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As the film opens, what season is it?

fall. As the girl is riding her tricycle through the leaves, we can see that it is fall. Later we learn that it is the day before Halloween.

What is the apparent occupation of DJ's parents?

dentists. It's the day before Halloween and DJ's parents are on their way to a dental convention. They are packing large tooth models, including an incisor.

Who does the voice characterization for Mr. Nebbercracker?

Steve Buscemi. Steve Buscemi, one of my favorite actors, lends his voice talent for Mr. Nebbercracker. Steve Buscemei often plays characters with pyschological flaws, as well as characters that have a subtle sense of humor. He has also provided the voice for characters in "Monster, Inc.", "The Simpsons", "Charlottes's Web" and more. Mr. Nebbercracker is a cantankerous old man who is adamant about keeping people off his property.

What is peculiar about Mr. Nebbercracker's house?

It eats everything.. Whenever something or someone ventures onto the property, the house comes alive and consumes it. This explains, in part, Mr. Nebbercracker's behavior. Bones says that Nebbercracker is evil and, "Nebbercracker takes whatever lands in his yard."

Who is DJ's best friend?

Chowder. Chowder is DJ's chubby and somewhat goofy friend. They compete with each other for the affections of Jenny. Jenny is a bright, assertive girl who helps investigate the mystery of Nebbercracker's house.

What does DJ's best friend lose in Nebbercracker's yard?

basketball. Chowder, who is quite inept at basketball, manages to lose his ball in Nebbercracker's lawn. DJ tries to retrieve the ball but he is intercepted by Nebbercracker. While Nebbercracker is chastising DJ, Nebbercracker suffers what appears to be a heart attack.

Frustrated at the lack of cooperation from the police, the trio decides to enlist the aid of an expert. Who is this expert?

Skull. Reginald Skulinski, aka Skull, is the expert. "He's the smartest guy on Earth" according to Chowder. Skull is the three-time, tri-state, over-14, "Thou Art Dead" champion. Skull suggests that the children strike at the heart of the house in order to kill it.

What did Constance (Nebbercracker's wife) do in the circus?

fat lady. Constance was a performer in the circus as a fat lady, "The Lady as Big as a House", before meeting Nebbercracker. They married and began construction on a new house. Constance suffered a horrible accident by falling into the basement and was subsequently covered with cement. She is now the soul of the house.

Nebbercracker returns from the hospital and DJ convinces him to let Constance go. The house comes alive and goes on a rampage. How does DJ manage to destroy the house?

dynamite down the chimney. While Chowder acts as a decoy, Jenny and DJ work together to light the dynamite. Swinging from the wrecking crane, DJ succeeds in throwing the lighted dynamite into the chimney, thus destroying the house.

Does Chowder get his basketball back?

y. Yes, indeed. Chowder's basketball is returned and everyone who had lost something to the house gets that item back on Halloween. The little girl at the beginning of the film gets her tricycle back. Bones gets his kite back. The police officers emerge during the credits. Finally, the dog that had been eaten by the house comes out and extinguishes the pumpkin.