During a Halloween trade show in 1990, Bertolino suggested the founding of the trade organization that would be known as the International Association of Haunted Attractions, a trade group for haunted houses and similar attractions. In 1991, Bertolino secured a farmhouse and its surrounding land in
Berlin, Massachusetts, as a haunted hayride attraction for Halloween and only for the month of October. In collaboration with
special effects artist Tom Savini, Bertolino built out 22 stages and the hayride, and it was initially named Spooky Hayrides. Though Bertolino expected a modest turnout of about 200 people a night, attendance was at 2,000 for the first night. The Spooky World name was decided on for the second Halloween opening, and Bertolino credits Savini with the new name.
Gunnar Hansen,
Alice Cooper, among others. Legal issues regarding permitting and fire safety caused Spooky World to close in 1998. It reopened in 1999 at the
Gillette Stadium in
Foxborough, leased on property from
Robert Kraft. Bertolino decided to sell Spooky World in 2007; it was sold in 2009 and relocated to New Hampshire under new ownership. In 1993, New Line Cinema sued Russ Berrie & Company, a toy manufacturer, over their "Ghastly Gasher" toy. New Line Cinema claimed it was a copy of
Freddy Krueger's glove with razor blades. The case went to trial in 2001, and Bertolino was an expert witness for New Line Cinema. The case was found in favor of New Line Cinema. and was brought to Los Angeles in 2013. In 2017, he produced
The Golden Age of Adult Cinema, a three-day panel that discussed the
adult film industry's Golden Age in the 1970s to 1980s with the actors of the time. Spooky World and Bertolino are the subjects of
Spooktacular!, a 2023 documentary directed by Quinn Monahan, which premiered at
Fantastic Fest. Bertolino was also executive producer of the movie, and produced
Killing Joan,
No Collateral and
Hidden Agenda. He also produced the play
Mommy are We Poor? The play was the subject of the documentary ''Richie's Hollywood Pitch'', which won the Best Documentary award at the Berlin Indie Film Festival in 2026. His biography about Spooky World,
Behind the Screams at Spookyworld: The Secrets, Scares, and Stars of America’s Original Horror Theme Park, is scheduled for release in May 2026. == Selected Works ==