31 Nights of Halloween: Trick or Truth?

"The Silent Watcher" (sadly one of the many great early films that have been lost) tells of four sorority sisters, the handyman they all lust after, and the maid from the sorority house, who are working through the night to get an old house ready for a big party the next evening. Unfortunately, a killer is in the house with them, so they might not live to see the morning...

Some film historians identify "The Silent Watcher" (1925), starring Bessie Love and Douglas Fairbanks, as the first slasher film. It's surprisingly gory for its time. In fact, it is SO gory that it was only shown in three theaters in California, two showings each, before all copies were seized by the authorities and production company Gleaming Edge was hit with so many fines it went out of business.

Although it was widely condemned in the press (while being unseen by most), critics also praised stars Bessie Love and Douglas Fairbanks for performances that ran the gamut from funny to "heart-stoppingly terrifying", and generally spoke favorably of the last-minute, shocking revelation of the killer's identity.

So... what do you think? Is this a truthful post? Or is it trickery in the spirit of Halloween? 

Tuneful Tuesday: It's Just Another Day with Oingo Boingo

Oingo Boingo was another favorite band of my youth, with "Just Another Day" ranking among my most beloved song by them. Not only is it a cool and creepy song, but it inspired a number of my favorite creations for my personal roleplaying game campaigns.

If you are unfamiliar with the song, check it out. If you are familiar with the song, check it out again. It's bound to make you feel the Spirit of Halloween lurking in the closest shadow!

31 Nights of Halloween: "We represent the Lollipop Guild..."

 

"We represent the Lollipop Guild, and we don't tolerate scabs."

(These pictures feature a fake version [AI generated] of actress Valeska Miller. Click here for the real thing.)

31 Nights of Halloween: REHABILITATING REAPER'S REPUTATION

Coming to YOUR favorite television network, just in time for Halloween -- a groundbreaking film trilogy starring Annabelle Crean, Will Ferrell, and the voice of Patrick Warburton: REHABILITATING REAPER'S REPUTATION!

 

When the Grim Reaper (voiced by Patrick Warburton) gets tired of the negativity surrounding him and his essential role in the cosmos, he hires marketing firm McManus & Trent to change humanity's perception of him. Ad executives Teagan (Annabelle Crean) and Darrin (Will Ferrell) find themselves navigating uncharted PR territory and unknown dangers in both this world and the next, as they go about REHABILITING REAPER'S REPUTATION! 

 

 

(From the Creator of CROWNBREAKER and WHO LET THE DOGG OUT?, and Co-Scripter of RESIDENT EVIL 7: ALICE IN WONDERLAND! A Noshuchthing Production.)

 

Tuneful Tuesday with Duran Duran: Night Boat

I love music videos from the 1980s and early 1990s, because so many of them were mini-movies. The video for "Night Boat" in one such item. Plus, it's all mysterious and spooky, with young men wait for the arrival of a woman none of them have seen before on an isolated boat dock.

It's a great little nugget to help spur the Halloween Spirit in your vicinity.

Night Boat (1983)

Starring: Duran Duran

Director: Russell Mulcahy

Rating: Seven of Ten Stars

31 Nights of Halloween: No Sleep Tonight

Here's a friendly reminder that, this time of year, you should always check for monsters under your bed before turning in for the night.

No Sleep Tonight (2024)

Starring: Saffron Richardson and Verity Richardson

Director: H. Owen Richardson

Rating: Six of Ten Stars

31 Nights of Halloween: RESIDENT EVIL 7!

Coming Soon to All Streaming Platforms and Quality Movie Theaters -- from the star and director of the classic Resident Evil, Milla Jovovich and Paul W. S. Anderson...

                         RESIDENT EVIL 7: ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Is this a trick or treat? Or both?

Tuneful Tuesday: Lyric Noel

On Friday, October 4, 2024, Lyric Noel released "All Hallows Eve Volume 1", a Halloween-themed EP, on pretty much any streaming platform you care to mention (like here at Amazon Music). If you like hard rock, I think you'll like it... and I think everyone will love Noel's powerful voice and will be impressed by her range. 

Check out the music video for "Cry Little Sister" below to get a taste of the EP (and Noel in general) has to offer. She and her band are so talented that I even liked the growly "death metal" parts of the song. And I usually HATE such Cookie Monster homages almost anywhere they are found. (Until this point, only Psychostick had done "growly" without causing me to snarl.)

31 Nights of Halloween: Off to Never-Never Land

Wendy had told her parents that a fantastic flying creature had appeared at her window, saying it would take her to Never-Never Land. It said they could come to if they wanted. They laughed at her. So, the next night when the creature reappeared again, Wendy went with it alone.

31 Nights of Halloween: The Visitor (2024)

It's been a few years since we last checked in with filmmaker David Fershtadt, but we noticed that he just released a new short film so now seemed like the perfect time. His supernatural domestic troubles are continuing... much to his detriment but for our entertainment.

We hope you enjoy this mini trip into mysterious moodiness as much as we did!

Visitor (2024)

Starring: David Fershtadt

Director: David Fershtadt

Rating: Seven of Ten Stars

31 Nights of Halloween: "Die Sister, Die!"

This week, in the Screening Room, we're showing a psychological horror film that was made in 1973, but not released until 1978. It could be good... it could be bad. As these words are being typed, we have not seen it yet! If you are seeing this post soon enough, join us and we'll find out about this film together!

"Die Sister, Die!" will premiere in the Screening Room at 4:00pm (1600) Pacific Time. Click to watch the film today, tomorrow, or whenever you happen by. And please let us know whether you liked it or not, either with a comment here or on the film itself.

Die Sister, Die! (1978)

Starring: Jack Ging, Edith Atwater, Antoinette Bower, Kent Smith, and Rita Conde

Director: Randall Hood

Rating: [TBD]

31 Nights of Halloween: Jumper

This first short film of this year's 31 Nights of Halloween celebration is a treat! Or maybe a trick? Or maybe both? Watch it and see for yourself... and let us know what you thought of it!

Jumper (2021)

Starring: Madison Reimer and Randy Swanson

Director: Isaac Carlton

Rating: Six of Ten Stars

31 Nights of Halloween: 'She Chose the Werewolf' Sampler

A favorite new toy in these parts is OpenArt-ai. We have spent countless hours having the computer create all sorts of useful and/or weird illustrations for us. Some of the more hilarious ones have come completely out of left field and had almost nothing to do with the "prompt" that was written to describe the illo we wanted.

 

But as we were playing, a thought began to form. Maybe we should put together some art packets for the NUELOW Games Stock Art Collection series? Or maybe put together little RPG source books/adventures based on the storylines that the many pictures we've made. Time will tell.

In the meantime, here are a few samples of the sort of stuff that will be in the hypothetcal collection "She Chose the Werewolf".

Putting the 'Hallow' in Halloween!

 Even our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ loves Halloween. Be sure to visit him for God-sized candy corn when you're out trick-or-treating on the Big Night!

Tuneful Tuesday: Dead Man's Party by Oingo Boingo

One of the greatest mysteries in the history of music is why "Dead Man's Party" by Oingo Boingo never became popular enough to make it to Top 100 Charts in the United States. It's one of my favorite songs, bar none, and it's also one of the best tunes by that legendary Danny Elfman-led band.

 

"Dead Man's Party" is also a perfect bit of music to get you in a Halloweenish mood, so it's an ideal tune to restore life to Terror Titans for this year's 31 Nights of Halloween extravaganza!

Do you love this song as much as I do? Do you NOT like it at all? Let me know with a comment below!