15 Halloween Costumes From the 1970s

NYPL Gallery
NYPL Gallery / NYPL Gallery
facebooktwitterreddit

Photographer Larry Racioppo captured a variety of children's costumes as they roamed the streets in the mid-'70s. The results are a bit creepy, but ultimately endearing.

1. "The Tin Man"

Larry Racioppo, NYPL

A tiny Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz takes a break. He accessorized with a timeless plastic pumpkin bucket.

2. "The Bionic Woman, Bambi, and Cinderella [masks on]"

Larry Racioppo, NYPL

It's a good thing that their shirts give some indication of who they are supposed to be, or else there would be a lot of nameless tiny blonde women running around.

3. "Bat Girl, St. Ann, and Wonder Woman"

Larry Racioppo, NYPL

Three girls pose in their costumes.

4. "Pussycat and friends"

Larry Racioppo, NYPL

Halloween in the '70s was a great time for children with surprisingly on-point makeup.

5. "[Superman]"

Larry Racioppo, NYPL

Superman did not wear a mask, but bonus points for hair.

6. "Lucy and friends"

Larry Racioppo, NYPL

Lucy fell in with a bad crowd.

7. "Three boys with tear makeup"

Larry Racioppo, NYPL

When does their next album drop?

8. "Rubber Devil"

Larry Racioppo, NYPL

Somehow this disintegrating rubber mask manages to be creepier than the goriest masks on sale today.

9. "Dr. Zaius [mask on]"

Larry Racioppo, NYPL

Dr. Zaius, Dr. Zaius. ♫

10. "Frankenstein and friend"

Larry Racioppo, NYPL

Frankenstein's Monster and Skeleton make a good pair.

11. "Bacigolup"

Larry Racioppo, NYPL

Before there was Mario, there was Bacigolup.

12. "Spider Woman and sister"

Larry Racioppo, NYPL

Spider Woman is very lucky to have a princess push her in her stroller.

13. "[Group of Trick-or-Treaters]"

Larry Racioppo, NYPL

The pterodactyl looks like Alec Baldwin in BeetlejuiceWhy does it have teeth? 

14. "The Ghost"

Larry Racioppo, NYPL

When there are no sheets available, a veil and rubber band will work in a pinch. Thanks Mom!

15. "Space Warrior and Bride"

Larry Racioppo, NYPL

Why be one character from Star Wars when you can combine them all into one super character?