Happy Halloween 2022!

It may seen like a trick but it's time for a treat—because we made it to October 31st. To make our arrival all the sweeter, here's a look at this year's Krsipy Kreme doughnuts. Enjoy—and keep right on being spooky. See you at Thanksgiving! 

Mickey's Creature Feature

We need more monsters as we Countdown To Halloween 2022. So let's turn to Mickey Mouse! Among the invited guests to the Hollywood debut of his latest movie in Walt Disney's Mickey's Gala Premiere (1933) are some movie stars who just happen to be movie monsters. These caricatures, like all the caricatures in the short, are designed by Joe Grant. The legendary Disney artist was a staff artist at the Los Angeles Record, drawing Hollywood caricatures at the time when his art attracted Walt attention, and he signed Joe to create the movie-star designs for Mickey's Gala Premiere. They couldn't leave out the monsters, could they? 

Superman Vs. The Robots

As noted, TCM is showcasing robots as the Monster of the Month for October 2022.  And that reminds me, seems like one way or the other, Superman battled more than his fair share of robots. Even I incorporated a robot battle for the Man of Steel in the Porky Pig/Lex Luthor comic book I wrote for DC (with great art by the always excellent John Loter). Case in point: the cover of Action Comics no. 36 May 1941 by artist Fred Ray. All part of the Countdown to Halloween 2022. 

Bedknobs, Broomsticks And Oscars

On this day in 1971, Disney's Bedknobs and Broomsticks premiered in London. To celebrate this magical musical, Dean Brinkerhoff and I produced an episode of our YouTube series, Digging the Details, to honor  the film's 50th last year and the 50th anniversary of its Oscar nominations and win this year. Please click below as Dean and I dig such details as the special effects, the Sherman Brothers songs, the Special Edition, and more. Please click here and watch as Dean and I discuss this wonderfully witchy Disney movie. 

The Munsters And Their Kool Karriage On Colorforms

A new Munsters movie (starring Daniel Roebuck in an excellent turn as the Count aka Grandpa) brings to mind the original TV series and the merch it inspired. Here's a look at the beautifully presented Colorforms Cartoon Kit featuring the cool Munster Koach. Perfect to drive us on our way during our Countdown To Halloween 2022. 

Sixty Amazing Years

Spider-Man was introduced in August 1962, and he's met up with some pretty horrific characters over the decades. so to celebrate 60 Amazing Years of the amazing arachnid-dude with one of his most monsterific comic books, from July 1974, just for our Countdown To Halloween 2022. Keep on swinging, Spidey—and stay spooky. 

TCM Star Of The Month: Robots!

Each October, Turner Classic Movies selects as its Star of the Month a Monster (or Monsters). The usual suspects (true superstars, all) such as Dracula and the Frankenstein monster have been represented, so now it's time to turn the spotlight on a different kind of creature: the robot. Imaginative choice, as there have been a number of mechanical figures running amok across the screen. Click here for more info. 

Spooky Is the Spooky Season's Spooks-person

Casper's "tuff little" counterpart Spooky was the star of several comic-book series, including the "Giant Size" publication, Spooky's Spooktown. This issue (#33, January 1970) boasts a Halloween-themed cover where Spooky gets spooked by a trick-or-treater decked out in a Spooky costume (officially licensed, no doubt). Don't you think this funny little spook should be the official spooks-person of the spooky season? I do. After all, his very name says "spooky." 

Zoot Goes Batty And Other Muppet Madness For Halloween

The beautifully produced Muppet memorabilia created by Hallmark during the 1980s gives both collectors and Muppet fans in general some merrily scary Halloween fun. Perfect for a Countdown to Halloween peek, we have already celebrated some of this spooky-time merch here and here in Tulgey Wood. Today, for Countdown to Halloween 2022, here are some fun stickers just for Halloween (copyright by HA! [Henson Associates]). The emphasis is on Kermit and Miss Piggy (no surprise there), but also on hand is the rarely represented Zoot, who finds not a sour note but a bevy of bats emitting from his sax. Hallmark remains a Muppet licensee today, thanks to their Disney deal. Be sure and stop by here at Tulgey Wood all where the porch light is on all through October for you trick-or-treaters. 

Happy 40th To The Not So Fearsome Figment

Happy October to one and all! And October 1st means it’s 31 days until Halloween, so we have a whole month of the fun and frightful ahead of us to help us Countdown to Halloween. And what better way to do than by participating in the Countdown to Halloween blogathon! To get things striated let's take a look at the fearsome fictional beastie, the dragon. These scary monsters are often portrayed of as fearful and serious...for proof of that, look no further than Walt Disney Sleeping Beauty (1959) and Game of Thrones. But I just had to include our friendly little dragon because today is Figments 40th anniversary, as EPCOT opened 4o years ago today. So Happy October, Happy Halloween time, Happy 40th to EPCOT...and especially, Happy 40th to Figment for all the happiness this unique and delightful Disney character has brought to us. Be sure and come back tomorrow and all through October for our Countdown to Halloween 2022! #CountdowntoHalloween2022