RECAPS:  A masked, 10’ tall, stilted monster terrorizes the waiting area and even chases customers that have already gone through The Mt. Healthy Haunted Hall.  Entrance is guarded by a hooded devil , who announces the arrival of however many new victims, thus beginning the exploration of this year’s annual presentation entitled, “34 Years of Taking Scare of You!” at Mt. Healthy General Hospital.

Ascending a flight of stairs is hampered by a talkative vagrant asking for change, and announcing that he’s seeking assistance from the V.A. for his “infection,” and “By the looks of things,” he says, we “should go too!”  Waiting at the top of the steps, a crazed, straitjacketed loony advises, “The doctor is waiting!” and hurridly ushers us into the Hellevator instructing, “Check-up is in here!”  Lights flicker as the madman bounces back and forth from wall to wall, and the hoist shakes its way to a shrinking hallway that leads into an emergency room discovering a bloody-faced, equally insane doctor gnawing on a dismembered human leg belonging to the now headless body of his former patient!   

Speaking of blood, Dracula’s lair is just ahead, where The Count emerges from the shadows in search of some tasty treats to satisfy his nocturnal cravings!  Exiting through an upright coffin stumbles upon a devious surgeon that accosts an innocent, gurney-bound victim, reaches into his chest, yanks out his hear, and takes a bite out of it before offering to share!!

Still to come is a run-in with a gory pharmacist filling prescriptions of uranium and plutonium; and a jolting, "shock therapy" electrocution where a masked Executioner singles out the most deserving group member, forces her into a murderous electric chair, and finishes her off by cranking up the voltage bringing her to a sizzling, vibrating climax!

An unexpected surprise sends the course into the neonatal care unit of the deplorable hospital, where walls are splattered with blood, and lifeless babies serve as a distraction for an obstetrical nurse about to unleash an imminent chainsaw ambush!

Outside, the route bends past a horn-honking crate, a smoking witch’s cauldron, skeletons, a frightening graveyard, and The Burnt End Crematorium that finds the Devil himself teaming up with an evil mortician in search of fresh meat!

From there, a “MASH” unit is found to be in disarray, as bloody body parts are scattered about cots and gurneys, then a mentally unstable jester at The Boo Boo Bus proudly displays a skeletal arm, calling attention to the humerus and radius bones, and commenting that his, “Funny bone is broke!”

Bug Boy waits in the wings and zombies attack as progression passes an array of caskets, navigates through a chain-link fence maze, crosses a tilting bridge, and wonders through a spinning vortex where a mysterious voodoo-like villain goes on the attack armed with a sledgehammer!  In addition, a menacing, cowbell-ringing dead collector, as seen in the movie “Monte Python and the Holy Grail,” creeps alongside the path warning, “Bring out your dead!” and a chainsaw-wielding maniac gives chase all the way to the OVH award-winning, dark, Dan M. maze conclusion of The Mt. Healthy Haunted Hall!  (SOMEHOW, Kim found her way out first!  Either she was lucky, or she CHEATED!!)

ANALYSIS:  Now celebrating their 34^th season, Mt. Healthy can always be counted on for their charming and enjoyable haunted house experience!  From the queue line that winds its way through a frightening cemetery, to getting lost before finding your way out of their finishing maze, this is annually one haunted attraction not to be missed!  A unique theme is constructed each and every year built around their trademark characters including Count Dracula, Bug Boy, The Executioner, and The Devil, and it wouldn’t be Halloween without visiting their ever-popular Hellevator and that outstanding, dark maze!

Acting was very good throughout with top honors going to the V.A. Vagrant, Elevator Attendant, Drac, Doctors, Executioner and his screaming victim, Chainsaw Nurse, Dead Collector, Chainsaw Maniac, and Stilt Man.  Great interaction takes place from a very talkative cast.  Soundtrack and lighting are complimentary and set an appropriate mood.  

Cost of admission is only $12, which is reduced to $10 with any canned good donation!  The attraction’s popular “Soupy Sunday” promotion is back for 2024 and gets you in for only $6 when donating two cans of soup on September 29^th, October 6^th, 13^th, and 20^th!  (Did you hear that?  SIX DOLLARS!!!)  Fast passes are sold for $18 (no discounts) for those not wanting to wait in line! What a real TREAT those prices are by today’s standards, and they’re even better if you take advantage of the discounts!  OVH wouldn't think of ever missing The Mt. Healthy Haunted Hall and we don’t want you to either!  It’s one of our annual favorites, and comes highly recommended!  Join us again this season at The Mt. Healthy Haunted Hall, where the theme being showcased is, “34 Years of Taking Scare of You!”  This is how a haunted house is supposed to be!  And for the price, it doesn’t get any better!  How can you beat it?

Note:  This year’s non-scary, lights up, Trick-or-Treat night for kids is Sunday, October 20^th from 6 – 6:45 PM, and costs just $5 per child!  Accompanying adults are admitted free!  The Mt. Healthy Haunted Hall benefits the Madonna Council Knights of Columbus, youth organizations, and other charities.