1960s Halloween Memories
January 15th, 2010 by John WolfeWhile I’m still partial to the very rare retro footage from the Halloween Yard Haunt in 8mm entry, I get a huge kick out of seeing any old Halloween films. This particular footage takes us back to the ’60s for a family’s costume and make-up prep, prior to sending the kids out for candy. It also gives a glimpse into the arriving trick-or-treaters and the “loot” the kids return home with at the end of the night.
Keep an eye out for the old black and white television in the background at 0:22 and the candy cigarettes (made to look like “Camels”) at 1:10! I used to love pretending I was taking a drag off of those things, followed by blowing imaginary smoke rings 
Source: YT user, edandjanis
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January 16th, 2010 at 10:29 am
Really fun to watch that one.
January 16th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
2:38 = LoL, shaking an apple hey? That was the best way to hear the razor blades now wasn’t it
You know me John, this video takes me way back, even though I was just infant, many of those costumes and treats lingered around into the 70′s…as you well know. I totally remember the candy cigs and I used to do the same thing. I have memories of admiring how slender the candy cigs were and for some reason I liked seeing the pink/red color at the end. LoL, I even placed one of them on top of/behind my ear like grandpa used to do from time to time.
Look at that TV, rabbit ears and all PLUS black and white! Sometimes I miss the more simple days. My grandparents kitchen deco colors were green and yellow
Also that shot of the kids in the bathroom getting ready, my grandparents had the same kind of tile walls, almost identical. It’s odd really because that house has so many fond memories and though my family passed away 10 years ago, when I drive by the house, I still have to pause……….take it all in. Plus the new owners of the home walled up the beautiful huge kitchen window that was the hot spot of activity in the house. Time……memories…..it can get deep some days.
Great find John and because of you I have branched out and have become more creative in my youtube searching. Just about everything is on youtube. Oh and hey, WoW, thanks for the subbing John!!! I was shocked to see that so thank you so very much for your support on my tiny little non-video upload page
I really appreciate it. Yes, do share that story (previous blog comment) with me please, I never knew about it. Catch me up sometime 
January 16th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Awesome!!! I’m homesick. I love the apples in the bags, bet they had some pennies too! I remember those Camels. I liked to blow out on them and the powdered sugar would puff into the air like smoke. The clown was seriously scary. Ah, we were so new at Trick Or Treat back then! Fantastic film!
January 16th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Dawn,
Thanks for watching and commenting. Glad you enjoyed it.
Goldie,
Had the razor blade scare already begun in the 60s? It sucks that kids and parents were convinced it was a real concern even back then. I saw some info on that a few years ago, saying there’s never been a real case of razor blades found in apples. No doubt there were a lot of hoaxes, but not one panned out as being legit. Just another urban legend — probably created by certain groups to dissuade people from celebrating Halloween.
I remember the tips of the candy cigs, too. They were supposed to look like they were actually lit. That gave me a good laugh, imagining you walking around with a candy ciggy stuck behind your ear. You should have rolled the box up in your shirt sleeve, too! Reminds me of “Schneider” from “One Day at a Time.”
Another cool thing about this vid was seeing the kids’ grandparents sitting around the kitchen table. I’m glad it brought back fond memories of your grandparents as well.
It was my pleasure subscribing to your YT channel. I should have done it a lot sooner, but am so busy while on YT, I often forget about subscribing or even adding vids to my favorites.
autumnforest,
It’s funny how you, Goldie, and I all have distinct memories about candy cigarettes. Those clown costumes all looked pretty similar throughout the ’60s and into the ’70s. I wore a plastic clown mask and “smock” just like that around ’77 or ’78. My grandparents have the picture somewhere. One of these days, I need to sit down and scan or take pics of all my retro Halloween stuff, including all of my “scary” toys.
January 17th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
“One of these days, I need to sit down and scan or take pics of all my retro Halloween stuff, including all of my “scary” toys.”
Oh John PLEASE DO!!!! I think that would make thee most excellent addition to this very special Halloween website. The sooner the better John, I’m certain it will be a conversation piece among all of us. I’ve got to get those photos from my Bro of ’77 Halloween when Mom decked me out so perfectly as Princess Leia. Kids thought I was the real deal and one of my all time favorite costumes I was ever put in. Between Mom and my Grandpa, they were most creative in decking us out for Halloween. I think they had more fun dressing me/us up than we ever did of getting dressed up. I’ll have to do the same, find those photos, scan then and then send you a couple. I think you’ll get a hoot out of them! (Candy Ciggys….LoL….nice John!) The memories you create for us all John….a trip down memory lane for sure. How’s C7 doing? I hope 100% better
January 17th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
I remember when you told me about the Leia costume. That must have been one heck of a job she did on creating it! I’m sure you made a lasting impression on all the young Star Wars fans, especially since the movie was so fresh in people’s minds at that time and at the height of its popularity.
About my candy ciggy comment: I started using the word ciggy after hearing either John or Paul say that on a track from the Beatles’ Anthology. I wore those cds out when they were first released back in 1997. Anyway, the anthology featured a lot of studio sessions, which were never released on to their official albums. One of the “lads” introduced the song “Let’s All Get Up and Dance to a Song that was a Hit Before Your Mother was Born” (I can’t remember the official title) by stating, “I’ll do it with ciggy in [my] mouth.”
C7 is a lot better. Thanks for asking. The muscles are slowly healing and I’ve been using a natural muscle relaxant (herbal), called valerian root (not sure on the spelling). I’ve finally been able to sleep again without being in pain.