Mae
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Posts posted by Mae
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I think there have been nods to it. Say creatures for example. But nothing directly Cthulhu. Of course, having said that, I cannot remember another.
The Edgar Allen Poe and Stephen King thing came from a survey we had a few years back. Asking about various different ideas we would like to see at HHN. Another was Romero's Night of the Living Dead... But that was... 08? IDK I think they just like to test the waters sometimes.
(Like the survey about having a new LOTR/Santa/Vampire/Scooby-Doo theme park behind the Lowe's theater)
I've already said it but will repeat: I absolutely love the idea of a literature based HHN. They've actually had a few literary themes lately and I think they were mostly successful. HHN 18 was especially steeped in classic lit and the two most popular houses in HHN 19 were taken more from the novels than the films (Frankenstein and Dracula) so maybe a year with Poe or Lovecraft (or Blackwood or Bierce!) is due. Poe was so visual in his writing that I think he would be more adaptable for an entire event. He used color and texture more effectively than most horror/dark fantasy writers do even today!
Or, perhaps a library comes to life, spilling it's monsters into the real world, giving us houses from each of our favorites. It could be one of those 'arcs' that were discussed by A&D a few years ago. They could do it chronologically; pre-20th Century would include; Poe, Blackwood, Bierce, Hugo, Baudelaire, Stevenson and Wells - no Shelly or Stoker as they've been done, but other authors who are equally (or moreso) responsible for horror as we know it. HHN 22 could be early 20th Century and give us Lovecraft, Howard, Bradbury, Orwell, Huxley, Matheson, Levin, Bloch, maybe even Kafka. HHN 23 would be mid-20th century and up; King, Rice, Barker, Blatty, Collins, Simmons, Koontz, Brite, and perhaps some graphic novelists like Moore and Gaiman. I think, once, there was a discussion of a librarian as the icon, which I also think is a grand idea. For the three years of the arc, the librarian becomes more and more powerful and and the end of the arc the 'library' is destroyed.
Oh, yeah, still wishing. I'm sure it will have nothing to do with any of this. Sigh.
Mae
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That is super creepy.
I must share it on Facebook!
Mae
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That is the story of Hell house. I've always thought of it as a work of fiction. It is a classic horror story that has spawned and inspired many a horror movie. In fact, the picture Mr. Belasco uses is from the cover of Hell House. I always figured the guy was just a huge fan
Oh, it is fiction. The site is all about fictional haunted houses, down to the Overlook and Collinwood. It's a neat site, tho, and makes for excellent goofing off fodder.
Belasco is a huge fan, indeed! My first comment to him was in response to his name, back on The Vault. I love that book, too; it's my favorite from Matheson and possibly my all time favorite haunted house story (Shirley Jackson and Henry James being the main competitors). I believe a house from that story in particular would be an excellent choice for any haunted attraction; there's drugs, sex, murder, and a couple of truly terrifying moments in those pages, what else do you need???
Mae
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It's not working for me either way.
Poop.
Mae
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Beggin' yer pardon, Dr, but 'extreme' houses have been urban legends all over the country for decades; Universal did not come up with the idea.
Also, Universal has proven over the last few years that crowds are not a concern and will do what they think will net the most cash. If they find a way to make more money by charging for an individual house, they'll go for it.
Mae
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I enjoy the Vincent Price version ("The Last Man on Earth," for those of you who'd like to seek it out), and it's honestly the closest version to the one in my mind's eye. Charlton's version ("The Omega Man") was just a little too 1970's for me. It may have been great in its day, but the soul brother vampires just didn't age well.
And damn, don't get me started on that Will Smith garbage.
Dr. Jimmy, I have nothing to add to your synopsis, except that the vampires never actually killed Robert Neville.
The pills that eventually ended his life were supplied by a sympathetic vampire, however in the end, he died by his own hand.
What an ending!
And, lastly, let us not forget that many people cite "I Am Legend," as the inspiration for Romero's original "Night of the Living Dead." Maybe there's a zombie tie-in after all?
It's a brilliant book that never fails to give chills.
I've turned most of my friends onto Matheson over the years. The first of his novels I read was The Legend of Hell House and I still think it would make one killer (Hah!) haunted house. Not Legendary Truth-like, but Hell House-like. I guess you'd have to read the story to know what I mean.
That last bit did cross my mind, as the vampires in I Am Legend were more akin to what we consider zombies nowadays.
Oh, hey, he did that Trilogy of Terror story with the Zuni fetish, too.
But I like Bob the Icon more.
Mae
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Regardless of the meaning, it's a damn great book. Much better than all of the movie adaptations, IMO. Will Smith as Robert Neville . . . PFFTTTTT!
Vincent Price was good, but I have to confess to liking Charlton Heston's version.
You know, I just went to get a refresher on Mr Matheson and was also reminded that he wrote the original concept of The Night Stalker television show. That could be a nifty way to theme the event and it would leave any avenue open for exploration. I think, if done right, Detective Kolchak would make a pretty good icon, too.
Mae
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We got us a new clue! (maybe). The cryptic Mr. Emeric Belasco who provided us with completely accurate clues about HHN XX last year has today posted here and on Facebook the following:
Full circle. A new terror born in death, a new superstition entering the unassailable fortress of forever.
This is a quotation from the novel I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. In the book these are the final thoughts of Robert Neville.
What does this signify in relation to HHN XXI? Is the clue in the source material, or is that merely arbitrary and the clue is in the actual words themselves?
Matheson would be a great author to base ideas on; he's not as iconic as King or Rice, but the world has been exposed to his writing for nearly 60 years. I was just reminded last night that not only did he give us I Am Legend and The Haunting of Hell House, but he also wrote Stir of Echos! I'd completely forgotten that!
Mae
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An alien abduction house could never be done properly as Universal could never get its legal department to clear the um, er, probing of guests.
All I can see now is Dean Winchester running through a corn field screaming "CLOSE ENCOUNTER! CLOSE ENCOUNTER!"
Universal will figure out how to do the Alone house. They'll have some separate angle to keep the two parks' (BGT and USF) ideas from being too close, but they'll figure it out.
Mae
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Fright Yard was the one year I missed >.<
But I've heard everyone liked it and I saw the pics. It would be good to see a sz/house hybrid where it is a scare zone but it is blocked off from the rest of the streets and you have to keep moving through like a house. that would satisfy the "outside house" camp and the "no photo-op" camp at the same time.
And it's a damn shame that you did miss it, it was fantastic! Of course, it had flamethrowers, chainsaws and Rob Zombie playing at high decibles, so what wouldn't I like about it?
I found that year to be chock full of amazing creativity and it was unmatched in my mind until 2008. The outside areas were heavily utilized, not just by the 'crossover' scarezones, but the Midway of the Bizarre was actually the parade. The zone would close down about a half-hour before the parade started, there would be a little pre-show, an explosion and then the lights would come up on the floats as they rolled out of the Boneyard. We were in it twice and viewed/video taped once and it was a huge spectacle. If they never have Halloween parades again, I could live with that year's being the last and best.
I do still wish for some sort of parade making a return, but I believe it is in vain. The layout of the park has changed, as has the level of attendance. Can you imagine trying to corral the crowds on recent peak nights to the sidewalks? Oy, what a mess! (And don't bring up Disney and their parades...there is a whole world of difference, from atmosphere, family attendence, and sales of alcohol to just the capacity of the streets between the two parks.)
Mae
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Oh, wait! I remember Jerry Lee Lewis playing the night AFTER I went for the first time in 1994. Not sure how he would fit in, but he was badass in concert when I saw him as a teen.
Mae
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Slayer, Aborted, Megadeth, Cannibal Corpse, Fantomas, KoRn, Misfits, and Ministry. Even one of those bands will make me a happy camper.
YES MISFITS
Honestly, I've had more fun at their shows than all of the other metal/punk/speed bands combined. Plus, with songs like "Horror Hotel", "Vampira", "Night of the Living Dead", and "Halloween" could there be a more appropriate gig at HHN??
HOWEVER
I've been to a lot of concerts of all different types of music and Alice Cooper has my heart
. (like, in a jar by his bed) He is consistently the best performer I've seen and would gladly pay extra $$ at anytime to see him anywhere. Plus, I absolutely adore the man. Seeing him at HHN could conceivably kill me with joy. Mae
Oh, and btw Land of the Dead - The Misfits
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Somebody tell me something good.
Mae
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I can remember at least a dozen different houses that had outdoor themes (1-2 from each year that I've been, easy), or at least memorable outdoor scenes, and were completely enclosed. Reflections of Fear had one in nearly every house that year. Interstellar Terror would be the one without; tho ,if you wanted to get technical, the scene with the actor being sucked out into space could count. Now, as far as one whole and enclosed house being set 'outside', I don't think that has ever been done. Perhaps F13 or The Orfanage, mostly because the sets were greatly exposed to the outside, could sort of count as outside.
I like very much the idea of the really cold house. The soundstage houses are notoriously cold to begin with; add some dry ice and and some scary 30 Days of Night type vamps and I am totally there.
Mae
ps
Dungeon of Terror
Hell's Kitchen
Dark Torment
Nightmare Creatures
Screamhouse Revisited
Ghost Town
Castle Vampyr
All Night Die-In: Take 2
Psychoscarepy: Home for the Holidays
Dead Silence
Nightmare on Elm Street
Body Collectors: Collections of the Past
Scary Tales: Once Upon a Nightmare
The Hallow
Creatures!
Dead Exposure
The Wolfman
Dracula: Legacy in Blood
Frankenstein: Creation of the Damned
Horror Nights: Hallow'd Past
Zombiegeddon
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This would not embed, but you should click the following link to learn How to Kiss.
OMG I remember this!!!
It makes me long for the days of Music Television....
Mae
There is never enough Peanut. I love his blooper, too.
Mae
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Last year was my first year on this board, so I've done all my arguing about alcohol, smoking, gore, etc.
Unless someone says something outrageously stupid, I don't think I'll bother getting involved in the inevitable debates again.
*digs in her mental files....'I've GOT to have something outrageously stupid to throw out there!'...nothing yet, but give me time...*
I was wondering if there should be NO online interaction; save for the obvious advertising banners and such. I'm wondering if we work ourselves into such a frenzy over what The Almighty Internets can tell us that we are too distracted to enjoy the event. We're nitpicking it to death (pun not intended)! I'm the only child of an original Trekker and I know nitpicking, but some of the debates seen regarding HHN simply blow my mind! (Really, who cares if Jack and Chance get married...it's no worse than the Chucky and Tiffany thing...plus, Chance is HAWT.) The website could go back to something more simple, 2000 through 2003 were all pretty straight-forward, with our icon, some inimation as to their story, and the set up for our involvement in the event. There would be some extras, eventually, like wallpapers and fun email greetings to send to your friends, but there wasn't a hidden agenda, a game, or even any easter eggs mysteriously hidden in the site itself. I honestly don't remember any websites prior to 2000, but I vividly remember getting that first flyer in the mail for 1998 and 1999. The excitement was still there, and it was merely an oversized postcard!
Don't get me wrong, I desperately love and live for the web updates and the clues and secrets and tiddlywinks thrown our way (child of a Trekker, remember) but maybe it's time to let us just go in with nothing...no previews, no sneak peeks, no clues...Just throw open the gates and let 'er rip!
Mae
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Besides having dead pirates, and skulls everywhere? what can a pirate house give us?
I am liking the idea for a pirate house but I would Hate if they do what they did in PS last year, just a bunch of pirate "ghosts" with costumes and face make up, I dont know,
like I said before, they should look like skulls, have masks, but maybe we could get a giant squid? or octopus? maybe the kraken? I would love to see that,
have a room with pirates and then tentacles coming in from the windows
Oooohhh, you should look up Edward Low and Charles Vane....these two were definately scary!
Plus, Anne Bonny was no precious lass to be faintin' at the sight o' blood, to be sure...
Mae
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do you think Comcast buying MSNBC-Universalwill have any bearing on HHN?
Heh, they can give us scares on demand....
M
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A few pages back there was talk of a voodoo themed maze in Jurassic Park. I believe the haunt in question was "Jungle of Doom" in 2003.
There is an entire event dedicated to pirates in California. I think it is called "Pirates of Emerson", or that was it's old name, at least. It's apparently a huge fan favorite in the area. Knott's pirate houses are no longer, but they were incorporated into the log flume ride and were very popular for many years. I think the proximity to Disney has Universal shaking in their low heeled, non-piratey boots. I think they should do a pirate house...pirates were mass murderers, serial killers, serial torturers and rapitsts; why wouldn't they fit into a Halloween event? There were pirates in the Mediterranean that would have sent Blackbeard crying for mama; in fact, they were so nasty they were directly responsible for the formation of the United States Navy in the early 19th Century.
There could be some scary pirate goings-ons, for sure....I wouldn't complain.
Arrr....
Mae
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The last time Halloween fell on a Wednesday they did stretch it to that weekend. I remember going on Nov 3 in 2001, the last night of the event. There's even video of that night, somewhere!
I also think that the last time Halloween was a Monday, it was also open, in 2005!
We may be in North Carolina, but we will find a way down here!
Mae
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maybe we shouldnt throw out a return of some icons universal isnt stupid they know that they have made them millions so what they probably doing is putting them away just to make a year where the past will return darker and more psyco then ever
True, and I will never, ever NOT love Jack. Mary could come back anytime, too. Perhaps she wasn't the 'Most Horrifying of Icons!' but she was the catalyst for what has become my favorite year.
Mae
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Chance? really? after all the negativity over the whole Jack and Chance marriage that was speculated for the last few years?
Well, how about we bring her back... but completely different for the New Era of Darkness?
FEAR could rip her to pieces and put her back together again in an entirely new demonic form that would not merely be a female sidekick to Jack but the living incarnation of Randomness and Blind Luck... especially Bad Luck.
We could call her ... Second Chance.
I could play her...then she would be FAT CHANCE!
Mae
ETA: Sorry! The pun was there...I had to go for it!!
I think Chance could hold her own. I like the idea of her killing Bill and Ted and starting up her own show.
M
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Twain wrote a lot more than just about the pre-war South. The quote in question is from Following the Equator a travelogue book about Twain's own experiences on a world lecture tour he took in 1895. He basically went through the entire British Empire as he wanted to visit countries where English was spoken so he could lecture. He was short on cash at the time and needed the income received for speaking engagements.
The book was an indictment on the Colonial Imperialism of the British and the Racism he saw in their colonies.
Twain books that may be quite interesting in the context of HHN that are quite different from the usual Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn stories most associate him with include A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court a time travel novel with very dark satire, Letters From the Earth written as observations about the human race made by the Archangel Satan to Gabriel and Michael and of course The Mysterious Stranger, Twain's darkest work published posthumously in which Satan becomes the "hero".
I never once thought of Mysterious Stranger as a haunted event. That is sheer brilliance, especially if you can team it up with some of the observations in Letters from Earth. Good God, man, you've struck gold!
I think that the Connecticut Yankee would lend itself to an Army of Darkness feel. I'm not sure if that would work for a full event, but certainly for a Medieval themed house. Perhaps the Blood Ruins with more meat, so to speak.
Food for thought.
Mae
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Pardon my hazy memory, but wasn't 2006's "Cold, Blind Terror" an experiment in using cooler temperatures in a maze?
I distinctly remember the use of mining helmets as a light source, but I don't recall any actual lower temperatures. Does anyone else remember this maze? If so, did you experience any colder temperatures, or was it simply an interesting title?
It certainly was NOT cold. The back sound stage is always bloody freezing...why don't they use that to their advantage? Also, the cave house with the helmet lights was Terror Mines in 2005 and People Under the Stairs in 2006. I loved both but I don't remember them being particularly well-received.
Mae
ETA: Sorry! Fail on me for not reading the rest of the posts!
. (like, in a jar by his bed) He is consistently the best performer I've seen and would gladly pay extra $$ at anytime to see him anywhere. Plus, I absolutely adore the man. Seeing him at HHN could conceivably kill me with joy. 
JWFearmans's Tracks
in Music of Halloween Horror Nights - Orlando
Posted
Excellent!
Mae