of monsters in it.

An era comes to an end, as The Borgo Pass Horror Podcast covers the last of the famous (infamous?) 'Meet the Monsters' films starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello--wrapping it up with 1951's "Abbott & Costello Meet the Invisible Man".

It's absolute madness as Jim Towns and David Ullman dissect this 1946 Boris Karloff-starring RKO thriller.

The fur is flying as Monster Kid par excellence Frank Dietz joins Jim in the podcast cave to review this 1957 study of adolescent lycanthropy, starring a very young Michael Landon.

Fellow Monster Kid Tony Salvaggio teams up with Jim to dive deep into Toho Studios' 1966 masterpiece THE WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS.

Jim & Livio return to the Borgo Pass! Their subject: Warner Bros.' THE BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS, from 1946.

Recurring guest co-hosts David Ullman & Chris Sahlin team-up to fill in for Jim, and explore the dark depths of The Val Lewton-produced THE LEOPARD MAN.

Come listen as Jim Towns and guest co-host Ian Bates from universalstudiosmonsters dig into this lesser-known Universal Boris Karloff thriller from 1937, co-starring Samuel S. Hinds as Karloff's nemesis!

Hosts Jim Towns and Chris Sahlin dig into the oldest surviving Charlie Chan mystery, Fox's 1931 whodunit THE BLACK CAMEL, starring Warner Oland and Bela Lugosi.

*SPOILERS* it's people. Jim Towns and David Ullman take a dangerous trip to Count Zaroff's Island to talk about this 1932 RKO thriller, which was made by much of the same creative team as KING KONG.

A sheriff and a scrappy group of small-town hot rodders match wits with a gigantic reptile in Ray Kellogg's indie masterpiece The Giant Gila Monster! Fan-favorite co-host Tony Salvaggio returns in our first episode of 2026.

Please enjoy this little holiday gift from your friends at the Borgo Pass Horror Podcast- a bonus episode where Jim Towns and guest host Ian Bates discuss the very under appreciated Christmas film The Bishop's Wife starring Cary Grant, David Niven and Loretta Young, and co-starring classic horror stars Elsa Lanchester (Bride of Frankenstein), Sara Haden (She-Wolf of London) among other talents!

Happy Halloween!! In this year-end episode, Livio returns to discuss the Vincent Price classic from 1958 "The Fly". The film stars David Hedison, Herbert Marshall, and Patricia Owens. This is a late 50's classic that blends science fiction and horror together, offering a great and tragic story behind it all. Enjoy your Halloween this year and listen to us discuss "The Fly"!

In this special bonus episode of Borgo Pass Horror Podcast, frequent co-host Chris Salin visits the LA basement podcast studio, and he and Jim record an impromptu episode about the 1954 Colgate Comedy Hour episode which brought Lou Costello face to face with the Gill Man, hot on the heels of the release of Creature From the Black Lagoon!

Chris Sahlin joins Jim Towns down in the Borgo Pass podcast cave to discuss one of his favorite installments from Universal's run of Sherlock Holmes films... Terror By Night!

Ian Bates returns to the Pass to join Jim in a deep dive into celebrated actress Carole Lombard's only horror film: Supernatural!

A chapter closes, as the the Borgo Pass Horror Podcast reviews the last of the true Universal Monsters films still on the shelf: 1940's The Invisible Woman starring Virginia Bruce, John Barrymore, John Howard and Charles "Charlie" Ruggles. Joining Jim on this episode is first-time co-host Bill Fleck: classic horror writer and blogger, and author of the books "Chaney's Baby" and "Chaney's Audition".

Get to know Borgo Pass Horror Podcast's #1 co-host, Livio Merino!

Recurring co-host Chris Sahlin introduces Jim Towns to one of his favorite gothic thrillers of the 40s: RKO's 1946 film The Spiral Staircase, featuring a great performance by Ethel Barrymore and a supporting role by none other than the Bride of Frankenstein herself, Elsa Lanchester!

A large spooky mansion on an isolated, foggy island. A dramatic situation with allegations of embezzlement and murder. George Zucco. Lionel Atwill. All the ingredients that classic horror fans yearn for. A PRC production from 1945 features a fun, if not predictable story. Jim & Livio are your tour guides this episode to the ominous, and dangerous Fog Island. A good story, a good supporting cast led by Ian Keith - this is a PRC film that deserves the Borgo Pass treatment!

Returning guest co-host David Ullman teams up with Jim to discuss one of the most critically-acclaimed films The Borgo Pass has ever covered- 1942's The Cat People.

Vincent Price stars in this first film adaptation of the Richard Matheson novel I AM LEGEND. Returning guest host Tony Salvaggio (Castle of Horror podcast / Deserts of Mars) joins Jim Towns to discuss this watershed mid-60s film and how its impact continues to evolve.

Regular co-host Chris Sahlin returns to help Jim solve the mystery of this radio-play thriller from 1942: Who Done It? stars Bud Abbott & Lou Costello, along with Borgo Pass favorites Patrick Knowles (The Wolf Man/Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man) and Louise Allbritton (Son of Dracula). Expertly directed by Erle C. Kenton (House of Frankenstein/House of Dracula), shot by Charles Van Enger (Phantom of the Opera) with music by Frank Skinner, this noir comedy rips along, and features some gre...

Jim & Livio tackle one story across two movies - we cover the Tod Browning & Lon Chaney silent classic West of Zanzibar. We also touch on the 1932 remake, Kongo staring Walter Huston. Our main focus is on West of Zanzibar - a very modern and stylistic Tod Browning/Lon Chaney collaboration that also features Lionel Barrymore. While this isn't a supernatural style horror film, it's a dark thriller with many twists and turns. Enjoy the ride as the Borgo Pass travels West of Zanzibar!

New guest-host Karie Bible, host of Hollywood Kitchen, pays a visit to the Borgo Pass podcast cave and lends her extensive knowledge to our analysis of 1936's THE DEVIL DOLL: a dark drag drama that mashes up revenge, voodoo and cross-dressing, starring Lionel Barrymore and directed by Tod Browning.

Castle of Horror's Jason Henderson joins Jim Towns to discuss the original 1958 THE BLOB, starring a 27-year-old, up-and-coming Steve McQueen.

This... is the Inner Sanctum! Join Jim & Livio as they again travel into the mind of a man going mad with the thought of having murdered someone. This 1944 Inner Sanctum movie stars Lon Chaney, Jr, Martin Kosleck, Douglass Dumbrille, and Milburn Stone. Jim & Livio break down the story, performances, and production history in this episode. Yes, even you without knowing... can commit murder!

On today's episode, Jim & Livio sit down with Thomas Hamilton. Tom made the documentary "Boris Karloff: Man Behind The Monster", and is now in production on "Vincent Price: The Art of Living". Tom shares with us stories of how this came to be, we discuss Price throughout his career, as well as touching on several other people that intersected with his life. Tom has a Kickstarter campaign out now for this project - check out the details, and enjoy the episode!

Writer, animator and top-tier Monster Kid Frank Dietz joins Jim Towns in the Borgo Pass podcast cave to discuss 1958's Attack of the 50 Foot Woman!

Join Jim & Livio as they once again travel to Paris and are witness to the crimes of the person known as 'Bluebeard'. Made in 1944 and directed by Edgar G. Ulmer (The Black Cat, 1934) and starring John Carradine. Carradine delivers one of his finest performances as the tortured, yet evil Gaston Morrell. The film also stars Jean Parker, Nils Asther, Ludwig Stossel, and Sonia Sorrell. What on the surface seems like a typical 1940's PRC quickie horror movie, it quickly turns to a fantastical...

Join Jim Towns and returning guest co-host David Ullman as they delve into the dark secrets of this 1941 neon-gothic sci-fi thriller from Columbia. Boris Karloff gives a really outstanding and sympathetic performance as a kindhearted scientist whose grief over his wife's death leads him to push the boundaries between the world of the living, and the world of the dead.

We deep dive into the town of Desert Rock, Arizona and discover the results of Professor Deemer's experiments that have resulted in giant rabbits, guinea pigs, and... a tarantula! This episode breaks down this well produced 1955 thriller, it's stars, as well as Livio's fear of spiders and Jim's fear of John Agar!

Jim & Livio take you to the village of Kleinschloss, where the villagers fear a vampire who is killing it's citizens - or is it really a vampire? We cover this 1933 Majestic Pictures film that stars Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, Melvyn Douglas, and Dwight Frye. Though made from a 'poverty row' studio, this film uses several Universal players, the sets from Frankenstein and The Old Dark House, and has some great performances! Grab some apples, epsom salt, and your favorite furry bat and join us...

Celebrate the event of the year with your favorite horror hosts! On January 16, 2021 the Borgo Pass Horror Podcast began.. 4 years later, we're still going strong thanks to YOU, our audience! Jim and Livio have a conversation about the podcast, and preview the exciting new content and projects to come! Plus, hear from some of our guest hosts over the last 4 years!

Welcome Borgo Pass travelers to a special episode! Jim & Livio sit down with Bill Fleck, author of the Rondo nominated "Chaney's Baby" to discuss his latest book "Chaney's Audition" and the ever polarizing life and career of Lon Chaney, Jr. We discuss everything from his lesser seen roles to The Wolf Man and Of Mice and Men. Even a man who is pure in heart...

"In a half hour the moon will rise and I'll turn into a wolf" "You and 20 million other guys" It's the conclusion of Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein! Here Jim & Livio take you on your first journey across the Borgo Pass in 2025... we will wrap up the film, and continue our discussion of it's enduring legacy! Whether you're celebrating the New Year, or recovering from last night - kick back and enjoy the conclusion of Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein!

"McDougal!!!" Merry Christmas to all of the travelers of the Borgo Pass Horror Podcast. Santa's gift for us all is arguably the most popular classic horror film - Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein. This is truly a cornerstone of the classic horror fanbase, and deservedly so. Made in 1948, we see Bela Lugosi's Dracula, Lon Chaney, Jr.'s The Wolf Man, and Glenn Strange's Frankenstein Monster for one last time. Join Jim & Livio this Christmas for the first half of this film, it's lega...

Borgo Pass Horror Podcast co-founder Scott Kelley returns to help Jim delve into the twisted, pre-Code world of MAD LOVE, starring Peter Lorre, Colin Clive and Frances Drake!

Returning co-host Kat Hearons joins Jim to discuss the 1942 Monogram thriller Bowery at Midnight, staring Bela Lugosi.

Jim Towns and returning guest co-host Tony Salvaggio take a trek into the California desert, where atomic testing has given birth to an army of humongous and vicious ants, in 1954's THEM!

Five strangers gather in a spooky house filled with secrets during a terrible storm, and meanwhile two podcasters gather in different time zones to discuss it- join Borgo Pass host Jim Towns and Ian Bates of The Monster Archives podcast as they discuss James Whale's Frankenstein follow-up: 1932's THE OLD DARK HOUSE, starring Boris Karloff, Ernest Thesiger, Melvyn Douglas, Gloria Stuart, Lilian Bond, Raymond Massey and Charles Laughton.

It's Bela Lugosi's birthday! And to celebrate, Livio invites author and film historian Greg Mank back to the show to talk about RKO Pictures 1945 film The Body Snatcher. Livio and Greg will take up the next 2.5 hours of your day to talk about this iconic Val Lewton film, it's stars, the production, comparisons between Val Lewton's horror films and Universals - and much, much more! Don't fear being burked or worry about no one keeping watch over your loved ones grave - Livio & Greg are kee...

For your consideration: this radically underrated 1940 Paramount film featuring Basil Rathbone (Son of Frankenstein, Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes), Ellen Drew (The Monster and the Girl) and Ralph Morgan (Night Monster) in a twisted tale of a psychiatric merry widower and the old doctor out to stop him. ALSO for your consideration, a freewheeling, late night conversation about the film by two published authors: regular host Jim Towns and returning guest host Jason Henderson (Castle of Horror po...

Horror artist and writer Audrey Rose aka @madmonsterlady joins Jim Towns to discuss 1933's The Ghoul!

Watch the skies!! And while you do, pop in some headphones and listen to Jim & Livio discuss Howard Hawk's 1951 classic "The Thing From Another World". A team of scientists and military officers discover a crashed frozen UFO in Alaska - and it's survivor. We tackle the impact of this film, the production, the nuances in the filmmaking, James Arness, and much more!

Come aboard the SS Altair: it's all smooth sailing, except for the fact that its Captain is a homicidal maniac! Jim Towns and returning guest host David Ullman get to the bottom of this Val Lewton-produced RKO thriller from 1943, starring Richard Dix, Russell Wade, Edith Barrett and the great Skelton Knaggs!

Jim & Livio know NOTHING about insurance, and neither do the customers of Dr. Orloff. The Human Monster is a 1939 British horror film starring Bela Lugosi (originally titled the Dark Eyes Of London). One of Lugosi's more popular 'poverty row' films, he plays a dual role of Dr. Orloff and the meek and blind Professor Dearborn. Jim & Livio discuss Lugosi's almost-wartime trip across the pond, the production, the 'H' code the film received from censors, and much more!

Author and educator David Bowles joins Jim Towns to discuss this Val Lewton-produced masterpiece of suspense and horror: 1945's Isle of the Dead, starring Boris Karloff!

A Creature movie where the original incarnation of the Gill-Man appears for around 2 minutes! Jim & Livio tackle the third and final film of the Creature From The Black Lagoon series. In this film, a group of scientists (and their marital drama) do their best to change the Gill-Man into human form. Although this isn't the most action-packed movie, it is an underrated film that deserves a closer look. Come back to the Everglades one last time with us!

Jim & Livio are back to discuss Tod Browning's unique, cult classic Dracula follow up: Freaks. This is a true one of a kind film, with a good story that boasts a great cast. In this episode we tackle the impact and legacy of this film, as well as the plot and inner workings of Tod Browning.