For this episode Jim and frequent co-host David Ullman dive deep into RKO's 1943 Jacques Tournier/Val Lewton masterpiece I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE- Betsy is a nurse sent to the Caribbean island of San Sebastian to care for Jessica Holland, an invalid woman. There she finds family secrets, forbidden love, and zombies. With a screenplay co-penned by Curt Siodmak (The Wolf Man) and based on Jayne Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, this film tells an atmospheric and seductive story filled with complex...

Jim & Livio wrap up with part two on the Phantom of the Opera! We cover the last half of the film, Chaney's make-up, the alternate endings, and the legacy of this movie!

What happens when Jim & Livio watch two different versions of the same movie? Find out in part 1 of our 2 episode discussion of the 1925 Phantom Of The Opera! This is truly a cornerstone for Universal Horror - the source code, as Jim calls it - and in part 1, we talk about the impact of the film, its stars, the many directors, as well as breaking down the first half of the film, the 1925 version. Feast your eyes, glut your soul on this accursed episode! 

Jim Towns and returning guest co-host Tony Salvaggio get into 1945's Jungle Captive, the third installment in Universal's Ape Woman series-- and their final monster franchise. Jungle Captive stars Vicky Lane (taking over for Acquanetta as Paula DuPree/the Ape Woman), cult favorite Rondo Hatton (House of Horrors/Brute Man/Spider Woman Strikes Back), Otto Kruger (Dracula's Daughter), and Phil Brown (Weird Woman/Star Wars: A New Hope). Directed by Harold Young and written by Dwight Babcock and...

This podcast is on the loose and we're dancing with the devil! Jim & Livio tackle the last chapter of the Kharis story - 1944's The Mummy's Curse. In this episode, we break down the story, the breakneck shooting schedule, the timeline of the Kharis films, and much much more! So - HEY YOU! Give this one a listen!

Borgo Pass Horror Podcast presents another episode of "We Are the Monsters", hosted by Ian Bates of @Universalstudiosmonsters on Instagram. This episode features a live chat with Ian and Borgo Pass hosts Jim Towns and Livio Merino. Lon Chaney Jr. was the only actor to play Larry Talbot AKA the Wolf Man in the character's five appearances in Universal films, and the actor's connection to the character goes beyond simple casting. In this 90 minute live chat, the hosts review the history of the...

Join Jim & Livio as they tackle the fourth and final serious entry in the Universal Invisible Man series: 1944's The Invisible Man's Revenge. Jon Hall is in his second outing as the invisible one, though playing a different character. John Carradine gives a fantastic performance as the eccentric Dr. Drury, and the movie also boasts Gale Sondergaard, Lester Matthews, Evelyn Ankers and even Skelton Knaggs! Learn all about this story, it's place in the series and everything in between!

Series host Jim Towns is joined by returning guest co-host David Ullman for a 90-minute deep dive into a unique and underappreciated piece of undead noir cinema: as The Borgo Pass Horror Podcast presents The Return of Dr. X! Released by Warner Bros. in 1939, this film features silver screen icon Humphrey Bogart in his ONLY horror role as Marshall Quesne aka Dr. Maurice Xavier: a pathological surgeon who was sent to the electric chair for his hideous experiments--then brought back by medicine...

The conclusion of our two part episode on Ghost of Frankenstein! Jim & Livio wrap up with the films action packed climax, discussion on the fate of Ygor, what the ending meant for the rest of the series and much more!

Jim & Livio tackle Universal's 4th film in the Frankenstein series, and the first without Karloff - 1942's The Ghost Of Frankenstein. In part 1, they discuss the production, it's value compared to the first 3, Lon Chaney's busy year at Universal, and much much more!

Jason Henderson of Castle of Horror podcast and Castle Bridge Media publishing joins Jim Towns for an in-depth discussion on RKO's The Seventh Victim, from 1943. Produced by Val Lewton and directed by first timer Mark Robson, the film stars a young Kim Hunter (Zira in Planet of the Apes), Lewton regular Tom Conway, Jean Brooks (The Leopard Man/The Invisible Man Returns) and  Hugh Beaumont ("Leave it to Beaver") in a dark tale of devil worship and mental derangement, evocatively photographed...

In this special episode, we present Ricou Browning: a Celebration of Life, recorded and streamed live on March 4, 2023 as part of the WE ARE THE MONSTERS series: moderated by Ian Bates of @Universalstudiosmonsters. Guest hosts include Jim Towns of the Borgo Pass, as well as Austin T. Hill of @Universalmonstersuniverse. Ricou Browning was born in 1930. While working as an underwater actor and marine entertainer in 1953, he was hired to escort the makers of the upcoming Creature from the...

In this episode, our hosts take a perilous side trip to Devonshire, where a great hound has been prowling the moors. Watch out for the Great Grimpen Mire! Ian Bates joins series host Jim Towns in this deep delve into 1939's The Hound of the Baskervilles, which introduced the world to Basil Rathbone's touchstone performance as Sherlock Holmes. Produced by 20th Century Fox and co-starring Nigel Bruce as Holmes' faithful companion Dr. John Watson (and also featuring Universal faves Lionel...

Jim & Livio tackle this seldom seen Paramount movie from 1941! Featuring an all star cast, moody atmosphere, a surprisingly good story, and the great Charles Gemora  - this film does not disappoint! From mad science, to human trafficking, to The Mob, to a large Gorilla with a human brain... this one has it all! Kick back and enjoy our take and review of The Monster and The Girl!

It's finally here! One of our more requested movies to cover - 1954's Creature From The Black Lagoon. Hear Jim & a slightly raspy Livio spend 3 hours discussing everything from the story to behind the scenes to post production to it's lasting impact, and everything in between. Keep your rotenone handy and travel with us to the far reaches of the Amazon...

Join Jim and very special guest Kat Hearons as they discuss this great horror-mystery from 1941: The Black Cat. An often overlooked film, Jim & Kat break down the movie, go into detail on the all-star cast, and of course - Bela Lugosi!

This...is the Inner Sanctum! Kick off 2023 with Jim & Livio as they return to the realm of the Inner Sanctum with 1944's Weird Woman. Loosely based off 'Conjure Wife', this film follows Lon Chaney, Jr's Professor Norman Reed and his Island wife Paula (Anne Gwynne) as they tackle the beliefs of the supernatural, high education politics, and of course - murder. A stellar supporting cast, and Evelyn Ankers as a villain makes this a high mark in the Inner Sanctum series!

Part 2 of our year end episode covering 1944's House of Frankenstein. Jim, Livio, and special guest Tony Salvaggio follow Dr. Neimann's chamber of horrors as he leaves Dracula in the dust (literally) and meets Ilonka, revives both Frankenstein's Monster and The Wolf Man, and tries to complete his quest for revenge. Celebrate the New Year with us in Vasaria (or was it Frankenstein?) and blame the headache on trying to decipher all the brain transplants!

Hordes of horror spawned by the devil! Now all together in one horrific podcast! Join this Devils Brood of Jim Towns, Livio Merino, and special guest Tony Salvaggio as they close out 2022 with a two part episode on 1944's House of Frankenstein. Universal's first 'Monster Rally' features an all star cast, a quick but effective production and a fantastic music score. In this first part, Jim, Livio, and Tony discuss the beginnings of this monster mash, the casting, brain transfers, and dissect...

Join Jim & Livio as they take their talents to Arkam (formerly Karnak) and discuss the 3rd film in the Kharis franchise - The Mummy's Ghost! This movie sees a change in direction for both Kharis & Ananka, the reintroduction of reincarnation, and a very downbeat and grim ending. Jim & Livio cover all of this as well as several behind the scenes stories and opinions! For who shall defile the temples of the ancient Gods...shall be a cruel and violent death!

 Thanksgiving gatherings have you feeling that you're trapped in a prison? Fear not! Pop in some headphones and listen to Jim & Livio breakdown the epic 1939 Universal Tower Of London. Over 2 hours of an in depth look at this masterfully produced movie, you'll hear everything from historical fact and details concerning the real events to production background and where we think this ranks in comparison to the more well known Universal Horrors. 

Thanksgiving gatherings have you feeling that you're trapped in a prison? Fear not! Pop in some headphones and listen to Jim & Livio breakdown the epic 1939 Universal Tower Of London. Over 2 hours of an in depth look at this masterfully produced movie, you'll hear everything from historical fact and details concerning the real events to production background and where we think this ranks in comparison to the more well known Universal Horrors.

Fresh off the heels of Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein, Universal goes back to the well with 1949's Abbott & Costello Meet The Killer, Boris Karloff. Join Jim and special guest David Ullman for this in depth look at this classic 'who done it' horror/comedy!

Jim & Livio wrap up the great and influential King Kong! Part two of our special Halloween episode takes us from Kongs appearance in the jungle all the way through the heartbreaking ending!

Happy Halloween! Our big Halloween episode this year is on arguably the most influential movies of the 20th century - King Kong! In part one, join Jim and Livio and they discuss the impact of this movie, the groundbreaking ways they made the film, and the movie itself, up until the appearance of Kong. Part two will drop on Saturday night!