My child has loved this special for years and watched it countless times. It is a classic mystery in a children's version. It deals with natural explanations but also with the notion of stories too good to be spoilt by realism. The story is good and the music is charming. I find myself singing the songs from time to time.

One of our favorite Halloween specials. It takes place in a vaguely New England town, with a pleasant Halloween festival, including the obligatory contest (for largest pumpkin, of course). In any case, the fall atmosphere, including the country settings, are very well done. In contrast to most Halloween specials, which feature the supernatural, this story is basically a mystery with a naturalistic explanation, solved by George and his child friends. The only thing which requires suspension of disbelief is the vaguely anthropomorphic monkey himself (even if he doesn't talk), raised by a man who always wears yellow clothes and hat.

Watched it in 2017, 2018, and now 2020 (didn't take it to Princeton in 2019).

My son fell in love with Curious George when he was 4 and us in love with the show now. This is his favorite movie of the George series: it's easy for children shows' Halloween specials to scare a 4 year old kid, especially if he's not been exposed to a lot of adult shows or news (my son mostly hasn't, and definitely hadn't when he was 4 two years ago). This special didn't scare him at all, even if he did get that Halloween is about being scared a little. As usual it was sweet, educational, and funny (some lines from the movie being endlessly repeated by my son for a week was the "bad" part, maybe). We still watch this any time it's on. I highly recommend this to parents and children.