everyday is halloween

the following short film was shown to school children in the 1970s, perhaps even in the '80s [tho i suspect kids in the '80s were more sophisticated moviegoers since the introduction of the VCR & mom&pop video shops where all manner of contemporary cinema were available to anyone who had access to a mom&pop video shop membership card].  i don't remember this movie, 'winter of the witch', being shown to me when i was a lad.  anna remembered it & it became something like a holy grail to find it.  found it she did some years ago.  the internet never forgets & here it is on youtube.  the plot?  you had to ask.  a young boy & his mother moves into a new house.  the boy is a bit lonely.  the old house already has an occupant, a witch whose specialty is the making of blueberry pancakes.  yes, you read that right, the witch is a short order cook who makes these magical, almost hallucinogenic, blueberry pancakes that causes happiness in anyone who eats them.  lo!  the boy is no longer lonely, the house becomes a restaurant, & the witch is given a mission to make everyone freaking happy.  what can i say, this childrens' flick was made during the height of hippiedom, 1969.  here is a 2011 new york times article about the internet as a repository of nostalgia & history of the film.  below is the movie in all its wholesome innocence.  but i gotta warn ya, once you watch this flick you cannot unsee it.

fair warning



boo