Media Monarchy plays all-Halloween sounds on this special #PumpUpThaVolume for October 30, 2025. ♬
Frank Sinatra – “(I Don’t Stand) A Ghost Of A Chance (With You)” (Vinyl)
‘The Voice’
Columbia – 1946
*Frank Sinatra – “(I Don’t Stand) A Ghost Of A Chance (With You)” (Vinyl) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBoVadMZTTg // https://www.discogs.com/release/1954540-Frank-Sinatra-The-Voice // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Voice_of_Frank_Sinatra // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Don%27t_Stand_a_Ghost_of_a_Chance_with_You // ‘The Voice of Frank Sinatra’ is the debut studio album by American singer Frank Sinatra, released by Columbia Records (catalogue number C-112) on March 4, 1946. The album was originally issued as a set of four 78 rpm records, comprising eight songs in total. This version comes from my 1955 six-eye mono Columbia (CL 743) reissue, ‘The Voice’. “I Don’t Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You” is a 1932 Bing Crosby song composed by Victor Young, with lyrics written by Ned Washington and Bing.*
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Franz Waxman – “Main Title / The Bride Of Frankenstein” // “Pastorale / Village / Chase” (Insts.)
‘The Bride Of Frankenstein (The 1935 Original Soundtrack Recording)’
Waxworks Records – October, 2024
*Franz Waxman – “Main Title / The Bride Of Frankenstein” (Inst.) https://youtu.be/HswvHRD0CKA // https://youtu.be/TF99coPbdx8 // https://www.discogs.com/release/32133261-Franz-Waxman-The-Bride-Of-Frankenstein-The-1935-Original-Soundtrack-Recording // https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026138/ // Let’s step back in time ninety years and listen to the Main Title of ‘Bride Of Frankenstein,’ the outstanding sequel of the 1931 thriller, ‘Frankenstein’. Then we’ll all get together and chase the monster with torches, pitchforks, guns and such! The film, directed by James Whale, and starring Colin Clive and Boris Karloff, is an example of the rare sequel that far surpasses the original film. From ‘The Bride Of Frankenstein (The 1935 Original Soundtrack Recording)’, by Franz Waxman. Released last October by Waxwork Records.*
Charles Barton (Director) – “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein – Trailer”
YouTube Video
Universal Pictures All-Access – October 10, 2013
*No Artist – “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein – Trailer” https://youtu.be/l2o4PCYaZIU // The fantastic 1948 trailer of every monster kid’s favorite film, ‘Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein’.*
Frank Skinner and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra – “Main Title (From Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein)” // “Frankenstein’s Monster / Out-Monstered” (Insts.)
‘Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein / Abbott And Costello Meet The Keystone Cops’
Intrada – March 18, 2025
*Frank Skinner and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra – “Main Title (From Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein)” https://youtu.be/nT9Uh3jjMhk // https://youtu.be/Qsiz-4oSoX4 // https://www.discogs.com/release/33391775-Frank-Skinner-2-Royal-Scottish-National-Orchestra-William-Stromberg-William-Lava-Herman-Stein-Henry- // https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040068/ // Here’s the main title to the star-studded 1948 classic ‘Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein’. The cast of characters includes all of the Universal Monsters, highlighted by Bela Lugosi’s return as Dracula for the first time since portraying the count in the 1931 film of the same name. From ‘Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein / Abbott And Costello Meet The Keystone Cops’, released on CD by Intrada in March, featuring new recordings by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, conducted by William Stromberg.*
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Boris Karloff – “The Vampire Sleeps”
‘Tales Of The Frightened Volume I’
Mercury – 1963
*Boris Karloff – “The Vampire Sleeps” https://youtu.be/zAltllHiCaA // https://www.discogs.com/master/1149054-Boris-Karloff-Tales-Of-The-Frightened-Volume-I // Let’s get frightened with Boris Karloff, who recites “The Vampire Sleeps,” from his 1963 Mercury album, ‘Tales Of The Frightened Volume I’!*
Merv Griffin – “House Of Horrors” (Inst.)
‘Frankenstein’s Party 14 Boppin’ Brainbenders From The Boneyard’
Bear Family – October, 2025
*Merv Griffin – “House Of Horrors” (Inst.) https://youtu.be/heJNcmGov_c // https://www.bear-family.com/various-season-s-greetings-frankenstein-s-party-14-boppin-brainbenders-from-the-boneyard-lp.html // Let’s not forget that before Merv Griffin became a talk show host – and eventually a giant media mogul – he was known as a singer! Though he grunts his way through this instrumental Halloween novelty track, released on a Mercury 7″ in 1962, it’s the same year that his daytime talk show first aired on NBC. From the just-released various artists compilation album, ‘Frankenstein’s Party 14 Boppin’ Brainbenders From The Boneyard,’ available now via Bear Family Records.*
Frankie Stein And His Ghouls – “Elbow Twist” (Inst.)
‘Ghoul Music’
Power Records – 1965
*Frankie Stein And His Ghouls – “Elbow Twist” (Inst.) https://youtu.be/Cu0F3FaP_dA // https://www.discogs.com/master/1870116-Frankie-Stein-And-His-Ghouls-Ghoul-Music // Here’s another 1960’s studio creation, a band that otherwise did not exist, created to profit off of the 1960’s monster craze. Frankie Stein And His Ghouls released five LP’s from 1964 to 1965, and they are now considered Halloween classics. This song is from an original mono pressing of ‘Ghoul Music,’ released on Power Records in 1965.*
Round Robin – “I’m The Wolfman”
‘Frankenstein’s Party 14 Boppin’ Brainbenders From The Boneyard’
Bear Family – October, 2025
*Round Robin – “I’m The Wolfman” (Mono) https://youtu.be/F_CAaQHAq0Y // https://www.bear-family.com/various-season-s-greetings-frankenstein-s-party-14-boppin-brainbenders-from-the-boneyard-lp.html // Here’s another 1960’s Halloween horror classic, this one by Los Angles soul singer – Round Robin – who ventured into garage rock territory on this 7″ A-side, originally released on Domain Records in 1965. A nice original copy will set a buyer back as much as $500, so let’s revel in this pristine version from the just-released various artists compilation album, ‘Frankenstein’s Party 14 Boppin’ Brainbenders From The Boneyard’, available now via Bear Family Records.*
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Don Hinson And The Rigamorticians – “Monster Mash” (Bobby Boris Pickett Cover) // “That Little Old Graverobber Me” // “Riboflavin-Flavored, Non-Carbonated, Polyunsaturated Blood”
‘Monster Dance Party’
Capitol Records / Real Gone Music – October 3, 2025
*Don Hinson And The Rigamorticians – “Monster Mash” (Bobby Boris Pickett Cover) https://youtu.be/8hMTdK-I9Ns // https://youtu.be/-SiZ1nZrEUI // https://youtu.be/ekVvU66MvZA // https://www.discogs.com/release/35303896-Don-Hinson-And-The-Rigamorticians-Monster-Dance-Party // Here’s a cover of the Bobby Boris Pickett 1962 Billboard number 1, by Don Hinson And The Rigamorticians, from the just-released first-ever vinyl reissue of their 1964 Capitol Records album ‘Monster Dance Party’. Plus Dean has a dream – and highly-processed blood! The album features voices/vocals by Don Hinson, and arrangements by Gary Paxton, who produced the original “Monster Mash” single. Available now via Capitol Records / Real Gone Music.*
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Bob McFadden And Dor – “The Mummy” // “The Sheik Of Araby (Shreik Of Agony-Cha Cha Cha)”
‘Songs Our Mummy Taught Us’
Brunswick / Second Disc Records / Real Gone Music – October 4, 2024
*Bob McFadden And Dor – “The Mummy” https://youtu.be/boMW2kVgk34 // ANOTHER MONARCHY EXCLUSIVE! // https://www.discogs.com/release/32101248-Bob-McFadden-And-Dor-Songs-Our-Mummy-Taught-Us // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_McFadden // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_McKuen // From the 2024 reissue of ‘Songs Our Mummy Taught Us,’ originally released in 1959 by the collaboration of voice-over actor Bob McFadden and beat poet Rod McKuen, under his pseudonym Dor. Available now via Brunswick / Second Disc Records / Real Gone Music.*
John Zacherle “The Cool Ghoul” – “Gravy (With Some Cyanide)”
‘Monster Mash’
ABKCO – September 26, 2025
*John Zacherle “The Cool Ghoul” – “Gravy (With Some Cyanide)” https://youtu.be/NGazWdw3sfA // https://www.discogs.com/release/35211082-John-Zacherle-Monster-Mash // Legendary horror movie host John Zacherle plots a few murders on this track from the just-released reissue of his 1962 album, ‘Monster Mash,’ available now via ABKCO.*
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The Ghouls – “Dracula’s Deuce” // “Little Old Lady From Transylvania”
‘Dracula’s Deuce’
Capitol Records / Real Gone Music – October 10, 2025
*The Ghouls – “Dracula’s Deuce” https://youtu.be/GKdw5I7cu0w // https://youtu.be/K1YEYzy7e1o // https://www.discogs.com/release/35337709-The-Ghouls-Draculas-Deuce // In the 1960’s nothing escaped the monster craze! Least of all surf rock, which contributed many instrumentals to the Halloween genre. Here we have something a little different, an album of instrumentals and a few vocal tracks by yet another studio only project, this one helmed by ace surf rock producer Gary Usher, known primarily for his work with Dick Dale, The Beach Boys and The Byrds. From the new reissue of ‘Dracula’s Deuce,’ originally released by the Ghouls on Capitol in 1964. Available now via Real Gone Music.*
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Black Mekon – “Tonight, I Strike”
‘Read The Room… Beware The Moon’
Black Mekon – October 31, 2025
*Black Mekon – “Tonight, I Strike” https://blackmekon.bandcamp.com/track/tonight-i-strike // From ‘Read The Room… Beware The Moon (Black Mekon In: ‘Tonight, I Strike b/w Blue Moon [See You Next Wednesday Version]),’ the upcoming Halloween party single by UK duo, Black Mekon. Due on Halloween via the artist.*
The Velvet Minefield – “Daywalker Vampire”
‘Ghouls In The Garage’
Outro Records – 2025
*The Velvet Minefield – “Daywalker Vampire” https://youtu.be/RVk5su7gzQw // https://www.outrorecords.com/12-vinyl-record-store // A spooky track by Pomona, California band, The Velvet Minefield, from the just-released various artists compilation album, ‘Ghouls In The Garage’. Available now via Outro Records.*