REVIEW: VANDY MANOR

November 1, 2024

REVIEW: VANDY MANOR

Throughout different generations of our readers' lifetimes, Dick Van Dyke has been an omnipresent incarnation of incredible talent and entertainment. From the The Dick Van Dyke Show to Mary Poppins to Diagnosis: Murder to Dick Tracy and more, Van Dyke’s very long and rich list of career accomplishments is only outdone by his upbeat and positive force within a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming. Though he is 98 years young, he continues to maintain his status as a haunter. For every Halloween season - throughout multiple decades - he has hosted a private, invite-only outrageous and interactive Halloween event named “Vandy Manor”. At its heart is a variety show filled with mischievous and fun characters consisting of family and friends who entertain the children of their surrounding neighborhood.

This private DIY show is built outside of their home's garage and is headed by Van Dyke’s wife - Arlene Silver. While the vignettes evolve each season, Silver maintains her anchor role as the infamous Disney villain - The Little Mermaid's Ursula - performing pieces throughout the variety show to a captive crowd. In addition to various songs (like Chappell Roan's "Hot To Go") being performed, the show also featured appearances by a candy-throwing, silly string-wielding Beetlejuice, a sassy Sebastian (from Little Mermaid), and our favorite character - a woman called "Rat King" who wanders about the show and display every year with blacked out teeth, possum feet, and a swinging tail. All of this was sandwiched between performances by our favorite hamburger flinging juggler and comedian Michael Rayner and the wonderful marionettist Joe Selph - tying together the Van Dyke's connections to the world within the Magic Castle.

This haunt isn't just about the stage show though. Vandy Manor has hosted an ever-growing walkthrough scare zone for those brave enough to visit. There are cauldrons brimming with candy and magnificent animatronics built by the legendary Halloween prop, animatronic, and mask company, Distortions Unlimited. The walkthrough changes every season, and this year - to our astonishment - there was the return of the giant, wizardly Dick Van Dyke head. This 8 foot animatronic recited (in Van Dyke’s voice) the spoken-word sequence in the song, Thriller. Fog then came spewing out of the animatronic’s mouth as Van Dyke’s voice cackled into the night air. 

The walkthrough also included all sorts of amazing monsters, from zombies to water-spitting monsters. However, we fell in love with their new addition - a massive animatronic duo of gargoyles/demons who speak to each other in comedic banter. “Bubblebarf” is giant with small wings, and he gets so upset at being ridiculed by his diminutive goblin companion that he starts to belch out clouds of lightning and fog-filled bubbles at everyone. In addition to the animatronics, there were also scare actors who were embedded about, frightening unsuspecting guests.

While incredible talent suffused with heartfelt charm and genuine enthusiasm is a rare gem in the world of entertainment, Van Dyke & Silver have seamlessly been able to embody it both in the world of film and television and in the world of haunts. In addition, the team that the Van Dykes have assembled for Vandy Manor excel at capturing the true spirit of Halloween for all to enjoy. While this event is private, we are happy that they allow us to share their work year after year - and we can't wait to see what they have in store for next Halloween!

VC

November 01, 2024

Hauntsofla.com

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