October the 31st is an episode of the American television series The Fall Guy, which starred Lee Majors. This episode first appeared on October 31, 1984. There were two guest stars in this episode, veteran horror movie actor, John Carradine and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.[1] It also featured Keith, Robert, and David Carradine[1] in cameo parts in a scene with their father.
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In this episode, Elvira (Cassandra Peterson) is preparing to guest star in a Halloween special with stunt man Colt Seavers (Lee Majors). The cast and crew of the special become aware that the producers have arranged to film the project in a mansion that is supposedly haunted. The crew arrive at the mansion and beginning setting up their equipment, when it becomes apparent that the owner of the mansion, Preston Deauville (John Carradine) is outraged that his wife, Katherine (Signe Hasso) arranged for them to film there without his knowledge. It is further realized that Deauville is opposed the arrangement. His is so vexed that he fires his staff which include a chef (Keith Carradine), a gardner (Robert Carradine) and a caretaker (David Carradine). The staff plead with the old man to reconsider and at one point David's character blurts out "You're insane!" The elder Carradine's character responds, "And with a little diligence the same can be said of you!"
As the episode progresses, Preston Deauville dies of an apparent heart attack and is buried in the backyard. However, Deauville remains present in the house menacing the actors and crew who are trying to film their show. It is eventually discovered that Deauville was murdered by his evil twin brother (also played by John Carradine) in a plot with his wife.
The episode aired the same night that Elvira's six-hour Halloween special aired on MTV and she appeared on The Tonight Show.[2] John Carradine also appeared on her special that evening.[2]
The episode was built around the Elvira chracter.[3] The actress said she was very pleased with The Fall Guy script. "You know, when I was on CHiPs, they toned my character down for network TV. That's why I was so happy with the script for The Fall Guy, where they not only wrote the whole story around me, but they kept my risque humor. I think it came out really cute."[2] While filming the episode on location at a convent, Elvira was actually "mobbed" by a group of nuns clamoring for her autograph.[4]
After his death, the Associated Press listed David Carradine's guest-shot in this episode as one of the more notable of his television appearances.[5]