The death of a famous piano player sends his household into disarray as staff and family clash over his estate, in and amoungst the scheming however is the, supposed, severed hand of the piano player himself strangling those to death who have wronged him.

Learn the tale of the demonic hand and the real man behind it.

As well we are continuing our meta conversation around the idea of madness in slasher films and the societal factors behind the idea of the killer who kills but can't remember it as related to the period of this film's release.

Enjoy

In a remote mansion and monster hunts, it's target a young mute woman, this monster has killed before selecting the disabled for its dark aims, and it is closing in.

Learn the tale of the monster known as Albert Warren.

For out broader conversation on the proto-slasher this film is very important as it introduces the idea of slasher who thinks they are killing for righteous reasons as well as introduces the concept of group targeting which we would see developed far more in the heydey of the slasher.

A celebrated pianist turns into a murderous villain each time he hears a discordant musical note. What begins as seemingly random acts of violent happening under the guise of amnesia, quickly starts to look far more underlying.

In terms of our meta conversation on the proto-slasher we also discuss the idea of music and it's link to killers, with regard to diegetic and non-diegetic music use.

When bodies become a trade murder becomes big business. In steps John Grey the focus of this week's episode, a 'resurrection man' a body snatcher by another name. Grey digs up bodies for his employer at the medical college, and when he can't find a body he makes one.

Based on the Robert Louis Stevenson short story.

We continue our conversation on the supernatural killer with this film being the first time we get a killer disappearance ala Michael Myers.

A big cat roams the city at night killing people, however, as time goes by something far more human is revealed as the connection between serial killer and beast is firmly established.

In this episode we are exploring the life and times of Dr Galbraith as well as talking about the rise of killers who kill because they want to as opposed to our other conversations on Proto-Slashers linked to greed.

Setting out on a pleasure cruise in search of hidden treasure, a group of young people soon find themselves caught up in a game of life and death, where the only spot x marks is a grave.

As for our broader discussion of the proto-slasher herein we welcome the era of the 40s and discuss for the first time a film featuring two slashers.

A maniac prowls the countryside, a man has conquered human biology by creating a formula that allows him to hold his breath for a long period of time underground. That same man's wealthy uncle dies as a result of the maniacs actions, then suddenly the rest of the man's family begin to die one by one as well.

In this episode we discuss the defining motifs of the Thirties in terms of it's development of the proto-slasher as well as talk about how clearly defined aspects are starting to emerge.

A man who uses his own private zoo to kill his wife's lovers is the subject of today's episode.

In terms of our broader look at the proto slasher we introduce a new and vital frame to the discussion and that is sex. The idea of sexual sadism and jealousy and how it is a motivating factor, along with gain and madness.