Halloween History | How Did Trick-or-Treating Become a Halloween Staple?

Trick-or-treating is one of the most cherished Halloween traditions, where kids don their favorite costumes and eagerly go door-to-door asking, "Trick or treat?" Their playful inquiry often leads to delightful rewards like sugary candies or even a bit of pocket change. The “trick” part, of course, serves as a cheeky, lighthearted threat to prank the homeowners if they don’t receive a treat—though it’s rarely taken seriously!

 

Historic Lincoln Dia de los Muertos | Halloween in New Mexico

From New Mexico True

Join us for the vibrant and festive **Día de los Muertos** celebration at the Historic Lincoln site on **November 1, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM**! This marks the 11th annual town celebration of the Day of the Dead, a cherished tradition honoring the Mexican settlers who played a pivotal role in shaping our community.

Why Georgetown's Ghost Tours Make Fall the Best Time for Spooky Fun In Texas

 From Tour Texas 

As the crisp air sweeps in and your favorite seasonal drinks come back into play, it’s the perfect time to plan an autumn adventure. And what better destination to embrace the season than Georgetown? This picturesque gem in Hill Country has everything you need for an unforgettable weekend away. 

Spooky Treats with Svengoolie's Halloween BOO-Nanza | MeTV

 From MeTV

Frightfully Fantastic: Svengoolie's 45th Anniversary Extravaganza

For the past two years, Svengoolie's Halloween celebrations have featured a ghoulish lineup of classic TV, fan-favorite films, and double the Svengoolie with month-long double features.

This year, MeTV celebrates the 45th anniversary of Svengoolie's iconic horror hosting with the return of Svengoolie Double Features, classic TV Halloween episodes, and spooky late-night programming. But that's not all - the network is also introducing the House of Svengoolie, where the Sven Squad takes over Svengoolie's dungeon to showcase two new additions to the Svengoolie library: the much-requested Jim Henson masterpieces Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal.

The Top 10 Halloween Costumes For 2021

1. Star Wars Han Solo in Carbonite Inflatable Costume

$59.99 - Shop Here

If it's always been your dream to be captured in carbonite, we have the costume for you! This one-of-a-kind adult-sized Star Wars Han Solo in Carbonite Inflatable Costume includes a battery-operated fan, gloves, and a mask. One sizes fits all.

2. Super Mario Bros. Princess Peach Adult Roleplay Wig

$14.99 - Shop Here

Show off your Super Mario Bros. fandom with this Super Mario Bros. Princess Peach Adult Roleplay Wig! Dress up like Princess Peach and help save the day!

3. Deadpool Deluxe Fabric Overhead Mask

$19.99 - Shop Here

Deadpool Deluxe Fabric Overhead Mask. More details to come. Ages 14 and up.

4. Superman 2nd Skin Suit

$28.00 - Shop Here

Sizes M - XL

Become your favorite superhero with this full body Superman 2nd Skin Suit! This breathable jumpsuit features a printed chest logo, printed belt and boots, and comes with a removable cape. Upgrade your costume to then next level with this Superman 2nd Skin Suit!

5. Black Panther Costume Top with Mask

$14.60 - Shop Here

All Sizes Available

Take on the guise of Black Panther, superhero and king of the African nation of Wakanda, with this Black Panther Costume Top with Mask. With this awesome shirt and mask, everyone will believe you are T'Challa, here to prevent a world war! Available in Standard and X-Large sizes.

6. Suicide Squad Deadshot Deluxe Costume

$47.99 - Shop Here

The Suicide Squad Deadshot Deluxe Costume includes a padded stitched top, mask, molded belt, and pants. Ages 14 and up.

7. Star Wars: The Force Awakens Rey Grand Heritage Costume

$97.20 - Shop Here

Sizes S - L

The Star Wars: The Force Awakens Rey Grand Heritage Costume includes a top with attached Sash, pants, belt, pouch, cuff, arm warmers, boot covers, head piece, and eye mask.

8. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Blue Inflatable Costume

$69.99 - Shop Here

You can be a dinosaur! Don't just admire the dinosaurs - be one! Straight out of the sci-fi adventure film Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, this Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Blue Inflatable Costume lets you take on the guise of Blue the Velociraptor. The inflatable full-body suit features gloves and a battery-operated fan. Batteries not included. Ages 14 and up.

9. Star Trek Original Series Gorn Mask

$49.99 - Shop Here

Anybody seen my Gorn? He was here just a minute ago. From the initial season episode "Arena" in the Star Trek: The Original Series TV show, this faithfully detailed Gorn Latex Mask should make quite an impression of your fellow partygoers, convention attendees, or trick-or-treaters. They certainly won't forget it!

10. The Munsters Herman Munster Overhead Latex Mask

$39.99 - Shop Here

Become the Fifth Earl of Shroudshire, otherwise known as Herman from the classic 1960s sitcom The Munsters! The Munsters Herman Munster Overhead Latex Mask replicates the look of actor Fred Gwynne's Herman and is designed for comfort. The mask is one size fits most and is to be hand washed after use. Ages 10 and up.

Honorable Mention:

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Executioner Trooper 2-Piece Mask - $29.99

Meet your executioner. Better yet, be the executioner. This remarkable Star Wars: The Last Jedi Executioner Trooper 2-Piece Mask straight out of The Last Jedi makes that a distinct possibility... at least at your next costume party! Ages 14 and up.

It Pennywise Overhead Mask with Wig - $49.99

"You'll float too!" You can be Pennywise the Dancing Clown with this overhead latex mask. Complete with an attached wig, this adult size mask fits most sizes and will complete your Pennywise costume! Ages 17 and up.

Star Wars X-Wing Pilot Grand Heritage Adult Costume - $199.99

The Star Wars X-Wing Pilot Grand Heritage Adult Costume includes a jumpsuit, vest, molded chestpiece, gloves, and a 2-piece helmet.

Rugrats Reptar Adult Air-Blown Costume - $69.99

RWAR! Now you can be Reptar with this Inflatable Reptar Suit. This full body costume comes with a battery pack fan (batteries not included) and comes shaped like Tommy Pickle's favorite toy. This inflatable costume is adult sized and requires 4x "AA" batteries (not included).

Red Sonja & Bettie Page Celebrate Spooky Season in Specials!

From Dynamite Entertainment

Dynamite announces a fright-filled pair of Halloween themed special one-shots starring Red Sonja and Bettie Page!

In Savage Tales: A Red Sonja Halloween Special, writer Mark Russell brings in artist Jacob Edgar (James Bond: Moneypenny) to tell an extra-length spooky story. Dearbhla Kelly and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou also jump over from the regular series for this essential tale for fans of the She-Devil with a Sword. All underneath a striking cover from Erica D'Urso (Xena, Captain Marvel), drawing inspiration from the original Savage Tales #1.

This one-shot perfectly complements issue 9 of the ongoing series, out the same month. While that issue has Sonja returning to the Sorcerers of Wigur-Nomadene, Savage Tales flashes back to their first encounter. At this point, Sonja is not yet a legend, but a brute full of anger and ambition. Savage. Everyone's favorite fiery heroine tries to convince the sorcerers to bring her family and friends back to life.

"I saved the darkest chapter of the Red Sonja story for this Halloween Special," said writer Mark Russell. "The main series refers to an earlier visit by Sonja to the Sorcerers of Wigur-Nomadene and this tells the story of that visit and the price she paid to try to bring her dead family back to life. Jacob’s style lends itself really well to this story of dark magic and loss and I think it will make a great entry into the canon as well as a self-contained story."

"This new Sonja series has built a world that feels lived in, covered in dirt and sand and... probably some pretty bad smells. Approaching this issue, especially given that it's a dark Halloween tale, I really want to capture that feeling but also turn up the boldness," said artist Jacob Edgar. "Really push the energy, while maintaining the integrity of the world that's been established. Mark is a heck of a writer and I'm thrilled to get the opportunity to draw one of his books!"

In the Bettie Page Halloween Special, a mysterious force is hunting students at an exclusive Upstate New York college. Just the case for Bettie to investigate, and she'll be enrolling in Werewolf 101. The supermodel/superspy's chronicler David Avallone (Elvira, Drawing Blood) contributes this full length story with artist Roy Allan Martinez (Zorro: Swords of Hell). Bettie is used to men being beasts, so this issue turns that metaphor up to 11. In a bonus short story, writer Erica Schultz (Xena, Daredevil) and artist Fernando Ruiz (Archie, Die Kitty Die!) spin a yarn of aliens, classic cars and a sci-fi double feature at the drive-in theater.

The issue features a cover by fan-favorite Bettie artist John Royle (Elvira, GI Joe) and another from Reilly Brown (Deadpool, Lobo). Last year's Halloween Special was a bucket of fun and kicked off the whole next era of Bettie's adventures, so fans shouldn't dare miss this one!

"Throughout the Bettie series, I've tried my best to have some fun with classic mid-century pop cultural tropes and pitting her against a Wolfman is a natural extension of that," said writer David Avallone. "Roy Allan Martinez's style is reminiscent of some of my favorite 1970s horror artists (and his fellow countrymen) Alfredo Alcala and Nestor Redondo, but with a modern twist... so he was perfect for this story. And his rendering of Bettie Page is gorgeous and perfect. I can't wait for people to see it."

Erica Schultz added, "I'm very excited to contribute to the Bettie Page Halloween Special with Fernando Ruiz. I always knew who Bettie Page was, but it wasn't until I started writing for Dynamite that I learned she had a secret life! It's great to have the opportunity to add to that mythology!"

Savage Tales: A Red Sonja Halloween Special and the Bettie Page Halloween Special will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ August 2019 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in October 2019. Comic book fans are encouraged to preorder copies with their local comic book retailers. It will also be available for individual customer purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, Kindle, iBooks, Google Play, Dynamite Digital, ComicsPlus, and more!

Related:

Bettie Page 1923-2008

Page was born Betty Mae Page in Nashville, Tennessee on April 22, 1923, the second child of Walter Roy Page and Edna Mae Pirtle. At a young age, Page had to face the responsibilities of caring for her younger siblings. Her parents divorced when she was 10 years old. Following the divorce, Page and her sister lived in an orphanage for a year. During this time, Page's mother worked two jobs, one as a hairdresser during the day and washing laundry at night. As a teenager, Page and her sisters tried different makeup styles and hairdos imitating their favorite movie stars. She also learned to sew. These skills proved useful years later ...

BETTIE PAGE'S SECRET LIFE AS AN UNDERCOVER OPERATIVE IN 1950S HOLLYWOOD HAS BEEN DECLASSIFIED!

In this latest telling, Ms. Page is more modest than Ms. Blaise, but peels more than Ms. Emma. She out-vamps Vampirella, but she's sweeter than Honey West. She puts the mod in model, and the bangs in bang-bang. Now the world can know the truth...


Marvel Feature #4 (2nd Series 1975) May 1976 Marvel Comics Grade NM

Cover art by Frank Thorne, script by Bruce Jones, pencils by Frank Thorne

"Eyes of the Gorgon":
Red Sonja comes to a town that is being attacked by a Gorgon, who is turning the townspeople to stone.

Dynamite Delivers Holiday Chills With Five Halloween One-Shot Comics!

No tricks, only treats - Dynamite Entertainment is taking Halloween by storm this year delivering five standalone issues from fan-favorite series Vampirella, Red Sonja, Bettie Page, Elvira and Army of Darkness. Each Halloween Special will feature 40 pages of hair-raising fun for readers looking to get in the spirit.

“Halloween and comic books go hand in hand. Everyone loves a good scary story in late October and we’ve always wanted to do a big program for all our major characters,” said Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite Entertainment. “This is a great chance for readers to get five great stories for themselves or to give to their friends for the holiday.”

“Dynamite is very excited to be presenting these titles for Halloween this year. The talent involved is absolutely incredible and bring unique voices to each story," said Dynamite Entertainment editor and interior artist Anthony Marques. "To have legendary writers such as Tom Defalco and Scott Lobdell involved is a testament to Dynamite’s relentless pursuit of bringing top-tier talent into the company to help create stories that will leave fans excited and wanting more."

The Dynamite Halloween One-Shots will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors' August 2018 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in October 2018. Comic book fans are encouraged to reserve copies of Army of Darkness, Elvira, Red Sonja, Vampirella and Bettie Page Halloween Specials with their local comic book retailers. The Dynamite Halloween One-Shots will also be available for individual customer purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, Kindle, iBooks, Google Play, Dynamite Digital, iVerse, Madefire, and Dark Horse Digital.

Army of Darkness Halloween Special: When a crazed tour guide raises the spectral remains of the galleon that brought the Necronomicon to America, Ash finally meets the one thing he hates more than Deadites - ghost pirates! It's chainsaws and boomsticks against cutlasses and muskets, and if Blackbeard’s men can't have their treasure, the Promised One's head will have to do! Written by Chad Bowers, Chris Sims, Benito Cereno with artwork by Eoin Marron and Anthony Marques.

Bettie Page Halloween Special: Bettie Page is back! Is a Boston artist in contact with godlike space invaders, or is he just nuts? Bettie brings the love, and the craft in the latest chapter in writer David Avallone’s Secret Diary of Bettie Page! Written by David Avallone and Leah Williams with artwork by Julius Ohta and Fernando Ruiz.

Elvira Halloween Special: Everyone's favorite Mistress of the Macabre, Elvira is spinning her wheels hostessing horror film festivals at the local drive-in when she discovers the opportunity to get in good with George Rottmero, producer of the greatest, grittiest, most realistic horror movies ever. When she discovers the grave secret behind Rottmero's success, her dreams of super stardom might become deader than her undead co-stars!! Written by Dan Parent, Fernando Ruiz, Scott Bryan Wilson with artwork by Dan Parent and Fernando Ruiz.

Red Sonja Halloween Special: During the Festival of the Dead, an old woman hires Sonja to find and save her son from a terrible evil. What Sonja is not told is that this terrible evil is the curse of lycanthropy... can Sonja defeat a werewolf during one of the longest and most magic-filled nights of the year, or will skill and luck finally fail her? Find out in RED SONJA: CURSE OF THE WOLF! Written by Erik Burnham and Tom Defalco with artwork by Tom Garcia and Anthony Marques.

Vampirella Halloween Special: Where Vampirella comes from they don't celebrate birthdays -- so she had to choose her own. Is it any wonder she picked Halloween night? Unfortunately, her simple celebration is interrupted by -- you guessed it -- one of those pan-dimensional demonic invasions that often seem to take place on All Hallows Eve! Written by Scott Lobdell and Blake Northcott with artwork by Rapha Lobosco and Anthony Marques.

Related: Vengeance of Vampirella #4 - July 1994 Issue - Harris Comics

Vampirella #98 - August 1981 - Warren Magazine

Vampirella #60 (1969 Series) May 1977 Warren Magazine

October Is Here - Welcome To The Month Of Monsters!

October is the "Month of Monsters" at Monster Island News. All month long our website will be featuring stories, profiles and collectible items about some of Hollywood's greatest icons of horror.

Check out what has crawled out of the grave so far - Monster Island News

The Mummy

In 1932 a new horror movie was put into production to capitalize on the success of Frankenstein, and its star Boris Karloff. The initial idea was to produce a film based on the real life exploits of the French mystic Cagliostro, who claimed that he had lived for several generations. This idea was soon dropped for a screenplay that was penned by Nina Wilcox Putman that featured the resurrected corpse of an ancient Egyptian prince. One has to remember that Tutankhamen’s tomb had just recently been discovered and there was a national obsession with Egyptology. Universal felt that the combination of Karloff and this topical theme would guarantee a hit, and they were right.

King Kong

Carl Denham is a producer and director of adventure films specializing in remote and exotic locations. He sets off to a remote island, uncharted except for a map he purchased from a seaman. He hires a ship and with the star of his film, Ann Darrell, he sets off to Skull Island where there supposedly lives a large ape known as Kong. Thie island itself is is divided and the giant ape lives behind a great wall. Whe the local islanders kidnap Ann to offer her as a sacrifice, Denham and John Dricsoll set off to rescue her. It's obvious that Kong is fascinated with Ann and means her no harm but Dehnam gasses the beast and transports it
to New York where he puts it on display. When it manages to escape, it terrorizes the city, climbing to the top of the Empire State building where it must confront air force planes trying to shoot it down.

The Wolf Man

In 1941 Curt Siodmak sat down at his desk with the intention of writing a horror story that would draw on Greek Mythology and the belief that somehow a man could transform into an animal, a common legend that ran through the folklore of just about every culture on Earth. Little could he have realized that the script he was about to write, The Wolf Man, would not only have an effect of the future of horror films, but the future of the occult as well. It has always been a common belief that many of the concepts of lycanthropy that were portrayed in the film came from a collection of popular folklore and witchcraft. In fact nothing is further from the truth. Siodmak was responsible for coming up with the design of the pentagram, the werewolf’s vulnerability to silver, and the full moon being the catalyst for the transformation from man to beast all on his own. In fact the legendary poem “Even a man who is pure of heart, and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolf bane blooms, and the autumn moon is bright.” is a Siodmak original.

Don;t worry crypto fans we got ya covered as well...

Bigfoot

‘Huge, scary, aggressive, fast, and threatening’. These terms are used to describe several Bigfoot-like creatures said to inhabit the desert regions of southern California. These mysterious giant apes go by many different names, The Borrego Sandman, The Speedway Monster, Zoobies, Devils, and the Yucca Man. It may come to the surprise of those who follow stories about Bigfoot and other mysterious creatures that the first report of these creatures by European settlers did not come from the East Coast, Midwest, or even the Pacific Northwest. It actually came from southern California. In 1769, Spanish priests founded the first mission in San Diego.

Looking for some really great monster related merchandise? ... well check out

View Obscura Comics

Monster Island News - The Begining Of Our "Month of Monsters"

October is the "Month of Monsters" at Monster Island News. All month long our website will be featuring stories, profiles and collectible items about some of Hollywood's greatest icons of horror.

Check out what has crawled out of the grave so far - Monster Island News

The Mummy

In 1932 a new horror movie was put into production to capitalize on the success of Frankenstein, and its star Boris Karloff. The initial idea was to produce a film based on the real life exploits of the French mystic Cagliostro, who claimed that he had lived for several generations. This idea was soon dropped for a screenplay that was penned by Nina Wilcox Putman that featured the resurrected corpse of an ancient Egyptian prince. One has to remember that Tutankhamen’s tomb had just recently been discovered and there was a national obsession with Egyptology. Universal felt that the combination of Karloff and this topical theme would guarantee a hit, and they were right.

King Kong

Carl Denham is a producer and director of adventure films specializing in remote and exotic locations. He sets off to a remote island, uncharted except for a map he purchased from a seaman. He hires a ship and with the star of his film, Ann Darrell, he sets off to Skull Island where there supposedly lives a large ape known as Kong. Thie island itself is is divided and the giant ape lives behind a great wall. Whe the local islanders kidnap Ann to offer her as a sacrifice, Denham and John Dricsoll set off to rescue her. It's obvious that Kong is fascinated with Ann and means her no harm but Dehnam gasses the beast and transports it
to New York where he puts it on display. When it manages to escape, it terrorizes the city, climbing to the top of the Empire State building where it must confront air force planes trying to shoot it down.

The Wolf Man

In 1941 Curt Siodmak sat down at his desk with the intention of writing a horror story that would draw on Greek Mythology and the belief that somehow a man could transform into an animal, a common legend that ran through the folklore of just about every culture on Earth. Little could he have realized that the script he was about to write, The Wolf Man, would not only have an effect of the future of horror films, but the future of the occult as well. It has always been a common belief that many of the concepts of lycanthropy that were portrayed in the film came from a collection of popular folklore and witchcraft. In fact nothing is further from the truth. Siodmak was responsible for coming up with the design of the pentagram, the werewolf’s vulnerability to silver, and the full moon being the catalyst for the transformation from man to beast all on his own. In fact the legendary poem “Even a man who is pure of heart, and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolf bane blooms, and the autumn moon is bright.” is a Siodmak original.

Don;t worry crypto fans we got ya covered as well...

Bigfoot

‘Huge, scary, aggressive, fast, and threatening’. These terms are used to describe several Bigfoot-like creatures said to inhabit the desert regions of southern California. These mysterious giant apes go by many different names, The Borrego Sandman, The Speedway Monster, Zoobies, Devils, and the Yucca Man. It may come to the surprise of those who follow stories about Bigfoot and other mysterious creatures that the first report of these creatures by European settlers did not come from the East Coast, Midwest, or even the Pacific Northwest. It actually came from southern California. In 1769, Spanish priests founded the first mission in San Diego.

Looking for some really great monster related merchandise? ... well check out

Sci Fi Toys at Monster Island News

Monster Island News - Ultimate Halloween Store!

Our ultimate Halloween store is now open for business!

Items just added include:

Pacific Rim (Blu-ray+DVD+UltraViolet Combo Pack - $24.99
Pacific Rim (Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + UltraViolet Combo Pack - $29.99
Steve Ditko's Monsters Volume 2: Konga - $27.99
Universal Monster Collector's Edition Creature from the Black Lagoon mask - $47.99
Gorgo [Blu-ray] - $11.99
Star Trek Original Series Gorn 1:6 Scale Statue - $159.99
Heavy Metal Magazine Cybercop 1:4 Scale Statue - $329.99
Batman Dark Knight Rises Adult Cape and Mask Set - $14.99
Star Wars Episode III Darth Vader Supreme Edition Costume - $776.99
Steampunk Engineer Corset - $117.99

More items are being added daily so be sure to check back with us for all your Halloween needs!

ENTER THE MONSTER ISLAND NEWS ULTIMATE HALLOWEEN STORE

Vote For The Greatest Movie Monster Of All Time!

Source: San Jose Mercury News

The San Jose Mercury news is asking it's readers to vote on just who is the greatest movie monster of all time!

Sure, King Kong is the top banana on his side of the jungle. But how would he fare against Jaws? And would our favorite great white stand a chance against that slimy creature from the "Alien" movies?

Now's the time to find out.

In honor of the most delightfully ghoulish month of the year, we are pitting our favorite monsters of all time against each other in a 32-monster bracket contest. Think of it as March Madness, only October style.

Best of all, you decide the winner -- the greatest monster of all time.

Here's how it will work. In a series of single-elimination battles between the monsters, voters will decide online which will advance.

There are some really intriguing first-round matchups. Freddy from "Nightmare on Elm Street" vs. Jigsaw from "Saw." Darth Vader ("Star Wars") battling Lord Voldemort ("Harry Potter"). And can Dracula hope to get past the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man ("Ghostbusters")?

That's entirely up to you. So vote now for your favorites on the right, or click here to start voting.

The first round ends Oct. 4. The winner will be announced before Halloween.

For regular updates, follow @KarenDSouza4 and @jimthecritic at Twitter.comand like us at www.facebook.com/dsouzatheaterpage andwww.facebook.com/jim.bayareanews.

Of course we here at Monster Island News tackled this issue back in 2010. Check out our list of the Top 100 Movie Monsters Of All Time! 

AMC FEAR FEST vs TCM CLASSIC HORROR 2011!

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: AMC / TCM

It's time once again to pit the two top classic movie networks against each other mano-e-mano in a cage match of Halloween programming. As in the past decade or so I have given the schedules from both networks a once over to name the king of Halloween movies.

In the early part of the last decade AMC (American Movie Classics) ruled the cable wire with their "Monsterfest" celebration of horror, monster and sci fi films. As the years moved on AMC began to migrate their programing from the "classics" to modern slasher films and my interest migrated right along with it to other networks.

Likewise TCM (Turner Classic Movies) began to pick up the slack with a better selection of films though they never put together anything as magnificent as the long-dead "Monsterfest."

That was then, this is now and TCM has put together a schedule of classic horror films for 2011 that harkens back to the good old days.

Here is your blurb from the TCM website:

Classic Horror - Mondays in October

Throughout the month leading up to Halloween, TCM presents a festival of shiver-inducing fright films highlighted by the premiere of the latest entry in our A night at the Movies documentary series, A Night at the Movies: The Horrors of Stephen King (2011). Unlike previous entries that featured the view- point of various industry insiders, this one focuses exclusively on the one- and-only master of horror storytelling, Stephen King.

Taking viewers through their darkest hours are five full nights of horror classics, arranged roughly by decade and ranging from The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919) to Repulsion (1965). Also raising goosebumps will be such masterworks of the genre as Nosferatu (1922), Frankenstein (1931), Cat People (1942), House of Wax (1953) and Night of the Living Dead (1968).

Featured Films:

• A Night at the Movies: The Horrors of Stephen King
• Frankenstein (1931)
• Freaks
• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932)
• Mark of the Vampire
• The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
• Nosferatu
• The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
• The Wolf Man
• The Uninvited
• Dead of Night
• I Walked With a Zombie
• Cat People
• The Curse of the Cat People
• The Devil Bat
• Dead Men Walk
• Horror of Dracula
• House on Haunted Hill
• The Tingler
• House of Wax
• Curse of the Demon
• A Bucket of Blood
• Carnival of Souls
• Dementia 13
• Strait-Jacket
• The Pit and the Pendulum
• The Masque of the Red Death
• The Devil's Bride
• Village of the Damned
• Night of the Living Dead
• The Innocents
• The Haunting (1963)
• Repulsion

You don't have to take my word for it! Check out the schedules for yourself:

AMC Fearfest
TMC Classic Horror

Spend Your Halloween With Sasquatch!

ANIMAL PLANET’S FINDING BIGFOOT RETURNS TO THE WOODS TO INVESTIGATE SASQUATCH’S ORIGIN IN HALLOWEEN SPECIAL

Source: Animal Planet

This fall, the Bigfoot Field Research Organization (BFRO) team from Animal Planet's FINDING BIGFOOT trudges deep into California's Redwood forest to investigate one of the most infamous and disputed pieces of Bigfoot evidence ever - the Patterson-Gimlin footage. Premiering Sunday, October 30, at 9 PM (ET/PT), the two-hour special FINDING BIGFOOT: BIRTH OF A LEGEND takes viewers to the site where the notorious footage was captured to investigate the elusive beast's existence and settle the more than 50-year-old debate originated by the tape.

Outfitted with the latest technology, including night-vision and infrared cameras, the BFRO team also scours the Redwoods to uncover additional evidence of the presence of Sasquatch. With more Bigfoot signals discovered in the Redwoods than anywhere else in North America, each broken branch or peculiar noise could mean a Squatch is lurking nearby.

Prior to the debut of the special, the BFRO team will make an appearance at this year's New York Comic Con convention. On Friday, October 14, at 6:30 PM, the entire cast -- Bobo, Cliff, Matt and Ranae - will debunk Bigfoot myths with a special sneak preview of the BIRTH OF A LEGEND special. Following the sneak peek, the team will discuss its Squatchin' experiences from the show and share years of Bigfoot knowledge and research on a panel.

In FINDING BIGFOOT, a four-person team from the BFRO -- a leading scientific research organization exploring the Bigfoot/Sasquatch mystery -- investigates Sasquatch sightings by interviewing locals, examining evidence and infiltrating the woodlands and forests in places where Bigfoot has been reported.

The 10 Best Low-Budget Films of All Time

by Armand Vaquer


Just being a mega-costly movie of today doesn't always equal success at the box office. Many of these behemoths tank, while some movies made on shoestring budgets occasionally become hits and make many times their cost.

"The 10 Best Low-Budget Films of All Time" came across my desk this morning and I found the movies listed interesting.

The site begins with:

Success is relative in Hollywood. Some movies tank at the box office but cost so little to make that the studio still comes out ahead (especially when they use creative accounting), while others have to earn back their huge budgets just to break even. But the films here aren't just low-budget compared with what they earned; they're cheap, period.

To take a look at "The 10 Best Low-Budget Films of All Time," go here.

Minneapolis Filmmakers Carve A Slice Out Of Halloween With A Horror Double Feature

Source: Rachel Grubb / Press Release

Hey, didn't I just mention a horror movie double-feature, in Minnesota, that starred Rachel Grubb, scheduled for Halloween, just a minute ago?

I'm certain that I did ....... It looks like the “Land of 10000 Lakes,” is going to be the 'it' spot this Halloween for horror movie lovers!

Here is a copy of the press release that Rachel just sent me:

With Halloween just around the corner, skin-crawling horror flicks are just what the psychotic doctor ordered. A pair of Twin Cities filmmakers are filling the prescription with a terrifying double feature: Grinning Faces, followed by an extended version of local fan favorite, The City.

“Grinning Faces mashes together sex, violence and storytelling to create a trippy experience,” explains first-time director Noah Tilsen.

“We follow a confused man as he is manipulated down a path of debauched love. As he transforms into something worse, the people in his wake are left in terrible shape.”

James Vogel’s cinematic offering – The City — follows an aspiring screenwriter on a quest for his muse. But when a psychotic killer takes him under his wing, sweet inspiration turns to foul murder.

This will be the second showing of The City — but this time, the film features an alternate ending, along with extended scenes and other spooky extras.

“It’s like The Lord of the Rings: Special Edition — only more awesome,” says Vogel, adding, “The new additions are sure to please.”

Grinning Faces Cast Information

Danny August Mason takes the lead in this intense 30-minute short. In addition to appearing in numerous films and commercials, Danny is a well-known lecturer of the paranormal. B-Movie horror goddess Rachel Grubb plays the love interest. Her onscreen credits include Strip Club Slasher, Terror Overload and Camp Kill. Local actor and casting director Matthew Feeney plays the mentor role. Feeney’s credits include Faux and Phasma Ex Machina.

The City Cast Information

Ezra Stead and Greg Hernandez star in and co-wrote the film along with director James Vogel. Both are primarily known for their stage work: Stead is a four-time National Poetry Slam team member from Minneapolis, as well as an emcee for the hip-hop group Matching Wits, while Hernandez is a local stand-up comedian currently producing and starring in the "Yeah No Sketch Show" at the Bryant-Lake Bowl. Hernandez has also starred in numerous independent films, one of which, Winter Lilacs, premiered at the 2009 SXSW Film Festival.

The City co-stars Matthew Feeney and Sasha Andreev (Phasma Ex Machina), Paul von Stoetzel (director of SNUFF, SCRAP, and Dinner Date), and features special appearances by horror film stars Nicole Kruex, Scarlet Salem, and Landyn Banx (Terror Overload).


Showtime

The double feature plays on October 28th at 9:30 pm at the Riverview Theater, 3800 42nd Ave S, Minneapolis. $3 tickets or free admission for those in costume. Mature audiences only.

So many choices for only one night, hopefully horror movie fans in Minnesota won't be torn in two trying to decide which event to go to.

You get it? "torn in two" ........ "horror movies" .......... a .....well that was supposed to be a joke.

Never mind.

See Also: STRIP CLUB SLASHER World Premiere Info!/ You Can Help Director Bobby Jones Make GIRL SCOUT COOKIES / A Small-Time Heist Turns Into Sadism In EMPTY TRASH / Women Trained To Fight Like Animals In DOG FIGHT / Hollywood Is A "Maid-To-Order" Move For Rachel Grubb And Silent-But-Deadly Productions / A Look At Upcoming Episodes Of Comic Book Divas A LIFE BEHIND THE MASK / This Summer Sizzles With The Three Hottest Women In Horror / Rachel Grubb Does 'Why Am I In A Box?' Up Vegas Style / New Poster Art And Website Info For 'Strip Club Slasher' / Missing Your Rachel Grubb & Elske McCain Fix? Maybe You Should Take A Shower? / What Are Celebrities Doing For Halloween? - Part 1 / On Roman Polanski / Rachel Grubb - Eyes That Can Melt Your Heart - Film Making In A Uniquely Feminine Style / Hot & Sexy Photos From Jason Stephenson's 'Strip Club Slasher' / New Behind The Scenes Photos Of Scarlet Salem From The Movie 'Strip Club Slasher' / Joanna Angel - The Princess Of Punk Porn Joins The Cast Of "Haunting Kira" / What I Want From The Next Batman Movie / Jason Vorhees And Some Top Line Screem Queens Sign On For 'Haunting Kira' / Between Heaven And Hell - More Fantasy Photos Of Rachel Grubb / Vampire Girl & Fairy Girl - New Photos Of Rachel Grubb / Scream Queen Rachel Grubb Nude....Okay, Kinda, Sorta / Now For A Completely Different Kind Of Zombie Movie - Haunting Kira Starring Rachel Grubb / Rachel Grubb - She's Got The Looks That Kill / Come Play With Me - New Photos Of Rachel Grubb / Actress Who Not Afraid To Bare It All Needed For Camp Kill / David Byron Takes A Look At Modern Femme Fatales In Queens Of Scream: The New Blood / An Interview With Model And Actress Rachel Grubb - A Gotham Goddess

Now For Your Halloween Viewing Pleasure - Elvira Presents - 'Count Dracula's Great Love'

Cassandra Peterson (born September 17, 1951) is an American actress best known for her on-screen horror hostess character Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. She gained fame on Los Angeles television station KHJ wearing a black, gothic, cleavage-enhancing gown as host of Movie Macabre, a weekly horror movie presentation. Her wickedly vampish appearance is offset by her comical character, quirky/quick-witted personality, and valley girl-type speech.

In the late spring of 1981, five years after Larry Vincent (who starred as host Sinister Seymour of a local Los Angeles weekend horror show called Fright Night) died, show producers began the task of bringing the show back. Deciding to use a female host, producers asked 1950s horror host Maila Nurmi to revive The Vampira Show. Nurmi worked on the project for a short time, but eventually quit when the producers would not hire Lola Falana to play Vampira. The station continued with the project and sent out a casting call. Peterson auditioned against 200 other horror hostess hopefuls, and won the role. Producers left it up to her to create the role's image. She and best friend Robert Redding came up with the sexy punk/vampire look after producers rejected her original idea to look like Sharon Tate in The Fearless Vampire Killers.

Unable to continue with the Vampira character, the name Elvira was chosen. What followed was Elvira's Movie Macabre featuring a quick-witted valley-girl type character named Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. With heavily-applied drag queen-style horror make-up and a towering black beehive wig concealing her flame-red hair, the transformation from Cassandra Peterson to the sexy "Elvira" was so drastic that no one ever recognized her out of costume.

The Elvira character rapidly gained notoriety with her tight-fitting, low-cut black gown which showed more cleavage than had ever appeared on local Los Angeles television before. The movies featured on Elvira's Movie Macabre were always B grade (or lower). Elvira reclined on a red Victorian couch, introducing and often interrupting the movie to lampoon the actors, the script, and the bad editing. Adopting the flippant tone of a California valley-girl, she brought a satirical, sarcastic edge to her commentary without ever being crass or mean-spirited. Like a macabre Mae West, she reveled in dropping risqué double entendres as well as making frequent jokes about her eye-popping display of cleavage. In an AOL Entertainment News interview, Peterson revealed, "I figured out that Elvira is me when I was a teenager. She's a spastic girl. I just say what I feel and people seem to enjoy it." Her campy humor, obvious sex appeal, and good-natured self-mockery endeared her to late-night movie viewers as her popularity soared. At the same time, Elvira was embraced as an icon of the waning 1980s punk movement as well as the emerging Goth subculture.

What Is Elvira Doing For Halloween?

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Elvira.com

Every year, I like to check in on the 'Grande dame' of horror hostesses, Elvira, to see what she's got brewing for the Halloween season.

Actually I feel odd calling her a 'Grande dame'. She looks better than most women half her age.

Last year, Elvira, actually actress Cassandra Peterson, packed up her legendary cleavage and high-tailed it to Pennsylvania, this year, it's the fine folks in New Jersey that will get to bask in the timeless beauties presence.

New Jersey?......really.......well it seems that the 'Mistress of the Dark' has chosen an area of our fair country that doesn't have the greatest of reputations. Let's just hope Elvira doesn't get whacked.......okay......everyone remembers the joke from the movie.

Here is Elvira's itinerary for next week (courtesy of Elvira.com):

October 30th 2009
Chiller Theatre Expo. Parsippany, NJ.
Appearance by Cassandra Peterson from 6pm - 10pm

October 30th 2009
'Medium'
Special TV guest appearance by Elvira. CBS 9/8pm c

October 31st 2009
Chiller Theatre Expo. Parsippany, NJ.
Appearance by Elvira, Mistress of the Dark from 1pm - 6pm

October 31st 2009
The Evil of Frankenstein. Hosted by Elvira
Elvira hosts a special Halloween episode of Chiller Theatre
on WPIX Channel 11 in New York. 8pm - 10pm EST

Here is a press release about Elvira's appearance on "Chiller Theatre":

NEW YORK - CHILLLLLLER THEATRE RETURNS! Chiller Theatre is back on PIX with the presentation of the 1964 classic “The Evil of Frankenstein” airing from 8-10 p.m. on Saturday, October 31. Chiller Theatre will be hosted by Elvira, Mistress of the Dark and will feature the original Chiller Theatre opens: “The Six-Fingered Hand” and the “Monster Montage.”

Chiller Theatre originally aired on WPIX from 1961-1978 and again from 1980-1982. After PIX resurrected Chiller Theatre in 2008 (with a broadcast of “Tarantula” hosted by Zacherley) the station received hundreds of requests from viewers demanding the return of Chiller Theatre to the air. This year, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark will host PIX’s Chiller Theatre presentation.

Elvira, who began her reign as “Queen of Halloween” in 1981, was the first horror host ever to be syndicated nationally and has emerged as one of the most original and outrageous characters in popular culture today. Her spooktacular career includes two feature films, an IMAX film and 2 motion control rides. She has recorded 5 music CDs, published 4 books and licensed over 400 products. Elvira also boasts the best selling female costume of all time. Played by actress-writer Cassandra Peterson, Elvira the legendary Mistress of the Dark will be hosting the interstitials throughout the 8-10pm PIX broadcast of “The Evil of Frankenstein”

The 1964 campy chiller “The Evil of Frankenstein” —from Hammer Film Productions, one of the most famous names in horror— Peter Cushing stars as Baron Frankenstein who resurrects his monster only to have him come under the spell of Zoltan, a svengali-like carnival hypnotist who mesmerizes the creature into doing his evil bidding.

The bloody mayhem will ensue from 8-10 p.m. on Saturday, October 31st.

Visit wpix.com for exclusive web-only content including: a photo gallery and outtakes from the shoot, Elvira’s Top 10 List of Horror Movies, 11 Things You Always Wanted to Know About Elvira But Were AFRAID to Ask and the Ghoultown’s new video “Mistress of the Dark!”

It's good to see Elvira doing a 'horror hosted' program again, well, I won't see it, it's on in New York.

Hey, how about some West Coast Love next year Cassandra?

See Also: Elvira Haunts Pennsylvania...No, Not Transylvania!...This Halloween

The Luxor In Las Vegas Presents A Sinfully Sexy Halloween Party

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Luxor Las Vegas

Where else would you hold a sinfully sexy Halloween party except "Sin City"?

This year the Luxor hotel, resort and casino in Las Vegas is heating up Halloween with their "Seven Sexy Sins" costume party.

There will be prizes for the sexiest and most devilish Halloween costumes and music provided by Madam Malixa and DJ Miss Joy.

The event will open at 10pm on October 31st....that's Halloween night ya know!

Here's the address, just in case you can't find the giant pyramid on the Las Vegas strip with the beacon shinning toward heaven.

Luxor
3900 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89119

For more info visit: http://www.luxor.com/halloween/

Keep the Halloween events coming!

It's A Two Night Cinema Insomnia Loboween Spectacular!

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: Mr. Lobo / Olav Phillips

Ah, Mr. Lobo promised that he would have information about his upcoming Halloween special, make that, Loboween special, for us.......... and here it is!

Indeed this spooky holiday season just wouldn't be the same without the horror host icon, Mr. Lobo, and his nationally syndicated series. "Cinema Insomnia". The show has, over the past decade, become as much a Halloween staple as pumpkins, candy corn, "It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" and Elvira's boobs.

This year Lobo has pulled out all the stops, producing a two night "Cinema Insomnia" holiday event, featuring the national debut of Eric Miller's film, "Mark of the Damned", in which the host with the most makes a special cameo.

On the second night of this unique event, Mr. Lobo and the entire cast, will take a heart felt break from their usual comedic fair to pay a special tribute to one of the shows biggest fans, known simply as Katie, who passed away earlier this year.

I could sit here all night typing away about this truly amazing "Cinema Insomnia" Halloween special, but that's what press releases are for. Here are the damned details:

Cinema Insomnia is launching its new season with the premiere of the new indie film Mark Of The Damned by Eric Miller in a special two part Lobotacular!

The LOBONEWS NETWORK is pleased to announce the premiere of Cinema Insomnia's latest season with the debut of Eric Miller's Mark of the Damned featuring a cameo by none other then your National Horror Host, Mr. Lobo. This exciting Lobotacular will broadcast coast to coast on our syndication partner AMGtv as well as globally live on the Internet at CinemaInsomnia.com for overseas Cinsomniacs.

Mark of the Damned, Part One will be broadcast at 9pm PST - October 24th nationwide on the AMGtv Network and will be available to over 100 stations coast to coast as well as on Satellite (Galaxy 19, 3991 H). Mark of the Damned, Part Two will premiere Halloween night at the usual time slot of 9pm PST.

Part One features an exclusive look at the production of Mark of the Damned with interviews of the cast and crew as well as an inside look at some of the many strange and bizarre locations used in the movie and the local Virginia horror scene. This is truly a first in Cinema Insomnia history and will be a must watch for any Cinema Insomnia or Horror fan. Mark of the Damned Part One also boasts a rare appearance by November Fire recordings novelty rocker, "Slob" who stars as a rival horror host named "Slob Zombie." Shot almost entirely on location, this is a truly Lobtastic episode...

Part Two is a journey back to classic Cinema Insomnia and is dedicated to a very special Cinema Insomnia fan named Katie. Mr. Lobo is back in the Void to present a special musical tribute to a brave Mr. Lobo fan who passed away this year. Her story and her journey touched the entire Cinema Insomnia cast and crew, and this episode is dedicated to her. Mr. Lobo also takes the night back with an homage to Creature Features and Horror Host legend, Bob Wilkins. Be sure to tune in for a very special episode with a VERY special surprise guest at the end of the episode. Many questions will be answered, but many more questions will be left unanswered, or will they? Tune in and find out...

Mark of the Damned Part 1 - Sat Oct. 24th 9pm PST/Midnight EST
Encore Mark of the Damned Part 1 - Fri. Oct 30th PST /Midnight EST
Mark of the Damned Part 2 - Sat Oct. 31st 9pm PST/Midnight EST
Encore Mark of the Damned Part 2 - Fri. Nov. 6th PST /Midnight EST

The shows will also stream at http://www.cinemainsomnia.com/s_cilive.html for live chat and screening with fellow Cinsomniacs and maybe even Mr. Lobo himself!

Apprehensive Films will also release the entire 4 hours of with both episodes as Cinema Insomnia's first 2 disc DVD set which will be available in the future at http://www.cinemainsomnia.com.

Hey, what would you rather do on Halloween, watch "Night of the Living Dead" over and over again on AMC?

I thought not......

See Also: Virginia Creepers: The Horror Host Tradition Of The Old Dominion - Following Virginia’s Rich Horror Hosting History / What Are Celebrities Doing For Halloween? - Part 1 / Plan 9 Remake Gets A Bigger Budget - Trailer On The Way / Mr. Lobo Is Going To Have A Very Busy Weekend! / Mr Lobo Hosts Nonstop Movie Party Zombies / Mr Lobo And Cinema Insomnia Triumphantly Return To The National Spotlight / Mr. Lobo Enters The 3rd Dimension For Virtual Fan Gathering / Mr Lobo Interviews Monsters From The ID Director David Gargani / Mr Lobo Continues To Be The Busiest Man In Showbiz Announcing New Appearences And DVDs / Plan 9 From Outer Space Strikes Again / A Public Memorial To Bob Wilkins In Sacramento / Is There Something Bold And Creative Brewing In Sacramento? / Support Your Local Horror Host....Or In This Case Mr Lobo / Bob Wilkins 1932-2009 The Passing Of A Bay Area Icon / Merry Christmas From Monster Island / Mr Lobo Composes A New Halloween Song / Silicon Presents The Lobotronix Film Show / Mr Lobo And Conrad Brooks Cast In Plan 9 From Outer Space Remake / Mr. Lobo & The Queen Of Trash Get The VIP Treatment At The B Movie Celebration / Sara Dunn Photo Shoot And Casting News / B Movie Celebration Scores World Premiere Of Cleavagefield / The Hometown Of The B Movie Celebration Needs Our Help! / Cinema Insomnia: In Search Of Ancient Astronauts /Mr Lobo To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award At The B Movie Celebration / Famous People Talk About Star Wars

Discover The World Of Latin Horror This Halloween At The HORRORphiles #4 - MIEDO Film Festival

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Facebook

Yes, the Halloween movie festivals are popping up all over the place, and as sure as there will be sunshine in California, Monster Island News will be telling you about them.

Most horror movie fans already know about the great films being produced in the United States, Europe and Asia, but the work being done in the Latin countries has been mostly overlooked.

Well, this Halloween is a great time to discover these films at the The HORRORphiles #4 - MIEDO film festival in New York City.

Here is the info:

LATIN HORROR, in association with ANTHOLOGY FILM ARCHIVES, cordially invite you to another special edition of the New Latino Filmmakers Screening Series — "The HORRORphiles #4 - Summer Scream" — featuring the work of emerging Latino/a directors working within the genre of horror.

DRESS TO IMPRESS THE DEAD! (costumes anyone?)

ALSO, come out and meet-&-greet and take a photo with LATIN HORROR's sexy Ambassadors of Fear: Yenny Love, Ellie Diez, Aisha Koswara, Traci Islands (Photo Above) and Tatiana Dellepiane. And welcome the hostess of our forthcoming online macabre lifestyle program MEIDO Teve, Giselle Rodriguez. All photos will be uploaded to latinhorror.com for retrieval after the event (must be a member of LATIN HORROR's Facebook group page, or registered with latinhorror.com to receive access link to stills).

Full program and film synopsis details at: http://www.latinhorror.com/horrorphiles4/

ADMISSION: $6 (at the box office ~ general seating)

Series Director/Curator: Edwin Pagán

6-7PM: RECEPTION - Complimentary cocktail shots in theater's lobby.

7-8PM: SHORTS FILM PROGRAM

* MINA, Directed by Jose Zambranco Cassella
* THE FOUND, directed by Carlos Berrios
* WIRED DOLL, directed by Derek Velez Partridge
* VAMPIRA: THE VAMPIRE'S REVENGE, directed by Güstavo Stebner

8PM: 'ON THE HORRIZON' TRAILER/TEASER SPOTLIGHT

* NOT EVEN DEATH, directed by Monica Winter Vigil
* BLOODBATH TEST, directed by Carla & Vincente Forte
* THE SCARED, directed by Jose Zambranco Cassella

8:10PM: FEATURE PRESENTATION

* SECOND COMING, directed by Jose Zambranco Cassella

- Q&A with filmmakers in attendance immediately following final program

Host: LATIN HORROR
Type: Other - Festival
Network: Global
Date: Monday, October 26, 2009
Time: 6:00pm - 9:45pm
Location: Anthology Film Archives - New York City
Street: 32 Second Avenue @ 2nd Street (Lower East Side)
City/Town: New York, NY
Phone: 646-234-0958
Email: epagan@latinhorror.com