The Rocky Horror Picture show is one of my favorite movies. It's a great film to watch every Halloween season (or a few times every Halloween season), since it has everything. It's funny, it's absolutely bananas, it features great performances, and best of all, its songs are amazing. The music is really what makes the movie, and the fantastic slate of songs is why I think TRHPS is one of the best movie musicals of all time. So to celebrate the Halloween season this year, I've decided to rank all of the great songs from the film's soundtrack, from worst to best. There's a few ground rules, though. Firstly, I'll be using the 40th Anniversary "Absolute Pleasures" soundtrack, as some of the film's songs aren't included on the original soundtrack. Also, reprises are not considered for this list. I'm about to make you a list, and unlike Dr. Frank-N-Furter when he makes a man, it won't take seven days.
This song isn't even in the movie, and for pretty good reason. It's a pretty big snooze fest, and it just doesn't really fit into the film all that well. It's fine, but it's nothing special.
Is Planet Hot Dog hilarious? Absolutely. But I'm ranking these as songs, not comedy pieces, and it's barely even a song. While it works really well in the movie, it's not something I'm ever going to listen to on its own, because it's not that type of song.
Quite honestly, this song is forgettable. It doesn't make too much of an impression and I barely even remember it, even though I've seen Rocky Horror many times. It doesn't really make a mark on you and it's easily overshadowed by nearly every other song.
Here's another one where it works very well in the movie but isn't something you'd want to listen to on its own. "Don't dream it, be it" is one of the movie's most memorable lines, and rightfully so. But in song form, it's only okay.
This is one of those songs that I certainly don't hate, but I'm just not as thrilled with it as most people are. It's a good song, but it's far from the best in the movie and I think it just works better on film than in soundtrack form.
From this point on, I love all of the songs. Wild and Untamed Thing is just so fun to listen to, and it's a huge improvement on its preceding portion of the three part Rose Tint My World suite. It's just wonderful. 12- The Sword of Damocles
This song introduces us to the titular character in a great way. It's infectious and fun, and Rocky really shines in this one. It's a great choice to show off the film's main character with such a cool number. The only thing that sucks about it is that it's not on the original RHPS sound track.
Rose Tint My World is an incredibly bizarre song. But it's also an incredibly good one. With four of the film's stars taking part is this three-minute-long "WTF?" fest. Despite being super weird, it fits naturally into this picture.
This is one of the most emotional songs in the entire film, and it's just really beautiful. At this point in the film, it's pretty clear that our favorite sweet transvestite isn't going to survive, and this is his swan song. And it works so well. 8- Over At the Frankenstein Place
This is just a lovely little song. It's not as rollicking as some of Rocky Horror's finest songs, but it doesn't have to be. It's still a great song that is simple, effective, and quite nice.
I think this is one of the film's most underrated songs. It's wildly entertaining, and it's really got something for everyone. It starts slow, then speeds up. It features vocals from nearly everyone in the cast. It's just great in nearly every way. It also helps progress the plot better than many songs on this list. I will admit it, I wasn't a fan at first, but after a few more listens, it's become a true favorite.
The song that starts it all, SF/DF doesn't just get the honor of being the first song viewers of the movie hear, it's also one of the movie's best. It's fun and really puts you in the mood for the hour and a half of weirdness you're about to witness. It pays homage to science fiction legends that came before Rocky Horror, as well as the film's protagonists Brad and Janet. All in all, a great song that's the perfect choice to kick off the movie.
This is the song that introduces us to Dr. Frank-N-Furter, and what a wonderful song it is. Curry is one of the main reasons why RHPS works so well, and this song is the sterling example of that. It's incredibly fun and it just rocks (pun most certainly intended).
Ask any person what they know about Rocky Horror, and they will say the Time Warp. And it's famous for a reason. It's nonsensical (kinda like the entirety of the film)and it's immensely fun to dance to. Charles Gray's Criminologist is hilarious in this, and he helps make this one of the films best, and easily the most memorable and iconic, songs.
One of the earliest songs in the film, Dammit Janet is incredibly infectious and fun. It kicks off the journey for our heroes Brad and Janet, and Bostwick just does a great job with it. Throw in the eavesdroppers (who I always sing along with), and you've got an amazing song.
This is one of the best because it's both funny and catchy as all get-out. It's my favorite song sung by 'Dammit' Janet Weiss, and that's because it's just such a fun song to listen to. As great as Sarandon is though, Magenta and Columbia steal the show, as is typical for them.
This is the one song on this list that, no matter what time of year, I'll listen to to put me in a good mood. It's just so fun to listen to, and Meat Loaf's voice fits this song perfectly. While Eddie didn't get much screen time, this song ensured that he would become an iconic character. It's my pick for the best Rocky Horror song.
What did you think of my rankings? What's your favorite Rocky Horror song? Let me know in the comments and vote in the poll below. And don't forget: Don't dream it, be it.
Throughout its 40+ year history, SNL has given us lots of Halloween gems. One of those gems has launched an animated special, while the others make their rounds in SNL's yearly Halloween collection. Some, unfortunately, have been forgotten about, left only for those willing to make the dangerous journey to NBC's website. No matter how they're viewed nowadays, all of these sketches have made a lasting impression.
Honorable Mentions: Martha Stewart on Halloween, A Girl's Halloween
I love these two sketches so much, but they don't quite make this list. One is a brand-new classic, while the other is a hilarious old favorite. They both fit the holiday in their own unique ways, and that makes them fun, festive treats that are great for the whole family. Okay, maybe not the whole family.
10- The Exorcist II
The Exorcist is a Halloween classic, and so is this parody. Laraine Newman plays a possessed girl who terrorizes priests played by guests Richard Pryor and Thalmus Rasulala. It's not as off-the-walls as it could be considering the premise, but it's effective parody at its finest. It's very entertaining to watch, and I love it. It's unfortunate that it seems lost to time and isn't featured on SNL Halloween specials, but at least it's on YouTube.
9- The Zimmermans: Halloween
The Zimmermans are fun and insane recurring characters, and this Halloween sketch might be the best of them all. It was fun and in the zany spirit of both Halloween and the Zimmermans. Plus, it features Ben Stiller, which makes it even better.
8- Rita DelVecchio's Halloween
I adore Cheri Oteri, and Rita DelVecchio is one of my favorite characters of hers. She's cranky, yet hilarious. Her hating trick-or-treaters just makes so much sense, because she is a miserable woman. She's definitely justified in some of her Halloween hatred, but that doesn't make this any less hilarious. Throw in Molly Shannon as one of her friends, and you make a great sketch even greater.
7- Geoff's Halloween Emporium
This thing is just so bizarre that it just works. Jim Carey as Geoff, the demonic owner of a Halloween shop, is comedic gold. Cecily Strong and Vanessa Bayer as workers that could care less that their boss is a demon is also great, and the ending of this is pretty perfect.
6- Happy Halloween... What?!
This is so great because it's unfortunately a very real (and uncomfortable) situation that happens in real life, taken to the extreme. Will Forte as someone who may or may not be a sexual predator is hilarious, and Jon Hamm's reaction to Forte's unclear message is great.
5- Clinton Halloween Party
The introductions of all of the Democrats at the Clinton Halloween bash like John Edwards and Mike on the cake here. It was an unexpected and hilarious appearance, especially with the buildup to it with the Obama mask. The Joe Biden/Chris Dodd bit was great too, because honestly, who wouldn't believe that Joe Biden would dress up as SpongeBob? Amy Poheler is one of two famous Hillary impressions, and this sketch definitely helps prove why that is true. Also, great witch costume.
4- Graveyard Song
Paul and Phil seem like nice guys. Also, really dumb guys. The scary residents of the graveyard are clearly annoyed with the not-at-all scary Paul and Phil's antics, but they don't really care and keep interrupting their spooky graveyard song. It's a pretty simple premise, but it works really well. Paul and Phil are super lovable and you can't help but feel bad for them here. The likability of both Jim Carey and Taran Killam really helps this sketch work, and I'm not sure it would have worked without them as Paul and Phil.
3- Vincent Price's Halloween Special
Bill Hader's Vincent Price is somehow the most sane person involved in this sketch, and that helps make it a Halloween classic. Vincent Price is a master of horror, yet is definitely more family friendly than Kristen Wiig's Gloria Swanson (who is a pirate, apparently), Jon Hamm's James Mason (who is not a spaceman), and Fred Armisen's Liberace. All of these impersonations are so great, and are varying degrees of over-the-top. It just works so well, and it's hard to pick a favorite out of them all. The sketch works so well and an SNL Halloween really isn't complete without it.
2- The Midnight Coterie of Sinister Intruders
This parody of everything Wes Anderson is a perfect sketch. It's funny, it gives up Ed Norton's Owen Wilson impression, and it's just freaking over-the-top insane. All of the impressions packed into this sketch's short run time help make it one of their best Halloween sketches. It's a great parody of Anderson's bizarre (but effective) filmmaking style, and it's terrific from start to finish.
1- Haunted Elevator (David S. Pumpkins)
One question: were you expecting anything different to take the #1 spot? The newest sketch on this list takes the top prize easily, making a very lasting impression on me. While the others on this list are great, they couldn't hold a candle to Tom Hanks's lovable, grinning, pumpkin suit-wearing man (is he a man though?). Combine Hanks's enthusiasm with the hilarious reactions of Kate McKinnon and Beck Bennett, and you've got comedy gold. And don't even get me started on the b-boy skeletons.
What did you think of the list? What's your favorite SNL Halloween sketch? Let me know in the comments and vote in the poll below!
They're creepy and they're kooky. They're monsters living among us. They're the beloved sitcoms of the 1960s that combined creepy with funny. For this Halloween special, I'll be discussing two beloved sitcoms that are Halloween classics: The Addams Family and The Munsters.
Humble Beginnings
The Munsters and The Addams family are so similar, that they usually go hand in hand. Both are iconic in their own way. They began a week apart from each other, and the Addams Family inspired the Munsters. Funny enough, The Munsters received better ratings than the Addams Family, despite the Addams Family being a much more successful franchise.
Aren't Movies Great?
Even after the cancellations of the shows, movie versions continued to be made. Munster, Go Home! was the first movie adaptation of the Munsters. If failed theatrically, but was actually quite significant, as it featured the Munsters in Technicolor for the first time. A few more made-for-TV movies aired of the Munsters, but M,GH! was the only theatrical release of a Munster movie. The Addams Family, however, had far better fortunes, movie-wise. The Addams Family and Addams Family Values were both hits, both commercially and critically. The 1991 Addams Family movie received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations.
Let's Get Animated
Both the Addams and Munster families got animated in 1973. The Munsters received a one hour TV film titled the Mini-Munsters, while The Addams family aired 16 episodes. The Mini-Munsters failed to be adapted into a series, which was the initial intention. The Munsters were never seen in animated form again. The Addams Family had a different result. Though the original animated Addams Family series was cancelled after one season, the Addams Family returned to animation in 1992. That series did somewhat better than the first attempt. However, it only lasted 21 episodes (though the series was pretty good). Unfortunately, the animated versions of the Munsters and Addams Family are unlikely to ever be seen again on TV, though the 1992 series did previously air just a few years ago.
Remakes, Remakes, Remakes
We all know how much TV loves remaking classics. Usually, this ends badly. For Addams Family, that remained true. Halloween with the New Addams Family failed to receive a series pickup, and The New Addams Family, from 1998, aired just two seasons. The Munsters didn't fare much better, with NBC's Mockingbird Lane failing to receive a series order. However, The Munsters Today aired 72 episodes in Syndication in the late 1980s and early 90s, two more episodes than the original series.
Classic Addresses
The addresses that the Addams Family and Munsters lived at, 0001 Cemetery Lane and 1313 Mockingbird Lane, are also pretty iconic parts of the shows. 1313 Mockingbird Lane even inspired the name of a failed Munsters spinoff, Mockingbird Lane.
Iconic Homes
Okay, so maybe the homes aren't beautiful. But they are iconic symbols of these two shows. Everybody knows that the Addams Family's house is a museum (where people come to see-em). And every fan of the Munsters knows that almost every non-Munster that steps in the house typically says something about it being run down. Speaking of the Munsters Mansion, the Munsters wasn't the only show it ever appeared in. It has appeared in Desperate Housewives, The Incredible Hulk, and Murder, She Wrote, among many others.
Toys, Toys, Toys
We all know how that nearly every successful franchise has some form of a toy depicting them. The Munsters and Addams Family are no different. Many toys of the shows have been produced, including dolls/figurines, video games, and models of the Munsters home.
Unorthodox Animals
The Munster and Addams families both had unusual pets. The Addams Family had Aristotle, an octopus, while the Munsters had Spot, a dragon. These weren't their only pets, of course. The Munsters also had a bat named Igor, as well as a cat that roars like a lion. The Addams Family had Kitty Kat, a lion, and Cleopatra, a man-eating plant. While all of these pets are rather peculiar, they fit the shows perfectly.
So Much Potential
Unfortunately, both the Addams Family and the Munsters struggled in the ratings. For that reason, each received just two seasons, with the Munsters lasting 70 episodes to the Addams Family's 64. It's hard to believe that these classic shows only lasted two seasons each. But their legacies live on in syndication, Netflix, and movies to this day.
And the Winner is....
While I adore both shows, and watch them each and every Halloween, I've always preferred the Addams Family. I was so obsessed with the Addams Family that for a school project one year, I created models of Morticia, Gomez, and Cousin Itt. To this day, I still use those as Halloween decorations. I own the Addams Family on DVD, and love the Addams Family feature films, as well as the animated shows. But that's not to say that I'm not a huge Munsters fan. One year, I was Grandpa Munster for Halloween.
Now, it's time for you to decide the superior series.. Are you an Addams Family fan or a Munster maniac?
Well, it's that time of the year again. Halloween is around the corner, and that means that it's time for Halloween movies, arguably the most fun part of Halloween. Other than candy, of course. Rebecca Bunch's Top Five Halloween Movies I'll just start by saying that I'm not a big fan of scary movies. The scariest thing that I'll watch is American Horror Story. So my movies obviously will only include movies that don't have much death, gore, or thrills. But if that's your thing, stick around for the end of this post. 1) For Halloween, Hocus Pocus is Your Best Bette:
Hocus Pocus is a Halloween classic. ABC Family (I still refuse to call it by that stupid name that begins with an F) airs it almost every day during their "13 Nights of Halloween" Marathons. One reason for that is that it is a great movie. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy are all great in their roles, and it can be watched over and over again. And also, Bette Midler's version of I Put A Spell On You is the best version. 2) Whatever You Do, Don't Say it Three Times:
Beetlejuice.Beetlejuice. Beetleju- I won't say it again. This movie remains a classic after three decades. It's possibly the best Tim Burton film. And it's a helluva lot of fun to watch. Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin are perfect in their roles. And this movie makes you feel the strangest things (see what I did there?). Of course you want Beetlejuice to appear. He's an awesome character. But you also really hate him at the end. And it also makes me want to slap Lydia's parents every damn time. 3) It's Astounding:
Sure, this may be the strangest movie of all time. But it's also one of the most fun. It may not be spooky. And I'm not 100% sure what qualifies it as a Halloween movie. But it's still great. It has the catchiest songs, and I always just want to yell "Dammit Janet!" at the top of my lungs whenever I see Susan Sarandon. This movie is a cultural icon, and it's funny, catchy, and strange, all at the same time. And also, " Touch-a touch-a touch-a touch me!" 4) They're Creepy and They're Kooky:
If you've seen mypostabouttheAddamsFamily, you know that I love it dearly. And I love the movies, The Addams Family and Addams Family Values, almost as much. Addams Family Values managed to do the impossible: it managed to be a sequel that is better than the (superb) first movie. These movies are truly great, and they don't ruin the original content, something far too many remakes manage to do. 5) Everybody Grab your Brooms:
This movie may not be as famous as Hocus Pocus, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, or Beetlejuice. But it's still pretty fun. This movie was my childhood. I watched it all the time. I love it so much that I have an autographed copy of the Halloweentown DVD signed by Debbie Reynolds. I treasure it . This movie is something that, all of these years later, I still love to watch. Honorary Mention: It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
If this Halloween classic had a runtime of longer than 25 minutes (which means it technically isn't a movie), it would definitely be in my Top 5. It's just so awesome. It defines the Halloween Spirit and what it's all about. All of the other Halloween specials bow down to it. Jon (Crazy Ex-Nashville Fan) 1) The Addams Family
I was scrolling through the channels last year, and I saw this movie on Freeform. I started watching it and I was instantly hooked! Sad I only have known about such a great movie for a year. I love this movie because of the different plot. I mean what other family is like this? It’s funny, it is different, it is Halloween themed, what more is needed? The Addams Family really is the last movie in its genre. You know the type of Halloween themed episode of a show that is set years back, and has some crazy scientist in a small town doing weird-Halloweeney things? The Addams Family is the last movie that really went on that plot, and I love it. 2) Fun Size
Maybe I am the only one who is a fan of this forgotten Halloween film, but I shouldn’t be. Fun Size was about a girl who was supposed to take her brother trick-or-treating, and lost him. Her and her friends scout for him all night which takes them on an amazing journey on one of the craziest nights of the year. Fun Size had it all. Comedy. Perfect Halloween elements, and a really great story. I would definitely recommend watching it before Tuesday. 3) The Nightmare Before Christmas
This is one of my top Halloween movies for so many reasons. One of those being how unique the movie is. It has such an interesting, and different plot than all the other holiday movies. Watching this movie really makes me excited for the season. I love it so much. It is also great because it is partially Christmas themed, and I love Christmas! 4) Scream – Film Series:
While there are a lot of really good, Halloween movies, some that have been a favorite for almost all my life, every year, my number one movie to watch around the scariest holiday of the year is Scream. First off let me say something, I LOVE scary movies, I LOVE slasher movies, and I LOVE Halloween. So all three combined is the absolute best combination. Scream was probably the movie that started the slasher horror craze, and 20 years later it is still so popular. It is fun, scary, and has a lot of blood – those are a few things I like about it. Throughout the season I watch it quite a few times and every time feels like the first. I love to watch it late at night and just get into the murder. It really makes the Halloween season, and with it and Halloween being scary it is perfect. You should watch it this season! 5)Halloweentown
While an old movie, I still find this as one of the best classics. Halloweentown is probably the most popular children’s Halloween movie. I really love it so much. I remember as a kid, I would always watch this movie during the season, and it gave me so many good memories. It is one of the symbols of Halloween to me. Bridger Cunningham's Top 5 Halloween Films 1) Halloween (1978)
A fitting classic with slick production values. It had an authentic feel to it as the series hadn't strayed too far from realism yet.
2) The Funhouse
A forgotten movie that seems to show up around this time of the year. The scares were subtle and it had a great opening sequence like Halloween.
3) Halloween II (1981)
Kind of cheesy and strayed from realism. But still captured the imminent doom element. The hot tub scene was hilarious, the hallway scenes terrifying. Along with that parking lot.
4) Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Still trippy.
5) The Fog (1980)
Quite possibly one of the best movies which still freaks me out. The campfire tale, the town falling apart, that boat, and most frightening of all when Adrienne Barbeau lashes the hook at the ghost, and worms come out of the face! The remake was a joke.
