October 30, 2025

BONUS: Trick or Terror: The Halloween Candy Scare of the 1980s

22 minutes

🎃Trick or Terror: The Halloween Candy Scare of the 1980s🍬

⭐This is a Bonus episode from Dragon Moon Media. We have launched another 'Archives' podcast, this one focusing on the late 20th century. If you have no interest in 20th century history you could skip this episode.

However, I say give it a chance. You never know what new knowledge you may gain from listening. After all we're talking about poison candy, apples with razor blades and canceling Halloween. I hope you listen and enjoy the episode. ⭐
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Halloween night, 1980s, the streets were full of ghosts, goblins, clowns and one unshakable fear: poisoned candy. If you were a kid in the '70s and ’80s you remember it, your parents inspecting every piece of candy bar and throwing out the homemade treats.

Did apples contain hidden razor blades? Was candy laced with poison? Was there really anything to fear? Discover how Ronald "The Candyman" O'Bryan and the Tylenol Murders turned a fun night of trick or treating into a nationwide fear of candy.

Join us as we unwrap the truth behind the myths that terrified parents, filled headlines, and became one of America’s most enduring urban legends.

Read the 1970 New York Times article that started it all.

Get all the links and see all the Dear Abby and Ann Landers articles in the show notes on Gen X Archives!

Check out our partner site The Retro Network for more great retro content!

(00:06) - Welcome to the premiere episode!

(01:19) - Halloween PSA 1977

(01:51) - Trick or Treating in the 1970s & 80s

(04:50) - Humbug Billy and Aresnic poisoning

(05:44) - Dr. Shyne & Heart Shaped "Candy"

(06:25) - Helen Pfeil The Long Island Poisoner

(06:57) - NYT Paranoid Article

(08:01) - Detroit candy laced with heroin

(08:34) - "The Candyman"

(11:59) - 1982 News Break - Poisonous Candy

(12:32) - Chicago Tylenol Murders

(13:17) - Tylenol Murder fears

(14:59) - James Lewis Profile

(18:17) - Poison candy; Real or Urban Legend?

(19:23) - Halloween changed forever

(20:32) - Kids, don't eat the candy

(21:13) - Wrapping it up

(21:46) - Share with your friends, or Whatever!

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Medieval Archives - Host

Gen X Archives - Host

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