The Curse of the Demon is a British horror film released in 1957. Directed by Jacques Tourneur, the film follows the story of a skeptical psychologist investigating a satanic cult that is reportedly killing its members using a demon. The movie stars Dana Andrews as the psychologist Dr. John Holden and Peggy Cummins as the cult's leader's niece, Joanna Harrington. The film opens with the death of a journalist investigating the cult. Dr.
Oregon state beavers mascot
Benny Beaver, the school's official mascot, was adopted in 1952. Benny Beaver was introduced to the student body Sept. 18, 1952, in an effort to pick up sagging school spirit.
Prior to Benny Beaver, there were at least three other mascots. The first was a coyote named Jimmie. In 1909 a second mascot appeared on the scene in the form of Dr. John Bell, a pastor in Corvallis. "Doc Bell" was considered the varsity football squad's mascot because of his steadfast attendance and advising. In 1921 there was an attempt to make a live Beaver, "Bevo" the school mascot, but with little success.
School Colors
Although Oregon State's athletic teams generally wear orange, black and white based uniforms, orange is considered the school's official color.
Nickname
The nickname for Oregon State University is named after the state animal -- the Beaver.
In the early days of the university, Oregon State's athletic teams were known as the Aggies. When orange uniforms replaced drab sweatshirt-gray and tan jerseys, the teams were referred to as the Orangemen.
In 1916, when the school yearbook was renamed "The Beaver," the name Beaver became associated with the school. It is believed the press also had some influence in changing the name, particularly L. H. Gregory of the Oregonian newspaper.
OSU Fight Song
OSU our hats are off to you
Beavers, Beavers fighters thru and thru
We'll cheer for every man
We'll root for every plan
That's made for OSU
Watch our team go tearin' down the field
Men of iron our strength will never yield
Hail, hail, hail, hail
Hail to old OSU
Mascot (Tails) Tales
Even the most disinterested Oregon resident could probably name the mascots for both of Oregon’s major college sports teams. The University of Oregon Ducks and the Oregon State Beavers are synonymous not only with sports teams, but with the state of Oregon in general. But, according to local legend and lore, it wasn’t always that way.
In the late 1800s, Oregon was known as “The Webfoot State,” probably as an observation based on the copious amount of rain the region received. Around the start of the 20th century, U0 students began referring to themselves and their yearbook as Webfoots. Several student elections confirmed the Webfoot choice, beating out alternatives as Timberwolves, Lumberjacks, Trappers, Pioneers, and Yellowjackets.
When Oregon unofficially adopted the “Beaver State” nickname in 1909, Oregon students actually changed the name of their yearbook to “The Beaver” for a brief time before reverting to the previous name. The Oregon legislature officially adopted the “Beaver State” nickname in 1969.
H. Gregory, sports editor for The Oregonian in the early 1900s, is generally given credit for the Webfoot nickname for the school’s athletic teams. Area sportswriters then morphed the Webfoots into the Ducks in their headlines and stories, and the nickname stuck.
In the 1920s, students began escorting Puddles, a resident of the nearby Millrace, to athletic contests to serve as the team mascot. Live ducks, perhaps descendants of Puddles, were common spectators at various sporting events until the 1940s, when pressure from the Humane Society put a stop to live mascots.
Oregon’s first athletic director, Leo Harris, made a deal with Walt Disney to use the likeness of Donald Duck as the team’s mascot. Following Disney’s death in 1966, a formal contract granted the University of Oregon the right to use the image. The UO athletic department has not always accepted the Duck image.
Jerry Frei, head football coach from 1966 to1971, wanted Donald to portray the “Fighting Ducks” image with teeth in his bill. Dick Harter, basketball coach from 1971 to1978, wanted nothing to do with the Duck nickname, insisting that his team be called the “Kamikaze Kids” instead.
During the 1890s, Oregon State University was called “State Agricultural College” and the first team mascot was Jimmie the Coyote. OSU archives list the coyote’s owner as M.H. Kriebel, which may suggest the possibility that a live mascot was used.
By 1916, the college had changed its name to Oregon Agricultural College and, perhaps coinciding with the unofficial adoption of a new state nickname, became known as the Beavers. OSU historical documents refer to live beaver mascots with names such as Beavo and Billy.
The live mascot was replaced in the 1940s with a cartoon version nicknamed Benny, whose grinning image was upgraded to the “Athletic Beaver” or “Angry Beaver” in the late 1990s to more accurately represent the athletic teams. In 1951, OSU student Ken Austin began appearing at athletic events dressed as “Benny Beaver,” a tradition that continues today.
From the early 1980s until the mid 1990s, “Bernice Beaver,” a female beaver mascot, joined Benny on the field. During her tenure, Bernice wore a wedding dress at Homecoming games with Benny sporting a tux.
OSU also had a human mascot near the turn of the 20th century in the person of John Richard Newton Bell. Bell, a local Presbyterian minister and ardent OSU supporter, began a tradition of tossing his top hat in the Marys River after each Civil War football victory. The hat tossing social event, which is documented in yearbooks and newspaper archives, grew into one of the most anticipated rituals in Corvallis. OSU recognized Bell in the 1920s, naming its football field Bell Field, used until the early 1950s when Parker Stadium, now Reser Stadium, was built.
Both of these educational institutions have used one of the states’ various nicknames as the name of their athletic teams. We can all be thankful that a name that once graced Oregon license plates, “Pacific Wonderland,” wasn’t pressed into similar service.
Can you imagine the University of Oregon “Pacifics,” or the Oregon State University “Wonders?” No, neither of those names work for me. On second thought, diehard football fans from the 1970s and 1980s might think the “Wonders” moniker might be appropriate. Given the dismal records of both teams during this time, the fans might “wonder” how they managed to recruit anyone to play for them.
OSU reflects on 67 years of Benny Beaver
Benny Beaver watches the baseball game in 1988. The original mascot outfit was created by Ken Austin in 1953.
Melinda Myers, News Contributor
November 19, 2017
Benny Beaver’s history revealed by Ken Austin, original mascot from 1953.
Webbed feet housed in black shoes donned with white laces. A flattened, rudder-like tail. Brown fur covered by a black-and-orange uniform. Buck teeth and a number zero. This is what makes Oregon State University’s mascot, Benny Beaver.
According to Mike Dicianna, the first mascot of OAC (during the 1930s to the end of the 1950s, OSU was known as Oregon State College, and before that, Oregon Agricultural College; it wasn’t until 1961 that the name of the institution changed to Oregon State University) wasn’t even a beaver, but a coyote named Jimmie. The first instance of an OAC Beaver mascot was in the 1920s, when OAC students found Bevo the beaver caught in an eddy in Marys River. Bevo was then adopted as the University’s mascot. The first use of the name “Benny Beaver” was applied to the plaster copy of the original cast metal statue. It was a replacement for a cast metal Beaver statue used by the Yell Kings and Rally Squad in the late 1920s. It was so heavy that it was towed around the field on a small trailer. What happened to the original metal Beaver is unclear, but it was stolen at one point in the 1930s (Ducks were blamed).
Benny Beaver resurfaced in the 1940s as a paper mache statue of OSC’s beaver icon, according to Dicianna. It wasn’t until 1953 when Ken Austin, an engineering student and rally squad member, created the Benny Beaver outfit. He had lost a competition for campus Yell King and created the Benny Beaver costume, Dicianna added.
“My identity was unknown at OSC while being the first Benny Beaver and they would always ask my girlfriend in the stands who was inside that costume when I would come up to her during the games,” Ken Austin said in an email. “My fellow fraternity members all knew I was Benny and would give me a hard time—all part of the fun of being Benny.”
According to Steve Fenk, associate director of athletic communications, Benny Beaver represents OSU’s mission.
“I would say he represents what we represent, a lot of grit and toughness,” Fenk said. “He’s a builder.”
Additionally, Benny Beaver reflects all assets of the University, according to Benny coordinator.
“Benny is literally the entire institution, you know?” Benny Coordinator said. “Benny definitely has certain departments and connections throughout the university that utilize and embrace him more, but we’re expanding his abilities to span across the entire university and state. Benny represents athletics, academia, every direction that OSU goes.”
With Benny Beaver being the official OSU mascot, Austin was able to travel to away athletic events and represent OSU as the mascot.
“I was able to travel with the rally squad to a Stanford game in California,” Austin said via email. “After crawling up the goal post, the Stanford rooting section called me turkey, so the fraternity brothers would chant, ‘Hey, Turkey,’ just like they did at Stanford.”
According to Austin, he was a dedicated OSC athletics fan before his time as an OSU student.
“I think I have bled orange ever since my summer school experience in 1942 when I got to go to the 4-H summer school program at Oregon State College,” Austin said in an email. “I don’t think I missed many OSC football games while I was a student—even traveling to those that I could when they were out of town.”
While attending OSC, Austin competed in track and field.
“I, personally, was involved with athletics from my second term of school all the way through my sophomore year as a quarter miler on OSC’s track team,” Austin said in an email. “I am proud to have lettered in my freshman year in 1950.”
According to the OSU Special Archives, after graduating from OSU as a second lieutenant in the Air Force with his degree in industrial engineering, Austin would serve in the armed services until 1958. He then moved on to various positions until he and his wife, Joan Austin, founded the Austin Dental Equipment Company, or A-Dec, in 1964. The company would gain international reputation as a leader in its field in the years to come.
“It is very humbling. I had no idea, when I set off for OSC, that any of these things would happen,” Austin said in an email. “I’m very grateful to OSU for letting me stay in school with such poor grades.”
Austin approached performing as Benny with no experience whatsoever.
“I had no coaching as to how to perform as Benny because it was so new, but as you can imagine from a recent PBJ interview, I acted more like a rodeo clown than a student mascot,” Austin said via email. “As a matter of fact, the Barometer published an article in 1952, ‘Who is the Student Dressed like a Beaver that Acts Like a Jack Ass?’”
The position of Benny Beaver comes with high expectations according to Benny Coordinator.
“It’s a huge responsibility, but I’m most grateful to be able to work with Benny and athletics,” Benny Coordinator said. “My family is a big athletics family, and I’m from a small town in Southwestern Oregon. I’m thankful I can come here to represent my city and my family.”
According to Austin, he enjoys connecting with the university’s current Benny Beaver.
“It’s always special to be around the current Benny Beaver and have someone introduce me to him/her. I enjoy trying to talk to Benny because they usually will not talk back.” Austin said in an email. “The most special event as the old Benny was when Benny celebrated his 60th birthday on Reser field along with the current Benny Beaver.”
Benny Beaver and other long-term traditions are held sacred at OSU, according to Benny Coordinator.
“I think OSU is very dedicated to traditions for long-time fans, either athletics, alumnus or otherwise,” Benny Coordinator said. “Our goal is to make a place where everyone can feel welcome regardless of age, gender or sex.”
The OSU heritage runs deep into the years past graduation, according to Austin.
“My late wife, Joan Austin, and I have always been very proud to be Beavers,” Austin said in an email. “We were both very grateful for all the things OSU did for both of us. It brings me great pleasure to be able to give back to OSU.”
Ken and Joan Austin have given much of themselves back to OSU programs; Austin Hall is built in their honor and houses disciplines focused on business education, according to the OSU website.
According to Fenk, OSU emulates Beaver behavior when establishing programs, whether it be involved with football, basketball or business.
“You know, like a beaver, you try to build a program,” Fenk said. “You try to build a program like a beaver builds a dam.”
For Austin, his experience as a Benny Beaver alumnus has come with its own unexpected challenges.
“I am sorry to say that when I meet a Beaver alumni for the first time, in certain situations, I have to tell them I have a secret,” Austin said via email. “They ask what the secret is and I tell them I was the first Benny Beaver. It’s amazing how many free desserts I get at restaurants when I have a server that is an OSU Beaver believer.”
Ken Austin’s Benny Beaver tradition has persisted through 67 years of OSU history. With time, however, comes change, according to Austin.
“I’ve seen many changes. Change is inevitable,” Austin said in an email. “I look at it from a positive view that change is good, even though it’s different. Times change.”
Dr. Holden is then invited to London to attend a conference on paranormal psychology. While in London, he meets Joanna Harrington, who warns him about her uncle Julian Karswell, the leader of the cult.
Karswell, a seemingly mild-mannered bibliographer, gives Holden a parchment with magical runes and warns him that he will die within three days. Holden initially dismisses the warning as nonsense but begins experiencing strange and terrifying events. He witnesses a demon following him and sabotaging his investigations. As the days pass, Holden becomes increasingly desperate to find a logical explanation for the supernatural occurrences, but the evidence points towards the existence of the demon. Holden seeks the help of an expert in folklore, Professor Harrington, Joanna's father. Together, they unravel the ancient mythology surrounding Karswell's family and their dealings with demons. They discover that Karswell made a pact with a demon, resulting in the curse that now haunts Holden. In a tense climax, Holden confronts Karswell at his house during a Halloween party. Karswell attempts to summon the demon with a public display of magic. However, Holden manages to disrupt the ritual, and Karswell is killed when he inadvertently summons the demon to himself. The Curse of the Demon is praised for its atmospheric cinematography, effective use of suspense, and strong performances. The film is notable for its depiction of the demon, which was initially intended to be kept hidden but was included due to studio pressures. Despite this, the demon's appearances still manage to be chilling and memorable. Overall, The Curse of the Demon is a classic horror film that continues to be appreciated by audiences today. Its intelligent and intricate plot, coupled with its effective scares, make it a standout in the genre..
Reviews for "The Curse of the Demon (1957) and the Cold War Paranoia"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I found "Curse of the Demon 1957" to be quite disappointing. The plot seemed promising, with the idea of a demon curse and all, but the execution fell flat. The pacing was slow, and the film relied too heavily on cheap jump scares. Furthermore, the special effects were quite laughable, especially the scenes involving the demon itself. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unentertained.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I could barely make it through "Curse of the Demon 1957". The acting was incredibly wooden, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The dialogue was cliché and predictable, leaving no room for any surprises or twists. The film lacked any depth or originality and failed to keep me engaged throughout its duration. I would not recommend this movie to anyone looking for a captivating and well-executed horror film.
3. Robert - 2/5 stars - "Curse of the Demon 1957" had so much potential, but it ultimately fell short for me. While the premise was intriguing, the actual execution was lackluster. The film relied heavily on predictable jump scares and failed to build a sense of true suspense. Additionally, the characters lacked depth, making it difficult to feel invested in their fates. Overall, I found the movie to be forgettable and was left wanting more from its potential.
4. Laura - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Curse of the Demon 1957", but unfortunately, it failed to deliver. The plot started off strong, but it quickly became convoluted and hard to follow. The pacing was inconsistent, with some scenes dragging on unnecessarily while others felt rushed. The special effects were also quite dated, even for its time, making it harder to immerse myself in the story. Overall, it's a forgettable entry in the horror genre that didn't leave a lasting impression.