HHN XX Speculation

[Dr. Jimmy]

It has been suggested that "Observation Deck" may not refer to a ship but rather to a tall building or skyscraper.

We know that HHN XX will be a reunion year and have also guessed that it will include a lot of HHN history as well as the "history of Universal horror" as Charles suggested.

If so, is there in the history of Universal horror a franchise that is associated with a skyscraper? Of course there is!

Thus this year, we may very well see the return of one of the greatest Icons of Universal Horror, who has been long absent from Universal Studios Orlando.

The 8th Wonder of the World!

KONG!!!

[CinemaOfTheDead]

Well Universal didn't release King Kong first... RKO did so it's not really a Universal Horror Icon but we got the rights so I can see that happening maybe use the furry arms and Kong's head of Kong from Kongfrontation if they didn't sell it... but i can see that maybe go on the ship that the crew went to Skull Island and you can see the islanders that invaded the ship then going on skull island and then lastly to the empire state building seeing Kong one last time.

[Roberto]

I dont think they would make a King Kong house. And if they did, it wouldve been used last year. When the chad posted the codenames up on his site, I immediately commented on it saying I thought Observation Deck would be something related to a boat or a big monument like the Empire State Building. Another place were they have observation decks is in big operation rooms where doctors observe from above while an operation is being done. That could mean the house could also be some type of Asylum/Hospital.

[Malevolent]

Okay, these are the thoughts I had when reading the permit names:

*SS23: The whole idea of a Greek Mythology house is very interesting to me. I love Greek myths and legends; I used to almost be obsessed with them. So, I think it would be very neat to see these old myths in a terrifying fashion.

Also, my guess is that (with this being a scrapbook year) this house would be related to the Storyteller.

*Sprung1: As a few people have mentioned, this could probably be anything. The first thing that comes to my mind is either Horror in Wax or the Museum of Horrors.

*Sprung2: The Observation Deck could relate to several things. It could have something to do with Frightanic, but there were a few other things that came to mind. An observation deck could have something to do with a watch tower at a prison or asylum. So it could possible be related to Hellgate or PsychoScarepy.

*Parade Building: I pretty much agree with everyone that this going to be the reunion house. That being said, I also had a thought that it could be a redux of the Dungeon of Terror, but that I doubt that would be it.

Anyway, that's just my two cents.

[Dr. Jimmy]

Well Universal didn't release King Kong first... RKO did so it's not really a Universal Horror Icon but we got the rights so I can see that happening maybe use the furry arms and Kong's head of Kong from Kongfrontation if they didn't sell it... but i can see that maybe go on the ship that the crew went to Skull Island and you can see the islanders that invaded the ship then going on skull island and then lastly to the empire state building seeing Kong one last time.

Exactly, Although RKO released the first film and Paramount released the Dino De Laurentiis version, ("You male chauvinist pig ape!") Universal has claimed copyright on the big guy ever since they bought the rights from Richard Cooper in 1976.

They have had mixed success in defending these rights, De Laurentiis won a lawsuit and was able to go ahead with his first film, but then had to get permission from Universal when he shot King Kong Lives in 1986. Universal lost its lawsuit against Nintendo over Donkey Kong.

However, Universal has maintained those rights fairly well now for over two decades with their park attractions and movies, and many people associate Kong exclusively with Universal as the first experience they had with the ape was on Kongfrontation.

I have very fond memories of that ride myself, and first rode it in 1991 while attending Fright Nights. I also remember when Darkman showed up on the ride at HHN in 1992, and the Nightmare Creatures (house? scarezone? it was a bit of both!) about 10 or 11 years ago where you walked through the streets of New York with Kong above you.

A Kong house would logically follow the pattern you gave, but I did not mean that this would necessarily be a Kong house even if the Observation Deck was a scene with Kong in it.

I dont think they would make a King Kong house. And if they did, it wouldve been used last year. When the chad posted the codenames up on his site, I immediately commented on it saying I thought Observation Deck would be something related to a boat or a big monument like the Empire State Building. Another place were they have observation decks is in big operation rooms where doctors observe from above while an operation is being done. That could mean the house could also be some type of Asylum/Hospital.

Rather, I think that if they used Kong they would include him a house devoted to classic films. After all, we have been speculating that various Icons from recent years would all have their own houses. Although I would prefer The Director to have a house about his own demented film career, Julian Browning is merely an Usher in a grand cinematic palace. Just the sort of theater to show King Kong, among other great movies I would think. That plus Universal having the rights, seems to me to be a perfect fit.

[Terra Guard]

They should make a house hosted by the Director and The Usher and we go through these scenes of famous Hollywood films that aren't horror, but just any famous film of all cate"gory"s and have them put their own twisted and gruesome fashions on the films.

[MrBungle]

I love going Halloween night! The Scareactors go crazy! They really let loose, and just go crazy. In Apocalypse: City of Cannibals one of the male scareactor grabbed up a female scareactor and threw her over his shoulder, running off into the fog. This really freaked guest out! I loved it!

i wasn't supposed to really do that, but common...it really makes for a good scare...

and i have to say, i enjoy reading the same speculation from people over and over... jk

just holy antsy for things to start moving along...i wish i knew more about the past years, other than what i've read to actually give input...

what i see, is people keep throwing out speculation ideas about the past...and then more about the past...while at the same time...we are saying reinventing whats been done...so lets take the past, and creature a future...

"everything's been planned from the beginning." so is this the end of that beginning so to speak. and then, now they will give themselves a way to start a new beginning...

Edited June 13, 2010 by mrbungle5223

[Dr. Raymond Holmes]

They should make a house hosted by the Director and The Usher and we go through these scenes of famous Hollywood films that aren't horror, but just any famous film of all cate"gory"s and have them put their own twisted and gruesome fashions on the films.

The Usher/Director wont work together in a house.

[Mark M.]

Moved all posts related to HHN XX Dates, Prices and FFP to this THREAD.

[Terra Guard]

The Usher/Director wont work together in a house.

I know. They have two completely different styles. But if they each get their own seperate houses,then they should just leave the horror movie compilation house to the Usher, and give the Director his own new ANDI where he's working on his own films and you're his next actor.

Edited June 13, 2010 by Terra Guard

[LV-426]

However, Universal has maintained those rights fairly well now for over two decades with their park attractions and movies, and many people associate Kong exclusively with Universal as the first experience they had with the ape was on Kongfrontation.

I have very fond memories of that ride myself, and first rode it in 1991 while attending Fright Nights. I also remember when Darkman showed up on the ride at HHN in 1992, and the Nightmare Creatures (house? scarezone? it was a bit of both!) about 10 or 11 years ago where you walked through the streets of New York with Kong above you.

A Kong house would logically follow the pattern you gave, but I did not mean that this would necessarily be a Kong house even if the Observation Deck was a scene with Kong in it.

Rather, I think that if they used Kong they would include him a house devoted to classic films. After all, we have been speculating that various Icons from recent years would all have their own houses. Although I would prefer The Director to have a house about his own demented film career, Julian Browning is merely an Usher in a grand cinematic palace. Just the sort of theater to show King Kong, among other great movies I would think. That plus Universal having the rights, seems to me to be a perfect fit.

Omg everything you just said about the past years sounds really awesome, I wish i could have seen Darkman.

I was never able to ride Kongfrontation, which is something that always makes me really sad, i remember seeing the billboards for it before it was taken down,

So i really wish that this house has to do with the Usher and that is a Scene from Kong, i Would LOVE that. if they use the props from the ride, that would be really amazing,

And they did Phantom of the Opera last year, so the idea for Classic Films could happen, I just wonder, What other Classic films could they make into rooms for HHN?

and I agree, after being in The Director's house in 06 and the Usher's house last year, I think the Movie scene rooms fit a lot better with the Usher,

i Love the Director, but i would love to see him in an Original Movie house, specially because the house could have really cool stuff like props, I remember that in the Jason House in 07, There was a Jason in the Roof that would make two metal containers hit each other, and That was one of the biggest scares for me, i thought the roof was falling on me, so i could see this being done for a movie house with the Director

Edited June 13, 2010 by black7mask

[CinemaOfTheDead]

Exactly, Although RKO released the first film and Paramount released the Dino De Laurentiis version, ("You male chauvinist pig ape!") Universal has claimed copyright on the big guy ever since they bought the rights from Richard Cooper in 1976.

They have had mixed success in defending these rights, De Laurentiis won a lawsuit and was able to go ahead with his first film, but then had to get permission from Universal when he shot King Kong Lives in 1986. Universal lost its lawsuit against Nintendo over Donkey Kong.

However, Universal has maintained those rights fairly well now for over two decades with their park attractions and movies, and many people associate Kong exclusively with Universal as the first experience they had with the ape was on Kongfrontation.

I have very fond memories of that ride myself, and first rode it in 1991 while attending Fright Nights. I also remember when Darkman showed up on the ride at HHN in 1992, and the Nightmare Creatures (house? scarezone? it was a bit of both!) about 10 or 11 years ago where you walked through the streets of New York with Kong above you.

A Kong house would logically follow the pattern you gave, but I did not mean that this would necessarily be a Kong house even if the Observation Deck was a scene with Kong in it.

Yes I very well know they wont make a Kong House but it would be cool if they brought old Kong from the crates to see him once again for the die hard fans of Kongfrontation and USF in general.

But maybe the scene can work out if you put Kong's arms out acting like it's grabbing a person as you can smell tons of banana breath while a small glimspe of Kong's head while your in the observation deck for ANDI or SS movie house it could be the best scene in the house but hard to pull off.

[Roberto]

I know. They have two completely different styles. But if they each get their own seperate houses,then they should just leave the horror movie compilation house to the Usher, and give the Director his own new ANDI where he's working on his own films and you're his next actor.

The Usher only really loved the movies that played in the UPT and that would just be a re-make of SS.

[Terra Guard]

The Usher only really loved the movies that played in the UPT and that would just be a re-make of SS.

There has to be more movies than those in SS that has played at the UPT over its dark history though.

[Dr. Raymond Holmes]

There has to be more movies than those in SS that has played at the UPT over its dark history though.

The thing is though we dont know what yr the theater closed its doors (I think).. We know it open its doors last yr.

^Credit goes to Dr. Jimmy

[Dr. Jimmy]

The Usher only really loved the movies that played in the UPT and that would just be a re-make of SS.

There has to be more movies than those in SS that has played at the UPT over its dark history though.

The thing is though we dont know what yr the theater closed its doors (I think).. We know it open its doors last yr.

Well, if Silver Screams last year represented only those movie which played at the Universal Palace Theater that Julian liked, that would mean that the UPT only closed sometime after January of 2009, as that was when My Bloody Valentine 3D first played!

It was clearly the remake and not the original My Bloody Valentine in the house as there were no hospital scenes in the original and there were such scenes in the remake.

Furthermore, The Strangers was a 2008 film.

It was clearly implied that the theater closed many years before, although an exact date was never given. A date was given for the opening: 1922.

The Usher was definitely a part of the Shadows of the Past scarezone last year, which seemed a bit odd as he was not yet part of HHN's past, but as the event was still ongoing, he was a part of its then present.

The only explanation would be that Julian would return this year, when he would indeed be a part of the History of HHN.

So it is reasonable to expect a house for Julian, and as Charles and many others have pointed out he would not work well in a house with the Director.

I would expect that there would only be one house showing many scenes from different movies a la ANDI and Silver Screams. Two such houses would be redundant. Thus if they do such a house I hope it is Julian's new house perhaps called Silver Screams 2. There we should see scenes from some of the other films Julian has liked, whether they ever played at the UPT or not. A very good guess would be that such films would be those which Universal has the rights to!

This would of course free up the Director to show his own work, not at an ANDI, but as someone suggested on the set of his latest film in which we may get to play a part.

But, if they are planning to play Icons against each other, and do put the Director and Usher together against our judgment, then I don't think the house will be scenes from films at all. The only way these characters could work at all, and even then I have doubts, is if they are in a house in heated conflict with each other.

For example, Julian as a homicidally fanatical devotee of great classic motion pictures would likely regard Paulo's "dirty little snuff films" as near pornography, and consider Ravinski to be nothing more than a perpetrator of "Crimes against Cinema". Ravinski would consider that the very sort of reaction that has kept his "genius" from being realized and would respond violently.

Thus they would hate each other desperately. If they did share a house, expect to see a war. Perhaps Julian would marshal classic film characters "Ripped from the Silver Screen" against Paulo's cast of dismembered zombie victims, or maybe even characters from "less worthy" "torture porn" type films.

Even then, I really don't expect this to mix very well.

[Roberto]

Well, if Silver Screams last year represented only those movie which played at the Universal Palace Theater that Julian liked, that would mean that the UPT only closed sometime after January of 2009, as that was when My Bloody Valentine 3D first played!

It was clearly the remake and not the original My Bloody Valentine in the house as there were no hospital scenes in the original and there were such scenes in the remake.

Furthermore, The Strangers was a 2008 film.

It was clearly implied that the theater closed many years before, although an exact date was never given. A date was given for the opening: 1922.

Ya got me there Doc. Totally forgot about the Strangers and MBV

[Brandon]

If The Director has in own house please let him show his OWN creations, I think that would be a great house, and if this happens that allows The Usher to have a Silver Screams 2.

[Sardu]

I think that if Universal HAS to put these two icons together, that their house is a multi story house. You can start off on the set of Paulo's newest film staring... US! some of the "prop" cameras can be real. About halfway through the house the film is ready to be shown and we exit the production stage to be at the entrance of the UPT which is having the premier screening for this film. this part of the house could actually be walking through the lobby, concessions, maybe behind the screen like the scene from SS last year, and then end up in the actual theater with rows of seats, scaractors portraying all of the people who died in the UPT from the 2009 website can be watching the movie and scaring us, and on the screen is Paulo's crazy, sepia-toned, montage-ish, snuf film with the actual shots of us walking through the house as part of it. just something i thought of while doing laundry.

[mastermind22]

Exactly, Although RKO released the first film and Paramount released the Dino De Laurentiis version, ("You male chauvinist pig ape!") Universal has claimed copyright on the big guy ever since they bought the rights from Richard Cooper in 1976.

But Universal did'nt bought the rights in 1976. Instead they proved in the courts that King Kong was public domain so they could do their remake. Google up Universal vs Nintendo and you'll see what I mean.

[mastermind22]

Here's my speculation for the leaked info.

I belive that a Greek Mythology house would freaking work if done right. I can picture the fascade being the ruins of a destroyed temple.

The museum clue points to either "House of Wax" or "Universal classic monsters"

I don't think the observation deck clue refers to a King Kong house since iut would be infeesable in a Sprung tent setting. I think either S.S. Frightanic or a Space theme

And I think the last one is the scrapbook house. I predict it will bring the best houses in HHN history into one. Maybe I should come up with a list of housed that should be represented here. (Except for any possible returning stand-alone houses)

On the subject of returning houses if they bring back the orginal RUN with some improvments it would rock.

[Dr. Jimmy]

But Universal did'nt bought the rights in 1976. Instead they proved in the courts that King Kong was public domain so they could do their remake. Google up Universal vs Nintendo and you'll see what I mean.

It's actually a lot more complicated than that. Marian C. Cooper had been in a dispute with RKO for years over the rights to Kong which he as the creator of the ape claimed were his alone.

Universal had a verbal agreement with RKO to remake King Kong. Dino de Laurentiis bought the remake rights from RKO and Universal sued RKO. RKO counter-sued Universal, then de Larurentiis sued Universal.

Universal discovered that the novel King Kong based on the original screenplay but published a year ealier than the film was released had lapsed into public domain. They claimed they could film an adaptation of that book without infringing on RKO's copyright or deal with de Laurentiis.

Richard Cooper, the heir of the late Merian C. Coopper then sued RKO.

The judge found that:

1. RKO only held the rights to the two films King Kong and Son of Kong they had released in the 1930's.

2. The novel was in public domain and Universal could adapt it into a film if they wished.

3. Richard Cooper owned all other rights to the name and character of King Kong.

Universal had already made an out-of-court settlement with de Laurentiis for part of the profits of his King Kong movie, and so did not make a King Kong movie at that time.

Then in December of this same year (1976) Universal did in fact purchase all rights to King Kong except book and periodical rights from Richard Cooper.

Thus in 1982 they felt they had a claim against Nintendo over Donkey Kong, but in the course of their lawsuit they (that is their lawyers) acted in bad faith and the court ruled in favor of Nintendo. This was also largely due to the court's opinion that the public would hardly mistake Donkey Kong for King Kong and did not actually infringe on what copyrights Universal held.

But later, in 1986 de Laurentiis needed to receive Universal's permission to film a second Kong film.

At no time did Universal ever "prove" that King Kong was in the public domain.

All of this of course stays away from HHN 2010 speculation, but being a pedantic old Professor, I have a compulsion to correct inaccurate history. I apologize for the off-topic lapse.

Edited June 13, 2010 by Dr. Jimmy

[CinemaOfTheDead]

Oops my mistake didn't read what Doctor Jimmy stated...

But i do believe if they are sticking with the icons being united once again their will be another multi-movie house like SS and ANDI as both icons are famous because of these houses. But still would love to see Paulo's own creation at work.

Edited June 13, 2010 by Andrew Ryan

[Dr. Raymond Holmes]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isnt the director still alive? So if he is still alive how will he be part of a house with Julian in?

I also have to do some research but I think Roddy said last yr in a phone conference about the director and usher wont work together.. but I might be wrong.

[Dr. Jimmy]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isnt the director still alive? So if he is still alive how will he be part of a house with Julian in?

I also have to do some research but I think Roddy said last yr in a phone conference about the director and usher wont work together.. but I might be wrong.

My point largely was that they would be a bad mix. I merely gave the only scenario I could imagine where the two concepts might have the least difficulty being presented together.

However I never assumed the fact that Julian is some sort of ghost/undead like Jack and Bloody Mary would automatically mean that he and the Director could never appear together.

I'm not entirely certain, but I believe Paulo may be the only one of the Icons with no supernatural nature whatsoever. Weird eyes notwithstanding. Although we know way too little about the Storyteller to really know for sure.

That being said, non-supernatural characters and supernatural characters get used together all the time. There are other far more basic reasons of theme, style and presentation that make this a bad fit.

For example, Dracula and Wolfman work well together (both supernatural). Dracula and Sherlock Holmes (one supernatural one not) would work well together. Dracula and Michael Myers (both supernatural, sort of) would not work.

Thus Julian and Paulo work best in separate houses and would be an awkward fit at best. As for Roddy, I fear that the current A&D team may not respect all of his wishes in these matters.

Edited June 13, 2010 by Dr. Jimmy