Halloween month continues at Balladeer’s Blog with another look at a Gothic horror tale that doesn’t get the attention it deserves.
KILLCROP THE CHANGELING (1828) – By Richard Thompson. Gothic horror stories always earn extra points from me if they spotlight a supernatural menace that is NOT a vampire or a ghost. This tale features a goblin child who changes places with a human child.
Killcrop the Changeling features the nearly forgotten version of goblin lore, which presented them as supernatural humanoid vermin who mystically inhabit old, uninhabited buildings. In this case the London building in question used to belong to an undertaker who also sold equipment for infants. The establishment was called Both Ends in reference to this cradle and grave specialization, NOT because it was a gay bar. Continue reading
With less than a week to go in Halloween Month, Balladeer’s Blog takes a look at the controversial new icon of horror cinema: Art the Clown from the Terrifier series. If you’re tired of the endless reboots and retcons involving Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees, then check out the assorted films of Damien Leone’s depraved slasher. 
Leone first presented Art the Clown in his film short The 9th Circle in 2008. That film depicted the deranged, silent and sinister figure, played by Mike Giannelli, striking on Halloween night on behalf of a Satanic Cult. 
DOWN GOES NUMBER THREE – In NCAA Division 3 the UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AT PLATTEVILLE PIONEERS welcomed the number 3 team in the land – the UW-WHITEWATER WARHAWKS. The Pioneers put the Warhawks on Upset Alert at Halftime with a 14-10 lead, then kept them at arm’s length the rest of the way for a 17-13 victory.
KNOCKING OFF NUMBER SEVEN – In the NAIA the UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA-WESTERN BULLDOGS faced the visiting number 7 COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES. A 20-14 Bulldogs edge at the Half became 34-28 to end the 3rd Quarter. In the 4th UM-Western won out 40-35.
SPIRIT OF EIGHTY-ONE – Staying in the NAIA for the moment, the (25) ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY FIRESTORM visited the TEXAS COLLEGE STEERS. The Firestorm seized a quick 21-0 lead in the 1st Quarter and never looked back from there. In the end ACU had utterly eviscerated the Steers to the tune of EIGHTY-ONE to NINETEEN. 
GIANT-SIZE CHILLERS Vol 1 #1 (June 1974) 
WEST VIRGINIA EPIC – The FROSTBURG STATE BOBCATS welcomed the FAIRMONT STATE FALCONS in this game last night. A 7-7 1st Quarter tie became a 13-7 Bobcats lead come Halftime. The 3rd Quarter ended with Frostburg State up 16-7 and the Falcons pulling to within 16-14 in the 4th. 
UNDEFEATED – The number 7 team in the country – the DELTA STATE STATESMEN – improved to 8-0 on their visit to the SHORTER UNIVERSITY HAWKS. The Statesmen seized a 21-0 advantage in the opening Quarter and never looked back from there enroute to a 45-10 smackdown win. 
Time for another news roundup from Independent Voter site Balladeer’s Blog. 
RABID GRANNIES (UNCUT VERSION) (1988) – We’ll start with the mildest one on this list. Yes, even in its original, uncut and graphically violent form it’s mild for this list. Those darn Belgians produced this Evil Dead-inspired movie which featured a pair of nonagenarian aunts being sent a birthday gift by their Satanist nephew. 
INVADERS FROM THE DARK (1925) – Halloween Month continues here at Balladeer’s Blog with this horror story written by Fanny Greye Bragg aka “Greye La Spina” for her skill at weaving. Invaders from the Dark was first published in the iconic pulp magazine Weird Tales in 1925, then republished in revised form in 1960.
In 1920s New York City, Portia Delore marries a magic practitioner named Howard Differdale, but Differdale’s sorcery forbids the pair from consummating their marriage. Portia learns a great deal of magic from her spouse, but a lady has desires, and after Howard’s death (dare I say “Howard’s End?”) Portia’s are aimed at handsome Owen Edwardes. 
STRANGLER OF THE SWAMP (1946) – Halloween Month rolls along here at Balladeer’s Blog with this appealing cult film from 1946. Strangler of the Swamp seems destined to be forever overpraised or overpanned. Personally, I find it an ideal Halloween movie for those people who don’t like blood, gore and graphic violence in their horror films. 
*** Charles Middleton, who played Ming the Merciless in early Flash Gordon serials, portrays the ghostly ferryman of the title. 
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