Happy Halloween 2021!

 

And that's a wrap!

So ends yet another spooky stroll to October 31st. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for spending your month with me at the Countdown to Halloween. I'm afraid I wasn't as prolific as in years past, but it's been that kind of a year. Life is very different than when I started this blog (exactly 14 years ago today as I write this), and time is scarce. What time I did spare for the blog, however, I gave my all.

Be safe, have fun, and most of all, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

 

But still to come...

Don't Go to Sleep (1982 TV-Movie)

 

Today's feature is the 1982 TV-movie Don't Go to Sleep.

In this movie, a mother, father, son, daughter, and grandmother move into a new house in the hopes of putting behind a family tragedy that took the like of another daughter. After moving into the house, the surviving daughter claims that her deceased sister is still alive and living under her bed. The family is of course weary of her claim, but a series of strange occurrences leads the family to take the daughter's claim seriously.

This movie is a reminder that made for TV horror from back in the day may not have had the freedoms that theatrical horror has had, but it could still be just as chilling regardless.

Enjoy!

Pulsar, Halloween (1977)

 

I usually save longer features for Fridays during the Countdown, but with only a few days left, I'm bending my own rules. Today's post is the 1977 progressive rock album Halloween by the French prog band Pulsar.

This was the third album for the band and their most noteworthy album. While not directly tied into the holiday, it's eerie and ethereal enough to fit in with the season.

Enjoy!

Ghost Cartoons of Louie Zong

 

One week to go in the Countdown to Halloween. One. Week. Let's make it count, folks!

Today I offer a couple of short yet delightful cartoons from animator Louie Zong. Zong's work features short musical cartoons without words that are whimsical, sweet, and simple. Some of his most popular cartoons feature adorable ghosts singing a soft tune, which is actually the sound of a theramin-like instrument.

Below I feature all of Zong's ghost cartoons I could find, including his latest at the bottom which was just released last week.

For all of Louie Zong's animations, visit his YouTube channel here.

Enjoy!

The Vampires, "At The Monster Ball"

 

Happy Friday! As with all Countdown to Halloween Fridays, I present a longer-form item for you to enjoy. This week I present the novelty music album At The Monster Ball by The Vampires!

The Vampires aren't a real band, alas; they're a group of session players brought together for this fun album of goofy monster-related songs. Published in 1964 and produced by legendary TV and movie music conductor Milton Delugg (he wrote the Munsters theme!), this album is perfect for Halloween listening. Pure innocent fun for all!

Enjoy! Have a great weekend! Be spooky!

Halloween TV Commercials 2021 Edition Part 2: Local TV Commercials

 

With today being October 20th, it means we're now in the home stretch of the season. No more playing around. Time to get seriously Halloweeny!

Today I offer another round of entertaining spooky TV commercials. But this time, we're focusing on local TV commercials, which aren't usually high budget, but have a great deal of fun and creativity. Let's get to it!

We start with this quick commercial for Mel-Mac Shoes in Laurel, Mississippi, which goes the classic "Halloween Safety Tips" route.

This is a cool commercial for the local dark attraction Pope's Haunted Farm in Texas. Local commercials are so awesome!

Another case in point!

And the hits just keep on comin'!

Finally, McDonald's is an international business of course, but this particular commercial was produced for a local franchisee in Minnesota and only aired there. A real fun one!

 

While we're focusing on local business, please patronize the local businesses in your area. They need your help more than ever.

Thanks!

ABC Weekend Special, "The Adventures of a Two-Minute Werewolf"

 

Welcome to Friday! This means we have a long-form program to share, and this week it's something I've been looking for for years and couldn't find it--until now! Today I present the 1985 ABC Weekend Special "The Adventures of a Two-Minute Werewolf!"

The ABC Weekend Special aired on ABC for a number of years as part of the network's Saturday morning lineup, scheduled after the earlier morning cartoons and before American Bandstand, and was aimed at a preteen audience. As for this particular installment, I'm going to borrow the description from the YouTube user who uploaded it, as it's clear and concise:

"13-year-old Walt Cribbens finds himself transforming into a werewolf for two minutes at a time. He has no idea why he is a werewolf, so he decides to seek answers with the help of his best friend Cindy, who witnessed his very first transformation. This quest is complicated by a series of local robberies that throw suspicion on Walt."

I remember this being a lot of fun, so I hope you enjoy as well.

Have a great weekend! Look out for Michael Myers, he's back in town!