The Hallowe'en Playlist Part 1: Spooky, not Scary

[Above: 1988's Beetlejuice, dir. Tim Burton]

   Ever since I was a kid, I have loved Hallowe'en. I partly blame ITV's The Worst Witch for making me want to dress up and buy plastic cauldrons and lanterns from Tesco, but do I still love those things, more than two decades later. It signals the start of what I like to call 'The Cosy Season'.

   However, I've never really liked horror films. I like fantasy, fables, witches and monsters - and I love a well-written ghost story, particularly at Christmas - but I've never actually been great at being scared. My palate has changed over time, and there are some horror films I will watch (particularly if they feature great production design), but there still needs to be an element of magic, a sense of escapism, in order for me to enjoy it.

   So, what films did this wuss watch over the Hallowe'en season in years past? Which films can you enjoy if you have similar delicate tastes, but still want to get into the holiday spirit? Well, I've made a list of my recommended 'gentler' films for Hallowe'en, and I've broken it into two parts - starting with the tamest viewing choices. Any combination of these films should make for a great movie night.


Universal Classic Monsters (1923-1960)

   I couldn't pick just one of these, because they're all brilliant. A group of friends and I watched a box set of them over Hallowe'en last year, and they went down a storm. Although they were seen as terrifying in their day, our threshold for fear has changed over the years: what remains is classy filmmaking, memorable characters and great storytelling. It's also incredible to think about how many modern-day directors were inspired by these films. The occasional piece of wobbly set dressing just adds to the charm. Start with Dracula and The Creature from the Black Lagoon, but don't miss The Bride of Frankenstein.

The Simpsons 'Treehouse of Horror' Hallowe'en Specials (1990 -)

   As it did for many 90s kids, The Simpsons gave me a sneaky push into the world of horror movies. By the time I finally saw The Shining, Nightmare on Elm Street, Bram Stoker's Dracula (more on that later), and even some episodes of The Twilight Zone, I realised I'd already seen certain scenes - in animated form! The Simpsons Hallowe'en specials were such close parodies, it really made you appreciate how much the show runners loved cinema. I haven't seen recent series, so I can't comment on the quality today, but the Treehouse of Horror sketches of earlier series are some of my favourites - and the best one, for me, is still their retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven (pictured above), from the very first Hallowe'en episode in 1990.

Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (1937)

   No one could tell a twisted fable like The Brothers Grimm, and although a lot of Disney adaptations toned down the source material, their very first production certainly had its scary moments! Snow White and the Seven Dwarves featured a haggard, cackling witch, a skull-shaped poison apple, a box designed to hold human hearts, and the infamous forest scene - which was one of my big inspirations when it came to filming Songbird! The original Snow White terrified a generation - but today, it's the perfect film for someone who wants to dip their toe into some spooky themes, whilst still being comforted by some happy musical numbers and dancing animals.

The Lost Boys (1987)

   So The Lost Boys is a big departure from Snow White; it does feature bloody murders and a dashing of gore, so it definitely earned its 15 certificate - but it's more fun than scary. As with many films in the eighties, it features young teenage protagonists, out to save the world before the adults even realise there's a problem. They look to comic books for advice, and a dog helps them to defeat the bad guys. It's also incredibly cheesy: the leather-clad teenage vampires hang out in their boho-chic cave, eating Chinese food, and the OTT soundtrack features a good dollop of dated 'sexy saxophone'. Also, you'll be so busy counting how many times a young Kiefer Sutherland says 'Michael', you'll forget to be scared.

Ghostbusters (1984) and Ghostbusters II (1989)

   I'll admit, it's a long time since I've watched either of the original Ghostbusters films. I'm torn between my memories of how much I loved the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man scene, and how annoying I found Slimer - but all of that is irrelevant when you remember that Bill Murray is in both films, and Bill Murray can do no wrong, particularly when he's part of a stellar ensemble cast. Plus it would be wrong to do a list of Hallowe'en films without including at least one Ghostbusters film - after all, the theme song is on every single Hallowe'en party playlist ever made!

Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

   I told you I'd come onto this one. I adored this film when I was a teenager; I was into anything 'Gothic Romance', and the pairing of Gary Oldman and Winona Ryder seemed like a dream come true. The film hasn't aged well; a lot of the practical effects, which were done to pay homage to classic movie-making, look a little bit cheap now - and there's so much blood and nudity that they lose their impact. But the main reason the film isn't scary is the love story itself; it makes Dracula feel like less of a threat, and more of a romantic hero. Taking all that into account, it makes Bram Stoker's Dracula the perfect vampire movie for someone who doesn't want to be scared (but also doesn't want to delve into the modern day world of Twilight). Watch it for the extravagant costumes; stay for Keanu Reeves' bizarre line delivery.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

   Again, it's been a long time since I watched this film - and I maybe don't quite love it as much as some people do (here's looking at you, Charlie Clarke!) - but I know there would be hell to pay if I missed Hocus Pocus off this list. It's obvious why it's a fan favourite; it's full of colourful Hallowe'en visuals, plenty of magic, and it's just so much fun. Bette Midler steals the show as Winifred, particularly when she performs her version of 'I Put a Spell on You'.

Casper (1995)

   Casper is a film which has stayed with me my entire life, because it was the first film I watched where I noticed production design. The haunted house set is just incredible, particularly when the basement is revealed. What's more, there's some emotional family stories at the core of the film - aided by James Horner's twinkling, chilling score. Yes, it's all aimed at children, and Casper's annoying uncles are testimony to that, but it's still a magical movie, and a firm fixture on my Autumn/Winter playlist. It's probably up there in my top 30 films of all time.

The Crow (1994)

   A lot of the films on this list are family-friendly. But what if you want a more adult, action-packed, violent film with some spooky elements for Hallowe'en? Well, The Crow is for you. The gothic hero (played by the late Brandon Lee) rises from the grave, paints his face and battles his enemies on rainy rooftops. This film has more candles than Bram Stoker's Dracula, more leather costumes than The Lost Boys, and more creepy bird imagery than The Raven in Treehouse of Horror. All in all, it's the ideal action film to watch on Hallowe'en. Just don't think about the tragedy that took place on set. That's the real scare, here.

The Addams Family (1991) / Addams Family Values (1993)

   Christina Ricci makes her second appearance on this list! I haven't seen the new animated remake, but the original two Addams Family offerings are the definitive films for someone who wants all the themes and the visuals of Hallow'en without the fear. Every character in the family is iconic in their own right (and have been since the original comic strip series), but Gomez and Morticia need a particular mention for their #RelationshipGoals. A lot of people prefer the second film, Addams Family Values, to the first - and although I don't have a preference, the Summer Camp in the second film plays hosts to some of the series' most brilliant scenes.

Beetlejuice (1988)

   The second actor to appear twice on this list is Winona Ryder, and this entry (shown at the top of the page) was one of her first films. It's also one of two Tim Burton films included in this blog post - and I would've happily added more. 

   Beetlejuice is a very different film on paper. It deals with the difficult theme of death, its antagonist is selfish, physically rotten and villainous (he even tries to marry a teenage girl against her will!), and there's some genuinely sad scenes where a ghost couple have to watch their dream home be torn apart by its new living inhabitants. Yet, this film is so much fun, in no doubt because of all its outlandish characters, creative set pieces and now-infamous musical scene. There's monsters aplenty, and scenes where the undead transform themselves - but all of these scenes are done with practical effects (mostly stop motion), and you'll be so mesmerised by the creativity on display, I promise you won't be scared.

Corpse Bride (2005)
  
   I considered having Frankenweenie as my second Tim Burton film on this list; it's completely brilliant, and it features so many loving references to the Universal Classic Monsters films I mentioned at the start of this post. But, after a little reflection, it had to be Corpse Bride. Not only do I think that Corpse Bride is one of Tim Burton's most underrated films, I think it might be my favourite film to watch at Hallowe'en. The entire film, from start to finish, is stunning. Every shot looks like a chilling, wintery painting, and the delicate puppets are so beautiful. It's also a tragic story of a jilted, murdered bride, who just wants to be loved, which is perfect for this season - and the colourful, jazzy musical numbers with dancing skeletons are fun enough to balance out any of the film's scarier elements. If anything, Corpse Bride could've been more scary - it would probably be the best way to tell Emily's story.

What We Do in The Shadows (2014)

   And finally, a more modern entry - because what this list is missing is a full-on comedy. Taika Waititi is fast being recognised as the comedy genius that he is, but What We Do In The Shadows genuinely had me howling with laughter (howling being an appropriate word to use here!). The film follows a group of vampire tenants as they go about their daily lives, shot in a mock-documentary style similar to The Office. But don't let the modern filming style put you off - this film is rich with gothic imagery and classic horror themes, from the references to Dracula to the appearance of Ben Fransham's Petyr, which is an obvious homage to Max Schreck in 1922's Nosferatu. It's so funny, you might just die...

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[Above: Red Riding Hood (2011), one of my Honourable Mentions]

   So, what did you think of this list? Is your favourite on there? I couldn't fit every film on here (also, there were some entries which I chose to omit, like The Nightmare Before Christmas, which I think should be watched just after Hallowe'en), so here's a few honourable mentions:

   The Frighteners, The Craft, Red Riding Hood (or The Company of Wolves, if that's more to your taste), Practical Magic, The Cabin in the Woods, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Pretty Much Everything Else Tim Burton Has Made, and my friend Neil Oseman's directorial film Soul Searcher.

  Next time I get chance, I'll post part two of this blog post, featuring a list of spooky films for a stronger stomach, all of which I've learned to love over time. But there definitely won't be a 'part three' with a list of full-blown scary films. I'm still not brave enough for that!

Sophie