Halloween Fun Times In McDonaldland

The Countdown to Halloween 2017 continues: Home to such questionable characters as the Hamburgler and Captain Crook and such don't-get-too-close landmarks as Triple Thick Shake Volcano and Filet-O-Fish Lake, McDonaldland is the natural habitat of some Halloween horrors—but in the gentle spirit of this fast-food fantasyland, it's all in silly fun. The McDonald's publication, McDonaldland Fun Times (A magazine Especially for Children) celebrated the spooky season in 1984, with Ronald, Birdie, one version or another of the Hamburger and the Goblins gathered around a glowing jack-o-lantern. A version of the magazine is still being published today. Below is the Halloween issue from 2016. It's a nice publication but wouldn't the times be even more fun if it included the original McDonaldland characters?

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Mouse

Here's a tricky treat I picked up at Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Park, which does tend to have some nightmarishly delightful Halloween merchandise. On one side of this Mickey Mouse door-hanger banner is Merry Halloween Mickey in jack-o-lantern orange wishing everyone "Happy Halloween". On the other side, the dark side, is a extra-spooky Personally, I display the orange side October 1-30th, and turn the banner over to its purple side on October 31st. Either side displayed at any time is a Halloween winner,of course, because you can't go wrong with Mickey.  Come on back to Tulgey Wood for more Countdown to Halloween 2017 fun all through October. 

Monster Cereals Make Their Weird And Welcome Return

Creepy and comical, sweet and spooky, the Monster Cereals have made their return for Halloween 2017. There's no classic "retro" art from the original cereal boxes as seen on the editions first released in the 1970s (Count Chocula and Frankenberry were both introduced in 1971 as General Mills's answer to Quaker Oats' Cap'n' Crunch and Quisp/Quake line) nor are Fruit Brute nor Yummy Mummy anywhere to be seen, but we'll take what we can get. The cereals were first spotted by Madd Matt at Dinosaur Dracula on August 5, 2017. Now that's getting a jump on Halloween! One of the most fun aspects of General Mills' 2017 campaign is the inclusion of the other Big G cereal mascots like Lucky the Leprechaun from Lucky Charms getting in the October spirit by dressing up in costumes for the Monster's Bash. Check out the delicious photos ( loaded with "sweeties") below; the first one in line is courtesy of Dinosaur Dracula, meaning that I stole it). They are all part of the Countdown to Halloween 2017 here at Tulgey Wood.

Donald S. Pumpkins

This spooky-season Tony Strobl cover for Disney's flagship comic-book title, Walt Disney's Comics and Stories (# 278, October 1958) utilizes a favorite Halloween theme in a unique way. And Donald's frequent comic-cover co-star, a certain trio of identical ducklings, are conspicuous by their absence. Pop by for more jack-o-lanterns and other October delights all this month in our Countdown to Halloween 2017. 

It's The Month For Monsters On TCM

Like last year, this October, Turner Classic Movies is screening monster movies all month. And like last year, TCM is showcasing a Monster of the Month instead of the network's usual Star of the Month. This year it's Dracula, and TCM will be showing almost every Dracula film made, from the imperishable Universal flicks to the later, slicker Hammer color flicks. Plus classic monsters of every stripe along the way. See the TCM website for details.  This announcement is part of Tulgey Wood's Countdown to Halloween 2017. Be sure and check out all the participating blogs--and come back here all through the spooky season.

Welcome To The Countdown To Halloween 2017

It's time to start the Countdown to Halloween 2017. To regular visitors—my, don't you have a cute/scary/beautiful costume this year. If you don't have a costume, you're still welcome to have a treat or two. To new visitors—Tulgey Wood is full of surprises, treats and even a few spooky tricks, so I hope you enjoy wandering through the mad happenings. To get the Countdown ticking, here's a rare seasonal cover of the Yosemite Sam comic book (aka Yosemite Sam and Bugs Bunny, aka Yosemite Sam (and Bugs Bunny), aka Is Yosemite Sam a Pirate or a Cowboy?) Issue #55, cover dated September 1978, portrays Bugs getting the upper hand over Sam through the use of a clever mask. (Ironic given that Sam always wears a mask.) The fact that Bugs may not get any candy in his trick-or-treat (or, as the bag actually reads, "Trick For Treat) sack indicates that, as per usual, he'd rather get Sam's goat than obtain the ostensible goal. Either that, or he will just take all the candy now that he has scared Sam away.  I hope this unexpected treat starts things off right in your goodie bag, and also inspires you to come back every day this month as Tulgey Wood marches in this Halloween parade of a blogathon for the sixth consecutive year.  Be sure and visit the other blogs participating in this Halloween blogathon. These "crypt keepers' are giving out the best candy this year so be sure and knock on their doors. (But be aware that some of these blogs focus on the more horrific side of this holiday, and may also include strong language and mature themes.)  Most of all, be sure and stop by throughout the month right through October 31st itself as we Countdown to Halloween 2017 here at Tulgey Wood. 

Epcot At 35

Tomorrow, October 1, starts the celebration of 35 Years of Epcot. D23 will have plenty of fun and informative looks inside the history of this unique Disney park, but to start things off here in Tulgey Wood, I present this wonderfully designed "teaser" bumper sticker. The 21st Century started on October 1, 1982, so stay tuned for more looks back to Epcot from the actual 21st century. 

Let Us Keep Holiday

In these earliest hours of Christmas Day, here's an artful cover from Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact (December 1966) celebrating this holiday where the "present" is indeed the presence of God. Merry Christmas, everyone.  

A Canine Campaign

Today is Election Day in the US, in a Presidential Election year. This of course brings to mind one of the most beloved "also rans" of all time—that ballot-baiting beagle, Snoopy. The Snoopy for President campaigns took various shapes, sizes and forms throughout the election years, but some of the most delightful artifacts from the nonpartisan puppy came via Interstate Brands. Bakers of bread under such brand names as Weber, Butternut and Millbrook—and most famously as the makers of Dolly Madison treats, major sponsor for many years of the Peanuts animated TV specials on CBS—this major Peanuts licensee provided some free campaign materials to Snoopy supporters everywhere.  

Bottom of The Goodie Bag 2016

Here it is All Saints Day and the spooky season is over for another year. But there are still lots of treats to be found in the goodie bag, so let's look at one more tasty item. Here's the fun deluxe comic book Giant Halloween Hex, published by IDW. This spooky read, starring Magica De Spell,  is overflowing with wicked comic goodness that won't even rot your teeth (or your brain)! And the Halloween fun is cubed because this trick-or-treat themed comic-book treat was issued with three covers. The mad magic of Magica brings our 2016 Countdown to Halloween to a close. I hope that veteran visitors and new guests alike enjoyed the Halloween treats that were tossed out between a partially open door—and I hope everyone will visit Tulgey Wood in the weeks to  come—especially for the annual Tulgey Wood Christmas Extravaganza!