Universal really doesn't know the origins of "Bloody Mary"?

[Cinderella89]

This is disappointing. While I'm probably one of the few who knows it origins...I would think Universal would do a little more research.

"Bloody Mary" refers to the English Queen Mary Tudor. She was queen before Elizabeth I, for those who didn't know. While her father, Henry VIII, established the church of England, Mary was a very strong Roman Catholic, much like her mother, Catherine of Aragon. When Henry VIII and Edward (don't remember what number he was) passed on, Mary succeed the them. The nation was turning from Catholic to Protestant because that's what the last two kings preached. When Mary took the throne, she declared the national religion was Catholic again. During the years of her reign, those who did not acknowledge Roman Catholicism as their faith, were executed in various forms, mostly burnings. This earned her the now infamous nickname of "Bloody Mary".

Now, as the whole "Say 'Bloody Mary' three times and she appears in the mirror"...I don't know how that started. But I'm sure with research, you'd be able to find it online.

Sorry if I got some facts wrong. It's too early yet.

 

[NDM#1]

You got it right. One of my favorite movies features this as it's backdrop. It's a true story. For anyone who hasn't seen "Lady Jane" with Helena Bonham Carter and Cary Elwes, you have to see this film. Helena is Lady Jane, a cousin of some sort to Mary, Edward and Elizabeth. When Edward dies, there is an effort to manipulate the political system through marriage and other measures so that Jane can be seated on the throne as queen, avoiding a Catholic dictator and confiscation of wealth. I am desperate to tell you the story, but I don't want to spoil it. IT IS A MUST SEE! It's an oldie but a real good-goodie. Absolutely fantastic film!

Oh! And I don't know anything about chanting in a mirror, but Mary was so relentless in her executions that I can easily see how she would become some horrific murderous legend.

 

[Cinderella89]

Here here! What kind of half-sister locks her own half-sister in the tower of London despite rumors of her trying to over throw the crown?

 

[NDM#1]

Ooooh! Found this. Apparently, the two are separate . . . a Bloody Mary witch and a Bloody Mary queen.

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/ghosts/bloodymary.asp

 

[Cinderella89]

Still...doesn't say she's a psychiatrist. Haha.
I'm disappointed the Universal for the lack of research.

 

[Original19]

Cinderella89's version was the only Bloody Mary I was aware of. I'd never actually heard of the "blood-mary-mirror-thing" until Corey talked about it on the podcast.

Color me surprised.

 

[NDM#1]

Yes. I agree with you. They missed the boat on this one. Hey! Have you been boo'd yet? All this Halloween discussion is making me think you need a little pumpkin in your signature. I'll try to PM you right now.

 

[SnowWtch]

Universal's accounting may not be the most accurate but you've got to admit it's quite a good story. It gives a nice storyline to the event. I think it's the most original and well done idea they've come up with so far.

 

[NDM#1]

Cinderella89's version was the only Bloody Mary I was aware of. I'd never actually heard of the "blood-mary-mirror-thing" until Corey talked about it on the podcast.

Color me surprised.

Are you cereal? I used to play that game religiously at every slumber party in elementary and middle school. That game as well as "Stiff as a board, Light as a Feather . . ." I never saw anything in the mirror, but I surely got myself really freaked out over the possibility. And I cannot even discuss the time that I watched "Candyman" in college with my roommate. Let's just say that sleeping with the lights on that night wasn't enough to comfort me, and I woke my boyfriend up in the middle of the night to meet me in the student lounge so that I could sob hysterically on his shoulder and shake uncontrollably in his arms while he rolled his eyes and shook his head .

 

[NDM#1]

Universal's accounting may not be the most accurate but you've got to admit it's quite a good story. It gives a nice storyline to the event. I think it's the most original and well done idea they've come up with so far.

Well, maybe they should have named her something else? American Psycho Psychiatrist?

 

[lttlmc3]

I think Universal's version is interesting. A bit wierd, but interesting. She definetly was creepy though!

 

[MomofKatie]

"Bloody Mary" refers to the English Queen Mary Tudor. She was queen before Elizabeth I, for those who didn't know. While her father, Henry VIII, established the church of England, Mary was a very strong Roman Catholic, much like her mother, Catherine of Aragon.

And, the only reason Henry VIII started the Englisg Church was to get a divorce from Catherine so he could marry Anne Boleyn and sire a male heir (which didn't work, so he had her beheaded). Thus, the whole subject of Catholicism vs. Church of England was very new and very sore. Catherine asserted that she was, in fact, still very much married to Henry, even though he obtained the divorce through the CoE, because hers was the "one true faith" and the Vatican refused the king's petition. She raised Mary in exile to hate with a passion the CoE and the "heretics" who suggested Henry leave the Catholic Church.

All very interesting! Henry was a real piece of work- 6 wives, some divorced, others beheaded, all to get a son. And when he finally got one, he was so sickly, he only lived until he was 16 or so. So, Mary (and Elizabeth, Anne Boleyn's daughter), ended up on the throne anyway. Arguably, Elizabeth turned out to be one of the most powerful and ling-lived Queens of England ever.

 

[BriarRosie]

Still...doesn't say she's a psychiatrist. Haha.
I'm disappointed the Universal for the lack of research.

I think Universal took their cues from Disney. None of the stories adapted by Disney in the early days (or even the modern ones) follow the original storyline. Most of the fairy tales were designed to frighten children into model behavior rather than entertain them.

I think it's pretty cool that Universal took an urban legend and filled in a storyline around it. That still wouldn't make me want to attend the event.
I'm a true scaredy-cat of the first order. You couldn't pay me enough money to get me to go to it.

 

[Cinderella89]

Well, maybe they should have named her something else? American Psycho Psychiatrist?

I like that idea!
Haha!
They should just use Lizzie Borden next year. I know they have her in one of the Haunted Houses. It still counts as an Urban Legend. Or O.J. Simpson keeping with the theme of killing loved ones and never being convicted.
I wonder what they'll do next year.

 

[Cinderella89]

Henry was a real piece of work- 6 wives, some divorced, others beheaded, all to get a son.

Don't forget executing a lot of the people he trusted when he was married to Catherine just because they didn't agree with Anne. Oh lordy...Imagine if he married Mary!! And not the movie/book version of her! Granted...Anne was a piece of work too. *cringe*

 

[NDM#1]

All very interesting! Henry was a real piece of work- 6 wives, some divorced, others beheaded, all to get a son. And when he finally got one, he was so sickly, he only lived until he was 16 or so. So, Mary (and Elizabeth, Anne Boleyn's daughter), ended up on the throne anyway. Arguably, Elizabeth turned out to be one of the most powerful and ling-lived Queens of England ever.

Ya know! This story could make a whole separate Haunted Castle exhibit.

 

[Cinderella89]

They could go to the Tower of London and Hatfield Castle, I believe, so they could do some research.

Anne Boleyn allegedly haunts the Tower along with two princes that were murdered, (another felon that wasn't convicted in this case), and Catherine Howard (Henry VIII 5th wife) haunts Hatfield.

 

[NDM#1]

I think Universal took their cues from Disney. None of the stories adapted by Disney in the early days (or even the modern ones) follow the original storyline. Most of the fairy tales were designed to frighten children into model behavior rather than entertain them.

I think it's pretty cool that Universal took an urban legend and filled in a storyline around it. That still wouldn't make me want to attend the event.
I'm a true scaredy-cat of the first order. You couldn't pay me enough money to get me to go to it.

Yes, but at least Disney let the characters keep their identities. Pocahontas is still a Native American. Ariel is still a mermaid. Cinderella is still a floor-washing step-daughter.

Universal took apples and made them into oranges IMO . . . a witch of the 1800's into a millenium psychiatrist? That's quite a stretch to me. I'm glad everyone is enjoying it at Universal. But in my mind, they should have named her something else.

 

[NDM#1]

They could go to the Tower of London and Hatfield Castle, I believe, so they could do some research.

Anne Boleyn allegedly haunts the Tower along with two princes that were murdered, (another felon that wasn't convicted in this case), and Catherine Howard (Henry VIII 5th wife) haunts Hatfield.

This is getting good! I think you should contact Universal and ask them to hire you for next year's Horror Nights.

 

[NDM#1]

They could go to the Tower of London and Hatfield Castle, I believe, so they could do some research.

Anne Boleyn allegedly haunts the Tower along with two princes that were murdered, (another felon that wasn't convicted in this case), and Catherine Howard (Henry VIII 5th wife) haunts Hatfield.

Don't forget the beheaded Lady Jane and her beloved! You must see that movie!