14. R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour (TV Show)

R.L. STINE’S THE HAUNTING HOUR (on The Hub channel)

“THE RED DRESS”

GENRE: Horror

HONORS: N/A

REVIEW:

Working at the snack shack at the local country club, Jamie has to deal with the rude comments that some of the rich girls make, but her day always becomes a little brighter when Zach comes over to order something.  When he invites her to the club’s dance, she is thrilled, but soon feels nervous about how her clothing will look in comparison to the extravagant dresses of the other girls.  While walking to work, Jamie passes a new store and decides to take a look, instantly spotting a gorgeous red dress.  The blind owner of the store introduces herself and tells Jamie the price, which Jamie cannot afford on her snack shack salary.  However, walking back home after work, Jamie stops by and sees that the store is closed, but when the door opens in front of her, she is drawn to the red dress.  Jamie tries it on and falls in love with its glamour.  When the blind woman hears her in the store, Jamie runs out of the door, still holding onto the dress.  However, when Jamie sees the woman in her bedroom, she knows that it is not over.

OPINION:

As someone that watched Are You Afraid of the Dark? on Nickelodeon, this television show reminded me of the love/hate relationship I had with that show.  With a new story in each 30-minute episode, the stories would always keep me interested and made me wonder how the central character was going to get out of the situation.  However, I would always watch with the lights on and still get creeped out by the scary elements.  In judging from this one episode, The Haunting Hour seems to do the same thing and it is produced quite well.  I enjoyed that the episode did not wrap everything up with a nice, happy ending, keeping the spookiness going straight on through.  Also, the episode taught a bit about morals; the blind woman only begins stalking her because Jamie stole the dress.  Even when Jamie goes to do the right thing and return the dress, she thinks about the dance and impressing Zach, allowing her selfishness to overpower her and she takes the dress straight back home.  Although I missed the nostalgia of the Are You Afraid of the Dark? campfire, I am certain that The Haunting Hour would be an adequate replacement and bring tons of entertainment to tweens.

IDEAS:

This television series would be great to show during a Halloween-themed program.  It would also be good for library displays about either the works of R.L. Stine or one involving scary materials.