Best Ugly Duckling Films Podcasts (2024)

1
The Man Who Could Cheat Death 1:16:37

1d ago1:16:37

1:16:37

Everlasting life - the dream of man and AA battery alike. We have a look at Hammer's 1959 take on the perils of immortality, as Anton Diffring stars as Dr Georges Bonnet - a remarkably youthful-looking 104 year-old man with a terrible secret... Ben overcomes oral complications to host the episode, Adam leads the discussions, Cev talks immortality (…

1
Don't Panic Chaps 56:29

12d ago56:29

56:29

We're un-safely back in Hammer comedy territory for now and making the sort of-most of it with a show that does what it can. Surely Ben will be happier with this than The Ugly Duckling? Is it possible this film mirrors any kind of true life situation? Isn't it about time another Hammer Hero is announced? All will be revealed. “The House Of Hammer T…

101
High-Stakes Chase to Catch Austin's Serial Bomber 1:46

17d ago1:46

1:46

On March 2, 2018, an anonymous and deadly package bomb detonated on the doorstep of a home in Austin, Texas. Soon after - another was discovered, and another—each one a little more sophisticated than the last, and each target seemingly more and more random. Confusion and panic set in across the city - who was this elusive serial bomber? Why were th…

1
The Mummy 1:28:57

24d ago1:28:57

1:28:57

We're safely back in Hammer Horror territory for now and making the most of it with a bumper show that really does walk like an Egyptian... Cev's your tour guide and this time with a very well known guest. Ben is up to his neck in bandages, Adam appears to be even more cursed than normal and Smokey's rocking out in his corner. “The House Of Hammer …

1
Yesterday's Enemy 1:16:08

1M ago1:16:08

1:16:08

Adam leads us into the thick, sweaty Burmese jungle where things aren't going too well for nearly all concerned... There are spoilers abound as the powerful piece goes under the House of Hammer microscope. Smokey looks at the staggering critical reaction that paved the way to four BAFTA nominations, Ben examines some ecclesiastical heroism and Cev …

1
The Ugly Duckling 56:02

2M ago56:02

56:02

Sound the Bernard Bresslaw klaxon! One of the most inexplicable leading men in British cinema is back as Hammer take their first stab at the Jekyll and Hyde formula in this 1959 comedy.“Square nothing” Henry Jekyll stumbles across his great great grandfather's recipe for transformation, and uses it to turn into the super-confident Teddy Hide - with…

1
Ten Seconds to Hell 1:27:25

2M ago1:27:25

1:27:25

Hammer explode onto the screen in their post-war, bomb disposal thriller. Will anyone survive? Is a main character deeply unlikable or just misunderstood? Where does this sit among the classics from Hammer? “The House Of Hammer Theme” and incidental music - written and produced by Cev Moore Artwork by Richard Wells All the links you think you’ll ne…

1
The Hound Of The Baskervilles 1:11:12

3M ago1:11:12

1:11:12

BOGS! DOGS! FOGS! The Hound of the Baskervilles has it all and that's without mentioning the telescopes, sherry and funny hands. Is The Hound of the Baskervilles a highpoint in Hammer history? “The House Of Hammer Theme” and incidental music - written and produced by Cev Moore Artwork by Richard Wells All the links you think you’ll need & more! htt…

1
I Only Arsked! 51:56

3M ago51:56

51:56

We're back for the first feature episode of 2024, and once more we're taking a look at a 1958 Hammer military comedy with 'I Only Arsked' A small band of soldiers - including Bernard Breslaw (whom Cev takes a detailed look at), Michael Medwin and Charles Hawtrey - are shipped off to the Middle East to help prevent a coup. Naturally, not everything …

1
A New Year Thank You 4:38

4M ago4:38

4:38

To kick off 2024, we just wanted to say a huge thank you to each and every one of you that listens to The House of Hammer.And for anyone who’s considering upgrading to or signing up for the Hidden Room tier, a little snippet of what you could be enjoying... Please note: this was meant to go out at the end of 2023...but we forgot. So we've just re-e…

1
The Office Party: 2023 59:32

4M ago59:32

59:32

It's more a bad habit at the moment than an actual tradition, but we're going with it... Here's our end of year wind up and wind down all at once that features monkeys, trousers, Middlesborough, Numan and as much silliness as you'd expect from the office party although we did at least keep Smokey away from the photocopier this time. “The House Of H…

1
Up & Further Up The Creek 1:29:37

5M ago1:29:37

1:29:37

Our final episode of 2023 is a bumper double header! It's a 2-4-1 comedic naval extravaganza (the best kind of extravaganza) as Ben takes you firstly Up The Creek and then, despite whatever objections you may have, continues to take you Further Up The Creek. Yes, not one but two farcical frigates full of fiddlers. Speaking of which, Cev's talking a…

1
The Online Christmas Bash! 2:15

5M ago2:15

2:15

As it's our final screening of the year, it will be FREE to EVERYONE, but (and its, a big but, I cannot lie), there will be the chance for a get together in the cocktail lounge afterwards that will be exclusive to paying patrons only. It's a prestige affair after all. With cheese. All the links you think you’ll need & more! https://linktr.ee/househ…

1
The Revenge of Frankenstein 1:05:49

5M ago1:05:49

1:05:49

We're back with Dr Frankenstein...or is it Dr Stein...or Dr Frank? Either way, Ben, Cev and Smokey are here to take you through the 1958 gothic horror sequel. Cushing is back, the blood is back, but is the magic of the first Hammer Frankenstein film back too? “The House Of Hammer Theme” and incidental music - written and produced by Cev Moore Artwo…

1
The Snorkel 55:31

5M ago55:31

55:31

It's time to get the sunglasses out as we hightail it to Italy for The Snorkel released in July 1958. Cev's the dubious travel agent, Ben's checking for trapdoors and Smokey's checking his equipment... “The House Of Hammer Theme” and incidental music - written and produced by Cev Moore Artwork by Richard Wells All the links you think you’ll need & …

1
Dracula 1:39:25

6M ago1:39:25

1:39:25

Yes, we’ve made it. After well over 50 films, we finally arrive at the gothic towers and creaking gates of this famous Transylvanian abode. We take a look at Hammer’s first iteration of the fella in the cape with the big pointy teeth with a penchant for sucking the necks of beautiful young women. Plus! Ben charts Dracula's on-screen journey pre-195…

1
The Camp on Blood Island 1:05:18

6M ago1:05:18

1:05:18

Into 1958 we go and take a (brief) break from the horror, with Hammer's war drama, The Camp on Blood Island. Join us as Smokey takes on the military, Cev chases some holdouts and Ben pursues the critics. Described as one of the most controversial Hammer films, does it still have the power to shock? “The House Of Hammer Theme” and incidental music -…

1
The Abominable Snowman (Of The Himalayas) 54:36

7M ago54:36

54:36

In this episode, Cev is literally your guide around the mountains of Tibet which is a really poor decision as he gets lost halfway through a sentence. Luckily, or not so luckily, Smokey and Ben are here as well to chat about Nigel Kneale and mythical creatures if we all end up lost. There's also chat about film squishing and Forrest Tucker to boot!…

1
Quatermass 2 (Enemy From Space) 1:03:32

7M ago1:03:32

1:03:32

There's a whiff of ammonia in the air as Ben guides you around the house this time, and it's not his aftershave. So he claims. We take a look at the first ever film ever to have a number 2 in the title to indicate it was a follow-up. Ever. Professor Quatermass is back to face another would-be alien invasion, and if anything he's even more grumpy as…

1
The Steel Bayonet 57:59

8M ago57:59

57:59

We leave the horror behind, briefly, to get into the trenches, with The Steel Bayonet. Ben takes us on a tour of Tunisia, Cev shows us his (non-mucky) literary collection and Smokey tries not to blow himself up. Is the film a hidden gem or should it remain in the past? This episode is dedicated to Terry Croxton (1948-2023) “The House Of Hammer Them…

1
The Curse Of Frankenstein 1:03:29

8M ago1:03:29

1:03:29

A film of many firsts, but is The Curse Of Frankenstein frightful or fantastic? Tune in to find out... “The House Of Hammer Theme” and incidental music - written and produced by Cev Moore Artwork by Richard Wells All the links you think you’ll need & more! https://linktr.ee/househammerpodBy The Gaff Network

1
Women Without Men (Blonde Bait) 1:12:36

9M ago1:12:36

1:12:36

We’re off to The clink. The cooler. The slammer. The big house. We’re going up the river. And various other assorted synonyms. Because the subject of this episode is Hammer’s 1956 prison drama ‘Women Without Men’ AKA 'Blonde Bait'. And for once, that AKA in the middle is rather significant.Cev explains why, Smokey escapes pokey and Ben's on hosting…

1
X The Unknown 1:11:59

9M ago1:11:59

1:11:59

Not only are we back within Sci-fi/horror territory, but we're also celebrating our 50th Hammer film milestone. Come and join in the celebrations with an extra special 'live' episode! Smokey dons the hosting apron, Cev radiates joy and Ben goes X-rated. “The House Of Hammer Theme” and incidental music - written and produced by Cev Moore Artwork by …

1
The Quatermass Xperiment (The Creeping Unknown) 1:13:56

9M ago1:13:56

1:13:56

Finally - a film you might have heard of! Cev's your guide around this particular room and he's scared already, Smokey's gone all churchy while Ben's off to see the bug eyed monsters... “The House Of Hammer Theme” and incidental music - written and produced by Cev Moore Artwork by Richard Wells All the links you think you’ll need & some you never t…

1
The Glass Cage (The Glass Tomb) 53:51

10M ago53:51

53:51

Roll up! Roll Up! For the show of the century. Well at least today... Let Ben guide you through this unusual exhibit that will leave you astounded, amazed and (just maybe) apathetic! “The House Of Hammer Theme” and incidental music - written and produced by Cev Moore Artwork by Richard Wells All the links you think you’ll need & some you never thou…

1
Murder By Proxy (Blackout) 52:44

10M ago52:44

52:44

We're back in the company of Dane Clark and Belinda Lee, for the ultimate "what the hell happened last night?" Along the way, we discuss costumes, which is the best slang term for over imbibing and just what was to come for Hammer in 1955. “The House Of Hammer Theme” and incidental music - written and produced by Cev Moore Artwork by Richard Wells …

1
Break In The Circle 56:25

11M ago56:25

56:25

The journey continues and this time it's taking us to Hamburg via Cornwall... Ben gets all adventurous while Cev & Smokey talk about subs and Eva Bartok. Cev mentions a link to a list of Hammer films we all use. It can be found here: https://boxd.it/cqsX2 “The House Of Hammer Theme” and incidental music - written and produced by Cev Moore Artwork b…

1
Mask Of Dust (Race For Life) 56:19

11M ago56:19

56:19

It's time to head down to the racetrack for some high octane action, as we take a look at Hammer’s 1954 car racing action drama thing Mask of Dust. Plus, Cev takes a look at how this movie fits into the wider history of the car racing movie, Smokey talks rear projection and Ben...knows what The Waterboy was called when it was released in Thailand. …

1
Men of Sherwood 56:50

12M ago56:50

56:50

So...we're in 1194...but we're also in 1954? Well, that's confusing.Either way, we have Hammer's first colour film and we are in the company of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Nothing can go wrong with that combination, right? But, just who is Robin Hood? Why Was King Richard the way he was and just why is archery so darned painful?! “The House Of Ha…

1
Third Party Risk (The Deadly Game) 52:57

1y ago52:57

52:57

Eviva España! It's time to crack out your sun hats and sandals as we're off to sunny erm... Windsor. At least it's a little bit of sunshine with Third Party Risk (aka The Deadly Game) (1954). Cev's waffling on about old tapes & bald vegans, Ben looks very closely at something very tiny and Smokey is speaking in tongues… “The House Of Hammer Theme” …

1
The Stranger Came Home (The Unholy Four) 50:44

1y ago50:44

50:44

New episode! Philip Vickers has returned home. Where has he been? And why? And who are all of these people that he’s coming back to? And why does he seem very angry? All of these questions and more are designed to intrigue, when in fact they merely…confuse. Join Smokey, Cev and Ben as they attempt to work out what is going on.Also! There's fainting…

1
The House Across the Lake (Heatwave) 1:02:51

1y ago1:02:51

1:02:51

A scheming blonde? A rich husband? A lake? Hang on, we've heard that somewhere before, haven't we? Very possibly. Join Smokey, Cev and Ben as they land safely back on the shores of 1950's Hammer noir, once again. “The House Of Hammer Theme” and incidental music - written and produced by Cev Moore Artwork by Richard Wells To sign up as a patron and …

1
Life With The Lyons 1:18:26

1y ago1:18:26

1:18:26

In this bumper package, Ben, Cev & Smokey are taking a closer look at a family that seem all but forgotten in the 21st Century despite being something of a phenomenon. Ben investigates the Kardashians of their day, Smokey tells us about Belinda Lee whilst arguing with the lesser known comedy duo Farce & Slapstick and Cev talks TV (again). “The Hous…

1
Five Days (Paid To Kill) 56:25

1y ago56:25

56:25

Hello all - new episode! We take a look at Hammer's 1954 noir murder mystery (kind of) thing Five Days AKA Paid To Kill. Jim Nevill (Dane Clark) is down on his luck and has hit rock bottom. He's sees only one way out - death. And to bring about the end, he hires a hitman. But then things...take a turn. Find out what we thought of it, plus: Cev tell…

1
Face The Music (The Black Glove) 54:14

1y ago54:14

54:14

And-a-one-and-a-two-and-a-three...and JAZZ HANDS!! Can your ears believe it? We finally land in 1954 and we do it with our toes-a-tappin' to the tune of Hammer's jazz heavy effort, Face The Music AKA The Black Glove. Want more noir? We've got you covered.Want another American in the UK? Oh, you betcha.Want a murder mystery interspersed with lots of…

1
Spaceways 50:13

1y ago50:13

50:13

Space murder! In Space on a Space Island! If only we could believe everything we see on some creative marketing man's idea of an April fools joke in December. Cev's your pilot on Hammer's 1953 murder mystery/ spy thriller/ romantic melodrama Spaceways. It's a bit of an odd sort, but by jove, it's the first time we've been able to suit up for blast …

1
36 Hours (Terror Street) 59:57

1+ y ago59:57

59:57

The House of Hammer is back! We take a look at Hammer’s 1954 thriller 36 Hours, where Dan Duryea has, well, 36 hours to investigate a mystery that turns into a murder. Plus, Cev talks Duryea, Smokey looks at the life of Jane Carr and Ben tells you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about…safety deposit boxes? “The House Of Hammer Theme” and inci…

1
The Festive Spectacular! 1:13:05

1+ y ago1:13:05

1:13:05

As it's that special time of year, we've taken a break from our regular episodes to bring you something a bit different. A quick summary of the year in Hammer, no less than THREE quizzes (one with monkeys), some awards and, if you stay the course right until then end of the episode, a little taste of what it's like behind the scenes at a recording.…

1
Blood Orange (3 Stops To Murder) 51:54

1+ y ago51:54

51:54

The lads are all here for the fashion show, Smokey looks fetching in ruby, Ben looks sexy in orange and Cev looks delicious in...beige. They're all here for Hammer's 1953 effort, Blood Orange. Is it fizzy like Lucozade or flat like Um Bongo? “The House Of Hammer Theme” and incidental music - written and produced by Cev Moore Artwork by Richard Well…

1
The Saint's Return (The Saint's Girl Friday) 48:07

1+ y ago48:07

48:07

The Saint returns! From where? We hope to get to the bottom of it here... Let Ben take you through some books, Smokey through some media and Cev through some filth. “The House Of Hammer Theme” and incidental music - written and produced by Cev Moore Artwork by Richard Wells All the links you think you’ll need & some you never thought of! https://li…

1
The Flanagan Boy (Bad Blonde) 50:31

1+ y ago50:31

50:31

A young prizefighter has what it takes to go all the way to the top, but a white-hot affair with the wife of his promoter could cost him more than just his shot at the title. Join Cev, Smokey and Ben as we take a look at Hammer's 1953 sporting drama/ femme-fatale noir thriller... “The House Of Hammer Theme” and incidental music - written and produc…

1
Four Sided Triangle 1:00:06

1+ y ago1:00:06

1:00:06

Smokey's your guide through a Four Sided Triangle. A surprising shape or film for so many reasons and not just because of the bad geometry. Ben goes all weird science in space, Smokey finds the connection between a gorilla and Bob Hope and Cev finally destroys the nylon business model... “The House Of Hammer Theme” and incidental music - written an…

1
Mantrap (Man In Hiding) 54:44

1+ y ago54:44

54:44

There's a puzzling mystery to be solved with 1953's Mantrap (Man/ Woman In Hiding) and it's one that's even too perplexing for Ben, Cev & Smokey so they're joined by Adam in the hope that he might help. Along the way there's talk of Miss Moneypenny, rotary dials and a split personality author... “The House Of Hammer Theme” and incidental music - wr…

1
The Gambler & The Lady 57:16

1+ y ago57:16

57:16

We take a look at Hammer's 1953 thriller, where a gambler trying to better himself and looking for love, finds the odds stacked against him (and there's yet more vehicular trauma...!) Plus, Smokey gets all literal, Ben takes look at the history of gambling in Britain and takes a quick trip down memory lane in the process, whilst Cev puts our latest…

1
Lady In The Fog (Scotland Yard Inspector) 52:18

1+ y ago52:18

52:18

Smokey is your guide through the smog for this episode. Join us for tales of crazy directors, naughty drinkies and why we should all adore a true Hollywood legend. “The House Of Hammer Theme” and incidental music - written and produced by Cev Moore Artwork by Richard Wells All the links you think you’ll need & some you never thought of! https://lin…

1
Stolen Face 49:41

1+ y ago49:41

49:41

Cev gets lost whist left in charge of guiding you through this episode, Ben loses face and Smokey loses patients... “The House Of Hammer Theme” and incidental music - written and produced by Cev Moore Artwork by Richard Wells All the links you think you’ll need & some you never thought of! https://linktr.ee/househammerpod…

1
Never Look Back 57:30

1+ y ago57:30

57:30

Order! Objection! Sustained! And so forth.We take a look at Hammer's 1952 courtroom drama Never Look Back, where an ambitious young barrister risks her career for an old flame. Will our three-man jury find it not guilty or not guilty of being a decent movie? Also, Smokey demystifies a hairpiece, Cev talks telephone boxes and Ben's lined up a few wi…

1
Wings Of Danger 1:00:05

1+ y ago1:00:05

1:00:05

Death! Blackmail! Counterfeiting! Crime! Codes! Guernsey! Wings Of Danger may well have it all. Join Ben, Cev and Smokey and see if it's dead on course or dead on arrival. Elsewhere, Cev looks into tax dodging, Smokey gets into smuggling and Ben explores some funny money... “The House Of Hammer Theme” and incidental music - written and produced by …

1
The Last Page (Man Bait) 1:17:48

2y ago1:17:48

1:17:48

Adam is your guide for Hammer's 1952 thriller Man Bait - starring George Brent and Diana Dors - a twisty tale of deceit, murder and blackmail... Elsewhere Cev examines the many differences between American and British film titles and running times, Smokey looks at the origins of blackmail itself, Ben has a little help from a special guest to learn …

1
Death Of An Angel 56:40

2y ago56:40

56:40

Cev's the last person you want guiding you through a whodunnit, he has enough trouble figuring out who's who. Is it by accident or design that's exactly what he's doing this time? You decide... Ben brings his unnervingly deep knowledge of various poisons to the dining table. Adam gets real about wheels of the watery kind. Smokey complains about you…

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Ugly Duckling Films Podcasts

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