M. R. James Oh, Whistle and I’ll Come to You, My Lad

Scholarly Work

His work as a mediaeval scholar remains highly respected. Indeed, the

success of his stories was founded on his antiquarian talents and knowledge. For example, his discovery of a manuscript fragment led to excavations in the ruins of

the abbey at Bury St. Edmunds, in 1902, in which the graves of several 12th

century monks were rediscovered, having been

lost since the 1530s.

Ghost Stories •  Ghost Stories of an Antiquary (1904)

•  More Ghost Stories of an Antiquary (1911) •  A Thin Ghost and Others (1919)

•  A Warning to the Curious and Other Stories (1925)

Many of the tales were written as Christmas Eve entertainments and read

aloud to friends. This idea was used by the

BBC in 2000 when they filmed Christopher Lee reading four stories in a candle-lit room in King’s

College.

Jamesian Tales

•  A setting in an English village, seaside town or country estate;

an ancient town in France, Denmark or Sweden; or a

venerable abbey or university.

•  An ordinary gentleman-scholar as protagonist (often of a

reserved nature).

•  The discovery of an old book or other antiquarian object that

somehow unlocks, calls down the wrath, or at least attracts the

unwelcome attention of a supernatural menace, usually

from beyond the grave.

The Knights Templar

Endorsed by the Catholic Church around 1129, the Order grew rapidly in

membership and power. Templar knights, in their distinctive white mantles with a red cross, were among the most

skilled fighting units of the Crusades. They also innovated financial techniques that were an early form of banking, and built fortifications across Europe and the Holy Land. However, rumors about the Templars' secret initiation ceremony

created mistrust and, in 1307, many of the Order's members were arrested,

tortured into giving false confessions, and then burnt at stake.

Scepticism ‘I answer that I am prepared to

consider evidence and accept it if it satisfies me’. (M. R. James)

Oh, Whistle and I’ll Come to You, My Lad Main Themes

It refers to any questioning attitude towards knowledge, facts, or beliefs stated as facts, or doubt regarding claims

that are taken for granted elsewhere. Most scientists, being scientific sceptics, test the reliability of certain kinds of

claims by subjecting them to a systematic investigation using some form of the scientific method. As a result, a

number of claims are considered ‘pseudoscience’ if they are found to improperly apply or ignore the fundamental

aspects of the scientific method.

Haunted Objects ‘In my opinion, the ghost should be malevolent or odious.

Amiable and helpful apparitions are all very well in fairy tales or in local legends, but I have no use for them in a fictitious

ghost story’. (M. R. James)

Haunted objects have long been used as subject for many horror films and other stories, such as:

Some people claim they actually exist. Here are a few inanimate objects that might just be a little more animated

than we think:

Robert the Doll. Robert has been around since 1896 and belonged to a little boy who always chatted with

his doll – but, servants and family members said, Robert the Doll often

talked back. These days Robert resides at the Martello Gallery- Key West Art and Historical Museum. If

you want a picture of him, you have to ask – a slight tilt of his head means yes. If you don’t get the tilt and take a picture anyway, beware – Robert

will curse you.

The Haunted Mirror at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Even though Marilyn Monroe has been

dead for 50 years, you can still see her at the Hollywood

Roosevelt. Marilyn lived at the Roosevelt and especially loved Suite 1200. At some point, when a housekeeper was cleaning it one day, she got quite a fright – a beautiful blonde woman was

staring right back at her. The Roosevelt moved the mirror to a

public area so guests could experience Miss Monroe as well.

And supposedly they have!