House of Mystery #35 is an issue of the series House of Mystery (Volume 1) with a cover date of February, 1955.
Synopsis for "The Fatal Superstition"
Two men drive into a small town named Johah where they encounter a sign informing them that black cats, mirrors, ladders and Umbrellas are not allowed. A police officer informs them that he must confiscate any of these items before they are allowed to travel into the city. The two men, Burt and Huggins proceed to go into town where they stop at a diner and talk to a waitress. She informs them that the town was once owned by a man named Cyrus Pringle who refused to let people settle there unless they followed his superstitious laws. The laws continued to be enforced even after Pringle's death. The traveler named Burt then reveals that he intends to murder his business partner Huggins. The superstitious nature of the town might provide him with a way to hide the murder if he can create the right scenario. Burt then decides to invent a superstition of his own to assist him with the murder. He reveals that Polka Dot handkerchiefs are bad luck because they were used by members of the Polka Dot gang in the West 72 years ago. Their signature handkerchiefs were strapped together by law enforcement to hang them when they were captured. The towns people are adamant that they have never heard of such a superstition especially since it is not notated in any of their lawbooks. Burt and Huggins then offer to wear the handkerchiefs around town to see if they are jinxed. Later in the hotel, Burt murders his partner by making it appear that the polka dot handkerchief he was wearing got caught in a nearby electric fan and he was strangled to death. The townspeople are convinced and a local store gathers its stock of polka dot handkerchiefs to dispose of them out of town. Burt Roman leaves town at the same time content that he has gotten away with the crime. As he drives behind the store delivery truck, the handkerchiefs fly out of the bed of the truck and land on his car windshield blocking his view. Burt then crashes into a tree where he is automatically killed. The townspeople are amazed at how the handkerchiefs seemed to suddenly come alive to plummet Burt to his fate.
Appearing in "The Fatal Superstition"
Featured Characters:
- Burt Roman (Single appearance; dies)
Supporting Characters:
- Ed Huggins (Single appearance; dies)
- The sheriff (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Ben (Single appearance)
- Jeb (Single appearance)
- Sam Johnson (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Jonah
Items:
- Polka-dot kerchief
Synopsis for "The Golden Man"
Appearing in "The Golden Man"
Featured Characters:
- Ray James (Single appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Oswald Meeker (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Mrs. James, Oswald's wife (Single appearance)
- Mr. Meeker, Oswald's son (Single appearance)
Locations:
- A tenement building
Items:
- Gold-plated brick
Synopsis for "The Island of No Return"
Appearing in "The Island of No Return"
Featured Characters:
- Bart Madden (Single appearance; dies)
Supporting Characters:
- Sir David (Single appearance; dies)
- Augie English (Single appearance; dies)
Antagonists:
- Kalu Island natives (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Captain Marlow (Dies in flashback)
Locations:
- New Guinea
- Kalu Island
Items:
- Gold bars
- Diving suit
Vehicles:
- Trade Winds, Bart's ship
- The Santa Lucia, sunken treasure ship
Synopsis for "The Man Who Haunted A Ghost"
Appearing in "The Man Who Haunted A Ghost"
Featured Characters:
- Lyons (Single appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Inspector Phipps (Single appearance)
Antagonists:
- Jasper Duncan (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Enos MacNally (Single appearance; dies)
- Bonnie Dunn (Single appearance)
Locations:
- England
- Moor Castle
Items:
- Jasper's ghost catching machine (Exposed as fraudulent)
Notes
- "The Man Who Haunted a Ghost!" is reprinted in House of Mystery #178 and Showcase Presents: The House of Mystery #1
- Other features included in this issue of House of Mystery include:
- "Babe", a comic strip by Henry Boltinoff. Reprinted in World's Finest #111.
- "Curse of the Blankenships" by Morris Waldinger. Reprinted in the following:
- "Ghostly Miners" by Morris Waldinger. Reprinted in the following:
- "The Phantom Photographs" (text story) by Jack Miller, with illustrations by Raymond Perry.
- "Binky's Special Christmas Quiz "Christmas in Many Lands!" (PSA) by Jack Schiff, art by Ruben Moreira, and lettering by Ira Schnapp.
See Also