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
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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!