Connect with us

News

31 Scary Story Nights: October 31 “The Strange Story of Jack O’ Lantern”

Published

on

Well, readers, it seems we’ve finally made it to Halloween night.  We’ve had ghost stories and campfire stories and urban legends galore this month, and here it is, our final tale.  I wavered a lot but finally decided that tonight’s tale would be one of those special to Halloween itself.  It’s The Strange Story of Jack O’ Lantern and I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do!

So, one last time, let’s dim the lights, gather around, and enjoy our last Scary Story Night of 2017.

***Writer’s Note:  We here at iHorror are big proponents of responsible parenting.  Some of the stories in this series may be too much for your little ones.  Please read ahead and decide if your kids can handle this story!  If not, find another story for tonight or simply come back to see us tomorrow.  In other words, don’t blame me for your kids nightmares!***

The Strange Story of Jack O’ Lantern as retold by Waylon Jordan

Stingy Jack was the laziest, drunkest, no good layabout in his entire village.  He was constantly playing practical jokes on his neighbors and more than one had caught him stealing pies from windowsills and eggs from their coops.  To Jack it was all good-natured fun, but more than one person had begun using his name as a curse.

One night as Jack stumbled from the pub, he came face to face with the Devil himself.

“Stingy Jack, your time has come.  Tonight you die and it’s hell for you!”

Jack never missed a beat.

“Sure and I’d love to go with you, Satan…can I call you Satan? But how can you take a man without allowing him one more drink?”

“Well, I suppose…,” the Devil replied watching Jack dig around in his pockets.  “What are you looking for?”

“I’ll be damned,” Jack said, throwing the Devil a wink.  “but it seems I’ve spent my last coin.  You wouldn’t happen to have some money would you?”

“I don’t make a habit of carrying money, no,” Satan boomed at Jack, obviously becoming impatient.

Jack began to wail and lament aloud about how he’d soon be leaving the earth without a final drink.  How would his fellow Irishmen respect him in the afterlife?  It went on for so long that the Devil finally interrupted.

“I have no coin, but I can change myself into a coin and after you use me to pay for your drink I’ll change back.”

“THAT, my good Satan, is an ideal proposition!” Jack exclaimed and clapped his hands as the Devil became a shiny silver coin on the ground.

Jack quickly snatched up the coin and dropped it into his pouch  which happened to be marked with a holy cross!

“I’ve got you now, Satan, old boy,” Jack cackled.  “And I’ll never let you out!”

Jack could feel the Devil kicking about inside his pouch and it made him cackle all the more.  Before long, he heard a tiny, though menacing voice from inside his pouch.

“Let me out of here, Jack, or so help me!”

“Let you out?  Why would I do that when you want to take me to hell?  I tell you what, Satan.  I’ll let you out of this pouch on one condition.  You guarantee that I’ll never be allowed into hell and I”ll set you free!”

The pouch ceased moving about and finally the voice from inside said, “Deal…”

With that, Jack turned the pouch over and tossed the coin to the ground.  Immediately, the Devil stood before him and grinned.  “You’ve no idea what you’ve done, Stingy Jack, but one day you will!”

With that, he was gone in a puff of smoke.

Ten years passed, and though Jack had meant to mend his ways, it never came to be.  One night he stumbled drunk from the pub as he had so many times before and was hit by a horse drawn cart, dying instantly.

In the blink of an eye, he stood before the Pearly Gates, and Saint Peter scoffed.

“You’ll never be allowed in here, Stingy Jack.  I’m afraid it’s hell for you.”

In a flash of light, Jack stood before the Gates of Hell.

“Well, well, well,” Satan laughed.  “Jack!  Finally dead?”

“That I am, Satan.  That I am!  And Heaven tossed me out on my own ear,” Jack smiled.

“That is a problem, Jack.  Heaven won’t have you and I gave my word you’d never enter these Gates.  I suppose it’s Limbo for you.”

“Limbo?”

“Aye, Jack, the great grey void.  A vast landscape of…nothing.”

It was the Devil’s turn to laugh as Jack suddenly realized what he’d done, turning and staring into the grey space of Limbo that touches the earth, but not enough for Jack to ever truly interact.  He would be cut off from everything he’d ever loved.

“Don’t fear, Jack, I’ve got a light for you,” Satan called and he scooped up a burning ember from the flames of Hell and tossed it to where Jack stood.  “The light will never die, Jack.  Not like you!”

And with that Satan, Hell, and all the rest disappeared.  Jack knew he couldn’t pick up that ember so he pulled up a large turnip and carved it out.  He scooped up the ember and carried his light forth into the grey.

They say to this day, on Halloween night, when the veil between our world and the land of the Dead is at its very thinnest you can spy poor old Jack still wandering in the darkness searching for other lost souls like him.  So carve your pumpkins and light them this evening so that Jack won’t feel quite so alone!

Well, that does it.  Another Halloween night in the books.  I hope you’ve enjoyed this series of stories and that you’ve shared them with your friends and families.  Who knows, next year, we might just turn up again for another 31 Scary Story Nights!  Happy Halloween!

Source for Featured Image

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

News

‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

Published

on

Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

Published

on

Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

Published

on

the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

Embed Gif with Clickable Title