“Brings the half-forgotten days of 80s video rental stores vividly back to life.”

Dan Auty, Mondo Movie

Adventures in VHS is the original VHS podcast, established back in 2012 and leading to the book of the same name which was published in 2016.

The Adventures in VHS book was published and released in a short print run, with the digital version still available via Amazon. Links to both the book and all the podcast episodes of the original show can also be found below.

“Mellor’s prose is often deliciously witty, sometimes profane, but appreciative and perceptive.”

Mark R. Hasan, Editor KOEK.com

Adventures in VHS: The book

The original print run of Adventures in VHS sold out and there are no current plans for a second run. However, the digital version is still available on Kindle here. If you’d just like to sneak peek though, here’s a video.

Want to watch a cult film? Movie buff has got it taped – Manchester Evening News, October 2016

Press coverage ahead off the launch of the Adventures in VHS book

Adventures in VHS: The podcast

In each episode of the Adventures in VHS podcast, I selected one big box, ex-rental tape from my burgeoning collection, to review the release, trailers and the movie itself – and speak with some of those involved with making it.

Stream using the players below, or listen/subscribe via Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your usual podcast provider by visiting the links on this page.

Episode 1 – Creepozoids (1987)

In this first episode, I look at 1987’s Creepozoids, directed by David DeCoteau and starring genre favourite Linnea Quigley. I look at the history of the movie, the tape itself and debate about the era for the film and the format with its director in an exclusive interview.

Episode 2 – Class of Nuke ‘Em High (1986)

In this second episode, I look at the 1986 Troma classic Class of Nuke ‘Em High, a tale of a high school on the brink of complete self-destruction, and interview with co-director, producer and Troma founding legend Lloyd Kaufman in an exclusive interview.

Episode 3 – Devouring Waves (1984) and Monster (1980)

A double feature episode, with back-to-back creatures from the deep in Lamberto Bava’s Devouring Waves (1984) and Barbara Peeters’ Monster (1980 – AKA Humanoids from the Deep).

Episode 4 – Ghoulies (1985)

In this episode I decide to relive some childhood trauma, by finally watching a movie I was too terrified to even look at on the rental store shelf back when it was released. 1985’s mini monster franchise starter – Ghoulies.

Episode 5 – The Coca-Cola Kid (1985)

I take a look at 1985’s The Coca-Cola Kid, a brand-saturated oddity starring Eric Roberts as a fish-out-of-water corporate troubleshooter at the centre of bizarre fizzy drinks industry power struggle – and share a selection of listeners’ VHS memories!

Episode 6 – Kindred (1987)

For this episode, I take an in depth look at Kindred (1987) before talking exclusively to the artist behind its iconic cover and poster art, Graham Humphreys – the man also responsible for iconic illustrations for Elm St 1 – 5, Basket Case, Creepers and Evil Dead I and II.

Episode 7 – Xtro (1982)

In this episode, I look at 1982’s weird and very wonderful Xtro, exploring the history of the movie, it’s UK VHS release – and then getting into a hilarious late night chat with its equally weird and very wonderful director Harry Bromley Davenport‎.

Episode 8 – The Blob (1988) and Terrorvision (1986)

It’s a monster double feature once again on the show with a deep dive into the underrated 80s remake of The Blob (1988) and the weird and wacky sci-fi comedy Terrorvision. The show also features an exclusive interview with Terrorvision director Ted Nicolaou.

Episode 9 – Chopping Mall (1986)

One of the greatest home video horror hits of the day in this episode in 1986’s Chopping Mall! I get deep on the tape, trailers and movie, and interview its director Jim Wynorski about the making and remarkable marketing of the film.

Episode 10 – Missing in Action (1984) and Invasion USA (1985)

In this special one-off episode I talk about how, despite growing up in an action movie household, the name Chuck Norris was somehow considered a dirty word. And I try to ‘discover Chuck’ by going back to two of his films I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing.

Episode 11 – Robot Jox (1989)

Adventures in VHS returns with a streamlined ‘one-shot’ episode looking at a movie I remember fondly as being a firm favourite as a kid. But how will Stuart Gordon’s Robot Jox (1989) hold up in a post Bay/Del Toro world? 

Episode 12 – Evilspeak (1981)

In this episode, I thought it was about time I hit up a genuine video nasty in 1981’s Evilspeak, the surreal satanic cyber shocker that was prosecuted along with 38 other titles under the Obscene Publications Act. Cuts, controversy and the 1983 UK VHS release are all here!

Episode 13 – The 13th Floor (1988)

The listeners voted and here it is, 1988’s The 13th Floor! Expect a full and frank look at the film’s UK VHS rental release, trailers and of course the movie itself – and I also talk about the history of its Medusa Video label.

Episode 14 – Hot Dog: The Movie (1984)

Things get raunchy as I slide down the sexy slope of mayhem into Peter Markle’s 1984 ski-sploitation flick Hot Dog: The Movie. As always, there’s the history of the film, a look at its UK VHS release on Entertainment in Video and a clip-fuelled review of the movie itself.

Episode 15 – Breakdance 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984)

One of the wildest, funniest and most 80s film of all time, Breakdance 2: Electric Boogaloo. Join me as I talk through the UK Guild Home Video release, and join by my old friend and podcasting partner Mr Ian Loring for a full and frank review of the movie itself.

Episode 16 – Society (1989)

I cover one of the most formative VHS rentals of my youth, Society, and interview its director Brian Yuzna about the magic of the home video era, the making of Society and even a potential sequel!

Episode 17 – Eye of the Tiger (1986)

A roaring rampage of revenge with the inimitable Gary Busey at the mean end of a shotgun, this show features an in depth discussion of the UK Medusa Home Video tape, trailers and film itself, with clips from some of the movie’s most memorable moments.

Episode 18 – The Rats (1982)

Announcements about the Adventures in VHS book, followed by a full show looking at the Robert Clouse directed, 1982 adaptation of The Rats – also known as Deadly Eyes. I dig deep into its UK VHS release on Guild Home Video and chat about the novel on which it is based.

Bonus episode: AiVHS Minicast – Basket Case (1982)

What was to be the first of a series of mini Adventures in VHS episodes, this previously unreleased bonus show looks at the 1982 cult classic Basket Case. Intended to be the first of a trilogy, sadly it turned out it was the last AiVHS show I ever put together!


Adventures in VHS Presents – The Mancunian Man

A special, feature-length documentary podcast focusing on the life and work of a real VHS innovator, Cliff Twemlow.

Packed with action, espionage, violence, sex, horror and even sci-fi, Twemlow and his band of friends managed to create a series of films shot on video with very little money – and even less permission. And yet, despite their charm and obvious cultural significance these movies are now in real danger of disappearing forever.

With contributions from director David Kent Watson, friend and martial arts legend Steve Powell, and regional film historian Steve Balshaw, this podcast exposes Cliff and his gang’s spectacular achievements and what his life means to the cultural history of the North West.

Press coverage ahead of the launch of Adventures in VHS Presents – The Mancunian Man podcast