It’s been over a week since Thanksgiving, and we’ve just awakened from the full-belly naps we’ve enjoyed over the holidays.  As college football season closes and anticipation arises for upcoming bowl games (Outback Bowl in Tampa, anyone?), the season’s greetings turn towards trees, snowmen, reindeer, and Santa Claus!  Don’t worry, we’re sure that Ernest Saves Christmas just in time (like he has for the past three decades).

In the NEWS

Looks like there’s something strange in the neighborhood for the third time according to Dan Aykroyd.  Ghostbusters 3 is confirmed to be a sequel to the original Ghostbusters movies from the ‘80s.  Great news!  Sadly, however, Bikini Bottom mourns the loss of SpongeBob Squarepants creator Stephen Hillenburg who ended his fight with ALS.  He was 57. 

EarBuds Toy Catalog: Games

The results of the first category of the EarBuds Toy Catalog brackets are in as four games of times past go head-to-head against each other (via EarBuds’ voting).  Hungry Hungry Hippos, Trivial Pursuit, Battleship, and the Nintendo Entertainment System face off for the EarBuds’ favorite.  Perhaps the ultimate winner isn’t all that unexpected.

But you can always be a part of the brackets as these rounds continue over the next two weeks.  Keep checking various social media outlets for updates and ways you can vote for your favorite toys in the EarBuds Toy Catalog contest.

SuperFriend Hunter Wahl

Laika’s newest addition to their amazing stop-motion features is coming this April, and SuperFriend Hunter Wahl joins us to tell us about the movie and gives us insight into behind-the-scenes activities that go into making a stop-motion feature in the 21st Century.  Missing Link will premier on April 12th of next year and we’re excited to see this movie.

Ernest Saves Christmas

Hunter (who was, at least in part, raised by a TechnoRetro Dad) sticks around for some fun chatter about Ernest Saves Christmas as Ernest P. Worrell helps Santa fulfill his mission to pass the torch (or magic sack) to the next Santa to carry on the tradition and ensure that Christmas continues.  Ernest Saves Christmas turns 30 this year as the iconic ‘80s character invented and portrayed by Jim Varney appears in what some consider his best movie role.

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  While you’re watching Ernest Saves Christmas, be sure to subscribe on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, vote in the EarBuds Christmas bracket, get TechnoRetro merch at TeePublic, and join discussions on Discord about toys, cereal, games, movies and/or shows from the ‘70s and ‘80s by giving the ‘Dads your feedback via voice mail at (209) 878-7323 or sending us your mp3dback via electronic-M to podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

Share and enjoy.

Thanksgiving is a time to remember and confess the things for which we are thankful, and thankfully, you’re still listening to TechnoRetro Dads even after this past Saturday’s Holiday Special!  Thanks for tuning in, EarBuds!  There’s enough in this episode for a full meal with leftovers to boot.

In the NEWS

It’s Thanksgiving week, so don’t forget to defrost that turkey NOW!  Laika discovers the Missing Link in an upcoming film (Hunter, one of JediShua’s former students, worked on this movie).  Fettmatic on Discord spotted the animated Dungeons & Dragons characters in maquette form through Iron Studios.  Jim Henson’s Christmas specials (Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas and The Bells of Fraggle Rock) are coming to theaters in December.

We Love Our Cereal…

…even if the Golden Girls cereals are never gold.  Funko announces more colors for their very popular offering coming soon.  The Roving Spoonster (Shane in GR) has more bowls of cereal news this week, too!

• Weet-Bix turns 90
• Mr. Kellogg’s home is for sale in Tampa.
• Sour Patch Kids Cereal is real.

TechnoRetro Arcade

Hunters and gamers could find common ground on Thanksgiving in 1984 with Nintendo’s release of Duck Hunt in arcades and at home.  An effective light-sensing zapper allows players to shoot digital ducks and pixelated clay pigeons on CRT monitors in a fun (and sometimes frustrating) game that everyone can play.  However, the dog can be a jerk.

Thanksgiving Television

From the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thanksgiving morning to the holiday specials (nope, not that Holiday Special — see last Saturday for that one), while Gramma works in the kitchen, the kids and dads watch TV with traditional programming that marks the fourth Thursday in November.  Dallas and Detroit are sure to play and Bugs plays “Diet Doctor” in a Looney Tunes special.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Thanksgiving is about spending time with family, but when you’re out-of-town trying to get home to be with your loved ones and transportation problems threaten your relaxing holiday, you may have to team up with a stranger to make everything work out.  Steve Martin and John Candy star in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, a John Hughes film.  Everyone has met “that guy” — just a common, ordinary guy who doesn’t seem to have everything figured out as much as he thinks he does.  He means well and has a positive attitude, but his optimism doesn’t always work out.  Settle down for raucous laughter with family and friends for a gut-busting good time this weekend with Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Be sure to subscribe on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, vote in the EarBuds Christmas bracket, get TechnoRetro merch at TeePublic, and join discussions on Discord about toys, cereal, games, movies and/or shows from the ‘70s and ‘80s by giving the ‘Dads your feedback via voice mail at (209) 878-7323 or sending us your mp3dback via electronic-M to podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

Share and enjoy.

Forty years ago today, 17 November 2018, The Star Wars Holiday Special aired for its one and only appearance on television.  For years, fans have sought out black market copies of the program in order to see it for themselves.  As for the TechnoRetro Dads, they have adored this heart-warming story for four decades.  

Today, thanks to a discovery in Ralph McQuarrie’s personal items in 2012, shazbazzar and JediShua present a rendition of an early story treatment of the Star Wars Holiday Special as made available on StarWarsHolidaySpecial.com.  

We hope you will share and enjoy this audio tribute to the “Could’ve Been but Wasn’t Actually the Star Wars Holiday Special”.

Special thanks to:

High Adventure “Light the Sky on Fire” and “Happy Life Day”

Supernova “Chewbacca”

Donny & Marie Osmond

Kevin Rubio TROOPS

Battlestar Galactica

CHipS

Mork & Mindy

Wheel of Fortune

WKRP in Cincinnati

Starring:

• JediShua -- Narrator
• Jessizzar -- Operator
• shazbazzar -- Mechanical Jawa
• Mrs. Shua -- Captain Rockie Welchel
• Joe Tavano -- Sauna-Mann

Hobbits, a Dragon’s Lair, and The Lord of the Rings make for a great Dungeons & Dragons campaign in the ‘70s and ‘80s as shazbazzar and JediShua take a trip back 40 years (and more) into the past for this episode of TechnoRetro Dads.

Feedback

From the Misfits of Science to pumpkins, from snowmen to bubblegum, and a brand new mini-store from the people who brought us Toys ‘R’ Us — several EarBuds send pics and electronic-Ms about several things we’ve been talking about (and should be talking about).

The Lord of the Rings (1978)

Animator Ralph Bakshi committed J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings to film in 1978 with a combination of animation styles from traditional cels to rotoscoping to make a very ‘70s movie that challenged young viewers and made an imprint on impressionable young minds.  Even Peter Jackson was not immune to the magic of Ralph Bakshi’s The Lord of the Rings, evident in his 2001 version of the first third of the story with scenes derived from this mind-blowing masterpiece that kept kids coming back for more.   

Vinyl Scratchback

When JediShua introduced shazbazzar to “The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins”, the younger ‘Dad sought out more music from Leonard Nimoy, and shazbazzar discovered the album Spaced Out featuring Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner.  With original songs and covers of popular tunes, Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock got groovy in the late ‘60s with an album that boldly went where no record had gone before.  

TechnoRetro Arcade

Sword and sorcery continue in the arcade with the impressive and challenging Don Bluth cartoon video game Dragon’s Lair.  For only two quarters, gamers could control Dirk the Daring in his quest to rescue Princess Daphne from the Dragon’s Lair.

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Be sure to subscribe on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, vote in the EarBuds Christmas bracket, get TechnoRetro merch at TeePublic, and join discussions on Discord about toys, cereal, games, movies and/or shows from the ‘70s and ‘80s by giving the ‘Dads your feedback via voice mail at (209) 878-7323 or sending us your mp3dback via electronic-M to podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

Share and enjoy.

The pumpkins have fallen out of fashion, Christmas commercials invaded televisions the day after Halloween, the smell of peppermint is in the air, and it won’t be long before there’s enough snow on the ground to build a snowman.  Do you want to?  You know… build a snowman?

In the NEWS

A YouTube channel has compiled “all” Ready Player One references in one gigantic video list.  You can soon build your own virtual reality bedroom (Ready Player One style) will memorabilia, movies, TV shows, and even classic video games!  Beetlejuice is now a musical stage production on its way to Broadway.

TechnoRetro Arcade

Star Wars landed on home game consoles everywhere in 1982 with the release of The Empire Strikes Back, a scrolling shooter that pitted players’ snowspeeders against AT-ATs on the march towards Echo Base.  The low-resolution game (hey, it was 1982) did not diminish game play in the least.  The walkers looked like walkers.  The snowspeeder looked like a snowspeeder.  The snow-covered terrain looked like snow-covered terrain.  And the FORCE… Well, it was multicolored flashing and had cool music.  The Empire Strikes Back on Atari may not have been “winnable”, but it sure did provide hours of fun reliving the “Battle in the Snow”.

Saturday Mornings

In 1985, Bill Watterson brought the dark imagination of a small boy to life in the funny papers under the title Calvin and Hobbes.  Calvin, a bright, energetic, and playful boy, teamed up with his striped friend Hobbes to remake the world as they wanted it to be.  From transmogrification to snowmen in somewhat disturbing positions, Calvin and Hobbes kept parents on their toes as the pair (?) delivered joy to newspaper subscribers every day as the paperboy completed his neighborhood route.  JediShua and shazbazzar recall some memorable “snowman” strips from the ‘80s and ‘90s.  (Thanks for the idea, Russ!)

They Live

Evil-Lynn returns from Masters of the Universe to fill her role in this John Carpenter film from thirty years ago.  They Live is a creepy look at ‘80s culture through the eyes of the filmmaker as Carpenter warns his audience of the dangers lurking beneath the surface in our capitalistic economy.  But theater-goers weren’t as interested in the underlying message of the director (who claimed the film is a documentary), they just wanted to be entertained by the likes of pro wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper.  From muscles to mullet to mouthing-off, Roddy Piper drew in audiences to see this sci-fi thriller about friendship, aliens, magic glasses, and street brawling.  Featuring Roddy Piper, Keith David, and Meg Foster, They Live is an essential part of ‘80s pop culture.

Feedback

• Jedi Holmes presents One Punch Man.
• Jack o’ Lanterns
• Matt Marks shows off his designs.
• Armando discovers an amazing carving.
• Raising Fangirls shows off some cool creations, too.
• Even “Little ‘A’s” has a round rendition of retroism for her orange gourd.

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Be sure to subscribe on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, get TechnoRetro merch at TeePublic, and join discussions on Discord about toys, cereal, games, movies and/or shows from the ‘70s and ‘80s by giving the ‘Dads your feedback via voice mail at (209) 878-7323 or sending us your mp3dback via electronic-M to podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

He’s the ghost with the most: a moldy, decaying, concoction of phlegm and philandery who is eager to help rid your home of those pesky living people who can make your death a living hell.  Michael Keaton’s portrayal of Beetlejuice in the 1988 film rapidly became a staple of late ‘80s pop culture and continues to be recognized today.  From the film to television to the toy aisles, Beetlejuice wormed his way into our homes and lives in one way or another (or all three).

In the NEWS

Warner Brothers cuts Six Billion Dollars in upgrades as the anticipated and updated Steve Austin movie gets yanked from their release schedule.  News from Thra continues to enthrall fans of The Dark Crystal as producers confirm that the upcoming Netflix series will be free from computer generated effects.  That galaxy far, far away draws ever nearer as China plans to build an artificial moon (“That’s no moon.”) and NASA floats the concept of Cloud City on Venus in future plans.  Christmas presents are already being anticipated with Target’s Big Book, an announcement about a Toys ‘R’ Us reemergence, and a Kurt Russell Christmas movie.  There is a lot to talk about in the world of #TechnoRetro goodness!

We Love Our Cereal…

…and the Roving Spoonster has bowls full of sweet breakfast goodies to share with a unique cereal cup, Golden Girls cereal, a Canadian pop-up cereal cafe, and the first Christmas-based cereal to hit store shelves. 

Beetlejuice

Tim Burton’s 1988 Halloweenish movie (released in March of that year) introduced movie-goers to a disgusting and deadly creature from the other side who enjoys scaring the life out of the living in Beetlejuice.  Stinky, filthy, and foul-mouthed, Beetlejuice specializes in his own brand of haunting in this unique and oddly funny addition to the ever-growing library of movies you might enjoy around Halloween.  If you’ve never seen Beetlejuice, take a trip down to your local video rental store and grab a VHS for viewing this Wednesday.  Parental guidance definitely suggested.

Saturday Mornings

From the silver screen to the small screen, kids could get in on the fun of Beetlejuice in the ‘80s and early ‘90s, too.  The animated version of the green-haired weirdo from who-knows-when engaged younger viewers who may have missed the Michael Keaton version when they turned on their TVs on Saturday mornings.  Voiced by Stephen Ouimette, the titular antagonizer isn’t quite as villainous as his live-action counterpart, but the grodinous of the character isn’t a far cry from the 1988 version.

Toys in the Attic

Not enough Beetlejuice for you, EarBuds?  Perhaps you remember the action figures that featured Beetlejuice in various outfits from the film as well as his “friends” in the netherworld.  From film to television to plastic, Beetlejuice continued to entice the unsuspecting world to call out his name three times so he could wreak havoc on the land of the living.

Feedback

We’re able to dip into the mail bag for some great pics of Jack o’ Lanterns created by our EarBuds.  You can view them on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Be sure to subscribe on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, get TechnoRetro merch at TeePublic, and join discussions on Discord about toys, cereal, games, movies and/or shows from the ‘70s and ‘80s by giving the ‘Dads your feedback via voice mail at (209) 878-7323 or sending us your mp3dback via electronic-M to podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

Share and enjoy.

Dungeons & Dragons was part of every GenXer’s experience growing up, whether they played the game or not.  From the “Satanic Panic” to the toys, magazines, and cartoon, D&D prevailed in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.  Even today, as comic book stores and specialty shops host in-house role-playing games, Dungeons & Dragons continues to be an important part of pop culture.  This week, shazbazzar and JediShua invite SuperFriend Michael Witwer to talk about Dungeons & Dragons Art and Arcana, his second publication centered around this “Daddy of Modern Gaming”.

Dungeons & Dragons Art and Arcana

Co-authored by Michael Witwer, Kyle Newman, Jon Peterson, and Sam Witwer, this oversized hardcover focuses on the artwork essential to understanding a game that was often played with little more than a pencil, some paper, strangely-shaped dice, and a lot of imagination.  Yet, as the book’s subtitle proclaims, this 400+ page tome is more than a high-quality art book, it is indeed a Visual History of the game itself as well as its impact on the culture of the ‘70s and ‘80s and even today.  The history of the game and its various editions runs throughout the course of the book, as original artwork from the ‘70s to the ‘10s fills every page in brilliant, full color reproductions.

From artwork created for the game itself to images surrounding the game, such as actual advertisements and flyers, photographs of items that inspired aspects of the game, and even early drafts and sketches of the game’s most memorable features, Dungeons & Dragons Art and Arcana is a treasure worthy of the adventure — and it’s available for purchase tomorrow.

Join shazbazzar and JediShua as they talk to co-author Michael Witwer about the contents of the book, its origins, and general discussion about Dungeons & Dragons itself.  TechnoRetro Dads recommend not only the book itself, but (if you can get a copy, the Special Edition of the book with some great ephemera for those with a penchant for history and rarities of days gone by).  You’ll love Dungeons & Dragons Art and Arcana — and we hope you enjoy this episode of TechnoRetro Dads, too.

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Don’t get burned by missing a single  episode of TechnoRetro Dads — subscribe on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, get TechnoRetro merch at TeePublic, and join discussions on Discord about toys, cereal, games, movies and/or shows from the ‘70s and ‘80s by giving the ‘Dads your feedback via voice mail at (209) 878-7323 or sending us your mp3dback via electronic-M to podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

The winds and rains ceased, but the trees kept tumbling down after Hurricane Michael pounded the SouthEast last week, but even with the lights out, shazbazzar got his MacGyver on by fashioning a light from a pumpkin, a candle, and a knife.  Discover more about October Oddities and a classic ‘80s TV show on this “better late than never” episode of TechnoRetro Dads.

In the NEWS

• MondoTees.com goes Back to the Future
• Some cool TechnoRetro parents BTTF their twins
• Aquaman mini-movie excites audiences
• Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance update

October Oddity: Jack o’ Lanterns

From the Irish folk tales of “Stingy Jack” to front porch adornments, Jack o’ Lanterns have a rich history that will surely surprise you.

Halloween Candy

With the ingenuity of MacGyver, Jack o’ Lanterns were transformed from actual pumpkins with carved faces with lights inside into plastic buckets for carrying candy for Trick or Treaters.  JediShua and shazbazzar remember some of the popular candies from the ‘80s to warm up your sweet tooth and get you ready for the upcoming holiday.

MacGyver “The Secret of Parker House”

The secret agent with an engineer’s mind solved problems each week on MacGyver for seven seasons from the ‘80s to the ‘90s.  Thirty years ago, MacGyver aired a spooky episode for Halloween with mystery, music, intrigue, and a skeleton.  How will Angus “Mac” MacGyver save Penny from certain doom?  Find out as we spoil the ending of “The Secret of Parker House”.

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Don’t let the ghosts of the ‘70s and ‘80s fade from your memory by missing an episode of TechnoRetro Dads — subscribe on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, get TechnoRetro merch at TeePublic, and join discussions on Discord about toys, cereal, games, movies and/or shows from the ‘70s and ‘80s by giving the ‘Dads your feedback via voice mail at (209) 878-7323 or sending us your mp3dback via electronic-M to podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

Share and enjoy.

Whether you need something to pick up your spirits or make ghosts float, the hair-raising spookiness of this week’s TechnoRetro Dads will possess you with urges for cereal and cartoons, snack cakes and TV shows, toys, games, and even more canned laughter.  Cover your eyes and plug in your ear buds, EarBuds, and the ‘Dads will heighten your October outlook with fun and frights (and few insights) this morning or tonight. 

In the NEWS

Star Wars is all over the news this week and it looks like TechnoRetro Dads are the last to cover it when it’s actually new.  Besides Star Wars Reads Month, the ‘Dads speculate on rumors surrounding The Mandalorian, a live-action series helmed by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni’s part in the series (of course, since recording this episode, much more information has been forthcoming).  But not all the news is old Star Wars news.  Oh, no!  EarBud T-Bird provides even older news for the ‘Dads with 3500 year-old ingredients for pumpkin spice (or is it purple-yam pie spice?).  Now that’s news!

We Love Our Cereal…

…and the Roving Spoonster loves fruity-shaped Trix coming back some twenty years after being discontinued, JediShua loves looking for Elvira cereal by Funko, and shazbazzar loves getting visions of ghosts from his past upon seeing a picture of a box of OJ cereal.

October Oddity: Pop-Culture Ghosts

Although their presence is sensed throughout the year, our cultural fascination with ghosts only increases during the month of October.  People love getting spooked by the idea of discorporate beings floating around to advise, prank, or otherwise involve themselves in the daily lives of the living.  JediShua and shazbazzar remember some pop-culture ghosts from their childhood.  Strangely, the ghosts of Poltergeist and Ob-Wan from The Empire Strikes Back didn’t jump out at them.  It’s at times like these when there’s something strange in TechnoRetro minds that you just ask yourself, “Who am I gonna call?”

TechnoRetro Arcade

In 1988, Capcom released the third arcade game in the Ghosts ’n Goblins series of games, Ghouls ’n Ghosts.  Arthur the knight must once again rescue his sweetheart Princess Prin Prin from the clutches of ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and other inhabitants of the Great Demon World Village.  This time, Arthur’s abilities increase as do the opponents who attack him from the underworld and the damage they can inflict if he doesn’t DUCK!

Saturday Mornings

When the world outside your window is just a bit too normal on a Saturday morning, you could embrace the paranormal with The Real Ghostbusters, the animated version of the characters introduced in the 1984 movie Ghostbusters.  Egon, Venkman, Ray, and Winston are joined by Slimer and a host of other ghosts in every episode of The Real Ghostbusters were gleefully welcomed to the televisions of kids in the mid-eighties to early-nineties.

Toys in the Attic

Not only did The Real Ghostbusters find their place on the small screen during this time, but they graced the pegs and shelves of toy stores and toy boxes in kids’ rooms everywhere.  Like many movies and TV shows of the time (Star Wars, Transformers, G.I. Joe), The Real Ghostbusters seized the opportunity to turn plastic ghosts into profits with Kenner figures that enabled kids to continue the adventures of Slimer, Ray, Winston, Peter, and Egon as they interact with the paranormal in an effort to protect the public (for a fee, of course).

Feedback

EarBuds submit questions, ideas, and memories through electronic-M, Twitter, and Discord about a variety of techno and retro topics.

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Don’t let the ghosts of the ‘70s and ‘80s fade from your memory by missing an episode of TechnoRetro Dads — subscribe on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, get TechnoRetro merch at TeePublic, and join discussions on Discord about toys, cereal, games, movies and/or shows from the ‘70s and ‘80s by giving the ‘Dads your feedback via voice mail at (209) 878-7323 or sending us your mp3dback via electronic-M to podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

Share and enjoy.

Welcome to October, EarBuds!  Pass through the creaky garden gate and step cautiously as you wind your way along the weedy cobblestone path.  Once you’ve passed under the schpooky tree from whence Gramma gained her schtick, step up on the porch and open the door to our haunted house party for a month of creepy-crawly kooky fun.  Only 30 days ’til Hallowe’en! 

In the NEWS

Star Wars is all over the news this week as Gary Kurtz is fondly remembered by family, friends, and fans alike.  From American Graffiti to Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back to The Dark Crystal, Gary Kurtz produced many great memories of our childhood.  Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge is garnering attention as the countdown to the launch of “Star Wars Land” continues.  Luke Skywalker dons the garb of a Knight Templar in the History Channel’s Knightfall.

We Love Our Cereal…

…and some cereal would be right at home in the pantry of any reputable haunted house.  In addition to the annual appearance of General Mills’ Monster Cereals, Reese’s Puffs adds some seasonal spice to its appearance with Reese’s Puffs Bats.  

The Roving Spoonster keeps us updated on the cereal trademark controversy Down Under as a judgment is made in the Weet-Bix vs Weetabix conundrum plaguing Australasia in New Zealand.

October Oddity: Haunted House

All month, the ‘Dads will talk about the marks of the Hallowe’en (Halloween) season with their memories of the traditional fare that can send chills up your spine and warm your heart at the same time.  This week, we dare to journey into a haunted house (or two, or three, or…) from the ‘80s when everyone paid to be afraid.  Whether your experience was in a mall or storefront location, a dilapidated old house or building, an amusement park or carnival ride, or even out in the woods, the Haunted House continues to be an iconic part of October.

TechnoRetro Arcade

Atari gathered their pixels to join this haunted house party, too, with their Adventure-like maze/puzzle cartridge for the Atari 2600, Haunted House.  This game program features four floors of fun (?) for gamers who move their square eyes around in the dark to find Mr. Graves’ urn so they can escape his haunted house.  Watch out for ghosts, bats, and spiders in this confusing and challenging game from 1982.

Toys in the Attic

Finally, shazbazzar and JediShua tone down the scare factor just a tad with miniature versions of the haunted house.  From the Weebles Haunted House to Colorforms Castle Dracula to Ideal’s Haunted House game and Disney’s Haunted Mansion Game, these plastic, vinyl, and cardboard toys and games are not for those easily frightened by glowing ghosts, hooting owls, or wobbly witches.  Oh, and don’t forgey Remco’s Mini-Monsters!

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Don’t be afraid of missing an episode of spooky and kooky trips to the ‘70s and ‘80s — subscribe to TechoRetro Dads on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, get TechnoRetro merch at TeePublic, and join discussions on Discord about toys, cereal, games, movies and/or shows from the ‘70s and ‘80s by giving the ‘Dads your feedback via voice mail at (209) 878-7323 or sending us your mp3dback via electronic-M to podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

Share and enjoy.