"As I was going up the stair,
I met a man who wasn't there.
He wasn't there again today...
Oh, how I wish he'd go away."
This week's theme for our 'Friendship Group' was 'Halloween', as 31st October is fast approaching.
We started the session, as usual, with introductions and each of us saying if we liked or loathed Halloween, or as America calls it ‘Trick Or Treating’. We also asked members if they went to a Halloween Fancy Dress Party what costumes they would wear. Some members came wearing make up and wigs.
We then went on to list things we associate with Halloween. This was our list:
- Fancy dress - Witches hats, Dracula teeth, Broomsticks, White sheets, Skeleton costumes
- Trick or treating & getting doors and cars egged and floured
- Face painting
- Bobbing apples
- Toffee apples
- Ghost stories
- Pumpkin carving
- Decorations
And, of course, 'All Saints Day' which is the day that follows Halloween ('All Hallowed Evening' is where the name Halloween comes from).
IDIOMS FOR HALLOWEEN
Next, we completed these phrases together ...
Makes your blood run - COLD (so frightened you can feel it all over)
Play devil's - ADVOCATE (argue an unpopular opinion)
In cold - BLOOD (purposefully ruthless)
Like a bat out of - HELL (something that happens quickly and unexpectedly)
Over my dead - BODY (no way am I allowing that to happen)
Skeleton in the - CLOSET (keeping a secret)
Stab in the - BACK (betrayal of trust)
Scared - STIFF (so frightened you can't move)
Ghost - TOWN (deserted place)
Let the cat out of the - BAG (reveal a secret)
Send shivers down your - SPINE (a frightened or excited feeling)
Dig your own - GRAVE (do something that causes you harm)
Scare the - PANTS - off someone (frighten somebody)
Witching - HOUR (midnight)
Someone walking over your - GRAVE (response to sudden unexplained shivering)
Goose - BUMPS (physical reaction to fear)
Trick or - TREAT (Another name for Halloween)
Scaredy - CAT (Someone who is easily spooked)
Once in a blue - MOON (Infrequently)
Jump out of your - SKIN (Terrified)
Hocus - POCUS (Magic words used by a magician before a reveal) (or a Bette Midler film!)
'Song of the Witches'
(from 'Macbeth')
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the cauldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg and howlet's wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Cool it with a baboon's blood,
Then the charm is firm and good.
SINGALONG
LYRIC VIDEO - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJlIxYXSzpU
SPIRIT IN THE SKY Norman Greenbaum
When I die and they lay me to rest Gonna go to the place that's the best When I lay me down to die Goin' up to the spirit in the sky
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky) That's where I'm gonna go when I die (when I die) When I die and they lay me to rest I'm gonna go to the place that's the best
Prepare yourself you know it's a must Gotta have a friend in Jesus So you know that when you die He's gonna recommend you To the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky)
Oh he'll recommend you to the spirit in the sky That's where you're gonna go when you die (when you die) When you die and they lay you to rest You're gonna go to the place that's the best
Never been a sinner, I never sinned I got a friend in Jesus So you know that when I die He's gonna set me up with the spirit in the sky
Oh set me up with the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky) That's where I'm gonna go when I die (when I die) When I die and they lay me to rest I'm gonna go to the place that's the best Go to the place that's the best.
MUSIC & PICTURE QUIZ
A reminder:
Focus on engagement and enjoyment rather than competition.
Give lots of clues, such as initials and first names.
Celebrate all contributions, including singing and dancing.
Encourage story telling and reminiscence.
Reduce content and simplify as necessary e.g. asking the easier question only, in order to promote active inclusion.
Above all else, have fun with it!
NB. If you screenshot the tables, it's easier to use the activity as a 'handout' quiz.
If you are connecting to a wide screen TV, a slide show will open when you click on the first image. Remember to line up YouTube clips ahead of time to avoid adverts.
ROUND 1. Horror Characters
 | "You will not remember what I show you now, and yet I shall awaken memories of love... and crime... and death..." Where do Mummies come from? Who played the Mummy in the original 1932 movie? |
 | “Oh no, it wasn't the airplanes. It was beauty killed the beast.” Name the 1933 movie? Which actress is he holding in his hand? |
 | "Arrrrrgh! — You cursed brat! Look what you've done! I'm melting!" Name the 1939 movie? How was the 'Wicked Witch Of The West' killed? |
 | “You must suffer me to go my own dark way.” Name the 1941 movie? How did he become the monstrous villain? |
 | “Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!”
Name the 1958 movie?
What are the ways to repel a vampire?
What is the only way to kill one?
|
 | "Stay on the road. Keep clear of the moors!"
A human infected with the bite of a Werewolf turns into one when?
How do you kill a Werewolf?
|
 | “I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel...” Name the 1994 movie? How was he brought to life? Who wrote the book in 1818? |
 | “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.”
Name the 2001 movie? What mark did he have on his head? |
 | “Not all those who wander are lost.” Name the 2001 movie? Name the wizard? |
 | "Take car. Go to mum's. Kill Phil, grab Liz, go to the Winchester, have a nice cold pint, and wait for all of this to blow over." Name the 2004 movie? What is the horror genre character? |
Does anyone remember this scene from the 1974 movie 'Young Frankenstein'?
Who, pictured below, is dancing with the monster?
'Monster Mash', Bobby Pickett & The Crypt Kickers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2PoSljk8cE
Where was Dracula's homeland?
Which Yorkshire seaside town is he associated with?
ROUND 2. Horror Movies
 | "When she breaks the tender peel, to taste the apple in my hand, her breath will still, her blood congeal, then I'll be fairest in the land!" Name the 1937 movie? Name the seven dwarfs? |
 | "The powers of Evil can take many forms." Name these two horror actors? Who wrote the book? |
 | "Mother's not feeling herself today." Name the 1960 thriller? What was the name of the motel?
|
 | "Most plants thrive on animal waste, but I'm afraid this mutation possesses an appetite for the animal itself." Name the 1962 horror sci-fi movie? What caused most people to go blind? |
 | "I have never known birds of different species to flock together.The very concept is unimaginable." Name the 1963 horror movie? Who starred in it? |
 | "In Space, No One Can Hear You Scream." In the 1971 sci-fi movie, whose stomach did the Alien burst out of? (I bet it hurt!) Name the spaceship? |
 | "Oh please mother, Make it stop!!!"
Name the 1973 horror movie? What was the name of the girl possessed? |
 | "You're gonna need a bigger boat!"
Name the 1975 horror movie? What was the name of the boat? |
 | "It is the greatest mystery of all because no human being will ever solve it." Name the 1976 movie about a boy possessed? What was the boy's name? |
 | "The man who cannot die". Name the 1976 James Bond movie? What was Baron Samedi a master of? |
 | "It has nothing to do with Satan, Mama.It's me.Me.If I concentrate hard enough, I can move things." Name the 1976 movie? Name the horror author who wrote the book? |
 | "You know it's Halloween. I guess everyone's entitled to one good scare, huh?" Name the 1978 slasher movie? What was the name of the villain? |
 | "Here's Johnny!" Name the 1980 horror movie? Who played the part of Jack Torrance? |
 | "They're here!" Name the 1982 ghost movie? What was the name of the little girl who disappeared into the TV? |
 | "Look Mister, there are some rules that you've got to follow." Name the 1984 comedy horror movie? What are the three things you should never do to the Mogwai? |
 | "One, Two, Freddy's Coming For You Three, Four Better Lock Your Door Five, Six Grab A Crucifix Nine, Ten Never Sleep Again!" Name the 1984 slasher movie? What was the name of the villain? |
 | "I ain't afraid of no ghosts!" Name the 1984 movie? Name the three actors? |
 | "I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti!" Name the the 1991 thriller? Who were the two lead actors and what parts did they play? |
 | "God creates dinosaurs.God destroys dinosaurs.God creates man.Man destroys God." Name the 1993 movie? Where did they get the dino DNA from? |
 | "You tell me your name, I'll tell you mine."
Name the 1996 horror movie? Who, pictured here, is screaming? |
 | "I see dead people!" Name the 1999 ghost movie? Who are the actors? |
 | “Look At Him In His Wee Li'l Boots!" Name this 2001 movie? Who played the lead role? |
 | "When you're a kid, you think that you'll always be protected, and cared for. Then, one day, you realise that's not true." Name the 2017 movie? What was the name of the sinister clown? |
'Live And Let Die', Wings - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYQZHNwIUq8
What cards are said to predict the future?
Which board is said to be able to connect you to spirits?
Round 3. TV
 | Complete the title of the short horror genre show - 'A...... H........ Presents'? Name some of the movies he directed? |
 | Name the characters from 'The Adams Family'? Play the titles and ask members to click along - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ5IWRz78DY |
 | Name the father and mother in 'The Munsters'? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TTIqK9nFH8 T or F. Marilyn, the non-horror character, was called 'The Ugly Duckling' by the family? |
 | Name the two characters of 'Bewitched' pictured here? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9jbX8GX83E How were spells cast by the main character? |
 | What happened at the end of every episode of 'Scooby Doo'? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_C2HJvtRDY Name the characters? What was the name of their vehicle? |
 | Which children's author wrote 'Tales Of The Unexpected'? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpuR1WjvDck In which UK city was he born and baptised in the 'Norwegian Church'? |
 | Name the TV children's show? Who played the lead character? What was the name of the evil witch? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO4od3Mp5T8 |
 | You might not think this show was horrifying, but he would remove his head at least once in every show. So name the characters & actors? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUPOm8YDWtM |
 | Who were the detectives and actors in 'The X Files'? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIh8VPoPBhk |
 | Name the Doctor (actor)? Name the feared enemy? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lUz0xU5d9g T or F. In this more modern version, the enemy could go upstairs? |
'Time Warp', 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umj0gu5nEGs
(Shall we get up and do the dance moves?)
Which host of the TV quiz show 'The Crystal Maze' wrote this musical?
What was the name of the main character?
ROUND 5. MUSIC
Here is your Spotify Playlist for all the songs in this quiz ...
'Witchcraft', Frank Sinatra - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFmNgiEgPoQ
What is usually a witch's pet?
'Spooky', Dusty Springfield - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fola80rQop4
What was her real name?
'Music Of The Night', Michael Crawford & Sarah Brightman -
Who wrote the music for the musical 'Phantom Of The Opera'?
'Beauty And The Beast', Ariana Grande & John Legend - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axySrE0Kg6k
Who starred as Belle in the 2017 movie?
'Ghostbusters', Ray Parker Jnr - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe93CLbHjxQ
Name these actors from the 1984 movie?
'Unchained Melody', The Righteous Brothers - https://youtu.be/ZoEwR9_Sy_M
Name the two actors in the 1990 movie 'Ghost'?
'Hammer Horror', Kate Bush - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR4KnfcgLm0
Which 1978 album was this single from?
'Black Magic Woman', Santana - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8moax_85j8
What was the founder of the band Santana's name?
'Somebody's Watching Me', Rockwell - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YvAYIJSSZY
What is somebody who secretly watches another person called?
'Ghost Town', The Specials - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ2oXzrnti4
Who was the lead singer with 'The Specials'?
'Bat Out Of Hell', Meatloaf - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QGMCSCFoKA
What was Meatloaf's real name?
Interesting Fact: Released in 1977, 'Meatloaf's 'Bat Out Of Hell' is the third best selling of all time with 55m sales.
'Thriller', Michael Jackson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V90AmXnguw (short version) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOnqjkJTMaA&t=77s (long version)
Which horror actor laughs at the end of the video?
Interesting Fact: Released in 1982, Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' is the best selling album of all time, with 66m sales.
'Superstition', Stevie Wonder - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_tmeHCO1IM
What is Stevie Wonder's real name?
Factoid: Stevie Wonder's song 'Superstition' was declared Motown’s biggest song of the millennium in 2019, with 1.1 million charts sales, made up of 460,000 downloads and 65 million audio streams.
'Stairway To Heaven', Led Zeppelin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHFxncb1gRY
This song seemed like a good antidote to all the horror!
Who was the lead singer in Led Zeppelin?
What is the day after Halloween called?
Finish by asking members if they have any superstitions?
There is a link to another themed session on 'Superstitions' here - https://www.simondementia.co.uk/single-post/very-superstitious
FINAL SINGALONG
'Jason And The Argonauts', 1963
(Maybe ask members to point to or touch the body parts mentioned as the song plays.)
THEM BONES, THEM DRY BONES - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYeQUXXYvK0
Ezekiel cried 'Dem Dry Bones'
Ezekiel cried 'Dem Dry Bones'
Ezekiel cried 'Dem Dry Bones'
Now hear the word of the Lord
Ezekiel connected dem dry bones Ezekiel connected dem dry bones Ezekiel connected dem dry bones Now hear the word of the Lord
Well, your toe bone connected to your foot bone Your foot bone connected to your heel bone Your heel bone connected to your ankle bone Your ankle bone connected to your leg bone Your leg bone connected to your knee bone Your knee bone connected to your thigh bone Your thigh bone connected to your hip bone Your hip bone connected to your back bone Your back bone connected to your shoulder bone Your shoulder bone connected to your neck bone Your neck bone connected to your head bone I hear the word of the Lord!
A dem bones, dem bones gonna walk around A dem bones, dem bones, gonna walk around A dem bones, dem bones, gonna walk around I hear the word of the Lord!
Disconnect dem bones, dem dry bones Disconnect dem bones, dem dry bones Disconnect dem bones, dem dry bones An' I hear the word of the Lord!
Well, your head bone connected from your neck bone Your neck bone connected from your shoulder bone Your shoulder bone connected from your back bone Your back bone connected from your hip bone Your hip bone connected from your thigh bone Your thigh bone connected from your knee bone Your knee bone connected from your leg bone Your leg bone connected from your ankle bone Your ankle bone connected from your heel bone Your heel bone connected from your foot bone Your foot bone connected from your toe bone An' I hear the word of the Lord! Oh well
A dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones A dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones A dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones An' I hear the word of the Lord! Mmmh
A dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones A dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones A dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones An' I hear the word of the Lord!
ACTIVITY
Our activity this week was drawing Halloween Masks on oranges. This was a safer alternative to carving pumpkins and somewhat quicker, with equally impressive results.
Or you could decorate skulls and hang them, as below.
REFRESHMENTS
You could 'Bob For Apples', or enjoy some vintage 'Trick or Treat' sweets.
Or tuck into some ...
ANSWERS
Round 1
Ancient Egypt / Boris Karloff
'King Kong' / Fay Wray
'The Wizard Of Oz' / Dorothy thew a bucket of water over her
'Jekyll And Hyde' (Spencer Tracy) / He drank a potion / (Robert Louis Stephenson wrote the book)
'Dracula' (Christopher Lee) / Repelled by daylight, crucifixes, mirrors, garlic and a ring of fire / Can only be killed with a stake through the heart / (Bram Stoker wrote the book)
On a full moon / A silver bullet through the heart / (The name of the pub in this 1981 movie was 'The Slaughtered Lamb')
'Frankenstein' (Robert De Niro) / Electricity brought him to life (lightning) / (Mary Shelley wrote the book)
'Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone' (Daniel Radcliffe) / Lightning bolt (from when Lord Voldemort attacked him as a baby) / (JK Rowling wrote the books)
'Lord Of The Rings, The Fellowship Of The Rings' / Gandalf (Ian McKellen) / (JRR Tolkien wrote the books)
'Shaun Of The Dead' / Zombie / Sean Penn
Gene Wilder
Transylvania & Whitby
Round 2
'Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs' / Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Happy, Grumpy, Sleepy & Sneezy
Peter Cushing & Christopher Lee / Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
'Psycho' / 'Bates Motel' / (Anthony Perkins starred as the owner and mother)
'The Day Of The Triffids' / Meteorite shower / (John Wyndham wrote the book)
'The Birds' / Tippi Hedren / (Daphne Du Maurier wrote the book)
'The Alien' / John Hurt / (The name of the spacecraft was 'Nostromo')
'The Exorcist' / Regan / ('Tubular Bells' by Mike Oldfield was the theme music)
'Jaws' / 'Orca' / (Amity was the village where the incident happened)
'The Omen' / Damien (The actor is Gregory Peck)
'Live And Let Die' / Voodoo (The actor is Roger Moore)
'Carrie' / Stephen King
'Friday The 13th' / Michael Myers / (Jamie Lee Curtis was the actress)
'The Shining' / Jack Nicholson / ('The Overlook Hotel' was the setting)
'Poltergeist' / Carol-Ann / ('Cuesta Verde' was the name of the new town built on the ancient Indian burial site)
'Gremlins' / "Do not expose the Mogwai to light, especially sunlight, which will kill it. Do not let it come in contact with water. Above all, never feed it after midnight."
'Nightmare On Elm Street' / Freddie Krueger / (You had to stay awake, as he killed people in their dreams)
'Ghostbusters' / Sigourney Weaver, Bill Murray & Dan Ackroyd
'Silence Of The Lambs' / Anthony Hopkins - Hannibal Lecter & Jodie Foster - Agent Clarice Starling
'Jurassic Park' / Mosquito blood in amber / (The dinosaur in the picture is a Tyrannosaurus Rex)
'Scream' / Drew Barrymore / (she also played the part of Gertie in 'E.T.')
'Sixth Sense' / Haley Joel Osmont & Bruce Willis / (Spoiler alert. Bruce Willis' character was actually a ghost & he didn't know!)
'Shrek' / Mike Myers
'It' / Pennywise / (Stephen King wrote the book)
Tarot Cards / Ouija Board
Round 3
'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'
'The Birds'
'Dial M for Murder'
'North by Northwest'
'Notorious'
'Psycho'
'Rear Window'
'Vertigo' etc
Gomez, Morticia, Pugsley, Wednesday, Uncle Fester, Grandmama, Cousin It, Lurch & Thing
Herman & Lily / True
Samantha & Darren / Twitching her nose
Scooby Doo, Shaggy, Freddie, Wilma & Thelma / 'The Mystery Machine'
Roald Dahl / Cardiff
'Willo The Wisp' / Kenneth Williams / Evil Edna
Worzel Gummidge & Aunt Sally / Jon Pertwee & Una Stubbs
Gillian Anderson / Dana Scully & Fox Mulder / David Duchovny
Matt Smith & The Daleks / True. Via hovercraft type techniques
Richard O'Brien / Frankfurter
Round 5
Black cat
Mary O'Brien
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Emma Watson
Demi Moore & Patrick Swayze
'Lionheart'
Carlos Santana
A stalker or a spy
Terry Hall
Mary O'Brien
Marvin Lee Aday
John Landis / Vincent Price
Stevland Hardaway Morris
Robert Plant / 'All Saint's Day'
