Halloween: The Happy Haunting of America

[Toy Ranch]

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

[Mike Scott]

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.

[roheimiana]

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.

[Toy Ranch]

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.

[Monster Bob]

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!

[Toy Ranch]

Wow, that was a really long sentence I wrote.  It probably should have been 4 or 5 sentences.

[Toy Ranch]

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.

[Morkai]

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!!!

[Toy Ranch]

Here are some photos, Morkai

http://www.danielroebuck.com/

Click on the House of Horror link at the bottom.

[Morkai]

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

[Toy Ranch]

I have yours saved too, Morkai! 

[Morkai]

I have yours saved too, Morkai! 

Really??? Hehehehe, If I only have upload a couple of pics!!! My collection is very small at the moment

[HMAEA]

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>

[Dr.Terror]

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

[raycastile]

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.