Check out some of the pictures below, which capture the fun and mayhem of Richard’s ghostly exhibition!

Richard Palmisano posing with... a deceased lady?

The entrance into the Ghosts of the CNE pavilion.

The interior of the Ghost exhibit at the CNE.

For more creepy stories about the CNE, check out Richard’s book Ghosts of the Canadian National Exhibition, available now.

You may think me strange for saying so, but I truly relish the Dark and Deplorable in my cinematic fare. I loved Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, for example, which won the Academy Award for Art Direction in 2007 (watch a clip here). And even though it was released nearly 40 years ago, The Exorcist (1973) still gives me the major creeps, besides winning 2 Oscars as well as being nominated in 8 other categories (see the original trailer: too cool). I even thought 2002’s Constantine was entertaining, which apparently had people fainting – among less savoury things – in theatre aisles nation-wide. Granted, I did loathe everything about The Devil’s Advocate (1997), but that was never nominated for an Oscar – so there!

I’ll even take this one step further: I find demons in general fascinating. Dark and creepy subjects of a fantastical nature have always thrilled me. I’m not much for true stories of depravity – I stay far, far away from True Crime books and episodes of Cold Case Files – but give me a mythical beast or demonic spirit in my fiction or folklore, and I’m a happy girl.

I chalk this up to my education in classic literature and my love of fantasy fiction. Together they have created an uncanny appetite for stories about monsters (Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has been a longtime favourite), demons reincarnate (Charlotte Dacre’s Zofloya was too much fun to be required university reading), and the best of the best, the Devil Himself (Paradise Lost, anyone?). I guess I shouldn’t be surprised then that I recently picked up a book by first-time Canadian novelist Ian Weir entitled Daniel O’Thunder. It is the story of a philanthropic, retired pugilist in 19th century London who attempts to rid the world of evil by challenging the Devil to a real-life prize fight! I’m really digging it so far, and honestly, how could you not?

That’s probably why I’m considered the weirdo of the office who is most excited for Dundurn’s upcoming release, Satanism & Demonology by Lionel and Patricia Fanthorpe. It examines the history of Satanism from Ancient Egyptian times, through the European witch hunts of the medieval and Renaissance periods, to the modern day perspective.

Apparently I’m the only book lover in this joint who also enjoys a lesson in dark and demonic history. Go figure! I’ve snuck a peak at the content, and let’s just say I can’t wait until a freshly printed, glossy copy lands on my desk, no doubt issuing plumes of dark grey smoke and whispering ominous warnings about the evil spirits contained within. Oops, there goes my imagination again.

So enjoy your demon-free Academy Awards show! I might just skip it and watch Poltergeist instead.

“The Exorcist” movie poster courtesy of imdb.com. “Frankenstein” image courtesy of frankensteinia.blogspot.com.

Ok, wait. Rephrase. I don’t scare easy, but I get nervous easy. And it depends on the situation set forth.

But aliens have always seemed to do it for me. Any sort of “unidentified creature,” really. E.T.? Terrifying (until I saw it in its 20th anniversary re-release as an adult). Predator? Don’t get me started. Independence Day? My eyes were closed for a good portion.

There’s something about aliens… the Hollywood hyperbolic “we’re angry and gonna take over your planet!” version at least… that is so unsettling to me.

(But Marvin the Martian? Totally cool.)

All this being said, I’m really enjoying the last few weeks where I’ve been working on The Big Book of UFOs by resident Dundurn ufologist Chris Rutkowski.

The book gives a really comprehensive background on the history and culture of UFOs in our modern times. Whether you believe in UFOs and life on other planets or not, the information and real-life testimonials of “UFO Encounter Witnesses” is quite interesting.  Its enough to make you think that there might be something legit to this claims… or at the least, it’s some fun stories to curl up with one evening.

But will it cure my anxiety of cinematic extra-terrestrials? It hasn’t yet…but I’ll keep you posted.

Yes it’s that time of year again! Halloween! A day of thrills, chills, tricks, and treats. We at Dundurn got into the Halloween spirit by dressing up for the day and having a costume competition. Here are some Dundurn ghouls.

His Eminence Kirk Howard

Margaret not only gets into the Halloween spirit but also the Christmas spirit.

Newly wed Tammy shows her green side

Is that orbs? Quick call Colombo!

The Returns Terminator

And the winners of are ….

First Place: Joyce Wilson

Cousin It joins the Dundurn staff

 

Second Place: Courtney Horner

The Paper Bag princess grows up and gets a job

 

For more spookiness check out this interview with John Robert Colombo “Canada’s Mr. Mystery”, who was on Breakfast Television this morning, and visit www.dundurn.com/ufos and www.dundurn.com/paranormal.

All positive prints taken from the photographic negatives have been retained with the written records of the experiments which they illustrate. Almost all the glass plate negatives were photographed for archival purposes, and the black and white glossy print collection is also available for researchers today. Much of the material has now been made available online at the archives website. A YouTube video about the collection can be found at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0HncGNBCqY

In 1920, Hamilton and a few others tried “table-tipping,” a common spiritualist practice. They received a “message” that seemed to be from F.W. Myers, a noted British writer on spiritualism who had passed on in 1901. Now, it should be noted that most magicians can easily do table-tipping without any
spiritual intervention, but Hamilton and his group were not magicians and would not seem to have any reason for fooling themselves. However, one of those present at that event was Mrs. Elizabeth Poole, their neighbour and good friend. Hamilton’s wife believed that Poole resembled a noted medium in the USA, and convinced her that she should try further tests at table-tipping. After several months of occasional meetings, Mrs. Poole was apparently successful, for in July 1921, their table tilted up on two legs with only a light touch by her hands. Neither Dr. Hamilton nor his wife could force the table back to the floor. He was convinced that something profound was occurring, and was curious enough that he formed a small group to conduct sitting on a regular basis.

After eight months of this investigation, he was of the opinion that some form of “energy” was moving the table independently of Mrs. Poole. But it was another kind of phenomenon which bothered him – a frequent series of raps which seemed to spell out messages in an intelligent fashion. Hamilton refused to consider that spirits were communicating with him, and insisted he needed more proof before he could commit himself to this belief.

One thing led to another, and soon Hamilton had taken photographs of the tables in mid-flight. One such photo is reproduced here, along with a photo of the house as it exists today in Winnipeg.

Had Hamilton actually succeeded in communicating with the dead? Or was he “taken in” by someone in his inner circle?