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PODCAST

The Monsters That Made Us

Dan Colón and Mike Manzi

Welcome to The Monsters That Made Us! Join “The Invisible Dan" Colón and “Monster Mike" Manzi as they celebrate all of the SPOOKTACULAR characters and films in the Universal Studios Classic Monsters series.

tv & film film history

All Episodes

101:07

Dracula (1958)

The Monsters That Made Us ·

2025/12/26

It’s time to dust off the ol’ crucifix because “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” are diving into the film that made Christopher Lee a household name, and may also have established Dracula as a sexy/sad character, rather than just a bloodthirsty monster. That’s right, they’re talking about 1958’s Dracula (aka Horror of Dracula)! Join them as they discuss Hammer’s journey bringing Dracula to the big screen, including whittling the source material down to its bare essentials, the challenges of

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89:18

The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)

The Monsters That Made Us ·

2025/11/28

It’s officially Hammer time! Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they dissect the production of Hammer’s first gothic horror film, and cover all the gory details including the fantastic performances from Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, the film’s notable differences from previous Frankenstein interpretations, Terence Fisher’s creative direction, the brilliant use of color and subsequently amped up violence, and so much more!If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show,

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26:38

The Origin of Hammer

The Monsters That Made Us ·

2025/10/31

Happy Halloween! “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” are back with a brand new season of monster goodness! This time, they’re turning the clocks back to the 1930s to examine the humble beginnings of one of the most iconic horror houses in cinema history: Hammer Film Productions. Join them for a short little season 3 primer as they discuss Hammer co-founders William Hinds and Enrique Carreras, the studio’s decline during the war, and how their sons, Anthony Hinds and James Carreras resurrected the

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86:37

Wolf Man (2025)

The Monsters That Made Us ·

2025/03/28

In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” come howling back for one last episode to close out Season 2 of The Monsters That Made Us! Join them as they dig into Leigh Whannell’s reinvention of the Wolf Man, along with all the new mythology and the slam dunk performance from Christopher Abbott (possibly the greatest Wolf Man performance ever?), as well as some its flaws, not limited to the half-baked script, the clunky cast chemistry, the wholesale omission of just about all traditional

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125:37

Abigail (2024)

The Monsters That Made Us ·

2025/02/28

In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” are hunting a ballerina vampire as they discuss 2024’s Abigail! Join them as they dive into all the gory details about the incredible ensemble cast (including plenty of gushing about Dan Stevens), the filmmaking duo Radio Silence and their knack for melding comedy and horror, and why Abigail is a fantastic take on the Dracula’s Daughter concept.If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out our Patreon!

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92:41

The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2024)

The Monsters That Made Us ·

2025/01/31

All aboard! In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” set sail for England on the ill-fated merchant ship, Demeter. Join them as they discuss The Last Voyage of the Demeter‘s long road to production, from its conception in the early ’90s through the many personnel changes and script revisions, and finally to its big screen debut. Plus, they dive into the film’s fantastic cast, the challenges of shooting an entire film set at sea, the choice to go super heavy on digital effects as

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74:38

Renfield (2023)

The Monsters That Made Us ·

2024/12/28

In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” dive into Chris McKay’s over-the-top, action-packed horror comedy, Renfield! Join them as they discuss the film’s origins as part of the Dark Universe and its evolution into the film it eventually became, the brilliant performances from Nicholas Hoult and the iconic Nicolas Cage, the jaw-dropping practical makeup effects and stunt work, the occasionally uneasy balance between the film’s horror and comedic elements, and why Renfield is

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105:24

The Invisible Man (2020)

The Monsters That Made Us ·

2024/11/29

Exit Alex Kurtzman, enter Jason Blum. In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” dive into Universal’s first theatrical monster movie since the death of the Dark Universe. Join them as they discuss writer/director Leigh Whannell’s bold new vision for the Invisible Man, including shifting the perspective to the victim, the clever camera work, the stunt choreography, changing the invisibility serum to an invisibility suit, and why a smaller, more intimate story–rather than a huge,

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61:29

Jakob Skrzypa (Interview)

The Monsters That Made Us ·

2024/11/14

In this second episode of The Monsters That You Made, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” chat with filmmaker Jakob Skrzypa, producer and co-writer of the new horror comedy, Vampire Zombies… From Space! Join them as they discuss Jakob’s history with the Universal Monsters, growing up with The Creature from the Black Lagoon and The Wolf Man, discovering the films of Ed Wood, and the 10+ year journey of breathing new life into a project that began way back in high school and finally getting it up

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74:14

The Scorpion King: Book of Souls (2018)

The Monsters That Made Us ·

2024/10/25

In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” head back to ancient Egypt for one last ride with the Scorpion King! Join them as they discuss their experience working through Universal’s first Universal Monsters spin-off franchise and how it did (or didn’t) live up to expectations, as well as its final installment, its new lead actor, and why The Scorpion King: Book of Souls is arguably the best of the Scorpion King sequels.If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check

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119:29

The Mummy (2017)

The Monsters That Made Us ·

2024/09/27

Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they say hello and goodbye to Universal’s short-lived Dark Universe. In this episode, they discuss the origins of 2017’s The Mummy, its evolution into a launching pad for an enormous shared cinematic universe, the tumultuous early stages of its production, the brilliant action set pieces, the horrifying mummy moments, the questionable casting decisions, and why, despite its flaws, they still wish they had gotten to see more of the Dark Universe!If you

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83:21

The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power (2015)

The Monsters That Made Us ·

2024/08/30

In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” continue their journey through the world of straight-to-video Scorpion King installments. Join them as they discuss Victor Webster’s second film as Mathayus, the return of Will Kemp to the Universal Monsters Universe, the star-studded supporting cast, the blatant Indiana Jones rip-offs, the impressive fight sequences, and whether a more pronounced shift towards comedy helps or hurts The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power.If you enjoy this

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89:58

Dracula Untold (2014)

The Monsters That Made Us ·

2024/07/26

Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they turn the clock all the way back to the 15th century to witness the transformation of Vlad Dracula, the Prince of Wallachia, into one of the most legendary monsters the world has ever seen. They discuss Luke Evans’ fantastic performance as the warrior Dracula, the feature film debut of director Gary Shore, the undeniable influence superhero movies had on Dracula’s origin, all the cool vampire stuff that is (or should’ve been) in this movie, and

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86:52

The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption (2012)

The Monsters That Made Us ·

2024/06/28

Not long after he was crowned the Scorpion King, Mathayus has lost his wife, his kingdom, and is back to his old mercenary ways. Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they head to the Far East for the first direct sequel to 2002’s The Scorpion King. They discuss the new Mathayus, the myriad cost-cutting measures and low-budget filmmaking techniques employed by director/cinematographer Roel Reiné, the supporting cast of movie stars (and future movie stars), including a brilliant,

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130:20

The Wolfman (2010)

The Monsters That Made Us ·

2024/05/31

In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” got that dog in ’em! Join them as they discuss Universal’s back-to-basics approach to their 2010 remake, The Wolfman, as well as the last minute personnel changes, the reshoots a year after principle photography wrapped, the differences between the theatrical cut and the (superior) unrated director’s cut, Rick Baker’s Academy Award-winning makeup, and so much more!If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out

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45:29

Jason Ginsburg (Interview)

The Monsters That Made Us ·

2024/04/29

“The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” kick off a brand new feature where they sit down with fellow monster fanatics to discuss their Universal Monsters-inspired creations! Join them as they chat with Jason Ginsburg, the producer and co-writer of the brand new monster-themed rock song, “Children of the Night”! They discuss the entire creative process of bringing Jason’s song to life, as well as his history with the monsters, his experience as a Universal Studios tour guide, and so much

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86:06

The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior (2008)

The Monsters That Made Us ·

2024/04/25

It’s time to head back to kingdom of Akkad to witness the birth of a legend! Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they discuss young Mathayus in his first straight-to-DVD adventure which takes him deep into the Underworld to retrieve the Sword of Damocles, fight Randy Couture, and become the new Scorpion King. They get into the new cast, the (better) original title, the (mostly) excellent use of low-budget special effects, and why The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior is, ultimately, a

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88:16

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008)

The Monsters That Made Us ·

2024/03/29

“The Invisible Dan’ and “Monster Mike” leave the desert sands of Egypt and head deep into ancient China to wrap up Stephen Sommers’ Mummy trilogy with 2008’s Tomb of the Dragon Emperor! Join them as they discuss the personnel changes among the cast and crew, as well as the addition of some Honk Kong action legends, and why this third installment still manages to be entertaining despite its flaws.If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out our Patreon!

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114:12

Van Helsing (2004)

The Monsters That Made Us ·

2024/02/23

Long before the Dark Universe, Universal had plans to build a massive franchise around the world’s most famous monster hunter, but unfortunately, it never got past the first installment. Join “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” as they discuss Van Helsing as a perfect concept to unite a shared monster universe, and how Stephen Sommers’ over-the-top, more-is-more approach may have ultimately doomed it from the start.If you enjoy this episode, and want to support the show, check out

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86:40

The Scorpion King (2002)

The Monsters That Made Us ·

2024/01/26

In this episode, “The Invisible Dan” and “Monster Mike” go WAY BACK to about 3,000 B.C. to witness the rise of the legendary Scorpion King! Join them as they discuss the first Universal Monster spin-off, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s debut as a leading man, the terrific practical effects, the horror roots of director Chuck Russell and co-star Kelly Hu, and why, despite leaving the monsters behind, The Scorpion King still succeeds as a pulpy, throwback, Conan the Barbarian rip-off by playing to

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56 results

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