Monday, October 23, 2006

Classic Movies

I must admit, I am a sucker for old horror movies, especially the Universal Monster movies.

This weekend I was able to see one of the cheesiest, corniest, and yes, one of my favorite movies featuring three of Universal's Monsters. Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein was the first of many encounters Abbot and Costello have with other Universal monsters, but in my opinion, the best.
A plot summary from IMDB:
The world of freight handlers Wilbur Grey and Chick Young is turned upside down when the remains of Frankenstein's monster and Dracula arrive from Europe to be used in a house of horrors. Dracula awakens and escapes with the weakened monster, who he plans to re-energize with a new brain. Larry Talbot (the Wolfman) arrives from London in an attempt to thwart Dracula. Dracula's reluctant aide is the beautiful Dr. Sandra Mornay. Her reluctance is dispatched by Dracula's bite. Dracula and Sandra abduct Wilbur for his brain and recharge the monster in preparation for the operation. Chick and Talbot attempt to find and free Wilbur, but when the full moon rises all hell breaks loose with the Wolfman, Dracula, and Frankenstein all running rampant.


Definitley try to catch this movie on some of the calssic movie channels if you can. I know my Halloween season isn't complete without it!


© 2006 Haunted Yard

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Halloween Weekend-Continued

Saturday was spent helping my mom set up her yard haunt in the morning, and the afternoon was spent doing some much needed repairs on some existing props.

Boris the Butler got a little latex repair to his face with some liquid latex and old pantyhose. He's looking as handsome as usual:


My haunted tree also got a fresh coast of Monster Mud:

Before:


After:



Sunday, I set up my yard with the help of my mom.
Two new additions to my yard are simple T-frame props made with 2x4 ands PVC pipe.
Grim was made with the addition of a chicken wire ribcage, a foam skull, some hands from Anatomical Chart Company and a robe made from black sheets and pillowcases from the clearance aisle at Wal-Mart.



The witch, I've affectionately named Elfaba from the book Wicked, was made with a wig form with a little paper mache face,



hands from a pair of store-bought monster hands I painted to match:


and an old costume from a few years ago. I taped her hands to the stir-stick using mounting tape. The cauldron is spilling over with cotton batting and the sticks and vines are woven with orange lights to resemble fire. I really wish I would have been able to find a turn table to make her animated, but that will just have to be a project for next year.


Design Toscano had the coolest year swimmer this year, and I couldn't resist!


I'll continue to post pictures from the yard as the leaves start to change and the holiday draws near.

Happy haunting!

© 2006 Haunted Yard

October Already?

I wanted to post an update about my October 1st Halloween set-up, but it was a busy weekend followed by a nasty cold, and it didn't get done as soon as I had hoped.
I'll just jump right into it, then!
I spent most of Friday putting up the faux-stone walls in the entryway. I also set up my mad scientist/apothecary corner.


Also in the entryway, I set up my Lemax Spooky Town, complete with the new background I painted this year.


I also set up a fortune teller's table:


The dining room saw the addition of a zombie bride and groom:


and the living room was similarly haunted:


© 2006 Haunted Yard