‘Goosebumps’ Is Not Nearly as Scary as ‘R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour’

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  • ‘The Haunting Hour’ Has Phenomenal Acting for a Children’s Show

Beginning January 10th, the legendary tale connected to R.L Stine’s Goosebumps series will make its return to television screens. Similar to the first season, this revival (titled The Vanishing) discards the standalone story structure from the 1995 TV show in favor of a single, ongoing horror narrative that spans all episodes. The trailer suggests that the series will incorporate themes from popular Goosebumps books such as Monster Blood, Stay Out of the Basement, and The Girl Who Cried Monster. Moreover, renowned actor David Schwimmer (known for his role in Friends) has taken on one of the principal roles, portraying a divorced father who gets involved with some risky scientific experiments against his will.

While I’m thrilled about the upcoming season being brimming with chills and shivers (given that it picks up after the mysterious vanishing of the five teens from Season 1), there’s one episode from another R.L. Stine series that will forever send a shiver down my spine. Step aside, let me introduce you to The Haunting Hour, which originally aired on the HUB Network and was far more ominous than anything Goosebumps ever dared to be. This series, based on R.L. Stine’s book series of the same name, is a darker, scarier tale that leaves me in awe. Disney, you might want to reconsider your definition of ‘terrifying’.

Nobody Can Stop the End of the World in ‘The Haunting Hour’

For four seasons and 76 episodes, The Haunting Hour stood apart from its 15-year-old precursor in a significant way. While both series shared a common theme of stories centered around monsters, ghosts, and the like, this modern version introduced a stark contrast – the potential for characters, even main ones, to meet their end or be tormented by these supernatural beings forever.

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I must say that “The Haunting Hour” never shied away from tackling moral themes head-on. This was particularly evident in the 11th episode of the second season, titled “Scarecrow.” While it may seem like your standard horror story, reminiscent of other R.L. Stine creations, the relentless sense of impending doom and the ominous threat of an apocalypse elevate this tale to one of the finest in the Goosebumps-esque genre.

On December 10, 2011, an episode of The Haunting Hour directed by Ken Friss (awarded with a Leo Award and nominated for a Daytime Emmy) draws inspiration from T.S. Eliot’s 1925 poem “The Hollow Men”. In this installment, Richard Harmon and Bailee Madison portray siblings Jenny and Bobby who toil on their family farm. A strange man subsequently appears in their lives, proposing a solution to Jenny’s crop pests using a scarecrow. Not long after, all of Bobby’s cows vanish, the parents are missing, and the entire townspeople seem to have vanished without a trace.

‘The Haunting Hour’ Has Phenomenal Acting for a Children’s Show

In the ensuing sequence, Jenny finds herself chilled to the bone, trapped within her residence by the foreboding scarecrow who later vanishes, taking her with him. Upon Bobby’s homecoming, he encounters the man who proves to be more than just a scarecrow imitator; he is the harbinger of the apocalypse. In his final words, he recites the poem, “We are the empty men. We are the stuffed men huddled together…” The story concludes with the eerie reappearance of the man as the scarecrow in Jenny’s field, accompanied by Bobby, now metamorphosed into a scarecrow himself.

As a devoted fan, I must say that Scarecrow transcends the typical narrative intended for younger audiences. Unlike the usual tales where good triumphs over adversity, the odds aren’t miraculously overcome here. Instead, the world meets its end in an understated manner (rather than with a grand explosion). The character of Jenny, who is just a child, tragically finds herself a permanent victim, haunted by this malevolent force.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel a sense of despair when reflecting on the alternate ending of our beloved series. Instead of metamorphosing into another scarecrow, Bobby chooses to burn his original self at the stake and departs from the scene, leaving him alone forever. Regardless of the specific outcome, the overarching theme of desolation is palpable throughout this episode. It’s almost surreal that this isn’t the season finale; instead, it seems like the final chapter in our protagonist’s story.

The subsequent episode, “Dreamcatcher,” introduces new characters and a fresh narrative. Despite a few moments of over-the-top drama that remind us this is geared towards young audiences, the cast delivers an exceptional performance that brings the grim reality of the situation to life on screen.

1. In the kitchen encounter with the Stranger, Harmon’s facial expressions indicate resolution – he may not grasp the situation, yet there seems to be no other choice but to hear out the horseman.

2. Madison’s petrified expression and flight response when confronted by her own moving scarecrow in the scream queen category is exceptional fear.

3. Juan Riedinger’s portrayal of a doomsday herald surpasses many contemporary horror icons in terms of creepiness.

To put it plainly, “Goosebumps: The Vanishing” might well give you some sleepless nights, but rest assured, Devin and Cece Brewer will ultimately find a positive resolution. After the events of “Scarecrow,” all that remained was an empty expanse, a lonely road, and a hushed world. As for “The Haunting Hour,” it’s now available for rental on Prime Video and YouTube.

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2025-01-11 07:02