Episode 503 · 39 min · Wheel of Horror

504 - Matinee (1993) Guest Joe Testa

Published May 18, 2026by Alec LawlessHorror

One candle for every story

  1. 1 - told, candle out
  2. 2 - told, candle out
  3. 3 - told, candle out
  4. 4 - told, candle out
  5. 5 - told, candle out
  6. 6 - told, candle out
  7. 7 - told, candle out
  8. 8 - told, candle out
  9. 9 - told, candle out
  10. 10 - told, candle out
  11. 11 - told, candle out
  12. 12 - told, candle out
  13. 13 - told, candle out
  14. 14 - told, candle out
  15. 15 - told, candle out
  16. 16 - told, candle out
  17. 17 - told, candle out
  18. 18 - told, candle out
  19. 19 - told, candle out
  20. 20 - told, candle out
  21. 21 - told, candle out
  22. 22 - told, candle out
  23. 23 - being told, candle burning
  24. 24 - still to tell, candle lit

Story 503 of 535. 502 told, 32 still waiting.

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About this episode

Step back into the panic, paranoia, and popcorn-fueled excitement of 1962 as Alec and Guest Joe Testa talk "Matinee!" Joe Dante’s love letter to creature features, Cold War anxiety, and the magic of moviegoing. Starring John Goodman as eccentric horror showman Lawrence Woolsey, this cult classic blends satire, nostalgia, and coming-of-age storytelling against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis. We explore how Matinee captures the communal thrill of theatrical cinema, pays tribute to low-budget sci-fi and horror films of the 1950s and ’60s, and quietly reflects on fear as both entertainment and political reality. We also dig into Dante’s affectionate filmmaking style, the movie’s surprisingly heartfelt performances, and why this underrated gem has become a favorite among cinephiles and horror fans alike. From atomic-age monsters to vibrating theater seats, join us as we celebrate one of the smartest and most charming movies ever made about the movies themselves. TikTok: YouTube: Apple Podcast: Spotify: Instagram: Twitter/X:

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