HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!


Bonfires burning bright
Pumpkin faces in the night
I remember Halloween

Dead cats hanging from poles
Little dead are out in droves
I remember Halloween

Brown leafed vertigo
Where skeletal life is known
I remember Halloween
This day anything goes
Burning bodies hanging from poles
I remember Halloween

Candy apples and razor blades
Little dead are soon in graves
I remember Halloween
This day anything goes
Burning bodies hanging from poles
I remember Halloween...


The big day is finally here. Our high holiday, Halloween! It's hard to believe that we have already made it through another October, but here we are, basking in the fiery orange glow of All Hallows Eve.

Looking back, it has been a hell of a ride. But it still seems so strange to me in that I won't be getting up like a bolt of lightning, ready to recreate the ghastly magic of Highbury Cemetery tonight. Instead, I'll simply be going to work on Halloween, the first time in over 15 years...

But honestly, I'm okay with it. I wasn't sure that I would be, but having our new neighborhood's trick-or-treat last Sunday night has given me an unexpected week of calm enjoyment. And today I can just relax and really reflect on the season and enjoy myself. 

We were very lucky to have great weather and a great turnout for our trick-or-treat, and it looks like Highbury Cemetery has started a haunting new chapter. There's a calm satisfaction and a small spark of excitement for next year's display already smoldering inside me.

But for today, I'm just going to take it easy. Halloween music cranking all day today, the last of my pumpkin beers and Halloween movies tonight. And I'm super excited for it.

I wanted to take a second and thank each and every one of you who stopped by this month and hung out at the Cemetery. I truly love sharing all my random Halloween thoughts and goodies, and interacting with my fellow haunters and Halloween enthusiasts really keeps me going. I actually still have quite a bit to post, so let's keep this Halloween party going well into November, shall we??

I also want to extend the happiest of Halloweens to all of you, especially my fellow haunters who are battling the elements in order to spread some frightful cheer and fear tonight. It seems that a large number of us across the country will be battling wind, rain, snow, and even fire to try and do what we do. Do what you can do to the best of your abilities, but more importantly  please stay safe. There's always next year and we'll need all of you to keep this wonderful tradition alive and kicking. And screaming.

And finally, don't forget to have fun! This is our night! It's what we have literally spent the last 364 days planning for, so go out and scare the hell out of 'em!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM HIGHBURY CEMETERY!!!





Beware The Haunted House!


Imagine my surprise when picking my son up from school today he tells me that he has something for me. Perplexed, I ask him what it is. He proceeds to pull this out of his backpack, a proud smile glowing across his face...



It is by far the greatest gift a Halloween dad could possibly ask for. A beautifully hand-drawn, fully colored Haunted House picture from your 7-year-old son. I was genuinely moved when I got it, and I couldn't be more proud. Such detail in the tombstone and the green-lit entry way. And you can just sense the fear in the trick-or-treaters standing on the porch!

This will have a permanent place within the Highbury Cemetery office walls! And I do believe we have a young haunter in the making!!

  

The Mummies - "The Fly"


Iconic 90s mummified horror punk campiness bandaged together with the dried, withered remains of that electric buzz of classic lofi garage. THIS is my pre-Halloween jam!! Enjoy everyone, and get ready for the big day tomorrow!!



The Day After...


It feels weird sitting here on October 28th, penning a quick recap of the previous night's trick-or-treat display.

For the first time in over 16 years, we aren't celebrating on Halloween night (as I firmly believe we should be), due to our new neighborhood's schedule: Sunday night, from 5-7 pm. It really doesn't make much sense to me, but I'm not here to complain about it.

After finding out when our trick-or-treat actually was (there were conflicting reports of Saturday or Sunday), I got to scheduling everything in order to be ready for the big night. Being that it would be our first Halloween in the new neighborhood, I wanted to make sure we made a BIG first impression.

By Saturday night, I had everything (albeit in a scaled-back version from last year) staged and ready to go. The only thing posing an issue was the torrential downpouring of rain accompanied by gusting winds.

As I woke up on Sunday morning, I quickly checked the weather forecast. The rain would stop by 9, and the winds would die down by 10. Perfect. Except that didn't happen...

We started setting up at 11, only to be hampered by gusting winds throughout the day. Tombstones were swaying and blowing around and my stomach was in knots. Not to mention the nagging fear that we'd go through the trouble of setting this all up and we'd get no trick-or-treaters. The stress was weighing heavy on me.

As we got closer to show time, the winds finally began to slow down, allowing us to quickly put the full cemetery together. As I stepped back, I took a second to take it all in. It actually looked pretty damn good! The knot in my stomach began to release, but I realized that I still needed to put my costume on with mere minutes to go.

As the clock struck 5, we took our places within the cemetery. And slowly trick-or-treaters showed up. Not as many as I was secretly hoping for, but they still came.

As we really got into our groove, a strange thing happened. The wind died down completely. And the sun broke through the clouds. It's as if the Pumpkin Gods were rewarding us!

And then I noticed my fog machine and chiller setup. PERFECT, lingering plumes of thick, chilled white fog rolled across the entire cemetery, creeping around my tombstones and stretching out into the street, creating the greatest fog display I have ever been able to achieve. It was AMAZING!

Mrs. Highbury snapped this photo as the sun began to set...



Perfection!! I was giddy with what was happening.

Trick-or-treaters, their parents, and neighbors began to file down the street, checking out this new display in their neighborhood. We ended up getting a nice turnout and I was pretty happy with this year's setup. 

As trick-or-treat wound down, it finally got dark enough out to get photos of the display bathed in its truly spooky lighting. I got a collection of great photos that I'll be posting up with a full review after Halloween.

Overall, our first Halloween was a huge success. The nervous planning and stressful setup gave way to a great weather, an ever greater display and a ton of fun with friends, family and new neighbors. We were the talk of my son's school bus this morning, and Highbury Cemetery has planted the first seed in becoming the new neighborhood "Halloween House."

  

The Rainy Jack


So here we are at the last Sunday of October, and unfortunately with the crazy winds and torrential downpours over the last 24 hours, there won't be a Cemetery Sundays segment. With everything else going on, I just didn't have the time to slosh out with my camera...

But late last night, after a brief, windy and rainy trick-or-treat over at brother Scrapes' house, I was able to get my jack-o-lanterns all carved. I wanted to get them set up on the front steps for a quick night time photo session, but the constant downpour kept me from doing so.

I was however, able to get my favorite jacko out for a quick pic. And under the pouring rain I set him up with a tea light, and snapped one single shot before diving back in for cover. This is what I got...




No filters, no Photoshop. Just a quick, spooky photo with a cool light streak looking like something out of a horror film. After getting back inside and looking at it, I couldn't believe what I had captured. Not bad for a quick shot!

And as I sit here typing this out, I'm keeping an eye on the weather. Because tonight is OUR trick-or-treat!! It feels weird that after 17 years, we're not having it on Halloween night, but regardless, I have everything staged and ready to set up for tonight's big show. We're set to reveal Highbury Cemetery to an all-new audience in a new neighborhood. I just hope that people show up...

Last night, the rains were unending and now we have a high wind advisory. But somehow, the Pumpkin Gods are looking down upon us favorably, as the rain has finally stopped and  the winds will die down by noon, giving us enough time to set everything up and perfect weather to celebrate trick-or-treat tonight.

I'm off to tie up those last few ends (like finally printing my haunt shirts!!), and then it's time to do this. If you are having trick-or-treat tonight, I wish you the best of luck and if you had your trick-or-treat last night, I hope that it was glorious!

And if you're in the Akron area with nothing to do tonight, come hang out with us! We're on Alexander Road in Copley, near I-77 and Rt. 18. Our trick-or-treat is from 5-7, but we'll be keeping it going a bit later to hang out and get some night time photos. But be quick! Just like our last location, if you show up too late, you'll miss it!

  

The Misfits - "Hybrid Moments"


A little something to power through a day of prepping for tomorrow night's big show...




Glowing Trick Or Treat Reaper Shirt From Lunar Crypt


I don't always promote things here at the Cemetery, but for this one I'm going to make an exception.

I preordered Lunar Crypt's new Glowing Trick Or Treat Reaper shirt last week and it just showed up to my door, with plenty of time to spare for the big night. And I must say, this shirt is AWESOME!




The print is high quality, bold and totally solid. And of course the first thing I did was expose it to light, then take it into a darkened room. It glows like crazy. I absolutely love the old school reaper graphic and I'm sure as hell going to be sporting this at tonight's trick-or-treat party that I'm going to. Plus, with a preorder I also got a really cool orange-and-black pin (the color that I was hoping for!) with the same graphic thrown in as an added bonus, all for twenty bucks!

I'm going to say that if you're like me, you're definitely going to need to add this one to your haunt shirt collection!!

  

"Halloween Horror - Scary Sounds From The Hex Files" Cassette


Well, here we are. Somehow, we have already come to the final Friday in October. Time for one last Freebie Friday, where I comb the depths of my vintage novelty Halloween record and tape collection and then share it with all of you. Luckily, we are finishing with a bang!




An array of screams, howls and spooky sound effects to greet trick-or-treaters or put chills down party goers' spines!

More than 73 minutes of continuous scary sounds.


And how! This tape is a monster (giggle, giggle) clocking in at a walloping 71 actual minutes of Halloween greatness. I was completely surprised when after flipping the tape to side two, I was rewarded with another side of sound effects! Usually I get the same exact recording on both sides, but K-Tel International's Halloween Horror - Scary Sounds From The Hex Files from 1997 really delivers the goods.

It's a great mix of new and old sound effects, flowing nicely through each effect throughout both sides of the cassette. Lots of monster growls and upchucks (listen for it, I'm not joking), howling winds, howling dogs, a few "borrowed" screams and moans, another pissed off cat, rattling chains, creaking doors, and racing heartbeats. But the best effect is the organ that shows up almost half way through side two (which now that I look at it, may actually be side one - I mislabelled the sides, although it doesn't REALLY matter, right??). A really great creepy sound that intensifies the other sound effects going on at the same time.

Overall, it's a great, high quality addition to anyone's Halloween soundtrack collection and one that I would seriously consider playing at my home haunt display. And it's a great way to cap off another October of Freebie Fridays! Enjoy, and Happy Halloween, 'ya creeps!!

DOWNLOAD "HALLOWEEN HORROR - SCARY SOUNDS FROM THE HEX FILES" HERE.

  

"Creature From The Black Lagoon" Poster by Jason Edmiston


GAH!! Incredible new limited-edition posters of everyone's favorite fish man, illustrated by Jason Edmiston. These super-limited posters will be available today over at Mondo, but you'll have to be quick because like all things at Mondo, both the regular and the variant versions will sell out in literal seconds...




Visions - "Aura"


A fantastic new track from dark ambient artist, Visions. This pulsing, menacing piece would work great in a home haunt setting, don't you think? Enjoy!



Millersburg Brewing Co. - Pope's Imperial Pumpkin Ale


We're back with another seasonal pumpkin beer ready to face our dreaded Drunken Jackos rating scale! But this time we have a slight surprise!!

Today's review will not be done by yours truly, but rather an old face familiar in the early days of this blog - my good brother, Scrapes!

It's been a while since he's thrown down some words around here, but he's still an active member of the yard haunt, so I'll be nice and throw him a bone every once in a while.

This particular beer is one that has been on my radar this season, only I hadn't had a chance to get to it yet. I'm quite curious to hear a review on this one, so take it away, Scrapes!!


Brewery: Millersburg Brewing Co. – Millersburg, OH
Brew: Pope’s Imperial Pumpkin – Ale Brewed with Pumpkin & Spices
Cajones: 9.0% ABV
Cost of Entry: 12 oz. can 4 pack: $9.99



Prior to moving into my dorm at Kent State University in 1996, Mom was in charge of outfitting me with all the dorm things I would need such as clean sheets, a shower caddy (?), an ungodly amount of Ramen noodles, and most memorably, a tiny little refrigerator.  

Faced with a wood-grained decal, that fridge has withstood the various stages of my adult life and today it serves handily as my basement beer fridge. Oh, and that little dial inside that controls the temperature got lost during those crazy college days (ok, it was one year, and then I was placed on academic probation), and I believe the fridge is permanently set to “Icelandic,” which I like.  

And so it has become an annual fall tradition, stocking that tiny fridge with a few different pumpkin ales. I snatched up this 4 pack from my local grocer. It’s malty and sweet whether enjoyed from the can or from a glass. I’m not too experienced with describing all the phases and food groups of beer tasting. There is a hint of spice and vanilla, and when I drink it, I smile and usually have another.  

I could compare this to another of my local pumpkin ale favorites, Fat Head’s Brewery’s Spooky Tooth.  Both are sold in 4-packs, and pack a wallop at 8%-9% ABV. I’ve seen Pope’s at numerous Akron-area beer sellers over the past few fall seasons, so if I were to give this beer an availability rating, I would say 8 out of 10.  


Looking the can, we see Wild Rosie, the smiling horse in a jack-o-lantern disguise. What do you know about Millersburg? What I know is that it is smack dab in the middle of Ohio’s Amish/farming community, dotted with rolling hills and undulating corn fields (where are there are no Ramen noodles found for miles). This unique setting lends a little mystique to the brewery and the beer. Pope’s Imperial Pumpkin easily scores a 4.5 out of 5 on the Drunken Jackos scale. 



So there you have it! A bold review by brother Scrapes! And with a rating THAT high, it looks like I'm running out to the local grocery store to score a 4 pack of this immediately!!

  

Recap: Haunt Acting At The Haunted Schoolhouse


When I was 16 and briefly living in Plano, Texas, my friends and I decided to take our love of haunted houses to the next level. For years we had gone to local haunted houses in both Ohio and then in Texas, but we finally decided to take the next step and actually act in one!

A friend had gotten word that a local haunt in Plano (I can't remember the name, as it was way back in 1989), was opening and needed volunteer actors. So we jumped at the chance and hurriedly sped across town to get in on the action. Upon arriving, we met up with the people running the haunt, letting them know we were ready to go. They asked if we had brought any masks or costumes...

Of course we had nothing, figuring that everything would be supplied. I was one of the last volunteers to get assigned, and I remember the one thing they had left for me to use. A single flashlight. What the hell was I supposed to do with that??

So I grabbed the flashlight and unenthusiastically took my place in a dark corner. I realized that I needed to act fast to come up with a way to be scary. Even with nothing more than a flashlight.

It was at that point, even at my young age, that I realized that fear was already on my side. Patrons were already terrified, so I just had to keep the fright going until the next scene. As each person would walk through my darkened section, I would quickly flash the light on, pointing the light upward on my contorted face, then quickly turn it back off again, disappearing back into total darkness. The uplighting created unnatural and creepy shadows across my face and provided a quick jump scare with a simple growl or grunt. No mask or costume needed. It didn't work with every person that came through, but I still managed to get a few good scares.

I only volunteered one night at that haunt, as the prospect of bringing all of my own costuming or getting stuck with only a flashlight didn't appeal to me back then.

But fast forward about 15 years, and as I was becoming a home haunter back in Ohio, my one night of acting in a low budget Texas haunt became quite relevant again.

As I developed my home haunt and subsequently my acting within it, I thought back to that one night in Texas and what I had to do with so little available to me. It wasn't about what you had, but how you presented it that really made it scary. I eventually developed an acting style, gathering techniques and mannerisms that would really get the most scares.

Every Halloween, I would shamble around the haunt and eventually up and down the entire street, spreading fear to both trick-or-treaters and their parents. As the years went on, I began to think again about taking it to the next level...

Fast forward again to 2019, and I finally had the chance. In hanging out recently with my good friend Dave from Closed Casket Studios AND Akron's legendary (and still my favorite) Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory, he proposed that I come and guest act for a weekend. I couldn't believe it. I had to play it cool and tell him that I'd think about it, even though I was jumping up and down inside my head with such an opportunity presenting itself.

I had been going to the Schoolhouse and Laboratory since about 1986 or '87, when we would beg our parents to drive us down for a visit each October. Back then, we'd get the Friday section in the local newspaper and just ogle at the amazing black-and-white ads for all of the local haunted houses. But the ad I remember most was that iconic grim reaper inviting me to the Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory.

And after two years of living in Texas, it was one of the first haunts that I went back to. It holds such nostalgia for me, and I still go back each year.



A great old tv spot for the Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory, featuring legendary Cleveland late-night hosts, Big Chuck and Little John. And if you listen very carefully, you'll hear the classic "Chamber of Horrors" novelty cassette audio playing in the background, which you can actually get right here!!

So with this past weekend being Sweetest Day, they were expecting massive crowds and would need all the help they could get. I grabbed a costume and a mask (because this time a simple flashlight just wasn't going to cut it), and got ready to go. I was going to be a queue line actor for both Friday and Saturday night. I was a bit nervous, but I was a lot excited. I was finally going to get the chance to test my skills at the pro level.


I showed up on Friday night, found Dave, got a really quick tour, and got ready. The costume I was going with was my flesh-faced plague doctor, complete with the lantern staff that I made a few years ago for an MHC Masquerade Ball. I put on the costume, threw on the mask with one colored contact lens, took a deep breath, and was ready to go.




The "Plague Of The Flesh" character, and the lantern staff from my original 2017 MHC costume.


I got to sit in on the pre-haunt meeting and hang out with a few of the regular actors. And after a quick pep talk, we were released upon the masses...

As soon as I made my way toward the people already lined up to get in, it felt like a switch had been thrown. I immediately got into my haunt character and began menacing the crowd. It felt totally normal and comfortable. And it felt fun!

For 5 plus hours, I strolled the midway, scaring and chasing some patrons, while getting my picture taken with many, many others. I felt like a kid on Halloween again.

By the end of the night, I did feel pretty beat. Achy back, achy arms, and achy feet. But it was still so much fun. I drove straight home to bed, as I would need all of my energy and stamina for Saturday night, which was already shaping up to be an even bigger night...

The next night, I arrived to a palpable buzz. A huge crowd was expected and rumors of attendance records were already being talked about. A long night was ahead of me but I was ready to go. I again got into character, ready to be unleashed again.

This time, it was a non-stop flood of patrons. Lines quickly stretched through the midway, out the gate and deep into the parking lot. It was absolute mayhem. But I loved every single second of it. I canvassed the crowd with the other queue line actors the entire night getting screams, laughs and pictures all along the way. It was nonstop, but I had so much fun.

As the night eventually crept past 6 hours, my old body began to slow down and the aches and pains from the previous night had returned in full force. We eventually ushered the last guests into the Schoolhouse just after 1:30 in the morning. I sat down with a few of the other actors at the bar, did a quick congratulatory shot, and called it a night.

After all was said and done, Saturday night's crowd broke their all-time attendance record, and I was incredibly happy to be a small part of it all. A little dream of being a pro haunt actor, even for two nights, had been fulfilled and I was ecstatic.

I want to thank Dave and Katie for allowing me to come act at my favorite haunted house ever. Although it was actually hard on the body, I had an absolutely great time and would love the chance to do it again if you ever need me.

I also want to give high fives to Mrs. Alvah, Patient Zero, and Dr. Guggenheim, my fellow queue line actors for having me along and making it so much fun. You guys killed it all weekend!!

With this new haunt acting experience under my belt, I can't wait to unleash it all again come trick-or-treat night in my brand new neighborhood. But beware neighbors, because I'm coming with more than just a single flashlight this time...

  

Windfall Cemetery - Medina, Ohio


With just a few hours to spare, I'm in with another Cemetery Sundays post, where I roam the local cemeteries with my camera, documenting the beautifully ornate epitaphs and tombstones contained within.

This week I visited Windfall Cemetery, another cemetery discovered by pure luck while out on a bike ride through the area around my new home. It's another of the many really small, very local plots with many of the graves dating back to the early to mid-1800s.

I got up just before dawn, camera at the ready, and parked just outside the small cemetery located on a back road not 10 minutes from my house. I quickly swept across the small plot, documenting the surprising amount of really great old tombstones within the fallen leaves and overgrowth. As the sun began to peak through the morning clouds, I was able to capture the beauty of these somewhat hidden gems, making this one of the cooler little cemeteries that I have visited.

So as always, sit back, relax, and enjoy my photos from Windfall Cemetery...





























Be sure to stop by next Sunday for the final installment of Cemetery Sundays for 2019!

    

T.S.O.L. - "Silent Scream"


I'm the cobwebbed stairs, the ancient bones
I'm the shadow rippling cobblestones
I'm the stagnant swamp, the black lagoon
I'm the branches scratching at the moon
I'm the funeral service, the unknown mourner
I'm the demon cowering in the corner
I'm the sexton's spade, the new thrown clay
I'm what's left when they walk away
I'm the ebony coffin, satin lining
Pale thin lips in the back room dying
Pale thin lips in the back room dying

I'm the walking dead, the fly by night
I'm the last of the fading light
In the unbarred door, the open encasement
I'm the stairs leading down to the basement
The four post bed, the let down hair
I'm the cross that you forgot to wear
I'm the highest voltage, the shining slab
The crack of midnight in the doctor's lab
I'm the night before, the morning after
Echoing of the baron's laughter
Echoing of the baron's laughter

I'm Jonathan Harker, I'm Lucy's trance
Elegant count's hypnotic glance
I'm the wooden mallet, the sharpened stake
I'm the precautions you forgot to take
I'm the mummy's curse, the passing bell
I'm the fortune they wouldn't tell
I'm pyromania, Transylvania
I'm out of breath, I'm worse than death
I'm the late night air, exhilarating
I'm with you in the darkness, waiting



SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Highbury, The Pro Haunt Actor?


Yes, after many years of going back and forth on the idea, I am finally getting my chance so I am jumping in and going for it. Tonight, I will get to add "pro haunt actor" to my Halloween resume while guest acting at Akron's legendary Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory

I am a bit nervous, but super excited for the opportunity, and the 13-year-old in me is absolutely giddy. The Schoolhouse is a haunt that I have been going to regularly since that first trip back in 1986 or 87 and the idea of actually working there has been a little fantasy of mine since then. I just never followed up on it due to being so busy with the yard haunt each October.

But with a little free time this year, the chance to act was presented to me and I am taking it. I can hardly wait for tonight! I've got my costume ready to go and I am already a nervous ball of energy. Just a full day of work to get through, first...

So if you're anywhere near the Akron, Ohio area with nothing to do this weekend, come visit me (The Plague Of The Flesh) and the rest of the ghastly ghoulies at the Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory. I will be queue line acting tonight AND Saturday night, and I will be ready to scare the YELL out of you!!





  

"Sounds of Halloween" Cassette


Somehow we are already into our third weekend in October, and we're starting it off with another Freebie Friday! As with every Friday throughout October, I scour my collection of vintage novelty Halloween records and cassettes and then share them with all of you.

This time around, we have Distribution Madacy Inc's Canadian novelty gem from 1998, Sounds of Halloween.



Warning: This Cassette Is Not To Be Listened To In The Dark. Listen To This Cassette At Your Own Risk!

Sounds That Will Keep You And Your Children On The Edge Of Your Seat During Parties Or On Dark Stormy Nights.

"Spine Chilling" / "Hair Raising" / "Heart Pounding" Sound Effects


Instantly, with warnings like these, Sounds of Halloween completely hits the mark for me. Another in a long line of novelty releases with crazy, over-the-top warning labels, coupled with some really great cover illustration work. In researching this release, I actually found out that they put some effort into this, releasing at least three different covers: the cat & pumpkin (this one), a skull pumpkin & deranged hospital worker, and a really great pumpkin & haunted house.

They also had another similar release called Halloween Tricks & Treats, although it looks like it has slightly different tracks including a full-length Halloween story. And if it has anywhere near the quality that this release has, it is going on my want list right now!

Sounds of Halloween has your standard collection of Halloween sounds including thunder and rain, howling winds, snarling wolves, church bells, a pissed off cat, rattling chains, a few "borrowed" screams and laughter, creaking floors and doors, some weird and random space noises, a REALLY cool organ, and a few other odd sounds thrown in for good measure. But the production quality is higher than average and has a surprisingly full sound to it.

It's a fun, continuous 18-minute mix that hits the sweet spot for the nostalgic sounds of Halloween. The only drawback is that the same track is repeated on side two, robbing the listener of another potential 18 minutes of ghastly greatness!

DOWNLOAD "SOUNDS OF HALLOWEEN" HERE.

Therradaemon - "Ildspor"


I'm a huge fan of Norwegian dark ambient artist, Northaunt, with his lush, atmospheric soundscapes. But his best work by far is his side project, Therradaemon, in which he explores a darker, more sinister side of the genre.

The thick, dark, tense sounds produced on this release, particularly the track Ildspor, are a seasonal favorite around the Cemetery and would work unbelievably well in a haunt setup. Enjoy 11 minutes of pure dread!




Edgar Allan Poe - The Tell Tale Heart


The film that you are about to see is based on a story told a hundred years ago by America's greatest master of drama and suspense...

This story is told through the eyes of a madman... who, like all of us, believed that he was sane.


Here is surely the most bizarre, incredible version of Poe's infamous tale of madness. A disturbing animated short film created in 1953 by UPA, featuring a wonderful narration by James Mason. The nightmarish illustration and discordant music combine to create an effective creepiness that gives this short film a thorough sense of dread and makes it a very enjoyable watch.



A Halloween Nightmare




So it happened again. That nightmarish dream that always catches me off-guard in the days leading up to Halloween night. You know the one. Where it’s Halloween night, trick-or-treat is beginning and I suddenly realize that I don’t have anything set up. Nothing. I’m immediately smothered under a blanket of panic and dread…

And then I wake up. It’s completely dark and I have no idea where I’m at. Confused, I look around. I see the clock. 3:12 am. It was all just a nightmare. Again…

For the past 3 or 4 years, I have had this happen, and I’m actually used to it by now. The stress of the Halloween season manifests itself in this same dream that always seems too real. It almost serves as a warning to make sure that everything is ready to go.

And even this year, with our new location and a scaled-back display, the stress begins to mount and the nightmare still arrives. Luckily, I seem to be ahead of the game this time around. I’ve brought most of my props to the new house, and I now know when my official neighborhood trick-or-treat is (Sunday the 27th, from 5-7, which actually kinda sucks, but I’ll go into that a bit more at another date…).

So my internal warning has gone off and the final run-in to Halloween is on! Time to get those last few things checked off the list and hope that we have a good turnout. 16 days until the big night. Are you ready?

I'm headed back out to the garage. Good luck, everyone.