Halloween throughout the 70s seemed like a special time for the holiday. Granted, I was only a twinkle in my father’s eye during the 70s (born in 1982 here), but with plenty of family, friends, and the good ol’ internet handy, to tell the story of a magnificent decade that really began the mainstream commercialized hype of Samhain, Halloween in the 70s looked to have kicked all kinds of ass. While Halloween’s traditions were well established in the U.S. decades earlier, it became a national, mainstream celebration for both adults and children in the 1970s, driven by the rise of horror films, increasing commercialization, and the growth of adult parties.
And to be quite frank, those parties looked like PARTAYS.
The Decorations
The 70s is when that vintage decor Halloween junkies search for, everyone has at least one Holy Grail vintage item, went from mostly handmade, to commercialized die-cuts that were mass-produced and placed on store shelves. Stores also began decorating more for Halloween themselves with this decor to showcase and a buying incentive. Of course, the infamous Beistle and Dennison had been doing this since the early 1900s and only grew stronger with the rise of the Halloween culture in the 70s, but a slew of production companies and new KINDS of decor had entered the market like Empire Plastics Inc., Bernard Edward Co. (later called Beco), Poloron Products, Dapo, General Foam, and many others, that became a mainstay in Halloween traditions ever since: the Blow Mold. And in the 70s, the Blow Mold was as hot as ever since making its initial appearance a few years earlier during the 60s. After some decline after the 90s began, Halloween blow molds became almost extinct and has only in recent years made a comeback to Halloween. Nostalgia is a powerful tool, folks!
The Costumes
Picture it: The night before Halloween, mom takes you into K-mart, where you look through the picked-over plastic masks with matching costumes. You clutch that $5.99 Wonder Woman or Spiderman mask and matching costume to your chest on the way home as you slide around on the bench seat without a seatbelt in the back of your parents’ wood-paneled station wagon, while your mom smokes in the front seat. You immediately run up stairs to your room and place your beloved lucky find on All Hallows Eve on your bedroom wicker chair for the next day’s exciting events while you can smell the frozen Salisbury steak TV dinner cooking in the oven (and this time, mom remembers to pull back one corner of the aluminum foil on top, so the sauce isn’t frozen popsicle gravy). All is right in the world.
While homemade costumes from sheets and everyday items were common, the 1970s also saw a surge in store-bought, plastic costumes, often featuring popular TV and movie characters like the Universal Monsters, Star Wars, and even Alien! Largely thanks to the now infamous Ben Cooper company for providing kids with a smack of pop culture and barely breathable masks for trick-or-treating.
The Candy
Halloween candy culture in the 70s saw the beginnings of a widespread fear surrounding Halloween candy, stemming from an op-ed in The New York Times in 1970 and escalating with the Ronald Clark O’Bryan case in 1974, where a man intentionally poisoned his son with cyanide-laced Pixy Stix. Though these were isolated, publicized incidents, they fueled the “Halloween candy scare” and a lasting urban legend of random tamperings, which studies later found to be unsubstantiated. But that didn’t stop people from making those homemade popcorn balls or candied apples to give to kids coming to their door on Halloween night, Whether mom allowed you to keep it was entirely on her and trying to hide those in your pumpkin pail or pillow sack didn’t seem to work much. Also, she inspects every one of your pieces of candy for pinholes before allowing you to keep it. This was the beginning, folks. A few years later, HALLOWEEN II features that parental fear into a side scene in the film that was actually, one of the terrifying moments of the movie itself.
The Horror Movie Influence
The rise of commercially successful shock horror and slasher films like THE EXORCIST, TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, and, of course, the one and only, HALLOWEENgave some much-needed holiday OOMPH for the adults and their enjoyment of Samhain. And any kids that happened to sneak into the movie theater to watch any of these, added an either amazing or traumatized element of horror to the holiday for them; one that is highly played on now rather than just plastic skeletons and sheet ghosts.
Before the 70s, Halloween television specials were nonexistent except for “IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN”. But with the rise in television programs and public interest, cozying in that crocheted blanket on your parents’ couch in the days leading up to Halloween and tuning into Casper’s Halloween, Witch’s Night Out, or my personal favorite, The Halloween That Almost Wasn’t, while perusing the Kmart or Woolworth ads in the local newspaper searching for your perfect costume sounds like heaven on Earth to me. I mean, I pretty much did this in the 80s too, so I can imagine it wasn’t all that different. But credit to the 70s and for starting a Halloween Special revolution.
Also, shout out To Paul Lynde and his Halloween special that pretty much rules to this very day.
Neighborhood Haunted Houses
As previously mentioned, the emergence of horror films spurred a significant transformation in Halloween culture, leading to the rise of neighborhood haunted houses, catering to both trick-or-treaters and emerging horror enthusiasts. These homemade, community-driven affairs, in contrast to today’s high-tech, professional productions, the ones I grew up with as well in the mid to late 80s, were full of passion and a promise to scare the piss out of you because these adults did not give one fuck about traumatizing you. In fact, they made it their business to do so. Kids today are too damn soft and will never have their balls molded of steel like the generation of the 70s and 80s.
Although because of the popular interest and success in these little haunts, full-on production haunted houses began in the late 70s and man, they looked richly aesthetically gothic.
Again, being only a nut in my dad’s sack at the time, I can only believe Halloween in the 70s was nothing short of a religious experience. And given what knowledge I do have and the faithful internet archives, it’s safe to say I’m probably right about that.
Fruits of the loins from the late ’70s, ’80s or early ’90s, can probably remember that sweet, repetitive October television and all its glory with the magic of Halloween specials that only aired once a year. While yes, television still continues the trend of annual Halloween traditions with certain programs to look forward to such asThe Simpsons Treehouse of Horror,The Great Pumpkin, and the beloved, and, I’m going to say it, annoying repetitive viewings ofHocus Pocuswith, of course, the occasional Primetime sitcom that runs its yearly Halloween episode. However, the issue I have in the modern age of the boob tube is that most of the holiday programming, that many of us looked forward to so fondly has fallen into obscurity regarding annual airings. There is no rhyme or reason why they have become so obsolete in the world of primetime, and I’m going to be quite frank here- I’m a little pissed off about it. The era of streaming I’m sure has a bit to do with thine predicament. But nevertheless, in so many words- it kinda blows.
During my early writing years, I had compiled a similar list that has since been swallowed by time and the ugly Internet. So I’m here to remedy the situation, update the fucker, and daydream of the glory days that revolved around a disco-dancing vampire and Gilda Radner as a bumbling animated witch.
And OK… my own as well.
10. The Midnight Hour (1985)
Originally premiering as a TV movie on ABC in 1985, The Midnight Hour follows four friends who unwittingly awaken one of their dead ancestors, who just happens to be a witch hellbent on bringing back the dead. With a ’50s cheerleader ghost by their side, it’s up to the group of kids to return things to normal. The Midnight Hour was briefly released on VHS in 1999 and then on DVD in 2000. However, it has long since been out of print and is among a treasured rare films to have in your possession and is highly valued among collectors. So start searching your parent’s garage or your local yard sales. If you find this gem, I suggest you snatch it up! But in the meantime, here’s a pretty clear copy on YouTube.
9. Halloween Is Grinch Night (1977)
According to Suessfandom.com, Halloween Is Grinch Night is actually a prequel to How The Grinch Stole Christmas. And how this has fallen into Halloween special obscurity is about as understandable as pubic hair. This Grinchy Tale premiered on ABC in 1977, played for a few years, and fell to the wayside. Halloween is Grinch Night takes place one evening when a ‘sour-sweet wind’ blows through Whoville and warns the Whos’ that the Grinch is coming down from Mt.Crumpit to celebrate the much-feared “Grinch Night.” One boy, named Euchariah, is swept away by the wind and comes face to face with the Grinch himself. Now Euchariah must stall the Grinch until the wind dies down, even if he has to face the horrors in the Paraphernalia Wagon. Yeah, you read that right. Paraphernalia Wagon.
Fantastic stuff folks.
8. Mr. Boogedy
Originally broadcast as part of Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color, Mr. Boogedy (and later sequel) was a staple of Disney’s rotated Halloween programming for a number of years up until the mid-’90s. This long-forgotten classic follows a novelty salesman and his family of pranksters that have moved to a town called Lucifer Falls- rad. And 0f course their new humble abode is haunted by a three-hundred-year-old ghost by the name of Mr. Boogedy, known in life as William Hanover before he sold his soul to the devil. With stars such as Richard Masur (Adult Stan inIT), a young Kristy Swanson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), David Faustino ( Bud from Married With Children) and the legendary John Astin (Gomez Addams), I gotta give Disney a thumbs up for this one. While this one is not available fully for free on the Youtubes, you can absolutely rent this for the reasonable price of $2.99 at Amazon!
7. The Worst Witch (1986)
The Worst Witch is a cult fan favorite among many and in my opinion, any film where Tim Curry sings is a delight and a privilege and we should be goddamn grateful this film exists. This Halloween necessity first aired on HBO and the Disney Channel in 1986 for the Halloween season and continued into around the late 90s. The bewitching tale about, duh, a witch academy (move over J.K Rawlings) centers around Mildred Hubble, the school’s “worst witch” her misadventures within, and a scheming plot that threatens the school. Because every great empowerment story needs a touch of drama, right? And with all the Halloween splendor aside, that is exactly why I adore everything about The Worst Witch. The message of self-love and acceptance behind all the dazzling of Tim Curry magnificently banging on tambourines is a lesson that should always be taught to our children. Based on the 1974 children’s book by Jill Murphy, The Worst Witch stars Diana Rigg, a young Fairuza Balk, the fabulous Charlotte Rae, and Tim Curry as the Grand Wizard. If you have the bones to break out of your wallet, you can get a copy here from Amazon.
6. Witch’s Night Out (1978)
Witch’s Night Out premiered in 1978 on NBC. And AGAIN, aired on the Disney channel in the ’80s through the late ’90s. This personal favorite of mine follows this ridiculous witch ( Gilda Radner) who feels unloved and forgotten. Upon hearing the wishes of two children, Small and Tender, who want nothing more than to scare the jerkoff adults on Halloween, the witch accompanies the pair of Halloweenies and their babysitter (Bazooey) to a Halloween party. Where Miss Witch transforms them into a werewolf, a ghost, and Frankenstein’s Monster. Well, the kids get their wish and scare the crap out of the town resulting in a mob chasing them through the night. Also featuring the voice of Catherine O’Hara as Malicious, Witch’s Night Out is a fun take-me-back for kids and adults alike. Also, you gotta love that catchy intro- which sadly, is the only thing I could find rather than the full version.
5. Vincent Price: Once Upon A Midnight Scary (1979)
My only question is, why the hell wasn’t there more of these?! I mean the master of horror himself hosting his own Halloween special. It’s a national treasure really. It sort of reminds me of one of those really cheesy but awesome after-school specials. But again. VINCENT PRICE. So it makes up for the rest. Originally broadcast on CBS in 1979, Price introduces three different spooky stories based on children’s books in his own creepy yet flamboyant way that every Vincent fan knows him for: The Ghost Belonged To Me by Richard Peck (1976), The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving (1820), and The House With a Clock In Its Walls by John Bellairs (1973). It was released on VHS, but the chances of a DVD release are slim to none. A shame really.
4. Raggedy Ann and Andy in “The Pumpkin Who Couldn’t Smile”
Released in the same year as the above Casper special, the stitched iconic duo got their very own CBS Halloween 30-minute block on Halloween night with “The Pumpkin Who Couldn’t Smile”. Later, the Chuck Jones written special aired on Disney (of course) in Halloween syndication alongside many of these treasure troves listed here. We begin with an intro of a deserted pumpkin stand at Halloween dusk where one lone pumpkin is in need of some serious Prozac. All of his buddies have been picked by the children while the Eeyore of Jack-O-Lanterns remains alone and in danger of becoming pig compost the following day. Across town, the Raggadies along with their pup are severely annoyed by the next-door Halloween Scrooge Aunt Agatha; who is giving her poor nephew a hard time about the glorious holiday. So, of course, they do their due diligence in wanting to cheer the kid up with the idea of surprising him with a Halloween pumpkin. Well, you might guess where this going, and, SPOILER ALERT, the pumpkin smiles.
3. Casper’s Halloween Special
I fondly remember this little diddy being one of my favorites to watch during the Trick or Treat countdown toward the annual sugar coma. Also, I’m being upfront with you guys here and HAD COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN about this treasured retro gem myself until I sat and thought about what I was going to put into this list. As a lover of Wendy the Witch- I’m a little ashamed about this, (even though she has nothing to do with this Halloween special whatsoever but hey, she is connected to the Casper fellow). However, it just goes to show how these nostalgic bits of childhood can fall into obscurity. Especially with the stresses of having to adult- and stuff.
Anyways, enough rambling.
“Casper’s Halloween Special” first debuted on All Hallow’s Eve 1979 during NBC’s Halloween hour and serves as a classic Casper tale of the friendly ghost doing what he does best- you know, being friendly and shit. Casper’s fellow dead dudes, Hairy Scary, Screech Ghost, and Winifred Witch are obviously excited about spooktacular Halloween shenanigans they have planned that involve scaring the ever-loving crap out of trick-or-treaters and invite Casper to partake. But, of course, he declines and decides to take the opportunity to join the living in trick-or-treating fun. You know, denial and stuff are strong Casper. Regardless, after hitting a few bumps in the road to candy, Casper falls upon a group of orphans who see him for who he REALLY is, and invite him to hang for the night. However, the other ghosts see all this and are hell-bent on ruining the night for them.
2. The Halloween That Almost Wasn’t (1979)
Also entitled The Night That Dracula Saved The World, this gem of a tv short aired regularly on The Disney Channel until the late 90s. Notice the trend here?! Time to write a strong-worded letter to that Robert Iger fellow. This remarkable short centers around Dracula (Judd Hirsh) and his monsters trying to stop the Halloween witch, bitter from not getting top-billing in the monster world, from destroying Halloween forever. This is one of my all-time personal favorites because of all the great monster elements it has to offer. Along with a nice little history of Halloween, it really keeps you entertained with humorous jokes and gags. Also, clearly, Adam Sandler took some Hotel Transylvania notes from the impeccable Hirsh. Although it was released on VHS, it never made it to DVD. I believe I may start a petition for this one. Complete with a monster disco attached.
1. Garfield’s Halloween Adventure
And here we are. In my opinion, the Holy Grail of Halloween specials; from 1985- “Garfield’s Halloween Adventure”! From the catchy tunes that relentlessly get stuck in my head contained within this national treasure, to the aesthetic ambiance of a true ’80s Halloween experience it is a classic that will NEVER go out of style. Fully equipped with trick or treating in an endless pursuit of candy, ghost pirates, and a creepy 110-year-old man, this 30-minute piece of Halloween Heaven sets the tone for what is to become the scariest night ever for the lasagna lover and his pal, Odie. I remember being a child watching this over and over on a recorded TV VHS tape, and the scenes with the ghost pirates were actually a bit frightening. But that also illuminates why I watched “Garfield’s Halloween Adventure“many times as a kid and returned to it regularly as an adult.
And no- I didn’t forget Disney’s Halloween Treat. (Insert maniacal laughter here)!
Bonus Track: Disney’s Halloween Treat
Aside from The Great Pumpkin, which I think I personally, is just a common-sense watch as well as becoming a part of EVERYONE’S tradition for Halloween viewing (hence why I excluded it to make room for deeper cuts)- Disney’s Halloween Treat is a close second in traditions for the masses to Linus ruining his own Halloween night. But, being as how it’s an entire pain in the ass to find it streaming, (unbelievable it’s not even on Disney+); perhaps the beloved Halloween Treat isn’t as popular because of the lack of showings- making it more of a nostalgic memory than anything else.
That is, of course, unless you have the gold-standard VHS clamshell copy. One of my favorite treasures here.
The Halloween-themed hour-long feature features clips of Disney’s more unsettling shorts and highlights some evil baddies throughout the last 50 years of the company’s film and cartoon productions; first airing on CBS on October 30th, 1982.
A lot of people remember the host as a magic mirror (Hans Conried) and while that’s technically accurate, the original narrator was a puppet jack-o-lantern voiced by Hal Douglas. The following year in 1983, an updated version of this program, the Disney Channel exclusive, “A Disney Halloween” aired which incorporated segments from both “Disney’s Halloween Treat” and “Disney’s Greatest Villains” (1977), which is where the magic mirror actually came from and basically cut out the pumpkin narrator entirely. Now, you can only basically see it through uploads or again, if you have the 1982 VHS copy.
I mean, or right here. I much prefer this version.
Disney’s Halloween Treat was rebroadcast throughout the 1980s up until the mid-1990s until it basically just dropped off the face of the Earth. However, you can watch it in its (almost entirety) below- OR– there is an incredible remastered version done by JLH MEDIA that you can watch here.
Well, there you have it. Nightmare Nostalgia’s most memorable and personal favorite Halloween specials! Now gather your spawns around the computer and give them a taste of why ’70s and ’80s Halloween TV was simply spooktacular. And while you’re at it, comment below with your personal favorite! I’d love to hear from you!!
At this point, it’s almost become cliché to state the obvious: that Halloween wasn’t what it once was 40, 30, or hell even 10 years ago. The magic and beautiful mayhem of it has been lost by flashy, cheap décor, over-the-top yet underwhelming haunted houses, and what little treats given on Halloween night are simply pathetic compared to the spooky delights of yesteryear. I mean, yeah sure, I’m the Halloween nostalgic Queen and all, so I may be a bit biased, but I’d take the Universal Monster Pepsi Challenge any day of the week with anyone that wants to argue with me.
Just don’t forget the Ranch dip to go with some Cooler Ranch Doritos because you’re going to need the calories to fight me on this one.
Speaking of glorious Halloween commercials, exactly how often do we see them these days? Modern technology of streaming apps and social media has pretty much wiped out any television advertising for both big and small business brands and solely rely on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram and willing “influencers” to do their bidding for them without shelling out the big bucks for any advertisement slots. Shit, the commercials we DO see on streaming services such as HULU, are all ads for big pharma and greasy politicians. It’s such an eyesore to my senses and what I wouldn’t give to just see Captain Lou Albano pimping out a local Pharmacy for their on the spot Halloween deals…
Oh, wait… YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN NOW!
Emmy award-winning producer and nostalgic VHS warlock, Eddie Spuhghetti, has opened the doors to the memories of what once was (so long as you have a VCR anyway). Eddie has curated several series’ of VHS tapes dedicated to the Halloween season that are fully-loaded with 6 hours of commercials from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, Halloween special episodes, one movie, and seasonal bumpers galore. It’s enough to make any retro Halloween maniac to have countless spookgasms during a viewing.
I spent a week watching volume 3 and although you would think most of the placements would be totally random; they most certainly aren’t. Each commercial, bumper, and television special are meticulously placed to keep a flow of what you would naturally see if you were watching television on a crispy 80s October night. Though I don’t want to give too much away as far as what’s exactly on there, because I feel like you should be surprised like I was, I can say it’s a stream of Halloween fuzzies that made me sore from smiling so much. Worth mentioning, the movie I got to see on Volume 3 was custom converted to black and white, and it’s an 80s film. Never did I think this film would look amazing this way, but considering the material, it works- and it works WELL. The only clue I’ll give you is that it’s a 1983 movie and a sequel. That’s actually probably too much of a hint, but it’s devastating to have to keep something like a secret. What I can say, though, in no doubt, is that my absolute favorite thing about the tapes, is the LOCAL bumpers and commercials that are mixed in with mainstream ones. It’s exactly what I would remember watching when I was a kid, with short ads for local pharmacies and costume stores promoting their October specials. Also worth mentioning the movie that’s inserted in each tape, Eddie made custom “We’ll be right back” bumpers to add to the local TV movie feel of it.
It’s just too damn glorious.
Oh, and then there’s this guy. You might see him around from time to time.
Eddie Spuhghetti started creating tapes 12 years ago, and it started with a Halloween companion that was the meal of the hour at Halloween parties. While studying TV Broadcasting, he figured out how to capture and record content to use in course projects, and before he knew what he had, he had created a prototype for what would turn into a series of themed 6 hour-long VHS tapes that range from Halloween, to Summer vibes, to even Christmas ones as well! All without one piece of repeated content!
Interest rose from horror blogger friends, and he made the tapes available through a website and brand he created, HERELIES.COM.
Via Eddie Spuhghetti:
“I made the tapes available for purchase via donating towards my horror project (costs for shipping accessories, the tape media itself, etc…). This evolved into four proper Halloween Companions, one Xmas tape (another one is in the works) and a Summer series that focuses on late night TV during specific time periods. I aim in giving the viewer an experience that entertains but also hits some emotional tones-unlocking some forgotten pleasant memories while bringing new light to things they never knew existed! The tapes also work great for background atmosphere while you work, at parties or live events!”
As someone who watched an entire six hours of footage on one of these, he absolutely hit the nail on the head with what he set out to do.
For the Halloween tapes in particular, each VHS is a flat $15 donation with the exception of the newest addition, Volume 4 which contains 3D parts and comes with 3D glasses which runs at $25; all with a $10 shipping fee. If you own a VCR, and bask in the nostalgia of yesteryear, this is a no-brainer must have companion. Grab your copy of choice HERE at HERELIES.COM!
I also goddamn appreciate the fact that the Halloween 4 intro was placed in my version and remixed with Halloween III synth wave music. You have a fan for life, sir.
Nightmare Nostalgia 