The Halloween Tree: A Lost Holiday Special - Fascinating Fiction

#TheHalloweenTree #Specials #Halloween #FascinatingFiction
Fascinating Fiction is a scripted video essay series in which Pokeprof goes over various forms of fictional media to give his personal thoughts, analysis and opinions on what brought these characters and stories to life.
For the day of spooks and specters , there are a number of movies that we could talk about. But there's one particular Halloween special that I've always loved ever since I've watched it as a kid. It's a little known movie that doesn't seem to get a lot of attention and I'm wanting to share it with you all today.
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"Fluffing a Duck", "Skye Cuillin"
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
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[@runall9]

My brother and I still watch Halloween Tree every year. It's our tradition.

[@CritiquingMinds]

It's a good movie for a reason! One of the best that can be informational AND entertaining at the same time! ~ Pokeprof

[@kathycoleman4648]

Same. I'm 41 and my Halloweens these days are watching this special and ordering a pizza.

[@badoocee1967]

AWESOME!! 🎃👍

[@badoocee1967]

TOO COOL😊

[@ladyiris77]

One of the greatest Halloween movies ever

[@CritiquingMinds]

Agreed. It's one of my favorites! ~ Pokeprof

[@bethanycousineau197]

I saw the commercial for this movie SO long ago…when I was really little. I’ve never been able to find the actual movie itself though.

[@CritiquingMinds]

Shouldn't be that hard to find these days. Probably could get it online through Amazon fairly simple, though if you wanted to there are other sites you could probably get it for free. ~ Pokeprof

[@kevinneal7762]

My Favorite Special since '93

[@CritiquingMinds]

One that I grew up with myself, so I always want to bring it focus! ~ Pokeprof

[@fatmusiclover]

This movie was my Roman Empire for years pre-internet. Trying to explain it to people and getting confused looks in return for YEARS.

[@CritiquingMinds]

Well, if you're ever needing to explain it again, just link this video to people and they'll be able to learn from me! ;) ~ Pokeprof

[@laboy14]

I remember my mother renting this for me and my little brother on Halloween and it was amazing! I’d say the best Halloween, animated, film ever! I still watch it up to this day. I love it.

[@CritiquingMinds]

It's a wonderful Halloween special that has a pedigree that I don't think people acknowledge that often. I'm glad you are one of the few who do! ~ Pokeprof

[@marcbasil]

@@CritiquingMindspretty sure because there was some drama with the Bradbury estate that prevented the blu ray transfer from ever being released

[@CalamityLime]

I remember this movie being on telly once upon a time. I loved it to bits. I really don't think it gets the attention it deserves, I feel like it was on only because someone mixed up "Halloween tree" with "Halloween town" Nice vid man, keep it up!

[@CritiquingMinds]

Haha, it's quite Possible. Halloween Town is a beloved special itself, I personally have fond memories, but yeah, this gets looked over quite a lot. It's one of the major reasons I covered it, outside of the amount of people that have been involved with it! ~ Pokeprof

[@heathercontois4501]

I remember sneaking bits of this movie, since my mom didn't want us to watch it. She also made us dress up as saints to trick or treat or she wouldn't take us the year it aired. Honestly, it was so cold that year I was glad she did. I went as Marry and had 4 sheets on to make the costume. It was very warm in comparison to other kids.

[@CritiquingMinds]

While I don't exactly approve of your mom forcing your costumes for that yea,r I'm glad at least you were warm. Seriously, though, kids should be allowed to be kids on Halloween! ~ Pokeprof

[@heathercontois4501]

@@CritiquingMinds yeah, I didn't like it either as we previously been gypsies, ninja turtles, court jesters and clowns. My religiousness has gotten worse as the years have gone on.

[@Maxzeo11]

Many people forget that Hanna-Barbera had real talent behind their cheap animation. They could be cheap because they knew the tricks of the trade. This special was always something special. I love it imperfections and all.

[@CritiquingMinds]

Indeed! There are a number of specials they've done over the years that can really show off their talent! It's just that presents an image of them that's kinda got ingrained in peoples minds. ~ Pokeprof

[@marcbasil]

It really didn’t have many imperfections; it’s pretty widely regarded as H&Bs finest, most well-funded/grandiose project, and was brilliantly executed.

[@Terestrasz]

It's more that they were cheap... because they had to be. They had to work with what they had, and it wasn't much.

[@tommypaton2445]

I loved this movie growing up, I still watch it from time to time. I didn't know it was a book sadly so thank you :D

[@CritiquingMinds]

This is one of the reasons I do this show, because there's so much information about wonderful things that a lot of people just didn't know! ~ Pokeprof

[@JaythePandaren]

Halloween tree is childhood treasure i enjoy over and over on every halloween on Cartoon Network back in the day and based on one of my favourite books too!

[@CritiquingMinds]

There are a few other Halloween specials that are like this that I recall, though none were as big as this one. ~ Pokeprof

[@teddybetts3254]

I remember this cartoon for when I was a kid. It took a hell of a long time for me to find it again. I do now have a crappy copy that I was able to pull off of KZbin.

[@CritiquingMinds]

There are other places to find it. You can buy it for cheap on Amazon, and I think they've even got it on prime! ~ pokeprof

[@IsaacxCasanova]

I bought this on AppleTV+ this movie is truly a special Halloween movie! This Made my childhood This movie and the book is so amazing to read and watch during October! This movie is underrated

[@CritiquingMinds]

I agree. It's a fantastic movie and one of my favorites. So much good went into making this film and, unlike so many others, I don't think it really talks down to you! ~ Pokeprof

[@mikechan5274]

Definitely a great movie from my childhood. I wish it got more promotion and marketing.

[@CritiquingMinds]

Sometimes, a movie just doesn't do well, no matter how great it is. I'm glad, however, that the video about this one has done good and more people have gotten exposed to it! ~ Pokeprof

[@madhusudan]

Reading it now to my children; we will watch the special after finishing the book. It's interesting to note from your summary of the story as told in the TV special that although Bradbury was the screenwriter, there are some minor changes to the plot as told in the book. Highly recommend reading it aloud with children. It is written in a highly lyrical style that sounds great when spoken.

[@CritiquingMinds]

Agreed! And there's enough of a connection between the two that someone whose only familiar with the movie can still enjoy the book, and it's always interesting to see where the two differ. ~ Pokeprof

[@TheJokerFreak]

I love this movie so much

[@CritiquingMinds]

It's a favorite! ~ Pokeprof

[@nickopeters]

Thank you. This was excellent.

[@CritiquingMinds]

You're welcome! This is one my favorite videos to date and one that I feel really gets to show that there are some wonderful things that might not have gotten the massive popularity of franchises or specials. ~ Pokeprof

[@nickopeters]

​@@CritiquingMinds👍

[@katiek3396]

One of my favorites ❤

[@CritiquingMinds]

It's a great film! ~ Pokeprof

[@TinaUrbina-nd9xm]

All hallows eve means a great deal 2 we witches,it's our new years. Happy new year everyone and fellow witches from all around da entire world! May we all have a prosperous,healthy and magical year!🙂😄🤗❤️🎃

[@CritiquingMinds]

Cast responsibly! ~ Pokeprof

[@MissyFaith1971]

It was a great movie.

[@CritiquingMinds]

It's one of my childhood favorites! ~ Pokeprof

[@dianagladman8350]

I love this, I have the DVD and VHS tape

[@CritiquingMinds]

I still have the DVD I bought for this review somewhere. This is the price for having two sisters who love this movie as much as I do! ~ Pokeprof

[@kathycoleman4648]

Ray Bradberry did the narration.

[@CritiquingMinds]

Yup! Pretty sure I covered that! He had such a grandfatherly voice. ~ Pokeprof

[@robertschooner1812]

It's a primordial religion based in the Pagan tradition of zellwin. It's really not that hard of a research project.

[@CritiquingMinds]

Except it's not? Everything I looked up about Zellwin had to do with eggs. As far as I understood, the true origin of Halloween was still uncertain, but most seem to lean into the Gaelic festival of Samhain being the origin of it from what I saw. And even then, I'm not sure how accurate that is. ~ Pokeprof

[@robertschooner1812]

@@CritiquingMinds I'm sorry I know that you're not lecturing me on my beliefs. It is the night of Zellwin! Due diligence and looking at pagan tradition, because if you did you would know that is one of our most sacred festivals.

[@rogerrendzak8055]

The emphasis, on the movie seems interesting, but the narrative (and his persona); something left, to be desired. What's with, the dopey redheaded, tourist hat, look?? Looks like a William H. Macy, look-a-like contest…………

[@syrric]

Maybe you should take a look at your syntax and grammar composition before you take pot shots at the creators work buddy. Every party needs a pooper and that's why they invited you.

[@CritiquingMinds]

Not everyone is entirely comfortable with presenting themselves fully online, or able to have a set for them to do reviews and content on. In my case it was both, so I went with a character that represents me and I'm far from the only youtuber who does it. As far as the hat, it's actually was originally a fisherman's hat that belonged to my mother that has long since died. It was something that the original artist of my character wanted to include in the character design for my character since I wore the real thing all the time. Didn't even know who William H. Macy was until I googled it, so... ok? ~ Pokeprof

[@michelleslutpuppy4355]

I saw it a while ago it was fun to watch it w/my wife to be ex wife later in 97/99

[@CritiquingMinds]

It's a good movie, though hopefully brings more good memories than bad! ~ Pokeprof