The Friendly Ghost opens across the U.S. in 1945. The pre-movie cartoon short is the first to feature Casper The Friendly Ghost and is exceptionally dark and sad for a children’s cartoon, including a depiction of attempted suicide. Nevertheless, the short begins a franchise that includes multiple cartoon series, comic books, video games and feature films.
This Day in Halloween: Casper The Friendly Ghost's debut "The Friendly Ghost" opens across the U.S. in 1945. / Illustration by Sarah Ryan