I am a huge Hallowe'en fanatic. It may seem pathetic, but I look forward to the foliage, the pumpkin carving, the apple picking, and the holiday's gravitas each year. As the autumn approaches, I rekindle my youth -- embracing all that bumps in the night. I would like to share my collection of ghoulish staples including books, short stories, movies, television shows, cartoons, and other spirited festivities. Each week, leading up to this enjoyable day, I will post my favorite collections.
In celebration of Alban Elved, the first day of autumn, here is my first list.
Movies
Most people I know who love Hallowe'en incorporate some type of horror film during their ritual viewing pleasure. If you ask them, Halloween 1 - 2000, Friday the 13th, Hellraiser, and A Nightmare on Elm Street top their queue. Even though these movies are modern classics, here is an array of amusing movies for those of the more squeamish kind.
Childhood and Adolescent Watched Movies (in no particular order)
- Bedknobs and Broomsticks
(1971) -Angela Lansbury and David Tomlinson headline in this Disney Classic. I watched this movie over and over again at my grandparents' house. During the London air raids, three orphan children are taken in by a witch. There is singing, dancing, and animated cartoons! Great for the kiddies!
- Beetlejuice
(1988) - Another classic with Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara. After dying in a tragic accident, a young ghostly couple try keep their house by frightening away its newest inhabitants. When nothing else works, they hire a "bio-exorcist" named Betelgeuse. Director, Tim Burton.
- Casper
(1995) - Bill Pullman, Christina Ricci, Cathy Moriarty, Eric Idle, and a guest appearance by the young Devon Sawa star in this Hollywood remake of the Casper cartoon series. Of course, Hollywood puts an interesting twist on everything -- the 100 year old spirit who falls in love with a young teenager. Have you ever noticed how the dance scene in Backstreet Boys music video "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" resembles the Whipstaff foyer? Anyway, It has comedy, romance, and a Halloween dance; and who can forget Little Richard's rendition of "Casper the Friendly Ghost"?
- Donnie Darko
(2001) - A cult classic that some dislike due to its overrated storyline of the unexplained or how teenage angst overwhelms the movie's main idea. Some blame it on a young filmmaker's overzealous attempt to try to make a muddled movie meaningful. At least watch it for Frank the Rabbit! Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggic Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, James Duval, and Patrick Swayze. Directed by Richard Kelly.
- Frankenweenie
(1984) - I remember seeing this on the Disney Channel late at night. Director Tim Burton shows how the love for a family pet goes beyond the cemetery. Although Victor Frankenstein revives his beloved dog, man's best friend reeks havoc on the neighborhood. Victor must then convince his family and friends that Sparky isn't an evil mutt, but a misunderstand canine. Starring Shelley Duval, Daniel Stern, and Barret Oliver.
- Ghost Story
(1981) - This movie, well, is just odd and out-of-place. Although it stars one of the best, Fred Astaire, it's just a weird movie overall. If you want to watch something that is absurd, weird, and unsettling, I highly recommend Ghost Story. Starring Fred Astaire, Patricia Neal, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Melvyn Douglas, and Alice Krige. Viewer beware: confusion may ensue.
- Halloweentown
(1998) - Debbie Reynolds, Kimberly J. Brown, and Philip Van Dyke partake in this wacky, corny, Halloween extravaganza! If young Marnie doesn't help grandmama Aggie Cromwell stop an evil spell that tranforms the Halloweentown citizens into drab, gray beings, (pause) then the town may be lost forever!
- Hocus Pocus
(1993) - "Amok, amok, amok, amok!" They showed this movie to us during a Halloween themed church event. Winifred, Sarah, and Mary -- the 300 year old Sanderson sisters who needed a virgin boy to bring them back from the dead! Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz, Thora Birch, and Sean Murray (Thackery Binx!) star in this movie about three witches who make Max (a.k.a Hollywood) a believer of Salem City lore. Max needs the help of Binx (the 300 year old black cat), his sister Dani, and the Winifred's dead ex-lover, Billy, to put the sisters back in their graves. It's a shame the director didn't use Sean's voice for the movie.
- Interview with the Vampire
(1994) - Saw this late one night on TNT, the "non rated version." Saw it again in high school and now it's a current favorite for the Halloween play list. Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Christian Slater, Kirsten Dunst, and Antonio Banderas star in this Anne Rice adaption of her first Vampire Chronicles novel. A journalist sits down and interviews Louis, a three-century old vampire who reveals his life story as both human and monster. This is definitely better than any Twilight Saga movie! Rice is the real queen of the vampire story (she even wrote the script for the movie)! This movie is not meant for weak-stomaches.
- Mr. Boogedy (1986) and The Bride of Boogedy (1987) - Ah yes, one of my mother's favorites! Boogedy Boogedy Boo! Carleton Davis moves his wife and family to Lucifer Falls to open a new novelty shop in town. Lo and behold, the house is haunted by Widow Marion and her son, Jonathon, who are trapped by the evil likes of William Hanover (Mr. Boogedy)! The music always gave me the creeps as a kid! The sequel, The Bride of Boogedy extends the plot when Eloise, Carleton's wife, is captured by Mr. Boogedy! This was a telefilm made by Disney for ABC Sunday Night Movie. Starring Richard Masur, Mimi Kennedy, David Faustino, Benji Gregory, Kristy Swanson, and John Astin.
- Practical Magic
(1998) - Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Diane West, and Stockard Channing star in this lovely comedy about two very different sisters bound together by a family curse where they experience magical adventures and tribulations. I watch this movie every Hallowe'en! One of my favorites and it will be one of yours, too. Movie's songs include music by Stevie Nicks ("Crystal
" and "If You Ever Did Believe...
" featuring Sheryl Crow). Check out the soundtrack
!
- Sleepy Hollow
(1999) - "The pickety witch! The pickety witch! Who has a kiss for the pickety witch?" Directed by Tim Burton. Starring Johnny Depp (of course!) and Christina Ricci. Burton takes an interesting spin on Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Ichabod Crane isn't a school teacher, but a city detective who is assigned to investigate murders occurring in Sleepy Hollow. There, he meets the vivacious Katrina, who he falls for immediately. As he delves further into the town's history, he uncovers a dark secret about the town's gentry. I've watched every version of Sleepy Hollow, from cartoon to poor television reproduction, and this movie is really good.
- Something Wicked This Way Comes
(1983) - Another movie I saw on the old Disney Channel, before Halloweentown and Hannah Montana. Even though Ray Bradbury wanted Christopher Lee or Peter O'Toole to play the bad guy, Jonathan Pryce (Pirates of the Carribean
) stars as Mr. Dark who brings his Cooger & Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show to Green Town. The carnival arrives at midnight in the last days of October and it subdues everyone in the town. Young Will Holloway and Jim Nightshade know that this carnival is anything, but ordinary. When townsfolk begin to disappear, the two boys become suspicious and take matters into their own hands. Based off of Bradbury's novel, this movie has frightening scenes so viewers under age ten may have nightmares later.
- The Addams Family
(1991) - How could I forget Angelica Huston, Christopher Lloyd, and the late Raul Julia starring in this wonderful adaptation of the Addams Family? Also featuring a young Christina Ricci as Wednesday (I believe I chose her character as a Hallowe'en Costume: headless doll and all). Con artists try to swindle a strange family out of their fortune by using an outsider to act as their long lost relative. One of the best scenes in the movie include a gory, yet comedic interpretation of Hamlet. If you haven't already seen it, make Hallowe'en special by watching it this year!
- The Canterville Ghost
(1986) - So many wonderful eerie classics! Based off of Oscar Wilde's short story, Paul Bogart's version is my favorite! An American family moves to England to claim their inheritance: a majestic castle. Although the family's very distant cousins welcome them wholeheartedly, one cousin does not -- the late Sir Simon de Canterville. Starring John Gielgud, Ted Wass, Andrea Marcovicci, and Alyssa Milana. A great Saturday late-night movie!
- The Craft
(1996) - Two talented actresses in the same movie. Fairuza Bulk (see The Worst Witch) and Robin Turney (Empire Records
) star in this sinister cult classic. A new girl joins group of derelict girls at a Catholic prep school. The girls begin to practice the occult, casting enchantments and hexing enemies. Things go well until the spells backfire, creating hostility within the group. Also starring Neve Campbell.
- The Halloween That Almost Wasn't
(1979) - "Teeny, tiny bat!" This one is hard to find anywhere! The King of Halloween Night, Count Dracula, demands his monsters to become more terrible and horrible for this year's festivities. Well, Winnie the Witch won't have it! When Dracula won't give Winnie a promotion in her duties, she threatens to resign her annual broom ride over the full moon. Will Dracula have to cancel Halloween? Lots of disco and lots of family fun! Starring Judd Hirsch, Mariette Hartley, and Henry Gibson.
- The Nightmare Before Christmas
(1993) - When does Tim Burton not mix the disturbing with snow and merriment? Again, a kid's classic with music by Danny Elfman. Jack Skellington tires of his pumpkin king crown and ventures into the holiday forest to find what's missing in his life. He accidentally hijacks Christmas, but with good intentions, and learns about the true meaning of Hallowe'en and Christmas. Great for either holiday!
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show
(1975) - Starring Richard O'Brien, Tim Curry, and Meat Loaf. Musical turned movie, I watched this a week before Hallowe'en on VH1. Brad and Janet, recently married, try to find somewhere to stay during a terrible storm. They happen upon a mansion full of sexual exploring transvestites. Time Warp
is a party classic. Check out the soundtrack
! Also featuring Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Patricia Quinn, and Nell Campbell.
- The Watcher in the Woods
(1980) - Bette Davis. Enough said. My mother rented this one night from the old Movies Unlimited down the street. I peered mostly through my fingers as I watched this one! In this awe-inspiring Disney classic, a young family moves into a little country town that has many buried secrets. When the girls begin experiencing strange things in their home, they discover a link between their house and a tragic event. Starring Bette Davis, Carroll Baker, and David McCallum (The Great Escape
).
- The Witches
(1990) - What happens when children turn into rodents? Based off of Roald Dahl's children's book, Angelica Huston stars in this unnerving movie as the leader of the witches. An orphan boy, Luke, stays at a hotel with his grandmother. There, they discover an evil plot by a group of women having a convention. Their main objective: to eliminate all the children in the world. Luke must stop them before it's too late.
- The Worst Witch
(1986) - My top favorite Hallowe'en classic! I watch every year. I know the movie, inside and out. I even know every line by heart! Yes, I love it, though many really hate it (refer to this hilarious review by X-Entertainment). Starring Fairuza Bulk, Charlotte Rae, Diana Rigg, and Tim Curry, this made for T.V. movie is based on the children's series, The Worst Witch
by Jillian Murphy. Love it or hate it, any kid will appreciate this silly movie after all that trick-or-treating! Mildred Hubble is the worst witch at Miss Cackle's academy. She is tormented daily by her classmates and the wicked HB (Miss Hardbroom). For the Halloween festivities, Cackle's school will be visited by the Grand Wizard, but Cackle's evil twin sister, Agatha, has plans to take over the school! There are musical numbers and terrible 80's graphics, but a fun time by all.
- Trilogy of Terror
(1975) - A scream to watch! I believe this was terrifying to watch in the 70s, but nowadays, it is downright funny. There are three bizarre stories that star Karen Black. I believe what makes it infinite in all it's glory is the last story about a homicidal Zuni doll. Did you know that Black contributed to the doll's design? If you love B-rated horror movies, this is definitely a must-see.
(DVD)
