The Halloween Tree

The Halloween Tree is a classic Hanna-Barbera animated special based on a story by Ray Bradbury. The story concerns a group of friends, 3 boys and a girl, who each dress as a classic horror character on Halloween night. After seeing their friend Pip taken away in an ambulance, they are confronted by a mysterious figure named Moundshroud (voiced excellently by Leonard Nimoy) who owns a haunted house.

Ray Bradbury’s original painting for his classic book, The Halloween Tree.

Moundshroud, tells them that Pip has been taken by the ghosts of Halloween past and they must save him. The four close friends must face their greatest fears as they travel through time to save their dear comrade. Along the way, Moundshroud teaches them about the origins of this ghostly holiday. He takes them from the burial chambers of ancient Egypt to the Mexican Day of the Dead, to the All Hallows Eve celebrations of medieval England. They also learn what true friendship really means, and must make a huge personal sacrifice if they want to save the soul of their friend.

Cartoon Network Halloween Tree.

Leonard Nimoy’s suspicious Moundshroud will keep you guessing until the end of this suspenseful, imaginative, and educational show. One of the best Halloween specials of recent years, it won an Emmy Award, and an award from the Film Advisory Board, but is sadly unavailable on DVD.