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PODCAST

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of Early-Victorian Street Literature and Stories (no AI)

Finn J.D. John/ Pulp-Lit Productions

This is the podcast that carries you back to the sooty, foggy streets of early-Victorian London when a new issue of one of the "Penny Dreadful" blood-and-thunder story paper comes out! It"s like an early-Victorian variety show, FEATURING ... — Sweeney Todd ... — Varney, the Vampyre ... — Highwayman Dick Turpin ... — mustache-twirling villains ... — virtuous ballet-girls ... —wicked gamblers ... ... and more! Spiced with naughty cock-and-hen-club songs, broadsheet street ballads, and lots of

arts books

All Episodes

01:30:15

155. Count Dracula arrives in England! — The Phantom...

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of... ·

2026/10/04

EPISODE 22 (Season Six) — Oct. 4, 2026:Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! ———— This show cycles through four themes over a month-long cycle, one show per week. As today is the first Sunday of the month, this is the SIXPENNY SPOOKIES theme show, featuring a Victorian ghostly shortstory, a chapter of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and other ghostly tales!For COMPLETE SHOW

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01:06:25

154. Highwayman Dick Turpin sets out to break his...

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of... ·

2026/09/27

SHOW NOTES for EPISODE 21 (Season Six)(Sept. 27, 2026)For COMPLETE SHOW NOTES, including art and links to resources, see ⁠⁠pennydread.com/discord.⁠⁠ ———— Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! Penny Dreadful is a weekly show that cycles through four themes each month. This is the TWOPENNY TORRIDS-theme show. It will be followed by ...The “Sixpenny Spookies” theme

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00:53:13

153. Sweeney Todd is nabbed at last! — Bigamy or...

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of... ·

2026/09/20

Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! This show cycles through four themes over a month-long cycle, one show per week. As today is the first Sunday of the month, this is the HA’PENNY HORRIDS theme show, featuring a few chapters of SWEENEY TODD, a true-crime story or two from the Penny Dreadful era, and various other grisly tidbits. Next week, the theme changes:Next Sunday

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01:23:00

152. Varney the Vampire contemplates his prisoner: To...

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of... ·

2026/09/14

Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch, for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! This show cycles through four themes over a month-long cycle, one show per week. As today is the first Sunday of the month, this is the GRAANUM-GOLD GOTHICS theme show. It will be followed by ...The “Ha’penny Horrors” theme episode, coming next Sunday (the third Sunday of the month);The “Twopenny Torrids” theme episode, coming two

en

01:30:04

151. The vampire-courtesan leaves the grave to claim...

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of... ·

2026/09/06

SHOW NOTES — for — EPISODE 18 (Season Six)(September 6, 2026)Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! This show cycles through four themes over a month-long cycle, one show per week. As today is the first Sunday of the month, this is the SIXPENNY SPOOKIES theme show, featuring a Victorian ghostly shortstory, a chapter of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and other ghostly tales. It

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01:28:50

150. OOPS! ALL VAMPIRES! Dracula en route to Carfax!...

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of... ·

2026/08/29

Join guest host COUNT CHOCULA, filling in for Corinthian Finn for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! This show cycles through four themes over a month-long cycle, one show per week. As today is the fifth Sunday of the month, this is a bonus show: OOPS! ALL VAMPIRES! It’s a solid wall of blood-curdling fun. Our regular sequence will start afresh for September with next week’s “Sixpenny Spookies” episode, which will be followed by ...The

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01:01:46

149. Highwayman Tom King plots his escape from the...

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of... ·

2026/08/21

NOTE: This episode published early by popular demand! :-)SHOW NOTES — for — EPISODE 16 (Season Six)(August 23, 2026) ———— Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! ———— For COMPLETE SHOW NOTES, including art and links to resources, see ⁠⁠pennydread.com/discord.⁠⁠ ———— IN TODAY'S "TWOPENNY TORRIDS" EPISODE:01:55: STREET POETRY: From a broadside

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00:54:53

148: Sweeney Todd’s attempt to kill Mrs. Lovett...

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of... ·

2026/08/16

SHOW NOTES — for — EPISODE 15 (Season Six)(August 16, 2026) ———— Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! This show cycles through four themes over a month-long cycle, one show per week. As today is the first Sunday of the month, this is the HA’PENNY HORRIDS theme show, featuring a few chapters of SWEENEY TODD, a true-crime story or two from the Penny Dreadful era, and

en

01:31:27

147: Someone tries to MURDER the VAMPYRE ... but the...

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of... ·

2026/08/09

Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! This show cycles through four themes over a four-week cycle, one show per week. This is the GRAANUM GOTHICS theme show, featuring Varney the Vampyre and other Gothic drama. It will be followed by ...The “Ha’penny Horrors” theme episode, coming next Sunday (the third Sunday of the month);The “Twopenny Torrids” theme episode, coming two

en

01:25:23

Ep. 13: Alone in CASTLE DRACULA with three thirsty...

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of... ·

2026/08/02

SHOW NOTES — for — EPISODE 13 (Season Six)(August 2, 2026) ———— Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! This show cycles through four themes over a month-long cycle, one show per week. As today is the first Sunday of the month, this is the SIXPENNY SPOOKIES theme show, featuring a Victorian ghostly shortstory, a chapter of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and other ghostly tales

en

00:59:34

Ep. 12: Highwayman TOM KING is in a tight spot! Can...

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of... ·

2026/07/27

SHOW NOTES for EPISODE 12 (Season Six)(July 26, 2026)Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! This show cycles through four themes over a monthly cycle, one show per week. This is the TWOPENNY TORRIDS-theme show, featuring a handful of chapters from BLACK BESS; or, THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD, starring highwayman Dick Turpin, along with the more salacious bits of early-Victoriana

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01:22:02

11. The “Reverend” hides his murdered wife in someone...

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of... ·

2026/07/20

SHOW NOTES — for — EPISODE 11 (Season Six) Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! ———— This show cycles through four themes over a monthly cycle, one show per week. This is the SIXPENNY SPOOKIES theme show, featuring a Victorian ghostly shortstory, a chapter of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and other ghostly tales. It will be followed by ...The “Twopenny Torrids” theme

en

01:16:01

10. Breakfast with Varney the Vampyre goes about as...

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of... ·

2026/07/13

Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! For COMPLETE SHOW NOTES, including art and links to resources, see ⁠⁠pennydread.com/discord.⁠⁠ ———— IN TODAY'S "GRAANUM GOTHICS" EPISODE:01:55: ON THIS DREADFUL DAY (JULY 12, 1850): A Lonon blacksmith was convicted for trying to murder his wife by defenestrating her through a second-floor window. Also On This Dreadful

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01:34:51

9. The three vampire-maidens: Was it really a dream?...

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of... ·

2026/07/05

SHOW NOTES — for — EPISODE 9 (Season Six)(July 5, 2026) ———— This show cycles through four themes over a month-long cycle, one show per week. As today is the first Sunday of the month, this is a Sixpenny Spookies show, featuring a Victorian ghostly shortstory, a chapter of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and other ghostly tales. It will be followed by ...The “Graanam Gothics” theme episode, the second Sunday of the month;The “Ha’penny Horrors” theme episode, the third Sunday; and finally—The “Twopenny

en

00:59:58

8. Rev. Mr. Lupin turns out a wolf in sheep’s...

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of... ·

2026/06/28

SHOW NOTES — for — EPISODE 8 (Season Six)(June 28, 2026)Note: For COMPLETE SHOW NOTES, including art and links to resources, see ⁠⁠pennydread.com/discord.⁠⁠ ———— Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! IN TODAY'S "HA’PENNY HORRORS" EPISODE:02:50: HANGED TODAY IN HISTORY (June 28): On this day in 1816, five participants in the Ely Bread Riots were hanged

en

01:10:48

7. A prisoner in Castle Dracula! — The restless...

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of... ·

2026/06/21

SHOW NOTES — for — EPISODE 6.7!(June 21, 2026)Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! For COMPLETE SHOW NOTES, including art and links to resources, see ⁠⁠pennydread.com/discord.⁠⁠ ———— IN TODAY'S "SIXPENNY SPOOKIES" EPISODE:00:40: HAUNTED ENGLAND: An old priory, seized by Henry VIII in the Dissolution of the Monasteries, is still haunted by what folks

en

00:55:10

6: Highwayman Dick Turpin’s miraculous escape from...

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of... ·

2026/06/15

Join host CORINTHIAN FINN (a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch*), for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! ———— For COMPLETE SHOW NOTES, including art and links to resources, see ⁠⁠pennydread.com/discord.⁠⁠ ———— IN TODAY'S "TWOPENNY TORRIDS" EPISODE:01:45: STREET POETRY: From an 1840s broadside ballad: “Please Your Wife” and “Making Love by Moonlight.” 06:10: BLACK BESS; or, THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD (starring HIGHWAYMAN DICK TURPIN),

en

00:54:31

5: Sir Francis Varney has a strange visitor. — The...

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of... ·

2026/06/07

SHOW NOTES — for —EPISODE 5 (Season Six)(June 7, 2026) ———— Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! This show cycles through four themes over a four-week cycle, one show per week. This is the GRAANUM GOTHIC theme show, featuring Varney the Vampyre and other Gothic drama. It will be followed by ...The “Twopenny Torrid” theme episode, coming next Sunday;The “Sixpenny

en

01:00:47

6.04: Sweeney Todd gloats over his latest murder —...

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of... ·

2026/06/01

SHOW NOTES:(For complete show notes, including art and links, go to pennydread.com/discord and look in the Season 6 feed) ———— 01:40: HANGED TODAY IN HISTORY (June 2, 1621): Former fishmonger John Rowse came into a small fortune, which he squandered so completely that his wife and two young daughters were in danger of being made to beg. He decided that rather than going back to work as a fishmonger to earn a living for his family, he’d solve the problem by murdering them. (Special thanks to

en

01:19:22

6.03: Mr. Harker arrives at Castle Dracula. — The...

The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of... ·

2026/05/24

SHOW NOTES — for — EPISODE THREE (Season Six)(May 24, 2026)00:45: A local legend from HAUNTED ENGLAND: THE PENGUIN BOOK OF GHOSTS: Remember the scene in Black Bess where Dick Turpin and Tom King find the skeletons of the two lovers locked in the vault in the abandoned mansion? Turns out that story was based on a real ghostly legend from the village of Apsley Guise, in Bedfordshire! Dick Turpin himself is involved in the legend and is one of the ghosts said to haunt Woodfield House.05:15: EARLY

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