Today Is Time For Tricks And Treats

From the in-house Disney Newsreel newsletter, October 1980: Nothing says Happy Halloween than this charming art by veteran Willie Ito. Have a safe and spooky Halloween!

An "Iron Giant" Steps (Make That Flies) In

In this marvelous piece of Halloween publicity art from 1966, one of my favorite Hanna-Barbera characters, Frankenstein Jr., reminds us all to be safe trick-or-treaters.

Halloween is Peanuts Time

Anyone who has spent enough time in Tulgey Wood during October knows (if they didn't know before) that Peanuts (featuring "Good Ol' Charlie Brown") is an important part of Halloween. The comic strip celebrated the frightfully festive fun of Halloween every year, one way or another—or did it?  The Peanuts comic strip began on October 1, 1950—yes, Peanuts is celebrating 65 years this year—but that first month did not present the strip's first Halloween-themed installment.  Those first strips from October 1950 were drawn up by artist/writer Charles M. Schulz as "sample" strips designed to sell the feature so they were all of a generic, non-seasonal nature.  Did it feature a Great Pumpkin-themed story? Of course not. Linus, the primary (and only) proponent of the Greart Pumpkin had yet not even been "born." He was introduced in the strip as a baby on September 19, 1952 (though he was first mentioned on July 14). The first Halloween-themed Peanuts strip from October 31, 1951 (the strip's first full year) is pictured below. This classic comic starring Charlie Brown and Snoopy is part of the Countdown to Halloween 2015. 

Archie Andrews, Monster Kid

Thanks to the enormous popularity of the Universal Monster movies that started airing on local TV stations in 1957, the classic monsters became a big part o pop culture, serving as less than frightful fodder for parody in movies, TV and comics. This February 1962 issue of Archie #125 features Frankenstein's creature front and center with the titular teen. It's all part of the October fun in the Countdown to Halloween 2015.

Mask Madness

On this cover from the  Halloween 2002 Disney Catalog, Mickey is unmasked as the Beast while a series of other Disney characters are wearing masks of, well, other Disney characters. Enjoy this classic, clever and only-in-October-offbeat Disney artwork as we continue our Countdown to Halloween 2015.  

 

Donald Thinks Halloween ComicFest 2015 Is A Scream

Since we're celebrating the Countdown to Halloween 2015 here at Tulgey Wood let's also take a spooky second to also celebrate Halloween Comic-Fest 2015. This year, make sure you stop by your local participating comic book shop on October 31 and pick up some free comic book goodness just for Halloween. Described as "a celebration of comics, comic shops, and pop-culture in October,"  the fourth annual Halloween ComicFest offers free Halloween and horror-themed comics and mini-comics. This year, there are 21 specially published titles— thirteen full-sized comics and eight mini-comics—available to choose from, including Donald Duck’s Halloween Scream! #1 (shown below). And this year, why not give out  comic books instead of candy as treats for trick-or-treaters? Halloween ComicFest 2015 offers Mini-Comic Polypacks, a pack of 25 copies for fans to purchase and pass out on Halloween— a great way to give out an entertaining story to kids that will last longer than any Halloween candy. These fun treats are a lot healthier for mind, body—and teeth! So plan on sinking your teeth, vampire or otherwise, Halloween ComicFest this year. 

Morty And Ferdie Knockin' At The Door

In this charming cover from the Fall 1989 issue of Mickey Mouse Magazine Minnie welcomes three trick-or-treaters at her door. And in the best tradition of costumed revelers (especially when they are licensed characters) the sheet must be lifted to reveal exactly which candy collector is hidden beneath.  It's Mickey of course—bu standing by his side there's also Morty and Ferdie. It's always a treat to see Mickey's nephews for the trick is that these two supporting characters in the Mouse's posse. This post is just another step in the Countdown to Halloween 2015. 

Chronicling Casper

Over on his excellent Cartoon Research blog, animation historian Jerry Beck is currently chronically the little-known history of the Paramount Cartoon Studios, the animation production entity that followed Fleischer. There's a lot more to the story than Casper the Friendly Ghost but since this is the Countdown to Halloween 2015, it seemed appropriate to shine the spotlight on the spirited little spirit. Jerry is featuring all kinds of ultra-rare production and promotional material such as the ad here announcing Casper's triumphant network premiere on ABC in 1959. Check out Jerry Beck's incredible in-depth story chronicling this little-explored area of animation history. It's an ongoing must-read—and with Casper aboard it's perfect for Halloweentime.  

A Bewitching (Obviously) Photo

October is Halloween month and it's frightfully fitting that October is also Bedknobs and Broomsticks month. The Disney super-spectaclar premiered on October 7, 1971, so it's also beyond appropriate that the Oscar-wining musical fantasy is showcased here in Tulgey Wood to help us Countdown to Halloween 2015. One of the many interesting facets of the film's history is a still commonly used to promote or illuminate Bedknobs and Broomsticks is the one seen below on the cover book adaptation.  This photo has been run so often—because it so perfectly portrays the film's main characters and the key element of the animation—that it's become one of the most oft-seen Disney photos. It's even in my book, published yesterday by DK. Wait, what? You say you didn't know about this book? It's entitled The Disney Book and you can read more about it here.

Archie Andrews Knows Halloween

Thankfully, we can always rely on Archie Comics for good ol' fashioned Halloween fun. This year, the monstrous month brings four devilishly delicious double digests, you dig? All the covers are in the fun tradition of Archie and his Riverdale pals 'n' gals but the last one below (World of Archie) is the best of the bunch, drawn as it is by Archie vet Dan Parent. The other covers are by Fernando Ruiz (both Archie Jumbo Comics and Betty and Veronica Halloween Annual) and another by Dan Parent (Archie's Funhouse). Just looking at these contemporary comics makes you feel all Halloweeny, don't they? Perfect for the Countdown to Halloween 2015.

Warble With Witch Hazel

The Countdown to Halloween 2015 continues. Walt Disney's classic cartoon Trick or Treat (1952) features one of the most delightful—frightfully so—Halloween songs heard in animation or anywhere else  Though this demonic ditty is usually attributed to veteran Disney composer Paul J. Smith (probably because he composed the short's musical score), the song's sheet music tells a different story. The words and music for the cartoon's title tune was actually written by Mack David, Al Hoffman and Jerry Livingston, the team that composed the songs for Cinderella (1950). The tunesmith trio were presumably working on the animated feature at the same time the animated short was in production.  (Marc Davis told me the animators affectionally dubbed the songwriters "Manny, Moe and Jack.") Here's the sheet music for this spook-night tune (which as you can see I pilfered from D23.com). Full title: "Trick or Treat (For Halloween)." 

Trick Or Treat With The Peanuts Gang For UNICEF

October is all about Halloween but it's also Peanuts month. The spectcuarly popular comic strip starring Charlie Brown and Snoopy debuted on October 1, 1950. By coincidence, the Trick or Treat for UNICEF campaign began that same year—and this year, the Peanuts gang are the spokes-characters, tying in with The Peanuts Movie to be released in November (and it's this imminent release of this big-budgeted film that's responsible for many, many tie-ins right now). The cover for the collection box is below. The art is interesting in that it seems some effort has been made to make sure Charlie Brown (costumed as a pirate) and Lucy (dressed as a princess) seem contemporary. It also looks as if Linus (costumed as a Harry Potter-like wizard?) has finally skipped waiting for the Great Pumpkin in favor of "tricks-or-treats." Individuals and groups can participate in this fun Halloween-themed fundraiser for UNICEF, so you can join in with Snoopy and his friends. Details can be found here. This post is part of the Countdown to Halloween 2015...check back throughout October for more frightening frolics.  

Yummy Bruity Fresh 'N Spooky

The ghoulish gala continues with those Halloween perennials the Big G Cereal Monster. This time around those tasty creatures scare up some fun on a comic-book like sequential story from the back of the 2013 Monster Cereal boxes. That was a vintage year for these General Mills ghoulies for 2013 saw the return of  Frute Brute and Yummy Mummy, rejoining that terrifying (actually, terrified) trio Count Chocula, Franken Berry and Boo Berry for one gloriously ghastly Halloween. This post is part of the Count (Chocula?) Countdown to Halloween 2015 blogathon. Be like the cool kids—check back here all this October for more tricky treats. 

Tinker Bell Is Cinderella

Halloween is so much fun that, on this irresistible cover from a 2003 issue of The Disney Catalog,  a gaggle of Disney gals got together for some spooky fun.  In fact, it seems that these particular female friends are into Disney cos play cuz they are costumed as other female Disney characters. And not just any characters, but Disney Princesses. From Minnie Mouse dressed as Snow White to Marie (yes, a kitten is wearing a Halloween costume) as Princess Aurora, these gals know how to royally dress up to get some sweet trick-or-treat swag. This charming catalog cover is part of the Countdown to Halloween 2015 blogathon. If you are blogging on cool Halloween stuff this October you can join in the blogathon too. Click here for everything you need to know.

  

Best Of All, We Wait For Halloween

What better subject for a Halloween countdown than a calendar—especially when it's festooned with seasonal art? The Golden Magazine for Boys and Girls was always a source of art that was, one might say, pure gold. This October 1964 calendar page is no exception with art by Golden favorite Richard Scarry, springing off the rage for space travel and exploration during that era. The clever black cat is wasting no time with an old-fashioned broom, zooming past the old-fashioned owl through the October sky. This priceless vintage art is part of the Countdown to Halloween 2015 blogathon. Come back all through October for more fun Halloweena-ana.

Donald And Kin Kick Off The Countdown To Halloween 2015

Welcome to the Countdown to Halloween 2015 blogathon! To regular visitors—we're always glad to see you knocking on our door, even if you don't have a costume. To new visitors—I hope you find Tulgey Wood to be full of delicious treats, just a few deliciously spooky tricks, and only the best kind of candy! To kick things off here's a classic Halloween cover from Walt Disney Comics Digest, Issue 4, October 1968. Drawn by veteran Duck artist Tony Strobl, Donald and his quacky kin pop out of a carved-up pumpkin to usher in October. Huey, Dewey and Louie are the only Duck family members who seem to be evidencing any Halloween-worthy behavior: one nephew has a slingshot, representing, I guess, spook night mischief; one is popping out in a scary manner; and the other is putting on cat mask. (Coincidentally--or is it?--I selected a cat mask as the Countdown to Halloween blogathon badge for 2015.) I hope this Disney pumpkin adds a touch of spice to October 1st for you—and also inspires you to come back every day this month as Tulgey Wood participates for the fourth consecutive year in this spooky-season blogathon.  Be sure and check out other participating blogs —over 200 as of this writing, including Tulgey Wood—who are "crypt keepers" in this year blogathon.These are the wickedly decorated houses giving out the best treats this year. And as you are having all kinds of Halloween fun all month, visiting the varied "crypt keepers" is also a great way to discover new blogs you will enjoy visiting all year long. Each year I have found new favorites through Countdown to Halloween—a number of them have been added to the blogroll at the right. And be sure and stop by throughout the month right through October 31st itself as we Countdown to Halloween here at Tulgey Wood.