Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy

A bawdy, bewitching and bewildering end-of-season festive celebration - adults only! Join us as we look back, answer listener questions and empty out Santa's Sack full of 80s and 90s fantasy Christmas goodies including Santa Claus: The Movie (1985), Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997), A Smoky Mountain Christmas (1986), Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special (1988), the ITV pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk (1998) and The Snowman (1982). Dolly Parton, David Bowie, Grace Jones, Dudley Moore, Zsa Zsa Gabor, puppet reindeer, Tim Curry's impressive organ, Bernadette Peters, a can of Irn Bru, Paul Reubens, Denise Van Outen, Charo, the mountain witch Jezebel, questionable Falkor merchandise and John Lithgow hurtling into outer space await - after all, it wouldn't be Christmas without a little bit of desperation!Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Fellow Ozians! By "Popular" demand, here's an epic bonus episode - our unedited discussion of this year's fantasy blockbuster movie, going song-by-song through Wicked, Part One. Spoiler warning - see the film before you listen, but we don't spoil anything about next year's Part Two. We waffle on for nearly the whole duration of the movie - our thoughts on the Gregory Maguire books, the stage musical, Jonathan Bailey's Goblin Winkie, Gelphie shipping with Ariana Grande, and defying gravity with Cynthia Erivo's 80s dark fantasy film picks for Elphaba await. Jon M. Chu, we're in queer media and we're holding space for YOU! Our spoilery scene-by-scene breakdown of the film starts at 26:35.Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove.https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Join us once upon a December on an animated journey to the past, historically accurate or otherwise.A potted history of the Romanovs, Don Bluth's Dragon's Lair, Disney pettiness, Russia's greatest love machine Rasputin having a mouth in a place it doesn't belong, and Bartok Burger King toys 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. Does Paris hold the key to our hearts? Listen and find out!Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Daniel Lammin, theatremaker, film critic and host of Ink & Paint podcast, joins us to roll the dice on this wild and intense blockbuster about a brutal boardgame, anchored by Robin Williams.Plants with hair, Stephen King comparisons, Australian children's TV, Bebe Neuwirth's cleaning prowess and the Jurassic Park of it all 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. You just saw three monkeys go by on a motorcycle, didn't you? Listen and find out!Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Kim Morrison, writer and creator of Little Red Horror, joins us for a spell to discuss this witchy wonder.Midnight margaritas, floating petals, being born under a diva sign, inappropriate whipped cream, Ceefax (or Teletext) and a surprising number of references to classic horror 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. Who put the lime in the coconut and drank it all up? Listen and find out!Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

We're looking for mini-contributions to a special podcast episode all about The Dark Crystal (1982)! It won't be completed and released until the new year, but we wanted to give plenty of time for your submissions, so get them in by Tuesday 31st December.If you'd like to take part, please make an audio recording (with the best quality audio you are able to) briefly introducing yourself and answering at least one of the three following questions:1. Nostalgia Nook: what are the memories or feelings The Dark Crystal conjures up for you?2. Nightmare Nail: what are the frightening moments from The Dark Crystal that most affected you?3. Treasures: what are the best bits of The Dark Crystal for you?4. Just tell us what The Dark Crystal means to you!You can send your audio recording to onceuponavhs@gmail.com or just leave us a voice note on Instagram!Please note that we may make some edits to audio submissions for the sake of time or clarity. We look forward to hearing from you!

Joshua Conkel, writer, filmmaker and one of the hosts of arthouse horror movie podcast Bloodhaus, joins us to discuss this brutal and often beautiful banger.The riddle of steel, James Earl Jones in a Bettie Page wig, representation metadiscourse, Arnie's cheekbones, Cruella's mother getting knocked off a cliff by dalmatians and THE iconic score 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 is best in life? Listen and find out!Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

Simon Eilbeck, Hot Mess DJ and queer dance party king, joins us to discuss this bizarre and boisterous beast of a film with one of the wildest endings we've ever seen.Evil washing lines, jaunty George Harrison, diva antics, exploding dogs, Sean Connery impressions, philosophical questions and atmospheric smoky cinemas await. But not Baldrick.We share our thoughts on the film and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip, delve into the nightmarish moments and dream up some ridiculous merch. What do we think of the recent Apple TV series? Listen and find out!Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs