From Zombos' Closet

Halloween Press Photo: You Think You've Got a Costume?

And I bet you thought YOU had a costume.

Christmas Press Photo: How Nightmare Before Christmas Came About

Central Press Association, 1935--Santa, fed up with all the Halloween holiday nonsense, sets up shop before October 31st, to tell eager young candy-gobblers, like brightly dressed Tim Burton, they should enjoy Santa's (s)elf-printed coloring books instead of sugary sweets. Santa's giant elf-handler and marketing muscle on the right (behind his chair), provides support to move the line along, even as little Tim desperately tugs on Santa's hand for anything sweet or chocolaty instead of crayons.

Halloween Press Photo: Apple Bobbing 1956

Los Angeles, 1956--In one of those life-altering moments you never realize until it's too late, young Adam Paradise ponders Eve Garden's seemingly harmless apple challenge. 

Halloween Press Photo: Party City Staff Meeting 1956

And here's a nice shot from 1956 of the Party City creative staff at their annual Halloween get-together.

Halloween Press Photo: Pumpkin Prize 1962

Kenosha, Wisconsin, October 16th, 1962-Local thespian dons ritualistic Halloween costume and accidentally socks Lucinda Little in jaw while demonstrating the I-want-candy (and need to pee, but it can wait until I finish) dance. Lucinda recovers, but can't eat any of the Halloween candy her neighbors shower her with out of sympathy. Parents sue local thespian for damages, local thespian sues costume maker for making his mask eye-slits too small, and little Bobby Little (lower left), sues local neighbors for giving too much candy that his sister couldn't eat, causing multiple cavities and stomach aches for him.

Halloween Press Photo: Shopping Center Window Painting 1962

Halloween window painting takes 3rd prize, October 24th, 1962 (photo by Carl W. Eysenbach)--While Ginny Bawman ponders where to put the Mystery Machine, she loses her footing and mistakenly grabs for the painted tree branch. Luckily, a passing shopper cushions her fall.

Halloween Press Photo: The Witch and the Babes 1949

Las Vegas, October 30th, 1949: Sisters Pat and Francis are aghast to discover they have a third sister who doesn't share their fashion sense.

Halloween Press Photo: What's in the Bag?

From Cleveland Press, October 31st, 1950 (photo by Glenn Zahn)--Joey and Janey Skittles are paralyzed with uncertainty as to what to eat first: Left Twix or Right Twix; sadly not realizing that their hard earned 2.5% savings account dividends would be swallowed up by the Great Recession in the future, making the flimsy Twix marketing conceit pale in comparison.

Halloween Press Photo: Timmy Surrounded!

In 1962, Timmy falls asleep and is suddenly surrounded by angry pumpkins looking to scoop his stuffing out and stick a candle in his head for a change. 

Jungle Woman (1944) Movie Pressbook

Long time pressbook collector and contributor to Zombos' Closet,  Tony Rivers once again goes to the jungle and returns with Jungle Woman.

Halloween Press Photo: Gas Station Window 1962

You may find this hard to believe, but there was a time when gas stations had attendants, dressed in snappy uniforms, eager to wash your windows, check your oil, and pump your gas. I know, I know. Sounds like a fantasy, right? 

10/19/62 -- Detroit: When station attendent Walt Sifford painted a Halloween scene, complete with cornstalk, on his gas station window, he never thought his work was realistic enough to become a pheasant trap. But it wasn't long before a pheasant came crashing into the window. Sifford is shown with the pheasant, who was only stunned. Sifford plans to free the bird in a real cornfield when the bird fully recovers.

Halloween Press Photo: Rain Delay 1959

I know the feeling. Bummer. And I don't believe the copy on the back of the photo. Not mind? Really? Impossible.