Dressed for Thrills: 100 Years of Halloween Costumes and Masquerade (Hardcover)

by Phyllis Galembo (Author), Mark Alice Durant (Author), Valerie Steele (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
From a 1930s waxed, painted buckram "Evil Bunny" and a mohair and cotton "Colonial Ladies Wig" from the 1940s to "Buddie Beatnik" and "Rubik's Cube" costumes, this colorful photographic survey by Galembo, a photographer and SUNY professor of art, shows vintage costumes worn by (sometimes rather unhappy looking) young models. Mark Alice Durant, a University of Maryland professor of Visual Arts, offers the accompanying essay, "Glowing Turnips, Pointy Black Hats, & Insomniac Aliens: The Hybrid History of Halloween," showing how we "shape rituals to fit the realities of the moment." The play versions of Groucho Marx, Olive Oyl, astronauts and Lady Liberty among the 123 full-color photos illustrate that principle whimsically and sometimes scarily.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
A whimsical array of ghosts and goblins, spooks and skeletons, vamps and vampires parade through this unparalleled collection of more than 100 years of American Halloween attire. From Little Bo Peep with lamb in hand to beatniks and pirates, from monsters and witches to clowns and animals, this veritable "carnival" of costumes visually captures All Hallows' Eve like no other book before.

In her celebration of Halloween revelry, photographer Phyllis Galembo never settles for the ordinary; here instead are evocative scenes of dressed-to-scare young trick-or-treaters "modeling" their disguises, of undead spirits haunting their surroundings, and of costumes spanning over a century that take on an eerie new creepiness thanks to special lighting effects. Accompanying the costume shots is a history of this always-popular holiday and an essay placing the work in the wider context of fashion and costume. Of interest to enthusiasts, designers, and students alike, this devilishly diverting book is the perfect gift for all Halloween aficionados.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810932911
• ISBN-13: 978-0810932913
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #790,271 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read for Thrills!, September 24, 2005

By	H. D. Stiskal (New Jersey) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is filled with wonderful, artistic photos. Galembo's collection thrills anyone interested in costumes and vintage Halloween.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING!!!, August 1, 2003

By	Dave Mack (. United States) - See all my reviews

If you have ANY feel for Halloween, BUY this book! It is THAT good! It will remind you of your childhood and the magic that flew through the air on Halloween. HIGHLY reccomended!

4.0 out of 5 stars Of Halloweens long ago...., June 25, 2009

By	E. T. Dexter "Dex1138" (near Salem, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a great look back at some vintage Halloween costumes. They range from late 1800s to early 1980s with more focus being on the pre-1960s eras. The reason is that the photographer collects vintage Halloween costumes from around the country. Creating both a collection and a history of Halloween in America.

The photography is very well done and the photographer even talks about the methods used which is a very interesting way to make the photos unique and almost come alive.

A must see for Halloween devotees interested in costume styles from yesteryear.