Director Quinn Monahan’s history of “SpookyWorld” is perhaps one of the most wholesome horror documentaries that I’ve ever seen. That’s by no means a slight, but it’s a wonderful testament to the often pure and unbridled passion that the horror community is capable of. I regret to admit that in all my time I never actually heard of “SpookyWorld” but it’s one of the forefathers of the horror attraction. It set the template and the bar for other haunts and horror attractions in America and would manage to become one of the biggest, if not the biggest, Halloween theme park in the world.
“Spooktacular!” is an intimate look inside America’s very first horror theme park. Built and opened in 1991 by David Bertolino, SpookyWorld attracted over a million guests in it’s first 11 years, and brought to life the iconic horror film craze of the 90’s. Guests included, legendary special effects artist Tom Savini, musician Alice Cooper, Elvira, Linda Blair, and hundreds of other actors, performers and celebrities who embodied the horror genre. Monahan chronicles the rise and fall of “SpookyWorld” and thankfully a lot of the story behind the building of the park and its inevitable closing is a human and engaging tale.
It’s not wrought with scandal but centers a lot more about ambition, the downfalls of success, and the over enthusiasm of its founder David Bertolino. Bertolino is a man who devoted his life to the horror world and scaring people, and he translated that in to a “SpookyWorld.” Its story is such a fun and heartfelt one that delves a lot in to the giving nature and creative genius of Bertolino. Director Monahan takes us through the conception of “SpookyWorld” from its humble origins as a dilapidated haunted hay ride that he spent much of his time and money on rebuilding to create what would become the epicenter for a community.
A community that—pre-internet age–was often looked down upon and ostracized. Director Monahan approaches the topic of his film with a lot of love and adoration, evoking a sense of magic in the evolution of “Spooky World.” Monahan sits down with a lot of fans and volunteers (including Lind Blair, and Alice Cooper, respectively) that worked within the park, also setting aside time to speak with legends like Tom Savini and Kane Hodder, both of whom were the first to ever give their time to the park. Savini plays an especially crucial role in the story of “SpookyWorld” exploring how he transformed from a guest in to a surefire attraction.
Like every story, David Bertolino’s is also one steeped in tragedy as his insistence on giving audiences the best experience would result in occasional injury, and some terrible violence involving the attraction’s performers. There’s also the sad experience with singer Tiny Tim whose troubled involvement with “SpookyWorld” became an unfortunate footnote at the end of his life. Nevertheless, “Spooktacular!” is a wonderful, nostalgic, and often heartbreaking look at the love, sweat, and tears that birthed one of the most popular and iconic horror and Halloween attractions of all time.
Fantastic Fest 2023 is taking place from September 21st to September 28th at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar in Austin, Texas.