
The Stories We Tell in the Dark
68 episodes — Page 1 of 2

Season Finale: Field Guide to SPIRITED AWAY, GILLIGAN'S ISLAND Real?, BBC Spaghetti Tree Hoax, EXORCIST-CIA Connection, Hollywood Star Secrets, 13 WOMEN
Adam wraps up the season with Thirteen Women (1932) - the only film of tragic actress Peg Entwistle, more secrets behind the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the real-life viewers who thought Gilligan's Island was a documentary, and Britain's famous "Spaghetti Tree" hoax. Plus: the 1970s CIA rumors surrounding The Exorcist's author William Peter Blatty, and a bonus field guide to the Shinto spirits of Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away. Show notes at https://magicalmystery.media

THE EXORCIST: Faith, Fear, and the True Story Behind Hollywood's Most Haunted Film
Before The Exorcist terrified the world, its creator was writing comedy. This episode traces William Peter Blatty's journey from humorist to theologian of horror - his mother's influence, the real 1949 exorcism case, the film's alleged curse, and the true story of the boy who inspired it all. Show notes at https://magicalmystery.media

THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE and The REAL Possession of Anneliese Michel
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:e9f740cd-314f-467b-b11e-3a7e9b936809-6" data-testid= "conversation-turn-4" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Host Adam Charles unpacks the 2005 film The Exorcism of Emily Rose and the harrowing true story behind it - the 1970s case of Anneliese Michel, a young Bavarian woman whose tragic death followed dozens of sanctioned exorcisms. This is a haunting exploration of faith, suffering, and how Hollywood turns real horror into entertainment for the masses. Show notes at https://magicalmystery.media

Hollywood Ghost Tour: MARILYN Monroe's Mirror, HOLLYWOOD Sign Haunting, MURDERED TV Actor, Dead Projectionists
Take a haunted walking tour of Hollywood with Adam. Along the way, meet spectral projectionists, Marilyn Monroe's haunted mirror, the ghosts of the Roosevelt Hotel, and Peg Entwistle, the tragic actress who walks forever beneath the famous "H." Tour Stops: El Capitan Theatre TCL Chinese Theatre Hollywood Walk of Fame Roosevelt Hotel The Magic Castle Hollywood Sign Movies mentioned: Citizen Kane (1941); Anything Goes (1936, stage musical, later film); The Rocketeer (1991); Aladdin (1992); King of Kings (1927); Thirteen Women (1932); From Here to Eternity (1953). Personalities mentioned: Will Rogers; Joan Fontaine; Clark Gable; Orson Welles; Sid Grauman; Mary Pickford; Douglas Fairbanks; Howard Schenck; Norma Talmadge; Victor Arthur Killian; Charles Wagenheim; Errol Flynn; Carole Lombard; Montgomery Clift; Marilyn Monroe; Suzanne Leonard (Roosevelt Hotel staff); Harry Houdini; Roland B. Lane; Catherine Lane; Peg Entwistle; Robert Keith; Brian Keith; Irene Dunne; Myrna Loy. Other media & pop culture references: All in the Family (1971–1979); Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1976–1977); The Jeffersons (1975–1985); Kojak (1973–1978); Gunsmoke (1955–1975); Planet of the Apes (TV series, 1974); The Brady Bunch (1969–1974); Family Affair (1966–1971); Hotel California (Eagles album, 1976). Show notes at https://magicalmystery.media

Robert Blake UNSOLVED MURDER Case, CAPRICORN ONE & Moon Landing Hoax Conspiracies
A 1978 thriller accidentally supercharges a conspiracy - and a Hollywood icon's life spirals into a true-crime saga. We explore Peter Hyams' Capricorn One - why Buzz Aldrin disapproved, how it was saved by Superman, and how moon-hoax theories grew from fringe chatter to mainstream mania. Then we trace the 2001 murder of Bonny Lee Bakley - and actor Robert Blake's criminal trial. Movies mentioned: Capricorn One (1978); T.R. Baskin (1971); Busting (1974); 2010 The Year We Make Contact (1984); Outland (1981); Timecop (1994); Lost Highway (1997); Baretta (1975-1978); The Little Rascals & Our Gang (1922 to 1944); In Cold Blood (1967); Superman (1978). People mentioned: Peter Hyams; Elliot Gould; James Brolin; Sam Waterston; Brenda Vaccaro; Hal Holbrook; Karen Black; Telly Savalas; O. J. Simpson; Buzz Aldrin; Robert Blake; Bonny Lee Bakley; Christian Brando; David Lynch. Show notes at https://magicalmystery.media

Musical Mysteries: VANISHED UFO Troubadour, MISSING Scientist Rocker, Debbie Harry ESCAPES Ted Bundy, Michael Jackson Brother Kidnapped
Adam explores several strange and chilling tales at the crossroads of movies, music, and true crime. Folk-rock singer Jim Sullivan vanished in the New Mexico desert after appearing in Easy Rider and releasing his album UFO. Iron Butterfly bassist Philip "Taylor" Kramer, a tech pioneer in video compression, disappeared after a cryptic 911 call - his story later featured on Unsolved Mysteries. And Blondie's Debbie Harry, known for her role in Cronenberg's Videodrome, recalls a chilling near-abduction in 1970s New York she later linked to Ted Bundy. Also: Michael Jackson's Brother Randy Kidnapped by South American Guerillas! Links & Extras: Show notes and past episodes: https://magicalmystery.media Follow the podcast for more stories where film, folklore, and the unexplained collide.

GODZILLA vs. GOJIRA, Atomic Fishing Boat Horror, Cannibal Rats & Giant Turtles, Could Real Kaiju Exist?
What do radioactive fallout, cannibal rats, and a flying turtle have in common? In this episode, Adam explores the dark origins of Japan's most iconic monsters. From the real-life 1954 Lucky Dragon incident - sometimes called the "third atomic bombing" - to the scrapped rat-horror film that accidentally gave birth to Gamera, it's a wild ride through film, folklore, and Cold War fear. Plus: just how big could a real kaiju actually get? Topics include: Godzilla's link to post-war trauma and Shinto beliefs The Lucky Dragon #5 nuclear disaster How a failed giant rat movie led to Gamera Could a real giant monster actually exist? A monster-sized mix of pop culture, science, and the strange stories we tell in the dark. Movies mentioned: Gojira (1954) Godzilla (1956) King Kong (1933) Godzilla Raids AgainKing Kong Vs. Godzilla Rodan Mothra Them! Tarantula The Day the Earth Stood Still It Came from Beneath the Sea Beast from 20,000 Fathoms Gamera (1965) Giant Horde Beast Nezura (unmade)

THE CONJURING: LAST RITES, Smurl Haunting True Story, ANNABELLE is Real!
What's real, what's not, and what the Warrens never told you. Is The Conjuring: Last Rites a true story? What really happened to the Smurl family - and how involved were Ed and Lorraine Warren? What's the real story of Annabelle the Doll? And what happened to Annabelle's handler in July? Visit https://magicalmystery.media for show notes (or to send a message). ========== For our "lost episodes" archive, check out MAGICAL MYSTERY RADIO: INANE RAMBLINGS FROM THE FRINGE.

On-Air Deaths, SUPERMAN's Tragic Origin, HALLOWEEN Michael Myers Lost History
Content warning: The first segment covers real-life on-air suicides and may be distressing to some listeners. This week, Adam shares a strange and tragic mix of stories: disturbing on-air deaths (one which anticipated Paddy Chayefsky's Network by two years); the real-life pain behind Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's creation of Superman; and a buried Michael Myers (Halloween) backstory from 1979. Real On-Air Deaths - The tragic story of Christine Chubbuck, the Sarasota news reporter who took her life on-air in 1974. - Budd Dwyer, a Pennsylvania politician who died during a press conference in 1987. - How both events shaped the conversation around broadcast delay. - The unplanned early 2000s event that was the final straw for the FCC. The True Origin of Superman - The truth behind the meme that says Jerry Siegel's father was shot. - How Siegel & Schuster created Superman: from pulp zines to the character's evolution in Action Comics #1. - Influences ranging from Gladiator by Philip Wylie to John Carter of Mars, Zorro, and even early Jewish mysticism (Kal-El, Jor-El). - The heartbreaking legal fight that left Superman's creators broke – despite creating the most iconic superhero of all time. The Forgotten Backstory of Michael Myers - The 1979 novelization of Halloween, long out of print, included a mythic backstory tying Michael Myers to Enda, a cursed Celtic killer. - How the novel's folk horror take differs from John Carpenter's minimalist vision. - Why this supernatural twist was buried – and why it might have made more sense than the later convoluted Halloween sequels. Show notes at https://magicalmystery.media

Curses!! POLTERGEIST, THE FIRST (Cursed) FILM, Top "Curse" Movies... Oh, and FLESH EATERS
Adam explores some of film's most infamous curses - from Poltergeist and its real skeletons to the eerie disappearance of the man who may have invented cinema before Edison. Also: a FLESH EATERS resurrection, some Hollywood lore, and the show's evolving format. Movies mentioned: FLESH EATERS, POLTERGEIST, THE FIRST FILM (Roundhay Garden Scene/Accordian Player/Traffic Crossing Leeds Bridge), THE OMEN, ROSEMARY'S BABY, THE EXORCIST, CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE, DRAG ME TO HELL, CURSE OF THE DEMON, CURSE OF THE MAN WHO SEES UFOS

WEAPONS & Pied Piper, EXORCIST True Story, Insane 1920 Headlines
In this week's episode of Magical Mystery Media, Adam takes you on a strange journey through pop culture, folklore, and forgotten history – starting with the new film Weapons and ending with the real-life boy who inspired The Exorcist. Visit magicalmystery.media for show notes (or to send a message). For archived episodes of Magical Mystery Radio going back to 2016, search "Magical Mystery Radio: Inane Ramblings from the Fringe."

STRANGER THINGS & SQUID GAME in NY, Troma memories, INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN, SEVERANCE & The Backrooms, SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED True Story
Adam shares memories of working with Troma Films in 1980s NYC, reflects on THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN, and solves two internet mysteries: the real origin of the famous time-travel ad that inspired SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED and the photo that inspired SEVERANCE by way of the eerie Backrooms phenomenon. Visit magicalmystery.media for show notes (or to send a message). For archived episodes of Magical Mystery Radio going back to 2016, search "Magical Mystery Radio: Inane Ramblings from the Fringe."

DARK WATER & Elisa Lam, PSYCHO & Ed Gein
First, the strange case of Elisa Lam, a Canadian student whose bizarre behavior on hotel security footage went viral before she was tragically found dead in a rooftop water tank - eerily echoing plot details from the horror film Dark Water. Adam recounts his personal visit to the infamous Cecil Hotel in L.A. and reflects on the strange coincidences and conspiracy theories that continue to swirl around the case. Then, a look at the true story of Ed Gein, the real-life killer who inspired Psycho, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs. Adam shares what made him walk away from scripting the episode - despite the uncanny parallels to Norman Bates and his infamous "mother." Content warning: Discussion includes graphic details of true crime, mental illness, and disturbing real-world events. Visit magicalmystery.media Contact: [email protected]

S2 Ep 10[Film on the Fringe 10] A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET: Dream Deaths, Shadow Men, Sleep Paralysis & Freddy Krueger
What if a dream could kill you? We revisit Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) and the real-life sleep phenomena that inspired it. We explore how Freddy Krueger emerged from Craven's own childhood fears and reports of mysterious deaths among Hmong refugees. We also get into the strange science of sleep paralysis, the folklore of the "Old Hag," the phenomenon of the Hat Man, and the viral mystery of This Man, a face reported in dreams around the world. Shownotes

S2 Ep 9[Film on the Fringe 9] BLADE RUNNER, Philip K. Dick, and the Search for Reality: Cinema as Gnosis
Blade Runner is more than a sci-fi classic — it's a meditation on memory, identity, and empathy. We explore Philip K. Dick's 2-3-74 mystical VALIS experience, the meaning of the Voight-Kampff test, and why the film still resonates today as a cinematic awakening. Shownotes

S2 Ep 8[Film on the Fringe 8] THE LAST OF US and the Evolution of Zombies from Voodoo to Viral
From vodou to viral spores, zombies have always evolved with us. In this week's episode of Film on the Fringe, we uncover the real roots of the undead—myth, science, and metaphor. 🧟 Highlights & References: The Last of Us and the real-world science of Cordyceps fungus White Zombie (1932) and the colonial legacy of the Haitian undead Vodou, slavery, and the soul in Haitian cosmology Clairvius Narcisse, Wade Davis, and The Serpent and the Rainbow Romero's undead allegories: race, consumerism, class warfare 28 Days Later, Shaun of the Dead, Warm Bodies, Kingdom, Train to Busan Forgotten classics and deep cuts: Raising Stony Mayhall, Pontypool, The Night Eats the World Shownotes

S2 Ep 7[Film on the Fringe 7] JURASSIC PARK, The Lost World, Crystal Palace & Creationism: Dinosaurs in Pop Culture and Belief
Dr. Atom takes you behind the scenes of JURASSIC PARK—literally. After a personal story of working alongside the filmmakers, we explore the science of cloning dinosaurs, the truth behind amber-trapped DNA, and modern de-extinction efforts using CRISPR and AI. Then we dig into the 19th-century Bone Wars, Victorian dinosaur mania, and Arthur Conan Doyle's THE LOST WORLD. Along the way, we follow a strange fossil trail into the world of young Earth creationism, Cambodian stegosaurus carvings, and fire-breathing beasts from the Book of Job. It's science, history, and myth—all tangled up in one prehistoric narrative. Shownotes

S2 Ep 6[Film on the Fringe 6] GREMLINS: From WWII Folklore to Spielberg to SHADOW IN THE CLOUD
Gremlins on the wing, goblins in the woods, and strange little beings at your window. From WWII aviation lore to Spielberg's unmade alien siege story, this episode traces the evolution of mischievous trickster creatures through folklore, pop culture, and real-life encounters—including the night something came calling in Kentucky. Featured Films: Shadow in the Cloud (2020) Gremlins (1984) Poltergeist (1982) E.T. (1982) The Twilight Zone (Nightmare at 20,000 Feet) Amazing Stories ("The Mission") Shownotes

S2 Ep 5[Film on the Fringe 5] THE QUIET ONES and the Philip Experiment: When Science Summoned a Ghost
Venture into the murky space between psychological manipulation and the supernatural. Today, we're talking about The Quiet Ones (2014), a Hammer Films horror throwback inspired by one of the strangest real-world experiments ever attempted: the Philip Experiment. We'll unpack how a group of researchers in 1970s Canada set out to create a ghost, explore Derren Brown's Seance as a modern reinterpretation, and finally, discuss whether collective belief can actually influence physical reality. Shownotes

S2 Ep 4[Film on the Fringe 4] THE WAR OF THE WORLDS: HG Wells to Orson Welles to Spielberg and Beyond
Let's explore The War of the Worlds — the iconic novel by H.G. Wells and the countless interpretations, adaptations, and conspiracy theories it inspired. We discuss: The 2005 Spielberg movie and the 1953 George Pal version The long-forgotten SEQUEL published only a year after the original The 1938 Orson Welles "panic broadcast" Wernher von Braun's alleged warning of a staged alien invasion Project Blue Beam And finally, we ask: What would a real alien invasion look like? The War of the Worlds continues to fascinate because it reminds us of the fragility of our dominion over this Earth. It humbles us with a creeping dread that the universe may be – almost certainly is – teeming with ancient, unknowable threats. Shownotes

S2 Ep 3[Film on the Fringe 3] THE CONJURING 2 vs. The Enfield Poltergeist: What Really Happened?
Let's dissect The Conjuring 2 and the real-life case that inspired it—the infamous Enfield Poltergeist. Was it a genuine supernatural event or an elaborate hoax that spiraled out of control? Join me as I explore how this case became one of the most documented hauntings in history. Ed and Lorraine Warren: Paranormal Pioneers or Masters of Mythmaking? Before discussing the Enfield case, I take a brief detour to talk about the legendary (and controversial) ghost-hunting duo, Ed and Lorraine Warren—from their involvement in the Amityville Horror to a bizarre court case where they allegedly "proved" a haunting in a Connecticut home. I share my personal connection to this incident, which was dubbed the Hebron Horror by sensationalist media. The Conjuring 2 (2016) – Fact, Fiction, and Some Very Creative Embellishments James Wan's The Conjuring 2 delivers a chilling take on the Enfield case, but just how accurate is it? The film portrays the Warrens as the central investigators, battling a demonic nun and confronting a terrifying entity. In reality, they played only a minor role in the case, and some of the most iconic scares—like the Crooked Man and the dramatic exorcism—were pure invention. While the film captures the eerie atmosphere of 1970s England and delivers solid performances, it takes more than a few liberties with the truth. Shownotes

S2 Ep 2[Film on the Fringe 2] EX MACHINA and the Rise of AI Sentience: From Ava to LaMDA
Enter the eerie world of artificial intelligence—from the sleek and unsettling Ex Machina to real-life AI developments that feel ripped straight from science fiction. We'll explore the rapid evolution of AI, the ethical dilemmas that come with it, and some unsettling cases of chatbots behaving… strangely. Are we on the verge of creating a sentient machine? And if we were, how would we know? Shownotes

S2 Ep 1[Film on the Fringe 1] GINGER SNAPS to Real-Life Werewolves: WOLFMAN, Beast of Bray Road, & Michigan Dogman Encounters
Explore the wild world of werewolves, from the cult classic Ginger Snaps to real-life sightings of "dog men." We'll discover the folklore behind our moon-dappled friends, look at how pop culture molded them into the creatures we recognize today, and figure out what exactly makes a man-wolf tick. Shownotes

Magical Mystery Media Review: Cancel Everything, NOTHING LASTS FOREVER
E[8/3/2020] We discuss cancel culture, the masons, breakaway civilizations, secret moon colonies... and one fascinating, mythical "lost" film from the 80s that ties it all together!

[Magical Mystery Media 6/17/2020] CALLING ALL EARTHLINGS: Aliens, TIme Travel, Immortality
EWe review the documentary CALLING ALL EARTHLINGS. And then we do it one better by actually covering the material that should have been in the movie. This is the story of George Van Tassel, eccentric, contactee, engineer... genius? Did Van Tassel channel messages from our alien brothers and sisters and use the information to construct a time machine? Join us and find out!

[Magical Mystery Media 5/14/2020] WALKING WITH TALL WHITES: The Charles James Hall Story
EIs an advanced race of tall, albino-like extraterrestrials from Arcturus living on the Nevada test range? Has our government struck a deal with the aliens to obtain advanced military technology? Take a deep dive with us as we chronicle this fascinating, seemingly implausible story from one man who claims it's all true!

[Magical Mystery Media 4/18/2020] FURY OF THE DEMON, OPERATION LUNE, Cursed Films, The French are F*cking With Us
EWe discuss several recent "documentaries" occupying the twilight zone between fantasy and reality. Are these films omens? Augurs of a dark future? Are we moving into a new dark age of superstition? Is the consensus reality of post-enlightenment reason vanishing in a post-modern haze of news and subjective reality? And why are the French f*cking with us? Oh, and John gets a visit from an owl.

[Magical Mystery Media 10/30/2019] Blackwell Ghost, McPherson Tape, Skinny Bob, Helltown, Wrinkles the Clown: Faked or Fact?
EIs it real - or not? It has become increasingly difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction. We live in a time of "fake news" and "deepfakes", under a constant barrage of disinformation and propaganda. It's only natural that artists would reflect this blurring of the lines in their work. And there's no better place to practice this craft than in the conspiracy and paranormal genres. Join us as we discuss a few current examples of this emerging phenomenon - and some infamous ones from the recent past - to showcase the Hypernormalization that has infected our culture. A sign of the times? A portent of things to come? Tune in and find out! And HAPPY HALLOWEEN! - John and Adam Oh, and... Adam is "officially" retired from politics. ;-)

[Magical Mystery Media 8/9/2019] BOB LAZAR: AREA 51 & FLYING SAUCERS
EWe return to our roots and do a feature-length takedown - er, review - of the new(ish) documentary BOB LAZAR: AREA 51 & FLYING SAUCERS. Do we think there's life on other worlds? Almost definitely. Intelligent? Probably. That they've visited earth? Possibly. The they've visited earth sometime in the last century? Unlikely, but who knows? That Bob Lazar actually participated in a government effort to reverse engineer an alien spacecraft? Listen and find out!

[Magical Mystery Media 2/9/2018] HOLY HELL: Inside the Rise & Fall of the Buddhafield Cult
EWe review the fascinating and disturbing documentary, HOLY HELL. The film chronicles the 22-year journey of former members who were trapped in the bizarre Buddhafield cult. Through personal archive footage and interviews, the film chronicles the rise and fall, not only of the cult itself, but of its strangely charismatic leader, Michel Rostand (aka Andreas). This is one of those "cautionary tales" of how cult leaders use time-tested techniques to manipulate and coerce vulnerable and impressionable minds to do their bidding. Check it out. [aka Magical Mystery Radio]

[Magical Mystery Media 1/6/2018] JIM & ANDY: The Great Beyond - Jim Carrey Channels Andy Kaufman
EIn tonight's podcast, we discuss a fascinating documentary on Netflix called JIM & ANDY: The Great Beyond, which chronicles the behind-the-scene antics of Jim Carrey playing Andy Kaufman - and his alter-ego Tony Clifton - on the set of Man on the Moon. At first glance this might not seem very paranormal, but the questions this documentary raises about the notion of the self, the other, etc., are nothing short of profound. JIM & ANDY is the extraordinary story of the meeting of the minds, both literally and figuratively, of two comedic geniuses who have pushed the boundaries of their art. And in what can only be described as "the method gone metaphysical", Jim not only portrays Andy, but may in fact have become him (at least in his own mind) during the making of the film. And really, is there any difference? What's real? What's not? What is truth? What is fantasy? Who are we? All of these questions, and many more, are raised for you to ponder, but without any easy answers. We also talk about some current events, the hypernormalisation of our time, and how we might be actually living in the era Andy Kaufman's work foreshadowed. Plus, another What's the Word on the Street, Johnny? At least we think so. Maybe. ;-)

[Magical Mystery Media 12/30/2017] Cryptids, Kooks, & Conspiracies: DISCOVERING BIGFOOT
EWe discuss DISCOVERING BIGFOOT, the new documentary by Todd Standing, a controversial figure in cryptid circles. Is Standing nuts? Is he sincere? Is he lying? Is he the target of an incredibly long and unlikely con? The movie is available on NETFLIX. Give it a watch. Let us know what you think.

[Magical Mystery Media 9/26/2017] THE CONSPIRACY "THEORY" CONSPIRACY: JFK, 9/11, New World Order, Shadow Government, Deep State, Whistleblowers
E"The mainstream media's agenda is clear. They want you to believe that conspiracies don't exist, the world is exactly like they say it is, and anyone who disagrees is to be marginalized, mocked and shamed." Filmmaker Adam Green compiles an effective archive of cases proving an orchestrated effort to weaponize the term "conspiracy theory." From JFK to Iraq to 9/11... to Iraq... somewhere along the line it became wrong or dangerous or unpatriotic to ask questions. There are no wrong questions. Only wrong answers.

[Magical Mystery Media 8/2/2017] RICH MAN'S TRICK Interview: Francis Richard Conolly on JFK, 9/11, Illuminati, Sequel
EWe interview writer and historian Francis Richard Conolly, the filmmaker behind the explosive documentary and viral sensation, JFK to 9/11: Everything Is a Rich Man's Trick. Released in 2014, it has garnered rave reviews since its release and, probably more than a little consternation from the, "powers that be", as it explains and synthesizes a tremendous amount of information that the elite don't want you to be aware of, let alone understand. Clocking in at 3 1/2 hours, Everything Is a Rich Man's Trick, takes you on a journey from WWI up the present day, explaining the, "who, how & why of the JFK assassination", and the likelihood that many of the same players (or at least the same playbook) were behind 9/11. It's not only deeply informative, but riveting as well, and we couldn't recommend it any higher for those interested in how the "real world" works. In fact, in one of our first podcasts, we reviewed the film, which you can listen to here. https://youtu.be/U1Qt6a-vaNM The assassination of President John F. Kennedy lingers as one of the most traumatic events of the twentieth century. The open and shut nature of the investigation which ensued left many global citizens unsettled and dissatisfied, and nagging questions concerning the truth behind the events of that fateful day remain to this day. Evidence of this can be found in the endless volumes of conspiracy-based materials which have attempted to unravel and capitalize on the greatest murder mystery in American history. Now, a hugely ambitious documentary titled Everything is a Rich Man's Trick adds fuel to those embers of uncertainty, and points to many potential culprits whose possible involvement in the assassination has long been obscured by official historical record. In this, our first exclusive interview for Magical Mystery Radio, we talk to Mr. Conolly about his plans for a Part 2, and the difficulty he's having is raising funds for the film. Are the intelligence agencies colluding with tech companies to hamper his fundraising efforts? What is it that they don't want you to know? As Conolly stated in a recent Reddit AMA, "The Oligarchs believe that the public, when push comes to shove, are a contemptuous rabble who are only interested in easy pleasures like drinking and gambling and fornicating and are, in the final analysis, every bit as selfish as the Psychopaths who rule over them. As I write this they will be laughing inside their Stately homes and private island retreats, quietly confident that the public will not help Francis Richard Conolly make another Film because they are not creatures of principal. This is what the rich will be thinking right at this moment. Are they right? All adults know that a price has to be paid for everything. Is your freedom, and your children's future, worth the price of a good Hamburger?" F.R.C. May 2017 So, what will it be? A future where true freedom reigns with an informed and active citizenry or, as George Orwell put it, "... imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever." You decide.

[Magical Mystery Media 3/14/2017] CURSE OF THE MAN WHO SEES UFOS: Saucers, Space Brothers, Spontaneous Human Combustion
ECURSE OF THE MAN WHO SEES UFOS (2016) is the profile of a man who, well, sees UFOs. More than that, it's a human story about the things we cling to to give our lives meaning. Are the aerial lights Christo has followed since he was a child actually trying to communicate with him? Is he a tragic dreamer with a desperate need to seek reason in a seemingly random universe? Is he simply a man with eyes wide open? Who are we to say?

[Magical Mystery Media 3/1/2017] ZEITGEIST: Secret History of Jesus, 9/11 Mysteries, False Flag Follies
EZEITGEIST (2007) is a phenomenon. It is a meandering, globe-spanning, time-trotting epic of free association and paranoia. Here we have the "real truth" behind Jesus Christ, Pearl Harbor, Viet Nam, 9/11, the military-industrial complex, the banking industry... Pretty much everything. Join us as we discuss Peter Joseph's oversuffed opus ZEIGEIST.

[Magical Mystery Media 2/16/2017] We ARE the center of the universe? THE PRINCIPLE
Forget everything you thought you knew about cosmology. This film posits that our world actually IS the center of the universe, and that everything we've been taught these last 500 years is flat wrong. Yes, there is actual evidence for this theory. Is it conclusive? Of course not! But it does make for some interesting speculation... [aka Magical Mystery Radio]

[Magical Mystery Media 2/9/2017] CONTACT (1978): Saucer Evidence, Billy Meier, Blonde Babes from Beyond, Nazi UFOs (Again)
CONTACT (1978) is the earliest documentary we could find about Swiss contactee Billy Meier. It's full of great 70s footage of earnest researchers investigating the enigma that is Billy Meier. Was he in fact visited by gorgeous blondes from space? Could this have been yet another case of clandestine Nazi UFO technology? Is there really hard evidence for alien visitation?

[Magical Mystery Media 1/26/2017] CROPSEY: Urban Legend or Real Boogeyman, Montauk Connection, Satanic Cults
What if the bogeyman turns out to be real? That's the premise of 2009 documentary CROPSEY, written and directed by Joshua Zeman and Barbara Brancaccio. The filmmakers explore the origins of the urban legend they heard about as children, only to discover that there may, in fact, be some truth behind the tale. And the truth, as they say, is… terrifying.

[Magical Mystery Media 1/19/2017] HOSTAGE TO THE DEVIL: Exorcist or Charlatan, Demonic Possession or Mental Illness, Vatican Cover-Ups, Nature of Evil
EHostage to the Devil chronicles Malachi Martin's life in America as an exile priest. Disillusioned with the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, he broke from the Jesuit order and moved to New York City. There, he embarked on a second career as a writer and exorcist. This film - now on Netflix - presents a portrait of a complex man who struggled with his own demons as he battled the dark forces afflicting others.

[Magical Mystery Media 1/11/2017] HYPERNORMALISATION: Cyber-Utopianism, Post-Truth Darwinism, Social Media as Matrix, UFOs
EHypernormalisation is a nearly three-hour epic that leaps from subject to subject in a circuitous journey toward revelation. The film paints a vivid portrait of corporate control and increasing social insularity as it tries to make sense of our modern world's pervasive anxiety and uncertainty. In filmmaker Adam Curtis's world, we are minds in the matrix, doomed to feed the machine with our bodies and souls.

[Magical Mystery Media 12/14/2016] You ARE Being Watched: CITIZENFOUR
ECITIZENFOUR documents two journalists' secret encounters with Edward Snowden as he hands over classified documents that provide evidence of mass indiscriminate and illegal invasions of privacy by the NSA.

[Magical Mystery Media 12/7/2016] Crop Circles! A FIELD FULL OF SECRETS
"Two friends step into a crop circle. One emerges unaffected. The other decides to build a UFO with the help of an eccentric transsexual inventor." If that's not the greatest pitch ever we don't know what is. Adam and John discuss the 2014 documentary A FIELD FULL OF SECRETS.

[Magical Mystery Media 11/30/2016] WESTALL '66: A SUBURBAN UFO MYSTERY
In 1966, hundreds of students, teachers, and local residents witnessed a flying saucer hover overhead, land, and take off again at incredible speed. What was it? Extraterrestrial visitation? Top secret experimental aircraft? Weather balloon? ALSO, John discusses his own grade school encounter with a flying disc.

[Magical Mystery Media 11/24/2016] ROOM 237: Faked Moon Landing, Native American Genocide, Kubrick as Rorschach
Stanley Kubrick's THE SHINING is: a) a confession of his participation in the hoaxed Apollo moon mission; b) a treatise on the genocide of the Native Americans; c) a meditation on the holocaust; d) all of the above; e) a frickin' horror movie. New favorite word: apophenia.

[Magical Mystery Media 11/16/2016] THE MONTAUK CHRONICLES: Real STRANGER THINGS, Aliens, Time Travel, & Mind Control
EThe story that inspired STRANGER THINGS. Government conspiracy, kidnapped children, time travel, raging id monsters, aliens, drug-induced journeys to other worlds. This one's got it all! John and Adam discuss Christopher Garetano's indie documentary THE MONTAUK CHRONICLES.

[Magical Mystery Media 11/4/2016] Stolen Elections, Voter Fraud: THE BEST DEMOCRACY MONEY CAN BUY
EWill the 2016 election be stolen? Is voter fraud a real problem? THE BEST DEMOCRACY MONEY CAN BUY is Greg Palast's infuriating expose of actual, confirmed, widespread voter suppression. If you're not angry you're not paying attention. Or you're on the wrong side. [aka Magical Mystery Radio]

[Magical Mystery Media 10/26/2016] THE NIGHTMARE: Shadow Men, Old Hags, Sleep Paralysis
THE NIGHTMARE is a 2015 film documenting the testimonies of several people suffering from chronic sleep paralysis. It's a real-life NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET as otherworldly beings appear to taunt and terrorize these individuals, threatening to consume their very souls. John shares his personal experiences with sleep paralysis, offering a unique perspective on the film's portrayal of this horrifying phenomenon.

[Magical Mystery Media 10/19/2016] Madman or Genius: RESURRECT DEAD: MYSTERY OF THE TOYNBEE TILES
TOYNBEE IDEA / IN KUBRICK'S 2001 / RESURRECT DEAD / ON PLANET JUPITER // For over 25 years, mysterious tiles have appeared on busy streets from New York to Brazil. These tiles hint at an outrageous plan to resurrect everyone who's ever lived - on the surface of the gas giant Jupiter. What does the message mean? Who placed these tiles? Secret society? Reclusive genius? And what does all of this have to do with playwright David Mamet? Take a break from the current election madness and join us for a discussion into this incredibly strange and fascinating story of obsession, street art, synchronicity, and the outer limits of the human imagination.

[Magical Mystery Media 10/12/2016] Is Income Tax Illegal? AMERICA: FREEDOM TO FASCISM
Is the federal income tax unconstitutional? Is it a fraud perpetrated by a cabal of sneaky elites pushing their self-serving agenda through nefarious means? That would be nice, wouldn't it? I mean, who loves paying taxes? Aaron Russo's America: Freedom to Fascism was a passion project for him. He put this thing together in the last years of his life as he struggled under a $2 million tax debt. He was certain he had found evidence of the unconstitutionality of the United States Federal Income Tax, and was determined to spread the word far and wide, calling for nothing short of revolution. More accurately, he was certain he had not found evidence of the constitutionality of the tax code. But does lack of such evidence equate with the illegitimacy of the income tax?