Halloween Treats for Big and Little Tricksters

Dust off your broom, sharpen your fangs and get that cape to the dry cleaner. A midweek Halloween means many of this year’s spooky events return from the dead a little early.

Most haunted houses and theme parks, including the venerable Knott’s “Scary” Farm, start their festivities this weekend.

Ever since Oingo Boingo called it quits there’s been a bit of a Halloween concert void. But this year all bets are on that KISS will take the Halloween mantle. The members are already in costume, anyway.

Closer to Oct. 31 some classic horror films reappear in local theaters. A benefit at Cal State Los Angeles features Lon Chaney in “Phantom of the Opera” with a full orchestra and soprano. The Spook-a-Thon film festival wraps up with “Creature From the Black Lagoon” in 3-D at the Orpheum Theatre.

The major theme parks all have well-publicized events. But there’s also cabaret, magic, performance art, costume parties and dancing. Take your pick. (Unless otherwise noted, the events are up and running.) Don’t forget your mask.

Haunted Houses

World of Terror, produced by the Global Youth Resource Organization, features about 15 scenes from famous horror films staged by 40 to 80 actors. Not recommended for children under 12 or people with health problems. Sundays-Thursdays, 7-10 p.m., $9; Fridays-Saturdays, 6 p.m.-midnight, $12. Tuesday-Nov. 2 at Topanga Plaza in Canoga Park. (800) 944-HOWL.

Alien Terror is an extraterrestrial-laden tour based on Area 51, the site of a reported crashed UFO in New Mexico. Produced by the toy store Puzzle Zoo. Not recommended for children 5 and under. Mondays-Thursdays, 5-11 p.m.; Fridays, 5 p.m.-midnight; Saturdays, noon-midnight; Sundays, noon-10 p.m. Open until midnight Oct. 25-Nov. 2. $6. 1418 Fourth St. in Santa Monica. (310) 393-9201.

The Queen Mary will have two horror mazes, Londontowne of Terror and Haunted Hull of Horror. Tonight and Sunday, Oct. 18-20, and Oct. 25-Nov. 2 from 7 p.m.-midnight. $10. The Queen Mary at the Long Beach Harbor. (310) 435-3511.

The Kidspace Museum will have a haunted pirate ship and a crafts center, Oct. 26-27, 1-8 p.m., and Oct. 29-31, 3-7 p.m., at Kidspace, 390 S. El Molino Ave. in Pasadena. $5. (818) 449-9144.

Bob and Dave’s seventh annual Spooky House has moved from Bob’s mom’s house to the much larger Valley Indoor Swap Meet. Fridays, 3 p.m.-midnight; Saturdays, 2 p.m.-midnight; Sundays, 2-10 p.m.; and 6 p.m.-1 a.m. Oct. 31. Open through Nov. 3. Young children welcome the first hour each day. 6701 Variel Ave. in Woodland Hills. $5.50. (818) 888-8570.

Hallowed Haunting Grounds materializes 7 p.m.- midnight Oct. 29-31. Primarily special effects. Suitable for young trick-or-treaters. 4343 Babcock Ave. in Studio City. Free. (818) 763-0582.

Theater and Cabaret

“Intent to Murder” is a mystery-thriller, Fridays-Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m. through Oct. 27 at the Raven Playhouse, 5233 Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood. $15. (818) 953-9993.

Dial M for Murder will present “A Dinner You’ll Die For” with a Halloween twist, Oct. 25-26 at 7 p.m. at the Stinking Rose restaurant. $58 includes dinner. (818) 953-4256.

Murder Mystery Weekend is hosting a special three-day event at the Big Bear Inn, Oct. 25-27. $249. Other mystery dinners are Fridays at 7 p.m. at Madame Woo’s in Santa Monica and Saturdays at 7 p.m. at Yamashiro in Hollywood. (818) 785-7700.

“Madame Guignol’s Macabre Theatre,” a production of five original horror plays by local writers, happens at the Costa Mesa Studio Gallery. Oct. 18-19, 25-26, 31 and Nov. 1-2 at 8 p.m. $10. 1011 Brioso Drive., Suite 106 in Costa Mesa. (714) 650-5481.

“Noche de Risa Y Susto,” or “Die Laughing,” is a Latino comedy show, Oct. 26 at 8 p.m., at UCLA Veterans Wadsworth Theater, 5909 Wilshire Blvd., in Westwood. $25. $100-$1,500 for show including pre- or post-reception to benefit the Latino Theatre Company. (213) 223-6403.

Haunted Cabaret features 20 performers in the tradition of Le Chat Noir and Le Grand Guignol. Oct. 31-Nov. 2 and Fridays thereafter at 8 p.m. at Cafe Club Fais Do-Do, 5257 W. Adams Blvd. in Los Angeles. $7 with witch costume, $10 without. (213) 739-8973.

LunaPark celebrates its third anniversary with a Halloween Monster Ball. Phoebe Legere and her 4 Nurses of the Apocalypse and Issa Joone perform in the club room. In the cabaret room, John Fleck presents his performance art piece “The Monster in You.” Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. 665 N. Robertson Blvd. in West Hollywood. $8. (310) 652-0611.

Concerts

Halloween Costume Reggae Boat, Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m., leaves from 140 Marina Drive in Long Beach. $27. (310) 799-7000.

Ozzfest is a full-day of concerts by Ozzy Osbourne, Slayer, Danzig, Sepultura, Biohazard, Fear Factory, Neurosis, King Norris and others. Oct. 26 at 1:30 p.m. at Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion, 2575 Glen Helen Parkway, Devore. $20-$31. (909) 88-MUSIC.

Halloween Costume Blues Cruise, Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m., leaves from 140 Marina Drive in Long Beach. $15. (310) 799-7000.

KISS, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. at Irvine Meadows. $20-$50. (714) 855-6111.

Porno for Pyros performs Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. at the Mayan, 1038 S. Hill St., in Los Angeles. $23. (213) 746-4287.

“Spirits Rising” is a Day of the Dead celebration including performances by El Vez, Luis Alfaro, Rosie Flores and Nydia Rojas to benefit the Latino Theatre Initiative at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd., in the Hollywood Hills. Nov. 2, $12-$20. (213) 628-2772.

Movies

The Vincent Price film festival continues with “House of Usher,” Oct. 20 at 1 p.m.; “Champagne for Caesar,” Oct. 27 at 1 p.m.; and “Theater of Blood,” Nov. 2 at 3 p.m.; East L.A. College in Monterey Park. $5. (213) 265-8841.

The 1921 version of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” starring John Barrymore with live organ; a stage show; and “Creature From the Black Lagoon” (1954) in 3-D (glasses provided), Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Orpheum Theatre, 842 S. Broadway, downtown. $10. (213) 239-0949.

Late-night screenings of John Carpenter’s alien-horror film “They Live” (1988), Oct. 25-26 at the Mann Plaza, 1067 Glendon, Westwood. $5. (310) 208-3097.

An eclectic film program including the 1912 version of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” “Betty Boop’s Halloween Party” and “Fall of the House of Usher,” Oct. 26 at 8:30 p.m. at Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. $7. (310) 822-3006.

Double features of the German Expressionist film “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (1919) and “The Man From Beyond” (1922) with Harry Houdini on Oct. 30; and “The Man From Beyond” with “The Golem” (1914) on Oct. 31 at the Silent Movie, 611 N. Fairfax Ave. $6. (213) 653-2389.

“Paradise Lost,” the Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky documentary about the murder trial of alleged Satanist teenagers in Arkansas, opens Oct. 31 at the Nuart, 11272 Santa Monica Blvd. $7.50. (310) 478-6379.

Halloween animation, including Chuck Jones’ 1940 “Ghost Wanted,” “Hair-Raising Hare” and Tim Burton’s 1982 film “Vincent” at UCLA’s Melnitz Theater. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31. $4-$6. (310) 206-8170.

Abel Ferrara’s 1995 vampire flick “The Addiction” and Tony Scott’s “The Hunger,” Oct. 31 at the New Beverly, 7165 W. Beverly Blvd. $5. (213) 938-4038.

The 1925 Lon Chaney classic “The Phantom of the Opera” complete with orchestra and soprano. Oct. 31 gala at 6 p.m. costs $100 and includes reception. Nov. 1 at 8 p.m., film and music only, $25. Cal State L.A.’s Luckman Theatre. (213) 343-6610.

Other Events

“Silly Shivers,” an afternoon of Halloween tales read by Kathy Bates, Jennifer Grey, John Pankow and others. Oct. 20 at 1 and 4 p.m. at Every Picture Tells a Story, 7525 Beverly Blvd. $15 for children, $35 for adults. (310) 330-8860.

“It’s Magic!,” the Magic Castle’s revue featuring Japan’s Princess Tenko. Oct. 24-26 at 8 p.m., Oct. 26 at 2 p.m., Oct. 27 at 2 and 6:30 p.m. at the Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd. in Glendale. $15.50-$18.50. (800) 233-3123.

The Franklin Haynes Marionettes will present “Hilarious Halloween Haunt,” Oct. 26 at 2 p.m., at the Santa Monica College Concert Hall, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. $5-$7. (310) 452-9396.

“Boo at the Zoo” has entertainment for children including trick-or-treating on Adventure Island and mask-making. Oct. 26-27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the L.A. Zoo in Griffith Park. $8.25 for adults, $3.25 for children 12 and under. $1 off for those in costume. (213) 666-4090.

“I Will Survive,” a ‘70s retro disco costume party presented by the AIDS Project Los Angeles and the Asian American Alliance Against AIDS. Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. at the El Rey Theatre, 5515 Wilshire Blvd. $20. (213) 353-6044.

A Very Nervous Halloween, with M5 and the Bud Brothers and Groove Radio (103.1-FM) deejays at the Palace, 1735 N. Vine St. in Hollywood. Oct. 30 at 9 p.m. $8-$10. (213) 462-3000.

West Hollywood Halloween Carnival, Oct. 31, 6 p.m.-midnight, Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega and Robertson boulevards. Free. Costumes encouraged. (213) 848-6547.

Hollyween ‘96, an adults-only Halloween party presented by the Adult Video News. Music by Pirates of Venus. 21 and over. Oct. 31 at the Palace, 1735 N. Vine St. in Hollywood. $50. (800) 521-2474, Ext. 117.

Masquerade Madness, a masquerade party with dancing, prizes and live entertainment on Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. at Gemini Manor, 1341 N. Mariposa Ave. in Hollywood. $18. (213) 469-6605.