Week 450: Halloween Memories and Horror Heroes

The Caramel Apple Orchard

Although I will probably have another Saturday post closer to Halloween, it is on my mind now. And since all my other current ideas have the charm of razor bladed apples, I will go with the cheerier topic.

When I was growing up Halloween was mainly for kids, but over the years it has been taken over by The Failure to Launch Generation. I was one of those children who put next to no effort into a costume. I was goods oriented; people were giving out candy no matter how shoddy I looked. So I’d get one of those cheap witch masks (the kind that always got sweaty and smelled like a runny nose after about a half hour of wearing), don a dark blanket for a cape and carry a whisk broom, which inevitably went missing early. The sack was the important thing. And I took the biggest one I could find–usually a pillow case.

Mom would have her current husband/boyfriend drive me and my brother to the “rich” neighborhood, and we’d find our way back by and by. This was hardly an original idea because even in their disguises I recognized everyone from the home block; we lived in a neighborhood where most people turned out the lights and pretended not to be home at night. The landlord, cops, paperboy and wandering packs of pretend ghouls all got the same treatment.

And I recall the yearly “choice”: Go trick or treating or attend the party at the Presbyterian church with the obedient Christians. Mom always told that like a joke, laughing through it. A fundamental As If.

Yes, I recall Halloween fondly–the scent of a candle slowly roasting the pumpkin lid, the mix of orange and brown, Linus the pagan awaiting the Great Pumpkin in the patch and how many Necco wafers could I get into my mouth at one time without vomiting. Ah, Wonder years. There remains something magical about Halloween night. And yet every November first dawns mildewed and depressing–an empty box sort of day, fit for the dead to walk alone.

Sigh.

Anyhoo, although my trick or treating days are long behind me, I still take candy from reasonable looking strangers and retain my affection for the Children of the Night. And I like horror movies. Not all the old ones and certainly not all the newer ones–for instance, I was revolted by Cabin Fever, in which some dude rams a screwdriver through some other guy’s ear, accompanied by the sound that’s like squashing a rotten apple–and yet I find Rob Zombie flicks engaging. It’s hard to say why I like certain films and dislike ones that are similar. It’s like stories in that regard, some have it others do not. So at the close of this post I present my list of favorite horror personages.

Treats and Tricks and Triumphs

This week featured five writers who have combined for over 220 site appearances. This sort of statement is always true when Tom Sheehan (at 217 and counting) appears, and maybe I’ve used it once or twice too often.

Regardless, the tales this week are varied and have only a sense of high quality in common. They contain drama and humor–but most importantly, they give added insight into what it means to be human.

Newcomer last week and a battle-hardened veteran this time around, Bruce D. Snyder made his second appearance with Remainders, Reminders. It’s a classic who saves the saver type of story, which is increasing in relevance as the years pass and we all age faster than science can keep us standing. Unflinching and honest.

Tom Sheehan has published more works than I can imagine even creating let alone get across. His The Lonely Line Rider is a brilliant look into the upside of solitude. Where lonesome means privacy and separation from the crowd allows connection to the bigger scheme of things.

Three debut writers filled the remainder of the week. First up was Julian Walker with A Call To Arms. The symbolism of geometry and a marriage is well presented through a third party. And the comparison between order in nature and the disorder of our lives is well drawn.

Michael Tyler exposed the fleeting nature of time–how we really recall our lives–in set moments that resolve far ahead. At My Feet is a fine bit of work that features one of the best ending paragraphs I’ve read in a long time.

Scott Pomfret fittingly called time on the week with Stopped Watch. The term “alternative lifestyle” is often over and incorrectly used. But here such applied. And yet despite unusual surroundings, people tend to react in similar ways. Lots of happy surprises in this work as well with the others that graced the site this week.

Well, there they are–and if they come knocking at your door, remember that the hiding behind the drape routine fools no one. And on this occasion it would only lead to missing out on worthwhile ideas.

A Not So Subtle Reminder

Last week Hugh invited all to send three questions to the Eds. that you think we will not answer. I am for that idea but would like to include this proviso: Bizarre questions will likely draw equally strange if not even odder replies. I can guarantee that for anything of the sort asked of yours truly. Please email your enquiries to the site, where they will be processed by small cloven hooved individuals who are the souls of discretion and have an inexplicable affection for the obscure.

Horror Royalty

• “Captain Spaulding” (Sid Haig, House of a 1000 Corpse, Devil’s Rejects)
• “Gort” (Lock Martin, The Day the Earth Stood Still–guy was close to eight feet tall)
• (Tie)-Vincent Price, Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff in everything
• “Count Orlock” (Max Schreck,Nosferatu) (also Willem Dafoe as “Max Schreck” Shadow of the Vampire)
• “Baby” (Sheri Moon Zombie, same flicks as Spaulding–perhaps the evilest female FC ever)
• Michael Berryman, well known for being Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes)
• “King Kong” (The original by Willis O’Brien–unbelievable facial expressions)
• “Yentl” (Babs Streisand–had to sleep with the lights on that Hanukkah)
• “Pineapple Headed Creature,” The Outer Limits TV show, a puppet who scared the hell out of Bill Shatner and me
• Vote For Your Favorite Ghoul

If you like violence, profanity, terrorizing children and clowns, then the following is for you

Leila