FRIDAY NIGHT FRIGHTS: Mr. Boogedy (1986) “Did Anyone Leave a Weird, Green Light on in That Room?”
Back in the 80’s, the Disney Channel was a reliable go to source every Halloween for providing an avalanche of creepy, kid friendly holiday viewing. There was of course a strong back catalogue of old school animation favorites to pull from outta the vaults; but then also the occasional all new special would pop in, adding itself to the traditional yearly watch roster. Mr. Boogedy was a big one for me when it first aired back in 19 hundred and 86. Originally appearing as the Disney Sunday movie on ABC in April of that year, I didn’t catch it until later in October when it started making those Fall season rounds, instantly becoming synonymous with all things spooky during those months. It had been awhile since revisiting it, but this year I’ve already watched it three times and anticipate a couple more.
You guys, this one is full of tricks and treats.
The setup is actually pretty great: A family spearheaded by a Father who owns/operates a gag store moves into a small town and home that is ripped straight out of something from Tales from the Crypt. The jokes stem from the fact that outside of his teenage daughter, everyone is thrilled about all of the miscellaneous high weirdness that immediately begins to take place upon their arrival. All of this paranormal activity is basically cracking the family up the entire time, which is a nice little angle to take on this type of thing. Mr. Boogedy has a jovial and infectious sense of joy throughout that is very, very charming.
Right off the bat, the casting of the family is genuinely like some kind of 80’s fever dream. You’ve got your Richard Masur (License to Drive), David Faustino (about to hit it big in Married With Children), Benji Gregory (familiar to any fan of Alf) and Kristy Swanson (appearing in Ferris Beuller before taking on her iconic role in the Buffy, the Vampire Slayer movie). Along with Mimi Kennedy playing the mom, they all have a terrific chemistry that screams #funfamilygoals. Which makes it all the more amusing once the creepy stuff begins to come into play.
And it’s here where the special truly excels as a classic example of 80’s horror/comedy, balancing a terrific mixture of genuinely off putting dread and sheer wackiness. Our old friend John Astin (Night Court) cameos as the real estate agent Mr. Witherspoon who sold them the joint and wow, does he do a great job of setting the tone with a good old fashioned exposition dump. The lore goes that apparently back during pilgrim times, a man named William Hanover was so obsessed with courting a widowed mother name Marion, that he wound up doing…
Yep, you guessed it. Selling his soul to the Devil for a magic cloak that would grant him otherworldly powers. Only the dude screwed up right out of the gate, casting a spell that not only destroyed his house but killed him, Marion and her son at the same time. And in the very same spot where our new family now resides, of course! For some reason ever since, Marion has been trapped outside of this old house while Boogedy and her son remain locked within. And the only way to get rid of our main man here and reunite Mother and child is to get rid of this dude Boogedy’s damn cloak.
Hijinks ensue, etc.
I am happy to report that we as a society can put all of our collective concerns to rest: Mr. Boogedy has indeed aged like a fine wine, delivering a hard dose of uncut nostalgia for anyone finding themselves in their Forties. This thing is firing on all cylinders when it comes to autumnal atmosphere, and it remains a welcome addition to any family’s Halloween time viewing rotation. Bordering on essential!
