Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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MARCH
IF MARCH COMES IN LIKE A LION IT GOES OUT LIKE A LAMB.
IF MARCH COMES IN LIKE A LAMB IT GOES OUT LIKE A LION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Keyword(s): ANIMAL COMPARISON ; CONTRAST. ; WEATHER.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Month PROVERB -- Weather Proverb |
SUPERSTITIONS IN THE THEATER.
DON'T RUN LINES IN YOUR HEADJUST BEFORE GOING ON. THIS IS
BAD LUCK, BECAUSE YOU FORGET YOUR LINES FASTER.
Submitter comment:
THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I WAS IN A PRODUCTION AT
CRANBROOK SUMMER THEATER CAMP. I HAD A MAJOR PART, AND BEFORE
MY ENTRANCE, I WAS GOING THROUGH LINES, AND WHEN I GOT ONSTAGE,
I BLACKED OUT BECAUSE I FORGOT MY LINES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): MEMORY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
HAUNTED THEATER
ALL THEATERS HAVE GHOSTS OF DEAD CHARACTERS OR ACTORS.
Submitter comment:
THERE ARE SOME THEATERS IN LONDON THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE
HAUNTED BY THE GHOSTS OF FAMOUS ACTORS OR MANAGERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
MACBETH
THERE IS A CURSE ON THIS PLAY AND I HAVE SEEN IT WORK. DURING
REHEARSALS FOR ONE PLAY, SOMEONE SAID A LINE FROM THE PLAY, AND
THE DIRECTOR STOPPED REHEARSALS AND TOLD THE GUILTY PERSON
TO GO OUT INTO THE HALL, TURN AROUND THREE TIMES, AND KNOCK
ON THE THEATER DOOR AND BE LET IN. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO LIFT
THE CURSE. ANOTHER TIME, I WAS IN ANOTHER PLAY AND THE SAME
THING HAPPENED, BUT THIS TIME, WHEN THE PERSON WAS ASKED TO
LEAVE, HE WOULDN'T GO. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE SAFETY PIN
HOLDING HIS COSTUME TOGETHER POPPED OPEN AND PIERCED HIS HAND.
Submitter comment:
DURING A PLAY I WAS IN AT MARYGROVE, I SAW THIS CURSE WORK.
THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED WAS THAT THE LEAD STARTED TO
HYPERVENTILATE AND NEARLY PASSED OUT. THE SECOND THING WAS
THAT THINGS STARTED TO FALL DOWN BACKSTAGE WHEN NO ONE WAS NEAR
THEM. THE SECOND LEAD NEARLY SEVERED HIS THUMB WHILE CUTTING
BREAD, AND A LITTLE BOY WAS HURT WHEN A HEAVY MIRROR FELL AND
HIT HIM ON THE HEAD.
MARYGROVE COLLEGE IS IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Favorites BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
COFFIN ONSTAGE.
IF THERE IS A COFFIN ONSTAGE, SOMEONE CLOSE TO THE ACTOR WILL
DIE. THIS HAPPENED TO ME BECAUSE I HAD TWO FRIENDS WHO
DIED ON THEIR WAY TO THE THEATER WHERE I WAS OPENING IN
DRACULA.
Submitter comment: MISS BRINKLEY ASSURED ME THAT THIS REALLY DID HAPPEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
LIMERICK
THERE ONCE WAS A GIRL FROM ST. PAUL,
WHO WENT TO THE NEWSPAPER BALL.
THE PLACE CAUGHT ON FIRE
AND BURNED HER ENTIRE
FRONT PAGE, SPORTS SECTION AND ALL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Keyword(s): RHYME: ABCBB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 11-04-1969
RIDDLE
THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO HAD HER DOOR OPEN AND SAID,
THE NEXT PERSON WHO WALKS PASS MY DOOR ON MY PROPERTY,
I'LL SHOOT THEM AND SHE KNEW NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. WHY?
-- SHE WAS A SIAMESE TWIN.
Submitter comment: TOLD IN THE STUDENT UNION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 02-10-1971
THE BEGGAR WHO WAS JESUS
LONG AGO IN ARMENIA A BEGGAR WAS SEEN GOING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
TRYING TO GET SOME FOOD. WITH MOST OF HIS HOPE GONE, HE CAME TO THE
HOUSE OF AN ARMENIAN PRIEST AND HIS WIFE. THE WOMAN OPENED THE DOOR
AND GAVE THE BEGGAR SOME FRESH BREAD WHICH SHE WAS BAKING AT THE
HEARTH. HE THANKED HER AND ASKED HER FOR ONE MORE FAVOR. THE FAVOR
WAS THAT HE COULD GIVE HER A KISS. SHE OBLIGED. THE BEGGAR WAS
THOUGHT TO BE JESUS. WHEN HER HUSBAND CAME HOME SHE TOLD HIM WHAT
HAPPENED. HE ANSWERED HER, "FOR GOD'S SAKE, WOULD YOU JUMP IN THE
FIRE? SHE ANSWERED YES AND THREW HERSELF INTO THE HEARTH. WITHOUT
HER HE FELT THERE WAS NO REASON TO LIVE AND SO HE THREW HIMSELF INTO
THE FIRE. IT IS SAID AT THIS SPOT A SHRINE HAS BEEN ERECTED AND A
SPRING FLOWS WHICH HEALS THE SICK."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WALSH COLLEGE ; CAMPUS ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): IRONY GOOD VS. EVIL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 03-21-1970
RIDDLE
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU RAN OUT OF GAS IN THE
JUNGLE? ANSWER: PUT A TIGER IN YOUR TANK.
Data entry tech comment: THE PHRASE "PUT A TIGER IN YOUR TANK" WAS AN ; ADVERTISING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-00-1969
FESTIVAL--SPEECH
TRICK OR TREATS, MONEY OR EATS.
Submitter comment: HEARD THIS SAYING ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT WHEN HE WAS ABOUT FIVE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.1031 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween |
Date learned: 10-15-1967
EASTER EGG FIGHTS
A CUSTOM THE ARMENIANS HAVE AND AS FAR AS I KNOW ARE THE ONLY ONES
THAT DO IS THE EASTER EGG FIGHTS. WE BOIL AND COLOR OUR EGGS JUST
LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, BUT WE ALSO SEE WHO HAS THE STRONGEST EGG BY
HITTING THE POINTED ENDS OF THE EGGS TOGETHER. THE ONE WHOSE EGG
BREAKS IS THE LOSER. I AM ALSO TOLD THAT WHEN I WAS YOUNG OLDER
MEN LIKE MY GRANDFATHER WOULD MEET ON EASTER AND WAGER DOZENS AND
CASES OF EGGS ON A SINGLE MATCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WALSH COLLEGE ; CAMPUS
Keyword(s): GAME
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs |
Date learned: 03-21-1970