Once Upon A VHS – 80s and 90s Fantasy

In the Age of Wonder, everybody loves puppets! We're journeying through Thra, somewhere between the Land of Gorch and Fraggle Rock, on a quest to restore balance to a broken world. Or at least make an entertaining podcast.

To celebrate this iconic movie in the spirit of collaboration, community and The Great Conjunction, we invited our listeners and guests from previous episodes to contribute shards of their experiences with the film, scattered throughout the episode. A huge thank you to everyone who responded to the Crystal's call - Alice, Cullen, Daniel, Paul, Pete, Robert and Scott.

Underappreciated drag legend Frank Oz, the complicated career and legacy of Jim Henson, plastic witch fingers, the Muppets' sense of longing, Skeksis gender presentation, Orville the Duck, the faerie magic of Brian Froud, a scrapped attempt at Lord of the Rings, Bjork being part Gelfling, Alan Garner's The Owl Service, Na'vi skin, the hairy hands of Dartmoor, Miss Piggy doing Las Culturistas, Yoda, a Podling dancing on the table, purple glow, trans icon Janice, wood elf vibes, a sublime score from Trevor Jones, zooted hippie Mystics, Awkwafina, hard-working puppeteers on their haunches, a return to Droomvlucht at Efeteling, the Blue Peter annual, Kira the literal manic pixie dream girl, inspirational crocodile illustrations, Night of the Hunter, lightflex technology, the ghosts of Northumberland, losing Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab bottles in the Enchanted Forest, Andy Samberg, Fuerteventura vultures, a clockwork orrery, the 48 hour countdown for a Taylor Swift lilo, twinkling out of existence, Callum's misguided impressions, Michael's foray into fanfic, and the return of the Sphinx Question 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. Is Aughra a witch? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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We're joined by fabulous artist and writer Rose Ruane to unpick this oft-reviled movie about an unruly, uncouth and uncanny imaginary friend in the form of a surprisingly sexy Rik Mayall. Heads up: while packaged as a comedy caper, this film deals with some heavy topics of otherness, mental health and overcoming abuse, and we discuss its suprising emotional impact.

Queer failure, the hauntology of British public information films, mother's power-dressing, a tennis ball with a bit of fluff stuck on it, Carrie Fisher having a river condominium, the looming spectre of Tim Burton's Beetlejuice, and possibly the worst wig we've seen yet 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. Is the real Drop Dead Fred the friends we made along the way? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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Kodama-rama! We finally cover a Studio Ghibli anime classic with this brutal and brilliant film from Hayao Miyazaki.

Gorgeous foliage, graphic violence, a wolf goddess with the voice of a drag queen, the curse of generative AI, Uncle Boonmee-coded apes, the "No Cuts" story, Final Fantasy VII, Lady Eboshi serving Creation Destruction Charisma Uniqueness Nerve and Talent, and a star-studded dub 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. Is Michael an amoeba or a clever girl? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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We're feeling the romantasy with this swoonworthy effort from Richard Donner. We also insist that Michelle Pfeiffer needs to get her flowers.

Great casting, gorgeous cinematography, grappling with the commodification of nostalgia, a horse in a wig, a detour to the origins of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the curse of desire, deleted monsters, reverse penetration, a hot take about Grease 2 and our thoughts about that infamously divisive Alan Parsons produced 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. Is it basically Challengers if Zendaya was a hawk? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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Radical Ryan Hunter, hilarious host of Radical Retro Rewind?! podcast, joins us to dissect one helluva frog prince-turned-secret-agent in a deeply peculiar British animated adventure.

Chekhov's Nessie, shrinking monuments, Blockbuster nostalgia, a revealing behind-the-scenes documentary, Boy George's disdain for the Ninja Turtles, bemusing musical numbers, Electric Soldier Porygon, interspecies romance, the Queen's concealed face, and a screaming snake sorceress with the singing voice of Grace Jones 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. Can a human-sized frog hop through space and time? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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We're joined by actor, writer and 90s afficionado Josh Tonks to revisit the oft-shaded original movie incarnation of an iconic heroine.

Gay vampire Pee Wee Herman's improvised death scene, the cultural significance of Tokyo Pop, Hilary Swank's stank face, Luke Perry's soul patch, Spike on a rollercoaster with Lisa Loeb, yellow jackets (but not those ones), Josh's musical pitch, Cher's home decor catalogue, and the latest in a long line of Chappell Roan wigs 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. How many times do we mention Sarah Michelle Gellar? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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Super-talented writer, director and Superman aficionado Raisah Ahmed swoops in for a chat about a very peculiar entry in the superhero movie canon.

The magic of escapism, being starstruck at the BAFTAs by Christopher Reeve's kids, clingfilm walls, Dolly Parton not wanting to play a witch, making an entrance on a ghost train, Peter O'Toole waving around a bong in his H&M cardigan, "squirt", flying around in a hideous bumper car, Faye Dunaway's big rubber monster and a surprise reappearance from Gwildor's bucket of non-Popeye's fried chicken 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. Are millennials the delulu generation? Listen and find out!

For more Superman-related chat from Raisah, be sure to check out an instalment of Michael's TV podcast A Very Special Episode where they chat about the Smallville episode Homecoming: https://shows.acast.com/a-very-special-episode/episodes/smallville-homecoming-with-raisah-ahmed

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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RELEASE THE KRAKEN!

The Harry Hamlin M&M (husband of the Lisa Rinna M&M), anachronistic garage door eyeshadow, Maggie Smith's face crack of the century, simping for Bubo, the Argos catalogue, grandad watching Teen Wolf, a Mia Goth household, a tangential trip to Gregory Maguire's island of Maricoor, Ray Harryhausen being gagged and gooped, and the greatest stop motion sequence of all time await. #susanalbumparty

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. Which one of us dressed up as Athena and which one as Medusa? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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We were excited to revisit this oft-quoted smash from our childhoods but did NOT care for it on a rewatch! Ruh-roh! Awooga!

The peplum on Cameron Diaz's jacket, an electric pencil sharpener, green men issues, Anna Nicole Smith and Vanessa Williams entries in the multiverse, Canada's Walk of Fame, 2025 goggles, Caggie from Big Brother's single Prince Charming, Loki's greasy hair, the hugeness of Jim Carrey and a surprise recommendation 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. Can we set a new record for uses of "I think"? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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Our good friend Chris O'Brien joins us for an epic episode encompassing the Mattel toys, the various animated He-Man and She-Ra series, and the Cannon Films feature.

Skeletor's set of "boobs", The Eyes of Evil-lyn, Stinkor, Raspberry Pi powered Cosmic Key synths, Courtney Cox's grisly gash, Orko's glow up, BBQ on Gwildor's beard, the inaugural use of the Star Trek alarm, Filmation, financial fiascos and even more elephants in the room 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. Can you really call it a good journey? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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We're joined by Scott and Pete from the brilliant Movies That Made Us Gay podcast to grab the Glaive (ouch) for an epic sci-fi-infused fantasy adventure.

Dungeons and Drag Queens, British institution Todd Carty, Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, Princess Chappell Roan with the voice of Professor Maggie Walsh, a Beast of ambiguous scale, the Genre aisle, being bothered by Liam Neeson, a smidge of Star Wars influence and a host of connections to other 80s fantasy classics 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. Would James Horner reuse his own material? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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Hold on to your animated amulets as we explore Don Bluth's visually vibrant and emotionally potent directorial debut.

Mouse peril, scabby owls, Scissor Sisters, acid trips, divine intervention, magical twinkly stuff, gay rats, Charlotte's Web, the sartorial excellence of Vincent Valentine and lots of string 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. Can we forgive Jeremy the stupid bird? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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Uh-oh, we're in trouble! In addition to tackling the movie, we backflip into a potted history of the TV phenomenon and its Super Sentai tokusatsu origins.

Extensive discussion of Kimberley the Pink Power Ranger, Witch Bandora's flying Penny Farthing, hench Cenobite Lord Zedd, papier mache dinosaur bones, totally radical skydiving, Alpha's Magical Christmas, Ivan Ooze's gorgeous garments and Lady Gaga egg perfume 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. Is Amy Jo Johnson the Meryl Streep of the Power Rangers world? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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We're back and Warwick Davis has a trick up his sleeve!

Tonka toys, the Ebert and Siskel dragon, the Lord of the Rings of it all, George Lucas being Alexandra Burke's elephant in the room, the joy of DVD extras, giant fairy queens in bad wigs and transformation trauma 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 do we meet in the deleted scenes? Listen and find out!

Art by Ashleigh Jane Cosgrove. Music by Karl Casey at White Bat Audio.

https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs

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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

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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

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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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.