The Paul Lynde Halloween Special | DVD

   For many years, Paul Lynde was best known for his role on Broadway as Henry McAfee in ''Bye Bye Birdie'' (and singing the hit song ''Kids''). He so embodied the character that when they made a movie three years later, he reprised his role. He also brought his infectious laugh and sarcastic delivery to featured roles in ''Under the Yum Yum Tree'', ''Son of Flubber'', ''Send Me No Flowers'', ''The Glass Bottom Boat'' and ''Rabbit Test'', among others. While working in film, Lynde also made numerous appearances on television, including the eponymous ''Paul Lynde Show'' (cancelled after one season). He took his wild and flamboyant sense of humor to appearances on ''The Munsters'', ''F-Troop'', ''Gidget'' and oddly enough,3 episodes of ''I Dream of Jeannie'' before moving on to play Uncle Arthur on ''Bewitched''. But it was his 1966 appearance on a new game show called ''The Hollywood Squares'' that propelled Lynde to his greatest notoriety starting as one of the squares and eventually winning his place in the coveted center square. So significant was his presence that he won 2 Emmy Awards for his work on ''Squares'' (''Outstanding Individual Achievement Daytime Programming'' in 1975 and 1979).

Paul also did a number of TV specials, but none attained the legendary status of ''The Paul Lynde Halloween Special''. The special aired only once on October 29, 1976 and featured a ''Who's Who'' of mid 70's TV and film stars, Paul somehow held everything together as the ringmaster of a circus that featured Margaret Hamilton (her only prime time TV appearance wearing the full outfit from ''Wizard of Oz''), Witchie Poo from ''H.R. Pufnstuf'', Tim Conway, Billy Barty with cameos by Betty White and Donnie and Marie (who had Paul as a regular on their series). What gives this program a special cache is this Is the first prime time TV appearance of KISS. They perform 3 songs but the on-stage conversation with KISS, Paul and Margaret Hamilton is priceless.

Bonus

Name that quip quiz
Photo scrapbook
Candid interview with Peter Marshall, host of ''Hollywood Squares''
A series of memorable quotes by Paul Lynde

KISS performs 3 songs ''Beth'', ''King of the Nighttime World'' and ''Detroit Rock City''. This was their first prime time television appearance in full make-up.