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"The Beast of Bristol": A talent agent by the name of Alex Kent tries to convince English horror actor Elliot Smathers to come to America. The talent agent is informed that Smathers could make personal appearances earning lucrative sums. Kent is offered $5000 if he can convince the actor to tr

House of Mystery #20 is an issue of the series House of Mystery (Volume 1) with a cover date of November, 1953.

Synopsis for "The Beast of Bristol"

A talent agent by the name of Alex Kent tries to convince English horror actor Elliot Smathers to come to America. The talent agent is informed that Smathers could make personal appearances earning lucrative sums. Kent is offered $5000 if he can convince the actor to travel. Alex Kent pays a visit to the star, and he learns that Smathers has been having bad nightmares. Smathers reveals that his dreams make him feel like he is actually living the role of the monsters in his movies. Kent listens and declares that Smathers is overworked and that a trip to America would make him forget his nightmares. Smathers refuses stating that his fans expect him to do all of his work in England. Kent then gets the idea to hire an expert actor by the name of Meekers to make appearances in public dressed as monsters from films that Smathers has played. The public is soon frightened by appearances from the Spectre of Lansbury, the Museum Monster and the Ghost of Gainsborough. Kent hopes that the appearances will scare Smathers into leaving the country. Sure enough, Kent receives a visit from Smathers one night. Smathers explains that he is afraid that he himself is the one that is making the monstrous appearances in his sleep. Kent quickly visits Meeker the actor to inform him that he is overdoing his act. He arrives at the actor's home and finds that he is dead. A policeman declares that the actor has been dead for days. Kent reasons that if the actor had been dead for days, then it couldn’t have been him making the monstrous appearances. As Kent walks home, he is attacked by a film monster known as the Beast of Bristol. As he awaits his inevitable death, Kent realizes that it was indeed Elliot Smathers that had been turning into the monstrous roles in his sleep.

Appearing in "The Beast of Bristol"

Featured Characters:

  • Alex Kent (Single appearance)

Supporting Characters:

  • Elliot Smathers (Single appearance)

Other Characters:

  • Meeker (Single appearance; dies)
  • Grace (Single appearance)
  • Alf, a patrolman (Single appearance)

Locations:


Synopsis for "Mr. Mortem"


Appearing in "Mr. Mortem"

Featured Characters:

  • Drew Wilson (Single appearance; dies)

Supporting Characters:

  • Vera Wilson (Single appearance)

Antagonists:

  • Mr. Mortem (Single appearance)

Other Characters:

  • Biff Saunders (Single appearance; dies)
  • Tom, a firefighter (Single appearance)
  • Joe (Single appearance)
  • Al (Single appearance)

Locations:

  • Millburn
  • Livingston

Synopsis for "The Lamp That Changed People"


Appearing in "The Lamp That Changed People"

Featured Characters:

  • Jennie Doldrum (Single appearance)

Supporting Characters:

  • Casper Doldrum (Single appearance)

Other Characters:

Locations:

Items:

  • Magic lamp

Synopsis for "The Hex on My House"


Appearing in "The Hex on My House"

Featured Characters:

  • Tom Crandall (Single appearance)
  • Portia Crandall (Single appearance)

Supporting Characters:

  • Mr. Clark, a District Attorney (Single appearance)

Antagonists:

  • Eliza Jason (Single appearance)
  • Joad Jason (Single appearance)

Other Characters:

  • Ellen (Single appearance)
  • Ada Clark (Single appearance)

Locations:

  • Southernmost State (likely Texas)

Notes



See Also


Links and References

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