Ep 177 The Red Shoes

Welcome to Horror

It’s Lady Jennifer’s birthday request; and we’re joined by previous guest Dani for “The Red Shoes” (1948). A dazzlingly beautiful film in which we learn that if a prominent figure in the arts ISN’T a plagiarist, they’re a full blown psychopath; that horse drawn shag wagons were commonplace on the continent in the 40s; and that the show must go on, even if the star has got a train on her head. Whilst the genuine terror for Lee is the mere concept of ballet; is “The Red Shoes” really horror? Probably not, but with some phantasmagoric imagery, a basis in a truly horrific fairy tale, and the main character’s disturbing mental breakdown, it certainly visits the ballpark. Watch (or re-watch) to avoid spoilers and join us.