Halloween is one week away — scary close to the date of the US presidential election. Still undecided? About a Halloween costume that is?
Come on out to The Westdale theatre in Hamilton Saturday afternoon for inspiration. The folks at this elegant, circa 1935 neighbourhood cinema have asked me to program an afternoon of 16mm Halloween-themed cartoons. It is all part of this month’s TV on Film Party.
The fun start at 1 p.m. with some classic cartoons including a 1929 gem featuring skeletons dancing! This 95-year-old film is still a marvel, especially considering the entire film was animated by one man. Other cartoons feature a certain spinach-eating sailor as well as a colour gem starring a mouse, a duck and a talking dog that may have been the inspiration for the Bill Murray-Dan Aykroyd-Harold Ramis classic “Ghostbusters” (below).
Speaking of that 1984 feature, The Westdale will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original “Ghostbusters” with a fully-restored, digitally-enhanced, screening right after my 16mm shorts and cartoons — all for the same general admission price.
Between the 16mm films and “Ghostbusters,” stick around for a special, Halloween-themed TV on Film Party trivia round. Winners will receive cool prizes generously donated by RetroFestive, the locally-owned store next door in Oakville which is packed with novelty cards, games, figures and especially cool pop culture-themed Christmas decorations. From Peanuts to “A Christmas Story” to “Elf” sweaters and hats, you’ll find it all in person or on-line at RetroFestive.
Located near McMaster University, The Westdale is surrounded by some great eateries and also pops some tastey popcorn. The snack bar is also licenced. For tickets and more information on the screening, go to thewestdale.ca.
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