Saturday, June 18, 2011

1986 & 2004 The Berenstain Bears - Halloween

Here we have 2 Halloween themed shorts from The Berenstain Bears cartoon series.

The first short is from 1986 and its called The Spookiest Pumpkin. Papa is ambitious to win a pumpkin carving contest and Brother and Sister are also joining in. Papa is extremely secretive with his own pumpkin and guards it closely. Papa then has nightmares and he chooses to miss out on the contest.

The Spookiest Pumpkin:


The second short is from 2004 and its titled Trick or Treat. On Halloween night, the cubs try to avoid Widder Jones's house, because Brother has heard rumors about her being a witch. As the cubs go trick-or-treating, they're afraid to get near her house for fear she'll turn them into statues. When the cubs realize Witter Jones is a nice lady, she and the cubs decide to play a trick on Too Tall and his gang (who give the cubs more rumors) by playing a trick on them.

Trick or Treat Part 1:


Trick or Treat Part 2:

Friday, June 17, 2011

1951 To Boo or Not to Boo - Casper, the Friendly Ghost

Here is a 6 minute Halloween cartoon I really enjoyed watching when I was younger: it stars Casper the Friendly Ghost.

In the short, Casper wants to have fun on Halloween by making friends rather then scaring people like other ghosts on Halloween. He trys to go trick-or-treating with the other kids; but his ghostly transparency gives him away and everyone runs away from him in fear. Upon coming to a Halloween costume party at a barn, Casper coats himself in white wash to hide his transparency, and proceeds to enter the party incognito. Inside, he meets a little girl named Lou, who instantly took a shine to him; but will it last? Watch it and see.

So, I love this cartoon! It's a classic! A real heart warmer around Halloween time.


Thursday, June 16, 2011

1976 The Headless Horseman of Halloween - The Scooby-Doo Show

This has to be the BEST Scooby episode ever. The gang is having fun at a Halloween costume party with their friend who happens to be a descendant of Ichabod Crane. Their fun turns into a nightmare when the headless horseman shows up. The mislead is well placed, as well as the "bad guy's" slips. Finally, the solution and motive is on the plausible side. Watching this makes me feel like I am actually there experiencing the fear along with Shaggy, Scooby and Scoob's loveable relative Scooby Dum. I absolutely LOVE this episode of The Scooby Doo Show and It's great for the whole family. Enjoy!

Full Episode:




Wednesday, June 15, 2011

1994 Walt Disney Cartoon Classics: Halloween Haunts

This is a recreation of wonderful VHS video called Halloween Haunts that was released in 1994 by Walt Disney Studios. It contains a compilation of 3 great classic animated shorts, that fit the theme for Halloween viewing.

Here is the intro, the animated segments in between the shorts and the ending to the original VHS tape:


The first cartoon up is, Pluto's Judgment Day (1935) an Early Technicolor short. Pluto's cat-chasing days come to a close when he dreams that he's sent to hell and put on trial for killing lots of cats. The jury is composed completely of cats! Not a true Halloween episode but still a spooky atmosphere.

First Short:


Lonesome Ghosts (1937) This one is great as well. Four green phantoms want some fun, so they invite ghost busters Mickey, Donald, and Goofy over to their haunted home with the aim of driving them crazy. Great early Disney slapstick.

Second Short:

Trick Or Treat (1952) This is a certified classic in my mind, and based on a great story by the legendary Carl Barks, I love the spooky, opening shot of the town. Donald would rather play a trick on Huey, Dewey, and Louie than give them a treat on Halloween. Witch Hazel overhears the problem and casts a spell on Donald and boys get their treat after all. Just a great short with gorgeous animation.

Third Short:


This is still a favorite of mine as the animation is all fantastic. All three shorts have been released on separate DVD collections. The VHS version is available for sale online but expect to pay alot of $$ for a brand new tape because they are harder to find these days.

1984 A Halloween Hassle at Dracula's Castle - The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries

This episode involves the gang along with Scrappy going to a Halloween gathering at a castle. Soon, they realize that these party guests are really monsters. But, they are in fact being haunted a ghost who possibly is a danger. Scobby, Scrappy and the gang do this one really well. Dracula along with the other classic monsters are the perfect villains for the gang and this, along with the usual features of a Scobby Doo piece, makes this episode very interesting. Most of 80's Scooby-Doo shows are really hard to find. Bottom line, kids will like this and they will still like it when they stop being kids. Besides, Drac looks cool in this one.

Full Episode:


Monday, June 13, 2011

1984 You Can't Do That on Television - Halloween

Here's a Halloween special of the sketch comedy series You Can't Do That on Television - during which Christine casts an imaginary spell onto Ross after he publicly expresses his disdain for Halloween, as aired on the Nickelodeon cable channel.

The program, started in Canada in 1979 and running there through 1990, was a staple of Nickelodeon from 1981 until 1994. This edition starred Christine McGlade, Lisa Ruddy, Alasdair Gillis, Dougie Ptolemy, Mike Cameron, Les Lye and Abby Hagyard.


1964 The Woody Woodpecker Show - Spook-a-Nanny

A rarely seen 1964 episode of The Woody Woodpecker Show was a 23 minute Halloween special titled "Halloween Party." Walter Lantz, the creator of the show and all the characters featured, hosts the special that mixes live action along with an animated Woody. As they prepare to throw a Halloween party they introduce 3 animated shorts.

The first two animated shorts shown were not Halloween related, titled "Under the Counter Spy" which stars the Bat followed by the Andy Panda short "Playful Pelican." The third animated short is called "Spook-a-Nanny" and has Woody and his friends celebrating Halloween as they sing the Spook-A-Nanny song. It contains almost all of Lantz's characters in one place. The video below contains the special minus The Bat and Andy Panda shorts:



Thursday, June 9, 2011

1973 The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

This is another animated version of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow worth recommending, but not to be confused with the Disney version. This was produced by Dave Adams and Nick Bosustow of "Bosustow Entertainment" in 1973. Some of their productions were often shown in theatres in the 60's and 70's, but this short film was released to video by Little Golden Books/Western Publishing in 1992. It packs a lot of story into just 13 minutes. Creepy enough to be fun, while it will not terrify the kids either, and is perfect for a Halloween party.

Full Short:

1993 Halloween Under the Umbrella Tree

The Halloween episode of Under the Umbrella Tree, a show that used to air on the Disney Channel in the 90s.

This was recorded off the Disney Channel in the mid 90s on Halloween during their all-day Halloween episode marathon. This was back when the Disney Channel was a subscription service with NO commercials!



Tuesday, June 7, 2011

1982 Today's Special - Halloween

It's Halloween but since Sam and Jodie had to work, they are a bit upset because they will miss out on all the fun on Halloween with the children they usually take out. So Jeff and Muffy decide to help them out: Jeff dresses up, and Muffy goes out and gather some children to come to the store to "trick or treat".


Monday, June 6, 2011

1955 The Red Skelton Show - Halloween Special

Those of you who love classic films and the days of classic TV should already know who Red Skelton is, but if you don't then watch this great Halloween episode from his variety show named after the former circus clown himself, The Red Skelton Show. I'm sure you'll laugh out loud.


1997 Witches In Stitches

This is an old animated video I happened to have that's never been posted on YouTube before so here it is. Its about two dim-witted witches that try to rescue their sister who they accidentally turned into a jack-o-lantern on Halloween night. Although the voices do become annoying, this special is suitable for all ages. Watch at TubiTV.com.

1987 Disney's DTV Monster Hits

A Halloween special featuring appropriately-themed rock and roll songs set to scenes from the Disney library of classic animation. Starring Jeffrey Jones as the Magic Mirror and Gary Owens as the announcer. When I was a kid, this was shown on the Disney channel every Halloween and it was a must watch for me, along with A Disney Halloween. As far as I know, it has never been officially released on DVD or VHS but there are DVDs for sale online of an old VHS recording of the original broadcast. The full 47 minute VHS recording is also available on YouTube, which you can watch below:


1980s Kids Incorporated Halloween Songs

Halloween related songs from the Kids Incorporated series which ran in syndication from 1984 to 1986, then picked up by the Disney Channel in 1986 to 1993. The show was about a group of children and teenagers who often solved problems from schoolyard crushes to peer pressure to child abuse. Along the way they would perform 1980s rock tunes at a former musical club, now a kids' hangout, called The P*lace. Basically this show was Glee of the 1980s but Kids Incorporated was geared more for younger people (teens/tweens) whereas Glee is obviously geared more to adults based on some of the themes and the time it airs.

When I was little, I would love watching this show when the Disney channel would offer a free preview week. Back then, Disney was a premium subscription channel just like HBO or Showtime. It then became basic cable in about the mid 90's.

Full Video:

2006 Conan O'Brien’s Skelevision Halloween

This Halloween episode of Late Night with Conan O'Brien was broadcast in 'Skelevision', which means the audio from the original episode was paired up with scary boney puppetry to create this October 31st special. Enjoy!

Full Episode:

Sunday, June 5, 2011

2001 Scooby Doo Night of the Living Doo

Scooby Doo and the Mystery Inc. gang pick up hitchhiking Gary Coleman, and the Mystery Machine soon proceeds to break down (multiple times) finally leaving them stranded at a haunted castle owned by David Cross. This Halloween special is an all-out spoof of the 1972 series "The New Scooby Doo Movies," complete with multiple references and gags that take jabs at the original show, musical numbers by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Matthew Sweet, and concluding with a nonsensical ending.

P.S. Evidently some folks took it upon themselves to create a drinking game out of this episode. The rules are simple: every time David Cross raises his right arm, take a drink. Harder then it looks. Enjoy!

Intro Song:


The rest:

2006 Pumpkin Moon

A charming animated family drama for Halloween based on the book Pumpkin Moon by Tim Preston and Simon Batram. It follows the story of an unusual friendship between a little black cat and an abandoned pumpkin called Zombie and the adventures they encounter on the night of Halloween. Christmas has "The Snowman", Halloween has "Pumpkin Moon".

Part 1:


Part 2:

1993 Lumpkin the Pumpkin

It's Halloween! A contest is on among the spooky witches and jack-o'-lanterns to see who can frighten the children the most. But Tara the Good Witch and LUMPKIN THE PUMPKIN don't want to be scary or play tricks. They show the girls and boys how to really enjoy Halloween and how to stay safe too. Singer Bobby Goldsboro narrates and sings this happy tale of tricks, treats and Halloween fun.

Although the animation is not that great, the music is above average. I always liked Lumpkin and his songs. This is a funny video that I know kids will enjoy:

1998 MAD TV Halloween Special

Mad TV Halloween Special with hosts/guests the rock band Kiss and Robert Englund. 5 Parts and Robert Englund segment plus 3 other Halloween skits:

Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:


Part 4:


Part 5:


Robert Englund on MadTV:


Other MADtv Halloween skits - Ms. Swan:


Stuart dressed as Spiderman:


Vancome Lady - Trick or Treat:

1998 Pumpkin Man

This is a wonderful Halloween tale centered around a teenage boy who's very distraught by his parents' divorce. As he reluctantly goes trick-or-treating with his friends, he comes upon the magic spirit of Halloween in the form of a Pumpkin and a scary but kind neighborhood hermit who offers understanding and guidance to our young hero. This is one of my favorite videos to watch every year. It is very uplifting and really illustrates the good natured spirit of Halloween. I highly recommend watching it.



2000 Bugs Bunny's Halloween Hijinks

This video contains 2 Bugs Bunny Specials back to back. The first one is 1992's Bugs Bunny's Creature Features and the second one is 1978's Bugs Bunny's Howl-oween Special.

1995 Shari Lewis Lamb Chop in the Haunted Studio

Halloween special in which Shari Lewis and her fuzzy friends Lamb Chop, Charlie Horse and Hush Puppy decide to perform a scary TV show in a dilapidated old silent film studio, where they meet Count Dracula, Dr. Frankenstein and the "Phantom of the Studio." Alan Thicke and John Byner also star.

This is a great slightly scary yet funny movie for the whole family to watch together. Even though it is very babyish, I absolutely love it, always have, and always will. 6 Parts.

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1988 Mike Randall - Very Scary Halloween Special

Halloween special first aired on WKBW TV in Buffalo, NY October 1988. 4 parts

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1987 Joe Piscopo Halloween Party

Joe Piscopo's Halloween Party is a 1987 HBO comedy special taped live at UCLA. It features Joe in filmed comedy bits and performing music. Also features a talent contest among various students dressed in Halloween costumes. This is classic! Great Halloween special. Wish i could get this on DVD.

UPDATE! Full special:


This video contains highlights from the 1 hour special:


In this video, Joe takes on Robert DeNiro characters in a special way.

1986 Upbeat (Halloween Magazine Episode)

Upbeat was a kid's magazine show produced by WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA in the mid-1980's. The show was turned over to the production department and this was the first episode under their tutelage. This episode took the magazine format and adapted it for Halloween.

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1938 Toyman Studios' War of the Worlds - animated with dolls

Toyman Studios presents a film with stop motion animated dolls that uses the original 1938 Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater radio broadcast of War of the Worlds. In 1897 H.G. Wells wrote the original "War of the Worlds." In 1938 Howard Kotch adapted this story as a radio play that was presented by Orson Welles in the guise of news broadcasts so realistic that many people believed that the Earth was under attack from Mars! Toyman Studios has animated the entire thing with toys! Toy sets, toy dolls, and amazing toy battles! It’s beautiful.

Full Movie:

1977 Halloween with the New Addams Family

Halloween with the New Addams Family was a 1977 NBC TV-movie. It has John Astin, Carolyn Jones, Jackie Coogan, Ted Cassidy, Lisa Loring, and Ken Weatherwax reprising their roles from the 1960s series The Addams Family. Blossom Rock was ill at the time of the production causing her role of Grandmama to be portrayed by Jane Rose. 8 Parts.

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1985 The Midnight Hour

The Midnight Hour (also known as In the Midnight Hour) is a 1985 comedy/horror television movie. Five high school friends, Phil, Melissa, Mitch, Mary, and Vinnie unwittingly raise the dead on Halloween night. Once the dead have returned, Pitchford Cove will never be the same again....or will it? This movie has been released on DVD but it is now out of print.

Part 1:


Part 2:

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