Promotional photo of Boris Karloff from The Bride of Frankenstein as Frankenstein's monster. Source: Wikimedia Commons

American Horror Story

10.27.16

What’s a Halloween show without a helping of horror, one of America’s favorite forms of entertainment? Rooted in legend and culture, horror stories play on our fears while often providing a distraction from the real sources of anxiety. In this episode of BackStory, the hosts look at the different forms horror has taken in American culture – from witches and vampires to slave revolts and haunted houses.

fear; folklore; horror films; supernatural

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Segments

Well, That Sucks

In the late 19th century, the residents of a small New England town thought a vampire might be preying on them. Michael Bell, the author of “Food for the Dead: On the Trail of New England’s Vampires,” helps the hosts sink their teeth into this story.

death; fear; folklore; tuberculosis

00:00:00 / 00:00:00

Where The Windigos Are

Historian Shawn Smallman talks about the windigo, a “monster” from the Native American oral tradition and how the pop culture versions of the windigo bear a small resemblance to the real thing.

Native American culture; cannibalism; fear; folklore; monsters

00:00:00 / 00:00:00

A Trip Down Legendary Lane Pt. 1

We asked listeners to share with us their stories of legend tripping, which are local legends with a long shelf life. Here are stories from Bailey Bowthorpe and James Kirkpatrick.

death; fear; folklore; ghosts

00:00:00 / 00:00:00

Nevermore

Edgar Allan Poe helped invent the modern horror story. We talked to Paul Jones, an English professor at Ohio University, about Poe’s enduring appeal.

Edgar Allan Poe; anxiety; fear; slavery

00:00:00 / 00:00:00

Listener Call

A BackStory listener asks about exorcisms.

fear; horror films; popular culture; religion; witchcraft

00:00:00 / 00:00:00

A Trip Down Legendary Lane Pt. 2

We asked listeners to share with us their stories of legend tripping, which are local legends with a long shelf life. Here are stories from Kevin Gallagher and Josh Wadsworth.

death; fear; folklore; ghosts

00:00:00 / 00:00:00

These Houses, They Haunt Me

Stories about haunted houses have been around forever, but Hollywood didn’t start giving them starring roles until movies like “Poltergeist” and “Amityville Horror.” David Edelstein, a film critic for New York Magazine, tells us why.

American dream; fear; home; horror films; safety

00:00:00 / 00:00:00

Oh, The Horror!

The hosts wrap up the show by reflecting on what they’ve learned about American Horror.

death; fear; folklore; popular culture

00:00:00 / 00:00:00