Let's dive into a Woolworth Halloween circular from 1988!

[@wethoughtyouwasatoad4684]

Please never stop doing this!

[@dinosaurdracula]

Thanks a ton!! \m/

[@gogglespisano24]

I so agree about the 3rd Elm Street. And Halloween 3 was my favorite since it came out, but I always was teased for it.

[@ljkelty1766]

So cool. I was in Kindergarten for Halloween '88. I vividly remember the Ben Cooper "costumes" - hot and cheap, but so much fun. I loved all the newspaper ad and other assorted mail order catalogs that were devoted to Halloween. In NYC we had Woolworths, Wellworths, Genovese, Pathmark, TRU, and so many more great H'ween depots.

[@TheNostalgicBasement]

Matt I have been watching your videos for maybe 6 years now, and listening to Purple Stuff, and I have to say, your memory is uncanny. I am always reminded of things I completely forgot existed

[@SameNameDifferentGame]

Deadly Friend, a.k.a. That Movie Where Kristy Swanson Explodes Anne Ramsay's Head with a Basketball

[@SpaceWizardCosplay]

I miss Woolworth. Don't forget Eckard Drugstores and Ben Franklin. They each had the best selection of Halloween decorations at low prices back in the day.

[@MeowAbout]

It's just not Halloween without you. Thank you for doing this every year and sharing nostalgia with us. And giving us things to explain to our 9-year old about how Halloween was "back in our day". :)

[@williamblasko1031]

Dude, as a kid I saved KMART, Rose's, Eckerd's, and any other Halloween sales papers I could get my hands on. My mom threw em out when I moved out at 17. Had a HUGE stack of em. Like 85-94.....

[@karenc5609]

Deadly friend!! Forgot about that classic! I also loved it!

[@redmist78]

I still talk about Woolworth to this day. That was one of the coolest places to shop when I was growing up in the '80s.

[@GussieKlimt]

This ad had my favorite skeleton - he was a wonderful blow up piece - which i still have to this day. I do not blow him up anymore - but he's still my fav piece from childhood. I also believe i wore the ninja costume you high lighted - i picked up costumes from woolworth's for many years,

[@greggvictorious968]

I had the Frankenstein glow stick head and I loved the crap out of it.

[@CrabOfDoom]

Weirdest thing about Ben Cooper masks, for me, was how the nose area inside would start collecting condensation almost immediately. I've tried breathing through the tiny mouth hole, as well, and that was just all kinds of Not Right. I could just barely hear my eyelashes brush against the eye holes. A surprisingly sensory experience, all around, really.

[@KittieZombieSlayer]

When you lifted off the mask to breathe and the cold October air hit your drenched face… I remember that so well lol

[@nightshademagickian4140]

suffocating in a casper the ghost mask as a child is one of my earliest halloween memories, ahh good times.

[@joelashadali]

I remember the rancid smell that developed

[@zionix15432]

i remember my face hurting afterwards from being so moist and rubbing against the hard plastic the whole time

[@ItsaMeTW]

You all are lucky, the rubber band on mine broke about 5 minutes after I got it. Then I got to feel the sensations of Scotch tape or the edges of 5 staples against the side of my face for an entire night.

[@GalacticWrestlingFederation]

Always LOVE the drops for WPIX 11. 📺

[@dravenlee4473]

I was terrified of Freddy as a kid and I still wanted and begged for that mask (and got it). Considering the absolutely terrible Michael Myers masks back then, for a relatively cheap Freddy mask, I don't think it looked half bad. The monster can't get you if you become the monster...

[@AggroKragg]

I see "Deadly Friend" making quite a few horror movie lists this season. People are FINALLY catching on!

[@caucasoidape8838]

B.B.!

[@ryantmaurer]

Literally added it to my watchlist during the video!

[@pigguy]

I was having a really blah, down day till I watched this. So many waves of nostalgia Matt! I had completely forgotten about those monster heads that went on the ends of the glow sticks. Now I remember exactly what they smelled like (since as a deeply weird only child I would always stick them on my nose). I've been a fan since the old X-E days, and I'm so glad you're still at it

[@Larry]

Woolworths were absolutely adored in the UK, loads of nostalgia for them. and theyve been trying to return for a while.

[@robfellows4096]

Sometimes a Frankenstein combo of Wilco/B&M/QD stores covers some of the Woolworth viibes, but nothing beats the original! I can just remember when the closed they were offloading loads of VHS & vinyl thinking 'who would want those?'!

[@trach1]

You simply have the best Halloween site on youtube

[@bengraven]

Oh my God I’m such a sucker for old 80s painted Halloween art. That record album right in the beginning is so on point.

[@Dudeitsmeee]

The ben cooper "coveralls" were more like a cheap vinyl table cloth glued (or melted or sewn) together with some tie strings. Let's not kid ourselves... us 80's (and 70's) kids know.. we were wearing tablecloths. Coincidently I wore one to my kindergarten halloween day (snoopy) and got cupcake icing all over it and had a'lil fit. Yes, points off the 'ol toxic man card but whevs. Guess I secretly knew what I was wearing.

[@Frisket]

These are my favorite kinds of videos from you.

[@Horzzo]

Loved going to Woolworth woth my Grandma other than everyone smoking in the store. Crazy to remember. I loved the Ben Cooper masks because we were poor and they still allowed me to become my favorite characters. I remember being C3P0 and Beast Man. Happy Halloween Matt!

[@LA_HA]

The ninja costumes were a big deal because of karate and kung fu movies, TV shows, and Kung Fu Theater. How come no one remembers that? My older brothers were into that stuff big time, which is why I loved it

[@MemoryException]

Wow, a Woolworth’s circular! I worked at a printer in Atlanta at that time which likely printed that. Seeing the style of it brings back memories. They once sent us a check for $1 million to pay their account and we all got to hold it.

[@joeyphillips6597]

I am also a fan of Deadly Friend. A buddy of mine as kid showed me the movie on VHS, probably sometime around 1995 or 96. I remember being slightly traumatized by basketball scene. Great shit.

[@VeeHoffman]

The two times you'd get glow sticks as a kid in the 80's were 1) Halloween and 2) Skating Rink Birthday Parties. Awesome video!

[@Bemfactor98]

You're so right, those Lite-Up glow sticks would only come out around Halloween and they were so freaking cool. Always wanted one of those in every color

[@rebeluniverse2601]

Deadly Friend is always a winner!

[@randall2034]

Drug stores during Halloween time in the 80s just hit different! I can still remember the smells. From the candy to the plastic of Ben Cooper costumes! Even Kmart during Halloween time was a vibe! The drug stores brought that Vincent Drug feel. I still find myself googling old 80s Halloween ads from TG&Y or Woolworth and drug stores. Thank you Matt for bringing Halloween nostalgia to my Halloween heart 🎃

[@kellylrodriguez]

lol ! love you matt ! old and hate tik tok too 😝

[@KairuHakubi]

fantastically educational. I was too little to remember this age, but a lot of it continued right into the time I do have memory of. My "weird noisemaking thing nobody ever thinks of" was the motion-activated wee-woo spooky decorations, which continued decently into the 21st century. It was hilarious how often you'd hear the exact same sounds coming from drastically different products, because.. that's just like a chip you would buy in bulk I think, from some chinese factory.

[@caucasoidape8838]

I thought it sucked then, but now I miss it. lol

[@KairuHakubi]

@@caucasoidape8838 What, the halloween noisemakers?

[@caucasoidape8838]

@@KairuHakubi Yes

[@adampitre4931]

I had that $17 Freddy mask! I think I still have it somewhere.

[@suewolfe3898]

I remember all that stuff you talked about. Those were the days. I’m 61 years old and although the Halloween props and costumes are really great today, I would rather go back to the 60’s, 70’s & 80’s I love your videos ! Keep ‘em coming! 🧡🖤🧡🖤

[@PumpkinPails]

I have two of those inflatable skeletons! They made an appearance on 1983s The Outsiders with Rob Lowe which I recently saw and I had to track some down. They still make them, surprisingly.

[@ALAH13]

As a small child, I remember wearing the plastic shirt costume and mask of Ernie from Sesame Street. The condensation build up on the inside of that thing was so gross when you were running around on a cool 50 degree Halloween night.

[@GrungyOipunkhalloween]

I was 8 in 1988 so many awesome memories just in the ads.....one of the reasons Halloween has and always be my favorite holiday 🎃🧡🖤🧡🖤

[@JaneDoe-po4gu]

isnt it funny how being a big joker fan has such a culturally different meaning now as opposed to when that batman movie came out

[@pika23]

We gave out bags of potato chips that we got from the vending machine wholesaler.

[@mattjones9591]

Everything presented here has brought back so many memories, them VHS prices are a bit steep but what a deal on the candy! Halloween 3 is a great film. it was dragged down at the time, but let’s be honest… we’ve overcorrected. Give me the thorn trilogy all day

[@HarveyMidnight]

How lucky am I? I saw nearly EVERY ONE of those horror movies in the flyer, on the big screen-- Never saw 'Believers'... but all the others. Even 'Deadly Friend'. Heck, I had a DATE with me, for 'Deadly Friend'. The original 'Fright Night' is probably one of my favorite vampire movies. Roddy McDowell MAKES that movie!

[@bilhamcobbly2957]

Yes!!!!! Every day is a great day when Dino D posts a video

[@DorfOnCrack]

Mama Fratelli getting killed with a basketball thrown by the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer is why Deadly Friend is a classic.

[@robynlee94]

Man do I miss Woolworth stores.. Thank you for the nostalgia.

[@duchessofstratosphear]

I wish I could go Halloween shopping with you 😭🎃🖤

[@flyingalienqueen]

There was never a Woolworth’s nearby in any of the towns I actually lived in, but I’m so glad I got to experience going to one at least a few times in the 80s and 90s!

[@popculturevegan]

This video was a nice flashback. I was and still am obsessed with the plain glow sticks. The first year I remember seeing them was between 82-84. When I first got one it was like I created fire. They were so damn magical.

[@alanperez3571]

Ads like these bring back a lot of memories man!!!

[@zombieking7456]

The more I watch your videos, the more I’m addicted to them.

[@vengeance1701]

The only Ben Cooper costumes I saw that didn't just have a random picture on a plastic smock were the Masters of the Universe ones. They had fully printed bodies. I remember being dumbfounded to find that other Halloween costumes of that era weren't of the same quality!

[@Wyndstrom]

Thank you Matt! Thanks for taking me back to my Halloween childhood!

[@ryhomagnifico]

Man, we had Woolworth's and Woolco when I was a kid and this hit all the right nostalgic notes. I pretty much experienced everything in here first-hand. So amazing. Thank you!

[@BetterOffRed]

Ahhhh the most nostalgia! I always wanted one of those plastic costumes, but my mom wouldn’t have it. Only the most obscure home-made costumes in our house. 😬

[@JEdmund81]

Surprised how expensive VHS movies were! That'd be like $40 today. Guess I shouldn't complain about $30 4K blurays.

[@6inTruder]

If you want some culture shock, look up how much a new release cost on VHS.

[@mayssm]

Computers back then were several thousand dollars. I recall my dad getting me a 386 for like $1000, so that would be like $2500 now. VCRs and microwaves were like $300, $500, $800+.

[@JosephDickersonUX]

I WORKED in a drug store in 1988-89, and this video gave me all the feels. I will never forget the excitement when I got the case of discount VHS tapes to display just before Halloween. And then in 89 we got a case of Batman on VHS! I still regret not taking the "topper" of the display for my collection. I'm an Old, too.

[@otlforumadmin]

I remember Halloween in the 80s! This was an amazing nostalgia bomb. Thanks Matt! Also, I had the same candy philosophy. I always had my mom give out Hershey's miniatures and Reese's peanut butter cups.

[@jayalsop549]

I'm pretty new to this channel and Im totally into it .

[@stich21]

Check out his website too. Hours of great articles to read. He's been doing this for many years. :)

[@PumpkinPails]

Welcome! Go check out his video on the Trash Bag Bunch, it's required viewing.

[@NightShiftVideo]

Had completely forgotten about Sit Laughs A lot! Love this!

[@ConsumerTimeCapsule]

This video is absolutely outstanding. It's tough to elevate a Woolworth circular, but you managed to do it.

[@nuclearpancakes]

Thanks!

[@dinosaurdracula]

Thank you!!

[@moseinsocks238]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

[@LukeDodge916]

I'm a sad lil 44yo because this is right in my wheelhouse... Halloween nostalgia is kinda becoming my life. I keep my McDonald's McPails out year round, among dozens of other Halloween gems. And the stuff from the 80s gets top bill in ny office. Keep bringing this stuff to the masses, DD! *as an aside, somehow I convinced my better half to put out the Halloween stuff inside our place today and make her think it was her idea... WTF?! I never do this until the first day of autumn.

[@jdaywork2693]

I'm down for more of these videos. Some of those candy commercials blow the dust off of memories for sure. I was four years old in '88.

[@HellBoundhorrorshow]

This was awesome! Thanks for taking us through memory lane. Even though I was born in the early 90s, a lot of this is still nostalgic. I loved your presentation and the little anecdotes sprinkled throughout. Keep up the great work! Subscribing!

[@dinosaurdracula]

Thank you!!

[@EllEmm1313]

Dinosaur Dracula makes the season!

[@Portal2099]

I think those old masks with the rubber band and staple are what started me freaking out when things get too close to my eyes. lol

[@VioletCatbird]

I had one of those cheap smock costumes. I was a "Puffalump."

[@RealQueenOfHalloween]

Love that you’re relatable and hilarious af.

[@hcaulfield37]

I had that Freddy costume! In fact, a few months ago, I picked it up on eBay because I was feeling nostalgic.

[@Myers1978]

This is just dripping with amazing Halloween nostalgia!! I could (and will) watch these all year long!

[@Samination]

Amazing

[@Seiferboi]

I don't think we had any Woolworth stores where I live. I've never heard of them before watching the video. I have that same A Nightmare on Elm Street 3 VHS movie as shown in the ad! I got mine from Kroger back in the early 90s. It's my fave out of the whole franchise as well. Even the NES game features "classes" of characters featured in that movie, such as an acrobat and wizard. I'm pretty sure the ninja is a reference to Alice's brother from the fourth movie.

[@gnollman]

We had the Lite-Up inflatable Jack-o-Lantern, loved those.

[@HollywoodHaunter]

Loved everything about this video. Great job and Happy Halloween!

[@JOEYFMISFIT]

Omg the old channel 11 bumper. 😮

[@chrisbenavides3176]

Great video! I remember my local Woolworths had a diner counter where they would serve food. It was weird and also pretty awesome.

[@jamesy52]

I miss Woolworths so much! There was a decent one in the next down over, but the one in Coleraine was unreal.

[@atomrenner]

This was a great video! I'm so excited to have the countdown back! We'll be decorating for Halloween tomorrow!

[@jessicaeverly47]

I would hate growing up now as a kid. I'm 28 but this still made me feel good

[@spookhouseplastic]

Awesomeness as always. I needed this Halloween cheer today.

[@skystarless]

In 1988 I was 5, it's the first Halloween I really remember. I had a Snow White Ben Cooper "costume" (even though I had not seen the movie at that point, it was probably a last minute purchase by my parents, lol). The only thing I remember from the whole night is not being able to see shit and the smock smelling like a chemical factory. (Everything reeked of vinyl fumes, cigarettes, and car exhaust back then. Definitely don't miss that.) I didn't see Halloween III until a few years ago but it fucking rules! It's so unhinged but in the best way. Perfect October movie. Love seeing these old movie promos, too! Looking forward to more videos!

[@6inTruder]

I have a scan of an ancient picture of myself in one of those shitty plastic mask with plastic smock costumes. I was dressed as Godzilla (it showed as much on my chest!). This would've been the very early 80's.

[@CivilDefenceCanada]

Thanks for the refresher on Monster Candy. One of the only things, aside from candy corn and caramel cubes, that I detested as a kid.

[@zanetaylor5418]

Cool video as always. It was fun looking back at Halloween of 1988. I wish I could have experienced Woolworth. It looked like a amazing store. sadly there was never a Woolworth store in my neck of the woods when I was growing up.

[@Cameront9]

Glow sticks are still magical to me!

[@stich21]

Great stuff again Matt. Thank you.

[@eternianoverkill]

this feels good to see, thank you as always Matt

[@redgreen66]

Woolco was awesome back in the day in Canada here. Really miss that place

[@Butterforyourrolls]

MORE PLEASE!!!! This ruled!

[@spideyhead897]

I was born a year, but I love these videos as someone who likes pop culture history. Love Halloween and you’ve become a part of spooky season for me. I just wonder how you got that flyer from almost 40 years ago!

[@MJTripp]

So what kind of Hoodie is that?

[@space-slime]

Loved this one!!! Please make more!

[@cathedral94]

For someone who hates Halloween I love your videos

[@JasonSum1979]

i always loved Woolworth’s the store i went to with family was so out of place and retro before that was hip (Loved the Cafe built into the store

[@matt2019]

I definitely remember the controversy surrounding the Freddy Kreuger knife hand glove costume

[@KLEARSKITHEKREEPER]

🕶✌️🎃I absolutely love old halloween stuff. Best times ever! I wanted that Freddy Glove so bad..wow glow sticks were the coolest when they came out. Loved this video..omgosh the original blow up skeleton with the heart inside

[@kellylrodriguez]

love of my life too !!!!!💀

[@masterblaster528]

October Woolworths was our Spirit Halloween!

[@joelashadali]

The Cooper costumes were the best. If there was any doubt who you were it was spelled out on the front! I'm 57 I was Frankenstiens Monster and it came with the light bulb (which lit up) in the middle of the forehead.

[@bullmangotti]

Matt, thanks for another great video

[@Justin-qt4ff]

Rainy day and new dino dracula!