So, what's your all-time favorite Halloween character?

[Asylum Steve]

Well, after my college years, I was never a huge Halloween fan, at least not in the sense of going out to parties in costume. Still from time to time I did, most often during the years I shot the clubs on South Beach.

This is probably my all-time favorite character. I came up with it after seeing the movie The Public Eye, starring Joe Pesci (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105187/). Pesci's Great Bernzini character was loosely based on photographer Arthur Felig (better known as Weegee, famous for his street and crime scene photos in the 1930s and 40s).

I was actually working that Halloween (if you could call having to hit the circuit of posh SoBe parties work), covering the festivities for a couple of publications. And yes, I rented an authentic Graflex Speed Graphic camera from a local prop shop (used my P&S for the actual pictures, though). That's a cigar stub in my mouth (essential prop for the night), and I was wearing a fedora with a PRESS card in it...

The best part was, being in costume, I was able to play the rude-boy Pesci character to a tee (just imagine my usual wise-ass personality taken to the nth degree). The insulting and suggestive comments I was able to get away with (mostly to women) without getting slapped (or worse) was unbelievable...

So, what cool or funny characters have you played on Halloween and what was the story behind it? Let's see some pics if you have them...

[another view]

just imagine my usual wise-ass personality taken to the nth degree

I can't imagine that!

Great costume - had to look at it a couple times to realize it really is you! New avatar maybe? ;)

My band is playing a halloween party at a bar this Saturday, and "we" decided to go as doctors, and the other guys will be Dr. Feel Good, Dr. McGillicuddy and Dr. Funkenstein. My brilliant suggestion was Dr. Johnny Fever so I get to use a little of my own wise-ass personality! Maybe there will be pictures...

(what have I gotten myself into!?)

[Asylum Steve]

had to look at it a couple times to realize it really is you!...

Nobody here has seen me with short hair...

[Peter_AUS]

Being a non American and living so far away, Holloween means absolutely nothing to me but is encrouching on us here in Australia (the 53 state of the USA, there are 52 others aren't there), I have no understanding of the meaning of Holloween, other than Pumpkins, kids dress up and go around collecting treats and maybe the odd scary person who opens the door. My children have asked me about it and I don't know what to Answer. Anyone care to elaborate for me so I can then inform my children ?????

[mjs1973]

Being a non American and living so far away, Holloween means absolutely nothing to me but is encrouching on us here in Australia (the 53 state of the USA, there are 52 others aren't there), I have no understanding of the meaning of Holloween, other than Pumpkins, kids dress up and go around collecting treats and maybe the odd scary person who opens the door. My children have asked me about it and I don't know what to Answer. Anyone care to elaborate for me so I can then inform my children ?????

Check out this article Peter.

http://www.temple-news.com/media/pap...n-537464.shtml

[Peter_AUS]

That was interesting Michael, and I learnt something. No wonder we don't celebrate Hollowen, we are Catholic, so we celebrate All Saints Day, but in a much different way here. Thanks for that link.

[Asylum Steve]

I was looking for something like that article to post...

I always find it odd that so many non-Americans think Halloween was invented here in the States. Especially Europeans, who should really know their history better (see link below for another good article).

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051026/...d_by_halloween

I will admit that we DID perfect the brash over-commercialization and marketing to death of the holiday, which is exactly why I don't particularly care for it, but like much of our culture, we originally brought it over from Europe...

[another view]

I will admit that we DID perfect the brash over-commercialization and marketing to death of the holiday, which is exactly why I don't particularly care for it, but like much of our culture, we originally brought it over from Europe...

Hmm... Not just that holiday...

[megan]

the 53 state of the USA, there are 52 others aren't there

No, that would be a deck of cards. I always get confused with that too! (Unless you consider England the 51st state, but I don't think the British would take too kindly to that, us being a former colony and all.)

[megan]

Halloween is actually my favorite holiday. It's when I do my annual clothes and housewares shopping. Target rocks for Halloween towels and stuff that I use year round.

My favorite character? Why, the Great Pumpkin! I would always LOVE hearing that drum solo and seeing "SPECIAL" circling on the screen when I was a kid, signaling that a Charlie Brown special was coming right up.

Then there's Nosferatu - German Expressionist films really have made a large impact on me. The Klaus Kinski version is creepy and has its own merits as well, but that original black and white Nosferatu - brilliant.

Jack Skellington from "Nightmare Before Christmas" is a close third. Just cuz.

Megan

[JSPhoto]

Ummm well, no real favorite except may Casper the ghost.... probably because thats my dogs name.... I took him from someone who abused him. The guy named him Ghost because the little bugger was all black and would sneak up behind you at night and you couldn't see him. He's part Rotwieler and Black Lab with a real sense of humor.... when he sneaks up behind you he puts his nose right in your crotch and tries to knock you down. Then he just stands there looking at you as if to laugh at you... al the while is chopped tail is going 100mph from side to side.... then he smiles and shows you those "perly whites" and barks at you... he's psycho I swear!

Me, according to friends.... I don't need a costume..... thanks buddy!

JS

[walterick]

Halloween is actually my favorite holiday.

Megan you rock grrl. It's my favorite holiday too. Partly because there's no significant religious ties to it, it's just a chance to have fun. For young and old alike. I remember spending Halloween in New York with you a few years ago that was fun Spent one in the Castro of San Francisco too that was kookoo.

Looks like I am going to be out of town from Dec 19 to Jan 2. Hope I don't miss you.

Rick

[SmartWombat]

I will admit that we DID perfect the brash over-commercialization and marketing to death of the holiday

You had culture brought to you from all over the world, and ruined it.

Loudon Wainright III (good old loudo) said it well
Suddenly it's Christmas
Right after Halloween
Forget about Thanksgiving
It's just a buffet in between

Except it's getting worse and worse.
We have Costco in the UK now - great for peanut butter and little else.
They started their Chsirtmas toys and decorations display in August !

There ought to be a law against it.

[masdog]

Well...if you include Canada, there 62 states (we don't want Quebec), so Australia would actually be the 63rd state in the Union.

Actually, there are only 50 states in the Union. Hopefully, Guam or Puerto Rico woud decide to join one of these days, but that isn't looking too likely.

[Mr Yuck]

The King

[Asylum Steve]

You had culture brought to you from all over the world, and ruined it.

If it makes you feel any better, there are as many people here in the states that hate the commercialization of these holidays as not...

In the case of the US, you can blame the beer, food, toy, and greeting card industries...

[megan]

we don't want Quebec

Hey, I LOVE Quebec! I'll take it!

[megan]

Looks like I am going to be out of town from Dec 19 to Jan 2. Hope I don't miss you.

Rick

Nope, I'm planning on going the first weekend in Dec. I'll be in touch when dates are finalized.

[masdog]

One of my friends tried to get the King costume on EBay for Halloween. But, being a collage student, the asking prices got too high for him.

[masdog]

I wouldn't blame the beer industry for anything except ruining beer. I still don't see how that horse [deleted] called Budweiser is the number one selling beer in America.

[Janie]

I already posted mine in another thread - I was Jean Harlow totally in grayscale, like the BW Movies. http://lushvanripp.com is where you can see it if you didn't see it in the other thread.

[Asylum Steve]

I already posted mine in another thread - I was Jean Harlow totally in grayscale, like the BW Movies. http://lushvanripp.com is where you can see it if you didn't see it in the other thread.

Ah, you'd make a perfect date for the Tin Man...

[another view]

Budweiser is the number one selling beer in America.

Same way Britany Spears sells a ton of CD's and "reality TV" gets high ratings. Like Kelly says, I'm old!

You had culture brought to you from all over the world, and ruined it.

Is it true that the British conquered the world in search of a good meal? ;) Actually, I'm in the group that Steve mentions about hating the over commercialization of everything... Christmas displays (here too) in August are a bit much!

[Asylum Steve]

I wouldn't blame the beer industry for anything except ruining beer. I still don't see how that horse [deleted] called Budweiser is the number one selling beer in America.

Agreed. What the beer industry did, though, was systematically turn Halloween into a huge beer-drinking holiday (think Elvira), which it never was years ago...

BTW, IMHO the only decent beer A-Busch ever made was Michelob Dark WAY back before "light beer" even existed. Actually was fairly tasty...