VINTAGE SPOOKY ADS II
We're back with more spooky ads! If you missed the first batch, click here to catch up. Otherwise, buckle up because this collection is absolutely breathtaking. Let's dive in!
BASKIN-ROBBINS HALLOWEEN COUPONS
Can we just appreciate how gorgeous this ad is for a second? That glowing orange jack-o'-lantern against the deep teal-green background is absolutely chef's kiss.
Promos like this is what I'm talking about! Forget the candy—I would've traded a small portion of my trick-or-treat haul for one of these coupons in a heartbeat—just to make the haul that much more interesting.
With coupons like these, Halloween didn't have to end on November 1st. You had these magical tickets that kept the Halloween spirit alive for WEEKS after. Every time you went to Baskin-Robbins and slapped down one of those coupons, you were basically still celebrating. "Oh, what's this? My HALLOWEEN coupon, that's what!"
SONY HANDYCAM GHOSTS
This ad hits different when you actually lived through the camcorder era. My mom was ALWAYS ready with one of these things—birthdays, holidays, random Tuesday afternoons when we were just playing in the backyard. That little red recording light was basically a constant presence in my childhood, like a third parent who never blinked. Mom was in full documentary mode, capturing every moment for posterity whether we liked it or not.
What I love about this ad is how it perfectly captures that Halloween feeling—kids in their ghost costumes running around the neighborhood while Dad (or in my case, Mom) follows behind with the camcorder, trying to get that perfect shot. The imagery is so warm and inviting. Sony knew exactly what they were selling here: not just a camera, but a time machine. A way to preserve those fleeting moments when your kids actually wanted to hold your hand while trick-or-treating. The tagline "With the Sony, your kids will always come back to haunt you" is oddly sweet when you think about it—yeah, they'll haunt you in the best possible way, through grainy footage you'll treasure forever.
SHOWTIME MAKEUP
"This Halloween don't be just another face in the crowd"—spoken like a true face paint company trying to differentiate itself in the crowded 1980s Halloween makeup industrial complex.
I'm obsessed with the commitment these models are showing: we've got everything from "vaguely threatening leopard" to "mime having an existential crisis" to "skeleton who definitely knows something you don't." The ad promises you can "make up hundreds of faces," which feels like a threat? How many faces does one person need?
But honestly, the real star here is that leopard makeup with the animal magnetism tagline. Nothing says Halloween quite like making yourself look like you escaped from a local dinner theater production of Cats. Also, shoutout to Showtime for being hypoallergenic and containing aloe—because nothing ruins a spooky skeleton look quite like a full-face allergic reaction.
HUNT'S CATSUP JACK-O'-LANTERN
This might be the most wholesome Halloween ad ever created—a smiling jack-o'-lantern perched atop a ketchup bottle like some kind of condiment totem pole.
There's something deeply weird yet charming about a food company trying to wedge itself into Halloween festivities. Like, nobody was out there trick-or-treating for ketchup packets, Hunt's, but I appreciate the seasonal spirit. The copy is wonderfully straightforward: "We put it in there for the big tomato taste. And that's your treat." Thanks, Hunt's. Nothing gets me more excited for Halloween than contemplating tomato-to-ketchup ratios.
CHUCKY HOTLINE - SPENCER GIFTS
Spencer Gifts—America's premier destination for lava lamps, inappropriate t-shirts, and things your mom definitely didn't want you buying—decided to launch a CHUCKY HOTLINE where you could call 1-900-860-4-CHUCKY and get a personalized message from a murderous doll.
The setup is incredible: call Chucky, he'll call you back on Halloween with a "special message," AND you could get "Chucky Dollars" worth five whole American dollars at Spencer Gifts. The best part is the disclaimer at the bottom warning parents that this is "DEFINITELY NOT FOR CHILDREN" and would cost $2 for the first minute, then $1 for each additional minute. Imagine being a parent in 1990 and getting a phone bill with multiple calls to a horror movie character hotline.
I LOVE this ad—absolutely eye-searing, these colors. That electric blue, hot pink, and neon yellow combo is like someone distilled the entire decade into a single advertisement. It's aggressive, it's loud, it demands your attention—which is exactly what Spencer Gifts was going for. The dripping horror font for "HOLLYWOOD HORROR" against that blue background is so perfect it hurts.
HAWAIIAN PUNCH SKELETON
And finally, we have what might be the most surreal entry: a cheerful child in a full skeleton costume, barefoot and beaming, balancing a tray of Hawaiian Punch products on their head like some kind of tropical grim reaper. Nothing says "Halloween" quite like pineapple-passionfruit refreshment!
The ad promises "delicious loot" and "Hawaiian treats for thirsty tricksters," which makes it sound like your house would be the one handing out cans of punch instead of candy. Honestly? In 1969 (check that copyright), you'd probably be the most popular house on the block.
The kid's expression is pure joy despite being strong-armed by the camera crew into balancing a tray of beverages on his head like some kind of undead waiter. I love that they threw a lei on there for good measure—because if you're gonna be dead, you might as well be dead in paradise. This is peak beach goth energy before beach goth was even a thing.
LINGERING THOUGHTS/CONCLUSION
What happened to the kid in the Hawaiian Punch skeleton costume? He now owns a tiki bar in Portland where everything is Halloween-themed year-round. The drinks glow in the dark. He's living his truth.
Did Hunt's Catsup think they could compete with actual candy on Halloween? In a parallel universe, they were right. In this one, they were not.
Did you ever call the Chucky hotline? No, and it will haunt me forever. Thanks for reminding me…
Thanks so much for reading!