THE HAUNTED MANSION (2003) Dir. Rob Minkoff

Rewatched the 2023 Haunted Mansion movie earlier, and noticed something.

In the first sequence of Travis and Gabbie in the house, Travis covered a bride's portrait in one of the bedrooms. But this bride doesn't look like Constance. She doesn't have such a full "fluffy" veil, or the high-necked dress.

Instead, she has a more translucent veil, with a lower neckline to her dress, and in the glimpse we get, she looks like she has brown skin?

(Please excuse the terrible picture I can't get screenshots or find any better photos)

In her manifestation, she's much less outwardly hostile (as Constance, I would assume, would immediately race to attack Travis), this bride kind of just floats in the corner, jerks her head a bit, giggles, and welcomes him home.

My immediate first thought was it was Elizabeth, maybe a brief nod to the 2003 movie. But what do you all think?

I have a great deal of problems with the 2003 movie (mainly that they sacrificed a neat story for mainly slapstick and screaming. AND THE CANONICALIZATION OF LITERAL HELL-) but one thing burned into my memory that will never not be funny is just the kinds screaming “GHOST BALL!” The entire movie. Rip Elizabeth, that was really funny im sorry girl.

I think it’s also spectacularly funny as a orb is a ligitimate form of supernatural phenomenon but to just have a little boy scream “BALLLL!” At it 💀

The Haunted Mansion: Elizabeth Henshaw —Aesthetic

Elizabeth Henshaw's Character & Personality

Upper class African-Americans were prominent in the 1800's following the American Revolution. Many of them were Mulatto (one black parent, one white parent), but were conceived through unsavory means. In 1881, Elizabeth was the daughter of one of the servants at Gracey Manor. Meaning, she's of very low social class. Edward, the master of the manor and youngest child of Mr. Gracey, developed a close relationship with Elizabeth. Eventually, the two decided to become engaged. As a person, Elizabeth is gentle and kind who's determined to reveal the truth for the sake of good. She's also passionate about love and likes balls because she enjoys dancing.

Elizabeth Henshaw's Letter (from the 2003 film, "The Haunted Mansion")

Found it, it was the Junior Novelization of the movie. Here is the quote:

“Her father was once the caretaker of this manor,” Gracey continued “But sadly, soon after she was brought into this world, he passed, and the child was left alone with no kin to call her own. So, as a depth to her father, whom the family loved dearly, they took the girl in and raised her as one of their own. As an equal.”

(This a part of Gracey talking to Sara in the book)

Ah! Alright then

Interestingggg

I Dream of an animated version of disney’s the haunted mansion

A polycule begins. 

this has more significance to me than the mona lisa

@beatingheart-bride

"I...I like that idea," Randall blushed with a little smile, moving to take her hand upon feeling her touch-those stories did indeed have to come from somewhere, and there were plenty more to come that had yet to be written, so to speak. It was a way of making memories, and he loved to idea of making them with Emily.

"Did your family's chef ever make...anything from an old recipe?" he then ventured to ask, a part of him curious to know more about her upbringing, another part curious to know how the other half lived, in a way. "Anything passed down through the years?"

Surely there had to be something...some sort of big dinner prepared for special occasions, perhaps the holidays, something she got to have only on her birthday, maybe? A special breakfast or dessert, reserved for family reunions or get-togethers? There were dozens of those on both sides of the family, and he wanted to know what her family's recipes were like. Who knew? Maybe they could try making one of those together sometime...

the gracey manor is a popular site for adventurers seeking the thrill of ghosts. how could it not be? it sits on the outskirts of the most haunted city in america, atop of a cemetery that stretches as far as the eye can see. 

but perhaps the most important key to the mansion’s popularity, @spxnglr, is the tragedy that is seeped deep into its walls. the suicide of lovers, broken hearts left behind ... oh, it must have been quite the gossip in new orlean society. the gracey heir plans to elope with the caretaker’s daughter ... 

you can ask anyone in the mansion that remembers their affair, and they will tell you; elizabeth is the heart that holds the mansion together. perhaps her assumed absence is cause for the gloom overcast above the land. yet there is a funny little ball, bursting with an ethereal, icy light that no one is able to claim a name to, she floats idly from hall to hall, ignored. pitied, at best. no one will assume her to be the beautiful lover of the estate’s late heir. 

PHANTOMANSION : independent, selective, && divergent portrayal of muses from disney theme park attractions - haunted mansion, pirates of the caribbean, and adventureland treehouse - includes phantom manor, development lore, and haunted mansion (2003) movie inspirations! penned by blossom (she/her / 24 / PST) !

exploring  themes  of  finding hope in despair, unrealistic love, deception, betrayal, rebirth, rediscovering oneself, reclaiming agency, self-loathing, self-love, and death.

Muses: Melanie Ravenswood - The Lonely Bride of Phantom Manor Elizabeth Henshaw - The Lost Bride of Gracey Mansion Priscilla Gorelieu - The Unfortunate Bride of Gore Mansion Little Leota - The Ghostess Pearl E Gates - The Grim Gazette Editor-in-Chief

The Season Sisters (based off of the portrait of Miss April-December) The Story of the Season Sisters Miss April: the Innocent Miss June: the Vain Miss September: the Cruel Miss December: the Deadly

Other Muses: Redd - The Fierce Pirate Captain of the Caribbean Roberta “Bobbie” Porter - The Daughter of the Adventureland Treehouse

The Portrait of Elizabeth Henshaw (from the 2003 film, "The Haunted Mansion")

Painting by Gunnar Ahmer