The Midnight Hour (Directed by Jack Bender)

DAY 7

I was going to save this rec closer to Halloween, but, I couldn't wait!

Set in a small New England town (and filmed on the Gilmore Girls lot), a group of teenagers steal costumes and artifacts from the local witch museum for Halloween festivities...including a scroll that, when recited, just happens to raise the dead.

The Midnight Hour has so many tricks up its sleeves. It is a 1985 made-for-TV movie with stellar performances by Shari Belafonte and Jonelle Allen. There's also entertaining supporting roles from LeVar Burton, Kevin McCarthy, Kurtwood Smith, Dick Van Patten and Dedee Pfeiffer as well as hilarious partying monsters.

We got quippy dialogue, but, oh, the music! We got Wolfman Jack on the radio a la American Grafitti style and killer tracks ranging from Wilson Pickett to Creedence Clearwater Revival to Three Dog Night to The Smiths (seriously).

Not easy to find on physical media or streaming services, but, there are several YouTube postings available and I've included the link below if you're interested in watching it.

It truly is a fantastic Halloween movie, full of teen hijinks, fun creatures, and a to-die-for soundtrack. My highest of recommendations for this underrated horror gem!

(If you watch it, the wine cellar scene is my favorite part!)