Myths in Movies: Recent Episodes
Erin and Sarah
Join friends Erin and Sarah as they explore some of the best myths and legends featured in film and television. We’ll discover how those tall tales turned into legendary monsters or beloved heroes. When we're not covering monsters and things that go bump in the night, we'll analyze some of our favorite movies and discover their surprising links to mythology, ancient and modern alike. Join us!
This week we are talking mummies! We will follow their place in culture from archeological find to starring role in monster movies. Check it out now!
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This week we are talking about the Leshy. It's a Slavic folkloric creature who guards the heart of the forest. Listen now to learn more!
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This week we are traveling to Mexico to learn all about the lechuza, a witch who turns into an owl. She hunts at night, her prey is limited to drunk men and babies. Learn more and listen now!
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This week we are talking about a folkloric monster called the kappa. He mostly resembles a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and he haunts the rivers and lakes of Japan. Listen now to learn more!
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This week we are covering the undead monster that roams the permafrost of Scandanavia! Listen now, if you dare!
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This week we are covering a creature hailing from South America- the kasagonaga!
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Everyone has heard of Spiderman, but have you heard of the Japanese spider woman? She's a shapeshifting monster that likes to eat men. To learn more, listen now!
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This week we are talking about the legendary of King Solomon's mines. I will explore where the myth comes from, what explorers have found and where the hunt stands today!
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This week we are covering werewolves! We will explore their ancient Greek roots and their role in modern culture.
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This week we are talking about carnivorous plants! We'll be exploring their folklore roots and how these scary vines took hold in pop culture.
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Do you like mermaids? But perhaps you think they just aren't scary enough. They need to have fangs, claws, and a penchant for murdering humans. Good news, I have the perfect monster for you- the nixie!
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This week we are covering the origins and practicality of alchemy. We're digging into its dark and mystical roots, back in the ancient world. It'll be a good time and we hope you learn something new!
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This week I am facing my fear of clowns to tell you all about them! We'll discuss their unique origins and how they became so creepy. Check it out now!
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I'm digging myself out from under a pile of snow this week. In honor of all that snow, I thought we could explore monsters that only appear in winter. Check it out!
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This week we are covering a story that has featured so prominently in popular culture that is has become its own folktale! We are covering the ballet, Swan Lake and its Slavic origins.
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Want to hear a historical ghost story? We'll cover the legendary ghost and explore different theories. Check it out!
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What's the secret? Well, many think this is the epitome of a benign, passive princess but I would argue it's actually a feminist tale. Check out the episode to learn more!
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This week we are talking about the folklore origins of the Frog Prince and it's influence on the Disney movie, the Frog Princess. Join us!
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This week we are talking about chimeras! There are many kinds- ancient Greek monsters, animals, and even some humans. Check it out now to learn more!
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Ever wonder why there seems to a tree of life in every mythology? From Christianity to Ancient Mesopotamia, it's always around. We'll explore why and how it's represented in popular movies like, the Jungle Cruise.
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This week we are talking about centaurs! We are going to find out how they started out in Ancient Greek mythology and how they've changed in popular culture. Join us!
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This week we are talking about the urban legend of the babysitter and the man upstairs. He calls her on the phone, urging her to check on the children, only for the police to inform the babysitter that the call is coming from inside the house! We'll talk about the true crime origins of the legend and the creepy movies it has inspired.
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We are celebrating Halloween a little early with this episode all about the original vampire himself, Dracula. Cuddle up in front of the fire and let me tell you all about this monster and his Romanian origins.
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This week we are covering aliens and their portrayal in modern culture. Sure, we know them as little green men but where does that idea come from? And why do all alien abduction stories sound the same? Check out the episode for answers to these and more!
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There's a slight dip in the summer temperatures which means it is almost fall! And that means it's almost Halloween which means I'm busting out the horror movies. Today I'm talking about one of my favorites- Cabin in the Woods. I'm researching one of the monsters featured in the film and will tell you everything I learned!
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This week we are all about gnomes! We'll talk about their origins and just why people plant them in their backyard gardens. Check it out now!
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This week we are covering Poltergeists! I am conquering my scary movie fear one movie at a time and I'm telling you all about it. We'll learn where the word comes from, famous cases, and whether or not they are real!
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This week we are covering Elves and the Shoemaker! We'll talk about the origins of the story and its influence on the western world. Check it out now!
Matteo Lane - German VS Italian Dating - YouTube
Looney Tunes - Volume 11 - Ep30 - Yankee Dood it HD Watch HD Deutsch - video Dailymotion
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This week we are focusing on the lore of cursed dolls. How did this phenomenon start and just why are we so scared of dolls? All will be answered, just go ahead and listen!
Peggy the doll video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHk44smoO_c&t=93s&pp=ygUOcGVnZ3kgdGhlIGRvbGw%3D
Letta me out doll on Australian TV: https://youtu.be/gGFGqSxLUs4
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When researching last week's episode, I came across so much fun stuff about its author, Hans Christian Andersen. This week I am covering everything that couldn't fit in last week's episode. We'll talk about Andersen's romantic life, where or not he was gay, and of course the wild vacation he took at Charles Dickens' country home.
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It's winter time here in fairy tale land so put away your sunglasses and grab your cozy blanket. We are journeying to Lapland to learn all about Hans Christian Andersen's Snow Queen. Join us and learn how this fairytale inspired Disney's Frozen!
Sources
When Opera Star Jenny Lind Came to America, She Witnessed a Nation Torn Apart Over Slavery | History| Smithsonian Magazine
Frozen's original storyline and ending were VERY different with an evil Elsa and snow monster army - Mirror Online
Frozen was our most important feminist film but the sequel won't have the same impact (theconversation.com)
Frozen Was VERY Different To The Snow Queen: Everything Disney Changed (screenrant.com)
Has anyone else read The Snow Queen? (SPOILERS IN THE LAST PARAGRAPH) : r/fairytales (reddit.com)
A Summary and Analysis of Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Snow Queen’ Fairy Tale – Interesting Literature
“The Snow Queen”, analysis of the tale by Hans Christian Andersen | LitHelper
The Snow Queen Summary and Analysis – Litbug
Spelling ETERNITY: The Alchemy of “The Snow Queen” – Painted Blind Publishing
Innocence and Eternity in "The Snow Queen" — CenterForLit
The Snow Queen | Hans Christian Andersen | Lit2Go ETC (usf.edu) (actual story)
Frozen in Time: Disney's Adaptation of a Literary Classic - Rotoscopers
screenrant.com
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This week we are traveling to the Philippines to learn all about one of the goriest monsters I have ever heard of. Her name is Mananaggal and she is a self segmenting viscera sucker. Basically she likes blood and loves to slurp up your organs! And she can detach her torso from her legs so she can fly off and find her victims. Check it out!
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It's a tokoloshe hailing all the way from South Africa. This little imp can be quite a terror- he will haunt your dreams or just plain terrorize you. Anything that goes wrong in your life could be the work of a tokoloshe. Good luck sleeping after your hear about this little guy!
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This week we are covering the eternal engima- Rumpelstiltskin. Where does his name come from? Why does he want to steal a baby? Did he have an affair with the princess and that explains his temper tantrum when she foils his plan?
All will be revealed so listen now!
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This week is even crazier because we are getting into the folklore stories that inspired the ring. We'll dive into wells, driving the evil insane, cursed poisons, and murderous affairs. Check it out now!
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This week we are time traveling back to the 2000's and exploring a movie that has haunted me for years- The Ring. Turns out that Samara, the little girl who likes to climb out of televisions, took inspiration from several frightening folktales as well as a real person about a hundred years ago. We'll tell you all about it...if you dare! Maybe make sure your television is turned off first. Just in case.
Sources:
Chizuko Mifune and the Practice of Psychic Photography (the-line-up.com)
https://www.curiousarchive.com/the-ring-origin-story/
Japan's Onryō Spirits Inhabit a Purgatory of Revenge and Cosmic Rage - Atlas Obscura
Oiwa | Japanese Ghost Stories | Yotsuya Kaidan | Scary For Kids
Oiwa | Yokai.com
Haunted Yotsuya: Hidden Ghost Stories in Tokyo | Blog | Travel Japan (Japan National Tourism Organization)
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This week we are talking about Cinderella's forgotten sister, All Kinds of Fur. This heroine is a Cinderella variant in which her father decides that she should be her new bride. It's a rough one but actually might be my favorite. Give me a chance to explain by listening to the episode!
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We are wrapping up our discussion of zombies this week. Last week we tackled how zombies came from Haitian voodoo and just how they entered the American zeitgeist. Now we are talking about their evolution on screen and how these malleable monsters tackle society's issues and injustices.
Check it out now!
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Have you ever watched the Walking Dead and thought, I wonder where zombies come from? Are they a fairytale invention? Or a uniqChue monster created by an author, like Frankenstein?
Listen now to learn all about this monster and just how he has wormed his way into America's heart.
Check out the source material for this episode!
https://youtu.be/KIGmsxBMnjA
https://youtu.be/5sC_5SsMI8A
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I bet you thought trolls were just little dolls with crazy hair. But it turns out they are beloved fixtures of Scandinavian folklore. They've evolved from helpful little scamps to vengeful outsiders to demonic forces and back again. Listen now to learn more!
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The tale of two brothers, Cyclops and Polyphemus. One achieved immortality by becoming an infamous monster known the world over. The other? Shunted to the background. Find out about the maligned brother by listening now!
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We are back and better than ever! This week we are trying something new- Erin on her own. Sarah will hopefully be back soon but for this week please enjoy Erin ranting about beauty standards in the form a children's fairy tale.
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Everyone knows the story of the little scamps named Hansel and Gretel who outsmart the evil witch. It's one of the darker tales in the Grimm canon but what if I told you there was an even darker historical secret that inspired the story? Listen now...if you dare.
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This week we are diving into the original crone- Baba Yaga. This bad bitch isn't your typical witch- she eats kids sure, but she rides around on a mortar and pestle. We're talking about her origins and how she has influenced fairy tales. Check it out now!
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In honor of Halloween, we are covering Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. We will explore why this tale is so darn popular and sprinkle in some lesser known historical facts. (Like why Shelley named Frankenstein the modern Prometheus)
Join us!
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Medusa! Meduce, deuce! She's a great monster- lovely face with a look that turns mortals to stone. But how did she get that way? Was she born with a head full of snakes? We're finding out! Join us!
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In the Disney films, Pinocchio is a lovable puppet who wants nothing more than to be a real boy. But the original story is much darker. As Pinocchio goes about his life, he manages to endanger himself and everyone around him. He even murders a beloved character. Yet the book is considered one of the finest examples of Italian literature ever written. Want to know more? Listen now!
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This week we are tackling Beauty and the Beast. We are familiar with the Disney version where candlesticks and teapots speak, but the original is very different. The original was written in 1756 as an entertaining tale for adults, not a fairytale with a moral for kids. We'll be exploring why the author wanted her hero to marry a beast. Is she secretly into bestiality or does she have something else to say? Listen now!
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This week we are trading superheroes for monsters. We are talking about one of the most popular superheroes ever, Thor. The Marvel movies are incredibly popular and everyone associates Thor with Chris Hemsworth. But we want to know what does the Norse mythology say about our hero? We'll find out and hope you join us!
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Think that alligators are the only terrors in the swamp? Think again, my friend!
This week we are introducing you to some whole new horrors that live in the swamp. We're talking about the Bunyip, the legendary creature haunting the rivers of Australia, the grunch of Louisiana, and more!
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This week we are focusing on Ogres!
We are learning all about the monster featured in Shrek and its roots in European and Japanese folklore. There are some fun traditions in Japanese folklore with ogres as well some very sweet stories. Check it out now!
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From Harry Potter to Splash, mermaids have been represented very differently in popular culture. We will explore the history of mermaids, including their association with sirens in Greek mythology. We will also attempt to explain for once and for all, if mermaids are real.
Check it out!
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Welcome back! It's another wonderful episode all about mythology. This week we are covering jinn- the spirit featured in lots of Middle Eastern folklore and famously played by Robin Williams in Aladdin. We talk about what Disney got wrong and just who exactly came up with the Aladdin story. Check it out now!
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We're back for another exciting adventure in mythology land. This week we are tackling the legendary cryptid, the Loch Ness Monster. We will talk about how the legend got started, how it evolved, and what (if anything) scientists have found at the bottom of Loch Ness. Listen now!
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We are back with a fresh new episode. I know you missed us and we missed you, lovely listeners!
This week we are traveling (metaphorically) to Prague to learn about Rabbi Lowe and the monster he created, the Golem. But unlike other monsters, this one is actually a good guy, or at least for a time. His sole mission in life is to protect the innocent until he goes a little too far. We will learn about his creation, who he was protecting, and what he was protecting them from. Listen now!
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RE-RELEASE
Due to summer vacations and COVID, we will not be releasing a new episode this week. Please enjoy a classic episode from February. Love to you all and see you next week.
This week's episode is all about the legendary sea monster, the Kraken.
You've probably heard the phrase, "Release the Kraken!" Well, we discuss the origins of the phrase, the monster they were referring to, and then we do our favorite bit- explain the origins of the monster! We go all the way back to 12th century Norway when King Severre warned his sailors to take heed and look out for monsters! What was he referring to? What was eating sailors out on the high seas? Find out on this week's episode!
And then for some added mythology fun, we look at the sea monsters featured in Greek legend. We talk about sea monsters with tentacles, dogs heads coming out of funny places, monsters with multiple heads, and more! It's enough to scare Odysseus back to Penelope, post haste!
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Sources!
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/67371/15-kraken-facts-and-myths-unleash-conversation
Monstrum
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-Kraken-depicted-with-a-more-octopus-like-appearance-attacking-a-ship-Author_fig1_267732069
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RE-RELEASE
Due to some work commitments, we will not be publishing a new episode this week. So check out a classic episode all about Harry Potter and his foe- the basilisk.
Have you heard of the basilisk? It’s one of Harry Potter’s legendary foes. We’re going back in time and exploring all of the folklore surrounding it. We’ll hang in the 16th century and learn how a basilisk is created. We even learn about a Swiss town that was so worried they had a rooster who produced a basilisk, they put the rooster on trial. Don’t worry, it’s totally above board- he had his own lawyer.
Check it out now!
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Sources
https://www.neatorama.com/story/In-1474-A-Swiss-Rooster-was-Put-on-Trial-for-Laying-an-Egg/
R. McN. Alexander. (1963). The Evolution of the Basilisk. Greece & Rome, 10(2), 170–181. http://www.jstor.org/stable/642817
Monstrum, pbs
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/on-the-trail-of-the-warsaw-basilisk-5691840/
Longwell, S. E. (1917). Myth and Error in the Rise of Natural History. The Scientific Monthly, 4(4), 355–364. http://www.jstor.org/stable/22473
Mysteries at the museum
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Calling all Princess Bride fans! This week we are covering the rodents of unusual size featured in the film. We will tell you all about rodents featured in mythology and what terrifying creature inspired in the rodents in the film. Turns out this very real creature is wreaking havoc on the swampland of Louisiana and other coastal states.
Tune in now!
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We are back from our COVID induced hiatus and we are better than ever! This week we are covering that enigmatic Irish siren, the banshee. Turns out there is way more to this gal than just crazy screaming and crying. The banshee has her roots in Celtic mythology and Irish funeral rituals. To learn more, listen now!
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We are back! We hope you missed us, as we certainly missed you!
This week we are tackling the Lady of the Lake. She's a minor character in Monty Python but integral to the legend of King Arthur. Without her, Arthur wouldn't even have a sword and therefore no kingdom to rule. We'll cover her legends in Welsh folklore, evolution to the famous French poems, and then finally her role in modern culture.
Check it out now!
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This week Erin and Sarah are diving into the legend that haunts the moors of England. It's the Grim! You're probably familiar with it from Harry Potter, but it actually has a rich history from Greek mythology all the way to Grimm's fairy tales.
Listen to this week's episode for more!
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This episode is all about Gremlins! We are talking about the spiteful little devils that sabotage planes. We explore the origins and just how the surprising link to the children's classic- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
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For this week's episode, we are diving into the myth of the Chupacabra! We will go to Puerto Rico to learn about its roots and why the animal is so beloved. Then we will cover another similar monster that has been hunting in the mountain west region for centuries. Join us!
SourcesMysteries at museum, season 3, episode 1
Monstrum on pbs
https://web.archive.org/web/20050919215215/http://paranormal.about.com/library/weekly/aa051898.htm
https://www.texasobserver.org/chupacabra-legends-texas/
https://www.livescience.com/44617-texas-chupacabra-mystery.html
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/101028-chupacabra-evolution-halloween-science-monsters-chupacabras-picture
Links
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We, Erin and Sarah, had an unexpected issue this week and weren't able to record a new episode! I know, we're sad too!
In its place, listen to an episode of Erin's new podcast, Second Story Secrets. Every other week, Erin will travel to castle or mansion and report on the juiciest story locked behind the doors. This episode is all about the White House and how it might have accidentally murdered three presidents.
Check it out and we'll see you next week!
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/Mythsinmovies)
We are tackling the Yeti on this episode. We’ll talk about his roots in Nepalese folklore and find out out he got the moniker, the abominable snowman.
Listen now!
Links!
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram:
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Sources
Monstrum
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/has-the-squamish-sasquatch-been-identified-1.264455
Mysteries at museum
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On this episode, Erin and Sarah cover the magical myth of elves. We discuss their Germanic folklore roots and how they merged into modern society. We want to know how they became Santa's favorite helpers and landed a starring role in Lord of the Rings.
Listen now!
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We are diving into the weird world of headless ghosts. We talk about the Headless Horseman, a tale made famous by Washington Irving. We'll get into the American roots of the story and then we jet over to Ireland to find out where the American tale came from. Listen for more!
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Links
Monstrum
https://visitsleepyhollow.com/see/sleepy-hollow-cemetery/
fairy legends and traditions of the south of ireland
fairy and folk tales of the irish peasantry
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-decapitated-saints-who-still-managed-to-hold-their-heads-up
https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/abroad/how-tales-of-the-headless-horseman-came-from-celtic-mythology-1.4060086
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/Mythsinmovies)
This week we are diving in the wonderful world of Harry Potter. We learn all about the Hand of Glory, a grisly artifact with a rich history in folklore. Turns out J.K. Rowling didn't make it up and it actually goes back to the 17th century!
Learn more and listen now!
Social media:
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Links!
https://whitbymuseum.org.uk/whats-here/collections/special-collections/hand-of-glory/
https://folklorethursday.com/folklife/dark-folklore-hand-glory-dead-mens-hands-folk-magic/
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/morbid-monday-severed-hands
https://www.history.co.uk/article/the-unlikely-escapades-of-oliver-cromwells-head
https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2018/11/07/brief-history-displaying-opponents-severed-heads/
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/Mythsinmovies)
This week we are tackling the mother of all cryptozoological legends- Bigfoot! Erin will present Sarah all the evidence like the the footprint casts, supposed frozen carcasses, fur, even a tooth. Once Erin's laid it all out, she and Sarah will decide if there really is something out there in the California woods.
Join us!
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Sources
https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/bigfoot_sasquatch_legend/#.YcI_9y9lDmo
https://statemuseum.arizona.edu/online-exhibit/curators-choice/tracking-legend-bigfoot
Buzzfeed unsolved
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sasquatch
http://www.physics.smu.edu/~pseudo/bigfootreview.pdf
https://blog.newspapers.com/find-bigfoot-sightings-in-history/
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On this episode, we are covering the Mothman Prophecies, starring Richard Gere. We will be traveling to Point Pleasant, West Virginia to investigate the monster featured in the movie. Erin will present the case for and against sightings of the monster and the various creatures that the Mothman could be. Could the area's abandoned government industrial plant be responsible for such a strange creature? Or was it really a harbinger of death, responsible for the infamous collapse of the Silver Bridge?
Find out now!
Sources
https://www.npr.org/local/309/2019/10/28/773566283/the-case-of-the-chicago-mothman
Monstrum
Mysteries at the Muesum
https://www.amazon.com/Mothman-Point-Pleasant-Lyle-Blackburn/dp/B0718X896G
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This week we are covering the legend of gargoyles. Are they little grotesques built for the amusement of stone masons? Or were they created to blend ancient folklore into the new religion of Christianity. We’ll answer that question, plus tell you the tale of the monster that inspired the legend of the gargoyles.
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Sources
Monstrum
Wikipedia
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This week we are covering the Grim Reaper. Sure, we are all familiar with the scary dude who skulks around in a robe and scythe. But just like your friendly neighborhood shrink, we want to dig a littler deeper. We focus on his origin story, where he merged from the middle of the black plague like a beacon of...well, death. But he helped people to accept the inevitability of death when Europe's population was basically wiped out.
Learn more about why the Reaper is a misunderstood hero, on episode 15!
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This week we are talking about the movie Disney movie, Brave. We won’t be covering Merida’s red hair, as glorious as it is, but instead focusing on the wisps that lead Merida to change her date.
The beautiful little wisps have a rich history in Europe and Latin America. For instance, in Ireland, there’s a story about Jack who tricks the devil into giving him an eternal light. There’s another great one in Mexico, where the wisps are witches who transform to lure people to their death. Or if you’re in Scandinavia, the wisps will lead you to fairytale gold.
As always, we learn what and who to avoid, just in case fairies appear. Basically, swamps, bogs and marshes are off limits.
Once we figure out just what wisps are and where they appear, we find out if science has an explanation. Bioluminescence, natural gases, or perhaps good old fashioned car headlights? We’ll find out, listen now!
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Sources!
https://historydaily.org/will-o-the-wisp-deadly-fairy-lights
https://www.surfandsunshine.com/will-o-the-wisp-brave/
Lady Gregory, Visions and Beliefs in the West of Ireland, with two essays and notes by W. B. Yeats, series 1 (New York and London: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1920), p. 9.
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This week's episode is all about the legendary sea monster, the kraken.
You've probably heard the phrase, "Release the Kraken!" Well, we discuss the origins of the phrase, the monster they were referring to, and then we do our favorite bit- explain the origins of the monster! We go all the way back to 12th century Norway when King Severre warned his sailors to take heed and look out for monsters! What was he referring to? What was eating sailors out on the high seas? Find out on this week's episode!
And then for some added mythology fun, we look at the sea monsters featured in Greek legend. We talk about sea monsters with tentacles, dogs heads coming out of funny places, monsters with multiple heads, and more! It's enough to scare Odysseus back to Penelope, post haste!
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Sources!
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/67371/15-kraken-facts-and-myths-unleash-conversation
Monstrum
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-Kraken-depicted-with-a-more-octopus-like-appearance-attacking-a-ship-Author_fig1_267732069
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In the immortal words of the 2001 movie, Get Over It,
“Did you ever read a Shakespeare play? And not understand a word they say? Well tonight we’re going to make things clear.
Because Shakespeare’s dead and we’re all here.”
This week’s episode is about Midsummer’s Night Dream. We're making sense of Shakespeare's flowery words and complicated plot, discussing the different interpretations of it, and then ending with the riot that took down a beloved Opera House right in the middle of a Shakespearean performance.
Our movie this week is the modern modern reinterpretation of the play, called, Get Over It, starring Kirsten Dunst. It's a great teen romantic comedy that attempts to put on Midsummer Night’s Dream as the school play. Dunst shines as always as the heroine and we cheer when she finally gets together with her hero, Ben Foster. Martin Short is a stand out as a slightly unstable music teacher who dreams of Broadway.
Once we’ve covered the movie, we move on to the play itself. Shakespeare was inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses and makes some allusions to it in the play. We’ll talk about Hermia and Puck and the great scene when Puck sprinkles fiery dust so the fairy queen falls in love with an ass. Who among us cannot relate?
Last up is a discussion of the Astor Opera House Riot. Two Shakespearean actors fight in the public arena as a mere squabble quickly becomes about class as well as America’s own identity as a culture. And of course, the riot turns deadly.
It’s a rollicking good time as always so be sure to tune in.
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Sources!
Staton, W. F. (1963). Ovidian Elements in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Huntington Library Quarterly, 26(2), 165–178. https://doi.org/10.2307/3816813
Dent, R. W. (1964). Imagination in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Shakespeare Quarterly, 15(2), 115–129. https://doi.org/10.2307/2867882
Marshall, D. (1982). Exchanging Visions: Reading A Midsummer Night’s Dream. ELH, 49(3), 543–575. https://doi.org/10.2307/2872755
Mysteries at the Muesum
https://shakespeareandbeyond.folger.edu/2017/05/09/astor-place-riot-macbeth-new-york/
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This week's episode is all about shapeshifting. We go all the way back to ancient Mesopotamia to learn where shapeshifting originated. We talk about the epic of Gilgamesh and the first angry shapeshifting goddess, Ishtar.
After we cover ancient shapeshifters, we focus more on the modern versions. There's werewolves and the lesser known, werehyenas. Werehyenas are a staple of Africa and have some surprising connections to the Jewish population in Ethiopia. But no podcast could be complete without a Harry Potter reference. We talk about the animagus featured within it and whether Rita Skeeter would thrive at the National Enquirer.
Our last story is one of a real life shapeshifter. His name was Korla Pandit and he was a piano prodigy. He took Hollywood by storm, had his own show and even counted Errol Flynn as a friend. But he had a secret that could cost him everything.
Join us!
Social media links:
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Sources:
https://www.austinfilm.org/2020/10/watch-this-the-narcotic-exotica-of-tvs-mysterious-korla-pandit/
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/how-a-black-man-from-missouri-passed-as-an-indian-pop-star
https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/evolving-forms-intriguing-look-shapeshifting-003491
Monstrum
Kaplan, S., & Rosen, C. (1994). Ethiopian Jews in Israel. The American Jewish Year Book, 94, 59–109. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23605644
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On this week's episode, we are talking about the modern interpretation of Taming of the Shrew. How does it differ from the source material, does it hold up and is it better than the original play? We discuss the 1967 movie, Taming of the Shrew, starring legendary couple, Liz Taylor and Richard Burton. There's also some discussion about whether or not Shakespeare is a feminist or not, or whether we can even label him with our own modern terms.
If you like 10 Things I Hate about You, this is the show for you. Full of fun facts and we dive into Shakespeare. Erin and Sarah are not Shakespeare scholars but the man wrote for the masses, and what are we, if not the masses?
Check it out now!
Links!
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Have you heard of the basilisk? It’s one of Harry Potter’s legendary foes. We’re going back in time and exploring all of the folklore surrounding it. We’ll hang in the 16th century and learn how a basilisk is created. We even learn about a Swiss town that was so worried they had a rooster who produced a basilisk, they put the rooster on trial. Don’t worry, it’s totally above board- he had his own lawyer.
Check it out now!
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Sources
https://www.neatorama.com/story/In-1474-A-Swiss-Rooster-was-Put-on-Trial-for-Laying-an-Egg/
R. McN. Alexander. (1963). The Evolution of the Basilisk. Greece & Rome, 10(2), 170–181. http://www.jstor.org/stable/642817
Monstrum, pbs
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/on-the-trail-of-the-warsaw-basilisk-5691840/
Longwell, S. E. (1917). Myth and Error in the Rise of Natural History. The Scientific Monthly, 4(4), 355–364. http://www.jstor.org/stable/22473
Mysteries at the museum
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We’re diving into the magical legend of changelings. Learn how the legend started, what exactly a changeling is and why it stuck around for so long. We discuss the power of myth and how, in some cases, it can have tragic consequences.
Sources
Foreword to Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, The German Legends of the Brothers Grimm, translated by Donald Ward (Philadelphia: Institute for the Study of Human Issues, 1981), v. 1, pp. 1-2.
Changelings, an essay by D.L. Ashliman.
Watching Out for the Children," Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, German Legends (1816), no. 89.
Dennehy, E. (2016). “WHAT DAMNED YOU?” CHANGELINGS, ‘MYLINGAR’ AND OTHER DEAD CHILD TRADITIONS. Archaeology Ireland, 30(3), 21–25. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43893496
Mac Philib, S. (1991). The Changeling (ML 5058) Irish Versions of a Migratory Legend in Their International Context. Béaloideas, 59, 121–131. https://doi.org/10.2307/20522381
Lore, episode, black stockings
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We’re interrupting our regularly scheduled programming to bring you a Christmas themed episode. Tis the season to break out our Shakespeare and learn about Elizabethan England.
Our movie this week is She’s the Man. We’re discussing the play that made it possible, 12th night. Shakespeare uses the cloak of the holiday to get away with creating a topsy turvy world. We’re talking about all things Elizabethan- wassail, king cake, and of course the Lord of Misrule. Intrigued? Check it out, out now!
Sources!
Noyes, A. (1915). The Lord of Misrule. The North American Review, 201(714), 673–675. http://www.jstor.org/stable/25108453
https://www.bl.uk/shakespeare/articles/festivity-dressing-up-and-misrule-in-twelfth-night
https://www.writerstheatre.org/blog/gender-shakespeares-stage-history/
https://drewlichtenberg.com/2017/10/07/topsy-turvy-or-the-feast-of-epiphany-twelfth-night/
https://daily.jstor.org/shakespeare-rembrandt-and-twelfth-night/
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Welcome back! This is conclusion to our series on Taylor Swift. Usually we focus on the mythical creatures within movies, but this was a fun detour. We focused on the myths featured in Taylor’s albums. In the previous two episodes, we saw how Taylor wrote songs by referencing famous lovers and other myths. But in the conclusion, we will explore the folklore tales and magical worlds Taylor has created herself!
Come join us for this musical tour in the folklorian woods.
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On today's episode, we are continuing our discussion of Taylor Swift's catalog! Last week was all about pretty princess Taylor and this week, she's tearing it all up. We will be starting with her Red album and end at Lover. We discuss some of our favorite song details and techniques Taylor uses to make her songs resonant so deeply. And of course we find some Greek mythological illusions and explore the story behind those, as well as American and Babylonian myths. For example, In look what you made me do, Taylor makes the most of her snake allusions. We’re finding out just what kind mythical snake could pour tea and sweep all your enemies to their doom.
Check out last week's episode if you want to catch up on what you missed.
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On this week’s episode, we are starting our series on Taylor Swift. Usually we do a movie or a tv show, but Taylor has such a rich catalog, we thought we would mix it up.
In this three part series, we will cover every album as we look for allusions to mythology and folklore. Today’s episode covers Taylor’s first three albums when she goes full fairytale princess with her ballgown and tiara. We’re exploring how her music makes the most of these metaphors while also stepping back into the mid aught’s and talking about our teenage crushes. Join us for a fun chat!
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We are covering the legendary Windigo. He's best known as the hulking monster in Pet Sematary. We're telling you all about his origins in Native American lore, how he changed and why. Other tangents include a discussion of where lactose intolerance originated, why colonists never suffered from a smallpox like the Native Americans did, and how Pocahontas inspired Sarah's love of design.
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Sources:
Revenge of the windigo, James Waldram
Stolen Spirits: The Appropriation of the Windigo Spirit in Horror Literature by Kallie Hunchman, Ball State University
Joe Nazare (the appropriation and reclamation of Native American Mythology)
The Manitous: The Spiritual World of the Ojibway, basil johnston
Monstrum on pbs
GILMORE, D. D. (2003). Monsters: Evil Beings, Mythical Beasts, and All Manner of Imaginary Terrors. University of Pennsylvania Press. http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt3fhdqm
McGee, H. F. (1972). Windigo Psychosis. American Anthropologist, 74(1/2), 244–246. http://www.jstor.org/stable/672146
Rohrl, V. J. (1970). A Nutritional Factor in Windigo Psychosis. American Anthropologist, 72(1), 97–101. http://www.jstor.org/stable/670759
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This week we are exploring what makes Pippi Longstocking so special and endears her to legions of fans. We'll weigh in on the baffling 1969 Swedish film made famous by Gilmore girls and figure out which Gilmore girl is the true Pippi. Tangents on this episode include a discussion of Taylor Swift's new album, the Swedish music industry, and the girl with the dragon tattoo.
Content warning: The end of the episode features lyrics by Kesha and the explicit words that go along with the song. Fair warning!
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We're covering the beloved Mexican tale of la llorona, known in English as the wailing woman. We're exploring her roots in Aztec mythology and the surprising connection to Greek mythology. Tangents include Gilmore girls, Catherine the great and Elle Fanning!
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This little snippet of an episode is a brief explainer on what we hope to cover on the podcast. We're diving into the world of myths and legends. One each episode, we will take a topic featured in a movie or a film and explore where its roots and how it’s evolved over time. For instance, you might be curious about the fairies from Disney movies or the mysterious wailing woman in Supernatural. We hope to explore the roots of the story, how it’s changed over culture and just how it made it into the movie.
Join us as we have a casual chat and learn about tall tales that have captured the public’s imagination. Thanks for listening! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and support us on patreon.
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