At 86, you might expect someone to be slowing down, but John Travolta's sister, Ellen, is proving that age is just a number – especially when it comes to embracing the spooky spirit of Halloween! Prepare to be amazed as she transforms into the iconic Bride of Frankenstein for Hallmark's new movie, 'Haul Out the Halloween'!
Ellen Travolta is diving headfirst into the Halloween season, bringing her infectious enthusiasm to the Hallmark Channel's 'Haul Out the Holly' movie series. In the third installment, aptly titled 'Haul Out the Halloween,' Ellen steals the show as the Bride of Frankenstein. She even shares a fun scene with actor Daniel Kountz on the delightfully named Ever SCREAM Lane. Mark your calendars because this celebratory film premieres this Saturday, October 11th, on the Hallmark Channel.
But here's where it gets interesting... Ellen doesn't just wear any old Bride of Frankenstein costume. She sports the classic rectangular wig, complete with those signature white streaks, paired with a long-sleeved white dress featuring creatively textured fabric. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Lacey Chabert, Wes Brown, Melissa Peterman, and Stephen Tobolowsky. Adding to the Halloween fun, Kimberly J. Brown and Daniel Kountz, both known for their roles in 'Halloweentown,' also join the cast. Ellen is also featured in the other two films, which are a part of the trilogy including Haul Out the Halloween and Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up.
As the saying goes, "When you do what you love, it doesn't feel like work," and Ellen wholeheartedly agrees. She fondly recalls her time on set, stating, "For me to be doing these is a great treat. There are beautiful young actors and actresses, and I get to play with them, and then we do other things outside of Hallmark. We meet in L.A., we'll have dinner. We'll have a weekend in Vegas, so we have a lot of fun together," according to The Spokesman-Review. It seems like the Hallmark family extends far beyond the screen!
And this is the part most people miss... Ellen isn't just acting; she's showcasing her hidden talents! In one memorable scene, she unleashes her rapping skills during a community talent show aimed at fundraising. "The rap was fun because you have to do it right, and that makes me a little nervous remembering those words and then saying them as quickly as I can," she confessed. It just goes to show that you're never too old to try something new!
For those of you who, like Ellen, can't get enough of Halloween, EverSCREAM Lane in Utah is now open to visitors. But Ellen wants to make one thing clear: "It's not scary-scary, but there's ghosts, there's monsters, but we're not looking at Freddy Krueger. It's not designed to frighten people. It's designed to make them use their imaginations, have fun and be a community." It's a place for lighthearted spooky fun, not terrifying jump scares.
Ellen's love for Halloween goes way back, long before her Hallmark days. Her passion for the holiday began in childhood, growing up as one of six Travolta kids. They created their own Halloween magic, making homemade treats, finding costumes at thrift stores, and trick-or-treating together. However, there was a unique twist: they weren't allowed to keep their candy! Due to financial constraints, their parents had a clever plan: "When you get (a full bag of candy), circle around back and we'll put it in our bowl and we'll regive it." A resourceful way to spread the Halloween spirit, wouldn't you agree?
One particularly memorable Halloween occurred when Ellen was nine. Her mother purchased an antique dress, and with a little creativity, Ellen transformed it into a unique costume, ultimately winning the "most unique costume" award in a New Jersey contest. This early experience likely fueled her lifelong passion for dressing up and celebrating Halloween.
As a mother herself, Ellen continued the tradition of creating homemade costumes. She once crafted a pumpkin costume by simply dyeing a burlap oat bag. She even dressed her son, Tom, as Danny Zuko, the iconic character John Travolta famously portrayed in 'Grease.' Talk about a family affair!
"It wasn't nearly as commercial as it is. We're talking a long time ago," Ellen reminisced. "It was always great fun, and I loved it. Then my kids, they had a great time. My grandchildren, my great-grandchildren, everybody loves to get dressed up, but it's way more of an expense now than it was then." Today, Ellen enjoys spending Halloween with her daughter in Spokane, Washington, continuing the traditions she cherishes.
Now, here's a thought: With Halloween becoming increasingly commercialized, do you think the original spirit of homemade costumes and community fun is being lost? Or is it just evolving with the times? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
