👻 Boo!A Halloween Pop Culture Nostalgia Extravaganza 🎃
Hello WNVN-ers,
Happy Halloween! This week we decided to do something a bit different. In the four months we’ve been writing this newsletter, we’ve connected with some fantastic Gen X, X-er adjacent, and pop culture writers via Substack’s ecosystem. We are really interested in building a coalition: John Hughes had the Brat Pack and we have the … STACK PACK (ahem, still workshopping this). With that in mind, we reached out to some of them to ask about their favorite ‘80s and ‘90s Halloween movie and TV moments, along with sharing our own.
Also, this is a bit of a tease for a ‘90s TV collaboration piece we are doing with the Ministry of Pop Culture, a group of five talented entertainment writers. Enjoy this trip down memory lane, then check out everyone’s writing and subscribe!
In order to fit all the GIFs we thought were absolutely necessary here, you may need to read this one in your browser so it doesn’t cut off. And we’ll be back with news You Oughta Know next week.
Why Are You Dressed Like It’s Halloween?
We ask fellow writers about the spooky pop culture memories that still haunt them.
By Fawnia and Cheryl
What’s your favorite Halloween movie or scene in an ‘80s or ‘90s movie or TV show?
Danyel Smith, Shine Bright HQ
“Halloween is not my favorite holiday. ‘Thou shalt not take candy from strangers’ is a Gen X commandment. That being said, I do love a good masquerade ball scene and the one in 1998’s The Man in the Iron Mask, with Leonardo DiCaprio in a dual role and a righteous kidnap scene afoot is one of the best ever. And, while I don’t do horror, I do like witches. So count me in for any random episode of Charmed, all of the enchantresses in The Wiz (1978, but giving ‘80s) and The Craft (1996), as well as Tia Mowry and Tamera Mowry’s underrated 2005 Twitches — a Disney project with a ‘90s vibe).”
Reda Rountree, Only Murders in the Inbox
“My favorite costume party is in the 1984 pilot episode of ‘Murder, She Wrote’ titled ‘The Murder of Sherlock Holmes.’ Author Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) attends a party thrown by her publisher, dressed as Cinderella’s godmother in a sparkly pale pink dress with a giant wand. She looks fabulous! There are several inventive costumes in this one — Humpty Dumpty, Pete Pan, even a rooster — but the episode is especially significant because it’s the first time audiences meet Jessica Fletcher, who goes on to be one of the most memorable amateur detectives in the Mystery genre.”
Lesa Hannah, Starving for Beauty
“I am not a fan of horror movies, but the Halloween scene in The Karate Kid (1984) is memorable. Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) makes Daniel (Ralph Macchio) a costume out of a shower curtain so he can stay on the DL and avoid running into Johnny and the other Cobra Kai dickheads (in matching skeleton costumes) at the school dance. It works until he decides to play a prank on Johnny (William Zabka), who is rolling joints in a bathroom stall with his Walkman turned up to 10. Daniel aims a hose over his head, turns on the water and then sprints, but Johnny and his crew chase him all the way home, where they proceed to karate chop the shit out of him, showing him no mercy, just like sensei tells them. That is until Miyagi intervenes like a goddamn ninja. “YAH GET THEM A BODY BAG!”
Anne-Marie Guarnieri, Starving for Beauty
“I'm with Lesa — never been a fan of horror films. I'm a huge scaredy cat! But, I don't mind vampire movies. In junior high, I saw The Hunger (1983), starring Catherine Deneuve and David Freaking Bowie as two very stylish (so much amazing ‘80s fashion) but doomed (aren't they always?) vampires. The plot, I barely recall — something something mortality, blood, Susan Sarandon. But along with the costumes by Milena Canonero, the opening scene, at a New York City nightclub where Bauhaus was performing ‘Bela Lugosi's Dead,’ made a lasting impression. I didn't have cable, so this was as close to having MTV as I could get at that time. And in the VCR era, I had the good fortune of being able to rewind and replay that scene several times until we had to return the tape to the video store. While I never dabbled in goth, ‘Bela Lugosi's Dead’ remains a top-tier spooky banger that I always play around this time every year.”
Kirthana Ramisetti, Ministry of Pop Culture
“I enjoy rewatching ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’’s Halloween season two episode (1997), because the premise was a nifty one: everyone was cursed into turning into their costume. Because she was dressed as a ghost, Willow (Alyson Hannigan) became invisible, which reflected how she felt as Buffy's (Sarah Michelle Gellar) nerdy sidekick.
There's also a ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ season two episode (1991) that I remember specifically for the costumes: Brenda (Shannen Doherty) and Dylan (Luke Perry) dressed as Bonnie and Clyde, and they just had oodles of chemistry together, while poor Donna went as a mermaid, and her giant tail that made it really hard for her to sit or move. It solidified how much Donna was treated as the comic relief in those first few seasons.”
Thea Glassman, Ministry of Pop Culture
“I'd love to give a shout-out to the very underrated sequel to Casper, Casper Meets Wendy (1998). You've got vintage Hilary Duff as the Good Little Witch, you've got ghosts taking over a sunny resort, you've got Shelly Duvall, Teri Garr, and Cathy Moriarty as Duff's cool witchy aunts. Please don't be dissuaded by the absolutely dismal reviews — this is a delightful Halloween film that perfectly epitomizes why the ‘90s were the definitive pop culture witching era.”
Christina Loff, The Dry Down Diaries
“The scary movie that left the biggest scar/impression on my brain had to be Poltergeist (1982). I was six when it came out, so I must have seen it when it hit HBO. The scene — where Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke) is pulled out of bed and drawn to the static TV with a ghost hand coming out of it — still gives me chills when I think of it, and of course, her very creepy voice saying, ‘They're here.’ I was terrified of clowns as a child, and I'm 100% certain it's because of this movie and that creepy clown doll of hers. Every scene with that doll is terrifying to me. But I also kind of love it, and it makes me very nostalgic.”
Stevie, Asian A.V. Club
“I grew up with a deep love of horror films that spanned the macabre (The Changeling) to flat out slasher (Halloween… 2 and um…3), but if I had to choose my favorite movie based around Halloween itself, Poltergeist takes the win for me. Not only was I unsuspecting of the increasing level of paranormal activities, but between that iconic depth of field hallway stretch and falling into a muddy graveyard, I was beyond frightened to the point of giddiness. For a pre-teen, that experience left a forever imprint of how horror films could be scary and exhilarating at the same time.”
Fawnia
“I love mainlining ‘Friends’ on the plane and just re-watched ‘The One With the Halloween Party’ (2001, but they’re still Gen X!) because it perfectly captures the spectrum of Halloween costume commitment. Monica (Courteney Cox) looks great as a sexy cat, which I consider a cop out costume IRL, and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), ignores the dress code for a LBD. Chandler (Matthew Perry) plays for laughs as a plushie bunny, and Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), as Supergirl, checks the DC/Marvel box. Ross (David Schwimmer), a potato with a colander on his head, is that guy who spends all night explaining his punny costume because the joke is way too obscure. (‘Spud-nik,’ get it?) My fave: Joey (Matt LeBlanc), who’s ready to run the WENUS in a sweater vest, button down shirt and slacks.
Cheryl
The teen vampire classic, The Lost Boys (1987), truly has it all. Everyone in it is hot in a hair metal video way, especially Jason Patric (“You’re a creature of the night, Michael!”). This is the movie that first brought The Coreys (Haim/Feldman) together, and it gave us a peek at Bill S. Preston, Esq. (aka Alex Winter) as a vampire with a glorious mullet two years pre-Bill and Ted. And while vampires are supposed to be ageless, Kiefer Sutherland was 18 years old in this movie but looks 32? Plus, I identify with quintessential ‘80s movie mom Dianne Wiest so much now that I’m rewatching things as a middle-aged mom. Oh, and WHY is the swole, oily saxophone player, Tim Cappello, in this?? Finally, it has perhaps the best last line of any film — yes, including Casablanca: “One thing about living in Santa Carla I never could stomach: all the damn vampires.”
We are two Gen X journalists who analyze all the '80s and '90s nostalgia in current pop culture, fashion, and beauty. Read more stories like this one here!
What do you think is a good current pop culture costume with '80s or '90s roots?
Danyel Smith, Shine Bright HQ
“It’s difficult to beat going as Cher and Dionne from 1995’s Clueless (plaid suits only), but if you arrive in either a black-belted red dress, a bralette and silver boxing shorts, or a shimmering royal blue tights and leotard set like Rosie Perez wore in the explosive opening credits of 1989’s Do The Right Thing? Your entrance will have all the ghost-brides and bros in Purge masks howling with envy.” (Costume designer Mona May)
Reda Rountree, Only Murders in the Inbox
'“Speaking of Jessica Fletcher, a fun eighties costume is also JB! All you need is a vintage cardigan or sweater, preferably in fall colors, with large-rimmed glasses on a chain, sensible shoes and a flashlight! However, my favorite throwback costume idea would be Mulder or Scully from ‘The X-Files,’ easy and classic ‘90s (you’d also need a flashlight).” (Brienne Glyttov, Larry S. Wells)
Kirthana Ramisetti, Ministry of Pop Culture
“Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel). Considering how ‘Gilmore Girls’ has become synonymous with fall, it would be a very fitting and fairly easy costume to put together. You can be High School Rory and wear her Chilton prep school uniform, a yellow backpack and carry a stack of books and a cup of coffee. Or you can be College Rory and wear a Yale sweater and jeans... and carry just one book and a cup of coffee. She became less of a bookworm during her college years.” (Brenda Maben)
Thea Glassman, Ministry of Pop Culture
“Beetlejuice (1988) is getting a much-deserved resurgence and there's a wealth of ways you could go with that one, but I'll put in a pitch for dressing like Delia Deetz (Catherine O'Hara), the impossibly chic, esoteric, and terrifying matriarch. Bonus points if your friend goes as Otho (Glenn Shadix), Delia's smug sidekick. Even more bonus points if you both tout a bizarre piece of artwork with you throughout the duration of the night.” (Aggie Guerard Rodgers)
Christina Loff, The Dry Down Diaries
Mary Katherine Gallagher, Molly Shannon's 1995 SNL character who she just resurrected for an appearance with Kamala Harris! (Tom Broecker)
Fawnia
“I’m so predictable, but I have to say ‘Miami Vice.’’ A pastel suit is immediately associated with the show, but it’s also chic, timeless, and gender neutral. You don’t even need a full suit! Crockett often mixed tones and textures for his thrown-together aesthetic, like a cream silk-cotton blazer with white linen pants. For a duo get-up — I love group costumes — find a friend with a shiny gray double-breasted pantsuit to be Tubbs. Then add a silky shirt, unbuttoned to the navel, and a chunky gold St. Christopher’s medallion. Or try a really deep cut and do Phil Collins in any of his flashy, gold lamé-accented outfits.” (Jodie Tillen, season 1)
Cheryl
“When I started hearing about The Substance (a movie I probably will never see because I saw a clip and said, ‘NOPE’), the concept reminded me of Death Becomes Her (1992). It stars Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep as romantic rivals fighting over Bruce Willis, a plastic surgeon-turned-mortician. They both take an anti-aging potion delivered by Isabella Rossellini, who is a total smokeshow in this. Willis has to then spackle them up when they ruin their new facades. It’s now a Broadway show, and pop singer Sabrina Carpenter recently referenced the movie in her ‘Taste’ video. It would be so easy to be Goldie Hawn’s character: red wig, black pants, red shirt with a black paper ‘hole’ in the stomach.” (Emmanuelle Youchnovski, Joanna Johnston)
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Thank you everyone for reminding me of the other gems that left such an influence growing up!
This was so much fun, and such a great nostalgia trip! Thanks for including me.