sexta-feira, 22 de janeiro de 2010
The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz is one of the most well known movie classics of all time. Almost everyone has seen it, so of course there are bound to be rumors. One, in particular, is the hanging theory -- the urban legend that either a midget or stagehand hanged themselves on film. The question is, what really happened? While most agree that it is in fact false, some still argue that the hanging was real.
The suicide scene allegedly takes place when Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man head down the yellow brick road, on their way to Emerald City (after the Wicked Witch leaves.) Deep in the background, a dark figure can be seen.
Some say that a distraught munchkin hanged himself. The story says that he was upset because the female munchkin that he loved didn’t feel the same way for him. He then decided to kill himself right on set. Others say that it was a clumsy stagehand who accidentally fell out of a prop tree onto the set, getting caught in a cable of some sort, and was strangled to death.
Legend has it that the figure in the forest clearly takes a wooden block, stands on it, hangs himself, and then kicks the block out from underneath. On the other hand, critics argue that it was an exotic bird which was placed on set to give the movie a natural and realistic atmosphere. The moving figure was simply a bird, most likely a crane, flapping its wings and pecking at the ground.
The rumor started after the movie came out on VHS tape, which enabled people to replay the scene over and over. On the small screen, things appear much differently. With the picture being so small, the image wasn’t clear and this lead people to start the rumors. Supposedly, on the big screen it is undeniably a bird.
If it really was a suicide, why would they keep it on the final movie? Why not just redo the scene? Some conclude that it was “too expensive” and they were short on money. And why wouldn’t someone notice what had happened? After all, the three actors didn’t react to it or even seem to notice what happened.
Whether you believe it or not, it’s up to you. We’ll probably never know what really happened on set. But, there’s no denying it, the moving figure in the trees resembles a man hanging himself.
The suicide scene allegedly takes place when Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man head down the yellow brick road, on their way to Emerald City (after the Wicked Witch leaves.) Deep in the background, a dark figure can be seen.
Some say that a distraught munchkin hanged himself. The story says that he was upset because the female munchkin that he loved didn’t feel the same way for him. He then decided to kill himself right on set. Others say that it was a clumsy stagehand who accidentally fell out of a prop tree onto the set, getting caught in a cable of some sort, and was strangled to death.
Legend has it that the figure in the forest clearly takes a wooden block, stands on it, hangs himself, and then kicks the block out from underneath. On the other hand, critics argue that it was an exotic bird which was placed on set to give the movie a natural and realistic atmosphere. The moving figure was simply a bird, most likely a crane, flapping its wings and pecking at the ground.
The rumor started after the movie came out on VHS tape, which enabled people to replay the scene over and over. On the small screen, things appear much differently. With the picture being so small, the image wasn’t clear and this lead people to start the rumors. Supposedly, on the big screen it is undeniably a bird.
If it really was a suicide, why would they keep it on the final movie? Why not just redo the scene? Some conclude that it was “too expensive” and they were short on money. And why wouldn’t someone notice what had happened? After all, the three actors didn’t react to it or even seem to notice what happened.
Whether you believe it or not, it’s up to you. We’ll probably never know what really happened on set. But, there’s no denying it, the moving figure in the trees resembles a man hanging himself.
Stranger at the Door
There was once a young boy and his sister. One day their parents went out to run some late errands they had put off until the last minute. Before they left they told their children not to open the door under any circumstances.
Because they were watching TV, they didn't pay much attention. About an hour after they left, there heard a knock, knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock. The children who were now in their rooms asleep, were awoken at once.
Knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock. Finally the sister got up wondering who it could be. her brother lay awake in his bed listening. When he heard nothing for a few minutes and his sister did not return, he got a little scared.
He decided to go to his neighbors house, who were very close friends of his. He got out of bed and headed for the front door in the dark. When he got to his neighbors house, he found them awake.
They told him they were relieved he was there, because they had just heard on the news that a murderer had been spotted just a few blocks away not too long ago. In the morning, they discovered the sisters body, and a discarded knife on the brothers bed.
Because they were watching TV, they didn't pay much attention. About an hour after they left, there heard a knock, knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock. The children who were now in their rooms asleep, were awoken at once.
Knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock. Finally the sister got up wondering who it could be. her brother lay awake in his bed listening. When he heard nothing for a few minutes and his sister did not return, he got a little scared.
He decided to go to his neighbors house, who were very close friends of his. He got out of bed and headed for the front door in the dark. When he got to his neighbors house, he found them awake.
They told him they were relieved he was there, because they had just heard on the news that a murderer had been spotted just a few blocks away not too long ago. In the morning, they discovered the sisters body, and a discarded knife on the brothers bed.
Stranded Stories - Tap, Tap, Tap
One night a young couple were driving home from a party. They didn't feel like heading straight home so the boyfriend said "Lets go for a drive and we can spend some time alone together." His girlfriend agreed so they set off down a lonely country road and were soon far away from any houses and got deeper into remote bush-land.
Suddenly the car hit a log fallen across the middle of the road. The couple were startled when the car jolted to a stop, they had not seen the log in time. The boyfriend said "I'd better take a look to see if there's any damage." The girlfriend shivered with apprehension as it was so dark outside. "Be careful" she exclaimed.
After a while the boyfriend came around to the window. "The log we hit has damaged the car badly and we wont be able to drive it . I will need some help to fix it. I thought I saw a light on a few miles back so I will go and see if I can get help." His girlfriend said "No its too dangerous." He replied "Don't worry I'll be fine, anyway we have no choice".
The girl said, "I'm coming with you". "No you stay here and lock all the doors and no matter what, promise me you wont get out of the car". The girl felt very fearful but agreed to do as he said. More than an hour passed and the boyfriend had not returned. The girl began to worry and thought about getting out to go look for her boyfriend.
Then she remembered the promise she made to him and decided to wait a bit longer. She put on the radio to try and take her mind off the rising fear she felt. The only station she could pick up was a was a boring local country station. She listened to a few songs and then a news broadcast came on.
There was a story about an escapee form a local lunatic asylum. People were warned to lock all their doors as this deranged escapee was considered extremely dangerous. The girl became even more fearful but decided to stay put and wait for her boyfriend.
She must have dozed off for she was awoken by a loud "tap tap tap" on the roof of the car. Startled she looked out the windows to see if it was her boyfriend returned, but she could see nothing but darkness. The sound came again tap.......tap.......... tap, and she wondered what could be causing it?
Too fearful from the events which had passed that evening she could not bring herself to get out to see what it was. The noise continued tap......... tap......... tap, this went on for some time.
Suddenly she was blinded by harsh light and could see headlights shining through the front windscreen. She hesitated wondering if it was safe to get out when she heard a voice over a megaphone "You in the car, I want you to listen very carefully. I want you to slowly get out of the car and come toward me. I am a police officer and it is very important that you do exactly what I say. You are in danger. You must get out of the car immediately and slowly walk over here but whatever you do don't turn around and don't look back!"
She heard the noise again, tap........... tap.......... tap. Shaking with terror she slowly opened the car door . She climbed out of the car, the policeman said "that's it, now walk towards me without any sudden movement and remember whatever you do don't look back!" She quickened her pace as she got closer to the police car and as she almost reached the officer she couldn't help herself and turned around.
There on the roof of the car was a bent over figure of a man holding a stick, on the end of the stick she saw to her great horror her boyfriends severed head, the figure was banging it on the roof tap............ tap............. tap.
Suddenly the car hit a log fallen across the middle of the road. The couple were startled when the car jolted to a stop, they had not seen the log in time. The boyfriend said "I'd better take a look to see if there's any damage." The girlfriend shivered with apprehension as it was so dark outside. "Be careful" she exclaimed.
After a while the boyfriend came around to the window. "The log we hit has damaged the car badly and we wont be able to drive it . I will need some help to fix it. I thought I saw a light on a few miles back so I will go and see if I can get help." His girlfriend said "No its too dangerous." He replied "Don't worry I'll be fine, anyway we have no choice".
The girl said, "I'm coming with you". "No you stay here and lock all the doors and no matter what, promise me you wont get out of the car". The girl felt very fearful but agreed to do as he said. More than an hour passed and the boyfriend had not returned. The girl began to worry and thought about getting out to go look for her boyfriend.
Then she remembered the promise she made to him and decided to wait a bit longer. She put on the radio to try and take her mind off the rising fear she felt. The only station she could pick up was a was a boring local country station. She listened to a few songs and then a news broadcast came on.
There was a story about an escapee form a local lunatic asylum. People were warned to lock all their doors as this deranged escapee was considered extremely dangerous. The girl became even more fearful but decided to stay put and wait for her boyfriend.
She must have dozed off for she was awoken by a loud "tap tap tap" on the roof of the car. Startled she looked out the windows to see if it was her boyfriend returned, but she could see nothing but darkness. The sound came again tap.......tap.......... tap, and she wondered what could be causing it?
Too fearful from the events which had passed that evening she could not bring herself to get out to see what it was. The noise continued tap......... tap......... tap, this went on for some time.
Suddenly she was blinded by harsh light and could see headlights shining through the front windscreen. She hesitated wondering if it was safe to get out when she heard a voice over a megaphone "You in the car, I want you to listen very carefully. I want you to slowly get out of the car and come toward me. I am a police officer and it is very important that you do exactly what I say. You are in danger. You must get out of the car immediately and slowly walk over here but whatever you do don't turn around and don't look back!"
She heard the noise again, tap........... tap.......... tap. Shaking with terror she slowly opened the car door . She climbed out of the car, the policeman said "that's it, now walk towards me without any sudden movement and remember whatever you do don't look back!" She quickened her pace as she got closer to the police car and as she almost reached the officer she couldn't help herself and turned around.
There on the roof of the car was a bent over figure of a man holding a stick, on the end of the stick she saw to her great horror her boyfriends severed head, the figure was banging it on the roof tap............ tap............. tap.
Spiders in Hair
Spiders are one of the scariest, most-detested creatures known to man. Urban legends play on that fear, further reinforcing that hatred.
There have been various urban legends involving spiders for decades and every now and then, a new spider story emerges. Usually the spider is nesting in a human body-part, or someone's hair.
The hair stories involve a hairstyle that is difficult to wash without ruining the hairdo, such as those big bouffant hairstyles which were popular in the 1950's, braids or dreadlocks. Consistent with these stories is the "victim" complaining of headaches or an itchy scalp.
The most common tale involves a teenage girl who, keeping with the current hairstyle trend, would continue to rat and style her bouffant hairdo without shampooing it. As she persisted in styling and applying hairspray, she noticed a spider clinging to a strand.
Apparently, she didn't think much of it at the time, but did complain of an itchy scalp. Later, when she died, it was discovered that hundreds of baby black widow spiders had hatched and delivered dozens of fatal bites.
Dreadlocks Infested with Spiders
Another similar urban legend has a young man with dreadlocks leaving the barber shop prematurely because the barber was clipping into his scalp while giving him a haircut.
Later, when he died, it was discovered that hordes of spiders had infested his hair and were continually biting him.
Variation
There was a woman about thirty years old who would always wear her hair up in a big bun, in layers on top of her head. She never took her hair down at all. Whenever it should have been washed, she just put hairspray on it. If her head itched, she would just spray it again. For one week, her head itched like crazy, but all she did was spray it with more hairspray.
Then one night, she died. When police had found her, her hair was still up in the layered bun. When they were getting her body ready for the funeral, for some reason they hadn't put down her hair. One woman who was helping get the clothes on the woman said, "I bet she would look pretty with her hair down." So, as the woman and two other people took down her hair, they found tons of baby spiders and fleas in her hair. They had eaten through her skull to where the brain was showing.
There have been various urban legends involving spiders for decades and every now and then, a new spider story emerges. Usually the spider is nesting in a human body-part, or someone's hair.
The hair stories involve a hairstyle that is difficult to wash without ruining the hairdo, such as those big bouffant hairstyles which were popular in the 1950's, braids or dreadlocks. Consistent with these stories is the "victim" complaining of headaches or an itchy scalp.
The most common tale involves a teenage girl who, keeping with the current hairstyle trend, would continue to rat and style her bouffant hairdo without shampooing it. As she persisted in styling and applying hairspray, she noticed a spider clinging to a strand.
Apparently, she didn't think much of it at the time, but did complain of an itchy scalp. Later, when she died, it was discovered that hundreds of baby black widow spiders had hatched and delivered dozens of fatal bites.
Dreadlocks Infested with Spiders
Another similar urban legend has a young man with dreadlocks leaving the barber shop prematurely because the barber was clipping into his scalp while giving him a haircut.
Later, when he died, it was discovered that hordes of spiders had infested his hair and were continually biting him.
Variation
There was a woman about thirty years old who would always wear her hair up in a big bun, in layers on top of her head. She never took her hair down at all. Whenever it should have been washed, she just put hairspray on it. If her head itched, she would just spray it again. For one week, her head itched like crazy, but all she did was spray it with more hairspray.
Then one night, she died. When police had found her, her hair was still up in the layered bun. When they were getting her body ready for the funeral, for some reason they hadn't put down her hair. One woman who was helping get the clothes on the woman said, "I bet she would look pretty with her hair down." So, as the woman and two other people took down her hair, they found tons of baby spiders and fleas in her hair. They had eaten through her skull to where the brain was showing.
Sara Jane Road
was told this story by a friend of mine and her mother when I was about eight years old. My family was somewhat new to town and my friend asked if I knew the story of "Sara Jane Road."
As the story goes, the old highway here in Southeast Texas which is called Sara Jane Road by local residents, is haunted by the ghost of Sara Jane and her baby. Legend has it that in Civil War times Sara Jane's husband was fighting in the war and it was just herself and her newborn that lived in a house out in the woods on this highway along the Neches River.
Word got to her that Union soldiers were on their way to her house, so she placed her baby in a wicker basket and set the basket under the wooden bridge that was near her house. She then returned to the house and hung herself from a tree out front.
If you stand on the bridge at midnight you can see a light flickering out in the woods that looks like a light of an old lantern and you can hear Sara Jane's moans & hollers, as she is looking for her baby that she left under the bridge. Some people say that on certain nights like Halloween or Friday the 13th you can actually see the ghost of Sara Jane wandering the woods with her lantern in search of her baby.
I have been out there many times as a young kid, about 18-20 years ago, with slumber parties and such, and have never seen any lights or ghosts. My friends' parents said they had seen these themselves when they were teenagers. I'm not even sure if there ever was anyone with the name Sara Jane that lived in this area.
As the story goes, the old highway here in Southeast Texas which is called Sara Jane Road by local residents, is haunted by the ghost of Sara Jane and her baby. Legend has it that in Civil War times Sara Jane's husband was fighting in the war and it was just herself and her newborn that lived in a house out in the woods on this highway along the Neches River.
Word got to her that Union soldiers were on their way to her house, so she placed her baby in a wicker basket and set the basket under the wooden bridge that was near her house. She then returned to the house and hung herself from a tree out front.
If you stand on the bridge at midnight you can see a light flickering out in the woods that looks like a light of an old lantern and you can hear Sara Jane's moans & hollers, as she is looking for her baby that she left under the bridge. Some people say that on certain nights like Halloween or Friday the 13th you can actually see the ghost of Sara Jane wandering the woods with her lantern in search of her baby.
I have been out there many times as a young kid, about 18-20 years ago, with slumber parties and such, and have never seen any lights or ghosts. My friends' parents said they had seen these themselves when they were teenagers. I'm not even sure if there ever was anyone with the name Sara Jane that lived in this area.
The Roommate
There was a girl who went back to her dorm room late one night to retrieve her books before heading over to her boyfriends dorm to spend the night. She entered the room, but knowing her roommate would be sleeping, she didn't turn on the light.
She stumbled around the room in the dark for several minutes, gathering what she would need before finally leaving. The next afternoon, she came back to her room to find it surrounded by police.
When asked if she lived there, she replied with a yes. They took her into the room, and there, written on the wall in blood, were the words, "Aren't you glad you didn't turn on the light?"
She stumbled around the room in the dark for several minutes, gathering what she would need before finally leaving. The next afternoon, she came back to her room to find it surrounded by police.
When asked if she lived there, she replied with a yes. They took her into the room, and there, written on the wall in blood, were the words, "Aren't you glad you didn't turn on the light?"
Ressurection Mary
One of the most famous, ghostly hitchhikers is Chicago’s Resurrection Mary. Reports and eyewitness accounts attest that beautiful, blonde, Mary was sighted on numerous occasions near Resurrection Cemetery wearing a long, white, flowing gown.
The first claims began back in 1930, after young Mary attended a dance at the O'Henry Ballroom (now called The Willowbrook Ballroom) and subsequently had an argument with her boyfriend. Mary fled the scene of the fight and hitchhiked down Archer Avenue on that cold winter night when she was tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident.
She was then buried in Resurrection Cemetery, which utilizes heavy bars on the front gate. Witnesses claim that Mary did not pass into the other world because they have seen her ghost haunting both Archer Avenue and the ballroom at which she danced that fateful night.
Several things remain common to those who encounter Resurrection Mary. She is a young blond-haired, blue-eyed girl, simply stunning to look at. Her attire has always been a long ball gown and dancing shoes. Her skin is cold and clammy to touch to those who have contact. If she was picked up by a driver, she disappears through the car or asks to be let off when they pass the cemetery.
In 1976, a passerby called the police after noticing a woman who appeared to be locked inside Resurrection Cemetery. When the police arrived, the woman was nowhere to be seen but there was physical evidence that the bars on the gate were bent apart. Not only that, her handprints were embedded into the bars.
It's unknown just who Resurrection Mary is and exactly what occurred the night she died. Nonetheless, she will remain one of Chicago's favorite ghosts because apparently, she does not want to be forgotten.
The first claims began back in 1930, after young Mary attended a dance at the O'Henry Ballroom (now called The Willowbrook Ballroom) and subsequently had an argument with her boyfriend. Mary fled the scene of the fight and hitchhiked down Archer Avenue on that cold winter night when she was tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident.
She was then buried in Resurrection Cemetery, which utilizes heavy bars on the front gate. Witnesses claim that Mary did not pass into the other world because they have seen her ghost haunting both Archer Avenue and the ballroom at which she danced that fateful night.
Several things remain common to those who encounter Resurrection Mary. She is a young blond-haired, blue-eyed girl, simply stunning to look at. Her attire has always been a long ball gown and dancing shoes. Her skin is cold and clammy to touch to those who have contact. If she was picked up by a driver, she disappears through the car or asks to be let off when they pass the cemetery.
In 1976, a passerby called the police after noticing a woman who appeared to be locked inside Resurrection Cemetery. When the police arrived, the woman was nowhere to be seen but there was physical evidence that the bars on the gate were bent apart. Not only that, her handprints were embedded into the bars.
It's unknown just who Resurrection Mary is and exactly what occurred the night she died. Nonetheless, she will remain one of Chicago's favorite ghosts because apparently, she does not want to be forgotten.
The Porcelain Doll
A teenage girl, popular, rich, and happy, was walking through a store with her mom and saw a beautiful porcelain doll, which would look great with her collection. She demanded that her mother buy it for her. He mother agreed, and got it for her.
As soon as the girl returned home, she unpacked the doll and set it on a stand above her bed. She then left her room and went out with her friends. When she got home, it was late and she was tired. She went to her room, put on her pajama's and tucked herself into bed.
When she woke up the next morning, she saw a note attached to her lamp beside her bed. It was from her mother, telling her they'd be out of town until next Sunday. She yawned and noticed that her cheek was sore, but she didn't pay much attention to it. She got dressed and went to school.
This went on for a few days until she woke up and her cheek was extremely sore. She decided she'd check it out in a minute or two, then went about her room, picking out what she would wear. She finally decided and walked over to her full body mirror and noticed a large, ugly lump on her cheek.
Figuring it was a pimple, she squeezed it... and felt something moving. All of the sudden, spiders began pulling themselves out of the lump. She screamed, but since there was no one home in her huge house, nobody heard her. She tore at the spiders but there were millions... and she died of the poison in their bites.
Apparently... there was a nest of spiders in the porcelain doll she'd gotten.
As soon as the girl returned home, she unpacked the doll and set it on a stand above her bed. She then left her room and went out with her friends. When she got home, it was late and she was tired. She went to her room, put on her pajama's and tucked herself into bed.
When she woke up the next morning, she saw a note attached to her lamp beside her bed. It was from her mother, telling her they'd be out of town until next Sunday. She yawned and noticed that her cheek was sore, but she didn't pay much attention to it. She got dressed and went to school.
This went on for a few days until she woke up and her cheek was extremely sore. She decided she'd check it out in a minute or two, then went about her room, picking out what she would wear. She finally decided and walked over to her full body mirror and noticed a large, ugly lump on her cheek.
Figuring it was a pimple, she squeezed it... and felt something moving. All of the sudden, spiders began pulling themselves out of the lump. She screamed, but since there was no one home in her huge house, nobody heard her. She tore at the spiders but there were millions... and she died of the poison in their bites.
Apparently... there was a nest of spiders in the porcelain doll she'd gotten.
The Old Woman in the Mall Parking Lot
One day at a shopping mall in the afternoon, a woman was coming out of the mall from a shopping spree. She was in a happy mood. She had gotten to her car and loaded her stuff that she had bought into her trunk. When she was done loading, she shut the door of her trunk and she saw an old lady standing by the passenger side of her car.
The old woman said "Would you be a darling and give me a lift home? I don't have a car and I was walking all day." The woman said "I'd be happy to." So she unlocked the door for the old woman.
As she started to make her way around the car to the driver's side, she started to feel uncomfortable. So when she got in the car, she looked in her purse and said "Darn, I can't find my credit card. I'm going inside to see if anybody found it." The old woman said "I'll wait for you here."
The woman left to go look for help. Then she found a security guard and told him the situation. They went back to the woman's car and the passenger door was wide open. On the seat of the car was a shopping bag that the old woman had been carrying. Inside of the bag was the old woman's dress and a gray haired wig, along with a huge butcher's knife and a roll of duct tape.
The old woman said "Would you be a darling and give me a lift home? I don't have a car and I was walking all day." The woman said "I'd be happy to." So she unlocked the door for the old woman.
As she started to make her way around the car to the driver's side, she started to feel uncomfortable. So when she got in the car, she looked in her purse and said "Darn, I can't find my credit card. I'm going inside to see if anybody found it." The old woman said "I'll wait for you here."
The woman left to go look for help. Then she found a security guard and told him the situation. They went back to the woman's car and the passenger door was wide open. On the seat of the car was a shopping bag that the old woman had been carrying. Inside of the bag was the old woman's dress and a gray haired wig, along with a huge butcher's knife and a roll of duct tape.
The killer in the backseat
The "Killer in the Backseat" story plays on our fears that danger is right under our noses and we are not aware of it. This story was conceived in the late 1960's and has been circulated ever since. Some more recent versions of this story involved gang members out on initiation night, others involve modern gas stations. The story here is in a more traditional form and goes something like this...
On a moonless, foggy night, my friend was sleepy and having trouble driving on the road due to a recent rain. She was getting frustrated because she was running low on gas and there was no sign of civilization anywhere. Not knowing where the next town was, she was ready to pull over and get some sleep when she noticed a tiny, rundown gas station.
She pulled in and asked for the attendant to fill up her tank. She noticed he was acting very odd -- and somewhat irritated. He finally proceeded to fuel her car and then told her to open up the hood because "something didn't sound right."
Reluctant and afraid of the odd-acting attendant, she didn't want to be stranded later on down the road, so she got out. When she neared the front of the car, the attendant grabbed her and said she would have to step inside. With his hand over her mouth silencing her, he dragged her into the station.
Very afraid, she struggled, and the attendant let her go and blocked the door. He then said "There is a man crouched down in the backseat of your car and I didn't want him to know that I'd seen him."
After calling the police, my friend then learned that the stranger in her backseat was a serial killer who stowed away in her back seat, planning to make her his next victim.
On a moonless, foggy night, my friend was sleepy and having trouble driving on the road due to a recent rain. She was getting frustrated because she was running low on gas and there was no sign of civilization anywhere. Not knowing where the next town was, she was ready to pull over and get some sleep when she noticed a tiny, rundown gas station.
She pulled in and asked for the attendant to fill up her tank. She noticed he was acting very odd -- and somewhat irritated. He finally proceeded to fuel her car and then told her to open up the hood because "something didn't sound right."
Reluctant and afraid of the odd-acting attendant, she didn't want to be stranded later on down the road, so she got out. When she neared the front of the car, the attendant grabbed her and said she would have to step inside. With his hand over her mouth silencing her, he dragged her into the station.
Very afraid, she struggled, and the attendant let her go and blocked the door. He then said "There is a man crouched down in the backseat of your car and I didn't want him to know that I'd seen him."
After calling the police, my friend then learned that the stranger in her backseat was a serial killer who stowed away in her back seat, planning to make her his next victim.
Kidney Theft, Harvesting
t all started in the late 1990's -- when a rumor began circulating around the United States by e-mail that an organized crime ring was drugging transients and unsuspecting people, harvesting some vital body organs (particularly the kidneys) and selling them on the black market. The urban legend had been around since the beginning of the decade, but spread like wildfire with the easy accessibility of e-mail several years later.
The e-mail message with the topic labeled "Travelers Beware" hit inboxes everywhere, causing a panic and bombardment of phone calls to authorities across the nation. As the story evolved, these kidney thefts were soon taking place in Las Vegas, Houston, New Orleans and other major U.S. cities.
The story takes on different forms with some aspects consistent every time. Often the victim is a business traveler who stops at the hotel bar for a drink. A person befriends them and offers them another drink. The next thing the businessman knows, he is laying in a bathtub, submerged up to his neck in ice, with a note advising him to call 911 for assistance. The 911 operator apparently knows what happened as she asks him if there is a tube protruding from his lower back. This indicates that there have been previous cases of kidney harvesting and gives further "credibility" to the story.
Sometimes the account involves a man at a bar who incidentally drinks too much and is invited to a motel room by a beautiful woman. She gives him another drink and he wakes up hours later in the bathtub packed in ice. This plays on the fear of talking and befriending strangers, especially if you're in an unfamiliar city.
In every instance, these stories describe the ice, a precise incision, a sterile environment and lack of complications -- signifying that the person stealing the kidney was a professional surgeon and knew exactly what he/she was doing.
If these stories are true, why don't they ever give you any specific information, such as a first and last name of the victim, or the hospital they were taken to? In the e-mails, the victim of the kidney harvesting is a friend of a friend, a cousin's friend, the neighbor's nephew and (as usual) is never anyone you can verify the information with.
This hoax has some folks afraid to go out at night. They are not aware that it's an urban legend, just a particularly frightening one. Even so, it does give you an incredible apprehension of drinking at a nightclub with a stranger.
Update: A reader sent in a link to a fairly current story about "Dr. Horror" in Toronto, Canada, who is the alleged ring leader of a kidney theft racket in India. This just may prove that truth is as strange as "fiction." The question now is which came first?
The e-mail message with the topic labeled "Travelers Beware" hit inboxes everywhere, causing a panic and bombardment of phone calls to authorities across the nation. As the story evolved, these kidney thefts were soon taking place in Las Vegas, Houston, New Orleans and other major U.S. cities.
The story takes on different forms with some aspects consistent every time. Often the victim is a business traveler who stops at the hotel bar for a drink. A person befriends them and offers them another drink. The next thing the businessman knows, he is laying in a bathtub, submerged up to his neck in ice, with a note advising him to call 911 for assistance. The 911 operator apparently knows what happened as she asks him if there is a tube protruding from his lower back. This indicates that there have been previous cases of kidney harvesting and gives further "credibility" to the story.
Sometimes the account involves a man at a bar who incidentally drinks too much and is invited to a motel room by a beautiful woman. She gives him another drink and he wakes up hours later in the bathtub packed in ice. This plays on the fear of talking and befriending strangers, especially if you're in an unfamiliar city.
In every instance, these stories describe the ice, a precise incision, a sterile environment and lack of complications -- signifying that the person stealing the kidney was a professional surgeon and knew exactly what he/she was doing.
If these stories are true, why don't they ever give you any specific information, such as a first and last name of the victim, or the hospital they were taken to? In the e-mails, the victim of the kidney harvesting is a friend of a friend, a cousin's friend, the neighbor's nephew and (as usual) is never anyone you can verify the information with.
This hoax has some folks afraid to go out at night. They are not aware that it's an urban legend, just a particularly frightening one. Even so, it does give you an incredible apprehension of drinking at a nightclub with a stranger.
Update: A reader sent in a link to a fairly current story about "Dr. Horror" in Toronto, Canada, who is the alleged ring leader of a kidney theft racket in India. This just may prove that truth is as strange as "fiction." The question now is which came first?
Humans can Lick too
My great-grandmother lived alone up in the mountains at her cabin. Her husband had died, so she was there all alone. She only had one companion, and that was her loving dog. They both loved each other very much and the dog loved her and comforted her. Every night when she went to bed, the dog would lick her hand to let her know that he was there to protect her.
One night, she had gone to bed and the dog had licked her hand like he had done routinely every night since her husband died. But this night was different. She had woken up in the middle of the night because she heard her dog whimpering. She wanted to comfort him and let her know she was there for him, so she stuck her hand out by the bed and she felt the dog gently lick her hand like always. She figured he was just cold so she went back to sleep.
The dog's whimpering had woken her up a second time in the night so she stuck her hand out, the dog licked it and she went back to sleep. This happened a third time, and she stuck her hand out and the dog stopped whimpering and came and licked her hand. She stayed awake a few moments afterward and the dog had stopped whimpering. She went back to sleep again.
In the morning, she woke up and stuck her hand out by the bed, but nothing licked her hand. She thought that the dog had already awaken and was just in the front room. She rolled over and got out of bed and heard a drip......drip.....drip.....drip, so she walked into the kitchen and turned the handles on the sink faucet, but it wasn't dripping.
She continued into her bathroom to take a shower. As she walked in, the drips got louder! She turned and looked above the bathtub and SCREAMED! There, hanging from the light by his tail, was her loving companion, with his blood dripping into the bathtub. She screamed and began to cry. Wiping her eyes and sobbing, she turned around and looked at the mirror. In the mirror she saw the dog hanging and written on the mirror in her dog's blood with drips and streaks hanging down from each letter, written with a finger, were the words........HUMAN'S CAN LICK TOO!
Continuing to sob and cry, she left the house and moved in with her daughter (my grandmother) and told her the story, who told my mother, who told me, and we have continued to tell the story throughout our family's generations.
One night, she had gone to bed and the dog had licked her hand like he had done routinely every night since her husband died. But this night was different. She had woken up in the middle of the night because she heard her dog whimpering. She wanted to comfort him and let her know she was there for him, so she stuck her hand out by the bed and she felt the dog gently lick her hand like always. She figured he was just cold so she went back to sleep.
The dog's whimpering had woken her up a second time in the night so she stuck her hand out, the dog licked it and she went back to sleep. This happened a third time, and she stuck her hand out and the dog stopped whimpering and came and licked her hand. She stayed awake a few moments afterward and the dog had stopped whimpering. She went back to sleep again.
In the morning, she woke up and stuck her hand out by the bed, but nothing licked her hand. She thought that the dog had already awaken and was just in the front room. She rolled over and got out of bed and heard a drip......drip.....drip.....drip, so she walked into the kitchen and turned the handles on the sink faucet, but it wasn't dripping.
She continued into her bathroom to take a shower. As she walked in, the drips got louder! She turned and looked above the bathtub and SCREAMED! There, hanging from the light by his tail, was her loving companion, with his blood dripping into the bathtub. She screamed and began to cry. Wiping her eyes and sobbing, she turned around and looked at the mirror. In the mirror she saw the dog hanging and written on the mirror in her dog's blood with drips and streaks hanging down from each letter, written with a finger, were the words........HUMAN'S CAN LICK TOO!
Continuing to sob and cry, she left the house and moved in with her daughter (my grandmother) and told her the story, who told my mother, who told me, and we have continued to tell the story throughout our family's generations.
Detect a Two-Way Mirror with the Fingernail Test
Here we go again. Yesterday, I received an alarming e-mail telling me how to tell if a mirror is one-way or two-way by looking for a gap between an object such as your fingernail placed up against the mirror, and the reflective image of the object. As the myth goes, if there is a gap, the test proves that the mirror is, in fact, one-way. No gap and you're being spied on with a two-way mirror.
Here is a copy of the actual e-mail I received:
"I don't know if this is true but I guess it doesn't hurt to add this to our information what with all the NUTS out there.
The Fingernail Test
Hi There - this is very interesting! A policewoman who travels all over the US and gives seminars and techniques for business women passed this on.
Do you know how to determine if a mirror is 2-way or not?
This is not to scare you, but to make you aware. This is really interesting. Try it with a 'regular' mirror, and you can easily see what the gap means. This is a MUST read!!
When we visit toilets, bathrooms, hotel rooms, changing rooms, etc., how many of you know for sure that the seemingly ordinary mirror hanging on the wall is a real mirror, or actually a 2-way mirror? (i.e., they can see you maybe taking pictures], but you can't see them).
There have been many cases of people installing 2-way mirrors in female changing rooms. It is very difficult to positively identify the surface by just looking at it. So, how do we determine with any amount of certainty what type of mirror we are looking at?
Just conduct this simple test: Place the tip of your fingernail [ball-point pen, eyebrow pencil. any object] against the reflective surface and if there IS A GAP between your fingernail and the image of the nail, then it is a GENUINE mirror.
However, if your fingernail DIRECTLY TOUCHES the image of your nail, then BEWARE, BECAUSE IT IS a 2-WAY MIRROR!
REMEMBER...every time you see a mirror, do the "fingernail test." It doesn't cost you anything, it is simple to do, and it might save you from getting visually raped!"
REMEMBER..."NO SPACE, LEAVE THE PLACE!"
Ladies: Share this with your girlfriends, sisters, daughters, etc.
Men: Share this with your wives, daughters, daughters-in law, mothers, girlfriends and/or friends.
Everyone...please give this wide dissemination!"
END
Here is a copy of the actual e-mail I received:
"I don't know if this is true but I guess it doesn't hurt to add this to our information what with all the NUTS out there.
The Fingernail Test
Hi There - this is very interesting! A policewoman who travels all over the US and gives seminars and techniques for business women passed this on.
Do you know how to determine if a mirror is 2-way or not?
This is not to scare you, but to make you aware. This is really interesting. Try it with a 'regular' mirror, and you can easily see what the gap means. This is a MUST read!!
When we visit toilets, bathrooms, hotel rooms, changing rooms, etc., how many of you know for sure that the seemingly ordinary mirror hanging on the wall is a real mirror, or actually a 2-way mirror? (i.e., they can see you maybe taking pictures], but you can't see them).
There have been many cases of people installing 2-way mirrors in female changing rooms. It is very difficult to positively identify the surface by just looking at it. So, how do we determine with any amount of certainty what type of mirror we are looking at?
Just conduct this simple test: Place the tip of your fingernail [ball-point pen, eyebrow pencil. any object] against the reflective surface and if there IS A GAP between your fingernail and the image of the nail, then it is a GENUINE mirror.
However, if your fingernail DIRECTLY TOUCHES the image of your nail, then BEWARE, BECAUSE IT IS a 2-WAY MIRROR!
REMEMBER...every time you see a mirror, do the "fingernail test." It doesn't cost you anything, it is simple to do, and it might save you from getting visually raped!"
REMEMBER..."NO SPACE, LEAVE THE PLACE!"
Ladies: Share this with your girlfriends, sisters, daughters, etc.
Men: Share this with your wives, daughters, daughters-in law, mothers, girlfriends and/or friends.
Everyone...please give this wide dissemination!"
END
The Hook
As with any urban legend, the stories are similar. They stray off a little from each other, and add it's own elements of surprise. This makes it very difficult to know which one was the original. This is the first one I heard:
A teenage couple drove to Lover's Lane and were making out when the music was interrupted with a special bulletin. The radio announcer said that there was a mass murderer who had just escaped from the local insane asylum and was on the loose. The announcer then urged everyone to "be on the lookout" and stay indoors.
Immediately, the girl was frightened and she urged her boyfriend to take her home. He insisted that everything was okay and continued to kiss her. She heard a strange thumping noise, pulled away, and insisted they leave. Although he was irritated, he realized that the mood was broken and drove her on home.
When they arrived at her house, her door was stuck and wouldn't open. When the boy walked around to her side of the car to let her out, he was shocked to find a hook lodged in the door handle. Needless to say, they were very lucky that night.
A teenage couple drove to Lover's Lane and were making out when the music was interrupted with a special bulletin. The radio announcer said that there was a mass murderer who had just escaped from the local insane asylum and was on the loose. The announcer then urged everyone to "be on the lookout" and stay indoors.
Immediately, the girl was frightened and she urged her boyfriend to take her home. He insisted that everything was okay and continued to kiss her. She heard a strange thumping noise, pulled away, and insisted they leave. Although he was irritated, he realized that the mood was broken and drove her on home.
When they arrived at her house, her door was stuck and wouldn't open. When the boy walked around to her side of the car to let her out, he was shocked to find a hook lodged in the door handle. Needless to say, they were very lucky that night.
The Hitchhiker Story
When I was a little girl, about 10 years old, I heard a story about a guy who was driving down a dark country road on his way home from work. He was driving along and he saw a young girl, about 17 or 18 years old, standing on the side of the road. He pulled over and picked her up. He asked her what she was doing out there all alone, and she said she needed to get home very quickly before her parents got upset. So the man took her home, watched her go inside and then he left.
As he drove off he noticed that she had left her sweater in his car, so he figured he would bring it back to her tomorrow. He drove home and went to bed. The next morning after breakfast, he went to return the sweater. When he arrived, he knocked on the door and a old woman answered the door. He held out the sweater and told the lady that the girl had left it in his car the night before. All of a sudden the lady started crying and saying, "There is no way she could have left that in your car, she has been dead for 40 years!"
The story of the young lady goes this way.....She was on her way home from a high school dance when her boyfriend and her got in to a car accident and died instantly. The ghost of the young lady hangs around, getting men of all ages to pick her up and take her home - always leaving something behind. I have heard this story many times over the years, one
time it was a cop that picked her up, the other times it's just some
tired man driving home from work.
As he drove off he noticed that she had left her sweater in his car, so he figured he would bring it back to her tomorrow. He drove home and went to bed. The next morning after breakfast, he went to return the sweater. When he arrived, he knocked on the door and a old woman answered the door. He held out the sweater and told the lady that the girl had left it in his car the night before. All of a sudden the lady started crying and saying, "There is no way she could have left that in your car, she has been dead for 40 years!"
The story of the young lady goes this way.....She was on her way home from a high school dance when her boyfriend and her got in to a car accident and died instantly. The ghost of the young lady hangs around, getting men of all ages to pick her up and take her home - always leaving something behind. I have heard this story many times over the years, one
time it was a cop that picked her up, the other times it's just some
tired man driving home from work.
Goatman Legend
Of all fantasy-creatures who is said to live in lonely, often romantic places, is the appalling and dangerous Goatman, a creature you should avoid at all costs. He is one of the USA's most horrific monsters: half man, half goat. He appears on quiet roads, often in the state Maryland, with a shiny axe that he uses for chopping up teenagers.
The police have always had problems catching the Goatman because his strong legs and endless stamina always allow him to get away. No one knows exactly where he came from. Legend has it that he is the result of a top-secret experiment, approved by Washington, D.C. and conducted by the local authorities. Something went tragically wrong.
According to rumors, a scientist was conducting experiments on animals to improve human's physical abilities. Unfortunately, an experiment with a goat went horribly wrong. A power failure took place and a strange mix occurred. When the smoke settled, the scientist had become a monster, some part man, some part goat. Insane with disappointment and fear of what would happen to him, he ran screaming out into the night. The Goatman was loose...
Because of his horrific look, the Goatman developed a special hatred for young, pretty teenagers and his life is now dedicated to killing them. Some of his victims survive because they are in cars when the attacks occur. It appears the monster likes to jump up on the cars and scare the heck out of them. When particularly blood thirsty, he chops the tires so they can't get away. The evil creature then drags them with him, deep into the forest, where he consumes them with great pleasure.
Maybe he is just a story to scare away young couples from places where
they can be alone and make out. Or, maybe not. My advice: if you have to stop, lock your car doors, and look around for anything strange. Do not stop the car in the middle of the woods under any circumstances.
The police have always had problems catching the Goatman because his strong legs and endless stamina always allow him to get away. No one knows exactly where he came from. Legend has it that he is the result of a top-secret experiment, approved by Washington, D.C. and conducted by the local authorities. Something went tragically wrong.
According to rumors, a scientist was conducting experiments on animals to improve human's physical abilities. Unfortunately, an experiment with a goat went horribly wrong. A power failure took place and a strange mix occurred. When the smoke settled, the scientist had become a monster, some part man, some part goat. Insane with disappointment and fear of what would happen to him, he ran screaming out into the night. The Goatman was loose...
Because of his horrific look, the Goatman developed a special hatred for young, pretty teenagers and his life is now dedicated to killing them. Some of his victims survive because they are in cars when the attacks occur. It appears the monster likes to jump up on the cars and scare the heck out of them. When particularly blood thirsty, he chops the tires so they can't get away. The evil creature then drags them with him, deep into the forest, where he consumes them with great pleasure.
Maybe he is just a story to scare away young couples from places where
they can be alone and make out. Or, maybe not. My advice: if you have to stop, lock your car doors, and look around for anything strange. Do not stop the car in the middle of the woods under any circumstances.
Ghost Tracks
This is the legend of the haunted "Ghost Tracks" in San Antonio, Texas. The story is that in the early 1930's or '40's, there was a school bus carrying kids, making it's route and dropping them off after school. When the bus was going uphill over some railroad tracks, it stalled. Suddenly, a train, going too fast, crashed into the bus, killing all of the passengers.
While the ghost tracks is known to be the place to go on Halloween, it's visited by regular folks on any day of the week. I've gone there three times in the past five months with family members. I'm not from Texas, but the point of going there is the phenomenon that occurs. If you park your vehicle fifty yards away from the tracks, place it in neutral and turn off the engine, your vehicle will roll up and over the tracks.
We've tried it different ways and each time, it worked. We put the brakes on as we were coming over the tracks and we still rolled over them. We parked at the bottom of the tracks as were mysteriously pushed away. We were not allowed to go back up the hill. To attest to the ghost track's popularity, many people were there on all three nights that we visited.
It is said that the spirits of the kids who died on the bus push the cars away from the train tracks so the passengers don't experience the same fate. Legend has it that if you put powder on the back of your vehicle, you can clearly see small handprints in it, after the vehicle is pushed. I have seen many people do this and look for the handprints after they are over the tracks. I don't know if they found any and we didn't use powder.
Another creepy thing is that the roads near the railroad tracks are named after the children who died in the accident. The ghost tracks are on Shane Road. There's also Cindy Sue, Bobbi Allen, Richey Otis, Laura Lee Way, and Nancy Carole. I read a book that my grandmother bought form me called "Spirits of San Antonio and South Texas" by Docia Shultz Williams and Reneta Bryne. This book is interesting and has a couple of pages about the ghost tracks.
While the ghost tracks is known to be the place to go on Halloween, it's visited by regular folks on any day of the week. I've gone there three times in the past five months with family members. I'm not from Texas, but the point of going there is the phenomenon that occurs. If you park your vehicle fifty yards away from the tracks, place it in neutral and turn off the engine, your vehicle will roll up and over the tracks.
We've tried it different ways and each time, it worked. We put the brakes on as we were coming over the tracks and we still rolled over them. We parked at the bottom of the tracks as were mysteriously pushed away. We were not allowed to go back up the hill. To attest to the ghost track's popularity, many people were there on all three nights that we visited.
It is said that the spirits of the kids who died on the bus push the cars away from the train tracks so the passengers don't experience the same fate. Legend has it that if you put powder on the back of your vehicle, you can clearly see small handprints in it, after the vehicle is pushed. I have seen many people do this and look for the handprints after they are over the tracks. I don't know if they found any and we didn't use powder.
Another creepy thing is that the roads near the railroad tracks are named after the children who died in the accident. The ghost tracks are on Shane Road. There's also Cindy Sue, Bobbi Allen, Richey Otis, Laura Lee Way, and Nancy Carole. I read a book that my grandmother bought form me called "Spirits of San Antonio and South Texas" by Docia Shultz Williams and Reneta Bryne. This book is interesting and has a couple of pages about the ghost tracks.
The Furry Collar
Once, there were two girls named Mary and Karen having a sleepover. It was being held at Karen's house because her parents were out of town. In fact, every time Karen's parents went out of town, they had a sleepover because Karen was afraid to stay by herself. It was Halloween and once again, Karen's parents were out of town. When Mary rang the doorbell, Karen answered wearing a beautiful silk nightgown. It was blood-red and had a furry collar. Mary envied Karen for having that nightgown.
They began to watch some scary movies. All of the sudden, Mary heard a soft "thump, thump, thump, thump." She was frightened and looked at Karen, who didn't seem to notice. As the night progressed, Mary heard the thumping noise intermittently and it seemed to be growing nearer. When the noise sounded from right behind them, the electricity and lights went out. Mary and Karen ran screaming, up to the second floor, into Karen's room. It was now midnight and the two girls were scared to death.
Suddenly, Karen got up and ran out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Mary sat there for what seemed like an eternity. After a long silence, she heard the thumping noise again. It seemed to be coming up the stairs, getting louder and louder. Thump, Thump THUMP, THUMP, THUMP! Then, it stopped. Mary thought she heard someone standing on the other side of the door and bravely got up and opened it.
Mary couldn't see a thing, so she reached out her arm and felt Karen's soft silk nightgown. Then, she reached up to feel her favorite part of the nightgown, the furry collar. When she reached higher, there was nothing but a bloody stump!! When the lights came on, she discovered that her poor friend had been decapitated! The neighbors heard her screaming at the top of her lungs and called the police. When the police arrived, they found Karen's dead body, and Mary, with snow-white hair, completely insane!!!
They began to watch some scary movies. All of the sudden, Mary heard a soft "thump, thump, thump, thump." She was frightened and looked at Karen, who didn't seem to notice. As the night progressed, Mary heard the thumping noise intermittently and it seemed to be growing nearer. When the noise sounded from right behind them, the electricity and lights went out. Mary and Karen ran screaming, up to the second floor, into Karen's room. It was now midnight and the two girls were scared to death.
Suddenly, Karen got up and ran out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Mary sat there for what seemed like an eternity. After a long silence, she heard the thumping noise again. It seemed to be coming up the stairs, getting louder and louder. Thump, Thump THUMP, THUMP, THUMP! Then, it stopped. Mary thought she heard someone standing on the other side of the door and bravely got up and opened it.
Mary couldn't see a thing, so she reached out her arm and felt Karen's soft silk nightgown. Then, she reached up to feel her favorite part of the nightgown, the furry collar. When she reached higher, there was nothing but a bloody stump!! When the lights came on, she discovered that her poor friend had been decapitated! The neighbors heard her screaming at the top of her lungs and called the police. When the police arrived, they found Karen's dead body, and Mary, with snow-white hair, completely insane!!!
Emily Rose: The True Story of Anneliese Michel
This is not an urban legend. It is a true story about a young woman in Bavaria, Germany who was thought to be possessed by evil spirits and went through a grueling exorcism. Sadly, Anneliese Michel (aka: Emily Rose) did not survive and the controversy regarding her exorcism remains to this day.
Anneliese Michel was brought up in a hard-working, faithful catholic family. She was a typical girl who moved to a big city after receiving a scholarship. Not long after starting classes, this 19-year-old college freshman began exhibiting bizarre behavior, typical to those who were thought to be possessed.
Distraught, Anneliese then seeks medical advice and the doctor tells her that she experienced a grand-mal seizure and that she has epilepsy. Anneliese then turns to her priest who believes that she is possessed by an evil force.
As time passes, it is clear to the priest and her parents that an exorcism must be performed to save her. It was approved by the diocese and began, strangely enough, on Halloween. Lasting for several months, the procedure took it's toll on Anneliese, the priests, and her family.
Anneliese was often violent and her behavior was what "normal" people would find repulsive. She engaged in self-mutilation, attacked family members, ate insects, was verbally abusive, and destroyed religious symbols. This all takes it's toll and Anneliese dies a tragic death in 1976, embarrassing the church and outraging others.
Forensic evidence concludes that Anneliese starved to death and subsequent investigations into her untimely death leads to arguments as to whether Anneliese was really possessed by evil spirits or had epilepsy. Two priests and her parents (who truly believed that she was possessed) were accused of negligent homicide and later found guilty of manslaughter.
This all will be depicted on the big screen in September, 2005, with the release of a movie called "The Exorcism of Emily Rose." The movie hasn't been released to the general public yet and how accurate it is to the facts remain to be seen. Early reviews are divided and the question still remains. Was the behavior that Emily Rose exhibited that of an epileptic, or that of someone truly possessed by demonic spirits?
Anneliese Michel was brought up in a hard-working, faithful catholic family. She was a typical girl who moved to a big city after receiving a scholarship. Not long after starting classes, this 19-year-old college freshman began exhibiting bizarre behavior, typical to those who were thought to be possessed.
Distraught, Anneliese then seeks medical advice and the doctor tells her that she experienced a grand-mal seizure and that she has epilepsy. Anneliese then turns to her priest who believes that she is possessed by an evil force.
As time passes, it is clear to the priest and her parents that an exorcism must be performed to save her. It was approved by the diocese and began, strangely enough, on Halloween. Lasting for several months, the procedure took it's toll on Anneliese, the priests, and her family.
Anneliese was often violent and her behavior was what "normal" people would find repulsive. She engaged in self-mutilation, attacked family members, ate insects, was verbally abusive, and destroyed religious symbols. This all takes it's toll and Anneliese dies a tragic death in 1976, embarrassing the church and outraging others.
Forensic evidence concludes that Anneliese starved to death and subsequent investigations into her untimely death leads to arguments as to whether Anneliese was really possessed by evil spirits or had epilepsy. Two priests and her parents (who truly believed that she was possessed) were accused of negligent homicide and later found guilty of manslaughter.
This all will be depicted on the big screen in September, 2005, with the release of a movie called "The Exorcism of Emily Rose." The movie hasn't been released to the general public yet and how accurate it is to the facts remain to be seen. Early reviews are divided and the question still remains. Was the behavior that Emily Rose exhibited that of an epileptic, or that of someone truly possessed by demonic spirits?
Dopplegangers
Very frightening and extremely intriguing, is the legend of doppelgangers, who prey on their human counterpart. So what is a doppelganger? The term originated in Germany, meaning a "double walker," or "ghostly double" of a living person.
Although there is no evidence or solid proof, there are many theories. One theory is that everybody has a body double. Of each, one is good and one is exceptionally evil. Assuming you are the good one, the other one is probably evil, and can be just an apparition trapped in another time or dimension.
Urban Legend
Legend has it that if you come face to face with your doppelganger, it's an omen or warning of death -- for both you and your twin. Because of this, if you see a replica of yourself, run for your life. If you keep seeing your doppelganger, chances are that your days are numbered, because you'll soon see your demise.
There are many stories regarding encounters with doppelgangers, none of them pleasant. Often, a person does not actually see their own doppelganger, but someone else does. Can you be two places at once? No, but it's a very strange feeling when someone who knows you very well insists that they saw you just thirty minutes ago -- and you were nowhere in the vicinity. Imagine this happening time and time again and you'll soon go insane.
Hence, the myth that a doppelganger will precede the arrival of the real person. Many stories explaining their experiences with these apparitions have this in common. Perhaps he's one step ahead of you?
Alex sent in a compelling story last year, just before Halloween. He describes some unsettling incidences, but had no idea what the cause was. The story was edited for only grammar and was published with the title of The Cemetery Mimic. Lauryl writes in a few weeks later, stating that she believes this story depicts repeated encounters with a doppelganger.
So are there really doppelgangers or is it just a creepy urban legend? You're not likely to believe it if you've never had an experience with one. Whether Alex really has one is just speculation and how the story is interpreted. The story rings true, but Alex is probably not in any danger as there's no solid proof of doppelgangers or of someone meeting their demise after seeing their own. Regardless, the legend lives on.
Although there is no evidence or solid proof, there are many theories. One theory is that everybody has a body double. Of each, one is good and one is exceptionally evil. Assuming you are the good one, the other one is probably evil, and can be just an apparition trapped in another time or dimension.
Urban Legend
Legend has it that if you come face to face with your doppelganger, it's an omen or warning of death -- for both you and your twin. Because of this, if you see a replica of yourself, run for your life. If you keep seeing your doppelganger, chances are that your days are numbered, because you'll soon see your demise.
There are many stories regarding encounters with doppelgangers, none of them pleasant. Often, a person does not actually see their own doppelganger, but someone else does. Can you be two places at once? No, but it's a very strange feeling when someone who knows you very well insists that they saw you just thirty minutes ago -- and you were nowhere in the vicinity. Imagine this happening time and time again and you'll soon go insane.
Hence, the myth that a doppelganger will precede the arrival of the real person. Many stories explaining their experiences with these apparitions have this in common. Perhaps he's one step ahead of you?
Alex sent in a compelling story last year, just before Halloween. He describes some unsettling incidences, but had no idea what the cause was. The story was edited for only grammar and was published with the title of The Cemetery Mimic. Lauryl writes in a few weeks later, stating that she believes this story depicts repeated encounters with a doppelganger.
So are there really doppelgangers or is it just a creepy urban legend? You're not likely to believe it if you've never had an experience with one. Whether Alex really has one is just speculation and how the story is interpreted. The story rings true, but Alex is probably not in any danger as there's no solid proof of doppelgangers or of someone meeting their demise after seeing their own. Regardless, the legend lives on.
The Dripping Tap, Drip... Drip... Drip...
There once was a woman who lived all alone, except for the company of her beloved canine friend. Every night the dog would curl up in his basket beside his bed where he slept, and every night the dog would lick her hand to say goodnight.
One night, she woke up in the middle of the night to hear a "drip...drip...drip..." sound coming from somewhere in the house. She got out of bed, and went into the kitchen where she tightened the tap. Then she went back to bed, the dog licked her hand goodnight and she went back to sleep.
Another hour later she woke up again and once again she heard the consistent "drip...drip...drip" sound. She got out of bed and this time went into the bathroom where she tightened the tap. After feeling that this time she had done the trick she went back to bed, received a lick on the hand and went to sleep.
The next time she woke up, morning had dawned. She got out of bed, and made her way to the bathroom. Although when she entered the bathroom, she was greeted by a shocking sight. Her dog was hanging from the shower curtain, and it's blood was still going "drip...drip....drip...."
One night, she woke up in the middle of the night to hear a "drip...drip...drip..." sound coming from somewhere in the house. She got out of bed, and went into the kitchen where she tightened the tap. Then she went back to bed, the dog licked her hand goodnight and she went back to sleep.
Another hour later she woke up again and once again she heard the consistent "drip...drip...drip" sound. She got out of bed and this time went into the bathroom where she tightened the tap. After feeling that this time she had done the trick she went back to bed, received a lick on the hand and went to sleep.
The next time she woke up, morning had dawned. She got out of bed, and made her way to the bathroom. Although when she entered the bathroom, she was greeted by a shocking sight. Her dog was hanging from the shower curtain, and it's blood was still going "drip...drip....drip...."
The cursed videotape
The idea of a cursed videotape has been in existence for a very long time at my home in New Orleans, LA. It is a different version from both movies, The Ring, and it's Japanese predecessor, Ringu...
I heard the legend of a videotape that will kill you within forty-eight hours after watching it at a bonfire when I was younger. The story behind the legend is that these college girls are having a slumber party and go to rent a video at a local dealer. The girls cannot agree on a film, so one of them asks for help. The clerk states that she has just the thing and disappears into the back room.
Meanwhile, one girl sees a box-less tape laying on the counter and reaches toward it. Just then, the clerk comes out from the back and tells her not to touch it and hands her an older film. The girl asks about the first tape, and the woman tells her that it is just a home movie. The girls agree to rent the tape that the woman suggests. While they are checking out, the girl who asked for help swipes the "home movie" tape.
Back at their house, the girl tells the others about the tape she swiped and they laugh, telling her that she is dumb for stealing some woman's home movies. Still, they ask her to play the tape. She puts the tape in and then the power goes out -- but the television stays on.
The video starts playing and shows a black woman being burned for practicing witchcraft and hoodoo. She utters a curse that all who witness her death will face the same fate in two-days time. The VCR begins to make skipping sounds and then cuts off. As promised, the girls died forty-eight hours after watching the tape. They all met their demise in unrealistic places such as the pool or ice rink.
I heard the legend of a videotape that will kill you within forty-eight hours after watching it at a bonfire when I was younger. The story behind the legend is that these college girls are having a slumber party and go to rent a video at a local dealer. The girls cannot agree on a film, so one of them asks for help. The clerk states that she has just the thing and disappears into the back room.
Meanwhile, one girl sees a box-less tape laying on the counter and reaches toward it. Just then, the clerk comes out from the back and tells her not to touch it and hands her an older film. The girl asks about the first tape, and the woman tells her that it is just a home movie. The girls agree to rent the tape that the woman suggests. While they are checking out, the girl who asked for help swipes the "home movie" tape.
Back at their house, the girl tells the others about the tape she swiped and they laugh, telling her that she is dumb for stealing some woman's home movies. Still, they ask her to play the tape. She puts the tape in and then the power goes out -- but the television stays on.
The video starts playing and shows a black woman being burned for practicing witchcraft and hoodoo. She utters a curse that all who witness her death will face the same fate in two-days time. The VCR begins to make skipping sounds and then cuts off. As promised, the girls died forty-eight hours after watching the tape. They all met their demise in unrealistic places such as the pool or ice rink.
Clown Statue
It was Halloween night and a young couple were invited to their co-worker's Halloween party. They hired a young teenager named Maria to babysit their eight-month-old baby. It was about 9:30 pm when the couple left the house. At around 10:30 the baby fell asleep. After Maria tucked the baby to sleep, she went to go lie down in the couple's room to watch TV. because they had a plasma screen in their room.
Once she started watching TV., she noticed a life-sized clown statue in the corner. The statue was kinda creeping her out, so she got a sheet from the closet and covered it. She went to go lie down again feeling partly relieved. An hour later, she fell asleep. A couple minutes after she fell asleep, she heard a "thump". She thought something just fell off a shelf in the closet. She was so tired she just ignored it and went back to sleep.
Then, the phone rang downstairs. She went to go answer it and all she heard was heavy breathing. She hung up thinking it was just a prank call from some of her friends. As she turned to go back upstairs, it rang again. This time she answered and said, "You guys better knock it off!" After she said that, she heard a voice say, "I'm closer than you think," in a scratchy, male voice. She was frightened and ran upstairs. After 10 minutes passed, there was another "thump," but it was a little louder this time. Maria knew that it didn't come from the closet. Then the phone rang again, so she ran downstairs quickly. She answered it and said," Please, just leave me alone!" The unknown male voice said sarcastically, "Hey, I'm warning the police."
She ran upstairs and hid under the blankets. After 20 minutes passed, She heard the loudest "THUMP." She was so scared but she was the babysitter. So she was going to get up and check on the baby when SLASH. The clown chopped her head off. As the neighbors heard the screams, they were calling the police.
When the police arrived, it was silent. They didn't find anything downstairs, so they went upstairs. They noticed that all the doors were wide open except for the master bedroom. The door was shut. The police were astonished when they found a strangled baby and a headless girl crammed into the closet. When they closed the closet, they noticed a chair next to a window in the corner of the room. It was dark so they couldn't see very well. They went over to turn the lights and found Maria's head on the chair with a butcher knife next to it. The policed were especially astonished to find a note saying,
"I warned you guys, didn't I?"
Signed, Prisoner
It turns out the clown was a murderer that escaped from prison.
Once she started watching TV., she noticed a life-sized clown statue in the corner. The statue was kinda creeping her out, so she got a sheet from the closet and covered it. She went to go lie down again feeling partly relieved. An hour later, she fell asleep. A couple minutes after she fell asleep, she heard a "thump". She thought something just fell off a shelf in the closet. She was so tired she just ignored it and went back to sleep.
Then, the phone rang downstairs. She went to go answer it and all she heard was heavy breathing. She hung up thinking it was just a prank call from some of her friends. As she turned to go back upstairs, it rang again. This time she answered and said, "You guys better knock it off!" After she said that, she heard a voice say, "I'm closer than you think," in a scratchy, male voice. She was frightened and ran upstairs. After 10 minutes passed, there was another "thump," but it was a little louder this time. Maria knew that it didn't come from the closet. Then the phone rang again, so she ran downstairs quickly. She answered it and said," Please, just leave me alone!" The unknown male voice said sarcastically, "Hey, I'm warning the police."
She ran upstairs and hid under the blankets. After 20 minutes passed, She heard the loudest "THUMP." She was so scared but she was the babysitter. So she was going to get up and check on the baby when SLASH. The clown chopped her head off. As the neighbors heard the screams, they were calling the police.
When the police arrived, it was silent. They didn't find anything downstairs, so they went upstairs. They noticed that all the doors were wide open except for the master bedroom. The door was shut. The police were astonished when they found a strangled baby and a headless girl crammed into the closet. When they closed the closet, they noticed a chair next to a window in the corner of the room. It was dark so they couldn't see very well. They went over to turn the lights and found Maria's head on the chair with a butcher knife next to it. The policed were especially astonished to find a note saying,
"I warned you guys, didn't I?"
Signed, Prisoner
It turns out the clown was a murderer that escaped from prison.
Buried Alive
My great-great grandmother, who had been ill for some time now, finally passed away. My great-great grandfather was devastated beyond belief. She was his one true love and they had been married for over 50 years.
They had been married so long it was if they knew each others thoughts. Even after the doctor announced her dead, my great-great grandfather still insisted that she was not. He had to literally be pried away from his wife's body so they could prepare her for a burial.
Back in those days they had simple backyard burial plots, without the body doing through any preservation. The body was simply committed to the coffin and buried. Throughout this process, my great-great grandfather protested so much that he had to be sedated and put to bed. His wife was buried, and that was that.
That night, he woke to a horrific vision of his wide hysterically trying to scratch her way out of the coffin. He phoned the doctor immediately and begged to have his wife's body taken out. The doctor refused. He continued to have this nightmare every night that week, and each day after begged the doctor to remove his wife from the grave.
Finally, the doctor gave in, and with the local authorities had the coffin removed from the ground and pried open. To everyone's horror and amazement, my great great grandmothers nails were bent back, and there were obvious scratches on the inside of the coffin.
They had been married so long it was if they knew each others thoughts. Even after the doctor announced her dead, my great-great grandfather still insisted that she was not. He had to literally be pried away from his wife's body so they could prepare her for a burial.
Back in those days they had simple backyard burial plots, without the body doing through any preservation. The body was simply committed to the coffin and buried. Throughout this process, my great-great grandfather protested so much that he had to be sedated and put to bed. His wife was buried, and that was that.
That night, he woke to a horrific vision of his wide hysterically trying to scratch her way out of the coffin. He phoned the doctor immediately and begged to have his wife's body taken out. The doctor refused. He continued to have this nightmare every night that week, and each day after begged the doctor to remove his wife from the grave.
Finally, the doctor gave in, and with the local authorities had the coffin removed from the ground and pried open. To everyone's horror and amazement, my great great grandmothers nails were bent back, and there were obvious scratches on the inside of the coffin.
Bright Lights Warning
This urban legend takes place after a school dance, like Homecoming or Prom. It's late at night and the girl gets in her car and starts to drive home. A guy pulls out right behind her and begins to follow.
She doesn't think anything of it until she pulls onto a slightly deserted road and he is still behind her. Every so often, the guy flashes his bright headlights, so she begins to be scared.
She turns onto an old dirt road (the one she lives on) and starts panicking because he has pulled onto the road right behind her. He still flashes his brights from time to time, still following.
She pulls into her drive and jumps out of the car and runs to the house. She yells "Dad, call the police. This guy followed me home all the way from the school!"
Before they get a chance to call the police the guy says, "I saw a guy get into your car before you got in and so I followed you home -- trying to warn you. I was flashing my brights because every so often he would reach up with a knife and try to stab you!"
She doesn't think anything of it until she pulls onto a slightly deserted road and he is still behind her. Every so often, the guy flashes his bright headlights, so she begins to be scared.
She turns onto an old dirt road (the one she lives on) and starts panicking because he has pulled onto the road right behind her. He still flashes his brights from time to time, still following.
She pulls into her drive and jumps out of the car and runs to the house. She yells "Dad, call the police. This guy followed me home all the way from the school!"
Before they get a chance to call the police the guy says, "I saw a guy get into your car before you got in and so I followed you home -- trying to warn you. I was flashing my brights because every so often he would reach up with a knife and try to stab you!"
Bloody Mary
Who can forget the scary story of Bloody Mary, the evil spirit who will scratch your eyes out when summoned? Most people heard the Bloody Mary legend when they were children, listening to spooky ghost stories around the campfire. The tale is still told at slumber parties, campouts, and late-night bonfire parties.
The legend claims that the evil woman can be summoned by chanting "Bloody Mary" into a mirror anywhere from three to one-hundred times in a darkened room lit only by a candle. (Thirteen seems to be the most popular number of chants, appropriately so.) The bathroom is the most popular setting to test out the legend, but other dark rooms seem applicable.
After the given amount of chants, the spirit will then appear in a mirror and claw your eyes out and death will follow. Other variations have her driving you insane or pulling you into the mirror, never to be seen again.
Who Bloody Mary really is remains a mystery. While there are many versions of this story, most accounts point to a woman named Mary Worth, who was horribly disfigured in a car crash. Some people still tell of a witch who was burned at the stake and has returned for revenge, or it may be the devil himself who comes for your soul.
The Bloody Mary Legend saw some rising popularity with a variation of the story in the 1992 movie "Candyman" that used the idea for it's plot. When the characters chanted "Candyman" in the mirror 5 times, he would appear and murder them with his hook hand. I found this movie terrifying! Although I can say that as an adult I generally don't have any nightmares from horror movies, this one I remember vividly -- waking up in a cold sweat, and trying not to fall back asleep.
The movie "Urban Legend" was released to theatres in 1998 and borrowed the Bloody Mary myth once again, for one of it's stories. As if that wasn't enough, 2005 brought us "Urban Legends: Bloody Mary," which was released directly to DVD. There's no doubt, the horrific tale will appear again, perhaps in yet another version with a different twist.
While you may think you're safe from mean, old Bloody Mary, think again... Legend has it that if you are near a mirror in total darkness, she can still come for you, regardless of whether or not you're trying to call for her.
The legend claims that the evil woman can be summoned by chanting "Bloody Mary" into a mirror anywhere from three to one-hundred times in a darkened room lit only by a candle. (Thirteen seems to be the most popular number of chants, appropriately so.) The bathroom is the most popular setting to test out the legend, but other dark rooms seem applicable.
After the given amount of chants, the spirit will then appear in a mirror and claw your eyes out and death will follow. Other variations have her driving you insane or pulling you into the mirror, never to be seen again.
Who Bloody Mary really is remains a mystery. While there are many versions of this story, most accounts point to a woman named Mary Worth, who was horribly disfigured in a car crash. Some people still tell of a witch who was burned at the stake and has returned for revenge, or it may be the devil himself who comes for your soul.
The Bloody Mary Legend saw some rising popularity with a variation of the story in the 1992 movie "Candyman" that used the idea for it's plot. When the characters chanted "Candyman" in the mirror 5 times, he would appear and murder them with his hook hand. I found this movie terrifying! Although I can say that as an adult I generally don't have any nightmares from horror movies, this one I remember vividly -- waking up in a cold sweat, and trying not to fall back asleep.
The movie "Urban Legend" was released to theatres in 1998 and borrowed the Bloody Mary myth once again, for one of it's stories. As if that wasn't enough, 2005 brought us "Urban Legends: Bloody Mary," which was released directly to DVD. There's no doubt, the horrific tale will appear again, perhaps in yet another version with a different twist.
While you may think you're safe from mean, old Bloody Mary, think again... Legend has it that if you are near a mirror in total darkness, she can still come for you, regardless of whether or not you're trying to call for her.
The Baysitter story
The babysitter story is truly an unforgettable urban legend, told at slumber parties everywhere. The tale has different variations but the spooky and downright terrifying elements remain the same.
As the story goes, a teenage girl is hired by a young couple to baby-sit their two small children. They go out to a dinner party and leave the girl to tend to the kids in a somewhat isolated, large house at the end of the block.
When the hour gets late, she puts the children to bed and sits down to watch some late-night TV. The phone starts ringing and startles the half-asleep teenager. When she answers it, she hears heavy breathing and a man tells her he is "coming to get her." While she is somewhat scared, she dismisses it as a prank phone call.
About 15 minutes later, the phone rings again. When she answers it, the man starts laughing and tells her that he is closer. The baby sitter is truly frightened now and calls the police.
They tell her that it's probably just a prank phone call, but they will try to trace the call -- so she must keep him on the line as long as possible if he calls another time. She once again settles down on the couch, not sleepy at all.
The phone rings a third time and the man tells her he has come for her and it's only a matter of time. He continues with some heavy breathing until the babysitter is so terrified that she hangs up the phone again.
She quickly decides to get the children and flee the house when the phone rings again. This time it is a policeman on the other end and he tells her frantically "GET OUT OF THE HOUSE NOW!" THE MAN IS INSIDE THE HOUSE AND IS CALLING FROM THE UPSTAIRS EXTENSION!"
She runs from the house as the police arrive. The madman escapes but they find the children upstairs dead and a bloody axe laying on the bedroom floor next to an open window.
Note: The baby-sitter urban legend is as old as the hills. In this story, the man is always calling from the "upstairs extension" -- but it's probably unlikely that he would be able ring the phone from an extension. In most instances, he would have to be calling from a separate phone line upstairs.
Notice how the perpetrator gets away, leaving him "on the loose" to prey on other innocent teenage girls? It makes for some great storytelling, particularly when the crime is not solved.
Watch the 1979 movie "When a Stranger Calls" and the 1993 sequel "When a Stranger Calls Back" to see how this legend evolved into film. Want to see something newer? Released on February 3, 2006 is a remake of the former movie, also titled "When a Stranger Calls."
As the story goes, a teenage girl is hired by a young couple to baby-sit their two small children. They go out to a dinner party and leave the girl to tend to the kids in a somewhat isolated, large house at the end of the block.
When the hour gets late, she puts the children to bed and sits down to watch some late-night TV. The phone starts ringing and startles the half-asleep teenager. When she answers it, she hears heavy breathing and a man tells her he is "coming to get her." While she is somewhat scared, she dismisses it as a prank phone call.
About 15 minutes later, the phone rings again. When she answers it, the man starts laughing and tells her that he is closer. The baby sitter is truly frightened now and calls the police.
They tell her that it's probably just a prank phone call, but they will try to trace the call -- so she must keep him on the line as long as possible if he calls another time. She once again settles down on the couch, not sleepy at all.
The phone rings a third time and the man tells her he has come for her and it's only a matter of time. He continues with some heavy breathing until the babysitter is so terrified that she hangs up the phone again.
She quickly decides to get the children and flee the house when the phone rings again. This time it is a policeman on the other end and he tells her frantically "GET OUT OF THE HOUSE NOW!" THE MAN IS INSIDE THE HOUSE AND IS CALLING FROM THE UPSTAIRS EXTENSION!"
She runs from the house as the police arrive. The madman escapes but they find the children upstairs dead and a bloody axe laying on the bedroom floor next to an open window.
Note: The baby-sitter urban legend is as old as the hills. In this story, the man is always calling from the "upstairs extension" -- but it's probably unlikely that he would be able ring the phone from an extension. In most instances, he would have to be calling from a separate phone line upstairs.
Notice how the perpetrator gets away, leaving him "on the loose" to prey on other innocent teenage girls? It makes for some great storytelling, particularly when the crime is not solved.
Watch the 1979 movie "When a Stranger Calls" and the 1993 sequel "When a Stranger Calls Back" to see how this legend evolved into film. Want to see something newer? Released on February 3, 2006 is a remake of the former movie, also titled "When a Stranger Calls."
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