1970s Forgotten TV Halloween Specials by Rhetty for History

Step back in time to the 1970s with Rhetty for History and experience a nostalgic journey as he goes over the Halloween specials that once graced TV screens. Specials that are also available to watch online.

Some of the Halloween specials mentioned in the video:

Halloween with the New Addams Family (1977)


The original Addams Family cast reunites for a one-off television special filled with the same macabre charm and darkly humorous shenanigans that fans love.

Witch's Night Out (1978)


Halloween magic unfolds as two kids seek the help of a bumbling witch to find the spookiest costumes, leading to a chaotic and enchanting adventure.

Once Upon a Midnight Scary (1979)

An hour-long Halloween special introduced by the Master of Horror Vincent Price, featuring three eerie tales, each more mysterious and chilling than the last.

Mad Mad Monsters (1972)


A delightful animated Halloween special, classic monsters like Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Werewolf gather for a hilariously chaotic wedding, filled with madcap antics and monstrous mayhem.

Paul Lynde Halloween Special (1976)


A Halloween extravaganza featuring a star-studded cast, including the Wicked Witch of the West herself, Margaret Hamilton, and a memorable blend of comedy and music.

The Halloween That Almost Wasn't (1979)


Dracula strives to save Halloween from a witch who wants to abolish the holiday, leading to a spirited battle between the supernatural characters.

Fat Albert Halloween Special (1977)


Fat Albert and his friends decide to skip treats and embark on a mischievous adventure to scare their neighbors, but they end up getting a spine-tingling surprise of their own from the spooky lady living near the graveyard

Halloween Is Grinch Night (1977)


Halloween Is Grinch Night tells the story of the Grinch wreaking havoc on Whoville during a particularly eerie Grinch Night.

The Flintstones Meet Rockula and Frankenstone (1979)


The beloved Stone Age family faces a ghoulish adventure as they cross paths with the famous monsters Rockula and Frankenstone

Casper Saves Halloween (1979)


Casper, the Friendly Ghost tries to dress up as a real boy and befriends a group of orphans. But their Halloween fun is threatened by Harry Scary and his ghostly gang, prompting Casper and his friends to embark on a mission to rescue Halloween.

Halloween Hall of Fame (1977)


Jonathan Winters stars as a security guard who, while working late at the Walt Disney Production Studio on Halloween night, encounters a talking pumpkin jack-o'-lantern that presents a series of classic Disney Halloween cartoons

Halloween Safety (1977)


An educational film, lasting 11 minutes, teaching the importance of Halloween safety, covering topics like reflective tape, inspecting treats, traveling in groups, and other safety measures while trick-or-treating, offering valuable tips for a secure Halloween experience.

The Pumpkin Who Couldn't Smile (1979)


An animated CBS special that tells the heartwarming story of Raggedy Anne and Raggedy Andy's quest to find a smiling pumpkin for a boy in need of Halloween cheer, providing a delightful tale of friendship and joy.

My Favorite Halloween Movies and TV Episodes

Every year around Halloween I try to make time to watch a few films and tv episodes during the season. Not all of them are Halloween themed specifically but they're suited for this time of year. Some of these shows and films are more about nostalgia for me. As is the case with many of the reasons why people watch certain shows and movies throughout October. Here are some of my favorites in no particular order.

Ernest Scared Stupid

Ernest P. Worrell was one of my favorite characters in movies when I was a child. This film is no different and I've seen it quite a few times. It's a good film for nostalgia's sake.

The Hollow (2004)

There are a lot of people who don't like this film because of who stars in it (Nick Carter). And this was before the accusations against him. Ignoring his presence in the film as much as you can, this movie is an okay retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Further down the article I will also be highlighting a much better film based on Washington Irving's story.

Casper (1995)

1995's Casper film, starring Christina Ricci, goes along great with the Casper cartoons. The cartoons, which were also a favorite of mine growing up. We had a few episodes of them on those VHS tapes that'd you get from Ames (remember them?) and Kmart. Anyways, about the Caspar movie, the story is really good and the acting is also, in my opinion. The fact that CG in a film, from the mid-90s, looks as good as it does is also a plus.

Disney's Scary Tales (1983)

I used to watch this Disney special every year, during the month of October, when I was younger. In fact, this one was just about a must to watch when I was a child. You can find a few other Disney Halloween specials listed on Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scary_Tales

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

No list is complete without this classic. Another Halloween cartoon I would watch every year growing up.

Wait Till Helen Comes

This is a more recent movie but was a story that I read as a child. I'd only remembered the name of the book once advertisements for the film were being shown online. The story stuck in my mind from my childhood and the film isn't all that bad.

Trick 'r Treat

I only found out about this film because I was watching True Blood and was looking for other similarly-themed stuff that starred any of the people from the HBO show. Specifically Anna Paquin. Trick 'r Treat was the film that fit the bill. Sam is an excellent standout character and one that makes this film itself stand out from many Halloween-season films of recent years. 

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Last, but not least, is the 1980 movie, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", starring a young Jeff Goldblum who makes for the perfect Ichabod Crane. This adaptation of the Washington Irving story is much much better than The Hollow above. And it's far more atmospheric, partly owning to the age of the film and how it was filmed. Like The Hollow, it is also a made for tv film. I recommend watching this after watching The Hollow though. Maybe even on Halloween night if you have the time. The full version is currently available on YouTube.

I've probably forgotten quite a few of the greats for watching during October and during the Halloween season. So feel free to leave a comment about some of your Halloween tv and movie favorites.