The freaks come out at night-- or at least during prime time!
Halloween is on the horizon-- and so are some of television's most memorable Halloween witches and vampires. But we're not talking beautiful creatures like the ones on "Bewitched" and "Buffy." No, these witches and vampires were the real deal: pointy noses, warts, fangs and sometimes even green skin!
Check out this rundown of the freakiest TV witches and vampires of all time!
Witch Hazel- "Looney Tunes"
This Looney Tunes witch made an appearance every Halloween, asking her magic mirror if she was the ugliest of them all in the classic animated short, "Broom-Stick Bunny." She wasn't, but she did have a knack for making rabbit stew-- just ask Bugs Bunny! Check out a clip of this cartoony, looney witch here.
Wicked Witch of The West- "The Wizard of Oz"
Although she was originally made for the big screen, this classic witch has been a television staple since 1956. The 1939 movie, "The Wizard of Oz" featured the totally scary Wicked Witch of the West, played by Margaret Hamilton. With her green skin and flying monkey henchmen, this witch was one mean girl, but Hamilton was equally terrifying as the character of the bike-riding Miss Gulch in the same film. Check out a clip of her bewitching performance here.
Witchiepoo- "H.R. Pufnstuf"
She may have been a caricature of sorts, but this Saturday morning witch (played by Billie Hayes) was one ugly broad. Okay, "H.R. Pufnstuf's" resident witch was fairly harmless too, although her main mission in life was to swipe the psychedelic Freddy the Flute. (This was the early 1970s, after all.) You can check out Witchiepoo-- and her terrible cackle-- here.
Barnabus Collins- "Dark Shadows"
The theme music to this show alone was enough to scare a person! This gothic soap opera aired from 1965 to 1971 and its lead vampire was light years ahead of "Twilight." When Barnabus Collins (played by Jonathan Frid), showed his fangs, you knew he meant business! "Dark Shadows" -- and Barnabus-- will be resurrected from the dead in 2012, courtesy of Johnny Depp. Check out Jonathan Frid as Barnabus Collins here.
Grandpa Munster- "The Munsters"
He may have been TV's funniest Dracula, but when Grandpa Munster got mad-watch out! His name was actually Sam Dracula, Count of Transylvania, but fans affectionately referred to him as Grandpa on the 1960's dark comedy, "The Munsters." Lewis, who died in 2006, was actually a year younger than his TV daughter, Yvonne Decarlo. Check out a colorful Grandpa here.
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