The Penny Dreadful Hour; or, A Feast of Early-Victorian Street Literature and Stories (no AI)
Finn J.D. John/ Pulp-Lit ProductionsThis is the podcast that carries you back to the sooty, foggy streets of early-Victorian London when a new issue of one of the "Penny Dreadful" blood-and-thunder story paper comes out! It's like an early-Victorian variety show, FEATURING ... — Sweeney Todd ... — Varney, the Vampyre ... — Highwayman Dick Turpin ... — mustache-twirling villains ... — virtuous ballet-girls ... —wicked gamblers ... ..... more
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 125 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ArtsBooks | |||
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Latest Episodes
SHOW NOTES — for — MINISODE 29 (Season 5)
(April 5, 2026)
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* 01:00: HANGED TODAY IN HISTORY (April 5): Wealthy barrister Arundel Cooke coveted his wife’s family estate … but alas, she had a brother. So he hired John Woodburne to help him so... more
SHOW NOTES
— for —
MINISODE 28 (Season 5)
(April 2, 2026)
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* 01:50: STREET POETRY: From a broadside ballad: “The Lass of ___ Town” and “The Frolicsome Widow” — and if that last title sounds just a little bit spicy, well, it is! (1844).
more
SHOW NOTES
— for —
EPISODE 27 (Season 5)
(March 29, 2026)
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Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London!
This show... more
SHOW NOTES — for — MINISODE 26 (Season 5)
(March 26, 2026)
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00:35: THE TERRIFIC REGISTER: ‘Twas midnight, and a fluttering bird entered the young Lord Lyttleton’s room by moonlight, and became the spectre of a maiden he had seduced and aband... more
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Reviews
- A delight
What larks!
Apple Podcasts5JD, Bristol
United Kingdom8 months ago - A real good time!!
Have enjoyed Offbeat Oregon History Podcast for several years and just found this!! Loving it Thank you!! So much fun!
Apple Podcasts5Jumbosity
United States9 months ago - So much fun
Delightful production! Gothic goodness with hilarious commentary. What’s not to love?
Apple Podcasts5NeatsoliloquyUnited States6 years ago - Delightfully Dreadful
I normally listen to podcasts at 2X speed. This is one of the few I take at 1X and it's totally worth it. These stories were made for the MST3K treatment and the hosts are consistently entertaining.
Apple Podcasts5wjspearUnited States6 years ago I don't know if I could handle the melodrama levels of The Feast of Blood on its own, but the MST3K treatment from these excellent hosts make this one of my most anticipated podcasts.
Podcast Addict56 years agowspear
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #167 | United Kingdom/Arts/Books |
Audience Metrics
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| Listeners per Episode | Gender Skew | Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interests | Professions | Age Range | |||
| Household Income | Social Media Reach | ||||
Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast
What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A Gothic-tinged, humor-infused exploration of early-Victorian street literature and penny dreadfuls, blending serialized reads (notably vampiric and crime stories) with witty commentary, historical anecdotes, and ballads. Episodes thread together horror, crime, and social history from 19th-century London, often pairing classic tales with lively pop-culture riffs, street literature recaps, and stage-like readings. Fans likely appreciate a theatrical, storytelling vibe with sharp humor, satires of Victorian mores, and a founder-host who guides listeners through chilling narratives with a breezy, quotable delivery. A standout is the consistent mix of literature readings, ghostly folklore, and real-world historical tidbits that offer both enter... more
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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?
These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:
1. Offbeat Oregon History podcast
2. Welcome To Oregon: A Oregon History & Lore Podcast
3. History Unplugged Podcast
4. Your Move with Andy Stanley Podcast
5. 99% Invisible
How many episodes of this podcast are there?
this podcast launched 6 years ago and published 125 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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