I always get a kick out of Washington Irving’s story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. And I always get a kick out of movies that put a little twist on the formula. “The Haunted Pumpkin” is a short but sweet Halloween tale that takes the whole Headless Horseman story and brings it in to the modern age; the animators and writers insert a little bit of hijinks, and some comedy in what is basically embracing the tale of the Headless Horseman to an effective degree.
It’s Halloween, and friends Nick and Kate are on a mission to find the biggest and best pumpkin in the patch. Unfortunately, the pumpkin thy chose is haunted by the ghost of the Headless Horseman–and he wants his head back. Aided by the skittish spirit Nathaniel, the two kids have to keep the Headless Horseman from getting his pumpkin head back before midnight.
“The Haunted Pumpkin” is not so much about the horseman but more about the descendant of Ichabod Crane, Nick, who has to get over his inherent fear of Halloween as a means of not only protecting his legacy, but also protecting the sacred book that seemingly houses the spirit of the headless horseman. Most of the movie revolves around Nick and Kate celebrating the holiday and then having to outwit a pair of thieves that plan on stealing the priceless book that tells the story of “Ichabod Crane” to the highest bidder. When Nick and Kate find themselves in the middle of their scheme, it becomes an adventure as the thieves pursue the book from the rambunctious kids.
“The Haunted Pumpkin” is the perfect Halloween treat packing in some fun Halloween gags, as well as a fun musical number that enhances the mood of the film very well. Once the big turn of events presents itself, “The Haunted Pumpkin” thankfully keeps the momentum going with a fun reveal and an even better look at Nick pretty much fulfilling the task that his ancestor Ichabod never really could. All in all, it’s harmless, breezy Halloween fun clocking in at barely an hour, and that’s good enough sometimes.