Hallo-SCREAM Bonus: The Spiritualist Movement with Chelsey Weber-Smith

I know this is an old episode but OMG please have Chelsey on to talk about their ghost stories.

Here’s a film suggestion: Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Trouble with Harry”. It stars Mildred Natwick, John Forsythe, Jerry Mathers pre-Beaver, and Shirley MacLaine in her film debut. It’s a rom-com murder mystery in Vermont. The autumnal still shots are gorgeous. Not Halloween-themed, but it has pumpkins and death. It’s a good palate-cleanser after a gory, terrifying movie when you need soothing and grounding. PS, Mary Jo Pehl (Dr Pearl Forrester from MST3K) mentioned the “You’re Wrong About “episode on Halloween candy during her latest show.

An add-on to the conversation about the nature of possession in modern media: I took a class on Tibetan Buddhism last semester and something I found super interesting was that an exorcism is viewed as an act of compassion for the possessed person and the demon/spirit, because the belief is that the only reason the demon/spirit is causing harm is because it’s suffering, and it doesn’t know how to make the pain go away. The exorcism gets the demon/spirit out of the person and eases its suffering as well as that of the possessed person. I think that’s a really poetic encapsulation of the differences between the way Christianity views evil and the way some other cultures/religions might view evil.

There’s a fun version of Victorian spiritualism (among many other things) in the comic sf novel To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis. Highly recommend.

Oh my god, I LOVE Candyman. It is my actual favorite movie. I would hungrily read anything Sarah has written about it. The new one explored some interesting ideas, but was ultimately really disappointing. I love Hellraiser too, but Sarah talking about how Candyman got her into writing made me sit up straight. I would LOVE for some reading recommendations if anything has been written about it

Hi Sarah! I discovered You're Wrong About this summer and marathoned my way through your entire archive, then did the same with You Are Good. I just thought you'd be happy to know that you have convinced me to finally give Newsies a chance--I love musicals generally but grew up with no awareness of it or Christian Bale in the '90s so it passed me by. I do however love Kenny Ortega, unions, and fanfiction! So maybe it'll be just my style. Thanks for all your hard work and enthusiasm and sincerity.

Houdini’s death wasn’t that straightforward. He was sucker-punched by someone before he could prepare for the hit and there were a bunch of other circumstances, including possibly that the guy who hit Houdini may have been put up to it by Mina. Listen to the 2022 Dollop Boston live show for the story of their feud.

Death Defying Acts (2007) stars Guy Pearce as Houdini as he tried to debunk Catherine Zeta-Jones's medium. Also staring Saoirse Ronan. Is Peace a sexy enough Houdini?

Missed opportunity to have Jamie Loftus also on!

I had to come here to give my appreciation for the Andes show, Sarah and Blair. I don't know how to articulate my emotions even! You guys truely told a story of everything that is good and amazing in humanity and also in masculinity. Thank you soooo much!

Have you guys watched Caitlin Doughty's (Ask a Mortician) video about Spiritualism called "Girl Talk with the Dead"? It's so funny and informative!

The antisemites might have got Houdini but they don’t always win!

I'd have to find the source for this, but the last guy that punched Houdini wasn't invited to. He showed up while Houdini was off guard and punched him repeatedly. At the time, many spiritualists were threatening Houdini with violence, so there were rumors at the time that punchy guy was sent to rough Houdini up. Or even to kill him.

Hey Sarah! I was slimed at Universal Studios in the late 90s. So I just wanted to share that the slime was definitely a base of applesauce and cornstarch. Hope this helps with your future smile endeavors!

Houdini’s death was more prolonged than Chelsea said (i.e., he wasn’t punched and then die the same day) and that makes it even spookier!

Can't believe Chelsea missed the opportunity to say non-boonary

"Slut Ghost About Town Ben Franklin" merch please

Stairs, Sarah? In this economy?!

Perfect timing, I just finished ghost church !! Also: bring back parlors

Kinda surprised Jamie isn't in on this one