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Haunted History: Where Halloween Comes From Part 4

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Halloween history

Welcome to the final part of our journey through the history of Halloween!

Time moved on, as it is wont to do, and the peoples of Europe began to travel across the ocean and colonize the lands they found there.  In the thirteen original colonies of the United States, religion and beliefs bent to fit the people who settled there.

In Virginia, made up mostly of English settlers of the Protestant Anglican faith, they rid themselves of Saints, but kept the celebrations All Saints’ and All Souls Days.  It was not uncommon in private libraries of Virginian families to find books on astrology, magickal practice, and divination alongside the family Bible.  They melded spiritual and religious beliefs and even, over time, managed to get the Anglican Church to recognize All Souls and All Saints’ days as festivals to honor the dead.

In Pennsylvania, under the Quaker practice of tolerance for all religions, immigrants of Irish and German descent combined the beliefs of the commonly held Celtic roots and the celebration of Halloween flourished until well into the mid-1700s in a most traditional way.  Here, more than any other colony, folk magick and other spiritual beliefs were not just tolerated, but encouraged.  The lighting of the bonfires as their ancestors had done, while perhaps not common practice, was certainly something that did occur.  It is amazing really, that such traditions could be carried forward by oral tradition alone.  Through all of the groups they had encountered that had tried to keep the beliefs away, they endured and woke once more in the new land.

Maryland remained predominantly Catholic in the beginning, but was later taken over by the Puritans.  They forbade all celebration of any such holidays as All Saints’, All Hallows, or All Souls Days.  A fun bit of trivia for you, they also forbade the celebration of Christmas because they knew the day of celebration had grown up on the backs of pagan traditions and in place of pagan celebrations.  Their rule lasted here until 1688 when they were finally brought down and the English took back over the colony.

So, what do we have here?  Immigrants from all across Europe have come together and mingled creating their own culture and their own traditions.  In the midst of this, the practice of Mischief Night began to creep up all across the colonies and eventually, states of the United States.  Communities would come together for great parties in the fall season, and the youth of the community would run about in costumes, soaping windows and playing pranks on the older members of the community.  And though they had different names for it (Nut Crack Night, Apple Night, and yes, Halloween), a commonality began to creep into the mindset of the people and this night of revelry became a part of all their lives.

It was during the Victorian era that we began to see some of the common imagery we now associate with Halloween.  Broom riding witches with green skin and warty noses were drawn bent over their cauldrons, summoning up the spirits of the dead.  Newspapers and magazines gave instructions for party games and how to carve a “proper” Jack O’ Lantern from pumpkins.  All the while, mischief still reigned supreme as teenagers came up with new and exciting ways of pranking their fellows on this night.

By the early 20th century, manufacturers in the U.S. were making products specifically for Halloween.  Decorations and costumes could be purchased in stores at this time, though it was much more common in more rural areas to make one’s own from supplies readily available at home.

An unfortunate development at this time came when the Ku Klux Klan decided to use Mischief Night as a night to further their own agenda.  Homes and churches were burned by the militant, discriminatory group under the guise of teenage mischief.  It was not until the Boy Scouts combined with groups like the Kiwanis and Lion’s Clubs to create trick or treating night that the holiday was finally wrested from the hands of these evil men in white sheets by turning it from a night of mischief to a night of more innocent fun.  This was further helped along by World War II when youngsters were told that vandalism wasn’t fun anymore.  What’s more it was irresponsible and un-patriotic to destroy someone else’s property, especially when so many were struggling to make ends meet during the lean times of war.

During the 1970s, a great scare came over the holiday.  Gossip warned that candy and apples could be poisoned with the intent of harming children on Halloween.  Before this time, if you didn’t have a lot of money, you could make your own candies or popcorn balls at home to hand out to trick or treaters.  Not so after these rumors began to fly about.  It was store bought, pre-wrapped candy or nothing at all.  What’s even more important to note is that not once, and I mean not a single time, has there ever been a documented case of a poisoned child or a child being cut by a razor blade hidden inside an apple.  Oh, I know we’ve all heard the stories, but it never happened.  Blows your mind, doesn’t it?

It was in the 1990s that Halloween once again found itself staring down the barrel of religious discrimination.  Radical Protestant groups, at this time, began their own personal war with Halloween.  They claimed it was a satanic holiday…that it was evil…that it exalted demons in the guise of costumed childhood games…that it…wait…didn’t I already write this?  Oh yes…yes, I did!  You see, in the 1990s, we came full circle, where those who wish to control another group of people begin by attacking their ideals and holidays.  But, if there is anything we have learned on our journey over the last few weeks, it is that Halloween endures.  It changes, evolves, and even hides out when necessary, but it does endure.

That brings us to the present days, readers.  Halloween remains, to this day, a holiday prominently celebrated in the U.S. and Ireland, though it is gaining popularity in other parts of the world.  I hope you’ve enjoyed this journey as much as I have enjoyed conducting it.  And most of all, I wish you a happiest Halloween 2014!

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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