Frightfully theirs

For 16 years, Don Tallakson and his wife transformed their Burbank house into a haunted Halloween adventure that left the almost 400 trick-or-treaters who frequented it with a taste for more than just candy.

Although a series of family misfortunes derailed their plans in recent years, the Tallaksons are back in full force with a setup based on Tim Burton’s 1993 cult classic “A Nightmare Before Christmas” and enough enthusiasm to light up Eaton Drive tonight.

With strobe lights, fog machines, music, various decorations and handmade coffins that will make up the interactive display of “Halloween Town,” as well as a few well-kept scary tactics that Tallakson plans to unveil tonight, Tallakson hopes to provide all that come by with a good and unexpected experience.

“We’re like the Griswolds,” Tallakson said, referring to the family in “National Lampoon’s Vacation.” “You can see our house from space.”

Tallakson, a compensation manager whom friends and neighbors describe as just a big kid at heart, continues to put on the display, which has had previous themes based on other classic Halloween films such as “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Hellraiser” because he said it’s his way of giving back to the community.

“I’m just one of those guys who loved to trick-or-treat as a kid, and I remember those times,” he said. “I just love to be on the other side of that and be able to entertain the kids that come.”

Though Tallakson and his family have been putting together the display for more than a decade, a family tragedy, coupled with a cycling accident that left his wife, Susan, on disability for almost a year, had put their Halloween festivities on hold since 2006. This year, with Susan Tallakson fully recovered, the Tallaksons were able to resurrect their exhibit, which neighbor Susan Werner calls fantastic.

Werner, who is retired and has two grandsons who are excited to come down and see the house, has been the Tallaksons’ neighbor for 32 years.

“I am looking forward to it,” Werner said. “I want to see all the kids and all of the cars going up and down the street and parking in front of my house — that’s what I’m hoping for. I think it’s exciting.”