From Zombos' Closet

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.

Caltiki (1959) Movie Pressbook

Here's the four-page pressbook for Caltiki, the Immortal Monster. Mario Bava reportedly had a hand in the direction of this horror movie, but whoever is to blame, the end result is a mess only a tad less horrifying than Caltiki. Of course, I didn't notice the slipshod editing at the time, but the monster is quite impressively gloppy and scary. Hard to say if this movie was a rushed attempt at cashing in on The Blob, starring Steve McQueen, but I can tell you it scared me so much as a child I had nightmares for a week. And of course, came back for more ;) The story is still very good, just the execution could have been much, much better.

Halloween Press Photo: Funny Faces 1952

This Halloween press photo from Cleveland Press is circa 1952. Pure Americana: two boys admiring a shoe store window Halloween painting. You gotta love those rolled up jeans. 

Halloween Press Photo: Little Miss from 1958

Sure, today you can go to Party City, Spirit Halloween, Halloween Scene, and Walmart and Target and so on and on, to find costumes galore. Way back when you rolled your own. Not saying this one was a good or bad choice for Halloween trick or treating, but you rolled your own back then. It definitely gives me the willies. Just add a rubber knife or axe and a new slasher is born!

This little miss being readied for Halloween with "trick or treat" for a worthwhile cause, collecting pennies for the United Nations children's fund. Her bright costume features a lamb's head made from a paper bag and crepe paper.