October 25th in nerd history: It was all a dream
Last updated: June 3, 2024
Happy National Chucky The Notorious Killer Doll Day! Just rolls right off the tongue, doesn't it? Apparently, today is a good day to go ahead and celebrate everyone's favorite red-haired, bowl-cutted doll that also happens to become inhabited by the soul of a serial killer. Our suggestion is to dress up like Chucky at work.
This is The Reset Button from Classic Nerd, resetting your day.
October 25 in Nerd History
Here are 5 things that happened on October 25th that matter to those of us who [something clever here].
I.
Birthdays of honor: Katy Perry (1984), Pablo Picasso (1881), Craig Robinson (1971), Antony Starr (1975), Bob Knight (1940), Nancy Cartwright (1957), Minnie Pearl (1912).
II.
In 1978, 45 years ago to the day, the original Halloween was unleashed on audiences across the country.
Unlike what Disney did with Haunted Mansion, the distributors had the sense to release John Carpenter's seminal slasher right before everyone's favorite spooky holiday. But Halloween is much more than just a well-timed scary movie — it's widely regarded as one of the best independent movies ever made, starring everyone's favorite power-walker, Michael Myers. Carpenter's score and direction set a moody tone that is still pretty damn creepy today.
And audiences loved it just as much as critics — it earned over $70 million at the box office against a budget of just $300,000, making it not only one of the highest-grossing horror movies ever, but one of the most successful independent films of all time.
Halloween remains a highly influential film, and I'm sure you'll be watching at least one of the 13 movies in the franchise this All Hallows' Eve.
III.
I can't imagine there's any greater feeling for a defensive lineman than scooping up a fumble and running into the endzone. Except that today in 1964, Jim Marshall of the Minnesota Vikings ran into the wrong endzone.
Dubbed "The Wrong Way Run", it's one of the most infamous moments in NFL history, and according to some the worst blooper to ever happen in the league. Marshall later said all he saw was the goalposts and locked in on those.
But he did score on the play — giving the opponent San Francisco 49ers a safety. Sadly, this one play is what he's mostly known for despite the fact he was a two-time Pro Bowler and started in a mind-boggling 270 consecutive games.
IV.
30 years ago, in 1993, the world lost one of the greatest voices to ever grace our collective ears when Vincent Price passed away from lung cancer.
Starting his career as a leading man, Price later found success in the horror genre, particularly after teaming up with famed B movie producer, Roger Corman. His final movie appearance was fittingly in Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands.
He has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for TV and one for film, and received multiple lifetime achievement awards. Price was also a noted art expert and avid art historian. May his creepy laugh never be forgotten.
V.
Today in 1982 a new generation was introduced to one of the all-time great comedians when Newhart premiered on CBS.
Starring Bob Newhart and Mary Fann, the sitcom followed a couple who move from New York City to a small town in Vermont to run a quaint inn. Unsurprisingly, the town and inn are filled with eccentric characters.
While the show did fine in ratings, it was the finale that cemented its place in history. After a bit of a time jump, we find Bob Newhart at night, in bed, waking up. Except this time he's not the character from the sitcom we've just been watching (Dick Loudon), but instead Dr. Bob Hartley — his character from The Bob Newhart Show of the '70s. It turns out, the 8 seasons and 184 episodes of Newhart were all a dream.