Thursday, October 31, 2024

Happy Halloween 2024!

 


And just like that...HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I feel the need to apologize: due to some goings-on in my personal life (job hunt, other stuff), I'm afraid my Countdown output was not as robust as I had planned this year. It wasn't due for lack of content, but time was just too little in supply this year. Be that as it may, I hope you enjoyed what I did share this year. We had a fair bit of Dracula than expected and a fair bit of comedy than expected, which was totally coincidental, but fun nonetheless.

Once again, I thank Dex of AEIOU...and Sometimes Why for running this year's Countdown, and completely solo at that. Thank you very much, Dex!

Have a great rest of the year, and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!




And next up on our annual holiday cavalcade:





Tuesday, October 29, 2024

The Carol Burnett Show, "My Husband is Dracula"

 


We're approaching the frightening finish line of the season! Don't lose steam now!

Today I offer a clip from The Carol Burnett Show, titled on YouTube as "My Husband is Dracula," although the title of the sketch in the clip says "The Bat and the Beautiful." Either one works!

In this skit, Carol is indeed married to the famous bloodlusting count, but marriage to a vampire isn't all it's cracked up to be. Poor Carol!

Enjoy!

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Two Classic Cartoons: Spooks (1932) and Skeleton Frolic (1937)

 


I'ts early Friday evening, but it's still Friday, and here is my last post for the last full week of this year's Countdown.

Today I feature two very old cartoon shorts from the 1930s, Spooks by MGM (1932) and Skeleton Frolic from Columbia (1937). These rare cartoons are very reminiscent of classic Disney shorts such as The Haunted House and Skeleton Dance. I love seeing this old school animation. They truly don't make them like they used to.

Enjoy! Have a great last weekend before Halloween!


Monday, October 21, 2024

The Saw 20th Anniversary Jewelry Collection by Gnoce

 


Welcome back! I hope you’re enjoying your Halloween season!

Today at the blog, we’re doing something a bit different than we normally do.

I was recently contacted by Gnoce, the jewelry company that offers beautiful, timeless jewelry that is festive, fun, and affordable. They offer jewelry for a variety of occasions and holidays; Halloween is no exception. And in that Halloween spirit, they reached out to me because they are excited about their latest line of spooky bling, honoring the 20th anniversary of the Saw film franchise. Thanks to Gnoce for providing me with these complementary pieces. I can’t wait to show them to you!




Billy the Puppet has been placing his victims in the most precarious of situations for two decades, and you can now literally wear your adoration for the rascal on your sleeve. Case in point, this awesome bracelet, letting you know that, for his latest victim, it’s truly “Game Over.”



A great thing about the bracelet is that you can add charms to it, such as this one featuring Billy on a tricycle (see above on the bracelet and below by itself). You know, when he’s on his downtime.




Moving from the wrist to the finger—Saw is all about body parts, after all—Gnoce also offers this Saw ring, featuring the face of our favorite little maniac. Choose your size and he can be yours!




Finally, we have this beautiful necklace, complete with Billy’s face and a favorite weapon of choice. Add this to the other pieces shown above, and you will be the number one Saw fan in your ‘hood!



To show off these pieces “in the field,” my daughter Megan has graciously agreed to model these pieces to show how great they look (thanks Megan!). Complete your spooky, goth look with the Gnoce Saw collection today!



If you like what you see, Gnoce has other great pieces for Halloween available. Check out their Halloween Sale: buy two pieces, get two free, plus get a free bracelet worth $49 with every order. Take advantage of this great offer today!

Thanks!




Friday, October 18, 2024

Starsky & Hutch, "The Vampire"

 


Welcome to the weekend! I'm rounding out this week of the Countdown with a vampire story starring the late David Soul--no, not THAT story!

This is an episode of Soul's most famous claim to fame, the '70s police series Starsky & Hutch, costarring Paul Michael Glazer. In this episode, a perp wholeheartedly believes himself to be a vampire. Which of course can't be true--or CAN it?

See for yourself. Enjoy the episode embedded below or watch directly on YouTube here.

Have a great weekend!


Wednesday, October 16, 2024

The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo, "Doctor Frankenstein" (1965)

 


Today I present my first cartoon of the season, and it's long overdue. This is an episode of the 1960s TV cartoon series The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo.

This series was a follow up to the original Mr. Magoo series. In this series, Magoo would play a famous story from literature, similar to Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol. This episode, which aired March 13, 1965, features an adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Unlike the fun, wholesome silliness of the original series, this episode was quite dark and serious, and it is a bit more faithful to the original novel than one would expect.

Please enjoy this episode embedded below or directly on YouTube here. Thanks!


Monday, October 14, 2024

Remembering Joe Flaherty: SCTV Monster Chiller Horror Theater

 


Last year I posted a segment of "Monster Chiller Horror Theater" from SCTV starring comedy legend Joe Flaherty. Little did I know at the time that we would lose Flaherty just a few months later. When he died, I knew I had to feature him as Count Floyd once again.

Here he is in two SCTV skits as that Halloween-ish character: the first skit with costars John Candy and Eugene Levy, and the other with actresses Catherine O'Hara and Andrea Martin. Everyone is great in their respective roles in these sketches, but I send this out in Flaherty's memory. He was such a great actor!

Thanks!


Friday, October 11, 2024

The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew Meet Dracula

 


Well, I might have to throw out my Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule of posting, because I missed another day (Wednesday), but here we are at Friday. Continuing the Dracula theme, today I present a movie-length installment of the late 70s TV series The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries entitled "The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew Meet Dracula."

This series featured Parker Stevenson and Shaun Cassidy as the brotherly sleuths, and Pamela Sue Martin as Nancy Drew. The boys and girl took turns each week solving a mystery, but sometimes they teamed together for a big event. You can't get more "event-like" than running into the Prince of Darkness himself!

Enjoy! Have a great weekend! Please see the show embedded below or directly on YouTube here.

Monday, October 7, 2024

Dracula, Sovereign of the Damned (1980)

 


Welcome to the first full week of the Countdown to Halloween!

I'm afraid I goofed! I promised you readers new posts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in October, but I missed out this past Friday. Sorry about that! I'll throw in an extra post at some point this month to make up for it. Today, I share with you what I would have posted last Friday.

This is the 1980 Japanese anime horror film Dracula, Sovereign of the Damned! Based on Marvel Comic's 1970s horror comic Tomb of Dracula, the film features the Son of the Devil, being, well, devilish. If you think it odd that a Japanese studio would adapt an American horror comic, don't--it's also been done with Marvel's The Monster of Frankenstein comic from the same time period. I've featured the Frankenstein film right here on this blog a few years ago.

Enjoy! And sorry for depriving you of this movie last Friday! Watch the movie embedded below or directly on YouTube here.

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Halloween TV Commercials 2024 Edition

 


Hello all! Welcome to the first real post of the Countdown to Halloween. Today I kick off the Countdown in earnest with a look at fun TV commercials with a Halloween spin, or at least a spooky spin. Here we go!

The Bride of Frankenstein is a fan of the New York lottery in this fun spot.




Her husband appears in our next commercial, shilling for--the Federal Trade Commision? Yep! Also, I find it interesting to see the monster boss around Igor instead of the doctor doing so for once.




In this next very quick spot, local Philly haberdasher Benny Krass advises you on the best suit to wear to the grave!




This Rice Krispies commercial from 1997 is actually two commercials in one: the first an everyday commercial, the second Halloween-specific for Halloween Rice Krispy Treats, a classic holiday perennial.

I suspect the voice of Pop is legendary voice actor Rob Paulson, but I'm not certain.




Here is a commercial for Nickelodeon's Nick or Treat event from 1992. I was too old for Nick at that time, but I'm sure this spot will resonate with older millenials out there!




Way back in 1971, you could take your chances with the Voice of the Mummy board game!




Boo! Avoid free radicals by drinking Pom pomegranate juice. Wash your sheets in peace!




Finally, sticking with the ghosts theme, you never know what's going on in your house when you're not there. Ikea shows us what!



I hope you enjoyed this year's crop of spooky commercials. Stay tuned for more Halloween hi-jinks. We're just getting started!

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Welcome to the 2024 Countdown to Halloween!

 





REJOICE, FOOLISH MORTALS! FEAST YOUR SENSES ONCE AGAIN TO THE ANNUAL RITE OF FUN AND SILLINESS, THE COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!

Dramatic much?

Welcome, everyone, to the 2024 Countdown to Halloween! I feel like we were just here 11 months ago! Surprising as it may be, it is indeed the Halloween season again, and it's time for all of the spooky shenanigans that come with it: movies, TV shows, music, commercials, comedy, horror, and all-around fun.

Thanks to Dex of AEIOU and Sometimes Why for organizing this year's Countdown. He's a one-man operation this year, so please give him several rounds of applause for holding down the haunted fort this year. Thank you very much, Dex!

Please also be sure to visit as many of the participating blogs as possible--this ain't just about me, you know. This wouldn't be nearly as much fun without the many and varied blogs and social media accounts adding their unique spin on the festivities. There's more than one correct way to celebrate the season, as all of the sites will show. Thank you, fellow participants!

Without further ado, let the 2024 Countdown to Halloween begin!


Monday, September 23, 2024

CBS Fall Lineup Preview Reel for Fall 1978

 


Hello everyone! Welcome to the official beginning of Fall 2024! It's our favorite time of year around here, as longtime readers know. One of the signs of the new fall season is the slate of new and returning TV series appearing on our flatscreens. This year, they will trickle in more so than pour, as the writer and actor strikes of last year are still being felt at this time.

But there was no such stumbling block in 1978!

Here is a preview reel of CBS's fall slate for the year 1978. This was likely shown to advertisers to whet their whistle for what programs they would buy airtime on. You'll see such shows as Wonder Woman, The Incredible Hulk, Lou Grant, and more--even the notorious Star Wars Holiday Special, which would air in November of that year.

Enjoy! And save the date--the Countdown to Halloween starts a day early this year (for my blog, at least): Monday, September 30th! See you then!


Thursday, September 5, 2024

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Review!

 


Hello all! I hope everyone had a fantastic summer! The season is a great time to take things easy and relax in the warm sun. But the season is just about over, and it's time to look ahead. Of course, what better event lies ahead during the fall season than that most spookiest of holidays, Halloween!  And I can't think of a better way to begin the spooky season than with the release of the long-awaited movie sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice!

The movie opens wide Friday, September 6th, but I was fortunate enough to have an opportunity to attend a preview screening with my daughter this past Tuesday. It was quite the pleasant experience!



When we first walked into the theater, we were greeted by a "bartender" dispensing Beetlejuice-themed beverages, two cocktails and one mocktail. Although my daughter and I are both of drinking age, we chose the mocktail, "Precious Potion," or something like that. Basically, it was a Shirley Temple in the guise of an afterlife drink, but it was good!

We were also greeted by this fellow by the bar.


The lobby was adorned with this fun display where you could appear to be hanging out with Betelgeuse and friend in the afterlife. We felt right at home!



As we entered the screening room, we picked up a couple of pieces of fun swag: a poster for the movie, which is featured at the top of this article, and specially adorned sunglasses to show your Beetlejuice fandom while keeping away the UV rays!

And now, my spoiler-free review of the film itself!

The now-grown Lydia (Wynona Ryder) is a TV psychic/medium on a Ghosthunters type of series, which is produced by Lydia's vapid boyfriend (Justin Theroux). When Lydia and her stepmother Delia (Catherine O'Hara) learn of Lydia's father Charles' death, they go to tell Lydia's estranged daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega). All the while, the "ghost with the most" still pines for Lydia and sends her visions of himself from beyond. From there, we encounter a vengeful figure from Betelgeuse's past, a young romance with a twist, a celebrity cameo, a hammy afterlife cop (gleefully played by Willem Dafoe), and all of the usual insanity you'd expect from a Beetlejuice sequel.


So, the bottom line of this review--I loved it! Michael Keaton hasn't missed a step since 1988 when the original film was released (he turns 73 years old on September 5th). Ryder is as "strange and unusual" as ever as Lydia, even if adulthood has polished off her rougher edges from her teen years. No matter, as Ortega more than makes up for it with her steely portrayal of Astrid. O'Hara's Delia is as "Delia" as ever. The supporting cast provide exactly what their roles require and make great contributions to the film.

The style of the Beetlejuice universe is completely consistent with the original movie, relying much more on practical sets and effects than CGI (which is used sparingly but effectively). But the film also has as much substance as style. The importance of family, seeking understanding, crossing the generational divide, and processing grief, are themes prominent in the story, adding depth to the silliness.

I was thoroughly thrilled with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and I think you will be too! It's the perfect way to kick off the Halloween season!

Now excuse me while I strut down the street in my Beetlejuice specs!


Monday, July 8, 2024

The Very First Episode of Solid Gold! September 13, 1980

 



Hello all! Today I'm sharing something I just found literally five minutes ago.

Today I present the very first episode of the hit syndicated 1980s music series Solid Gold. This series is mandatory viewing for learning 80s pop culture, especially music! Solid Gold captured the zeitgiest of the decade: music (of course), TV, movies, fashion, you name it, everything that was 80s was in this show.

Being the first episode from the first season in the fall of 1980, there's still some '70s influence here, but the episode lays the groundwork for the series' installments to come. Initially hosted by Dionne Warwick, later hosts would include Marilyn McCoo, Jose Feliciano, and Andy Gibb.

If you're the 80s fanatic that I am, you should find this to be a real treat--even the cringy parts. Enjoy below, or directly on YouTube here!

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Batman (1989) Trivia, Courtesy of Warner Bros!



Sunday, June 23rd of this year marked the 35th anniversary of Batman 1989. In its honor, the official Warner Bros. YouTube account posted this trivia video with questions based on the movie. They're super easy, but fun nonetheless.

Back in 2019 (which seems like decades ago), I posted a few tribute articles for the movie's 30th anniversary. Here is the link so you can enjoy those again or for the first time.

Happy 35th anniversary, Batman 1989!

Monday, June 24, 2024

Me and You Newsletter For June 2024

 



Hello one and all!

As you've noticed, I've had a very hard time keeping the blog up this year, because, well, reasons. Some of it is due to lack of post ideas, most of it just due to being so busy. But right before writing this I thought, "Why not just tell people what's going on in my life?" Sounds simple enough! Not everything has to be about a long-lost YouTube clip or something. Therefore, I've decided to keep it simple by writing a "newsletter" of sorts, which may become a monthly feature. So, let's try it!

First, the good news. My son Brian has graduated high school! His graduation ceremony was on June 7th, and we had a big family party for him on June 15th. Everyone had a great time, and we are all very proud of him. He also turned 18 back in March! He joins his older sister at college in the fall, majoring in Civil and Environmental Engineering. He's always enjoyed science and is very good at math (even if he doesn't enjoy math), and he hopes to put those talents to use in this field. Someday, he could be designing highways, bridges, water treatment facilities, who knows? Congratulations Brian, we love you!

Now, the bad news. Back in April, I learned that I and many of my colleagues at work are being laid off this summer; my last day at my current job is August 6th, just shy of my 19th anniversary with my company. This, of course, is not welcome news. However, there is a silver lining: I'm getting fairly generous severance (six months at full pay!), and the company is hiring a job placement service to help me and my colleagues find new employment.

I'm taking a Zen approach to this. I'm certainly not happy about it, but I do have a good cushion to help me transition to new employment. Is it a blessing in disguise? We'll see. Until then, the job hunt has started in earnest this week. Wish me luck!

Those two items have been the background of my life the past three months. Let's see what else I'll have to share at the end of July.

Thanks! Have a great summer!

Monday, May 13, 2024

TV-Inspired Incredible Hulk Story Album by Power Records

 


Hey, I'm back! I don't know for how long, but I've finally managed to get a few minutes to blog. What I'm sharing today is something I didn't know existed until a month or so ago.

I'm sure you're familiar with Power Records, the action story division of children's music company Peter Pan Records, that released a lot of fun items in the 70s and 80s. I recently came across a story album on YouTube featuring the Incredible Hulk. This wasn't surprising to me, as Power released a number of story albums featuring superheroes from DC and Marvel Comics.

What did surprise me, however, is that one of these albums was based NOT on the Marvel Comics iteration of the character, but on the TV series version. In this series of four stories, David (not Bruce) Banner wanders the country and runs afoul of human villains rather than supervillains, just like he did in the TV series. This was a treat to listen to, as the stories are quite faithful to the TV series format. You won't hear the Hulk say "HULK SMASH!" in this version, but you will hear a sincere but amusing attempt by the voice actor to give a frightning roar as the green-skinned giant.

Enjoy!


Tuesday, April 2, 2024

OK, So Maybe It'll Be Awhile

 



Hello everyone! Yeah, that message from January when I say I'll be blogging soon! Obviously, I was incorrect. And I'm afraid it will still be some time before I post anything new.

Life is just extremely busy, from my daugher turning 21, to my son turning 18, and now we're preparing for my son's high school graduation. So it appears this blog will continue to be quiet for some time, perhaps even until this year's Countdown to Halloween. We'll see.

But I refuse to throw in the towel. I get too much joy from posting here. If you want to enjoy my more frequent ramblings, please check me out at my various socials at this here Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/brianarnold

Otherwise, see you here soon!

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Yep, I'm Still Here

 


Hello all! I hope you had a great holiday season and are starting off the new year on the right track.

For me, blogging during the winter months has become difficult as I've gotten older. I'm busier, have different responsibilities than when I first started blogging way back in 2007 (!), and my inspiration for blogging takes a hit. After being so focused on blogging about holiday-related topics for three months, I'm left with an "OK, now what?" situation January through September. I'll get the occasional idea, but if I don't note it down somewhere, it vanishes in the ether between my ears, often never to appear again.

Plus, on top of the usual "getting back to business" activities that seem to make up January, this week in particular I've been hampered with COVID (bout number 3 for me since January of 2022) as well as snowy/frigid weather. I nearly slipped on ice on the stairs outside my house; I caught myself, but not without twisting something in one of my knees. COVID plus snow shoveling plus twisted knee equals WTF!!!

So please be patient with me. I do intend to be a year-round blogger; just hang in there and I'll amaze you with some wondrance you didn't know you needed but can't do without!

Thanks! Happy New Year!