The Halloween Zine: Inside scoops and a song parody
#6: The unforgettably eerie field trip that inspired Michael Myers' character
Hello, Superfans!
We’re in September’s home stretch, and October’s flashing a wolfish grin while it waits to take center stage.
It’s not in a rush, either. It knows it’s always worth OUR wait, and it wields its effortless, Taylor Swift-like gravitational pull on us responsibly.
Until then, we’ve got some behind-the-scenes stories to stoke our spirit…
Call of Duty-Halloween cash grab crossover
“Really?”
An incredulous Jack Reacher to the two goons considering attacking him after he’s just dispatched two of their fellow goons
Jack Reacher (2012)
Seems Deadpool and Wolverine’s massive success caught The Shape’s attention. A hefty pile of greenbacks later, he was donning one of his vintage masks and sharpening a knife.
Sledgehammer Games’ The Haunting Event for Modern Warfare III and Warzone will see Michael Myers join forces with Terrifier and Trick ‘r Treat to invade the Call of Duty neighborhood.
Though this won’t be a silver screen adventure, I’d expect the game’s fans will enjoy slashing with the icons.
Of course, the icons could get bored and turn on each other, too.
Behind the scenes of Home Depot’s viral Halloween inventory
Home Depot knows they’re on to something, and according to this Fast Company article, they’re leaning into it.
Home Depot’s senior merchant of decorative holiday, Lance Allen, and his team recognized the generic boredom that passes for Halloween decorations at most retailers in 2019.
They wanted to be different.
So, they turned to classic horror movies, haunted houses, and Halloween trade shows for inspiration. They found it in larger items, only the prices would make Beetlejuice’s eyes bulge.
They knew they needed to target a consumer-friendly price point.
So, after overcoming early internal resistance, they coordinated with their engineering and design teams to manifest it. Skelly was born.
Then, Skelly went viral. And Home Depot has staked its claim to some well-earned territory as another haven for Halloween decor.
Their collection continues growing, and they hope customers return each year to add to their collections as their budgets allow.
I hope the retailers who play it safe season after season take a lesson from this.
The inspiration for Michael Myers
Somebody dug up a body this Esquire article that explains John Carpenter’s inspiration for Michael Myers’ character.
It stemmed from a field trip Carpenter took to a mental institution during his college days. He encountered a 12- or 13-year old boy with the vacant stare we recognize as The Shape’s.
When film producer Irwin Yablans approached Carpenter about doing a horror movie set on Halloween night about a psychotic killer stalking babysitters, he remembered the boy.
"It was unsettling to me, it was like the creepiest thing I’d ever seen as a stranger.”
I love that Carpenter took this fleeting impression to disturbing places and crafted an iconic character from it.
Though some Halloween sequels have tried to explain Michael’s motives, it’s NOT understanding that makes him more terrifying and fascinating.
Drop me a note if you disagree.
“Don’t open the door! Don’t open the door!”
Fuller, pleading with the officers forcing entry into motel rooms as he races toward the room where the killer has Venna bound, gagged, and booby-trapped
Joy Ride (2001)
Halloween karaoke corner
At the end of last week’s edition, I hinted at a potential surprise for this week. I was hoping to finish a song parody so I could drop that single for you this week.
Well, I’m dropping that single.
It’s karaoke night, and the mic is yours. I don’t sing. If you heard me sing, you’d not only agree, you’d beg me to stop. There are some things you just can’t unhear.
Love to write ‘em, though, and I hope you’ll enjoy playing them in your head.
Sing this to the tune of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”
You better watch out
And this is no lie
You better not shout
Or you’re gonna die
Michael Myers coming to town
Michael Myers coming to town
Michael Myers coming to town
He’s making a fist
Around his big knife
You’ll see it up close
When he takes your life
Michael Myers coming to town
Michael Myers coming to town
Michael Myers coming to town
He hears you when you’re screaming
He sees when you’re up late
He knows that he’s so bad, he’s good
So ya don’t want to tempt fate
You better watch out
And this is no lie
You better not shout
Or you’re gonna die
Michael Myers coming to town
Michael Myers coming to town
Michael Myers coming to town
Michael Myers coming
Michael Myers coming
Michael Myers coming
Michael Myers coming
Michael Myers coming
Michael Myers coming
Michael Myers coming
Michael Myers coming
Michael Myers coming to town
Michael Myers coming to town
Michael Myers coming to town
Michael Myers coming
Michael Myers coming
Michael Myers coming
To tooooooooown
You’ve reached the end, again! None of that “early victim” nonsense for you. You’re genuine “final (______)” material.
Hope you enjoyed this week’s edition. We’ll look to finish September strong. Not in Karate Kid or Mortal Kombat fashion, either. Just sustain the seasonal momentum…