Sep 4, 2008 2:09 pm US/Pacific
Moms Protest 'Too Scary' Halloween Posters
ORLANDO, Fla. (CBS) ―
They're scary, they're larger than life, and they're drawing the ire of some moms in Orlando. CBS station WFOR-TV reports new Universal Studios' billboards are raising the ire of some parents.
The billboards for Universal Studios' 18th Annual Halloween Horror Nights went up in more than 80 locations last week, WFOR-TV reported. They almost immediately drew the attention of a group called Metro Orlando Mommies who said they are much too scary.
The theme of this year's Halloween Horror Nights, which starts September 26, revolves around scary urban legends; they've chosen "Bloody Mary" as the event's iconic image. Just about every kid growing up learns about Mary – a ghost can be summoned by saying her name 3 times into a mirror in a darkened room.
Among this year's billboards are ones of her appearing in a shattered mirror, it shard's dripping with blood.
Metro Orlando Mommies group member Erin Heston, who wrote a letter to Universal complaining about the billboards, said they "glamorize violence and human cruelty" and her group would like to see the ads toned down and made less scary.
Universal spokesman Michael Lewellen says the park wants the billboards to be fun and entertaining and communicate what the event is about. He maintains the ads are will within the range of what is acceptable in the community.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
