Category: Holidays

It's the most wonderful tiiiime of the year…. There'll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glory of Christmases long, long agooooo….

I've never understood the "scary ghost story + Christmas" bit in that song… til I read about the BBC's series, "A Ghost Story for Christmas" (1971-78), which I ran across while researching the beloved Krampus for a performance (but that's another story).

There's not much to find by randomly searching youtube (or the hundred-odd, dependably confusing and US-incompatible BBC sites, for that matter)… unless you have the key. I found what looks to be a fan site, replete with all 8 episodes' info. So enjoy searching the youtube for these creepy olde stories! (Also, check BBC Four and BBC Radio 7 for ghostly video and readings, respectively, though it seems like you'll have to hand-search the latter for the episodes).

Merry Scary!

Ballpeen

AUNT JOHN SEZ: Ballpeen, you weren't kidding when you said the clips were hard to find. Here's a clip from THE ICE HOUSE, but out of context it's neither Christmas-y nor scary. So instead, let's gather round and listen to this yuletide yarn from The Fall's MARK E. SMITH.

Hello boys,

Just thought I'd relay this timely seasonal traumafession.

I had a bad patch of serious nightmares from 1980 to about 1988. It all started with JAWS and ended [practically overnight] with the TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE. For some reason TOBE HOOPER cured me of all evils, and now I have nothing but love for a good horror flick. Anyways, back in the dark days of scaredy-cat mania, I happened to see the film FORTRESS (1986). This is an Australian film based on a true story that went strait to cable in the U.S. I was about 11 years old. My mom was taping FORTRESS on VHS for my dad, ‘cause he was at work [back in the days before Tivo]. She told me not to watch it, that it would be scary. Of course I watched it anyway, I just couldn't resist. I prolly should have left the room, but then I would have no traumafession to relay… so I suppose it eventually paid off.

My mom did her best to help me cope with my over active imagination. She always said, "When you get scared… just think of happy things like unicorns, Santa Claus, and the Easter Bunny." Once I saw FORTRESS though, the old tried + true happy thoughts technique was completely useless. After this movie, images of Santa where tainted by, loud abusive language, kidnapping, sawed off shot guns, decapitation and the ultimate trauma… skinny dipping with all your classmates in a desperate attempt to escape evil kidnappers dressed like Father Christmas and Dabby Duck [too much to explain there, your just gonna have to see it for yourself]. Santa is supposed to bring you presents, like that Hardy Boys record player you asked for, not shove a gun in your face, right???

I recently revisited this film, and I have to admit, it rocks. So glad I was able to enjoy it the second time around. This film must have made a huge impression on me, cause I remember just about every terrifying detail. Basically a teacher and her students are abducted by a pack of cartoon-masked kidnappers [including Father Christmas] from a remote school in Australia. This is one bad tempered Santa. I don't wanna spoil anything for those who haven't seen it, so I will say no more plot wise. Just do yourself a favor and watch ‘till the very, very end. Not so great acting, the teacher is far to condescending and the kids are at times a bit too whiny, but a super fun movie just the same. Besides, the fat synthesizer score is awesome. So if you're a collector of bad Santa flicks, kids in horror, or 1980's synth movie scores, be sure to check this one out.

Just be warned that after seeing this, Santa will not longer be able to save you from your nightmares.

Happy holidays + take care,

Micha.

AUNT JOHN SEZ: After slobbering uncontrollably over the spectacular assortment of screen shots Micha was kind enough to send over with her traumafession, it dawned on me that I vaguely recall catching FORTRESS on cable in the mid-eighties at the height of my RACHEL WARD phase (AGAINST ALL ODDS anyone?) Another thing that got me drooling is Micha's Craft Corner, a.k.a. *BAKING WITH MEDUSA*. She is seriously crafty and, did I mention, amazing with screen captures. Here are some more stocking stuffers from FORTRESS:

It's Christmas time, which tends to make me more sentimental than usual. I love recalling childhood memories of past Christmases. I even love listening to the same Christmas music such as BING CROSBY, JIM REEVES, STATLER BROTHERS, and PERRY COMO. However, I loathe one Christmas song to this day. My family knows I loathe this song and even now as an adult, they taunt me with it.

Icky!

I even hate typing the title, but here it is "To Heck With Ole Santa Claus" by LORETTA LYNN. When I was little, I thought Santa would be angry at me for listening to a song with lyrics like, "When he goes dashin' through the snow I hope he falls, I like to hit him in the (ho ho ho) with a bunch of big snowballs; To heck with ole Santa Claus."

LORETTA even goes on to threaten Santa with this, "This year I'll build a big fire by the fireplace, I'll be like a little pig I read about, If that big bad wolf in red comes down my chimney; He's a gonna scorch his whiskers there's no doubt."

Well, as a child, I thought Santa would be insulted by this song just as Santa in ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS was insulted by Albert's scathing letter to the editor. I sure hope this year that my family forgets to torture me with this loathsome yuletide tune!