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| If changing your costume from black to white, and adding obnoxious amounts of red, reflective tape doesn't keep you safe from getting hit by a car on Halloween night, make sure you put your name and address on your treat bag so they can identify your body. Photo Source |
Growing up, I was expressly forbidden to wear a mask at Halloween. Not only did my mom swear that my vision would be impaired, she was also convinced that I wouldn't be able to breathe. When my nephew was old enough to start picking out his own Halloween costumes, she reluctantly let him have masks....but not before she totally ruined them by enlarging the eye and nose holes to the point where there was no point in even wearing a mask.
So, when I found this Halloween safety film from 1977, I had to laugh. I'm pretty sure that my mom was required to watch this as a young mother. I can totally empathize with the little girl whose costume is completely changed to make it safer.
This delightful little film was released by Centron Educational Films and is dated 1977. It was lovingly brought to the internet thanks to a blogger named Jason Willis. Willis, then seven years old, makes a brief appearance in the film! According to his blog, Willis was cast from his 2nd grade costume parade at school, thanks to his awesome Creature From the Black Lagoon costume. He can be seen at around the 5:26 mark in the film. He's the kid putting in the wax teeth.
If the video won't play on the screen, here's the YouTube Link.
But...there's more!
I just recently found out that with the help of Coronet Films, they made a second edition! The 1985 follow-up features an animated talking pumpkin walking you through various safety tips, including costuming, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating and more. I thought it was funny that the 1977 film came out two years after my sister was born, while the 1985 version came out when I was two years old! After watching both, I'm now thoroughly convinced my mom got her own Halloween safety tips from these videos! In fact, I could swear that I've heard her quote them, verbatim.
This version is a little more...funky...opening with deadly Halloween masks flying around a black screen while upbeat music plays. The cast is also a little more diverse, and at the end, the pumpkin is joined by a cute, spooky lil' cartoon ghost. However, its still a major buzz kill, and I can only guess how many kids' Halloween memories were tainted by overzealous, safety-obsessed parents who were forced to watch this film. I-Mockery does a hilarious write-up on the original film, so definitely go check it out after watching.
Have a happy and safe Halloween!
YouTube Direct Link
If the video won't play on the screen, here's the YouTube Link.
But...there's more!
I just recently found out that with the help of Coronet Films, they made a second edition! The 1985 follow-up features an animated talking pumpkin walking you through various safety tips, including costuming, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating and more. I thought it was funny that the 1977 film came out two years after my sister was born, while the 1985 version came out when I was two years old! After watching both, I'm now thoroughly convinced my mom got her own Halloween safety tips from these videos! In fact, I could swear that I've heard her quote them, verbatim.
This version is a little more...funky...opening with deadly Halloween masks flying around a black screen while upbeat music plays. The cast is also a little more diverse, and at the end, the pumpkin is joined by a cute, spooky lil' cartoon ghost. However, its still a major buzz kill, and I can only guess how many kids' Halloween memories were tainted by overzealous, safety-obsessed parents who were forced to watch this film. I-Mockery does a hilarious write-up on the original film, so definitely go check it out after watching.
Have a happy and safe Halloween!
YouTube Direct Link
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