Hello, boys and ghouls! With Halloween just around the corner, thoughts naturally drift toward the grotesque, the macabre and the dreadful. At an appliance parts site, this means that the typically benign and even benevolent functions of our favorite familiar machines can suddenly turn dark and sinister. At every relaxing bath there lurks a demented stranger just waiting to drop in a live toaster; each after dinner fireside chat is a potential mass cremation… [Warning: Like almost every other aspect of the internet, some of these clips are NOT suitable for younger or more sensitive viewers.]

10.) Ghostbusters (1984)– Ghostbusters broke the mold when it comes to changing the way people view their household appliances, and not necessarily for the better. Ghostbusters, more than any other movie ever created, is responsible for making people fear the fridge. With the help of a dozen eggs hooked up to a high compression air hose and a smoke and light filled stage worthy of a “Yes” concert, director Ivan Riteman took the home’s most reliable comfort zone and shredded it. I still cringe a bit when I open the fridge in the middle of the night for a late night nibble and listen closely for something other than my stomach growling the word “Zuul”.

9.) Amityville: The Evil Escapes (1989) - You have always known that your garbage disposal secretly wants to kill you and your family in a crimson font of psychotic glory. Well, here’s the proof. And 2 words for that guy, duct tape!

8.) Friday the 13th: Part 3 (1982) – Jason kills the bearded guy by pushing him into a fuse box. Though it is one of Jason’s only kills that doesn’t involve a blade or pipe, it is a bit dull– and certainly not “shocking.” (Hollywood, I will be here if and when you need a script for the new Nightmare on Elm Street.)

7.) Dead Alive (1992) – Directed by the inimitable Peter Jackson, (later to direct Lord of the Rings), this low-budget zombie flick left a rather, erm… indelible impression on many viewers. If you do view this clip of a zombie baby in a blender, just bear in mind that it’s Autumn– you didn’t want a smoothie anyway. Best to stick with red wine.

6.) Maximum Overdrive (1986) – In this short clip from the film (based on a Stephen King story and directed by the author himself!), a hapless Little League coach is killed by a vending machine throwing fastballs to the neck. You know, I never really played sports as a kid and now I regret it less than ever.

5.) The Brave Little Toaster (1991) – I am absolutely not being ironic. The following scene, from Disney’s The Brave Little Toaster, is known as the “Clown Dream” and is terrifying. It’s like you just dropped acid and Satan is your trip-sitter.

4.) A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987) – Quick Trivia: This scene is the origin of the pre-kill puns that became a Nightmare trademark. Here, Freddy offers his victim her “big break” in television, but it also doesn’t even make sense. I’m no Quincy, M.E., but he smashes her head into the television, which is technically more of a bludgeon. Right? That’s going on IMBD’s “goofs” as soon as I finish this glass of scotch.

3.) Gremlins (1984) – This scene is like the Citizen Kane of movies where small monsters get killed by electric cake mixers and microwaves. In fact, it’s pretty much the whole reason I went into the appliance parts business. Just look around your office and think: “How many gremlins could I take out with what I have here?” Yep. That’s how I know I made the right choice.

2.) The Mangler (1995) – Based on a Stephen King short story and starring Robert “Freddy Krueger” Englund, The Mangler features an industrial laundry press possessed by a demon. Um… what?! This is like a movie you’d make when you were a little kid, because you couldn’t find any adults to be the monster and all your friends just look like unscary little kids so you’re just like, “Well, I guess the dryer has to be the monster.” And you’d be done in time for lunch.

1.) Attack of The Killer Refrigerator (1990) - Hey Susan, have you ever noticed that the rust stains on our fridge look a lot like dried blood? I’m sure its nothing, want a beer?

Happy Halloween!!