Short Stuff: The Call is Coming... FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE
In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant explore the horror trope of threatening phone calls coming from inside the house. The hosts trace this concept back to its origins in a real 1950 murder case, where a 13-year-old babysitter was killed in Missouri, and explain how this tragedy influenced the development of a widespread urban legend.
The hosts examine how this premise became a foundation for several notable horror films of the 1970s, including "When a Stranger Calls" and "Black Christmas." They also discuss how modern technology, particularly cell phones, has affected the impact of this once-powerful horror device, forcing storytellers to develop new methods of creating tension in their narratives.
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1-Page Summary
Origins of 'Call From Inside the House' Urban Legend
A chilling horror trope from the 1960s features a young babysitter receiving menacing phone calls while watching children. The story typically culminates in a terrifying revelation: the threatening calls are coming from inside the house, suggesting an intruder's presence and potential harm to the children upstairs.
This urban legend draws inspiration from a tragic real-life incident: the 1950 murder of 13-year-old Janet Chrisman in Missouri. While babysitting for the Romack family, Janet was brutally murdered, with the home's phone torn from the wall—a detail that would later influence the "call from inside the house" narrative. The porch light left on suggested Janet may have recognized her attacker.
Legendary Figures in Horror
The "call is coming from inside the house" trope has been immortalized in several iconic horror films, including "When a Stranger Calls" (1979), "Black Christmas" (1974), and "Halloween" (1978). The device's effectiveness stems from its ability to shatter the victim's sense of safety, revealing that danger has already infiltrated what should be a secure space.
Impact of Cell Phones on the Legend's Effectiveness
Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant discuss how modern technology has diminished the impact of this once-powerful horror device. Bryant notes that cell phones have "screwed up" the concept, as receiving calls from within one's house is now commonplace. The ubiquity of mobile phones has forced filmmakers to seek new creative techniques to maintain tension and exploit audience fears, moving beyond this classic but increasingly dated plot device.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The urban legend of the "call from inside the house" is inspired by the real-life 1950 murder of Janet Chrisman, a babysitter who was killed while on duty. The legend incorporates elements from this tragic event, such as the phone being ripped from the wall, to create a chilling narrative of danger lurking within the home. This connection to a real-life tragedy adds a layer of authenticity and fear to the urban legend, making it more unsettling for audiences. The urban legend serves as a cautionary tale about the vulnerability of those in caregiving roles and the potential dangers that can exist even in familiar surroundings.
- The impact of cell phones on the "call from inside the house" urban legend is discussed in terms of how modern technology has made the concept less effective in creating fear and suspense in storytelling. The ubiquity of cell phones has made receiving calls from inside one's house a common occurrence, diminishing the shock value of this once powerful horror device. Filmmakers now need to explore new creative techniques to maintain tension and exploit audience fears in a world where such scenarios are no longer as alarming due to technological advancements.
Counterarguments
- The origin of the 'Call From Inside the House' urban legend may not be solely attributed to the 1960s or the Janet Chrisman case, as the concept of an unseen threat within one's safe space is a broader and more universal fear that could have multiple origins.
- While the Chrisman murder may have influenced the narrative, it is not the definitive source of the trope, as similar themes can be found in earlier literature and folklore.
- The assertion that the trope has been immortalized in the specified horror films could be challenged by noting that the idea has been used in a wider array of media and storytelling, including books, television shows, and urban legends that predate the films mentioned.
- The effectiveness of the trope might not solely rely on the shattering of a victim's sense of safety; it could also be argued that the trope plays on deeper psychological fears such as betrayal, vulnerability, and the unknown.
- The impact of cell phones on the legend's effectiveness could be debated. Some might argue that modern technology can be incorporated into the trope in a way that updates and maintains its relevance, such as through the use of smart home technology and the internet, which can introduce new dimensions to the concept of an intruder being 'inside' the house.
- It could also be argued that the ubiquity of cell phones and the changing nature of communication have not necessarily diminished the trope's impact but rather have changed the way suspense and fear are built in contemporary horror storytelling.
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Origins of 'Call From Inside the House' Urban Legend
Classic 1960s Horror Trope: 'Call Is From Inside the House'
A classic and chilling scenario unfolds in this horror trope from the 1960s. A young teen or tween girl, often a babysitter, is home alone or watching children. She receives mysterious calls, with the caller asking if she has checked on the sleeping children upstairs. These calls start out seeming like pranks but soon become increasingly more menacing. In a terrifying twist, when the babysitter seeks help from the police to trace the caller's location, the officers reveal that the calls are coming from a second phone line inside the house. This revelation implies that a prowler is in the house and suggests that the children upstairs may already be in danger.
Babysitter Gets Sinister Calls About Children Upstairs
The sinister narrative of the babysitter receiving disturbing calls heightens the fear that someone unfamiliar is stalking from within the very walls intended to provide safety.
Twist: The Call Is From Inside, Implying a Dangerous Intruder Has Harmed or Killed the Children
The unexpected and gut-wrenching twist that the call is emanating from inside the house plays on primal fears and has become an iconic moment in horror storytelling.
Inspired by 1950 Missouri Murder of 13-year-Old Babysitter Janet Chrisman
The backdrop of this horrific urban legend finds its roots in real life—a grim tale from the 1950s that shocked a community.
Babysitter Janet Chrisman Equipped With Shotgun For Protection
Janet Chrisman, just 13 years old, was babysitting for the Romack family. Before they departed for the evening, Mr. Romack showed Janet a loaded shotgun and instructed her on its use, indicating she had a means of protection if needed while minding their home.
Janet Was Murdered, Assaulted, and Strangled; the Phone Ripped From the Wall Suggests the Killer May Have Been an Acquaintance, Robert Muller
Janet's choice to babysit on an ev ...
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Origins of 'Call From Inside the House' Urban Legend
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The urban legend of "the call is coming from inside the house" draws inspiration from the real-life murder of Janet Chrisman in the 1950s. Janet, a 13-year-old babysitter, was tragically killed while on duty, with the phone line ripped from the wall at the crime scene. This detail of the torn phone line and the eerie similarity to the urban legend's premise of calls coming from inside the house link Janet's murder to the popular horror trope. The legend's chilling twist mirrors the unsettling circumstances of Janet's murder, adding a layer of real-life horror to the fictional narrative.
- The torn phone line in Janet Chrisman's murder scene symbolized a direct link to communication being violently severed, indicating a struggle and potential attempt to seek help. This ...
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Legendary Figures in Horror
The horror genre has spawned numerous tropes that have become legendary in their ability to evoke terror, but few have struck a chord as chillingly as "the call is coming from inside the house," a narrative device used to great effect in several iconic films.
The Trope "the Call Is Coming From Inside the House" Appears In Horror Films Like "When a Stranger Calls" (1979), "Black Christmas" (1974), "Halloween" (1978)
These Films Use the Trope to Evoke Dread and Helplessness as the Victim Realizes the Danger Is Nearer Than Expected
The trope "the call is coming from inside the house" is notably used in the genre-defining films such as "When a Stranger Calls" (1979), "Black Christmas" (1974), and "Halloween" (1978), and has been an enduring narrative device in horror. The power of the trope lies in its sudden reversal of the victim’s sense of safety, amplifying the fear by demonstrating that the perceived danger isn’t just near—it’s already breached the sanctity of the home. Josh Clark specifically mentions "When a Stranger Calls" as an example where this trope plays a pivotal role. The horror unfolds as the protagonist realizes that the threatening calls they've been receiving are coming from within their own abode, a place presumed to be a refuge from outside threats.
Trope in Horror Stories and Films
The terrifying notion is believed to be inspired by the real-life tragedy of Janet Chrisman's murder. The idea that the source of fear is much closer than it seems taps into deep-seated anxieties about vulnerability and the invasion of personal spaces. The trope employs this narrative element to create a sense of inescapable danger, leaving audiences with enduring unease.
Effectiveness Depends On Landline Limitations, Preventing Calls From Originati ...
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Legendary Figures in Horror
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The trope "the call is coming from inside the house" is a classic horror device where a character receives threatening calls only to discover the caller is inside their home. It creates a sense of immediate danger and vulnerability by breaching the perceived safety of one's own space. This trope was particularly effective in older films due to the limitations of landline phones, which made it improbable for calls to come from inside the house.
- Landline phones had a physical connection to a specific location, making it impossible for calls to come from inside the same house due to how the technology worked. This limitation added a layer of plausibility and fear to the trope "the call is coming from inside the house" in horror films. With the advent of mobile phones, which can make calls from anywhere, this specific fear-inducing aspect of the trope loses some of its impact in modern storytelling.
- The impact of mobile phone ubiquity on modern horror tropes is significant because the traditional horror trope of "the call is coming from inside th ...
Counterarguments
- The trope's effectiveness isn't solely based on technological limitations; it also relies on the psychological impact of safety being breached, which can still be relevant regardless of the technology used.
- Modern technology can be incorporated into horror in creative ways that can renew or even enhance the trope, such as using smart home devices to create a similar sense of invasion and vulnerability.
- The ubiquity of mobile phones doesn't necessarily weaken horror tropes; it changes the landscape, requiring writers and directors to evolve the tropes to fit modern contexts.
- The idea that horror needs to adapt to modern technology overlooks the genre's ability to be timeless and to scare regardless of the era, often by focusing on universal human fears.
- The assumption that the trope is less effective today may underestimate the audience's willingness to suspend disbelief for the sake of enjoying a horror narrative.
- The real-life inspiration of the tro ...
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Impact of Cell Phones on the Legend's Effectiveness
The ubiquitous presence of cell phones has changed the landscape for horror storytelling, prompting creative adaptation to preserve the suspense and tension that classic tropes once effortlessly provided.
Cell Phone Adoption Weakens "Call Is Coming From Inside the House" Trope
Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant hold a discussion on how the classic horror trope "The call is coming from inside the house" has lost its edge in the age of ubiquitous cell phone use.
Untraceable Call Sources No Longer Cause Helplessness and Isolation
They explain that historically, this legend preyed on the assumption that calling your own number from inside your home was impossible, which heightened the terror when a victim realized the call was coming from within the house. The revelation that an intruder was not only inside but also using one's own landline to deliver threats created a sense of helplessness and isolation. Nowadays, the commonality of cell phones means that receiving calls from inside the house happens all the time and is not unusual or unnerving, thus diminishing the trope’s effectiveness. The reality that a call's origin can be hard to trace with cell phones further erodes the scenario’s ability to provoke fear. Bryant states that cell phones have indeed "screwed up" this classic horror concept.
Creative Techniques to Maintain Tension in Horror Stories
Filmmakers Need New Ways to Exploit Audience Assumptions and Fears to Leve ...
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Impact of Cell Phones on the Legend's Effectiveness
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The impact of cell phones on horror storytelling is significant as the widespread use of cell phones has changed how traditional horror tropes, like the "call is coming from inside the house," are perceived. With cell phones making communication easier and more accessible, certain classic horror scenarios lose their effectiveness as they rely on outdated assumptions about technology and isolation. This shift challenges storytellers to find new ways to create suspense and fear by adapting to the realities of modern technology and audience expectations. Creators must innovate to maintain tension by exploring fresh approaches that resonate with today's tech-savvy audiences.
- The "call is coming from inside the house" trope is a classic horror scenario where a person receives threatening phone calls, only to discover that the calls are originating from within their own home, indicating that an intruder is present. This trope plays on the fear of being in close proximity to danger without realizing it, creating a sense of helplessness and isolation for the victim. In the past, this trope was effective due to the assumption that calls from inside the house were impossible, intensifying the terror when the truth was revealed. However, with the widespread use of cell phones, this trope has lost some of its impact as receiving calls from inside the house is now common and less unnerving.
- Historically, the trope of "The call is coming from inside the house" preyed on the idea that calling your own number from inside your home was impossible, creating a sense of helplessness and isolation when the call was discovered to originate from within. This scenario heightened fear by suggesting an intruder was not only inside but also using the victim's own landline to make threatening calls, intensifying the feeling of vulnerability and being cut off from help. The inability to trace the call's source added to the fear, as it implied the intruder's proximity without a clear means of defense or escape. The ubiquity of cell phones today has made receiving calls from inside the house common and less unnerving, diminishing the original impact of this trope.
- The "inside the house" trope in horror storytelling has become outdated due to advancements in technology, specifically the widespread use of cell phones. In the past, the fear stemmed from the impossibility of receiving a call from inside the house, creating a sense of helplessness and isolation. However, with the prevalence of cell phones, receiving calls from inside the house is no longer uncommon, diminishing the fear factor associated with this trope. This shift in technology has prompted creators to find new ways to evoke suspense and fear in their storytelling, adapting to the changing landscape of communication.
- Filmmake ...
Counterarguments
- While cell phones are common, not everyone may have their device on them at all times, allowing the "call is coming from inside the house" trope to retain some effectiveness for certain audiences.
- The trope can still work if set in a context where cell service is unreliable or non-existent, such as remote locations or during network outages.
- Horror stories can leverage the fact that cell phones can be hacked or used to track individuals, introducing a modern twist to the trope and maintaining its fear factor.
- The sense of isolation and helplessness can still be invoked if characters are in a situation where their cell phones are rendered useless, such as in a signal jamming scenario or if the phones are taken away by the antagonist.
- The trope's effectiveness can be preserved by focusing on the psychological impact of the invasion of personal space, which remains unsettling regardless of the means of communication.
- Filmmakers can still exploit traditional tropes by setting films in past decades, thus avoiding the issue of modern technology altogether.
- The trope can be subverted by having the characters be aware of the possibility of inside calls due to cell phones, but then revealing a twist that plays on this exp ...
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