Spider-Man: Magic Malice

Today at the blog I continue a small Halloween tradition: a cartoon featuring Spider-Man battling his arch nemesis, the Green Goblin. Here, Spidey stops the Goblin from obtaining a magician's powers in "Magic Malice." Enjoy!




Guess what, folks: unless I get a small window of opportunity over the weekend, which isn't likely--this is it for me for this year's Countdown to Halloween. As always, I had a great time showcasing all this cool stuff, and I sincerely wish you'll stick around after Halloween. There's more great stuff the rest of the year and beyond. Thank you for visiting, please come back. Most importantly,

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park Promo

We've almost come to a full stop here for the Countdown, so hang on tight. Today I feature a montage from the 1978 TV-movie Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park.  The legendary rock band, here portrayed as superpowered beings (!) perform at an amusement park, where a curmudgeonly engineer (who looks like Don Imus to me) tries to ruin the fun for the band and their fans.  Hey, it's Kiss in the 70s, what do you expect?  It's goofy, but it was fun when I was five.  Enjoy!

Casper The Friendly Ghost: Peekaboo/Twin Trouble

It's not a good Halloween without a good ghost, and whose a better ghost to be around than Casper? Here, he befriends a young kitten, then he meets his not-so-friendly clone, as does Wendy the Good Witch, in "Peekabo/Twin Trouble." Bring the kids to the computer for these. Thanks!

Pumpkin Moon/The 13th Kitten

Today I have two promotional clips for two intertwined TV specials from the UK that, unfortunately, I know very little about.  Pumpkin Moon involves a league of tiny evil witches that try to take over the world one Halloween night, with only a small team of friendly enchanted jack'o'lanterns and a black house cat to stop them.  The 13th Kitten is a sequel to Pumpkin Moon, but I know virtually nothing about it.

The Internet is rather sparse with any futher information about it.  The specials' director, Hilary Audus, has a long career in British animation according to IMDB, but it makes no mention of her involvement with these specials.  They both look really cool, but I find no mention of them ever being released on DVD or home video here or in the UK.  If anyone can shed any light on these specials, please leave a comment.  Thanks!

Count Duckula, "No Sax Please, We're Egyptian"



Well, the last week of the Countdown to Halloween is here already.  I better make it a good one.  Today I present the first episode of the British 80s cartoon series Count Duckula.  It aired in the US on Nickeolodeon, and I fell in love with it.  It is filled with sophisticated humor that most American cartoons at the time wouldn't dare attempt.  Just look at the title of the inaugural episode.  Enjoy!

Frankenstein as Pitchman

Today I have four appearances of the Frankenstein monster plugging various products.  I've featured Frankie in commercials before, but never in a post devoted specifically to him.  On to it!

You know why you always see him moaning and groaning?  Stiff, achey joints!  But steady use of Osteo-Biflex clears it right up.



Here is one for Twix candy bars. Don't ever ask him to share them.



Next, here is Frankie alias Herman Munster in a commercial for Cheerios.  This has appeared in many Halloween-themed blogs in the past, so why not here?



Finally, Frank arises from his artic slumber--and writes a note thanking Bic pens for the help!



Although my post today is not a part of it, today is Frightful Frankenstein Friday at 17 other great blogs.  This is in celebration of the new collection of Dick Briefer's Frankenstein comics of the Golden Age.  Read more about it here.  Thanks!

Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling, "Ghost Wrestlers"

Going back to 80s Saturday morning cartoons, today I offer an episode of the infamous series Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling, which aired on CBS from 1985 to 1987.  The Hulkster and his rasslin' buddies become amateur ghostbusters (you even hear the Ray Parker Jr. tune!) when they try to clear spectres from a supposedly haunted retirement home.  Enjoy!  And if you do, you can sample another spooky-themed episode I posted last year.  Thanks!

Munsters Unaired Pilot in Color

Here is a fun treat I didn't know existed until this morning. This is the unaired pilot episode of the Munsters. It's notable for two reasons: the cast features actress Joan Marshall as Lily (named Phoebe in the pilot) and youngster Happy Derman (whoever he is) as a more maniacal Eddie, rather than series mainstays Yvonne DeCarlo and Butch Patrick. Also, it's in full color. I'm really happy to have found this. Enjoy!

Q-Bert: Monster Mix-Up

Today's feautre has Halloween, 80s, and video games all rolled into one.  It's a Crackle Minisode version of the 80s Saturday cartoon series Q-Bert, based on the classic video game.  One of Q-Bert's friends turns into a Frankenstein monster (happens all the time), and Q-Bert's enemies try to capitalize on it.  Enjoy!

Charlie Winston, "Kick The Bucket"

Today I have a music video from English musician Charlie Winston for a song called "Kick The Bucket." It's a song speaking of the importance of using our time on Earth wisely before we, well you know.

What's this have to do with Halloween? Nothing really, but look at these cool skeletons! Thanks!


CHARLIE WINSTON "Kick The Bucket" Music Video
Uploaded by ATMOSPHERIQUES. - See the latest featured music videos.

Tales of the Wizard of Oz: The Reunion

Today is a short cartoon from what I consider to be a strange TV series.  Tales of The Wizard of Oz was a series that aired in 1961 (I don't know which network or if in syndication) that had its own take on the classic Oz characters.  The character design was simple and almost grotesque in some places, and the characters' personalities were a departure from what we're familiar with in the classic film.  The series seems to go more for pure comedy rather than charm or heart that other incarnations of the story do.  See for yourself here, as the Wicked Witch pays a visit to her witch school reunion.  I must say, the Witch has quite a menacing laugh here!



Oh, and another thing...


GO PHILLIES!!!!!!

The Diamonds, "Batman, Wolfman, Frankenstein, or Dracula"

Today I have a sample of the very many songs from the 50s and early 60s that combined rock'n'roll with horror themes.  I'm sure you own or at least have heard many of these from other blogs just by the fact that you're reading this, but this is one I hadn't heard until earlier this year. 

The group is The Diamonds, most famous for their cover of "Little Darlin'" and "The Stroll."  This song is about the singer's girlfriend, who can only be moved to make the moves on him by watching horror movies, namely featuring the Batman (no, not that Batman), Wolfman, etc.  It's a cute song, total fluff, but a lot of fun.  Enjoy!

Animaniacs: Draculee, Draculaa

It's back to cartoons today for a show I loved in college and am glad to finally feature here:  Animaniacs!  Today, the Warner brothers (and the Warner sister) go fang to fang with Dracula.  My money's on the Warners.  Enjoy!

On The Road With Charles Kuralt: Venetucci Farm, Colorado Springs, CO

Sorry for my lack of posting yesterday, but I have a good excuse. I took the day off (both from the blog and work) to spend the day with my family at our local pumpkin patch, where the kids and I picked our Halloween pumpkins, walked through the corn maze, and enjoyed the sunshine and unseasonably warm day. We had a great time!

This is a long-standing tradition for so many Americans this time of year, of course. No one documented such poignant moments so well as the late news journalist Charles Kuralt. I've been a huge fan of Kuralt's for many years, and I bring you today a sample of his great work. Here he tells us of the Venetucci Farm, located in Colorado Springs, CO, where the Venetucci brothers provide a huge pumpkin patch for the area's children completely free of charge.  This story documents the wonder and amazement of children as they look for that perfect pumpkin, just like my kids did yesterday.  If you have any heart at all, you are sure to be touched and reminded of why we love this holiday so much.



Happy Halloween indeed!

Super Friends Meet Frankenstein

It really happened!  Everyone's favorite Saturday morning heroes, the Super Friends, battled the Frankenstein monster.  He was a pretty diabolical cat, too.  Check it out!

Siskel & Ebert and the (Horror) Movies

Whether you agreed or disagreed with them, movie critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert have had a definite impact on looking at movies since they first appeared on TV in the late 70s. They each had their own perspective, and horror movies are no exception.

Below are clips from various incarnations of their TV show in which they examine horror classics Halloween, Poltergeist, and Ghostbusters. I apologize for the less than stellar quality of the clips, especially regarding the audio, but I find their opinions interesting and worth debate. Do you agree or disagree with them on these films? Let me know in the comments section. Thanks!

It's the Great Parody, Charlie Brown

Here are two clips spoofing and repurposing footage from the classic Halloween special It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.  The first one was created for some unknown purpose by unknown people, and the clip seems to contain a few in-jokes only the creators are in on, but it's funny nevertheless.



The next clip uses footage from the special and makes a music video to the 80s rap classic "Nightmare On My Street" by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince.  Good stuff!



For those with several social media sites, don't forget about the contest sponsored by the Peanuts estate.  I'm participating, and you can too.  Learn more here.

Thanks!

Schlocky B-Movie Trailers

More than anything else, Halloween should be fun, and what Halloween activity is more fun than watching goofy b-movie trailers?  Just don't eat your candy while watching these, you might choke from either fright or laughter, whichever is your style.  Enjoy!  If you've seen any of these movies, please let me knwo what you think of them in the comments section.

Halloween TV Commercials 2010 Edition

Today the blog gets into the Countdown full swing with our annual look at cool TV commercials with a Halloween or just plain spooky vibe.

First up: a commercial for Banquet frozen dinners. This lady has an unhealthy obsession with them!



Here is a spot for Goodwill promoting them as a great place for Halloween items, which is true. A location near me has a big window display of all their cool offerings. If you live near one, do yourself a favor and check them out.



I love Carvel ice cream cake commericals, and here's a great Halloween one!



You know what kind of man scores a chick on Halloween? Find out here.



They might do well to try here too.



Get great deals at the Mall of America and Target.




That's it for this year's batch. Stay tuned tomorrow as the Countdown is just beginning. Thanks!

Countdown to Halloween 2010 Opening Ceremonies

The blog is back!!  Hiatus is over, and I'm so thrilled to return I could SCREAM!  HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

To my regular readers, thank you for being so patient during my absence.  The break was necessary, but I'm rested and ready to go!  And for new readers to the blog, welcome!  Please feel free to peruse my archives and get acquainted with me.  I hope you stay around long after the countdown.

The countdown, of course, is the Countdown to Halloween!  This was a huge success for the blog last year, and I'm honored and proud to take part again.  I'll be posting Monday through Friday, taking a rest on the weekends, so please check in as often as you can.  Some blogs have specific themes to their countdown posts, but I just go freeform, posting anything related to Halloween, horror, or just plain spookiness.


Be sure to check out the many other great blogs sharing Halloween goodness as well.  It's an autumn cornucopia of blogitude!
 
Enough chitchat, it's time to get right to it.  Here, without further comment, are some warmup clips to get you into the spirit, what I like to call the Opening Ceremonies.  Let the 2010 Halloween season officially begin!