Tag Archives: David Cronenberg

Feb 25 2025
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Episodes, Uncategorized

Episode 137. One of Us: Freaks (1932)

Join us as we delve into the lineage and legacy of Tod Browning’s pre-code horror classic. From the morality police to representation of disability to community building through murder, we discuss why Freaks remains a unique and unrepeatable entry in the horror canon.

 

REQUIRED READING

Freaks. Dir. Tod Browning, 1932. 
 

EXTRA CREDIT

Spurs. Tod Robbins short story on which Freaks is based. 
 
What’s so Scary about Disability? Laura Elliott’s piece on the legacy of fearing some bodies. 
 
Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space. Amanda Leduc’s exploration of how society has stigmatized disabilities for centuries. 
 
Code of the Freaks. A 2020 documentary covering portrayals of disability in film.
 
A Brief Timeline of the History of Disabilities: The Shameful Treatment of People with Disabilities. An overview covering how perceptions of disabilities have shifted over human history. 
 

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Dec 28 2024
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Episodes, Uncategorized

Episode 135. Family Matters: The Brood (1979)

Join us as we breakdown the isolated families of David Cronenberg’s The Brood. From family structures to the legalese of it all, we investigate why and how we cling to each other. 

Last chance for our Class of 2024 merch! Artwork by the incredible Candice Purwin.
 

REQUIRED READING

The Brood. Dir. David Cronenberg, 1979. 
 

EXTRA CREDIT

Cronenberg on Cronenberg. A collection of interviews with the man himself on the making and meaning of his films. 
 
The Evolution of Pregnancy Portraits From Tudor England to Beyonce. A history of the pregnant body as spectacle. 
 
The Brood: Separation Trials. A Criterion retrospective by Carrie Rickey.
 
 
Oliver Reed and Orson Welles on Merv Griffin. From Andrea’s secret stash of bookmarked videos.
 

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Jun 24 2023
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Episodes, Uncategorized

Episode 119. Metamorphosis: The Fly (1958) and The Fly (1986)

Dust off the telepods and put your swatters away – it’s time for our thoughts about a short story, an iconic original film, and an even better remake to mingle molecules in an all-new episode.
 
 

REQUIRED READING

The Fly. Dir. Kurt Neumann, 1958. 
The Fly. Dir. David Cronenberg, 1986. 
 

EXTRA CREDIT

“The Fly” By George Langelann. The original short story that appeared in Playboy in 1957.

From Pathos to Tragedy: Two Versions of The Fly. Mary Ferguson Pharr’s essay about the different interpretations of the two films.

The Beetle and the Fly. David Cronenberg’s essay about aging, Kafka and his version of The Fly.
 
On translating Kafka’s “The Matamorphosis.” Susan Bernofsky’s afterword to her 2014 translation of Kafka’s story.
 

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Nov 02 2020
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Episodes, Uncategorized

Episode 89. Die Partisan: The Dead Zone (1983)

SURPRISE! We’re back with a bonus episode to help you get through Election Day and the ensuing aftermath by talking about David Cronenberg’s The Dead Zone. In this episode, we delve into notions of fate, time travel paradoxes, cults of personality, the responsibility of the individual, and the importance of a good wool coat.
 
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REQUIRED READING

The Dead Zone. Dir. David Cronenberg, 1983.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Witches Are Coming. Lindy West’s essay collection written in response to the rise of Trump.
 
David Cronenberg, Debra Hill and Martin Sheen interviews. Interviews from the release of the film complete with great fashion and chain smoking.
 
The Philosophical Problem of Killing Baby Hitler, Explained. Vox’s explanation of the grandfather/Hitler paradox.
 
A Cult of Personality Can Derail Democracy. Why it’s important to recognize the danger of the track we’re on.

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