The Halloween That Almost Wasn't

I knew we were gonna get to this eventually, and what a cracking way to get into the season!

I'm not really sure if I can call this a cult classic since though I have indeed heard some people bring it up it fits more a minor oddity of the season's past. Clocking it at less than half an hour this very simple yet lovingly produced special involves all the famous monsters of filmland trying to preserve this most treasured and literally hallowed holiday by trying to convince a witch to commence her annual fly through the moonlit sky while she is ready to call it quits. And for a television special from 1979 I have to admit they did a good job with everything, the sets are very nicely done and show some scale, the costuming is the epitome of classic, the writing genuinely got some chuckles out of me, and I got to give credit where credit is sorely due to the simple fact that they lore drop some of the original traditions of Halloween and what they are today 4 years before Season Of The Witch and that gets them at least half a star! The cast are clearly having fun with this especillay in the case of Judd Hirsch and Mariette Hartley who do have the most time to shine. Judd does a pretty damn great Bela Lugosi impression and got the most laughs out of me, in fact if I may be so bold I think this specific iteration of the character is the basis for Hotel Transylvania. Watch it and prove me wrong! Mariette has a lot of sass and self-worth, and I was fully on her side when she said she was tired of being a witch, not getting that much recognition when she literally heralds the most special of days, and hey a woman who wants to disco dance every Friday has my heart. Henry Gibson as Igor was a treat too, with a very eloquent british accent to break up the monotony of other hunchback assistants and his sycophantic attitude towards the Count combined with his cunning plans were nice character touches. I can totally see why this was broadcasted on the Disney Channel for 13 years ending in 1996, it's a perfect Halloween special for young kids who want some light entertainment. But neither does it ham up or treat the audience stupidly, it truly does just do it's own thing and invites you to have fun with it. I truly enjoyed it and got a good couple of chuckles and exclaimated "Ha's" throughout, it takes you back to a much more innocent time and with the right kind of eyes you might even get a little emotionally invested near the end. You know what it's like? It's like a school play that's well made and you can tell the actor's are trying, and despite whatever small shortcomings it has and yes it's no masterpiece you can value and appreciate it a good deal. I probably won't watch it every year but I also got something to add to my ever growing list of Halloween goodness to watch, and how could that ever be a bad thing? I give it 3 stars, 7.5/10, and we got a classic animated special next time.