Small Town Monsters’ “Invasion on Chestnut Ridge” comes to YouTube May 3rd for Squad members and May 7th for everyone else. This episode takes you behind the scenes of Invasion’s production, and explores the history of STM’s audio podcasts, SasWhat and Monsteropolis.

Jeepers! The Creepers are after Bud & Lou! In this concise entry, I share an article I wrote for Nostalgia Digest (Autumn 2015) about one of my favorite films.

The true story of Peninsula, Ohio’s python outbreak in summer of 1944 is the stuff of legend in the greater Cleveland area. In this episode, you’ll hear a presentation about the Peninsula Python that I gave at 2019’s International Cryptozoology Conference, and you can draw your own conclusions about Cleveland Press writer Robert Bordner’s “beautifu…

Lions, tigers, and kangaroos. And Bigfoot. All in the Buckeye State. It’s all here, plus information on Monster Fest, coming to Canton, Ohio June 3rd, 2023, plus my list of 21 books about Bigfoot and The Unexplained that You Must Read! Find Monster Study Group on Instagram and get all the updates!

Once upon a time, I wrote a half-hour summary of every Godzilla movie from 1954-2004 to present at G-FEST. This is that presentation, recorded for your enjoyment! You can support Monster Study Group by visiting www.g-fan.com and checking out G-FEST news, subscription info, back issues, and more. Thanks for listening!…

New Godzilla and Gamera on the way; remembering Return of Ultraman’s Jiro Dan; my review of Mike Bogue’s “Atomic Drive-in;” exciting G-FAN updates and a full-length Akira Takarada interview! Please support our resource partner, G-FAN magazine, by visiting www.g-fan.com & find Monster Study Group on Instagram. Thanks for listening!…

Mark raids the archives of Monsterland Ohio for two articles: a reaction to the film “The Legend of Boggy Creek” and a recounting of an encounter with the cast and crew of Finding Bigfoot. Please your term papers and questions to mark_matzke@yahoo.com or find us on Instagram @monster_study_group

Produced in the shadow of Frankenstein, this movie contains one of Bela Lugosi’s most striking performances. For reference, we highlight “Angels and Ministers of Grace Defend Us!” by Greg Mank, “It’s Alive” by Julian David Stone, and The Lost Films Fanzine. Plus, G-FEST, Monster Kid Radio, and Monster Fest news! Find us on Instagram at monster_stud…

Join Mark as he raids the Monsterland Ohio archives for information about his first G-FEST with his family.

Join Mark for a tubular review of Godzilla 1985 and Allen Debus’ new book, “Kong, Godzilla, and the Living Earth.” Plus, there’s exciting G-FEST news! On Instagram? Check out @monster_study_group

Monster Study Group returns with reviews of the new book “Sasquatch Discovered: The Biography of Dr. John Bindernagel” by Terrance N. James and the 4K BluRay release of “Creature from Black Lake.” There’s also a secret extra credit session that rounds out the episode. Find Monster Study Group on Instagram and catch my Beta Capsule Review each week …

Continuing the tradition established by the Monsteropolis podcast, I offer you two chilling short stories: “The Horror Horn” by E. F. Benson and “Just Before Dawn” by Eugene Johnson. You can find me on IG at monster_study_group

This is the final installment of our “Son of…Summer,” and we’re flipping the script with a look at “Dracula’s Daughter,” a Universal Studios production from 1936. Keep an eye on Monster Study Group’s Instagram for news about Season Three, as well as weekly updates regarding Monster Kid Radio. Thanks for listening this summer!…

The “Son of…Summer” marches on with a retrospective look at 1967’s “Son of Godzilla.” As you, the listener, might expect, our access to the G-FAN Vault will provide invaluable resources for our examination of this tropical tale. Book your ticket to Sollgel Island and listen today! Those of an arachnophobic bent may want to exercise caution, however…

We are in the thick of MSG’s “Son of Summer,” and this time we head down to the bayou for 1943’s “Son of Dracula,” an extremely interesting blend of horror, film noir, and Southern Gothic. The film stars Lon Chaney, Jr. as Count Alucard, Louise Allbritton as Katherine Caldwell and Robert Paige, who steals the show as Frank Stanley, who loses his fi…

Monster Study Group’s “Son of…Summer” is in full swing with this mini-sode, the first ‘mystery movie’ of Season Two. It’s “Son of Ingagi,” a thriller from 1940 featuring an all-black cast led by Spencer Williams (TV’s Andy Brown in “Amos & Andy), who also wrote the screenplay. I’ll give you my thoughts on the film and its relationship to 1930’s exp…

The “Son of…Summer” continues with my look at 1939’s “Son of Frankenstein,” an underrated entry in Universal’s Monster canon. From a screenplay written on the fly, Rowland Lee and the incredible talent of Basil Rathbone, Lionel Atwill, Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff made movie magic in this classic that deserves another look. In this episode, I also…

Monster Study Group has returned for a second season! Episode One of the “Son of…Summer” is “Son of Kong and the Legacy of Willis O’Brien.” Faced with the prospect of creating a sequel for King Kong, the production team did an intriguing thing…they went small. And the man that brought Kong (and Kong Junior) to life, Willis O’Brien, lived a life of …

It’s the “Son of...Summer!” Monster Study Group is back beginning June 19.

It’s a Monsterland Ohio Radio/SasWhat reunion, as I welcome my son Andy to MSG for a discussion of Halloween horror movies and the fun of spending the 31st of October in front of the TV. Thanks for listening to all of Season One!

Season One of Monster Study Group, “Titans of Japan,” comes to a dramatic close with episode ten, devoted to “Frankenstein Conquers the World” and “War of the Gargantuas,” two of Toho’s most audacious monster movies. As always, full credit goes to G-FAN magazine, the official publication of the Godzilla Society of North America. Visit g-fan.com to …

Episode Ten offers an in-depth look at “Ghidrah, the Three-Headed Monster,” as well as an overview and filmography of the character. That is preceded by a brief rundown of Mill Creek Entertainment’s Ultraman releases. Ep. 10 draws on articles from G-FAN magazine; visit g-fan.com for more information. Monster Study Group is on Twitter & Instagram. B…

Mothra changed the game in 1961, nudging Toho’s monster movies in the direction of fantasy and fun. With 16 films under her wings, second only to Godzilla himself, her place in monster movie history is firmly established. This episode provides an overview of the kaiju queen, looking back at the original 1961 epic, going behind the scenes of its mak…

In Episode 8, I didn’t get a chance to talk about Rodan’s ‘career,’ especially his star turn in 2019’s “Godzilla King of the Monsters.” So here’s a quick extra credit session to cover those bases. Enjoy! And please check out g-fan.com for more kaiju coverage.

Episode 8 of Monster Study Group is devoted to Rodan! (In the original Japanese title, the creature named is Radon, as in PteRAnaDON. Get it?) While the flying monster(s) is often assigned second-fiddle status, its 1956 film is extremely important. Not only was it the first ‘kaiju eiga’ to be filmed in color, but it was also the first to be shown i…

It’s hard to overstate the influence of 1933’s “King Kong.” But this episode isn’t about that film. It’s about the two movies produced by Toho Studios that imported and featured the great ape: “King Kong vs. Godzilla” and “King Kong Escapes.” These are some of the most freewheeling giant monster movies you’ll ever lay eyes on; that may begin to exp…

Episode Six is all about Showa Era Gamera! All the Gamera films are reviewed, from 1965 to 1980. The relationship between Gamera and Mystery Science Theater 3000 is discussed. Then, thanks to G-FAN magazine, we hear from Showa Gamera director Noriaki Yuasa. Please visit g-fan.com and look for Monster Study Group on Twitter and Instagram. Write me a…

In this Extra Credit Episode, we follow up on Ep. 5 with a summary presentation of writer Shigeru Kayama’s original Godzilla story, which was adapted as a screenplay by Takeo Murata and Ishiro Honda. The text first appeared in G-FAN #12. Please visit g-fan.com for more information about the Godzilla Society of North America! And, look for Monster S…

Episode Five takes an in-depth look at the elements that make the original 1954 “Godzilla” so unique, specific, and influential. At the top of the show, I talk about things going on in my connection with Small Town Monsters, including the publication of a book, “Making Monsters.” I also tease a collaboration in the works with the awesome podcast “M…

This Special Edition of Monster Study Group is a presentation of the article “Abominable Snowman: Honda’s Hidden Gem” by Peter H. Brothers. It was published in G-FAN magazine issue # 69. To learn more about G-FAN please visit g-fan.com. Feel free to send your correspondence to monsterstudygroup@outlook.com and look for us on Twitter & Instagram.…

This is Monster Study Group’s first ‘Extra Credit’ episode. It is the transcript of an interview with Yoshimitsu Banno, director of “Godzilla vs. Hedorah/the Smog Monster,” published in G-FAN # 73 as “The Man Who Made Godzilla Fly.” For more exclusive interviews and behind-the scenes information, please visit g-fan.com today! Check out Monster Stud…

Japanese monster movies and cryptozoology are inextricably linked. Allow me to explain...This episode takes a look at Loren Coleman’s book “Bigfoot! The True Story of Apes in America.” Then we look back at a film from 1958 called “Half Human” and it’s Japanese antecedent “Beastman Snowman” (1955). What’s the connection? Listen in and find out—and f…

It’s Monster Study Group’s first ‘normal’ session! The topic is Toho’s Champion Festival, a film festival for children that ran from 1969 to 1978. Understanding the Champion Festival helps give context to the Godzilla films of the 1970s. You’ll hear about two books, “Ultraman Testimony” and “Pure Invention;” the first episode of “Return of Ultraman…

On this introductory episode, Mark talks about the experiences that formed him into a Monster Kid, Monster Dad, and Monster Scribe and Podcaster. He also talks about why this seems to be the right time to launch a new show devoted to Giant Monsters, Japanese Superheroes, and Cryptozoological Creatures. You’ll also hear his ideas about the format of…

What? Seth is back on the show? And Mark? Yes! Your ears do no deceive you! Listen as Mark and Seth regail you with tales of their epic journey to Bigfoot's homestead in the state of Washington. There's also information on a new show titled Monsteropolis, launching soon. Find us at: https://www.facebook.com/Saswhat https://twitter.com/saswhatshow i…

Our buddy Bevil, a real live Arkansas native, joins us for the first installment of Saswhat Nation: Arkansas! Wait until you hear the accounts he selected for the show. You'll feel like you're right down there by the Sulphur River. THE INVASION IS HERE! Small Town Monsters' "Invasion on Chestnut Ridge," featuring creature effects by Andy and narrat…

Hey, remember us? SasWhat returns with a full recap of our trip to Portland, Maine, for the International Cryptozoology Conference. It's like you were there with us, except you don't have to do a punishing drive through New England on Labor Day weekend! (Actually, it wasn't that bad. OK, parts of it were...oh never mind.) The phrase "once in a life…

SasWhat is back with a full bag of mail! Dr. Ruminski's article from our previous episode prompted a variety of responses, and you'll hear them all. Then it's on to an article featuring Dr. Richard Stepp and Dr. Jeff Meldrum, which underscores the professional price paid by scientists who are willing to investigate Bigfoot. A week from today, we'll…

We've always said that SasWhat is recorded for the skeptics...and we put that to the test with this episode. We are happy to have Dr. Jarret Ruminski as a listener, and he was kind enough to share an article with us, written by him, that appeared in The Skeptic magazine in September 2015. (I think I said November in the episode--a thousand pardons!…

It's been a long time! We shouldn't have left you without some SasWhat to step to. Sorry about that, but we were out of town, and since getting back, quite a bit of our free time has been devoted to post-production on Small Town Monsters' "Invasion on Chestnut Ridge." All of this is covered in the episode you're about to listen to, plus news about …

This is part two of Seth, Andy and Mark's presentation at the Willoughby Hills Library. The focus is squarely on classic Bigfoot cases from the great state of Ohio. From tales of Big Head and old Orange Eyes to the legend of Salt Fork State Park, the guys have got it covered. The entire Q & A session is also included, and the trio gets to talk abou…

Couldn't make it to Willoughby Hills? Want to relive the magic? We've got you covered with part one of the library presentation that took place July 5, 2017. Seth, Andy and Mark recount the origins of SasWhat, get all philosophical about the identity of Bigfoot, and begin a discussion of Buckeye Bigfoot cases that ought to whet your appetite for pa…

Andy and Mark have returned from Monster Bash in Pennsylvania, and have some good stuff to share--in particular, part of Stan Gordon's brand new presentation entitled "Stange Aspects of the Elusive Bigfoot." The guys also read a great letter from Stephen in Scotland and touch on a number of great communications they've received in recent days. Don'…

Full Disclosure: There is only one "senior" talking about Bigfoot on this episode. (The title is a riff on SasWhat Ep. 35, "Kids Talk About Bigfoot," which we're pretty sure was Andy's SasWhat debut.) It's Gerald Matzke, Mark's Dad and Andy's Grampy, and he steps up to the microphone quite admirably, if we do say so ourselves. We had a great time r…

Inspired by their recent escapades in the Chestnut Ridge region, Andy and Mark spend this episode sifting through the pages of Jerome Clark and Loren Coleman's "Creatures of the Outer Edge" for more odd Bigfoot reports. What emerges is a pattern of West Coast weirdness that has to be heard to be believed...and if you don't believe it, that's really…

This past weekend, Mark and Andy were present for the shooting of the next Small Town Monsters documentary, "Invasion on Chestnut Ridge," and found the time to record a segment for your listening enjoyment! In this episode, they explore the mysteries of southwestern Pennsylvania with guests Brandon Dalo and Stan Gordon. Standing in the shadow of th…

Andy and Mark are back! Thank you for the prayers and kind words directed Andy's way. He's feeling much better. One of our listeners (Ryan from Pittsburgh, to be precise) provided the inspiration for this week's episode. He asked us to name our top 10 best "Non-Small Town Monsters" Bigfoot movies. We happily obliged, and you may listen to the resul…

Mark is the sole host of episode 119, so he takes the opportunity to tell all kind of embarrassing stories about when Andy was a baby... Just kidding. Actually, Andy was not feeling well, so Mark starts the show by himself, dipping into the mailbag, briefly reviewing David Coleman's "The Bigfoot Filmography," and talking about a number of upcoming …

Lots going on this week! Andy and Mark announce a birth; they talk about stolen Bigfoot; read a letter; review the DVD "Sasquatch Odyssey"; and promote the next Small Town Monsters LIVE taking place this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. on Facebook. Then they reach into the audio archives to share a presentation by Paul Bartholomew, who is a well known and hi…