These show openings of the 80’s and early 90’s had great intro sequences. Packed with antiques, dust, spooky things (or simply an ominous sense) and a general Halloween vibe…see them again and bring back some fond memories.
I used to love the Tales From the Crypt house so much that I fantasized about living in one just like it, sans cobwebs.
I’ve come across a lot of Mike Dougherty’s work lately, especially with all the Trick ‘r Treat buzz and I recommend checking out this short film. Adorable.
I went to a lovely wedding over the weekend, which inspired me to post a few of my favorite Halloween wedding cakes.
I happen to think Halloween is a fantastic day to get married (though if you’re aiming for a Saturday wedding and missed it this year, you now have to wait until 2015).
Some cakes feature Tim Burton characters and themes (a natural choice I suppose).
And some have skeleton/zombie cake toppers.
Technically, this cake is “pirate themed,” but I feel it works here.
And for the non-wedding variety:
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Now, one that is unrelated to Halloween, but nevertheless amazing (they went with a Giger design as opposed to aliens popping out of flesh…definitely the classy route):
The Hatbox Ghost is probably my favorite ghoulish prop of all time. I can’t explain why I love it so much, but in my opinion it’s top notch. Perhaps it’s all in the eyes.
Apparently, a life-sized Hatbox Ghost was recently auctioned off for $9,300 at the D23 Expo.
This ghost was extremely labor intensive. Creators Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily employed their finest skills in engineering, sculpting, woodworking, painting, sewing, metal and plastics construction.
The ghost’s body is plastic and wood armature on a wooden base designed to resemble attic flooring. The cane is reinforced steel, his hairpiece is sewn nylon fiber, and he’s covered from head to toe in sheer chiffon fabric held together by hand-stitching. The hands, head and feet are molded resin.
Based on the poll, that majority of readers like Halloween posts. But some are indifferent or get tired of the saturation. So I’ve decided to do a Halloween countdown, but alternate Halloween and regular posts (which tend to be somewhat dark anyway). Sound fair?
I’ll start with Breehn Burn’s concept art for the 2008 film Trick ‘r Treat. For the record, I have not seen this movie, but I love the art and artifacts.
What a great character! This is the animatronic model of “Sam:”
The vinyl toy is pretty wonderful.
Awww…
Has anyone seen this movie? Is it worth it for the adorably macabre little Sam?
By now you all know how much I love Halloween. But I wanted to do an anonymous poll to see how much YOU enjoy seeing Halloween related updates. Can you never get enough? Do you get sick of the subject?
Please share your honest opinion so I have an idea of how much to focus on the holiday this coming month.
William Basso’s art is the perfect way to usher in the month of October. I can’t put my impressions to words as well as Basso does in his artist statement, so I’ll simply share some of that.
In a lonely field of dry grasses under an overcast sky, sits an abandoned theater where puppets, props and painted backdrops are quietly waiting with peeling paint and thick dust.
My work is a combination of various artistic disciplines including drawing, sculpture, photography, collage and painting. Used together, these allow me to create images of mystery, wonder, delight, sorrow and fear, which often take place in intimate stage-like settings.
The characters in my work exist in a distant, half-remembered, autumnal place where even Halloween can last forever. Images emerge through a cross-referencing of many artistic influences, memories and ideas. Ancient and flickering, monochrome films of the fantastic and macabre play continuously, running through rusted projectors.
Long, silent corridors are hung with varnished, cracked paintings and brittle prints from another age, while rows of tall, wooden cabinets display bones and other arcane specimens behind panes of ancient glass.
Up in a darkened attic, an antique trunk contains time worn books and comics, richly illustrated. It is here in this world of my subconscious that a childlike sense of fantasy and imagination can mingle with adult anxieties or dreams.
It’s almost time for TV stations to start playing retro horror. I hope you’re as excited as I am. To whet your appetite, take a look at The Obscure Hollow, an entire blog devoted to haunting film decor (most of which ranges from 1930-1980).
So many desktop background possibilities…so little time…
Mmmmm…autumn fog.
They even have selections from the silent era (the visuals of silent horror are absolutely swoon-worthy).
Count Chocula and Frankenberry have carved out quite a niche for themselves in the realm of sugary themed breakfast treats. But I find the third General Mills monster cereal, Boo Berry, to be tragically underrepresented.
This is how it all began in the early 70’s:
From the very start, this character was ostracized and poorly treated:
Stoners across the world may be disappointed to discover that the ghost (despite being created in the 70’s) is not supposed to be high. He is based on actor Peter Lorre, hence the heavy lids and off-kilter grin. Though Boo does often appear to be under the influence, I prefer to think of him as chronically relaxed. Ghosts can be so uppity sometimes.
Besides, mixing Boo Berry and drugs may cause severe impairment of judgment:
There were some stellar toys as well. Presenting the LEAST scary ghost on earth! You WANT this guy haunting your house, because it would basically be like having a quiet, agreeable friend over. Don’t you just want to ask him to bring over a video and some popcorn?
You can also dress up as Boo (I was surprised to see this on the Spirit store website, since my Halloween partner in crime and I recently combed every inch of the place and surely would have noticed this in stock).
I originally saw this box on a mislabeled site, claiming it was from the 80’s. Turns out it’s a 2008 incarnation (thanks, Brian!). Time for a close-up!
Naturally, the most recent version of the box has fallen victim to the pristine, homogenized, airbrushed artistic tendencies of our current decade. Boo appears younger and thinner, as if he’s had an eye lift procedure and taken up amphetamines.
In my opinion, the modern design is soul-less by comparison. Part of Boo’s charm was his simplicity. He doesn’t need bright, shiny eyes or castles emerging from his head.
Boo, if you’re reading this, we loved you the way you were: dazed, lethargic, and packed with delicious blue crunchy pellets.
Do they still sell this cereal anywhere? Let me know if you’ve seen it in stores near you, because I haven’t in years.
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SheWalksSoftly 