Here we are at the fifth and final Friday in October, which means it's time for one last Freebie Friday for the year! And I have definitely saved the best for last this year!
A "SPOOKTACULAR" HIT that's sure to send chills up and down your spine. Dr. Doom, world famous authority on the supernatural, introduces the eerie and frightening ghost story, THE HAUNTED HOUSE. You will go along with a group of teenagers as they become lost in the abandoned haunted house. Mysterious things happen when gruesome sounds are heard coming from the old mansion. Eerie shapes are seen floating past the windows in the "empty" house. Step by step these young people walk deeper into the mysteries of the haunted house. At every turn spoke things happen as they try to find their way out. What is the secret of the haunted house? Don't miss the fun, thrills and chills of the most "horrific" ghost story of them all...THE HAUNTED HOUSE.
Side one is a straight homage to the Haunted Mansion story, in that teenagers have to go into a haunted house in the neighborhood on Halloween night. The entire story is first introduced by "Dr. Doom," who is supposed to be a creepy narrator, but falls flat in his monotone vocal deliveries. The story then picks up as the "golly, gee" teens straight from the late 50s prepare to enter the haunted house, searching for items for their Halloween scavenger hunt. Cue the creepiness as they make their way through the house. The cherry on top is the ending, which is a complete blueprint to every Scooby Doo, Where Are You? episode. It's silly, campy fun all the way through.
On side two of this High Fidelity spookarama spectacular, is a collection of the most spine tingling SOUND EFFECTS ever recorded. Howling winds that send chills down your spine; rumbling thunder, moaning winds and splashing rain sets an eerie mood for a ghost telling session. For even more spooky surprises, turn out the lights, sit in a circle with your friends, hold hands and start the SEANCE section of the record. The hair on the back of your neck will raise up as you hear mysterious, haunting, sounds come floating from your record player. Then, as if by magic, "contact" is made and you actually hear a ghostly voice communicating with you and your friends. Variations of party fun from this album are endless and entertaining. Buy it now, and enjoy it all year round.
Side two is a segmented collection of early and classic "spooky sounds." The ghostly voice is probably the same voice actor who portrayed "Dr. Doom" on side one, with another monotone and hilarious impression of a ghost's voice. But that is what makes this side great, too.
This is definitely a fun offering from the early days of the "spooky sounds" era, meant for young kids. It's "creepiness" passes only as silly, but it's real charm lies in the nostalgic old feel of the record.
And as an added bonus to this release, it was originally offered with a "Magic Glowing Witches Wand" included. My copy has the sticker on the cover, but the paper insert with glow-in-the-dark dab at the wand's tip is unfortunately long gone. Overall, this is just a fun, old Halloween release and a great entry to wrap up another October Freebie Fridays segment. Enjoy!
DOWNLOAD "GHOST STORY AND SOUND EFFECTS" HERE.
