Do You Deserve a Trick or a Treat?

While “The Exorcist” grossed considerably less ($441.3 million), it was the only horror film ever to be nominated for an Academy Award, including Best Supporting Actress for 15-year-old Linda Blair.

When released in 1978, the original “Halloween” grossed only $70 million internationally, but it also spawned a franchise of 13 highly profitable sequels.

“Poltergeist” was the highest-earning horror film of 1982, grossing almost $122 million worldwide. 

“The Blair Witch Project,” released in 1999, grossed about $250 million, making it one of the most successful independent films ever. Presented in a pseudo-documentary format, the film is famous for its found-footage cinematic technique.

A. Doug Henning

B. Harry Houdini

C. James Randi

D. David Devant

E. David Copperfield

Answer: B. On Oct. 31, 1926, the grand illusionist and escape artist Harry Houdini expired from a ruptured appendix, resulting in sepsis. (Contrary to popular lore, the Great Houdini did not die while attempting one of his daring escapes.)

Canadian magician Doug Henning died of liver cancer on Feb. 7, 2000. Henning and Houdini both passed away at the relatively young age of 52. James Randi died on Oct. 20, 2020, at the ripe old age of 92. Randi and Houdini were both heavily involved in exposing and debunking spiritualism. 

A. Kernels 

B. Skittles

C. Chicken feed

D. Corn Pops

E. Kibble

Answer: C. Candy corn, designed to resemble corn kernels, was originally called “chicken feed” when first marketed by a Philadelphia candy maker in 1888.

Skittles were introduced almost a hundred years later, in 1971. They’re the fourth-most-popular Halloween candy in the country. (Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups top the list.) Corn Pops is a puffed grain breakfast cereal first manufactured by Kellogg’s in 1950, while kibble is a treat only your pet can truly appreciate.

A. Tinsel

B. Silly String

C. Imitation firearms

D. Clergy costumes

E. Both B and C

Answer: E. Both Silly String and imitation firearms are banned in Hollywood in Halloween. The ban on Silly String was introduced by the Los Angeles City Council in 2004 because cleaning up the next day cost the city more than $200,000. Offenders face a maximum fine of $1000 or six months in jail.

Public displays of imitation firearms are banned throughout the state of California, not only on Halloween, but year-round. (Okay, it was a trick question.) Carrying a realistic-looking toy gun or replica weapon on Halloween is one of the fastest ways to turn a night of fun into a nightmare, with penalties starting at $100 for a first offense. 

A. Witchy Woman (The Eagles)

B. Spooky (Classics IV)

C. Monster Mash (Bobby Pickett)

D. Season of the Witch (Donovan)

E. Werewolves of London (Warren Zevon)

#5. Answer: B. “Spooky,” a 1968 hit by the Classics IV, is a Halloween favorite and the only song listed above that has the word “Halloween” in the lyrics.

“Witchy Woman” was released by The Eagles in 1972 as part of their debut album. While it does not include the word “Halloween,” it’s still a standard at costume parties this time of year. At the time of its writing, Eagles’ co-founder Don Henley was reading a biography of Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald. She was the song’s inspiration.

While the quirky 1962 novelty hit “Monster Mash” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett does not include the word “Halloween,” it always tops the Halloween playlist.  “Season of the Witch,” released by Donovan in 1966, has been used in several (predominantly low-budget) horror flicks. However, the song does not include the word “Halloween.”

Warren Zevon’s comedic song “Werewolves of London,” recorded in 1978, began as a joke between Zevon and Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers and makes no mention of Halloween.

A. Halophobia

B. Halitosis

C. Arachibutyrophobia

D. Kinemortophobia

E. Samhainophobia

#6. Answer: E. The fear of Halloween is called samhainophobia, from the ancient Celtic harvest festival of Samhain. Many of its victims have suffered a past Halloween-related trauma.

Halophobia is the fear of salt and salty food. Common triggers for this phobia are based on excessive salt intake, such as an unpleasant taste in the mouth, acute thirst, or kidney problems. Halitosis is something else altogether.