Vanishing Lessons

It's kind of funny how I became a Hallowe'en/Monster kid. Part of the story is that I spent Saturday afternoons with Tom Hatten and the Family Film Festival, which allowed me to see classic monster films and absorb their history.

Another part were the endless hours spent sitting next to my little record player, listening to spooky stories. Among them was a collection of ghost stories and urban legends under the Alfred Hitchcock name, interspersed with vignettes of  Hitchcock setting up the next track and giving the listener an ongoing account of a simple faucet drip growing and growing until he drowns at the end.

Click on the pic for one of my favorite, light-hearted spooky stories.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents Ghost Stories for Young People

Back in the day, this is how kids got their scare on! I feel sorry for the ones today who have no idea what the click and pop sounds are on these tracks!

Click on the pic to hear the playlist, and click, "Play All."

I about wore the album out when I was a kid. It prepped me for "The Birds." :D

Ghost Stories For Young People

But we old people who remember owning this album can listen, too!

Click on the pic to get to the playlist, and hit, "Play All."

I really wish I still had the original album I used to listen to as a kid! I used to love it, especially the little intros he did between the stories!

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

When I was young, Alfred Hitchcock presents Ghost Stories for Young People was one of my favorite records.

I'd turn out the lights and listen to it, over and over again. Man, do I wish I had that album now.

Even so, with the magic of CDs and YouTube, I can listen to this again. I can't help but feel sorry for the kids today (Ritalin riddled as they seem to be) who would find the process of sitting, listening and imagining, a complete bore.

Click on the pic and "Play All." It's the perfect soundtrack for stormy weather.

Mostly Ghostly Music Sharing Blaaahhhggg

Much of the haunt community I've run across seems to be around my age. As kids, we grew up in the 70s, and graduated high school in the eighties. We still remember analog clocks, having to tie our own shoes (no Velcro), a time when there was no Internet (*gasp*).

And we remember the LP record.

I ran across the Mostly Ghostly Music Sharing Blaaahhhgg via House Bloodthorn's blog. While I don't usually feature blogs that don't post regularly, I thought I'd turn you on to this one for the nostalgia factor.

I remember listening to several ghost story-type albums repeatedly as a kid. The Alfred Hitchcock LP was a big hit with me, as was the classic Disney, Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House. There was one I haven't pictured here, as I haven't located it quite yet. It was an album of stories narrated by Vincent Price. I would love to find that on either LP or CD! The laugh, the timing, the voice... It all came together to give me chills and keep me awake, hiding under the overs at night.

And my parents wonder why I love Halloween so much!

Anyway, he has his Forbidden Crypts site, which will take you to several of his other sites, including his "free sounds" site. Lots of fun things to peruse there, including this, which I will sign off with.

Mwahahahaha!