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PODCAST

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy

Once Upon A VHS

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/onceuponavhsJoin 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

tv & film film reviews

All Episodes

1:26:17

Hocus Pocus (1993)

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy ·

2025/07/31

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 "c".Pop culture witchcraft (and drag) reemerging in turbulent times, inflating a squashed cat puppet, "kiss me I'm Alison!", Bette Midler going on Zoom, an apology to David Kirschner, a virgin lighting the Black Flame Candle, remarkable musical numbers, a book bound with human skin, retro company logos,

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53:32

BONUS Patreon Preview: Jim Henson's The Storyteller -...

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy ·

2025/07/17

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 episodes and much more to come, check out our Patreon: https://patreon.com/onceuponavhsJoin our Clamshell Club for $5 or £4 per month to gain access to three strands of exclusive bonus episodes:Boxset - reviewing 80s and 90s fantasy TV (including Jim Henson's The Storyteller)Rewind - looking back at fantasy

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1:39:01

The Hero's Knapsack - Season Finale and Mailbag

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy ·

2025/06/03

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 exciting news about our Clamshell Club and crown this season's Miss Fan Favourite.The Once Upon A Time magazine and audio cassette carrycase, Gobbolino the Witch's Cat, Michael's mum reading 50 Shades of Grey, our thoughts on the first episodes recent TV continuations Willow (2022) and The Dark Crystal: Age of

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2:01:00

The Dark Crystal (1982)

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy ·

2025/05/15

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

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1:36:19

Drop Dead Fred (1991)

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy ·

2025/05/08

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

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1:15:20

Princess Mononoke (1997)

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy ·

2025/05/01

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

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58:06

Ladyhawke (1985)

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy ·

2025/04/24

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

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1:19:27

Freddie as F.R.O.7. aka Freddie the Frog (1992) with...

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy ·

2025/04/17

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

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1:25:13

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) with Joshua Tonks

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy ·

2025/04/10

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

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1:23:58

Supergirl (1984) with Raisah Ahmed

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy ·

2025/04/03

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

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1:08:28

Clash of the Titans (1981)

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy ·

2025/02/27

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. #susanalbumpartyWe share our thoughts on the movie and its themes, some behind the scenes gossip,

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1:05:23

The Mask (1994)

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy ·

2025/02/21

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

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2:13:51

Masters of the Universe (1987) with Chris O'Brien

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy ·

2025/02/13

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

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1:26:45

Krull (1983) with Movies That Made Us Gay

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy ·

2025/02/07

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

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1:10:40

The Secret of NIMH (1982)

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy ·

2025/01/31

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

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1:33:39

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995)

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy ·

2025/01/24

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,

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1:23:21

Willow (1988)

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy ·

2025/01/17

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

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1:16:45

Santa's Sack - Season Finale Christmas Special and...

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy ·

2024/12/05

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

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2:20:23

BONUS: Wicked (2024)

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy ·

2024/11/26

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

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1:31:36

Anastasia (1997)

Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy ·

2024/11/26

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

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