Well, October is almost over. This is its last Monday, and I’ve only posted one spooky video in honor of Hallowe’en. That’s disappointing, at least to me. I’ll try to make up for it with a trio of videos today.
First up are the Brian Sisters, a singing trio successful in the 1930s and 1940s. Here they are in 1942 performing the tune “The Boogie Woogieman” with the Will Osborne Orchestra on a soundie called The Boogie Woogie Boogie Man (yeah, I don’t know with the titles)
Next up, another fun old clip: Louis Armstrong singing “Skeleton in the Closet.” This one’s from the 1936 Bing Crosby film Pennies from Heaven. I love Armstrong’s horn playing and the dancing skeleton.
And finally, something in color, although still kinda old. Let’s finish up with one from Siouxsie and the Banshees. Here’s “Spellbound” from 1981.
And another Monday morning has zoomed by me. But it’s still Monday. And! It’s the first Monday of October, which means it’s time to start posting Hallowe’en videos! Continue reading →
So, it hit me in the face this morning that I haven’t posted any spooky videos this month. And today’s Hallowe’en! I only have today left to do something about that. So why don’t I?
Let’s start with a cute promo that Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi filmed back in the ’30s. This always makes me smile.
And then a delightfully creepy clip from their 1945 film The Body Snatcher.
To finish up, one my favorite songs for Hallowe’en. The sorely missed Warren Zevon with “Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner.”
Well, I hope all my readers in the path of Sandy made it through with as little damage and power loss as possible. I’m writing this post on Monday, just in case I’m not so lucky. Thank you, WordPress, for your awesome scheduling feature! [ETA: We came through Sandy with few hitches. Lost power for a few hours and one of our trees came down.]
Before getting into the meat of things, I want to announce the winner of the Mr. Blank giveaway. As you may recall, I asked folks to comment with their guesses about which two monsters were “better known” than the chupacabra. A fellow named Roy thought that aliens and Bigfoot were the two. Since I’m using the Fortean Times article that Justin Robinson linked to in his guest post as my source, I have to report that Roy was only half right, with the answer being Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster. That said, I thought Roy brought up a good point, questioning the concept of “fictional” and “real.” If, as he said, monsters like Godzilla and Frankenstein ” are dismissed as ‘fictional monsters’ then does that mean Nessie is real?”
So, what is real? The Loch Ness Monster? Frankenstein? The “vulture eye” of an old man? What can our belief in “reality” make us do?
I think this is one of Price’s best works (he leaves his knowing looks and campy demeanor at the stage door), exploring the madness of a murderer who insists that he’s completely sane, albeit a little “nervous.” The piece makes me laugh, but it’s also quite chilling (and is one of my favorite tales by Poe). I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do. I’d love to know your thoughts.
1. Substitution Cypher, the alternate history anthology I’m a part of, received a super review from Publisher’s Weekly. The book’s coming out in December 18! I’ll have more info as that date approaches. You’re going to want to read all the stories.
2. In keeping with the Hallowe’en theme this month, there’ll be a guest post this coming Friday. Justin Robinson, the author of the just-published Mr. Blank, will be telling us the truth about chupacabras.
Or will he? I hope you’ll tune in to find out. Conspiracy theories, ahoy!
3. My latest story, more alternate future than alternate history this time, is in my beta’s hands. Again! Will they find it submissible? Will I make it so in time for the deadline (which is Hallowe’en)? Now that’s scary business.
M. Fenn 