Not into gore and gloom? Here’s a guide to lighter Halloween viewing

As a child of the ’80s and ’90s, I was fortunate enough to grow up with a treasure trove of classic cartoons that left an indelible mark on my imagination. The golden age of Disney, Looney Tunes, and Fleischer Studios’ creations were not just animated entertainment, but a window into a world where the surreal and supernatural coexisted with the mundane.

In contrast to the tough, gruff, seemingly uncaring image one might conjure when thinking about a TV critic, I’ve always been more of a tender-hearted, soft-spoken individual who prefers a gentle, well-lit environment.

I have ambivalent feelings about Halloween. I’m perfectly okay with its cheerful aspects such as candy, pumpkins, adorable costumes on kids, “It’s Halloween” by the Shaggs, and so forth. However, I could do without haunted houses, horror movies like “It” or “Scream,” teenagers misbehaving under the guise of the holiday to cause mischief in the neighborhood, and even “The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror” can be quite unsettling for me.

This personal guide to Halloween viewing that you’ll encounter includes elements specific to the day, relevant to the season, featuring characters from the paranormal world, and spoofing classic monster movies. It’s light on graphic violence (the kind displayed externally) but heavy on humor and cartoons. There’s already enough genuine horror in reality.

Above all, Halloween serves as a chance for me to enthusiastically recommend the 2014 web comedy “Ghost Ghirls“, now thriving on Vimeo. Co-created by Amanda Lund and Maria Blasucci, it consists of a series of twelve 10-minute episodes that, remarkably, possess the depth of a traditional sitcom. The characters, self-centered and immature ghost hunters, traverse various settings (a baseball field, a tax office, a middle school, a brothel, a recording studio) to assist troubled spirits in finding peace; an impressive ensemble cast features Jason Ritter, Jake Johnson, Natasha Leggero, Kumail Nanjiani, Colin Hanks, Larisa Oleynik, Paul F. Tompkins, Jason Schwartzman, Brett Gelman, Kate Micucci, Molly Shannon and a dead ’70s Southern-rock band fighting to complete their last song, with Jack Black, Val Kilmer, and Dave Grohl in the roles.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d like to share my thoughts on the 2014 Tyler Labine comedy “Deadbeat” (available on Tubi). This show, similar to “Reaper” (streamable on CWTV.com), where Brett Harrison plays a lazy fellow, has an interesting twist. After his parents inadvertently sold his soul to the devil, played by Ray Wise, he transforms into a sort of supernatural bounty hunter, tracking down and returning the lost souls back to their rightful place. Both shows are hilarious, endearing, and definitely deserve your viewing time.

Filmed in suburban New Jersey, “The Adventures of Pete and Pete,” originally aired on Nickelodeon, was not just the most tastefully designed kids’ show of the 1990s but a series that makes a compelling case for television’s importance. However, you’ll have to venture into the depths of YouTube to find it. In the holiday episode “Halloweenie,” younger Pete (Danny Tamberelli) aims to break a 31-year-old record by trick-or-treating at 374 houses in one Halloween night, with reluctant older brother Big Pete (Michael C. Maronna) tagging along. They also manage to evade the mischievous Pumpkin Eaters. Assisting them is neighbor Nona (Michelle Trachtenberg, later known for her role as Dawn Summers on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”). Notably, Iggy Pop, who portrayed her father in casual attire, would later reform the Stooges.

Regarding the show “Buffy“, despite its supernatural elements like vampires, demons, and heartbreaking character deaths, it essentially functions as a comedy and serves as an allegory for the everyday terrors of high school life. The series, first airing in 1997 and revolutionizing teenage television narratives, is particularly notable for its Halloween episodes, starting with Season 2’s beloved “Halloween” episode (available on Hulu, Disney+, Tubi). This episode features the townsfolk transforming into their costumed characters. A similar concept was used in the third-season Halloween episode of “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide“, the best Nickelodeon kids show of the 2000s, now streaming on Paramount+. The influence of “Buffy” can be clearly observed in contemporary series such as “School Spirits” (Paramount+), where a murdered teenager trapped in her high school among numerous ghost students seeks to identify her killer. Additionally, the Netflix series “Dead Boy Detectives“, focusing on two teenage ghosts assisting other spirits to resolve their unfinished business, echoes similar themes. (Referring to “Ghost Ghirls” above.)

Among network sitcoms, none have nailed the Halloween spirit quite like “The Addams Family.” They’re an unusually cheerful, accommodating family who always seem to welcome those from the ordinary world into their peculiar home. In the aptly named “Halloween with the Addams Family” (Freevee, YouTube), originally aired in 1964, a pair of bank robbers, portrayed by Don Rickles and Skip Homeier, find themselves as adult trick-or-treaters, experiencing Halloween in ways they could never anticipate.

The sitcom, more than the Charles Addams cartoons that inspired it, provides the architecture upon which are built all subsequent Addams revivals and reimaginings, including, of course, “Wednesday,” the ongoing Netflix series that made an instant star of Jenna Ortega. While I absolutely recommend it, my heart lies with “Adult Wednesday Addams,” Melissa Hunter’s witty 2015 web series about the Addams daughter as a young woman making her way in the world — finding roommates, learning to drive, internet dating. You can find it on YouTube and at Hunter’s own website.

As a child, an episode from the sitcom “The Dick Van Dyke Show” that scared me, and continues to do so even now due to its comedic nature, was titled “It May Look Like a Walnut.” This episode isn’t a Halloween special, but it has elements reminiscent of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” In this 1963 storyline (available for streaming on Peacock, Prime, Filmrise and other platforms), Van Dyke’s character Rob Petrie finds himself in a sci-fi situation involving walnut-loving aliens. These aliens, resembling Danny Thomas, are taking over humans, stealing their thumbs and humor. One of the most chilling scenes is when Mary Tyler Moore emerges from the living room closet in a shower of nuts, which has become one of the series’ most replayed moments, adding to my nightmares.

Given my predilections, it’s not surprising that there are a lot of cartoons on this list.

“‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ on Apple TV+ is a must-watch Peanuts special, ranking second only to ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas.’ This classic captures the essence of autumn beautifully, with its enchanting animation by Bill Melendez and the timeless music of Vince Guaraldi. It pushes Schulz’s art into uncharted territory without losing its authenticity. Notably, Cathy Steinberg reprises her role as Sally Brown, a character who adds an unexpected depth to the series, proving she’s not just Snoopy’s shining star. The storyline revolving around Linus’ faith in the Great Pumpkin provides some relief for poor Charlie Brown, who continues to be the butt of jokes from his friends, neighbors, and fate. Yet, this is quintessential ‘Peanuts,’ a blend of depth, trouble, and relatability that makes it timeless.”

2013’s “Toy Story of Terror,” produced by the collaboration of Disney, Pixar, and ABC, provides an enjoyable twist on horror genre conventions – think stormy night, roadside motel, characters venturing off without caution. Throughout, plush hedgehog Pricklepants (voiced by Timothy Dalton) offers continuous commentary, making it a “Scream” devoid of actual killings, but brimming with its own suspenseful atmosphere. The star-studded cast on the big screen (Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, Kristen Schaal) are joined by Kate McKinnon, Ken Marino, and Carl Weathers, with Stephen Tobolowsky playing the antagonist, a desk clerk, similar to Norman Bates. Additionally, in homage to Jamie Lee Curtis, cowgirl Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack) takes charge of this adventure.

For 2021, we have an exciting new offering called “SpongeBob SquarePants: Kreepaway Kamp” on Paramount+. This time, nearly everyone from Bikini Bottom is invited to a reunion at Kamp Koral, but there’s a mysterious figure causing trouble and making the campers vanish one by one. Despite this ominous setup, it’s brought to life brilliantly with its cast of cartoon sea creatures (and even a squirrel). Going back to 2019, we have “The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants: Hack-a-ween” on Netflix. This delightful blend of animation, puppetry, and photography follows George and Harold, the mischievous elementary school pranksters, as they battle against those trying to cancel Halloween. With their personal superhero, a hypnotized version of their principal, they’re ready for action!

Some classic Halloween shorts can be found on Disney+ at most any season, and are worth your attention by virtue of being drawn and animated by hand — still the best way to make cartoons. In “Lonesome Ghosts” (first released on Christmas Eve 1937, of all days), Mickey, Goofy and Donald are unemployed ghostbusters called to a creaky old house by the bored specters themselves — derby-wearing, cigar-smoking — for their own slapstick entertainment. In “Trick or Treat,” from 1952, Donald pranks his nephews with firecrackers in their candy bags and dumps water on their heads; friendly Witch Hazel, passing by, helps them get revenge. Not on Disney+ but easy to find online is the 1933 Mickey Mouse short “The Mad Doctor,” in which Pluto is abducted by a scientist planning on putting the pup’s head on a chicken’s body. The black-and-white light and shadow effects are quite beautiful. Although Disney has become synonymous with a certain gentleness, these cartoons are sort of violent. (Though, as I like to say, it’s cartoon violence.)

Via its parent company Warner Bros., Max possesses a wealth of Looney Tunes cartoons from the golden age, categorized into “seasons” out of sequence. These collections feature several monster-themed masterpieces, such as “Hyde and Hare,” directed by Friz Freleng in Season 20, Episode 2 (1955), where Bugs Bunny encounters a Jekyll-and-Hyde predicament that incorporates drug addiction symbolism and a jest about Liberace. In “Hair-Raising Hare” (Season 11, Episode 6), Bugs is enticed to the castle of an evil scientist, who is clearly identified by a neon sign reading “Evil Scientist.” The giant orange hairball in tennis shoes, later known as Gossamer, serves as the scientist’s pet monster. This cartoon includes some clever fourth-wall-breaking and a conclusion reminiscent of “Some Like It Hot.” Lastly, “Scaredy Cat” (Season 13, Episode 16), from 1948, directed by Jones, presents Porky and Sylvester moving into a home inhabited by murderous mice. Sylvester is terrified, while Porky remains oblivious to the danger.

As a devoted movie enthusiast who loves delving into the world of classic cartoons, I’d say that among all the timeless characters, none has been as deeply entwined with the mystical and the bizarre as Betty Boop from Fleischer Studios. Her jazzy escapades filled with ghosts, demons, and supernatural encounters are just a click away on YouTube.

Lastly, Jean Shepherd’s October 31, 1972, broadcast of his nightly New York City radio show isn’t a TV series or a cartoon; it’s preserved on YouTube instead. While Shepherd is most famously associated with another holiday as the author and voice of “A Christmas Story,” here he delves deeply into Halloween, sharing recollections, readings, and contemplations about the dark side. This particular piece might be the most unsettling among the options, so consider keeping the lights on while you listen. Or don’t — but remember, I gave you a heads-up.

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2024-10-26 01:32