The Further
Refurbishment of The Haunted Mansion in Disneyland Adds Original “Bat in a Birdcage” Gag!
The Disney Imagineers are always tinkering with their classic rides, and while they’ve occasionally made a cataclysmic blunder (like removing Journey Into Imagination at EPCOT), they typically enhance what’s already a great attraction.
The Haunted Mansion is one that’s received quite a few upgrades over the years, including the new finale with digital ghosts and the addition of the classic Hatbox Ghost, removed back in 1969 after issues with his effect.
After a recent refurbishment at the Disneyland location, fans were surprised by the insertion of a brand new gag, one that was conceived by Haunted Mansion designer Marc Davis back in the early 1960s!
DL News Today shares photo and video of “Bat on a Birdcage”, which randomly appeared next to the hallway scene in the iconic dark ride.
“Located in the extended hallway next to the face armchair, we see a birdcage on a stand with two glowing red eyes and bones sticking out. Next to the cage are two empty glasses of what previously seem to have contained blood,” they write.
Interestingly, an update over the weekend stated that the new gag was randomly removed, just days after first appearing. The gag was never announced, and there’s no word on why it appeared and disappeared in just a week’s time. Maybe one of the 99 Happy Haunts is playing a joke on unsuspecting guests?
A Haunted Mansion movie is in production for release this summer!
The Further
Killer Shorts Horror Writing Competition Open NOW With New Category for Feature Screenplays!
The annual genre competition dedicated to finding and launching the next generation of horror writing talent, this year’s Killer Shorts is now officially open for entries!
Founded in 2019, Killer Shorts has established itself as a premier industry launchpad. The competition connects screenwriters and prose authors directly with the executives, managers, and producers who actively greenlight and option dark genre cinema.
But this year’s competition isn’t only about killer horror shorts…
For this brand new season, Killer Shorts is expanding its categories to include feature-length screenplays alongside its traditional short script, one-page script, and short story divisions.
The Top 10 finalists across all categories are evaluated by an elite industry jury composed of over a dozen horror legends, literary managers, and producers. The panel includes:
- Barbara Crampton (Horror Icon, Actress & Producer — Jakob’s Wife, Suitable Flesh)
- John Zaozirny (Literary Manager & Producer, Bellevue Productions)
- Tananarive Due (Author, Producer & Horror Historian)
- Lucas Ford (Producer, Ford Films — The Backrooms)
- John Squires (Editor-in-Chief, Bloody Disgusting)
- Sophie Carroll (Creative Director, ALTER & DUST at Gunpowder & Sky)
- Gigi Saul Guerrero (Director & Co-Founder, Luchagore Productions)
- Aaron B. Koontz (Producer & CEO, Paper Street Pictures)
Yes, yours truly is joining the Killer Shorts judging panel for the first time ever!
Killer Shorts has a proven track record of transitioning undiscovered writers into working professionals. Alumni success stories include Season 2 finalist Vanessa Võ, who signed with Bellevue Productions, and Season 3 finalist Kelly Nugent, who secured representation at Wonder Street.
Additionally, screenplays submitted for coverage that receive a “Recommend” rating qualify for inclusion on The Scream List. This real-time tracking board is monitored by top-tier genre companies, including Screambox, Raven Banner Entertainment, Zero Gravity Management, and Grey Matter Productions.
Submissions will be accepted across all major platforms, including the official Killer Shorts website, Scrybe, Stage 32, FilmFreeway, and Network ISA.
For full guidelines, prize breakdowns, and submission details, visit the official website!
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