Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Favorite Urban Legends-ShellHawk: The Hitchhiker

Picture via Scary For Kids
Click on the pic to listen to this urban legend as I first heard it. The second part is a fun trip through Transylvania; I couldn't find just "The Hitchhiker," by itself.

There are a few variations of this story. One involves a group of kids on their way to a dance, as on the Scary for Kids website. The missing coat seems to play in many of them, and a tool to let the characters in the story know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that they have been touched by the dead and have, themselves been in a ghost story that plays over and over again, every night.

You'd think her mother would move away...

This is Halloween!

Click on the pic and hit "Play All" for a Great Pumpkin gift!

Happy Hallowe'en, everyone!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

John Carpenter's "Halloween"

I'm so excited about the re-release of the original John Carpenter's Halloween in theaters, but doubly excited that it's going to be shown in my town! I bought my tickets already and am counting down the hours.

For those who, like me, were too young to see Halloween in the theaters, this is your golden opportunity to see it for the first time on the big screen.

I can't wait!

Friday, October 26, 2012

The Legend of Hell House (1973)

Looking for a true gothic-style haunted house movie for Hallowe'en? Look no further.
The Legend of Hell House is it. Click on the pic to watch the trailer, the go here to buy a copy. The DVDs are screamingly cheap these days!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Cooling From the Heat of the Mad Laboratory

Better pics later, maybe. This girl is heading to Abel's with me tomorrow! 

Maybe I'll get the Hallowe'en Tree plate done after Hallows. I seem to have run out of time!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

The End

Another nice and slightly creepy Hallowe'en scarecrow story! Click on the pic to watch.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Favorite Urban Legends-The Slender Man

Cory is a new playmate to the guest blogger playground, and I'm so glad I thought to ask him! He's a CalHaunts member and has a truly amazing and creative home haunt with a great pool of actors and a constantly evolving story line. He was kind enough to share his favorite urban legend: The Slenderman!

Many characters of horror begin with a folk tale or urban myth. These may spring from campfire tales, and prey upon people’s fears, often times with a moral agenda. Underage sex and parking dates? The Hook Handed Man. Messing with dark forces of the occult? Bloody Mary. Promiscuous sex? The black market kidney thieves and bathtub full of ice. Misbehaving children? The wood tailed mother.

One, spawned from an internet meme competition, rules them all and takes on its own dark life. Who is this creature that preys on fear and innocence? This bane of children? 

The Slenderman.

His sinuous form was birthed on June 10th, 2009 by Victor Surge in response to a Something Awful (SA) Forums Photoshop contest. The contest asked forum members to submit paranormal pictures. Two seemingly simple but hauntingly suburban pictures were submitted.
“We didn’t want to go, we didn’t want to kill them, but its persistent silence and outstretched arms horrified and comforted us at the same time…” – 1983, photographer unknown, presumed dead.
One of two recovered photographs from the Stirling City Library blaze.
Notable for being taken the day which fourteen children vanished and for what
is referred to as “The Slender Man”. Deformities cited as film defects by officials.
Fire at library occurred one week later. Actual photograph confiscated as evidence.
 – 1986, photographer: Mary Thomas, missing since June 13th, 1986.
In both pictures you see the elegantly dressed tentacled man lurking just in view of the picture, a slight distortion to his form, and the children seemingly oblivious to his presence. Chilling images, indeed.
Slender Man (a.k.a Slenderman) is a mythical creature often depicted as a tall, thin figure wearing a black suit and a blank face. According to the legend, he can stretch or shorten his arms at will and has tentacle-like appendages protruding from his back. Depending on the interpretations of the myth, the creature can cause memory loss, insomnia, paranoia, coughing fits (nicknamed “slendersickness”), photograph/video distortions and can teleport at will.”
In this writer's opinion, what makes him truly frightening is his featureless visage. He is out of focus and nebulous while the live children and scenery around him remain in crisp contrast.

The response was astounding. By taking a few pictures and altering them slightly, adding a hint of the creature, and posting them, he birthed a monster so alluring and frighting there are entire forums dedicated to this icon of horror. Other users clamored for more...and thankfully, Victor provided.
5/24/95**
1994: Wilks Estate. One subject reported nothing out of the ordinary before taking photograph. Lower stairs area was said to be very dark. Subject states that after the camera flash she heard a sound like a watermelon being *unable to understand subject*.

5/25/93**
Subject unable to recall events after manor power failure. Unable to question other two identified subjects. Camera and film acquired from Gloria Cready, current resident of Woodview Mental Hospital and Psychological Rehabilitation Clinic. Film mostly uncontaminated despite mass of blood and human tissue present on camera. No positive ID on anomalous tall and slender subject. Facial blur caused by possible contamination.

6/7/93**
Early digital analysis indicates tall subject may have no eyes. Anomalies, previously thought to be film errors and flash artifacts, now thought to be appendages.

6/10/93**
Final identified subject reported missing along with other thirty-three patients and staff of Woodview Mental Hospital and Psychological Rehabilitation Clinic south wing.

6/18/93**
Further inquiry to cease immediately.
(see report No.3339-2)
 An image of an armed man and the creature lurking through the window accompanied a blood spattered police report. The message is clear: Slenderman may prey on children, but even armed adults are sport for him. Pay attention to the date on the police report. December 1, 1955. This menace isn't new; it has been stalking us for decades sliding through our communities like a blackened razor.

Victor even provided some lovely pictures of a child's birthday party, a newspaper clipping and children's drawings that show Slenderman invading their psyche.
 The message was clear: Slenderman could hunt you in plain view, haunt you for weeks in advance and take you in a moment.

Then, more pictures, beautiful stark things,that gave me chills the first time I saw them.
“Steinmen Woods
Both subjects were hunting in the Steinmen woods four hours before sundown. Surviving subject states that while hunting both men grew uneasy as fog levels rapidly increased. A constant murmuring sound accompanied by a low hum eventually became apparent to the two men an hour after the fog increased. An object falling out of tree stuck one of the men in the left shoulder causing him to discharge his weapon. Object said to be the body of a man of unknown age. It was very precisely dissected, with major internal organs still contained within the rib cage in what looked to be clear bags. Surviving subject placed organ bag within backpack. Attack followed several minutes later after a "low children's laugh, like a giggle". Surviving subject ran until he reached his vehicle. Subject then drove to assumed safety.
Backpack destroyed.
Surviving subject is classified as a B7 witness. B7 witness to be placed in quarantine "Blind Box" until resolution.”
“2007: Investigation team discovered twenty-two bodies of both genders and various ages impaled on broken tree branches in a radiating circle pattern with chest mutilation as often noted with Slender Man. Upon confirmation, lead investigator ********* called for an immediate evacuation of investigation team at 1700 hours. Bodies first discovered at 1100 hours. Deadline for safe evacuation of team with only viewed physical evidence of Slender Man approximately 1730. Lost contact of team at 1725. Safety procedures fell well within established protocols. Reason for abnormality is unknown. Second team recovered camera equipment one week later. Slender Man safety procedures require this incident's physical photographic evidence to be disposed of by no later than 10/20.
I honestly don't get what half this poo poo means. I'm done with this Slender Man stuff. It's starting to make me uneasy. It's like reading the GBS ghost story threads before I go to bed. Why do I have to look at this stuff while it's super late?
Luckily, my friend is coming over.”
These postings suggested there had been an investigation, witness statements taken, and the witnesses hidden away by some organization, likely law enforcement. The conspiracy and darkness was suddenly elevated to a new level. No longer was it a creature that was truly hidden, but one that was hiding and being covered up.

And then, this picture and a snippet of phrase like it had been broken off as the victim had been typing.
“My friend is herejus camein barely made up staairs got pictur locked door but it s right there inthe hall dont look at its pictures it dosent want to be known about dont loo”
What strikes me about this is how much the creature looks like an image of “The Scream” by Edvard Munch. It is as if the artist had seen Slenderman in 1892 and had actually captured him in his art. However, researching the background of the famous painting, Munch describes its inception as a moment where the sunset gave him the impression of nature screaming (or shrieking). While this explanation seems fitting, it should also be noted that the area where Munch conceptualized this masterpiece was located near a slaughter house and insane asylum. His sister was committed in this asylum. Wouldn't it stand to reason that his sister could have glimpsed this creature? Normal people didn't even see Slenderman unless accidentally captured on photographs, but perhaps the mad could. Furthermore, the stress that Munch likely had--the psychic assault of an asylum, the slaughterhouse and his sister's affliction--could have opened up his mind just enough that Slenderman would register on his subconscious. Victor Surge may not have intended it, but here is a great little nugget of conspiracy that makes my black little heart quicken.

It was then that other people gifted in Photoshop (or perhaps research) began submitting their photos. Some short movies were made by other folks and posted on YouTube. Forums dedicated to the Slenderman came into existence. Some video games even began using the image.

Doing a search on Deviant Art will reward you with childlike and creepy images that honor this meme made myth. I find myself doing an internet search for new images every few weeks and growing to love this creepy child-snatching adult killer more and more.

Just a week ago I was fortunate to go and play at Heartstoppers Haunted House in Rancho Cordova. Nestled among the trees were Slenderman figures; Easter eggs for the haunter. It warmed my heart, and admittedly, gave me a bit of a chill at first. Some of the workers there had never heard of him until they saw him in their haunt. They told me tales of how “normal folks” (a.k.a. customers) could be heard calling out through the darkness “Look, guys, Slenderman!”

I am not a person who frightens easily, and I have to admit I hold a special place in my heart for the shiver of fear this tall, dark, and creepy elegant thing gives me. But what I really love, is that in a world with so much real darkness, the Slenderman has slipped unseen into the fears of a large population. He did this without an ice cream truck, a hook, a bathtub, or a mirror. He did it with electrons and fear.

And that should scare you.

Monday, October 22, 2012

The Legend of the Scarecrow

I know I've posted this before, but it's such a lovely Hallowe'en tale, it's worth a re-post. Click on the pic to watch!

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Sunday Morning Cartoon: Goon Island!

One of Rot's posts about The Goon reminded me of this old Popeye cartoon I used to watch when I was a kid. I love the Goons they created for this. There should be Goon costumes for Hallowe'en, don't you think?

Click on the pic to watch.

Friday, October 19, 2012

For the Despot On Your Great Pumpkin List

Now, at ThinkGeek.com, your very own Iron Throne. Now, people will have to genuflect in your presence, which is all to the good, I say. 

And you can chop people's heads off if you want, and nobody can do a thing about it! Cool, huh?

Vampire Instructionals

Just in case you needed a little help in your undead life, click on the pic for the playlist and hit "Play All.".

You can find other fun videos (Ooo! Claymation!) at Mad Lab Pros on YouTube.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

A Little Frustrated, and "Famous" Again!

Confession time: it's the eighteenth of October, and I'm not done setting up the yard, yet.

Stewie isn't in his usual place in the window. Mr. Chicken's new haunted tombstone isn't started or placed, yet, though I did get the projector for it. The caged skeleton isn't hanging.
Zombie Fred isn't happy
about still being in the
attic, either...

The list goes on. Why? Mr. ShellHawk and I are being "adults," and are taking care of some much-needed home maintenance. We're doing roof repair and adding some gutters and down spouts, in addition to replacing dry-rotted fascia boards and having them painted with a new color. (Mr. ShellHawk was a doll and is paying someone to insulate my studio/garage bay, too, and put some kind of stripping around the edges to cut the draft! Yay!)

Stewie would just have far too much fun tormenting the workmen, and his idea of "fun," would probably include removing ladders and possibly eating one of the painters. *Shudder* Then how would I get the fascia painted? It's just too awful to contemplate.

Between that and being at Abel's three days a week, plus  finishing projects in-between, plus domestic chores like laundry (and what the hell happened to party planning?! It's next Saturday, for cryin' out loud!), etc., it's been non stop. Oh, and then there's school, which I have not been attending with regularity because of various obstacles.

Have I mentioned that I haven't been sleeping well, either? I'm pretty sure I'm starting with those rotten night sweats. Waking up covered in sweat and the sheets soaked with it is. Just. Gross!

O.k., ShellHawk. Quit whining! They get the point.

The good news is that the tombstones are in place and I'm continuing Beloved's repair from last year's puppy attack. And for those of you who have followed me, that is, in fact, the second time I've had to replace the entire skirt. At least this time, there was no dead rat to contend with. While I did make the monster mud too thick, it will do for now. I Drylok-ed it Tuesday and have been letting it dry. Hopefully, I'll get to the tea-staining after work over the weekend.

I have never needed minions more than I need them now, but the folks who normally help are either out of town or really need to focus on getting a job, and I can't, in good conscience, ask them to drop everything and come help. *sigh* Oh, well. Whatever doesn't get done, just doesn't get done.

In better news: Hey! I'm famous! Again! ;o)

I made it on the cover of the local paper, and apparently, there was an even better spread in the neighboring town's paper. I guess I need to get some more candy for the ToTs this year! YAY! I'm really hoping it will improve the turnout this year, as it's been pretty thin around here. The decorating has been dismal, so far, too. What's up with that? I mean, when even Pumpkinrot's neighborhood is sparse, you know it's bad...

Maybe we should decorate our neighbor's houses, like Noah Fentz did? Hmm.

Thoughts? Anyone else have a sparse neighborhood?

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Classic Horror: Poltergeist (1982)

Image via Take 148
I'm sure that at one point or another, I've mentioned this movie here on the blog. I just can't imagine that I wouldn't have gotten around to discussing what was possibly one of the best scary movies of my childhood, and one that still has the power to scare the daylights out of me, even now!


I find it even more incredible that the "younger crowd," (ahem) who claim to be horror aficionados (read: they've seen everything that Rob Zombie has ever made and consider that to be the standard by which all horror should be measured), have never heard of Poltergeist!!!

It boggles the mind.
I mean, how can you  grow up a horror movie/Hallowe'en fan and not know where those iconic quotes, "They're here." and "This house is clean!" come from? Not to mention the best quote, "You moved the headstones, but you didn't move the bodies!"

I, and all of you who caught this in theaters, know what they're missing. What they're missing, is story. That, and the concept that story comes first, and visual effects are only a tool to tell it. Visual effects are not the story, itself.

Crazy talk, in this day and age, I know. But there it is.

Not to say that Poltergeist doesn't have its share of visual effects-or "special effects" as they were mostly called back then. It does have that aspect. But the effects back in that day included the nearly-lost art of Rotoscoping, which helped to insert the visual effect into the live-action shot, not computer graphics.

In any case, a super-short synopsis of the story is this: a family moves into a house in a somewhat new development, and strange things start happening, seemingly centered around the youngest daughter, Carol Anne. The "strange things" morph into some seriously bad things, and Carol Anne disappears into the spirit word. (For spoilers, etc., check out the Wikipedia "Poltergeist" page.) Hijinks ensue when the family contacts a psychic to help them get her back. And by "hijinks," I mean some seriously freaky and terrifying stuff!

If you haven't seen this-and heck, even if you have-now is a great time to give it a watch. This is a movie that should be seen with a large bowl of popcorn, a close friend or significant other, and the lights turned down low. It will give you chills and inspiration for your Hallowe'en haunt, even if it is for next year and not this year.

Get a Blu-Ray copy of Poltergeist here, or click on the highlighted text by Tangina to order the 25th Anniversary copy. You could get it just in time for Hallowe'en.

All are welcome...

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Favorite Urban Legends: Shadow Manor

Jenna of Shadow Manor just absolutely rocks. Love her, love her link dumps, love her love for Hallowe'en. And I love the way she tells a tale. Especially urban legends...

Some places get vanishing hitchhikers. Some get ghosts that warn trains of an impending crash. The terrifying local legend where I live? A guy in a bunny suit.
No, not this kind:
 This kind. 
 I've been ripped off.
Bunny Man Bridge is a small railroad overpass near Clifton, VA. It is supposed to be stalked by a man wearing a bunny suit. Yes, he's usually said to be carrying an axe or similar weapon, and yes, the legends say that he attacks and mutilates anyone foolish enough to be near the bridge after dark, but I really can't get past the outfit. Being murdered by someone dressed like a giant rabbit isn't terrifying, it's embarrassing.

The bunny in question is variously reported to be an escaped convict, a refugee from a nearby (non-existent) insane asylum, or a local lunatic who graduated from mutilating wildlife to murdering children. Since "rabbit" and "insane murderer" don't seem to have any obvious link, the lapin connection is usually explained by tacked-on details such as numerous remains of snacked-upon rabbits being found in the area (or, in the case of the asylum escapee, that he was originally committed for murdering his family on--dun dun dun!!!--Easter Sunday). Nobody explains where he got the suit.

A local historian has identified the probable origin of the legend: In 1970 there were two incidents involving a man--dressed, yes, in a bunny costume--who threatened people with a hatchet whilst yelling at them for trespassing. Over the past 40 years, generations of teenagers have expanded and distorted and added details until what was probably a Furry annoyed at having his private sexytimes interrupted is now a horrible spectral murderer who...is still wearing a bunny suit. Dammit, I really can't get past the bunny suit.

Particularly annoying is that this legend has gained enormous traction throughout the Washington DC area. Civil War battles were fought all over this region. We could have legends about ghostly armies locked in eternal combat, or bloody Confederate soldiers who attack campers, or phantom funeral trains carrying rows of soldiers' coffins.

What are we actually known for? A big cranky rabbit.
Dammit, dammit, dammit....
Well, Jenna, you do know what they say. "If the suit fits..." ;o)

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Favorite Urban Legends: Pumpkinrot

Today, Pumpkinrot shows us the "Trick" part of Trick or Treat, even though this little prank was not done for Hallowe'en.

Well played, Rot. Well played...
Image via THETORTOISERUNS

I'll often times throughout the day shoot an email to my brother with something blunt and short, or just a flat-out obvious lie.If it's a partial quote from a movie, he'll shoot a reply and finish the quote, no matter how obscure.

Once I emailed "Yo, we had a rough night. Spent it in the Emergency Room. Last night I saw a car with its headlights off, so I flashed my high beams. They quickly turned around and chased us down, and we crashed into a ditch. Dude, it was awful."
He got a kick out of the Urban Legend lie and sent it to a coworker.
Later in the day, a manager and one of his coworkers approached him asking him how I was doing. That first employee told a few people what had happened to me. How I was chased down by a car. And all because I tried to help and flashed my high beams.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

An Old-School Ghost Story

The weather here has turned unexpectedly cold, and we are told it will only last a couple of days before it heats up again. Since cold days pretty much demand we stay in, near a fireplace, what better way to pass the time than by watching a good, old-fashioned ghost story?

Click on the pic above for the trailer, or click here for the entire movie playlist on YouTube. Click  on, "Play All."

And get ready for the shivers...

Friday, October 12, 2012

Saturday Morning Cartoons on--Friday...

Need I tell you I was completely attached to the TV when the Groovie Goolies came on? Apparently, all sixteen episodes were digitally restored and are available for purchase.

Official Groovie Goolies website here. Click on the pic to see the opening sequence from the show...

Thursday, October 11, 2012

It Must Be Hallowe'en

Because I just got some of my Froggy's Fog Cryofreeze in the mail yesterday! (And I used my Hauntcast discount, too! But they may not be offering it again until after the holiday...)
This will be the first time I use the Cryofreeze. I called up Froggy's technical support to ask what would be best for outdoors and have the best chance of ground-hugging, and before I even finished my sentence, the guy says, "Cryofreeze. Just get the Cryofreeze." And he chuckles. I love me the guys who know home haunters and the conditions with which they battle!

So, who is using fog for their display this year?

Image via The Online Photographer. (He should have some great tips for night time photography, eh?)

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Hauntcast 43- A Hallowe'en Extravaganza!

The Scream Team sweated and slaved to bring you a very special Hallowe'en episode of Hauntcast, and it was well worth it! Hallowe'en carols, special last minute prop tips and oh, so much more! 


Oh, and? This month, you can still download a free episode of Shocktail Hour, you cheapskates! ;o)

Happy nearly Hallowe'en, youse guys!

Halloween Party

Since I went down the vintage road with The Skeleton Dance, I thought I'd keep it up with an old gal with whom most of us are familiar: Betty Boop.

Click on the pic to watch!
These old cartoons are such a kick!

Monday, October 8, 2012

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Cartoon Classics: The Skeleton Dance

I've posted this on my blog before, but as this is the season for all things Hallowe'en, and I like vintage Hallowe'en best of all, I thought I'd share it again!

Click on the pic for a fun offering from Disney's Silly Symphony.

Screen shot via Words in the Dark blog.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Favorite Urban Legends: "The Hook"

Mike C. over at the Skull and Pumpkin blog is one of my favorite bloggers. We're of the same generation and "get" some of the pop culture references of the day, we love Hallowe'en and Ray Bradbury. If he lived closer, I'd probably know a bunch more about building animatronics, that's for sure!

Mike contributed this well-known urban legend to us. It happens to be one of my favorites, too!


October greetings, friends! 
I feel so honored to have been asked to contribute a post to the Nest by the awesomely talented (and cute!) ShellHawk herself. See, over at my little Hallowe'en pub, the Skull & Pumpkin, we are big-time ShellHawk fans, and proudly display our Mini-Boo and Raku Jack O'Lantern to prove it!
 As soon as I read the theme she had chosen for this year -- favorite scary urban legends -- the subject of my contribution came to me almost immediately. The first time I heard this legend, it chilled my blood and I've never forgotten that feeling.
I hope I can do it justice, but if you want the honest truth, I'm mostly just hoping Ape will like me. I want to make a good impression!
 So, are we ready? Good.
Tonight, we're going to take a little drive, you and I.
Where? Oh, just up the hill, to a quiet little spot all the kids go to get away from prying grown-ups; to get away, to get it on, and sometimes get lost. I mean, if we're going to start exploring our favorite scary urban myths and legends, there's really only one place to go tonight.
We're heading to Lovers Lane.
 THE HOOK KILLER OF LOVERS LANE
A young couple park at Lovers Lane and start making out. Things get hot enough to fog up all the windows, but then the romantic music on their radio is interrupted by a panicked voice reporting that a hook-armed maniacal killer has escaped a local prison and was last seen in the vicinity nearby, and everyone needs to be on the look out.
 The mood blown for the moment, the young man tries to continue their makeout session, but growing anxious and fearing for their lives, the young lady refuses his advances and finally, in tears, begs him to drive her home. Frustrated, he peels out of Lovers Lane as fast as he can go, angry and sullen over his ruined love-making.
When they get to their destination, he gets out of the car and walks around to open her door, and suddenly freezes, his hand over his mouth, his eyes huge. The young lady, puzzled, opens her own door and looks back as she closes it.
A bloody hook is dangling from the door handle.
 Now, we've all seen, heard and read a thousand variations on the tale, but this is about the most basic version -- and the basics are what's most important when exploring the cultural impact of this old legend.
How old is it? It's hard to say. Folklorists can find direct tellings of early variants in the '50s, when cars and teens became the big social scene for generations. But there were stories of serial killings at popular make-out spots in Texas and Arkansas in the '40s, and some of these are based on true crimes which may go back even further. It is possible, to some extent, that this tale and the related myth-tales about Lovers Lane (Scraping Toenails, Hanging Boyfriend and others) have their origins in a real event or combination of events.
However, the story's basis in reality (or lack thereof) is the least important part of it.
 See, at its core this is a cautionary tale of teen sex, of chastity and self-control. Implied in even the most basic telling is the warning that experimenting with youthful sexual feelings is inherently fraught with risk. It also tells us that it is up to the young lady to put a stop to the proceedings, since (unspoken but very present in the end of the tale) it was her denial of sex and demand to leave right away that saved them -- not just from a killer but from the dreaded '4th Base' of the teen sexual field.
This leads to an element crucial to the logic of the story: the young man's reaction to his own sexual frustration. His anger makes him really rev that engine, and peel out in a cloud of gravel and dust, and it is this tantrum that tears from the escaped maniac's arm his horrible hook. This frustration turns out to be a good thing; if a girl does her job and puts her foot down, her man might be upset for a while, but he'll be glad later -- avoiding not just one hook, but another, altogether different sort of 'hook'.
Sexist, sure, but in the '50s, not much wasn't.
And that's the whole point of exploring this tale -- like all classic, enduring scary urban myths, it's a spooky little morality play with a warning to give and a lesson to teach. It says teen sex is bad, and that saving her virginity saves them both; mom, dad and the preacher can sleep easy, even as their teen kids lie awake in terror.
The story has had value all through the following decades, eventually becoming the dark heart of a slew of 'new' horror icons in the '70s and '80s -- can't you see the similarity of this tale to slasher films like Hallowe'en or Friday the 13th? Who gets killed first? That's right, the unmarried teen partiers, or failing that, the town drunk who first stumbles upon the killer/monster/thing of evil. The moral -- doing risky things will kill you, but being chaste, prudent and responsible will help you survive.
The Hook Killer, like Michael Myers, Jason and others who came later, is really just doing the job of parents, preachers and teachers --the Hook is FATE, and whether you meet it as death in a fogged up sexual romp or heed its lesson by driving away is up to YOU.
 The tale persists, growing and changing into ever more inventive (if not always scarier) ways on movie screens, in books and television shows, not only because its object lesson is still valued by most parents but also because it simply works as a good, scary story. The best ones never get old, never go away, and always scare the new listener, the new reader, no matter how young or old. Classic...
Generations remember being scared by it, even if they never considered all the societal mores attached to it from the beginning, and they pass it on to the next group of wide-eyed preteens who, even while they scream and giggle and shiver, are also just beginning to consider whether the girl next door is starting to fill out, or if they should let the new boy at school go further than holding hands.
 The Hook Killer of Lovers Lane admonishes us to save ourselves, teaches us what we can expect if we don't, and stabs home each of its lessons with a sharp, bloody terror dangling from your door.
Not bad for an old story we've all heard a million times.
Okay, we'll drive back now. I didn't want to be here even this long! I guess I can sure go on and on, eh?
Hey, what th -- ? The car won't start.
Seriously, we're out of gas, no joke.
Come on... we'll have to walk home.
Oh, don't panic! It's not that far.
Just a dark road.
Here... I'll just come 'round and let you out...