I do not observe "halloween" . . . BUT-- (nostalgia)

Self | 10/30/'16 | Zionist Conspirator

[Zionist Conspirator]

. . . I can't help but enjoy the attention paid this time of year to classic monsters and grade-B sci-fi. I'm sure it has something to do with being a little kid during the monster craze of the early 60s which gave us "The Munsters" and "The Addams Family" and similar things.

Pop culture historians tell us that it all started when Universal began re-releasing their classic horror movies in the mid-50s and teenagers discovered them. I'm too young for that. But I remember monsters being everywhere in the early 60s even though I didn't really know what a "monster" was.

I had no idea at the time that monsters were characters from classic movies. All I knew is that they were "neat!" I didn't really understand why they were considered scary (I don't enjoy being scared and have still never been in a carnival spook house to this day). I just knew that they were fascinating to me . . . and apparently to lots of other kids my age as well.

One part of this craze was the black-and-white horror comics that were available on the magazine rack (by being sold on the magazine rack they avoided having to abide by the comics code that put the old horror comics out of business). I'm sure lots of you remember Warren Publishing's magazines: Creepy, Eerie, and Vampirella (I actually had a copy of the first two). Then there was the cheap knock-off Weird magazine, published by Eerie Publishing. How I coveted those magazines at the time! Apparently I wasn't even trusted with 35 cents of my own at that time.

The grand panjandrum of such magazines though was Forrest J. Ackerman's Famous Monsters of Filmland which, along with the others, was available at the magazine stand of just about every supermarket (now supermarkets don't even sell comic books). I managed to purchase two or three copies, but my favorite was the 1965 or 6 "year book" with the Phantom of the Opera on the cover. All through the issue were gorgeous and fascinating stills from classic monster pics. And never having actually seen a monster movie, I ate them up! I wasn't much into reading the text of the magazine at all; I just wanted to look at all those amazing monsters! Every obscure title seemed to promise something wonderful. But the only place to see old monster movies back then was on the local late night horror show (which I did watch a few times).

Several of the magazines had full page ads where classic monster movies were for sale . . . but these were genuine film reels, and required one to have a projector and screen in order to view them! This is a far cry from later days of VHS, DVD, and, now, online streaming.

The holy grail of that era was the 1966 "Monster Calendar" featuring pictures of classic monsters as drawn by Don Post. Alas, I never had a copy of this calendar, though I remember vividly coveting the one owned by one of my schoolmates.

Now I'm on the other side of fifty and I've actually seen most of the old classic monster movies. I still don't think they're very "scary" (I probably wouldn't watch them if they were). But now with so many old movies online for viewing at practically any time I enjoy looking back to the days when monsters were only available for the most part as still pictures in magazines. And unfortunately, childhood fascinations of all kinds seem to fade with age, monsters among them.

I just thought I'd share these thoughts and see if any other FReepers would like to do the same with their own childhood memories.

[Donglalinger]

"I believe that was on but I also remember Joe Flaherty as Count Floyd "

Monster Chiller Horror Theater

[ifinnegan]

Freepers who grew up in Northern California may remember Bob Wilkins and Creature Features.

[SoCal Pubbie]

I don’t know about Finland, but I can help you out with Denmark:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptilicus

[Hot Tabasco]

"halloween" is forbidden as chuqqat hagoyim)

While you've successfully impressed me with your international language skills, I have no f'n idea what that means...........

Looks like you won round one.........

[HartleyMBaldwin]

The only time I saw House of Wax was in 3-D, many years ago in college. It was great! Vincent Price was the best.

[HartleyMBaldwin]

Doctor Dog’s 3-D House of Stewardesses. A really scary movie, kids.

I miss SCTV.

[Wheelman81]

Yes! What a hoot. I haven’t thought about that program in (ahem) decades, but I watched it whenever my Mom wasn’t looking. Seriously y’all, if this kind of thing makes you nostalgic I suggest you get hold of a copy of Stephen King’s Danse Macabre. It’s a non-fiction look at 50’s-70’s horror in film and print. It’s a ton of fun, funny as hell, and a loving tribute that’s hard to beat. (My favorite line: “Sooner or later you have to take off the mask and go booga-booga!”)

[Donglalinger]

“Doctor Dog’s 3-D House of Stewardesses.”

Almost
Dr. Tongue’s 3D House Of Stewardesses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SJY6w0HD50

[Donglalinger]

“I haven’t thought about that program in (ahem) decades”

The music really brings back memories

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iM-jVQ_EnI

[HartleyMBaldwin]

You are, of course, correct. It was Dr. Dog’s 3-D House of Cats. I remembered about 10 seconds after hitting Post.

Might as well check into the home, if I can’t remember important stuff like that for even a few decades.

[Donglalinger]

“You are, of course, correct. It was Dr. Dog’s 3-D House of Cats.”

Nope sorry, it is always Dr. Tounge (John Candy)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMQ8qSEVFo0

[HartleyMBaldwin]

I’ll take your word for it. I must have misheard, back then. Always good to learn something, thanks.

[beelzepug]

In the 50s we had one theatre that showed double feature monster movies on Saturday afternoons. I became closely acquainted with every giant ant, spider, grasshopper, and green scaly thing as well as real monsters like Boris Karloff and Vincent Price. My two best friends and I were good at picking just the right scary moment to poke one or the other and make him jump. Mass quantities of Necco Wafers and Good 'n Plenties to ensure a belly ache. Fun times.

[Twinkie]

As a kid, I sort of liked Halloween, trick-or-treat and all
that. I usually dressed up in whatever I had. Mostly gypsy
outfits as it was stuff I had on hand. A false face, you
know, those old rubber faces that sweated you like a hog.
I mostly remember Halloween night still being hot weather,
with the outfit making it hotter. Hardely ever wore a coat.

Got lots of candy, apples, things like that. No worries
about some meanie putting some sharp razorblade in your
treats either.

We live in the sticks way back on the river where a misty
fog rolls in a lot. Spooky driveway, grown up with weeds
and tree stumps. Have never had a trick-or-treater in all
the 30 yrs. we’ve lived out here. We always buy candy;
just in case.

I don’t really like Halloween with all the scary stuff
& horror associated with it; but I don’t want to act like
an old grump. :o(

[Zionist Conspirator]

I don’t really like Halloween

Me neither. But the movie channels always show lots of great old monster and sci-fi movies, and it's a great time to reminisce about being a kid in the early 60s.