The Halloween Tree

Alfred A. Knopf, October 1972.

Key characters (and costumes): Tom Skelton (skeleton), Henry-Hank Smith (witch), Ralph Bengstrum (mummy), Wally Babb (gargoyle), "Hackles" Nibley (Death), Fred Fryer (beggar), George Smith (ghost), J.J. (apeman), and Joe Pipkin. And let's not forget Mr. Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud.

Summary: It's Halloween night, and eight boys in a small Illinois town are in for a trick and a treat that will change their lives and their deaths forever. Upon visiting the town's haunted house, the boys meet Mr. Moundshroud who whisks them away on a journey through time and space where they will learn the history of Halloween itself while pursuing the endangered soul of their mysteriously missing friend, Joe Pipkin.

Comments: The Halloween Tree takes its title and inspiration from a painting Bradbury had done years before, and although the image of a tree hung with glowing jack-o-lanterns is certainly memorable, it doesn't exactly serve as a central metaphor here. Bradbury's metaphor-a-minute style doesn't settle down long enough for any deep or complex ponderings here, but this is basically a kids' book after all. It is a whirlwind tour of the history of Halloween, and Bradbury fans will recognize a few places the author has visited before.

Time-places visited (and horrors found): Ancient Egypt (Osiris), prehistoric times (fire discovered), Greek and Roman times (ghosts placated with food offerings), British Isles (Samhain harvesting and druids), Dark Ages (witch burning), Paris (Notre Dame gargoyles), and Mexico (Day of the Dead and mummy vault).

Oddities: A character named Bob mentioned once and never again. A devil-dressed boy mentioned twice, but never given a name. This could be Bob, but that would make nine boys. It's clearly stated that there are only eight without Pipkin. Also, there's no indication that the two Smith boys are related.

Cartoon: I believe this Hanna-Barbera movie made its debut on either TBS or TNT in 1993. The VHS bears the Cartoon Network logo. Either way, it seems Turner was involved in the production. I saw it on a Saturday morning on TNT in the mid 90s. It features Ray as narrator and Leonard Nimoy as the voice of Moundshroud. I recall it as being pretty good. There are fewer characters than in the book, and one of them is now a girl. It's a pity this hasn't become a holiday classic like Charlie Brown. Bradbury received an Emmy Award for his script.