Another Alien-iversary.

Oh, I know it's not really all that Hallowe'en-ish.

Not at first glance anyway.

But you can't deny the impact this film made on Hallowe'en costuming... for 25 years.

Yes, it's been TWENTY-FIVE YEARS to the day since the unveiling of the incredible sci-fi-horror-action rollercoaster ride, Aliens!

I saw it that very night at one of our area's very first all-stereo-THX-big-screen theatres, with half a dozen friends, and will never forget that night. Pure adrenaline, pure admiration, and pure Ripley magic.

Classic.

From various Alien lifeforms to Space Marines to the superheroine Ripley herself, Aliens has certainly, inextricably woven itself into the fabric of our fantasies, and that easily includes Hallowe'en costumes, themes and effects.

There are guys making their own powerloader suits for various conventions and yes, for Hallowe'en.

Aliens. 25 years of Game over man! and Get away from her you bitch!

Of course, we'll have this one running all day long here at the ol' S&P. 

To you, Ripley.

Happy anniversary. 

Mostly...

DUMDUMSHREKPOPCULTURE!

50,000?!?

Really?

Fifty thousand hits?

Eh, no pics, nothing important... but 50k visits to the ol' S&P is something.

Fascinated and proud.

Happy 50,000th visit, you old Skull & Pumpkin.

Wow.


DDSP!

43.

Forty three.

Not old, surely.

Not young either, of course.

Just how it is.

I think I am one of the luckiest people in the world, and I know that a large part of that luck has to be the wonderful friendships I have been able to enjoy and maintain over these long years.

So... a toast.

Happy birthday to me, sure -- your humble pubkeep, crazy Hallowe'en guy, musician, singer, builder, silly person.

Happy Friendship to each and every one of you.

And thank you.


DUMDUMSHREKPOP!

It's the little things.

Welcome, loyal S&P-brains!

I sure hope a fun and festive Fourth of July weekend was had by all. I know we had a marvelous time here at the S&P.

One thing I've always loved about July 4th is that it's only three days out from my birthday.

As a kid, this was a real boost. Everyone was together enjoying family fun and when it had to end, I'd just think  that's okay, in a few days I'm going to celebrate all over again! and any sadness about wrapping up Independence Day was gone.

So... tomorrow's the big day.

But last night my lovely V and Kiara and the family put together a very nice evening of food and fun that I was not at all expecting.

They even pulled out the Hallowe'en decor just for the occasion, right in the middle of Summer.

So... d'you think these people know me?

Two of my favorite tablecloths.

My nephew, the famous Mr. Jack, picked this other Jack to be my drink goblet all night.

The same Mr. Jack also put this pirate skull together for a beautifully

buccaneerin' centerpiece.

I have to admit, though, my favorite thing all night had to be

this truly unique pumpkin cake made mostly by hand

mostly by my granddaughter Kiara!

No, I did not make her put 43 candles on it.

But look at this thing:

Atop the cake is an iced marshmallow stem, and the surrounding images

are a bat (upper side) and the pumpkin's jack o'lantern face at the bottom (he has

very purpley-black rouge cheeks, don't you know?). It was a bundt cake, so

she filled the center with a mix of icing, mini marshmallows and graham

crackers... delicious!

Pirate skull, Kiara and a spoooooky pumpkin-faced cousin o'mine await the 

carving of the Great Pumpkin Cake.

I really am a lucky fellow. To be surrounded by loving family and friends who know and understand my love for Hallowe'en is fortunate enough; to have them share that love is a true blessing.

Hallowe'en in July. Just one of the perks (and quirks) of living the life I live.

I just wish it didn't have to be so humid and hot.

DDSPerspiration!

Happy Independence Day.

Midsummer.

Ah, July.

The hot, heady month at the heart of the season.

Full of sweat, sand, sandals, flips and tops, dips, dives, dogs, beer, burgers, barbecues, and all that other alliterative stuff we all hold near and dear when Summer is in full swing.

Oh, and fireworks. Gotta have fireworks.

Amen.

July is the month when Americans become a little more American, our thoughts a little fuller of apple pie, baseball (well, some of you anyway) and all the other icons of our national identity.

You think those don't look right? Unpatriotic? Hey, NO holiday is more American than Hallowe'en.

"You're darn tootin'!", says Other Skeletal Uncle Sam Picture.

A new month brings a few new tunes to the ol' jukebox, as always.

Now, Summer is Summer is Summer, and many of June's summery tunes are going to remain in the player for the duration. Nothing wrong there.

I had to add a few slightly more July-ish, patrioticky tunes.

First, one must agree that America's Heartland seems to constantly express it's love for all things American, and in my home state of Missouri, there's a little burgh that epitomizes the small town America we all wish we could have spent our growing years.

In this town, they create musicals about the greatness of small town America.

Let's hear it for Blaine, Missouri and the Overture to their sesquicentennial masterpiece Red, White & Blaine!

Nothing says 'America' more to me than Blaine!

Of course, not all of Summer is holiday panic.

Sometimes, especially in the Hot Times, you gotta cool off.

Be cool.

Joe Cool. A bit more Vince Guaraldi Peanuts magic is always welcome here. Just for a rest before we head back to Blaine again for their patriotic Blaine Panthers Fight Song!

Lastly, we have another Fanfare from our beloved Mad Monster Party (1967) soundtrack, chosen because it's what's playing right as the island... wait, have you seen it yet? I don't want to spoil anything!

Just know that this music is perfect for firework-ey explosions!

So.

July is Summer, which is Party Time, which is so perfectly America.

Enjoy your holiday weekend, everyone. 

And enjoy the season... because it won't last. 

                                                                 Fall is only sleeping.

DDSPop!

A bow to a master.

Hello, S&Pers.

I hope you're all enjoying your weekend and your Summer so far.

Things are keeping your humble pubkeep quite busy, but I had to make time today for a celebration of one of the most pioneering, legendary makeup and effects masters in the history of television and cinema.

Folks, raise your glasses -- a birthday toast to the one and only

Dick Smith!

Dick is celebrating his 88th birthday today!

Wait, you're not asking 'Dick who?', are you?

This is the man who brought the world such incredible characters, such memorable faces, as:

Dustin Hoffman's Little Big Man (1970)

Max Von Sydow as Father Merrin, and

Linda Blair as Regan, and

Eileen Dietz as Pazuzu/Captain Howdy in The Exorcist (1973)

The incredible Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone, and

Al Pacino as Michael Corleone in The Godfather (1972)

Robert DeNiro's insane Travis Bickle, the Taxi Driver (1976)

Scads of gory ghosts in Ghost Story (1981)

Oscar-winning makeup sessions for Oscar-winning actor F. Murray Abraham, as

aging composer Antonio Salieri in the brilliant Amadeus (1984)

Oh, we could go on for days.

He did so much to advance the art of film, television and stage makeup and effects in his long career, not only earning Oscars, Emmys, Saturns and other awards but influencing an entire industry with innovative techniques, new ideas and time-tested methods.

He also advanced the awareness of and enthusiasm for special effects and makeup for kids and young adults in a series of handbooks and makeup products in the '60s and '70s.

I believe I've already told you the story of my history with this revolutionary

magazine. This little '60s tome may have single-handedly created all the

major makeup artists working in the industry since the '70s. No joke.

In the '70s, Smith's line of do-it-yourself makeup kits inspired and excited

every monster and horror geek in Monster Horror Geekdom, and provided 

effects and results that had previously been unobtainable to Hallowe'en Kids.

A treasure trove.

The genius of Dick Smith. But for you, so much that makes our Hallowe'en special would be gone. You created monsters and mad men, helped us create them too, and then taught and inspired the makeup masters who gave us so many more monsters and mad men, and aliens, and demons, and...

Again, raise a glass, everyone --

Happy birthday, Mr. Smith!

DUMDUMSHREKPOP!