I know you guys like my vintage Halloween costume posts, so here's a couple more that I stumbled upon at a thrift store yesterday. First up, a seriously scurvy looking Ben Cooper "Spook Town" Pirate from 1964, who --as Brian Barnes yo-ho-ho-noted on facebook-- defies the logic of all Halloween pirate eye patches. Also ripe for my plucking, a pumpkin-headed Collegeville Scarecrow with "sparkle velvet" frock design, aptly named "Harvest Harvey", and also from the 60's, I believe. What're you going to dress up as this year?
I can't pick a favorite between these. That pirate is aces, though I have to admit that the eyepatch hole would have definitely been a deal-breaker for me as a kid. Or I would have had to repaint that part of the face like an empty socket, and then cover it up with a real eyepatch instead. But the Joe Maneely-looking facial design of that character is otherwise perfect.
ReplyDeleteThe jack-o-lantern scarecrow is like a children's book illustration. A friendly, funny abomination sprung from a love affair between two Wizard of Oz characters. I say go all out: Wear a lion frock and carry a tin axe.
That's an unfortunate placement of the scarecrow's stand on that frock. "Harvest Harvey" comes off looking more like "Tuggin' Toobin".
ReplyDeleteIf you really had your heart set on dressing up as Popeye's nemesis (I mean, I don't know who ever would be, but just sayin'), in a pinch, that pirate mask could help you pass for Bluto! But I want to speak to quality control and the advertising manager: The package promises SPARKLE velvet, and I see NO sparkles. Where is the GLITTER, damn it?? Because a glittery pirate -- now THAT is a Halloween costume I could get behind.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I see the word "Harvest" associated with Halloween I think of the neighbors I once had that called it "happy harvest" and handed out chick tracks!
ReplyDeleteWell, at least Chick tracts are good for a laugh.
DeleteFifteen crows on the barn roof crest
ReplyDeleteYo ho ho and let's bang on the drum
Black feathers and beaks will dig into yer chest
Yo ho ho so better stay mum.
>Joe Maneely-looking facial design of that character is otherwise perfect.
ReplyDeleteHaha, it does look like Maneely pirate, that's hilarious
>That's an unfortunate placement of the scarecrow's stand on that frock
'Ol Harvey doesn't seem to mind, that big smile on his kisser proves it! ;)
>that pirate mask could help you pass for Bluto!
Joe Maneely should've totally drawn some Popeye comics-- I know I'd buy 'em! haha
> neighbors I once had that called it "happy harvest" and handed out chick tracks
Bill's right. As religiously ridiculous as those Chick tracts are, I still find them highly entertaining. I know I'd definitely prefer them over an apple or sticky popcorn ball in my treats bag!
Thanks foe the comments gang!