Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy
On a queer and neverending quest through the fantasy films of the 80s & 90s, and all the memories and feelings they conjure up. From animated adventures and sword and sorcery epics to magical romcoms and fairytale horror, we will journey through the big blockbusters and cult classics.
https://linktr.ee/onceuponavhs
Join our Clamshell Club on Patreon to support the show and gain access to exclusive Once Upon A VHS bonus episodes updated monthly:
- Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)
- Rewind - looking back at fantasy films from before 1980 (including Star Wars)
- Fast Forward - our thoughts on fantasy movies from 2000 onwards (including The Lord of the Rings)
https://patreon.com/onceuponavhs
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- Update frequency
- every 8 days
- Average duration
- 81 minutes
- Episodes
- 43
- Years Active
- 2024 - 2025
The Halloween Tree (1993) - Double Feature Part 2/2
Pick your soul pumpkin and grab a corner of a cape as we hurtle into the second part of our Ray Bradbury double bill with this Hanna-Barbera animated treat.
Lollygagging, the Roseanne Halloween specia…
Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983) - Double Feature Part 1/2
Roll up, roll up! In this first part of our Ray Bradbury double bill, we take a ride on the creepy carousel of the October People in a dark and moody film that Disney would probably rather keep secre…
Snow White: A Tale of Terror (1997) with Tom Bloom
The Brothers Grimm get even grimmer with this gothic horror dark fairytale with possibly the most metal trailer in existence, Snow White: A Tale of Terror (1998). Writer, artist, coin-operated fortun…
The Witches of Eastwick (1987) with Morgan M Page
Is it feminist? Is it queer? It's Cher, bitch! Seduced by this wayward success story of the witch film canon, we join forces with our longtime friend, writer, historian, artist and activist Morgan M …
A Simple Wish (1997) with Tara Tagliaferro (Down the Yellow Brick Pod)
Get your jelly sandals on and your magic wands at the ready - we're not in Manhattan any more! The wickedly talented Tara Tagliaferro of Down the Yellow Brick Pod returns to chat with us about this q…
Hocus Pocus (1993)
We're back - and it's the season of the witch! Join us as we fly over Salem with the Sanderson sisters for this Hallowe'en classic that is creepy, comedic, camp and a few other words beginning with "…
BONUS Patreon Preview: Jim Henson's The Storyteller - Hans My Hedgehog (1987)
A preview of our brand new Patreon exclusive coverage of Jim Henson's The Storyteller featuring the pilot episode, Hans My Hedgehog. To hear the whole thing, our Star Wars and Lord of the Rings episo…
The Hero's Knapsack - Season Finale and Mailbag
Hello Podlings, it's time for a chat! Join us as we talk a load of rubbish and have a rummage in the hero's knapsack. We answer listener questions, look back on our journey so far, share some excitin…
The Dark Crystal (1982)
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 a…
Drop Dead Fred (1991) with Rose Ruane
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: w…
Princess Mononoke (1997)
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, …
Ladyhawke (1985)
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…
Freddie as F.R.O.7. aka Freddie the Frog (1992) with Ryan Hunter (Radical Retro Rewind?!)
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…
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) with Joshua Tonks
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 cultur…
Supergirl (1984) with Raisah Ahmed
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 BAFTA…
Clash of the Titans (1981)
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 …
The Mask (1994)
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…
Masters of the Universe (1987) with Chris O'Brien
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 Eye…
Krull (1983) with Movies That Made Us Gay
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 institutio…
The Secret of NIMH (1982)
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, magica…