Dready. Set. Halloween!

October has sprung and it's time to start up or prepare a marathon of spooks, scares, macabrey, terror, candy, masks, rotten eggs...Sorry, I feel my mind is wandering onto other To Do lists.

And I was pleased this year that even in August I was seeing the Halloween treats coming out in some places. Christmas likes to make it's presence known so early, so Halloween needs it's space in our lives to. Oh, if only Halloween could move to grab Thanksgiving and push Christmas back.

But maybe I'm being silly.

Creeping Up On Halloween With More Lego Michael Myers

Good news! I don't think I see any sign of Myers in the Halloween fun in my Lego City.

Should be smooth sailing.

The Horror Of...Halloween Night, Web Series

Come Halloween night, we all want something fun or interesting  to watch. Going online offers various options. So it's time to update the list from last year.

Here are some:

Carmilla

It takes the 18th century novella and moves it to a college setting. When I first covered it, only the first series was done. It currently has three series.

Series 1
Series 2
Series 0


Mispelled

A group of young women find themselves suddenly with great power, and a whole set of issues to deal with. They currently have 1 series. Great new series,


Spooked

It follows a group of amateur paranormal investigators seeking out evidence of a world beyond, for a number of reason. It has a nice cast, some of whom you may remember from other series. So far we just have the one series.


Victoria Frankenstein, M.D.

The story of Frankenstein. Victoria Frankenstein. The series works a lot like Carmilla, with the characters creating vlogs that help continue the tale. It takes Frankenstein into the modern age. Live the classic tale once again.

The Horror Of...Halloween Night, The Halloween That Almost Wasn't

There are many specials that come out at Halloween. Or there were. We get some special episodes, and some oddities. But rarely do networks and actors put themselves out in often such an strange manner.

Consider the late 70's, 1979 to be exact. ABC gave us an odd little Halloween treat. The Halloween That Almost Wasn't. It's an odd collection of comedic and not so comedic actors in the role of various classic monsters. You may also know it by the name it picked up in 1992. The Night Dracula Saved the World. Yeah, the first title is more accurate, but the second one makes it clear that you're getting a dose of Dracula. With it's original title, maybe people thought they were seeing a Halloween version of the animated film Twas the Night Before Christmas. This is far goofier.

And that's apt, as the show was for years embraced by Disney and shown at Halloween.

Creeping Up On Halloween With LEGO Michael Myers

I think I should be worried. It seems LEGO Michael Myers is visiting my LEGO City.

But I think I may be okay. It's not Halloween...yet.

Creeping Up On Halloween With Theatrical Dracula

If you are reading my blog you know that Dracula was quickly translated from book to stage. Bram Stoker than Hamilton Deane than John Balderston. Out of this we met Bela Lugosi.

The stage show has continued on since then, going from theater to theater. Many crews and actors have come to Seward's Sanitorium. And many Draculas have entered the scene.

With revivals in the 70's, helped by the artistic efforts of Edward Gorey, Dracula made a resurgence. And more actors of note played that role. Enjoy.

Frank Langella took on the role. And this lead to him starring in the 1979 Dracula.

The Horror Off...Halloween Night, A Disney Halloween (1983)

"Mo-o-om! I'll bring in the other boxes
tomorrow!"

Sometimes the little kiddies need a treat come Halloween night. Some because they're too young to Trick or Treat. Some because they get home and need something to watch as they count their candy horde.

And what is the easier choice of amusement for the kiddies to start relaxing with than Disney. Disney the opiate of the minors.

One interesting choice from a day long past is A Disney Halloween. It was shown in 1983. I've seen it also called Disney's Halloween Treat. It may be that at different times it's been shown over the years that the name changed. "Disney Halloween Treat" seems to be the title of the song that plays at the start of the special, so it may have stuck, but I don't know. And who cares along as we get a nice dose of Mickey and his friends, right?

Okay, actually it seems this special combines the Disney's Halloween Treat from the previous year with the older Disney's Greatest Villains. And I think I know why I prefer this one. It adds the Magic Mirror as a character. But we'll get to him

Like many Disney series at the time (though this was while they were showing on CBS), we open with an introduction Michael Eisner, head of Disney who was trying to play the role Walt Disney used to play. (If you've read my Mr. Boogedy and Bride of Boogedy reviews, you've seen examples of his openings from back then.) This time around the people at Disney are getting ready for a Halloween party. Mickey and Minnie stop by to show off their costumes.

Then Goofy comes in to show the costume he's been working on for a month.

And into the special!

Creeping Up On Halloween With Horror Documentaries

Horror movies are always a treat. At Halloween they become a necessity. But sometimes it's nice to learn more about the history and experience that creates those movies that haunt our memories.

Spend some time learning more about horror classics of the 70's and 80's


In 1978, John Carpenter got a chance to make a mark on Halloween with a slasher killer with his simple name. Michael Meyers. Working his way through teenagers and adults, focused on his target. A tense and fun movie experience.

Halloween

Creeping Up On Halloween With Jem

What's a perfect fit for Halloween? Some music. Some costumes. Outrageousness. How about Jem and the Holograms.

No. Not the new movie. That would make no sense. I mean 80's cartoons, and 80's music.

And Jem just happens to have a Halloween episode. Seems a local opera house is in danger of closing. Luckily Jem and the Holograms step in to save it, with music.

While you muse about taking the second season DVD off your shelf, we can all enjoy the episode's songs.

"It's Fun To Be Scared" - Jem and the Holograms

Creeping Up On Halloween With Caramel Apple Oreo

When it comes to Halloween we do rather get obsessed with Pumpkin, or rather Pumpkin Spice. We love it, we hate it, we're over it.

Hey, I still love some pumpkin.

But apples have such a history with Halloween, and it's just feels like it's getting passe by too easily. Who doesn't love a Halloween party and some Bobbing For Apples? ...Do people still bob for apples? Is that still a thing, or is that that gone the way of peeled grapes as eyes? (Not that I really loved the messy experience to get an apple. Felt like a way to trick kids into washing their faces and getting fruit.

But the apple has it's history. The Fall caramel apple is still a joy...If you like working through hardened caramel to eat a Red Delicious apple. And then there's getting an apple when you go door to door Halloween Night...which really bit it...

But it has a noble history. The apple. Foe of many the young maiden. Biblical to Fairy Tales,

So how have we forgotten our old friend, fresh off the tree?


Well, it is a fruit, and one we have access to all year, including as a sweet. Apple Pie. Apple Crumble. Apple Juice. Apple Tea. Where's the shortage, the artificial rarity?

Who cares? If you can use it right, it's a fun treat for this season. And as noted above, it fits nicely in. And it's a break from the pumpkin, chocolate, and marshmallow.

And Oreo has  just the thing. Annoyingly, it seems it won't be around long.

Creeping Up On Halloween With Friday the 13th Part 3

No this isn't a review of Jason's second trip to summer camp (Or is it the third if you count the flashbacks?). Rather let's just take a moment to enjoy a taste of the 80's. A Disco...ish opening theme. And the effort to do some 3D credits. Oh, yeah.

You can move to it, you can run from it, but you'll never escape it.

Whether or not you ever see this movie, you need to feel the 80's glory in this opening title sequence.


Of course there is another part of this movie you should also revel in. Partake in the wonder of Crispin Glover dancing.

Can't you imagine him groving to that opeing?

Masks. Machettes. Moms. Oh, no. Music. It's all about that music.


Enjoy that opening music as you prep for your Halloween.

The Horror Of...Halloween Night, The Paul Lynde Halloween Special

Back in the day, or so I've heard, their was the holiday special. A mix of music, humor, and celebrity. Be it Life Day or Valentines we had our specials. People today do have a feel for them, as they do get referenced and parodied. But they are just an echo.

Were they any good...it seems like they were popular. As offshoots of variety shows, they were glitzy and used popular entertainers of the day. As the descendant of old Vaudeville, I assume, we are meant to be entertained and bemused at the spectacle put on for us.

The trick is that for most of us, the closest we've ever gotten to these shows of old are the parodying of them on shows like the The Simpsons. Their an echo of the past we know by mockery.

We still don't even get the Star Wars Holiday Special. But they are all special.

And this is Halloween, we need spectacle and sites to never be unseen.

We need a Halloween Special! And what better to go with than Paul Lynde and his Halloween Special? Nothing!

In 1976 October people got a treat. ABC put the show on air on October 29th. So while it wasn't on the night, at least it wasn't on in November, or the start of the month. Besides, it was the 70's I'm sure people were too busy with fondue, cheap plastic masks, and stagflation.

Creeping Up On Halloween With Count Floyd

Count Floyd is always up to try and bring some terror to your Halloween. It's not his fault he doesn't get to pick the films he shows.

\

True this is a character sketch from SCTV, but Floyd always represented that classic horror host and Creature Feature show. Often the host was someone that worked other jobs at a station, and they ran with what movies they had on hand.

In his case Count Floyd is Floyd Robertson, one of the anchors of SCTV's news show. He's played by the always energetic and fun Joe Flaherty.

Floyd was trying to put on a show, and have fun as the "dark" count. But the producers of his show could never really get their hands on decent horror movies for him to amp up his show, instead usually getting a line of weird or boring movies. And the station crew were constantly walking on set and working while he was trying to play his character and engage the kids at home watching.

But Count Floyd keeps trying to keep and maintain the feel.

Let's see some of the count's most horrifying film choices.

Creeping Up On Halloween With KISS

When you want some metal music and make up, you go to one place first at Halloween. KISS.

When I was a kid there was a magic to KISS. (...Okay. As I've said before, I was more the kid freaked out by the likes of them.) It was that 70's turn 80's time. It was their prime. God, I remember KISS toys  in stores.

And it's been joked about, but it was also quite real. KISS TV movie. KISS Meets The Phantom Of The Park (And that is the official name of the movie.). KISS didn't love the film, but it is part of their mythos, and is a great film to check out this October.

Revel in this ad.

I do love these Big 3 Movies of the Week.

Creeping Up On Halloween With Terror Obscura and Fear Fan

Halloween needs it's horror movies. Some are good and some are bad. So it's nice to learn a bit about some of the films we can sit back and watch and dread.

We are fortunate to have a number of horror film reviewers online who actually know what they are talking about. They have their own taste and style. One you should take a look at is Fear Fan's Terror Obscura..

Creeping Up On Halloween With Universal Monsters

While many people and studios have had there impact on cinematic horror, Universal Studios has a long pedigree.

The 1930's began a line of films that help shape horror in many ways still. Black and white. Dark moors and forest. Angry villagers with their torches. "Good evening." "It's alive!" "Even a good man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when..."

Creeping Up On Halloween With Cats

Cats do I have there ties to the season. Of course they aren't for the best of reasons.

"Fear me!"

With this time of year and it's ties to tales and legends of dark forces, the dead rising, and the midnight hour, witches has been regularly entwined with the holiday. It's one of the basic choices for costumes, decoration, and stories to tell.

"Don't mind me. I'm just calling a...friend."

And the cat was sadly ported along with the witch into our view of Halloween. Sad because it's ties to the witch come from those ancient fears of devil's familiars, shape changing fiends, and just creatures that do the bidding of Satan.

You know. This guy!

'I don't care for the candy, but I am loving this hat."

Creeping Up On Halloween With Alice Cooper and his Nightmare

Some suitable music is always necessary for setting the Halloween mood.

There are many good options, from soundtracks to symphonies to some rock. A lovely addition to any Halloween playlist is Alice Cooper.

Welcome to his nightmare.

Creeping Up On Halloween With Diversity In Costumes

While there are many issues in costumes at Halloween, we are seeing some improvements. We are seeing more range in the costumes available.

We've moved on from only having cheap plastic masks and cheap plastic smocks printed to match a character. Those still exists, but we have more possibilities to play with.

On of the more pleasant finds is with the Green Lantern costumes. There are a set of Hal Jordan costumes out there. But we can actually find a selection of John Stewart as well.

It's a bit of a surprise. After all, even on the cover they have Hal Jordan butting his head in, and in costumes it's all about the Jordan. But the GL people know best these days is John Stewart, from the Justice League cartoon series. So we better damn well have some John Stewart to dress as!

And we do.

Saves the universe, looks awesome.

Creeping Up On Halloween With Falling Leaves

Today is the start of Autumn, officially. So how do we celebrate it but with it's more endearing imagery,,,the leaves of the season? Sure.


Every year we see the turm, and even if the calendar say the season isn't here yet, we know. The leaves shift to those autumn colors, which are based off those leaves, and bit by bit they fall, blanketing the land in place of the flowers and crops of Spring and Summer.