Halloween History
This ancient Celtic festival is considered one of the roots of modern Halloween
Samhain
In Hocus Pocus, Thackery Binx is cursed by the Sanderson sisters and spends most of the movie trapped in the form of this animal
What is a black cat
During Halloween celebrations in Romania, visitors can explore a famous castle associated with this legendary figure, even though the real historical person wasn't actually a vampire
Who is Dracula
This character's weapon of choice is a glove fitted with four razor-sharp blades
Who is Freddy Krueger
This novelty song by Bobby “Boris” Pickett became a Halloween staple after reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962
What is “Monster Mash”
Before pumpkins became popular, this vegetable was commonly carved into lanterns in Ireland and Scotland
What is a Turnip
In Beetlejuice, how many times must you say the title character's name to summon him?
What is three times
In traditional Croatian folk belief, families sometimes covered these household objects after someone died, because they feared the deceased person's soul might become trapped in them
What are mirrors
In The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, this member of the Sawyer family is the one responsible for capturing victims and preparing them for the family's dinner table
Who is Leatherface
In this 1973 song, the singer encounters a supernatural woman who tells him she's “the devil's daughter” and invites him into a mysterious world
What is “Black Magic Woman”
Large numbers of immigrants from this country helped spread Halloween traditions in the United States during the 19th century
What is Ireland
When young Sally imagines her perfect man in Practical Magic, she gives him this distinctive eye condition
What is heterochromia
On Halloween night in Germany, some people take an unusual precaution in their kitchens because they believe the dead may return to the world of the living
What is hiding their knives
In the original Scream, this is the first question Ghostface asks Casey Becker over the phone
What is “What’s your favorite scary movie?"
“Season of the Witch” was written and recorded by Donovan in 1966, but this American singer-songwriter later recorded a much heavier version that became strongly associated with Halloween
Who is Lana Del Rey
The ancient Celtic practice of wearing costumes during Samhain wasn't just for fun—they dressed up to accomplish this
What is to confuse or fool harmful spirits
In The Shining, Jack Torrance types the same sentence over and over instead of writing his novel. What famous sentence does Wendy discover?
What is All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy
In parts of Italy, children may receive small gifts or sweets from a supernatural female figure who visits homes around the beginning of November
Who is La Befana
In Halloween, Michael Myers' first victim is his teenage sister, whom he attacks while wearing this simple costume
What is a clown costume
This cult musical features "Sweet Transvestite" and "Time Warp"
What is The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The practice of dressing up and going door-to-door for treats has roots in this medieval European tradition, in which people went door-to-door offering prayers for the dead in exchange for food
What is Souling
At the end of Casper, Kat discovers that Casper can temporarily become human after receiving this from her.
What is a kiss
During Poland's traditional Dziady observances, people would perform this unusual act with food to make sure visiting spirits could partake in the feast
What is leave food on the floor for the spirits
In House of Wax, the two brothers who run the town's wax museum are revealed to have this disturbing connection to each other
What is they are conjoined twins
Although Screamin' Jay Hawkins made it famous, this song was later recorded by artists including Nina Simone, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Marilyn Manson
What is “I Put a Spell on You”