Before there were 2,500 channels and nothing on, we thrilled to late night hosts of horror movies on television. A quick overview, as suggested by Nathan on the Halloween Haunt Facebook page. Also at Twitter @HalloweenHaunt and HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

Wikipedia has a lot of information on horror hosts, including Vampira and Elvira, and all of the others mentioned on the episode.

Music:

“Alien Seduction” by Liquid Loops (from GarageBand.com)

REMIXED: Presented in its entirety, this is the longest episode so far from the Halloween Haunt. Thank you for pushing me to do it, Natalie. Let us know what you think on Facebook, Twitter @HalloweenHaunt and HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

For your own reading, you can turn to The Poe Museum, which is in Richmond, VA.

Mr. Poe was finally given a proper funeral, 16o years after his death. I meant to do an episode on it. I may, still, next year.

Music includes:

“Remains from the Past” by Grigor Iliev (from Soundclick.com)

“Prayers for the Dying” by Chamber of Sorrows (from Soundclick.com)

“Gagool” by Kevin Macleod (incompetech.com)

“Depression” by Twilight Productions

In 2009, Freddy Krueger’s first film turns 25 years old, so we look at ol’ claw hands. Christine from Denmark, thank you for bringing this to my attention at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com. You can also find us on Twitter @HalloweenHaunt and on Facebook.

Wikipedia has lots on the film and Mr. Krueger.

Music:

“65. Dark Nation” by Too Far (from Soundclick.com)

We have looked at Halloween candy before, now we look at some other sweet food popular at Halloween.I think there is more ghoulish gastronomy to cover. What do you think? Let us know at Twitter @HalloweenHaunt or our Facebook page or the grandaddy, HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

If you need to know more about Count Chocula, I understand. So does Wikipedia.

If you would like to sample Haunted Hot Sauce’s line of zombie themed products, tell ‘em the Halloween Haunter sent you. You won’t get anything extra, and neither will I, but they’ll enjoy hearing it.

Learn about Jones Soda from Wikipedia, or the horse’s mouth, as it were.

Do you enjoy Krispy Kreme?

Music:

“The Burning Moon” by Derek K. Miller and Simon James (from the Penmachine Sessions)

There were so many great women Gothic writers, that it is about time that we present a piece from one: Mary Darby Robinson. This one will work in summer, too, when you need a little dreariness. Please share your favorite poems and stories at our Facebook page or Twitter @HalloweenHaunt and of course, HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

The University of Pennsylvania provided the text and has a nice biography of Ms. Robinson.

Music:

Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” by classicala (from Soundclick.com)

Perhaps the most famous ghost ship in the world, the Flying Dutchman has been sailing the seas for hundreds of years, with no end in sight. Thank you, Skyler, for suggesting this at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com. Sail there or to our Facebook page or Twitter @HalloweenHaunt.

Find out more about the Flying Dutchman at Wikipedia.com.

Music:

“Rebel” by Twilight Productions (from Soundclick.com)

What are ghosts? What are they made of? We explore these questions and more. Tell us what you think at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com, also at Twitter @HalloweenHaunt and Facebook.

About.com has quite the paranormal section where they discuss ghosts.

Studiesoftheparanormal.com has studied what ghosts are made of.

Music:

“Land of the Dead” by Kevin Macleod (incompetech.com)

Mister Beddoes was not known for his jocularity, but he seemed to be in a good mood when he wrote these lines for his play-in-verse, Death’s Jest-Book. More can be found at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com. Please join us on Facebook and Twitter @HalloweenHaunt.

Read the snippet from Beddoes’s unofficial “fan club,” PhantomWooer.org.

Read Death’s Jest-Book in its entirety.

Music:

“Nocturne” by Ekho (from GarageBand.com)

“Classic Horror 2″ by Kevin Macleod (incompetech.com)

We are crunching the numbers, and there are many interesting things the U.S. Census Bureau knows, and now you will, too.  Please join us on Facebook, Twitter @HalloweenHaunt, and HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

Music:

“Gagool” by by Kevin McLeod (from Incompetech.com)

Victorian London is the scene of one of the most horrific tales of the nineteenth century, one which explores the dual nature of man. By suggestion from wolfemann, we go back to the beginning and trace the history of the two fellows. Tell me your two sides on Twitter @HalloweenHaunt, on Facebook, and HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

More on the book and history of Jekyll/Hyde on Wikipedia.com.

An intellectual essay by Vladimir Nabokov.

Read the whole book.

Music:

“Awkward Meeting” and “Interloper” by Kevin McLeod are available at Incompetech.com.

A bit of “Psy Dreaming” by Combat Caveman (from GarageBand.com)

“The Mad Scientist” by David Chochoi (from Soundclick.com)

If you had more money than you ever dreamed of, would you build a house for nearly 40 years? You might, if you thought spirits had cursed your family and you were next. Find out about the strangest house in the land, in the Halloween Haunt. If you know of stranger, tell us at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com. You can also find us on Twitter @HalloweenHaunt and on Facebook.

For more on the Winchester House, go to Wikipedia.

Or, you could go to the Winchester House and see for yourself in real life. They have special flashlight tours, including at this time of year.

Music:

“Prayers for the Dying” by Chamber of Sorrows

The excitement is building for our favorite time of year…and the Halloween Haunt is back with more fascinating and disturbing FunSize tidbits of history, information, stories and poems, much of it by request this year…. If you have a suggestion, you can find me on Twitter @HalloweenHaunt, on Facebook, and of course, HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com, where you will find all of the programs….

In this special extra-sized edition, we go back 70 years to a simpler, scarier time when people believed it just might be possible aliens from Mars would attack us.  It created quite a stir.  What Halloween hoaxes do you want us to look at?  Let us know at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

Also, don’t forget to listen to the episode on Ghosts….

War-of-the-Worlds.org has everything on all forms of WotW.

Wikipedia has a lot of information for you to examine.

RelicRadio.org presents one of our favorite podcasts, The Horror!, which presented the entire program, plus a radio conversation between H.G. Wells and Orson Welles.

Music:

“Twilight Realm” by Twilight Productions (from Soundclick.com)

Ghosts and spirits walk the Earth.  Many believe it.  Where do these beliefs come from?  We explore that question in this first section on ghosts. It is a big subject. Tell us about the spirits in your life, and tell us what you want us to focus on in the future, at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

Wikipedia has an extensive article on ghosts.

Teachers like ghosts, too.

Shakespeare had lots of ghosts running around.

Music:

“Tombstone” by Twilight Productions (from Soundclick.com)

We return to Mr. Beddoes, again for a sort of love poem.  If you have any poems or stories you would like to share, or if you would like to read a version of the poem yourself (different books changed a word or two, believe it or not), do it at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

Music includes:

“Ghosts LoveTheme” by Darius Holbert (from GarageBand.com)

Thirty years ago, we learned of the poor child grown into a terror named Michael Myers.  In this edition we learn a bit more, perhaps.  Find more information at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

Did you know that Michael Myers has an official website?

Did you know there are “Halloween” comic books?

Did you know that Wikipedia has a lot of information on “Halloween?” Yes, of course you did….

Just in time for 2008, we present the top costumes in the United States for 2007.  What costume are you wearing? Let us know, and find much more about Halloween and the origins of Halloween costumes at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

Also, Top 25 costume lists from Snopes.com.

We enjoy a tale from great American writer and all-around great guy Ambrose Bierce, the first such tale from him in the Haunt.  Hopefully it won’t be the last. What stories would you like to hear?  Let us know at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

You can read the tale online yourself.

Learn all about Ambrose Bierce and find more works, too, at Biercephile.com.

More biography is available….

Music:

“Classic Horror 1” by Kevin Macleod (incompetech.com)

“Confused State” by Kevin Macleod (incompetech.com)

What exactly are zombies? Undead shambling freaks? Reanimated corpses? Or something else? Let us know your favorite kind of zombie at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com, where you’ll find much more information.

Wikipedia.com has good articles on zombies and voodoo.

For a philosophical view of zombies check the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

A review of Wade Davis’s book about zombies, PASSAGE OF DARKNESS: THE ETHNOBIOLOGY OF THE HAITIAN ZOMBIE. No, it’s a real book. And a real review.

Make sure you’re up-to-date on your zombie survival.

Facebook has a zombie application. (By the way, join the Halloween Haunt group and become a fan on Facebook, too.

The How Stuff Works website actually tells you how zombies work.

Look out for the FVZA…the Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency.

Marvel Comics have some very popular zombies.

The origin of DC Comics’ own zombie, Solomon Grundy.

You can read the first issue of The Walking Dead online for free.

Music:

“Rebel” by Twilight Productions (from Soundclick.com)

Travel back in time to the American Revolutionary War and relive the Halloween sinking of a British warship.  The tale is not pleasant, but is that really what we are looking for?  Tell me your interest in ghost ships at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

Also:

You can see what the HMS Ontario looked like.

The HMS Ontario made the news.

A video is also available to see.  Very spooky.

Music:

“Escape the Asylum” by Austin Martini (from Garageband.com)

Thomas Lovell Beddoes had an outlook on life perfect for Halloween.  He was obsessed with death.  Enjoy a bit of culture in the Halloween Haunt, and let us know what poem or story you would like to hear at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

Read the poem yourself and learn more about Mr. Beddoes at PhantomWooer.org.

The music:

“Remains of the Past” by Grigor Iliev

“Tempest (de havilland vampire)” by the Brothers Femme

They are crunchy and many are a delightful blood red color. And they’re the source of endless Halloween fun. Learn where the game bobbing for apples came from and other games you can play with the delicious fruit. Have an apple story? Tell us at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

Links:

Learn more details about bobbing for apples.

Lots of history is available.

Some music:

The Burning Moon by Derek K. Miller and Simon James

The Ouija board is a fun game to play, but can you really summon the passed-on with a toy? Find out how old Ouija is, and where it came from. Following up on the classic Ouija Board Story. Tell us your favorite Ouija story at HallowenHaunt.wordpress.com.

If you want to learn more about Ouija:

Wikipedia.org has a pretty good summary.

The Museum of Talking Boards also tells you much about your favorite connection with the dead.

If you’re interested in purchasing a Ouija, or one of many other “talking boards” available, click here.

Music:

“Gargoyle” by Sean Timms (from GarageBand.com)

You can almost feel it, right?  The autumnal nip in the air signalling the chilling return of the Halloween Haunt.  More poems, history and fascinating Halloweeny information is coming soon.  If you have any ideas or requests, please let me know at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

Here is another poem that feels right this time of year, by the inimitable Edgar Allen Poe.  It was published in 1827.  Please let us know what poems and stories you would like to hear at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

Read it for yourself here.

Not all of Halloween’s focus is spooky. If you don’t celebrate it, the Day of the Dead may seem macabre, but it’s actually a joyous celebration. As much as I like macabre, you’d think I’d be disgusted, but I’m actually charmed by it. HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com for shownotes, and you can tell us there how you celebrate the Day of the Dead.

What do Mexicans celebrate on the “Day of the Dead?” This question is answered by Ricardo J. Salvador (courtesy Iowa State University)

Wikipedia has an entry about the Day of the Dead, as well. This covers many countries.

Music:

“Death by Guillotine” by DJ Daddio

The moon is making me feel romantic, so I present a poem by Thomas Lovell Beddoes entitled, “The Phantom-Wooer.” Full shownotes at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com, and please let us know if this made you feel romantic.

To find out more about the sad life of Mr. Beddoes, please check the Literary Gothic.

I found this poem in this book.

Music:

“Gargoyle” by Sean Timms (from GarageBand.com)

“Tempest” by the Brothers Femme

By request, we look at the story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman in Sleepy Hollow, as told by Washington Irving. Thank you, Janelly, for the excellent suggestion. Full shownotes at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com. Go there and tell us a story which makes you lose your head.
Read “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving yourself, if you’d like.

Read Washington Irving’s reflections on Sleepy Hollow, written years after the story.

More about Sleepy Hollow:

You can look at their local website, the Chamber of Commerce website, or the site for Sleepy Hollow’s Old Dutch Burying Ground.

Wikipedia’s entries on “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and Ichabod Crane.

Find out about Marvel Comics’ Headless Horseman.

Music:

“Angel of Death” by VTZ/Twilight Productions (from Soundclick.com)

Halloween is a special time, which is why there are so many specials and special episodes on television. Travel with us through the tube of terror, and let us know your favorite Halloween TV at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com, where you will also find shownotes.

Music:

“Gronk Patrol” by Derek K. Miller (He has a podcast, too)

Fun party game, or gateway to the other side? Ouija boards are a staple of Halloween. We have a true Ouija story for you in this extra-sized episode. Warning: May be too intense for the little ones. Tell us your Ouija story at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

Read the story yourself:

The Letter D: D’s True Halloween Story (Warning: this blog is not family friendly)

Some of the music:

“Ghost Story” by Hiroshi (from SoundClick.com)

“A Ghost in Love” by David Chochoi (from SoundClick.com)

This time we get away from the ugliness of the general population towards suspected witches and look at real ones and witches from folklore and other fiction. Some of these do have pointy hats and green skin. Shownotes at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com, where we also would like to find out who your favorite witch is.

For more information:

Wikipedia is a good place to start learning about wicca, and the modern-day witches.

For more on the history of witches in folklore and real life, and go in-depth, check the witches page of NewOrleansGhosts.com

Music:

“When All Falls Apart” by Twilight Productions

He is not just a bunch of body parts. He is the original science fiction/horror creation. We delve deep into the history of the Frankenstein monster and his creator, Mary Shelley. Assemble your thoughts and put them on HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com, where you’ll also find full shownotes.

For more on Frankenstein visit:

The National Library of Medicine, part of the National Institute of Health (really!)

Wikipedia’s entry about Frankenstein and his monster

A Wikipedia article on the monster’s place in popular culture

You might be interested in a book that goes more deeply into the monster’s place in popular culture. It’s by Susan Tyler Hitchcock, and it’s called Frankenstein: A Cultural History. Here is an interesting review from The Washington Post.

Music:

Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata by Classicala

Some feel the poem by Mr. Poe speaks to the universal situation of man. We feel it’s another frightening glimpse into a deep, dark mind that only Edgar Allen Poe could really understand. But it’s fun to try. The poem was first published in 1845. We would love for you to worm your way over to HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com, and let us know what you think.

Background music:

“Remains of the Past” by Gregor Iliev (just a little piece–it’s worth listening to the whole piece. You may yet hear the whole thing in the Halloween Haunt)

“Ghost That Still Haunts Me” Demo by Chamber of Sorrows (from the CD Dies Arae)

Yummy, yummy in my tummy. What are the most popular Halloween treats? Let’s take a big bite into your favorites and find out all about them. Let us know your favorite Halloween treats at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com. Full shownotes there, too.

Take a bigger bite:

If you’re the helpful type, click here for details about how you can help UNICEF.

More on the number 5 treat.

Bet you didn’t know all of this about the number 4 delicacy.

Number 3 is many people’s favorite. But it’s still number 3.

Number 2 makes me laugh. Oops, no hints.

You can eat heaps of the treat at the top of the heap. But brush your teeth….

Background music:

“If You Only Knew Part I” by Twilight Productions (from Soundclick.com)

A green face, a pointy hat, warts, that is how we used to see witches. I thought it was a cute look. But their history is much more complicated than that, and we only focus on Europe and America. Full shownotes at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

Music:

Nocturne by Ekho (from GarageBand.com)

To delve further:

A history of witchcraft, with links to some current wiccan philosophy, from the point of view of a witch.

Wikipedia focuses on the history of the (real) witch hunt.

Wikipedia examines the Salem witch trials.

If you’re thinking about visiting Salem, you might like this article.

Even with lingering heat waves, there is a slight chill in the air. Can you feel it? And with the chill, return to the Halloween Haunt, where more fearsome history, stories and poems await. New family friendly but completely eerie episodes coming soon, to HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

Nice doggy. The story of werewolves is actually many stories, from all over Europe. Were they ever real? We can only–scratch–the surface in this installment. Howl at us at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

More poetry, this time from the dark and twisted mind of Thomas Lovell Beddoes, a favorite gothic poet. It makes us feel simply horrible. Please tell us how this poem affects you at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

Contrary to what many people think, Dracula is a fictional character. He was created more recently than you might think. Learn all about the King of the Vampires in this latest installment, then let us know what you think at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

We have had bloodsuckers at least as long as we have told stories. Except that many people believe they were more than the subject of stories. Real or not, vampires continue to capture our imagination. Find out more about them, then let us know your own vampire story at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com

We descend again into the deeply dark mind of Edgar Allen Poe, as he describes “The Haunted Palace” as only he can. Poe’s mind is a twisted place no one should have to go…but we love to dally there voluntarily. Please illuminate your dark mind at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.

As promised, a creepy, spooky poem from the disturbed mind of Edgar Allen Poe, author of the classic poem, “The Raven.” Please let us know what you think at halloweenhaunt.wordpress.com.

Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere! We carve them at Halloween, eat them at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and forget about them the rest of the year. That’s not fair. There’s so much to love….

Scary faces are popping up on porches everywhere! Why do we carve scary faces into vegetables? And why do we call them “Jack?”

For as long as most of us have been alive, kids all across America have dressed up in costumes, creepy and cute, for Halloween. Where did this tradition come from?

Why do kids around America, and in some other places in the world now, go around neighborhoods threatening a trick if they don’t get a treat? The answer lies within…the Halloween Haunt.

Why do we celebrate such a creepy holiday as Halloween? Why at the end of October? These and other fascinating questions will be answered….

The spookiest holiday of the year is on its way, and the new podcast, Halloween Haunt, is here! Learn where our Halloween traditions come from, the history of the holiday, and spooky poems and stories, all in bite-sized pieces–just like Halloween candy. Family friendly and appropriately creepy, it’s only on halloweenhaunt.wordpress.com.