13 supernatural vintage board games that made childhood twisted

BY AARON SAGERS

Don’t let anyone tell you that playing with supernatural forces is not a game, because that’s precisely what it can be. In fact, children of the 1960s and '70s were frequently playing with monsters, ghosts and other forces unknown in the form of board games.

In addition to that famous slumber-party favorite, the Ouija board – which is 125 years old but only became part of the Parker Brothers (later Hasbro) family in 1966 – kids could stalk around a cardboard haunted house, “run” from Dracula, transform into a creature or hang out with The Munsters or The Addams Family.

But what are the best vintage supernatural and horror-themed board games? To learn more, take a roll of the dice, and move your game piece ahead to my list of favorites (suggested for ages 6-12).

Live Action 'Monster High' Adaptation in the Works

For parents that want to share their love of horror, but keep it age appropriate, things are about to get a little easier. Recently announced, Mattel and Universal Pictures are teaming up to bring a live- action adaptation of the "Monster High" doll franchise to life.

While a plot is currently unknown, Variety is reporting that the adaptation was brought to the studio by Neil Meron and Craig Zadan. It will be written and produced by Fake Empire's Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, with Mattel's Playground Productions taking on the executive producing duties.

For those unfamiliar with the worlds most popular doll franchise, each one of them are related to popular monsters, specters and ghouls. The "Monster High" crew includes Draculaura, Clawd and Clawdeen Wolf, Frankie Stein, and Deuce Gorgon, to name a few. With spooky and hip style, these dolls are perfect for budding horror fans.

"The message about the brand is really to celebrate your own freaky flaws, especially as bullying has become such a hot topic," Mattel's Vice President of Marketing, Cathy Cline, told NPR earlier this summer.

So stay tuned, fine fiends, because we have a feeling that the kids of "Monster High" are about to get a lot more popular.

-Nowal Massari

Universal Monsters get monstrous Blu-ray collection

It is looking like October is going to be a good month for staying at home in your home theater. Universal Studios Home Entertainment announced today that it would be releasing eight, digitally-remastered classic monster movies on Blu-ray Oct. 2, 2012.

Timed for Universal's centennial, the Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection will include iconic films Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, Phantom of the Opera and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Along with the masterpieces, the collection will have more than 12 hours of bonus features, a collectible 48-page book with behind-the-scenes photographs and more.

Universal also announced the set would have a never-before-seen featurette about the restoration of Dracula and the first ever offering of Creature from the Black Lagoon in its restored Blu-rayTM 3D version.

This is really cool news for fans of the cinema, and fans of horror. Featuring performances by legends like Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney, Jr., Claude Rains and Elsa Lanchester, USHE accurately stated "these eight iconic films also feature groundbreaking special effects and innovative makeup that continue to influence filmmakers into the 21st century."

After the jump, check out a complete breakdown of the Classic Monster collection's features.

-Aaron Sagers

Jerry O'Connell cast as Herman Munster in 'Mockingbird Lane'

Concept art of the Mockingbird house, courtesy EW

Entertainment Weekly has reported that the Piranha (and My Secret Identity!) actor has been cast in Mockingbird Lane, NBC's family-friendly dramedy reboot of 1960s sitcom Munsters.

Pushing Daisies creator Bryan Fuller is behind the reboot (which is exec-produced by Bryan Singer, who will also direct the pilot) and says he wants the show to be like an "American Harry Potter" with elements from American Horror Story, but for the entire family. He has said the show - which will feature a wardrobe influenced by Alexander McQueen - will almost be like a  Real Housewives of Transylvania and show "what monsters would be doing if they lived in our society today ... How they would look, how they would interact."

As for Herman, Fuller has said the Frankenstein-monster character (originally played by Fred Gwynne in the 1960s) will be assembled from many people parts, and in a zombie-like state of constant decay.

EW notes the show’s pilot had a subplot where Herman needed a heart transplant, "which involves finding a living 'donor' for a replacement." Presumably that operation would be conducted by vampire/mad scientist Grandpa, who will be played by British comedian Eddie Izzard.

One other note about Mockingbird: Since the show will be airing on NBC (a network owned by NBCUniversal Media), that means Fuller will have access to the closely guarded Universal Monsters library. So - in addition to Dr. Frankenstein's creation, Dracula and the Wolfman - we might expect to see the Invisible Man, the Creature from the Black Lagoon and a few other familiar faces on the show.

UPDATE: Portia de Rossi has been announced as playing Lily in the reboot

- Aaron Sagers