10/17/2007

Let’s check out the feedback that came to me at svengoolie@wciu.com about the old superstition regarding “I Believe in Mary Worth.” As I explained previously, it’s a ritual most often engaged in by young women of school age- you go into a dark room, repeat “I believe in Mary Worth” three times- and she will supposedly appear in the mirror and scratch your eyes out (if that’s your idea of a good time!) I had asked if you knew it, using a different name or in some other variation…

It seems that most folks who live in the Chicago area know it as the “Mary Worth” version-areas like Des Plaines and Bridgeport have confirmed this, even telling how school kids would hit the bathrooms to tempt the spirit of Mary Worth!

Longtime viewer Debbie mentioned how a group of girls decided to try it in the girls locker room, and while Debbie didn’t believe it and just wanted to get out of there, she was grabbed by some frightened girl- meanwhile- nothing happened! Maybe Mary Worth had a previous appointment elsewhere? Kevin, who was raised in New Jersey, said they had a female version of the Boogey Man- Tara Moonlight- who would come at night and abduct children- but he didn’t mention if she was summoned like Mary Worth was...

Jerry sent an article that calls the ritual “Bloody Mary”- and involves the chanting of the name anywhere from three to thirteen to one hundred times! It also mentioned that the possible origins are Mary Queen of Scots of 16th century England (it’s her bloody corpse that appears!) or that it’s actually Satan’s spouse (the article mentions that they weren’t even aware that he was seeing anybody!)

So, as we force the “Mary Worth” subject back into the mirror, let’s get a quick monstrous movie pick- how about “The Boogie Man Will Get You” from 1942? It’s a horror comedy, featuring

Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre-with Boris selling his house to a silly woman, who wants to make it a hotel- while Boris experiments on traveling salesmen! Lorre is the town’s Andy Taylor, holding multiple high positions in the town- and he’s out to uncover what Boris is up to! It’s silly fright fun, and these two great stars definitely add to the typical 1940s style horror hilarity. This one airs on cable occasionally, so look for it during this scary season!