·S2 E54

Episode 54: The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961) & Long Weekend (1978)

June 27

1h 43m

Episode Description

Welcome to episode 54 of The Horror Double Bill the podcast where each week we pair two movies to create something greater than the sum of their parts

This week we are plunging into the world of ecological horror, with two films that suggest that unless we learn to learn more harmoniously with the planet, we will suffer the consequences – one way or another

First, we have The Day the Earth Caught Fire from 1961. This was written and directed by Val Guest and stars Edward Judd, Janet Monroe, Leo McKern, Michael Goodliffe, and Bernard Braden.

Then we follow this with our first Australian movie on the podcast, which is Long Weekend from 1978. This was written by Everett De Roche, directed by Colin Eggleston and stars Peter Hargreaves and Briony Behets

Along the way, we’ll be discussing the career of writer director Val Guest, British nuclear test in the 1950s, why Australia banned horror for 20 years, the birth of the Australian horror movement, the career of screenwriter Everett De Roche and much much more.

Recommendations

The Quatermass Xperminent (1955)

Quatermass 2 (1957)

The Twilight Zone – episode The Midnight Sun (1961)

Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense – In Possession (1984)

The Last Wave (1977)

References

British Science Fiction Cinema, edited by I. Q. Hunter

The Day the Earth Caught Fire BFI blu ray – interviews, commentaries and special features

https://historyproject.org.uk/interview/val-guest

https://www.ajb007.co.uk/discussion/56473/interviews-with-cast-and-crew-non-bond-films

https://nzpetesmatteshot.blogspot.com/