Johnny Restall
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johnnyrestall.bsky.social
Johnny Restall
@johnnyrestall.bsky.social
1.1K followers 490 following 310 posts
Writes and podcasts about films, usually cult thrillers and horror. Likes movies, music, reading, drawing. My work can be found at: https://linktr.ee/JohnnyRestall
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Reposted by Johnny Restall
grumpyandrew.bsky.social
🚨Wherever you get your podcasts!!!

Now you can hear me and host @johnnyrestall.bsky.social (the most soothing voice in podcasting), talking about NIGHT OF THE DEMON on The Thriller Cabinet.
open.spotify.com/episode/0C3L...
The Thriller Cabinet: NIGHT OF THE DEMON (1957)
open.spotify.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:08 PM
johnnyrestall.bsky.social
Join me and @grumpyandrew.bsky.social as we pass each other the runes and invoke Jacques Tourneur's NIGHT OF THE DEMON (1957) for the series-finale episode of The Thriller Cabinet Podcast.

Available via Spotify, Apple, and here:
thethrillercabinet.libsyn.com
Illustrated poster for the 1957 film NIGHT OF THE DEMON. Against a stormy night sky, the head and shoulders of a demon dominates the image. His body is dark and shaggy, his ears and horns pointy, and his red-lipped mouth open, with a look of mad glee in his glowing eyes. At the bottom right, a man and woman cower in fear, looking upwards apprehensively...
November 14, 2025 at 11:45 AM
johnnyrestall.bsky.social
A lovely piece on a really special album.
lippykidmusic.bsky.social Lippy Kid @lippykidmusic.bsky.social · 4d
As always, a huge thank you to anyone still keeping pace with these posts. Its hugely appreciated.,

Continuing with this : A beautiful tribute to the power of human imagination

💙⚡x

52 Albums To Shape A Soul - Part 47

lippykidmusic.substack.com/p/52-albums-...
Album cover for 'Mary Casio: Journey To Cassiopeia' by Hannah Peel superimposed with the words '52 Albums To Shape A Soul : #47'
November 12, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Reposted by Johnny Restall
mjpcuervo.bsky.social
Starting Val Lewton season (aka autumn) with a rewatch of the dreamlike and haunting I Walked With a Zombie. This always makes me swoon.
Tom Conway’s character says: There's no beauty here, only death and decay. Tom Conway’s character says: Everything good dies here, even the stars. We see a shooting star.
November 3, 2025 at 8:58 PM
johnnyrestall.bsky.social
40 years ago today, William Friedkin's TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. was released in the USA - a thrilling but withering takedown of sociopathic machismo on both sides of the law.

If you'd like to read more, here's a piece I wrote on it a while back:

wearecult.rocks/fake-it-till...
Poster for 'To Live and Die in L.A.' In the background to the left, the sun casts a dying orange blaze over the landscape. In the foreground on the right, a figure stands next to a concrete pillar, gun in one hand and a suitcase in the other. Although he is wearing sunglasses, most of his body is consumed by the shadows that bleach out the warm background colours. The shady, sinister side of the image seems almost at war with the more idyllic backdrop.
November 1, 2025 at 10:41 AM
johnnyrestall.bsky.social
Boo! (Happy Halloween!)
schulzmuseum.bsky.social Charles M. Schulz Museum | The home of Snoopy & the Peanuts Gang @schulzmuseum.bsky.social · 14d
This PEANUTS comic strip was published #OTD on October 31, 1951.

Happy Halloween! 🎃
October 31, 2025 at 5:18 PM
johnnyrestall.bsky.social
Next month on The Thriller Cabinet Podcast:

"It's in the trees! It's coming!"
A black and white photographic image of a woodland by night. In the centre of the image, striding towards the camera, is an enormous creature backlit by light and smoke. It's a little too far away to see clearly, but seems to have horns, possibly wings too, and definitely looks malevolent...
October 29, 2025 at 3:03 PM
johnnyrestall.bsky.social
As Sherlock-Holmes-vs-Jack-The-Ripper film A STUDY IN TERROR (1965) was released 60 years ago this month, here's my piece for Rue Morgue comparing & contrasting it with Bob Clark's similarly-themed MURDER BY DECREE (1979):

rue-morgue.com/sherlock-hol...
Cartoon-style poster for 'A Study In Terror.' Sherlock Holmes is the central image in deerstalker and dark overcoat, standing with gun raised and a quizzical but determined look on his face. Around him, cartoon-strip sound-effect bubbles says things like 'Biff!' and 'Crunch!'. At the bottom left of the image is a screaming damsel in distress, hair flying and dress low cut. Illustrated poster for 'Murder by Decree.' Along the left-hand side of the poster are assorted profile sketches of the characters in the film, emerging from surrounding shadows and headed by Christopher Plummer's Sherlock Holmes. To the right, a sinister figure slashes downwards with an extremely long knife, looming over a drawing of a cobbled street showing dark figures fleeing from a pursuing handsome cab. The film's title is blood red, stamped in the style of an old-fashioned wax seal.
October 26, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Reposted by Johnny Restall
schulzmuseum.bsky.social
This PEANUTS comic strip was published #OTD on October 24, 1998.
October 24, 2025 at 4:22 PM
johnnyrestall.bsky.social
I know what I'll be watching again tonight (and having nightmares)...
nickjennison.bsky.social Nick @nickjennison.bsky.social · 24d
Prince of darkness.

I still find the dream sequence an effective, eerie scene.
October 21, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Reposted by Johnny Restall
johnnyrestall.bsky.social
This month on The Thriller Cabinet, writer/critic Mario Dhingsa and myself take a trip to Amity Island for a dip in the water to discuss Steven Spielberg's mighty JAWS (1975).

Join us at your peril!

Available on Spotify, Apple, and here:
thethrillercabinet.libsyn.com
Classic illustrated poster for the film Jaws. The image is inset within a black background bearing cast details etc. The picture shows a young woman swimming front crawl-style on the surface of the ocean. She cannot see the absolutely enormous shark rising up from the depths heading directly for her, mouth agape in anticipation of its dinner...In the sky above her is the film's title, in blood red.
October 11, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Reposted by Johnny Restall
stickingplacebk.bsky.social
Follow, like, and repost for a chance to win any Sticking Place Book of your choice — including these gems! Help spread the word about the world’s boldest film press and take home a masterpiece. 🎬

(If you already follow, just like and repost to enter!)
October 18, 2025 at 12:09 AM
johnnyrestall.bsky.social
This thread is full of excellent suggestions! (I'm especially up for being a Millbury kid.)
helleborezine.bsky.social Hellebore @helleborezine.bsky.social · Oct 11
British folk horror and occult characters to be on Halloween, a thread.

1. Mr Fisher from Robin Redbreast (1970).
Catchphrase: “The study of religions is one of my many interests.”
You’ll need:
- Tweed trilby
- Mutton chops
- Cracked spectacles
- A copy of The Golden Bough
October 11, 2025 at 12:46 PM
johnnyrestall.bsky.social
This month on The Thriller Cabinet, writer/critic Mario Dhingsa and myself take a trip to Amity Island for a dip in the water to discuss Steven Spielberg's mighty JAWS (1975).

Join us at your peril!

Available on Spotify, Apple, and here:
thethrillercabinet.libsyn.com
Classic illustrated poster for the film Jaws. The image is inset within a black background bearing cast details etc. The picture shows a young woman swimming front crawl-style on the surface of the ocean. She cannot see the absolutely enormous shark rising up from the depths heading directly for her, mouth agape in anticipation of its dinner...In the sky above her is the film's title, in blood red.
October 11, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Reposted by Johnny Restall
waltydunlop.bsky.social
Happy Boktober
October 1, 2025 at 9:52 AM
johnnyrestall.bsky.social
We take to the high seas on next month's episode of The Thriller Cabinet podcast. I'm sure the resident marine life will take kindly to our excursion...

Coming Soon!
An overhead view of a dramatic scene at sea. In the foreground, a soaked man is climbing up the white mast of a rapidly sinking ship, a makeshift harpoon in hand. Below him, surfacing from the foaming waters, is an enormous shark, jaws akimbo and eye staring.
September 27, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Reposted by Johnny Restall
johnnyrestall.bsky.social
Join @gemseddon.bsky.social and myself as we discuss Rob Reiner's MISERY (1990) on this month's episode of The Thriller Cabinet podcast.

Bates & Caan, Stephen King, hobblings - it's all here just waiting for its Number One Fans...

Available on Spotify, Apple and here: thethrillercabinet.libsyn.com
A beautiful poster for the film MISERY (1990). At the top of the image, we can see snow-capped mountains in the evening light. Working down the page, the picture descends into deep, dark blues with the title 'Misery' in red type-writer style font. At the very bottom, enclosed in the darkness, is a house. It's wooden frame and snowy roof should look homely, but instead it's laden with menace. One downstairs window is lit, shining like a cry from the depths...
September 9, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Reposted by Johnny Restall
elizabethdollmaker.bsky.social
Another excellent episode with a delightful guest in @gemseddon.bsky.social Loved the clever intro, giggled evilly like an idiot listening to it. This book and movie was a big part of my early teens. Go give it a listen!!
johnnyrestall.bsky.social Johnny Restall @johnnyrestall.bsky.social · Sep 9
Join @gemseddon.bsky.social and myself as we discuss Rob Reiner's MISERY (1990) on this month's episode of The Thriller Cabinet podcast.

Bates & Caan, Stephen King, hobblings - it's all here just waiting for its Number One Fans...

Available on Spotify, Apple and here: thethrillercabinet.libsyn.com
A beautiful poster for the film MISERY (1990). At the top of the image, we can see snow-capped mountains in the evening light. Working down the page, the picture descends into deep, dark blues with the title 'Misery' in red type-writer style font. At the very bottom, enclosed in the darkness, is a house. It's wooden frame and snowy roof should look homely, but instead it's laden with menace. One downstairs window is lit, shining like a cry from the depths...
September 19, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Reposted by Johnny Restall
johnnyrestall.bsky.social
I had the absolute privilege of joining @top100pod.bsky.social to discuss Carol Reed's glorious noir THE THIRD MAN (1949) this month.

It's hard to do full justice to such an immortal classic, but I gave it my best shot...

Available wherever you get your podcasts!
A graveyard in Vienna. A young woman stands in the foreground on the left in long coat and hat, her dark-gloved hands clasped, her expression one of reserved, deeply private grief. Behind her looms an awkward-looking man in a long dark coat; he seems both saddened and uncomfortable, as if he's little idea how to respond to the situation. A small tabby cat crouches next to a dark shoe, its wide and lustrous eyes full of watchful tenderness. An anxious-looking man stands before a large ferris wheel. Shot from below, the angle seems to increase his nervousness - his coat draped unevenly over his shoulders, his hat slightly askew, his hands fretting, and a look that borders on distress fighting its way across his face. A narrow brickwork tunnel, ankle-deep in water. A figure stands with his back to us, arms out as if preparing to turn and run. A bright light is coming towards him from the front, illuminating his plight in the surrounding darkness.
September 6, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Reposted by Johnny Restall
gemseddon.bsky.social
Absolutely loved chatting it up with the lovely @johnnyrestall.bsky.social about all-things Misery.

Such a delight to be able to talk about Stephen King on my 4th podcast appearance! 😊

Listen now and subscribe to The Thriller Cabinet!! It’s dead good!
johnnyrestall.bsky.social Johnny Restall @johnnyrestall.bsky.social · Sep 9
Join @gemseddon.bsky.social and myself as we discuss Rob Reiner's MISERY (1990) on this month's episode of The Thriller Cabinet podcast.

Bates & Caan, Stephen King, hobblings - it's all here just waiting for its Number One Fans...

Available on Spotify, Apple and here: thethrillercabinet.libsyn.com
A beautiful poster for the film MISERY (1990). At the top of the image, we can see snow-capped mountains in the evening light. Working down the page, the picture descends into deep, dark blues with the title 'Misery' in red type-writer style font. At the very bottom, enclosed in the darkness, is a house. It's wooden frame and snowy roof should look homely, but instead it's laden with menace. One downstairs window is lit, shining like a cry from the depths...
September 9, 2025 at 1:45 PM
johnnyrestall.bsky.social
Join @gemseddon.bsky.social and myself as we discuss Rob Reiner's MISERY (1990) on this month's episode of The Thriller Cabinet podcast.

Bates & Caan, Stephen King, hobblings - it's all here just waiting for its Number One Fans...

Available on Spotify, Apple and here: thethrillercabinet.libsyn.com
A beautiful poster for the film MISERY (1990). At the top of the image, we can see snow-capped mountains in the evening light. Working down the page, the picture descends into deep, dark blues with the title 'Misery' in red type-writer style font. At the very bottom, enclosed in the darkness, is a house. It's wooden frame and snowy roof should look homely, but instead it's laden with menace. One downstairs window is lit, shining like a cry from the depths...
September 9, 2025 at 11:29 AM
johnnyrestall.bsky.social
I had the absolute privilege of joining @top100pod.bsky.social to discuss Carol Reed's glorious noir THE THIRD MAN (1949) this month.

It's hard to do full justice to such an immortal classic, but I gave it my best shot...

Available wherever you get your podcasts!
A graveyard in Vienna. A young woman stands in the foreground on the left in long coat and hat, her dark-gloved hands clasped, her expression one of reserved, deeply private grief. Behind her looms an awkward-looking man in a long dark coat; he seems both saddened and uncomfortable, as if he's little idea how to respond to the situation. A small tabby cat crouches next to a dark shoe, its wide and lustrous eyes full of watchful tenderness. An anxious-looking man stands before a large ferris wheel. Shot from below, the angle seems to increase his nervousness - his coat draped unevenly over his shoulders, his hat slightly askew, his hands fretting, and a look that borders on distress fighting its way across his face. A narrow brickwork tunnel, ankle-deep in water. A figure stands with his back to us, arms out as if preparing to turn and run. A bright light is coming towards him from the front, illuminating his plight in the surrounding darkness.
September 6, 2025 at 7:42 AM
johnnyrestall.bsky.social
Very highly recommend this richly evocative mini album (still in the wild on CD, I believe).
claypipemusic.bsky.social Clay Pipe Music @claypipemusic.bsky.social · Jul 25
claypipemusic.greedbag.com/buy/whitby-3/
David Boulter's 'Whitby' is finally here and I'll be doing my best to get copies out to you for the release date next Friday. The vinyl is sold out on Bandcamp, but there are a few copies left in Greedbag.
August 31, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Reposted by Johnny Restall
elizabethdollmaker.bsky.social
Just finished listening to the latest Thriller Cabinet episode as I was working on my latest doll. Fantastic podcast, please give a listen! #podcast #thrillers
johnnyrestall.bsky.social Johnny Restall @johnnyrestall.bsky.social · Aug 8
Join me and @fatscoleman.bsky.social on this month's episode of The Thriller Cabinet as we examine Michael Mann's MANHUNTER (1986) - the first screen adaptation of Thomas Harris's Hannibal Lecter novels, but far more than just that...

Find it on Spotify, Apple or here:
thethrillercabinet.libsyn.com
Illustrated poster for the film Manhunter. The image is dominated by a threatening, greyish and partially masked male figure. He wears a stocking on the top half of his face, his head at a quizzical but menacing angle. His bare chest appears to bear a large red tattoo, based on William Blake's 'Great Red Dragon' pictures. He is emerging from surrounding darkness, as if approaching the viewer. In the bottom half is the film title in red along with the credits in white.
August 31, 2025 at 12:34 AM
johnnyrestall.bsky.social
I recommend listening to this because: a) it's a brilliant podcast that will reward your time, and b) they're discussing an excellent film (with barnstorming cinematography from the great James Wong Howe).
mrstevehunt.bsky.social Steve Hunt @mrstevehunt.bsky.social · Aug 24
Out tomorrow! @mwkronenberg.bsky.social joins me on the latest episode of the Boxing Movie Podcast to discuss Body and Soul, starring John Garfield.
#boxing #filmnoir #moviesky #filmsky
August 27, 2025 at 6:24 PM