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31 Scary Story Nights: October 20th “Cropsey”

Published

7 years ago

October 20, 2017

Welcome back, readers, to our latest entry in 31 Scary Story Nights! We’ve had a little bit of everything so far, from serial killers to ghosts to classic tales of suspense. Tonight’s tale may be one of those most pervasive of all the stories in our series. It’s been the inspiration for more than one epic slasher movie and it continues to frighten campers, especially in the northeaster portion of the U.S. where the tale originated. It’s called Cropsey and it’s perfect for a night in the woods around a campfire.

***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!***

Cropsey as retold by Waylon Jordan

Jasper Cropsey was one of the youngest judges in the entire state of New York. It was 1898, and he and his wife and young son had just moved into the new home he’d had built for them.

It wasn’t fancy, but it was all their own.

Every morning, Judge Cropsey would leave his home and walk into the local township where he would hear a whole variety of cases. He was know to be firm but fair, but inevitably a judge makes enemies.

Judge Cropsey had recently sentenced Marcus Williams to prison for two years. His sons, known roughhousers and heavy drinkers, thought Cropsey’s sentence too harsh for their father’s petty crimes and they spent their days and nights planning their revenge.

One drunken afternoon, the two young Williams men and two of their thuggish friends stumbled out to the Cropsey home and in a fit of drunken rage set fire to the woodpile behind the home, intending it as a message for the Judge. There’d been no rain in weeks, however, and the grass was extremely dry. The fire began spreading quickly burning toward the house.

It just so happened that Judge Cropsey was walking home early that day, but even the unusually early hour didn’t find him home before the entire home was ablaze. In a blind rush of panic, the young Judge ran into the flaming home to try to save his family.

He was too late…his family was dead. He fell to his knees as the fire raged around him and screamed until he had no voice. He hadn’t even realized that his own clothing had caught fire and soon he, himself, was covered in flames.

Perhaps it was his own blind rage, or perhaps madness set in the moment he saw his family, but he somehow survived. He felt pain as he’d never known it before as the burns slowly healed, but that madness and rage kept him alive.

It was almost a year later when the first of Marcus Williams’ sons was found dead outside his home. He had been hacked to death with an ax. In less than two weeks, his brother had joined him, bludgeoned and hacked to death by the same vicious weapon. In short order, every man involved in the burning of the home was dead and people in the town began to fear who might be stalking the night.

Stories were told around dinner tables about what appeared to be a man all dressed in black who wore a mask and carried an ax through the woods. Dinner table stories became legends and while most people soon discredited the stories, there was no denying that from time to time a body would be found in the vicinity of the local woods. Invariably, the murder weapon was determined to be an ax.

Perhaps, they were all bad people. Perhaps, they had just wandered into Cropsey’s territory. But folks today know not to wander too close to the woods alone. That way, at least someone might make it back to tell the tale.

Phew…that was a good one!! I don’t know what it is about that story that gets under my skin. It’s so ominous! A lot has changed about Cropsey over the years. He’s worn different kinds of masks and had different occupations, motivations, etc. but he’s always stalking the woods, and always ready to kill! Join us again tomorrow night for another Scary Story Night! Pleasant Dreams!

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Morticia & Wednesday Addams Join Monster High Skullector Series

Published

2 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Believe it or not, Mattel’s Monster High doll brand has an immense following with both young and not-so-young collectors.

In that same vein, the fan base for The Addams Family is also very large. Now, the two are collaborating to create a line of collectible dolls that celebrate both worlds and what they have created is a combination of fashion dolls and goth fantasy. Forget Barbie, these ladies know who they are.

The dolls are based on Morticia and Wednesday Addams from the 2019 Addams Family animated movie.

As with any niche collectibles these aren’t cheap they bring with them a $90 price tag, but it’s an investment as a lot of these toys become more valuable over time.

“There goes the neighborhood. Meet the Addams Family’s ghoulishly glamorous mother-daughter duo with a Monster High twist. Inspired by the animated movie and clad in spiderweb lace and skull prints, the Morticia and Wednesday Addams Skullector doll two-pack makes for a gift that’s so macabre, it’s downright pathological.”

If you want to pre-purchase this set check out The Monster High website.

^{Footwear for Wednesday Addams Skullector doll}

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1994’s ‘The Crow’ Coming Back to Theaters for A New Special Engagement

Published

4 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Cameron McFarland

Cinemark recently announced that they will be bringing The Crow back from the dead once again. This announcement comes just in time for the film’s 30th anniversary. Cinemark will be playing The Crow in select theaters on May 29th and 30th.

For those unaware, The Crow is a fantastic film based on the gritty graphic novel by James O’Barr. Widely considered one of the best films of the 90s, The Crow’s lifespan was cut short when Brandon Lee died of an accidental on set shooting.

The official synapsis of the film is as follows. “The modern-gothic original that entranced audiences and critics alike, The Crow tells the tale of a young musician brutally murdered alongside his beloved fiancée, only to be risen from the grave by a mysterious crow. Seeking revenge, he battles a criminal underground that must answer for its crimes. Adapted from the comic book saga of the same name, this action-packed thriller from director Alex Proyas (Dark City) features hypnotic style, dazzling visuals, and a soulful performance by the late Brandon Lee.”

The timing of this release couldn’t be better. As a new generation of fans eagerly awaits the release of The Crow remake, they can now see the classic film in all of its glory. As much as we love Bill Skarsgard (IT), there is something timeless in Brandon Lee’s performance in the film.

This theatrical release is part of the Scream Greats series. This is a collaboration between Paramount Scares and Fangoria to bring audiences some of the best classic horror films. So far, they are doing a fantastic job.

That’s all the information we have at this time. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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Hugh Jackman & Jodie Comer Team Up for a New Dark Robin Hood Adaptation

Published

5 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Cameron McFarland

A report from Deadline details director Michal Sarnoski’s (A Quiet Place: Day One) newest project, The Death of Robin Hood. The film is set to feature Hugh Jackman (Logan) and Jodie Comer (The End We Start From).

Michael Sarnoski will write and direct the new Robin Hood adaptation. Jackman will be reunited with Aaron Ryder (The Prestige), who is producing the film. The Death of Robin Hood is expected to be a hot item at the upcoming Cannes film market.

Hugh Jackman, The Death of Robin Hood — *Hugh Jackman*

Deadline describes the films as the following. “The film is a darker reimagining of the classic Robin Hood tale. Set of its time, the film will see the title character grappling with his past after a life of crime and murder, a battleworn loner who finds himself gravely injured and in the hands of a mysterious woman, who offers him a chance at salvation.”

Lyrical Media will be financing the film. Alexander Black will produce the film alongside Ryder and Andrew Sweet. Black gave Deadline the following information about the project. “We are thrilled to be part of this very special project and to be working with a visionary director in Michael, a phenomenal cast in Hugh and Jodie, and producing with our frequent collaborators, Ryder and Swett at RPC.”

“This is not the story of Robin Hood we’ve all come to know,” Ryder and Swett stated to Deadline “Instead, Michael has crafted something far more grounded and visceral. Thanks to Alexander Black and our friends at Lyrical along with Rama and Michael, the world is going to love seeing Hugh and Jodie together in this epic.”

Sarnoski seems to be excited by the project as well. He offered Deadline the following information about the film.

“It has been an incredible opportunity to reinvent and freshly innovate the story we all know of Robin Hood. Securing the perfect cast to transform the script to screen was essential. I could not be more thrilled and trusting in Hugh and Jodie to bring this story to life in a powerful and meaningful way.”

We are still a long way away from seeing this Robin Hood tale. Production is expected to begin in February of 2025. However, it does sound like it will be a fun entry into the Robin Hood canon.

That’s all the information we have at this time.

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