Bertolino Is in It for the Boos

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MOVIE REVIEW
Spooktacular!
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 45m
Director(s): Quinn Monahan
Where To Watch: premiered at the 2023 Fantastic Fest, with additional showings at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar on September 27, 2023; learn more here www.spooktacularthemovie.com

RAVING REVIEW: On a brisk New England autumn evening in 1991, David Bertolino opened the gates of his Berlin, Massachusetts farm to hundreds of creatures of the night. Fear fanatics from miles around queued up for the Spooky Hayrides at what would soon be known as Spooky World, the first Halloween theme park. Monsters and zombies waited in the shadows to terrorize their willing and captive prey. The rest is the stuff of legend.

Premiering at this year’s Fantastic Fest in Austin, TX, Quinn Monahan’s Spooktacular! chronicles Bertolino’s passion project as told by those who know the story best. The impressive cast includes everyone from David Bertolino to his original employees and business partners to the likes of Butch Patrick, Kane Hodder, Linda Blair, and Tom Savini. Through these firsthand accounts, the viewer is transported into David’s world as archival footage, dramatic recreations, and a whole lot of Vincent Price movie clips illustrate every beat. It is the personal touch of these interviews and visuals that, for the most part, prove very effective.

Bertolino is portrayed at times as the PT Barnum of Halloween, a man who would stop at nothing to drive his attendance up each year. He seems to wear that badge proudly. But the director does a good job allowing the audience to sympathize with him, and I found myself rooting for him in the brief moments of drama that sprinkle the first hour. Those setbacks, whether relating to electrical problems or inclement weather, appear and disappear almost as immediately. Before too long, we are back celebrating another success with David and his crew of mischievous misfits.

And the successes seemed to be instant. Bertolino boasts that he was able to repay his $150,000 startup loan only two weeks after Spooky World opened. He drew in horror royalty every year, bringing national attention to the rural town of Berlin. And everyone interviewed had nothing but love for the park, though Tom Savini did have some choice words about the first Hayrides. But while much of the community embraced and even took jobs at Spooky World each year, the frightening event was bound for some blowback. That’s exactly what the final act brings—finally, some real drama.

It is obvious that this documentary is meant to sing the praises of Spooky World, and that is fine with me. As someone who celebrates Halloween year round, impatiently waiting for haunted house attractions to open for the season, Spooktacular! feels like it was made just for me. In the past few years, I have watched every haunted house documentary I could find. Some are great. Many miss the mark. This film does what very few do – present the story with quality shots and good audio. As streaming services become flooded with dozens of documentaries on any niche, it is refreshing to watch well-framed, well-lit interviews with consistent sound. It should be a given, but it is honestly not commonplace.

Spooktacular! isn’t perfect, however. The clips of Vincent Price, who David said inspired the Spooky Hayrides, become tiresome. I struggled sometimes to connect what was happening on the screen with what was being verbalized. Sometimes, there were too many soundbites the editor wanted to ensure remained in the final cut that they bled into each other or transitioned awkwardly.

And then, there is the legend. While it may very well be true that Spooky World was the first Halloween theme park, it was not the first full theme park Halloween event. And that’s important. The first few moments play out as a trailer for the movie to follow, and in that overview, Kane Hodder claims, “Spooky World was, like, the first.” Moments later, another voice states, “They’re all over the country now,” while logos for Universal Studios Horror Nights, Six Flags Fright Fest, and Knott’s Scary Farm pop up on the screen. In truth, Fright Fest began at their AstroWorld in 1986, five years before Spooky World, and Knott’s Halloween Haunt (now called Knott’s Scary Farm) is celebrating its 50th year. Even “themed entertainment historian” AJ Danna contributes to the idea that Spooky World started it all. Most viewers would never question the documentary. For me, it was troubling. I had a hard time putting aside what I knew to be wrong and trusting the rest of the film.

In the end, I am glad I gave it my attention. Throughout the film, the cast of characters shined. I mean, what other documentary includes a rat psychic? It’s a well-made, nicely-paced doc that brings a New England Halloween staple to the forefront just in time for spooky season.

[photo courtesy of SPOOKYWOOD PRODUCTIONS]

MY SAG-AFTRA/WGA STRIKE STATEMENT:
As an advocate for creators, actors, and writers, I firmly stand with SAG-AFTRA and the WGA in their current strike. The entertainment industry is built on these individuals’ extraordinary talents, and their contributions must be appropriately recognized and rewarded. They deserve fair compensation, sensible work hours, and respect for their creative rights. I believe in the power of unity and collective action, and I’m steadfast in my support for their fight for better working conditions and fair remuneration. Together, we can shape a more equitable future in the entertainment world.

#SAGAFTRA #WGA #SAGAFTRAStrong #WGAStrong