Did Pebbles Ever Go Trick-Or-Treating At The Gruesomes?

Coloring books, comic books, and storybooks—The Gruesomes made the scene in them all. Introduced in The Flintstones episode originally broadcast on November 12, 1964, Weirdly and Creepella and their son Goblin got more play in the printed-page tie-ins to the animated TV series than did some other characters from the show. (Think Baby Puss.) Just in time for our Countdown to Halloween 2018, here are those next-door ghouls in a Big Golden Book from 1965. 

Hue, Dew And Lou Too

Another day in our Countdown to Halloween 2018, another comic-book cover. This cover of Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #386 (November 1972) serving up a spooky prank to their uncle after having just sliced up a jack-o-lantern. A fearsomely fun cover for Halloween Time to be sure, but it's also a suitable way to slide Donald's nephews into view for the anniversary of the introduction of Huey, Dewey and Louie on this date, October 17, in 1937. (They made their debut not on the screen but in the Silly Symphony Sunday comic page.). To discover more about theses ducky triplets, click here to see 10 of Our Favorite Huey, Dewey and Louie Moments, an article written by me for D23.

Alienating Aliens Approaching, Will Robinson!

Season one of Netflix's new series Lost in Space is a hit and has been renewed for its second season. Perhaps its success will renew interest in the original classic, which aired on CBS from. The blast-off date for the Space Family Robinson in the 1960s TV series was October 16, 1997 (then in the future) in the first episode of the classic TV, broadcast on CBS on September 15, 1965. That means that today is Lost in Space Day—and to tie into our Countdown to Halloween 2018 here's a parade of horrific monsters as only the original Lost in Space series could present them.

    

Spookily Setting Up 50 Happy Years

Donald Duck tangles with Magica De Spell and her raven Poe in the cover illustrating "The Raven Raiders" in Donald Duck issue #153 (1973), cover art attributed to John Carey (Pencils) and Pete Alvarado (inks). A suitably spooky cover for our Countdown to Halloween 2018 thanks to the presence of the sinister sorceress and her creepy ravens, but it's more than that. Readers who look closely will observe the famed 50 Happy Years logo (in the lower right-hand corner of the cover) used to celebrate Disney's golden anniversary in 1973.  I have mentioned the 50 Happy Years campaign before as in here, here and here, but now I have written an article exploring some details of the year-long celebration for D23.com. Click here for Did You Know? Eight Golden Anniversary Facts About Disney's 50 Happy Years, written by me for D23. Enjoy discovering some little know elements of this 1973 mega-event—and be sure and come back to Tulgey Wood for more Halloween fun throughout October. 

Bedknobs, Broomsticks, Halloween Time—Their Lots Have Got To Combine

Tonight, October 15th, 2018, Turner Classic Movies is showcasing Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) as part of its Treasures From the Disney Vault series. Among its many cinematic delights are the songs composed by those Disney greats, Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. At the time of the film's release the Disney record division created a mobile that record shops could fly high to alert record purchasers of the Sherman songs on Disney's two labels, Disneyland and Vista, the latter being the prestige label which released the film's original soundtrack album. To discover more of the magic behind this enchanting musical fantasy, please see the article I wrote for D23.com, A Witch's Brew of a perfect Movie: 13 Bewitching Facts About Bedknobs and Broomsticks.  And be sure and check out all the haunted houses giving out the best candy this spooky season at Countdown to Halloween 2018. There are over 100 blogs participating in this trick-or-treat time blogathon so be sure and drop by each one. 

Toss Your Scooby Snacks Into These Halloween Treat Pails From McDonald’s (From 2012)

Our Countdown to Halloween for 2018 continues. In a long tradition that is occasionally revived (not this year, however), McDonald's has offered Happy Meal packages in the shape of specially decorated treat pails for Halloween. One of the best and most appropriate is from 2012, when the Halloween pails were themed to Scooby-Doo and his monster-seeking, mystery-solving pals.

Twist Away, Bat-tusi—It's Monsters A-Go-Go

As this cover for Batman '66 #23 (July 2015) proves, Batman faced off with some fearsome creatures aside from the likes of the Joker and the Penguin. The Halloween-esque cover, featuring Solomon Grundy and Clayface from the two ten=page interior stories, is by Michael Allred. This comic which strives to remind us of the colorful antics and crazed action of the classic 1966 TV series is the very thing to make us feel all spooky as we Countdown to Halloween for 2018. 

Universal Monsters Invade Homes

In the days before home video of any kind and certainly before streaming, the classic Universal Monster films could be viewed at home. Well, portions of them could at least, for through the famed purveyor of 8mm and Super 8mm and Universal-owned Castle Films, classics such as Frankenstein and Dracula could be viewed (in edited-down versions of approximately 9 minutes) in the comfort (quickly replaced with creepiness) of the viewers' own homes, via a projector and screen. Enjoy the specially prepared Castle Films cover art from across the years. And if you are on Facebook, please join the Castle Films Facebook page from which I borrowed (stole, in other words) this art arrangement. 

Archie Does Halloween, 2018 Edition

In the great Archie Comics tradition, this newly issued digest full of Halloween-esque clowning around is now on sale. Boasting an awesome costumed cover drawn by Archie great Dan Parent (with Rich Koslowski and Rosario “Tito” Peña) the Archie Halloween Spectacular also includes a new story written by Dan Parent (so you know it's good) and drawn by Bob Golliher (pencils) and Bob Smith (inks),  as well as a variety of vintage tales. It's beyond fun that Archie in the classic style is still being printed so seek this out in stores, shops or online as we Countdown to Halloween 2018. 

A Disney Halloween Treat

As we creep closer to October 31st, let's take another look at another Halloween favorite. Walt Disney's classic Trick or Treat has been a top Donald Duck pick ever since its release on this date, October 10, in 1952. As noted in the article I wrote for Disney's D23 website, this animated gem generated a fair amount of tie-ins, including the pictured Trick or Treat record. Recorded for RCA Victor's Little Nipper label, this tricky-and-treaty record is the whole package. it includes coloring pages and punch-out puppets. The recording itself was adapted by Disney story artist Ralph Wright and narrated by June Foray as Witch Hazel, both of whom worked on the original animated short. After you enjoy the stylishly spooky record-cover art (and for those wondering why Witch Hazel isn't featured—look closer), sure and read 8 Frightfully Fascinating Facts About Trick or Treat, written by Jim Fanning, by clicking on this link to D23.com.  It's all part of our 2018 Countdown to Halloween.