It’s never too early to experience a bit of horror

It’s a bit early to start thinking about Halloween.

Then again, some people in my neighborhood are already putting up Christmas lights, so what’s the harm in a little advance notice?

October, though, is the month of Halloween. And in this era of COVID-19 quarantine, that annual event isn’t likely to be anything like Halloween observances in the past. I don’t expect to see many trick-or-treaters coming up to my door.

But one thing will probably stay the same: Many of us will be checking out our favorite horror films.

That includes the John Carpenter-created “Halloween” series that began in 1978 and now stands at some 11 movies, not to mention the various merchandising tie-ins from books to video games.

Two years later, Sean Cunnimgham directed a little horror offering titled “Friday the 13th,” which spawned a dozen-film series that has profited from its own merchandising efforts. And the two franchises have dueled over the decades as to which would emerge as the top-grosser (which, as of this writing, seems to be “Halloween”).

As anyone knows who has seen the original, or for that matter any of the others, the franchise centers on the character of Jason Voorhees – a cold-hearted automaton of a reanimated serial killer famous for wearing a hockey mask.

And no spoilers intended, but the one quote delivered in the 1980 film by Betsy Palmer as Jason’s mother Pamela tells you everything you need to know about what to expect: “Oh, good lord!” she says, upon seeing a girl’s butchered corpse. “So young. So pretty. Oh, what monster could have done this?”

You can find out easily enough. A 40th-anniversary screening of Cunningham’s “Friday the 13th” will screen at Coeur d’Alene’s Regal Rivertone at 7 p.m. on Sunday and Tuesday, at 7 and 10 p.m. on Wednesday (Oct. 7th).

Or if you prefer the comfort of your own home, which at this point is still the safest bet, you can stream the film (and its several sequels) at your leisure through any number of services. Click here to see how.

Make sure your front door is locked first, though. It may be too early for trick-of-treaters, but it’s never too early for simple tricks.