The Witches (1966) – SSP254
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:14:49 — 102.7MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Blubrry | JioSaavn | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | Anghami | RSS | More
Come closer… the shadows grow restless. This week on the Scary Spirits podcast, Greg presses onward in his relentless crusade to review every Hammer Horror film, dragging the 1966 cult nightmare The Witches, starring the chillingly composed Joan Fontaine, out from beneath layers of dust and dread.
Your hosts Karen and Greg peer deep into this unsettling piece of classic British horror, unraveling its curses, quiet menace, and creeping atmosphere—where evil whispers instead of screams. As the discussion darkens, so does the glass, with a specially prepared “Voodoo Doll” cocktail fueling the descent into the occult.
Expect brooding analysis, shadow‑soaked commentary, and a slow burn of supernatural unease as folklore, fear, and film history entwine. This is Hammer Horror at its most insidious—subtle, sinister, and steeped in doom. Pour carefully, listen closely, and remember… some spirits are better left undisturbed.
Voodoo Doll Cocktail
• 1/2 oz vodka
• 1/2 oz of Chambord Raspberry Liqueur (alt: raspberry liqueur)
• orange juice
• cranberry juice
Instructions:
- Add vodka and Chambord to a shaker.
- Add orange juice and cranberry juice until desired taste.
- Shake and serve with ice in a cocktail glass.
Source: cocktailbuilder.com
A Brief Synopsis: Gwen Mayfield suffers a mental collapse after a showdown with a witch doctor while performing missionary work in Africa. Once she recuperates, she starts teaching at a private school in England and gets to know Linda, one of her students. Linda’s boyfriend claims that there is a cult that is going to sacrifice her, and Gwen begins to investigate the wild rumors. This leads her to a confrontation with powerful cult leader Stephanie Bax.
Some of the topics discussed and highlights of this episode include:
- We learn what a mangle is.
- Dr. Karen tells us about penicillin.
- Karen gives us a little history on Galileo and his feather and cannonball experiment.
- The career of Joan Fontaine is discussed.
- Greg tells us about the Christian holiday Lammastide.
- Greg also makes a reference to Todd Rundgren.
Our rating of the film:
This movie was so bad that it took us 4 cocktails to get through it.
Take our online survey!
We want to know more about you! Please take our survey. All questions are optional and you can remain completely anonymous if you prefer. Tell us what you like or would like to hear more of!
All music on the Scary Spirits Podcast is provided by the band “Verse 13”. Please check them out. You can listen to all their music on their Bandcamp page.
Get social with us!
- Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram
- Subscribe on YouTube to watch Greg attempt to make all the featured cocktails
- Follow @ScarySpiritsPod
Questions, comments or suggestions?
Shoot us an email at info@scaryspirits.com
As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small percentage of qualifying purchases through our links.