Not sure exactly what forum this should go into, but since it has a liberal sprinkling of monster toys, it's going in here.
Our own Dan Roebuck and Bob Burns, along with Chuck Williams, made this tour of Halloween Haunts video a decade ago. In it, they visit Universal City Walk, Chamber of Chills, Dr Lady's Horror Hotel, Don Post Studios, Cortland Hull's Witch's Dungeon, the Henry Alvarez Wax Museum, and many others. It also includes footage from Bob Burns' famous backyard Halloween Extravaganza's. The extras include still photos from the production, promo shots, and some pics from Wonderfest 1997 when it debuted.
For the 10th anniversary reissue, they created a new production with a bunch of new visits to Halloween attractions across the country, like Bates Motel, Queen Mary Shipwreck, Terrordome, Erebus, Rocky Point, and more. The extras on this disc include Dr Shocker's Halloween Spooktacular stage show, a tour of Dr Shocker's House of Horror (Dan's toy, mask, and memorabilia museum), and LOADS more stuff, I haven't even seen it all yet.
I think anyone who is a classic monster fan would thoroughly enjoy this package, which is a bargain at the price. One of the highlights for me was a trip inside Dracula's castle in Romania. I've seen pictures of the outside, but a video tour of the inside... of something I will likely never have the opportunity to visit, were worth the purchase price alone. The other real treat is that the new disc is hosted from various rooms in the Magic Castle, the famous memebers-only home of the Academy of Magical Arts and favorite hangout of many famous celebrities and magicians since it's opening in 1963. A couple of very rare treats, indeed.
http://www.dvdhalloween.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Halloween-Haunting-America-Anniversary-Collectors/dp/B000W22Z0O
Just went on the wish list at amazon! You should post your description over there. The one they have doesn't even come close to mentioning all the goodies included on the DVD.
For a long time, I searched unsuccessfully for the VHS release of Happy Haunting and was absolutely delighted when it -- PLUS MUCH, MUCH ELSE – recently became available on DVD. Of the many extras already mentioned, let me especially draw your attention to Dr. Shocker's Halloween Spectacular on Disc Two. This is Danny's live "spook show" which deservedly won a Rondo several years ago and the DVD is about the only way you'll get to see it unless you catch a very rare performance.
In fact, I've now played this stage show for at least a half-dozen dinner guests and have been repeatedly amused by their reactions, particularly because none of them have been monsters fans. A typical first reaction is something like, "OMG, if you expect me to watch this cornball stuff, you better top up my drink and top it up heavily!" This, however, is soon followed by, "Hey, this dude is really a pretty good magician – how the heck did he do that?" My favorite comment, though, invariably comes at the end and I can almost quote the same line verbatim from two viewers: "Ya know, I've never seen anyone having as much fun putting on a show as this Roebuck guy, his enthusiasm is totally infectious... um, do you think we can watch it a second time?"
So please order a copy, preferably from Chuck Williams himself (at the first of the two links provided by Bobby). Chuck accepts PayPal and offers lightning-fast shipping.
I think that the sheer joy displayed by Dan, Bob, and Chuck comes through throughout the different parts of this set. We are all accustomed to documentaries with hired actors who may enjoy the material they are presenting, but don't live and breathe it, or documentaries with eager students of a subject who don't have the panache to present the subject matter in a manner that is palatable for someone who doesn't share their passion, however this is a quality professional production made with pure passion and heart..... and it's about things which we are all passionate about as well, so I'd say that any UMA member who doesn't add this to their video library is really missing out on something they would enjoy to the utmost.
Interestingly, I rented a copy of Happy Haunting from a Red Box machine, one of those DVD rental machines you see in front of WalMart and grocery stores!
Wow, that was a really long sentence I wrote. It probably should have been 4 or 5 sentences.
Quote from: Monster Bob on January 20, 2008, 02:32:48 PM
Interestingly, I rented a copy of Happy Haunting from a Red Box machine, one of those DVD rental machines you see in front of WalMart and grocery stores!
Yeah, I saw one for rent at an Albertsons store, but it was on the other side of town and I didn't want to drive all the way over there to return it. I forgot about it for a while and then remembered and ordered it the other day and it came and... just wow. Even if I had rented it, I'm sure I would have bought it, because I'm definitely going to be watching this some more.
I have the 10th Anniversary Reissue and is amazing!!! Is one of my favorites DVDS. Is CULTO TOTAL!!!
But the Dr Shocker's museum part is very short :( I need more about it!!!
Here are some photos, Morkai
http://www.danielroebuck.com/
Click on the House of Horror link at the bottom.
Quote from: Toy Ranch on January 20, 2008, 02:49:59 PM
Here are some photos, Morkai
http://www.danielroebuck.com/
Click on the House of Horror link at the bottom.
Yes I know hehehe, I have all the photos saved in my hard disk. But I have saved the photos of all your collections hehehe, include your Toyranch. I love Monster rooms and I spend hour seeing all the pics :)
But I also need videos :)
I have yours saved too, Morkai! :D
Quote from: Toy Ranch on January 20, 2008, 05:35:36 PM
I have yours saved too, Morkai! :D
Really??? Hehehehe, If I only have upload a couple of pics!!! My collection is very small at the moment :(
If you don't have this DVD, GO BUY IT NOW! HHOA is one of my all time favorite docu films! I've worn out my original orange VHS copy, after multiple viewings.
E.A>
You can say that again, EA.
This clip is worth the price of admission alone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLBOMcdqyjM
Hey, that voice sounds familiar....
And wait till toy see Dr. Shockers House of Horrors!!! Your shoes will fall off. TONS of stuff on both discs
I've got the DVD (actually a 2-disc set). Lots of entertainment value for your money! I watched it before I put on the Jaycees Halloween event last October. It put me in the right frame of mind.
This was one of my Christmas presents this year, and I've loved watching every minute of it. Really incredible stuff, especially the 10 new segments on the bonus DVD. The whole thing is really great. You can tell it's a labor of love on everyone's part.
Ah, one of my favorites!
I didn't realize a 10th Anniversary DVD was out; now I MUST own it.
Funny thing about this documentary... a few years after its inital VHS release (I think '00), my wife and I were in L.A. visiting my family (born and raised there, but moved here to MO some 15 years ago)... at any rate, I found the Happy Haunting VHS at a great store called Creature Features, used to be on West Olive in Burbank.
We watched it that night, a few times in a row.
So the very next day we're all at Disneyland, having fun, and I'm telling a friend about the Happy Haunting of America I'd just viewed the night before... when who rounds the corner but Doc Shock himself, Dan Roebuck, and his family!
I just sorta blurted out 'Dan Roebuck!?' and he stopped, turned, and put out his hand.
Anyway I told him I'd JUST watched his awesome video the night before, I was floored at the coincidence. We chatted for a bit in front of the Snow White ride, but I know he was having fun with family and didn't want to take up his time, but he was very cool and friendly (as we know in this forum) and even shared a few quick stories of the shoot and hanging with Bob Burns.
At any rate I'll never forget what a weird coincidence it was. But now I'm off to get that DVD set! More Happy Haunting is always a good thing!
Mike C.
Jane and I watched this the night before Halloween so as to get into the mood for the next day's activities. It worked!
A definite keeper! Dan sure seemed to be having fun making it.
Halloween, The Happy Haunting of America! Wow! What a show.
I ordered the VHS when it was first available many years ago and it was a treasured tradition each Halloween to watch!
In October 2006,with special permission from Dan Roebuck and Chuck Williams, Prof. Griffin's Midnight Shadow Show was thrilled to present (and host) this one hour documentary highlighting all things Halloween on our local Austin TV program!
I now have the 2-disk DVD set (thanks Chuck and Dan) and the new footage is wonderful! (I never knew Dr. Shocker was such a pompous jerk! LOL)
The ending credits to the behind the scenes spookshow was hillarious. (You're fired)
-Prof. Griffin
Quote from: ProfGriffin on January 21, 2008, 10:18:40 AM
I now have the 2-disk DVD set (thanks Chuck and Dan) and the new footage is wonderful! (I never knew Dr. Shocker was such a pompous jerk! LOL)
The ending credits to the behind the scenes spookshow was hillarious. (You're fired)
-Prof. Griffin
I hear you, Prof. I had heard Shocker was a bit of a pain to work with, but that's the first time I've seen John Goodwin reduced to tears. I couldn't work with that kind of pressure, either. ;)
I am blown away by this wonderful support.
To call this think a labor of love is an understatment!
Needless to say we alll worked hard on it, but Chuck really stepped up with making sure that it was the best presentation possible. ("o box", raised images, booklet, extras)
As for Dr. Shocker, he is certainly a douschbag. No doubt about that. All anyone has to do is watch the MAKING OF A SPOOKSHOW to see that.
And Mike C, I remember that moment at Disneyland well.
Btw, the REDBOX rentals were a terrific boost to the project. However, it was a special single disc version in the box made specifically for that company. Maning if anybody did see only that, there is sooooooooooo much mor ein the package.
You guys are the best!
Quotethere is sooooooooooo much mor ein the package
You can say that again - this superbly produced dvd set is a dream come true.....for years I searched the Transylvanian countryside to no avail....
Needless to say I did not move from my coffin recliner until every juicy second of both dvds had been completely drained dry....good to the last drop!
Dr. Shocker may be a douche, but Gracebuster and Mr. Williams are two of the coolest monster kids ever for making this dvd set a reality.