AMITYVILLE HORROR-25 years later-Fact? or Fiction?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Myth #1 - Jay Anson's The Amityville Horror was never intended to be a money-making franchise. And the Lutz family never sought to be famous or to profit from their plight. Fact #1 - According to the United States Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS), The Amityville Horror has been trademarked to protect a vested interest. The following has been taken from public records on Tess.Uspto.Gov:

Word Mark THE AMITYVILLE HORROR Goods and Services IC 016. US 002 005 022 023 029 037 038 050. G & S: SERIES OF NON-FICTION BOOKS IN THE FIELDS OF PARANORMAL STUDIES AND DEMONOLOGY. FIRST USE: 19771001. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19771001 Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING Serial Number 78021172 Filing Date August 14, 2000 Published for Opposition November 6, 2001 Registration Number 2534312 Registration Date January 29, 2002 Owner (REGISTRANT) George Lee Lutz INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES XXXXXX Las Vegas NEVADA Type of Mark TRADEMARK Register PRINCIPAL Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

Edit. #1 - Above, under "Goods and Services," it states: SERIES OF NON-FICTION BOOKS IN THE FIELDS OF PARANORMAL STUDIES AND DEMONOLOGY. This is knowingly a false statement since the other Amityville books were simply sequels thought up to capitalize on the sensation that Jay Anson's book created. For example, on page 95 of John G. Jones' The Amityville Horror 2, a purported nonfiction book, it described George Lutz as a "bearded man, better than six feet tall..." Anyone who has either seen or met George Lutz knows that he is no more than 5'9". Although this may seem like a insignificant detail, it is a perfect example of how things related to the Amityville case were fabricated and embellished for entertainment value.

In the Foreword of the third book, Amityville: The Final Chapter, it explained how Father Mancusco, whose real name was Father Pecoraro, suffered from supernatural attacks after he had blessed the house. However, court documents and testimony from the 1977 lawsuit the Lutzes brought against William Weber, Butch DeFeo's attorney, showed that Father Pecoraro denied having ever suffered from any supernatural afflictions. Yet the erroneous description of a supernatural attack on the priest was included in the 1985 book that also purported to be nonfiction, even though the Lutzes, who were joint copyright holders in the book, knew Father Pecoraro had denied ever experiencing anything supernatural.

Also on page XI of the foreword, another inconsistency read, "Objects would fly across the room and explode without warning..." But in a joint press conference with William Weber, dated February 16, 1976, George Lutz explained away the alleged phenomena that he and his family had allegedly witnessed. He said, "What didn't happen were all the usual things associated with a haunted house. No objects flew around; there was no wailing." The facts and the evidence continuously point to a hoax, which was originally intended as a defense for Butch DeFeo, the son accused of killing his entire family.

Normally, one would not think to see a legitimate haunted-house case or paranormal investigation trademarked to protect a vested interest. Furthermore, according to George and Kathy Lutz, the first book was simply supposed to set the record straight about their so-called experiences in the DeFeo home. Yet, more than a quarter century later, the Lutzes are still engaged in creating further sequels for profit, even though in a 1979 "In Search Of" TV episode George Lutz proclaimed, "We are glad it is over; for us it is over." But 25 years later, the money-making scheme is once more in full swing, hoping for a new generation to believe in the illogical and unbelievable. It is purported that the Lutzes are actively seeking to capitalize on another sequel book and movie -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Myth #2 - The Shinnecock Indians resided in Amityville. Fact #2 - The Shinnecock Indians resided nowhere near Amityville. Besides, all of the Indians on Long Island were part of the Montaukett nation. It was the Europeans who placed names on the inhabitants of the local areas. Regardless, the Massapequans were the group that would have most likely visited Amityville.

Edit. #2 - Many in Amityville refute the claim that there was ever any Indians residing in their community (see Myth #3 for further info). However, in 1920, a set of bones was unearthed in a shell mound only a quarter of a mile from the house. Yet not even the local historical society is sure where the bones reside, let alone if they were human.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Myth #3 - 112 Ocean Avenue was an Indian sanitarium where the mad and dying would be left exposed to the elements to die. Fact #3 - There is no record that there ever was an Indian burial ground or a sanitarium on Ocean Avenue. According to Long Island Native American expert John Strong, author of "We Are Still Here," many Indian groups lived along the tidal bays in the area, but as far as the claims about the Indians made in The Amityville Horror, he insists that it leads him to believe it was all an entertaining hoax.

Edit. #3 - Represenatives of the local Indian population have personally taken me to several abandoned Indian cemeteries that are right outside of the Village of Amityville. Sadly, these grounds are now used as dumping areas. Regardless, these native peoples' oral histories are quite amazing, so if a burial ground would have existed, then they would have known about it. Besides, these native people were a kind and gentle people, so it is absurd to think that they would leave anyone out, exposed to the elements to die or curse a land. Rather, they took care of their sick, dying and mentally insane and even showed the European settlers how to do the same.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Myth #4 - A witch named John Ketchum escaped from Salem, Massachusetts, during the witch trials and built his house on or near the famous Amityville house to continue his devil worship. It is reported that his body is buried on or near the property. Fact #4 - A prominent citizen named John Ketchum did return from Ipswich, Massachusetts
Edit. #4 - Huntington Township was quite spread out in the late 1600s and incorporated present day Amityville (13 miles away). Over the last few hundred years, there have been many Ketchums in Amityville. If this John Ketchum did reside in the area, then he would have been buried in the Ketchum cemetery, which is over a mile away from the famous horror house. After contacting the Ketchum Genealogy group, I was able to determine that there never was a John Ketchum that practiced witchcraft

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Myth #5 - The famed Amityville house resides on an ancient cemetery that was either abandoned or cursed. Fact #5 - In 1913, William A. Eardeley was commissioned by the state of New York to copy down old cemetery and bible records because many of the Amityville cemeteries were either abandoned or neglected. These cemeteries were either moved or relocated to bigger incorporated cemeteries. However, there was no report or indication of any cemetery residing on or near the famed property.

Edit. #5 - Like so many other fallacies surrounding the Amityville house, this too proved false.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Myth #6 - The owners of the original house at 112 Ocean Avenue had to move their house down the street because they were plagued with supernatural problems. Fact #6 - Mr. John Moynahan purchased the property at 112 Ocean Avenue from Annie Ireland in 1924. Within a year, the Moynahans needed a bigger home because, like most families, theirs grew in size. While their new home was being built, they moved their small cottage down only a matter of a hundred yards and lived there until the construction was completed.

Edit. #6 - After speaking with several credible paranormal research foundations that investigated The Amityville Horror, I have come to the conclusion that the property was never cursed and remains free from anything demonic or supernatural. Supporting this conclusion further is the overwhelming historical evidence I have gathered that indicates the area was never a haven for witches or insane Native Americans. house

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Myth #7 - The Amityville house is plagued by a diabolical force. Fact #7 - Contrary to the unscrupulous individuals still trying to promote a hoax, land deeds prove that the Ocean Avenue property is a happy home. Only one family ever lived there less than a month. Of course, this same family went on to make quite a bit of money off several supernatural books and films. So, it is in their best interest to continue to say the house in Amityville is haunted.

Edit. #7 - The Amityville Horror was supposed to be a defense for Ronald "Butch" DeFeo Jr., but greed and fame turned it into a money-making franchise. Today, most writers, producers and movie studios recognize that The Amityville Horror was a hoax, even though there are a small percentage of writers still wanting to capitalize off the tragic murders.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Obviously, Butch DeFeo was not possessed.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Myth #8 - The red room is the gateway to hell. Fact #8 - The red room was nothing more than a little area underneath a stairwell that the DeFeo children sometimes stored their toys. Today, it no longer exists since the current owner has renovated the basement and constructed over it.

Edit. #8 - Nobody sensationalized the red room further than Jay Anson and the first movie. I quote from the movie - "...it's the passage to hell. Cover it!" Yeah, right; give me a break. Today, the red room is no longer visible since the current owner has remodeled the basement and built over it.

Not that impressive, is it?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Myth #9 - "The Amityville Horror" movie could not be filmed in the real house because the crew was too scared. Fact #9 - The Village of Amityville viewed the Lutz story as a hoax and did not want a film crew in their sleepy community, so they denied shooting permits.

Edit. #9 - After the production already converted the movie house, which is located in Tom's River, New Jersey, the Cromartys offered to sell the real house to the movie company. The Cromartys only reason for selling was because they did not want to have to face the hordes of tourists they were expecting after the movie opened. However, the production company turned them down. In addition, Tom's River also became infested with tourists thinking the movie house was the real deal.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Myth #10 - Kathy Lutz has three dreams in The Amityville Horror about Louise DeFeo. First, Kathy Lutz wakes up screaming because she saw that Mrs. DeFeo died by a gunshot wound to the head. "She was shot in the head", Kathy screamed! The second dream consisted of Mrs. DeFeo's body being removed from the DeFeo plot at St. Charles Cemetery and re-entombed in Brooklyn. The last dream consisted of Mrs. DeFeo making love to the painter of the DeFeo portraits. Fact #10 - First, Mrs. DeFeo died from two gunshots to the upper body and not a head or neck wound. Second, the Brigantes never moved Mrs. DeFeo's body from the family plot because they wanted Louise with her children. Lastly, there was no way that Mrs. DeFeo would ever consider being unfaithful to her husband because Louise was a lady first and foremost. Besides, Mr. DeFeo constantly checked up on Louise with the "red phone" that only he knew the number to since he was always so paranoid.

Edit. #10 - It would have been nice for Jay Anson to check up on these items before insinuating they were true, especially since his book carried the subtitle "A True Story." It would have been even nicer if Kathy Lutz had not concocted the rumors about a dead woman -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Myth #11 - The 250-pound front door of the house was inexplicably torn off its hinges. And a locksmith was called out to repair the door. Fact #11 - The photo below shows the screen door, not storm door or front door as originally explained, torn off its hinges. With the gusty winds coming off the Great South Bay, a measly screen door can easily be damaged.

Edit. #11 - Barbara Cromarty publicly showed that the front door had all of its original hardware in a 1979 segment of "That's Incredible." So this seems another one of Jay Anson's embellishments that the Lutzes happily went along with because they were splitting the proceeds with Anson. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Myth #12 - It has been alleged that a little boy haunts the Amityville house because he purportedly drowned in the Amityville Creek. This event supposable was all part of the house's "history" that is said to affect every family that has resided within its walls. Fact #12 - The individuals that have spread this rumor have done so irresponsibly and without thinking about the impact on the Village of Amityville or without acquiring accurate information or evidence. In fact, there is no evidence that any alleged death in the Amityville Creek was due to supernatural activity. The true story is that the Friday before the DeFeo murders a high-school student (J. Wilcox) accidentally drowned near the creek in the Ireland's Pond because had overdosed on drugs. (Newsday November, 1974)

Edit. #12 - For years, the Lutzes have been saying that a little boy haunts the house. And for proof, they have shown a photo that shows a little boy sticking his head out of one of the bedrooms on the second floor. For starters, the photo is not an infrared photo like it was contended, but rather from black-and-white film. Secondly, the flash has reflected off the subject's glasses, something that indicates it is a tangible object. In the end, it is most likely that the subject was superimposed in the picture...or it could be that a very real little boy posed for the photo. In fact, the student that drowned prior to the DeFeo murders was of African-American decent and did not resemble the "ghostly" little boy in the slightest bit.

When asked for The History Channel documentary whether or not he had ever had the photo examined by experts, Ed Warren, whose cameraman allegedly captured the image, admitted the photos were never scientifically authenticated. Ed Warren, however, insisted that no proof was needed for "believers."

Show all stories by   Author:  15070 ( Click here )