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What Was I Scared Of? The Pale Green Pants Of Dr. Seuss

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If you want your kids to grow up horror fans, you might consider starting them out on this.

I’ve pretty much been planning on writing about this since I began contributing to iHorror, but after reading John Squires’ article about Halloween is Grinch Night, I found myself in the proper frame of mind, and decided now was as good a time as any.

What Was I Scared Of? by Dr. Seuss has been one of my favorite stories since I encountered it pretty much when I was learning to read, and when I think about the earliest influences of my life that led to my obsession with horror, I can’t think of an earlier example. Well, that and the first dream I ever remember having, which involved me being chased by a cartoon pair of white shoes with nobody in them, which just happens to be a strikingly similar plot to this particular story, though I’m pretty sure I had the dream before encountering Seuss’ book. Perhaps that’s why I identified with it so much.

Though it’s since been released in a standalone version, What Was I Scared Of? originally appeared in The Sneetches and Other Stories. The whole book is gold if you’re a Seuss fan (I was obsessed with Seuss as a kid, and his work still pretty much accounts for the majority of my favorite children’s books).

The basic premise is that some little guy is wandering around at night doing various things, and he keeps seeing a pair of “pale green pants with nobody inside them,” which is obviously terrifying. He was, of course scared, but in the end finds that the pants are just as scared of him as he was of them. They then become friends. Aha! Lesson learned. Classic Seuss.

Here’s somebody reading the story, in case you’re unfamiliar with it:

[youtube id=”PJXHK0HOglg” align=”center” mode=”normal” autoplay=”no”]

I don’t know that I really have a point with this post, other than to draw more attention to this wonderful story, and pay it tribute. If you have kids, you should pick it up, as it’s one of those rare children’s books that will bring you as much joy as it does them. I recommend grabbing the whole Sneetches collection in fact.

I also figured that as long as I’m writing about What Was I Scared Of? and the infamous Pale Green Pants, I might as well share some other related nuggets I’ve encountered from around the web.

For example, here’s a fan film adaptation:

[youtube id=”mWbTwjgNuVE” align=”center” mode=”normal” autoplay=”no”]

Here’s somebody’s tribute from Flickr:

flickr-pants

Here’s a nice model of the pants someone shared at Craftster:

Pale Green Pants

“I made them for my little sister for her 25th birthday, out of a pair of 6mo pants my daughter had just outgrown,” the artist explains. “I used a piece of aluminum wire in the waistband, and then soaked it in liquid porcelain. I molded and shaped pieces of aluminum foil around plastic bags (for bulk) and stuffed them in until I had the shape right, then let them harden. And this is what I got.”

This guy also made a pants puppet as well as “Grin-itch spinach” plants (which make sense if you’re familiar with the story) for a bunch of kids.

“I don’t really know how to explain how we made this puppet, but it involved an old pair of my daughter’s pants, a pool noodle, a drill, crumpled newspaper, a wooden spoon, duct-tape, and needle and thread,” he says. “The wooden spoon goes through the pants and a pool noodle which was sewn to the pants.”

Finally, one woman took her kid’s green pants, stuffed tissue paper inside of them, and then posed them doing different things.

Pale Green Pants Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss Pale Green Pants

Check out the full gallery here.

While there’s certainly not enough of it around the web from what I can tell, it makes me happy to see such enthusiasm for this story from those who have shared their own projects.

I’ve watched a lot of movies and read a lot of stories over the years, but there are only a handful of either that I can directly credit for my passion for for horror. What Was I Scared Of? is one of them, if not the first. So thanks for that, doctor.

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

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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

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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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.

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

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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.

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