Trick-Or-Treating At Grandma Duck's

From Halloween 1991 comes Autumn Adventures with a richly detailed cover drawn by Rick Hoover. The Disney characters are costumed and are happily Halloweening at Grandma Duck's farm, even if they are getting there by hook, crook or broomstick. Even the Gummi Bears are on hand, enjoying themselves on a hayride. Eye candy for our Countdown to Halloween 2021. 

The Phantom Blot Strikes (And Is Struck) Again

Introduced in the famed Mickey Mouse comic strip by Floyd Gottfredson, the Phantom Blot is literally a shadowy character, but that shady status works against him when he shadows Chief O'Hara in this one-page gag drawn by Paul Murry. This shrouded night-stalker is a perfect addition to our Countdown to Halloween 2021. This one-pager is from The Phantom Blot #4. Read more about it here. Also, pictured here: Artist and Disney historian Dean Brinkerhoff's excellent drawing of the Blot, created for his Inktober art project. Please check out Dean's Instagram account to see his Inktober art. 

50th Anniversary: Bedknobs and Broomsticks

October 7, 1971, saw the premiere of Bedknobs and Broomsticks. This poster-like ad from the back cover of Disney News announces the arrival of this witchy, wondrous musical fantasy. Countdown to Halloween 2021 can't go on without a celebration of this favorite on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of its premiere. Isn't Halloweentime the perfect time to celebrate 50 years of spellbinding special effects, Sherman songs, and the scintillating Angela Lansbury. If you haven't already seen it, click here for the article I wrote for D23 about this witch-crafty classic. And check out my YouTube video about the Sherman Brothers music and more. 

Dr. Strange? I thought He Was Dr. Horrible

This may be the Countdown to Halloween 2021 but for today, 1et's go back thirty years to October 1991 for a classic issue of Disney Adventures. Neil Patrick Harris is the cover boy...  and don't we love that cover with the great cartoon monster. The then-teen actor's status as a magician and Disney fan makes him the perfect subject for an article...and his battling of that awesome cartoon monster makes this fun article perfect for Halloween, no matter what year it is.   

A Printed Page Portrait Of The Haunted Mansion

Even as we celebrate the 50th of Walt Disney World, we can't forget Disneyland—and since it's the Countdown to Halloween 2021, we turn our eyes to the original Haunted Mansion. And what better way to gaze upon its eerie edifice than with this stylish cover of Disney News from 1969, published just as this long-awaited attraction was opening (or had just opened) on August 9, 1969. I love the way the cover showcases the merrily macabre manse with its rich fuchsia border that enticingly frames the classic building, offsetting it so it's displayed in a truly distinctive and sophisticated way, at once distant and beckoning, truly showcasing the beauty of the elegant manor. And the photograph itself is truly evocative, using lighting and darkness and a misty diffusion to make the Haunted Mansion look like the spooky symbol of Halloween that it is. 

Tom About To Scare Jerry And Tuffy (But Will Eat Crow After That)

Even though this is more of an autumn cover than specifically Halloween art, it still illustrates that the classic cartoon characters sure no how to celebrate our favorite holidays. This cover is from Tom and Jerry Comics #88 (November 1951), and though Tom is rarely shown as having the upper hand over Jerry and Tuffy, here he is clearly in the power position. Check back for more Countdown to Halloween 2021 fun all through October. 

When Hinges Creak In Doorless Chambers...That Is The Time To Play The Haunted Mansion Game

More Halloween fun, Walt Disney World-style for the 50th anniversary of Disney's second theme park. So here's a spooky peek at the tie-in game released in 1975 and based on the new Magic Kingdom's version of the Haunted Mansion. Or is it? Somehow the painting created to adorn the cover  of impressively creative three-dimensional game represent the original iteration of the macabre manse at Disneyland instead of the distinctively different version at the Magic Kingdom in Florida, despite being prominently branded with the singular Walt Disney World logo.  Anyhow, we can enjoy the fantastic (however inaccurate) art on the cover as we continue to shudder our through the Countdown to Halloween 2021. 

Spooky Snoopy

No surprise that the Peanuts comic strip included Halloween as that holiday is such a part of the childhood scene, but decades after the all-tome classic strip debuted on October 2, 1950, Schulz's characters and themes had become part of the celebration itself—an intertwining of the strip and the spooky season that continues to grow each year. Much Halloween merchandise has been created over the year's, especially by longtime licensee Hallmark, such as this Snoopy trick-or-treat wall decoration. Happy anniversary to Peanuts, and long may the association of this October-born comic with Halloween happily and frightfully flourish. Come back tomorrow for more October oddities and curiosities as we continue our Countdown to Halloween 2021. 

Welcome to the Countdown to Halloween 2021

Welcome, foolish mortals, to the 2021 Countdown...31 days of macabre merriment that will lead us straight to the spookiest day of the year! Since our first day is the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, let's start with a look back to 1971. This spectacular spread shows off the brand new Magic Kingdom in from one of the very first publications focused on Disney in Florida. The Story of Walt Disney World: Commemorative Edition was originally issued in the resort’s opening year, offering a rare, behind-the-scenes look at this new "world" named in honor of Walt Disney. What does this have to do with Halloween? Look closely (click on the link for a beautiful larger view) and you will spot a beauty shot of the Florida resort's distinctive Haunted Mansion, designed to fit in with its Liberty Square home. Come on back tomorrow (and all through October) for more Halloween fun. And don't forget to visit all the blogs ready to spook you during this month-long scary-bration. 

The Eerie Party Starts Tomorrow!

Bugs, Petunia and Porky are having a Fall-themed party with the traditional autumn activity of bobbing for apples (and carrots)...and why not? it's October Eve, and that means tomorrow is October 1, time here in Tulgey Wood for Countdown to Halloween 2021! This cover for the October 1956 (No. 180) issue of the Looney Tunes comic book (art by the great Ralph Heimdahl) reminds us that starting tomorrow, it's time for tricks and treats. To regular visitors, welcome back and I hope you savor the sweets I toss into your trick-or-treat bag or plastic hollowed out pumpkin. To new visitors, a special welcome—Tulgey Wood is full of fun treats and even a few ghastly tricks, so I hope you enjoy your Halloween-time walk through the darkened streets of Tulgey madness. Be sure and visit the other blogs participating "crypt keepers" focus on the more horrific side of Halloween, including strong language and mature themes.) Most of all, be sure and ring the doorbell throughout this macabre month right through October 31st as we Countdown to Halloween 2021 here in Tulgey Wood.