Halloween Festive Movies & Shows
Halloween comes around and you either have plans or you don't. There's no in-between. I am one of those people who will celebrate Halloween in some small way. Some of my favorite Halloweens have included me chowing down take-out and pumpkin pie, sipping a glass of red wine, and binge watching festive films and TV shows to get me in the Halloween spirit! It's fun to do this alone or with friends and best of all, requires no figuring out a costume or getting out of bed!
I have never been a huge horror and gore kind of gal! But I love a good film noir, psychological thriller or two, and a spooky drama or comedy. Here is a list of some of my all time favorites:
1.) Twilight Zone (1959 - 1964). This is my favorite television show of all time! I consider Rod Sterling a bit of a genius. Twilight Zone is a series that deals with human anxieties. Each episode is unrelated to the last, but focuses on one central character or group of people who end up in disturbing situations that often deal with death, human flaws, other life form, etc. There is always a surprising ending that typically holds a moral lesson. I have had many a late night binge watching this show and some episodes have haunted me (in a good way)! This would be the perfect show to curl up on the couch and binge watch Season 1. (BONUS: It is on Netflix!)
2.) Bewitched (1964 - 1972). Okay, so this isn't a creepy show in any way, but it is a classic! This show is a comedy which revolves around a witch named Samantha (played by the fabulous Elizabeth Montgomery) who marries a man named Darrin (played by Dick York later replaced by Dick Sareant). Upon their honeymoon, he discovers she is a witch. He accepts her, but has one rule: She is NOT allowed to use witchcraft. She has to cook, clean, decorate the home, etc. on her own without the help of magic! (I know, *eye roll.*) This is a rule that is obviously broken over and over again. In each episode, Samantha gets into a sticky situation due to her magic. There are many funny characters around her who also add to the comedy of this show--her mother who is a witch who loathes the human race and a neighbor who is suspicious and obsessed over Samantha's witchcraft, but no one arounds her believes her!
This is the perfect show to watch if you want to have a laugh and watch something a bit campy.
Samantha's looks and home decor at 1164 Morning Glory Circle is enough to watch!
Now onto films! 3.) Bell, Book, and Candle (1958) which, is the perfect film to watch for more witch humor and to get a glimpse of Kim Novak in all of her beauty! If you are a fan of Vertigo (1954), this is another opportunity to watch Kim Novak and James Stewart paired together--and my do they have chemistry! Jack Lemmon costars and is a hilarious addition. The movie deals with a woman whose family and she are witches. She is very fond of James Stewart's character, but discovers that he is dating a snobby woman whom she went to college with. Upset by the way the woman treats her, she plants a spell on James Stewart to make him fall madly in love with her.
This is such a cute romantic comedy to watch and features the most adorable cat, Pyewacket (any movie with a cat, I'm sold!) which Kim Novak uses to help cast her spells. This film is in technicolor, which is always a bonus for me to see the marvelous costumes in all of its glorious color. It also utilizes cool and funny 1950s special effects for the witchcraft scenes!
4.) Rosemary's Baby (1968), of course. I honestly just watched this film for the very first time a couple of weeks ago! I had no idea what to expect, but I knew that it was a must watch! This is a psychological thriller staring Mia Farrow as Rosemary. I always find something a bit more satisfying about watching a good psychological thriller as opposed to a horror film! I do not want to give away ANY of the plotline because this is one of those films in which you honestly have no idea which direction it will go in next. But I will say, the film involves a couple (I'm unsure if they're married or not) who moves into a new apartment together and are trying to have a baby. They have unusual neighbors in their apartment who are super friendly, but disturbs them. And that is ALL I can give, I highly recommend this for a good Halloween movie night!
I know that I keep mentioning fashion, but my eye cannot help but gravitate towards the actors' clothing. Mia Farrow's wardrobe in the film was very representative of the late 60s in all of its glamour and camp! 1960s pastels (yellow was a common theme in the film), flowy dresses, short skirts, funky two pieces, and the most stunning maternity clothing!
5.) Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (1962). During my high school years, I had a very eccentric English professor whom I'll never forget--he had a lot of flare and pizazz. He required all of his English classes to watch old films. What this had to do with high school English, I have no idea but I never once complained! This was one of the films he had us watch as he was a HUGE Bette Davis fan. After watching Feud: Bette and Joan series on FX (which, if you haven't watched it, you should!), I definitely gained a better understanding and deeper love for this movie. The film deals with two sisters Jane Hudson (Bette Davis) and Blanche (played by Joan Crawford) who do not get along, but live together. Jane loathes Blanche and is able to take advantage of her and torture her because of the fact that she is in a wheelchair.
The acting in this film by both actresses is superb! Rather or not these two actresses really hated each other in real life, they filmed brilliantly together!
The whole film is pretty much seeing Joan Crawford's face expressions like this. This is honestly one of her best roles!
6.) Psycho (1960), pretty much anything by Alfred Hitchcock will suffice for a good Halloween movie night. This film takes the cake though! Anthony Perkins (as Norman Bates) is the best at playing mentally disturbed, creepy characters, but this is probably his best known film. It follows a man who runs a motel and comes into contact with two women for the first time in awhile. He is also a little too close to his mother! AND THAT IS ALL I CAN GIVE.
This film features one of the most well known Alfred Hitchcock's scenes of all time--Janet Leigh's shower scene! Rumor has it that Alfred Hitchcock really terrified Janet Leigh during the filming of this scene to make it as believable as possible.
7.) Les Diaboliques (1955). Last, but certainly not least, this is quite possibly my favorite film noir of all time! I was introduced to this film in my French and Francophone Film course that I took last semester. Directed by Henri Georges-Clouzot, this French film follows two women (one married, the other the mistress) who plots to murder their husband/lover due to his cruelty, abuse, and the fact that he strings the two women along. Simone Signoret (Nicole) is the sassier of the two and devises the plan. Her outfits are very tailored, form fitting and sexy. Vera Cluozot (Christine) plays the frail wife. Her outfits consists of A-line skirts and has a more feminine feel to them.
The ending of this movie is one for the books! it consists of an insane plot twist with crazy good special effects. This is a very dark film and will surely have you in the Halloween spirit!
Stay tuned next Friday to see my Halloween costume! xx
Disclaimer: None of the photographs in this post are owned by me.