Halloween TV Commercials 2025 Edition

 

Welcome to the first full week of the Countdown! And today I have a great way to kick the week off. Today I present my annual look at great Halloween TV commercials!

Of course, they're not necessarily Halloween specific, but may simply have a spooky, scary, or strange theme. Let's check them out!

First, try claiming Dracula's gold (Dracula has gold?) in this fun electronic game from 1982.

Next, it's always great to pay a visit to Count Chocula and Frankenberry, but especially on Halloween!

This British commercial for Knorr soup is supposed to be whimsical, but frankly, I find it a bit creepy. I'm sure this scarecrow is friendly, but..well, take a look!

Most of the commercials I feature are many years, even decades old, but the final two commercials I have today are in fact from this very year! The first one from this past July features Cheetos doing a tie-in with Netflix's hit series Wednesday by auditioning Thing to be Cheetos' new spokes...hand.

Finally, my last commercial today is extremely new--it debuted September 29, 2025, exactly one week ago from when I'm writing this! Dr. Frankenstein attempts to teach his creation the ways of the world with poor results. But hook Frankie up with Xfinity wi-fi, and he becomes an overnight sensation!

Thank you for your time! Please come back every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in October for more Halloween greatness!

The Horror Hall of Fame: A Monster Salute starring Vincent Price

 

Hello again, and welcome back! Today we kick off the Countdown in earnest with a fun look at movie monsters of the past, hosted by the unofficial mascot of the Countdown.

Today I present The Horror Hall of Fame: A Monster Salute, a special that aired on February 20, 1974 as part of ABC's Wide World of Entertainment series on weekday late nights. It's a lighthearted look at horror movie characters of the past, hosted by none other than one of the greats, and a favorite of this blog--Vincent Price. I try to include at least one visit from Price in every Countdown, and this year, there may be more than one!

The special is heavy on comedy, and the jokes are pretty tame, but that's 1974 TV for you. Guests include Price's fellow Batman alum Frank Gorshin, John Astin (TV's Gomez Addams as well as another Riddler portrayer), and horror movie legend John Carradine, among others.

You can watch the special below or directly on YouTube at this link. Enjoy! Have a great first weekend of October. Drink pumpkin beer! Watch horror movies! Read my blog's archives! Eat candy!

Welcome to the 2025 Countdown to Halloween!

 

Hello one and all to the 2025 Countdown to Halloween! The time has come once again to arise from our coffins and partake in the Danse Macabre that is the Countdown. And am I sure ready for it!

Rejoice as we enjoy our annual parade of movies, cartoons, TV episodes, and other gifts of ghoulishness for a packed 31 days. I'm so happy you've chosen to spend your season with me!

Of course, I'm not alone in the Countdown. Thanks to Dex of AEIOU and Sometimes Why for organizing this year's Halloween hootenany. Please be sure to partake in all of the participating sites this year.

Please be especially sure to try my daughter Megan's Instagram site, Wallflower Avenue, as this is her first year participating in the Countdown. Way to go, Meg!

Without further ado, let the 2025 Countdown to Halloween begin!

Superman Stories from Peter Pan Records (1978)

 

Welcome back!

I'm way late to the party on posting a Superman item, as it's been six weeks since the release of the brand-new movie in theaters, but it's now available on digital, so maybe it's still timely.

Here is an album-length collection of Superman audio stories from 1978 (the year of the first Christopher Reeve film release) by classic children's record company Peter Pan Records. I have a 45 RPM of a Superman story that curiously isn't on this album, but they're all a lot of fun.

Enjoy! And stay tuned this fall, as I plan on more frequent blog articles and, of course, the Countdown to Halloween.

You can check out the YouTube video below or directly on YT here.

Thanks!

Fantastic Four Radio Series from 1975

 

Welcome back!

As I'm sure you know, the latest Fantastic Four movie is coming to theaters Friday, July 25th, and this time, it's set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fans have been waiting years for this, and based on the trailers, it looks very interesting! But what some may not know is that the quartet were once brought to life via radio.

In 1975, a Fantastic Four radio series was produced in Canada and adapted from the first 13 issues of the comic book, with narration by Stan Lee and various actors portraying Marvel's First Family. The Human Torch was voiced by none other than Bill Murray.

Yes, THAT Bill Murray.

Here are all 13 episodes of the audio series, both embedded below and directly on YouTube here.

Excelsior!

Walt Disney Studios, "Ben and Me"

 

Happy 4th of July! Well, it's only July 2nd, but who's counting? Plus, if I wait until the 4th, it's highly doubtful anyone will see this.

Ben and Me is a Walt-Disney-produced short, animated film telling how a fictional mouse--and not the one you'd expect--assisted Benjamin Franklin in several of his many high-profile endeavors. I first saw this in a movie theater on an elementary school field trip and enjoyed it. I found it on YouTube last year and saved it for 4th of July this year.

Please enjoy embedded below or directly on YouTube here.

Have a great holiday weekend!

Jaws 50: The Shark Is Still Working Documentary

 

Happy Birthday Jaws! It was 50 years ago this very day that Bruce the shark first terrorized audiences, scaring them away from the water to this very day. It's my favorite movie, despite, or because, it frightened me to my core after seeing it from a too-young age. And I'm far from the only one with such an experience.

The Shark Is Still Working is a fan-made documentary that lovingly details the effect the film had on moviegoers worldwide. If you count yourself as a Jaws fan, you will see yourself in the documentary.

Enjoy it below or directly on YouTube here. Farewell and adieu!