How Did Casper Became a Ghost?

We’ve all heard about the story of the friendly ghost who just wants to make friends – and if you’re anywhere close to my age, you have a strangely romantic relationship with Casper, since we all immediately fell in love with Devon Sawa when this happened:

But where did the story come from in the first place? How did Casper die? Why is he a friendly ghost and not a scary one?

There are a lot of questions if you think about it, and if you want answers, we might have a few.

Since his debut in 1945, Casper the Friendly Ghost has appeared in dozens of animated shorts and specials, hundreds of comic books, as well as the feature film referenced above. The affable ghost always searches among the living for friends instead of people to frighten and encounters problems due to his non-corporeal status.

The character was created by writer Seymour Reit and artist Joe Oriolo back in 1940. But before the duo could pen their children’s book based on the concept, the two were drafted, and while they were gone, the animation studio they worked for was sold to Paramount – a sale that included the intellectual property of all employees (what a racket).

They were given $200 for their then-untested character.

In 1945 he appeared in a short called The Friendly Ghost, but the film made no mention of how Casper came to be a spirit in the first place. It did reference siblings who enjoyed scaring people, but no other personal details.

He appeared in another short in 1948, There’s Good Boos To-Night. In that one, he is shown leaning on a tombstone (presumably his own), while his “neighbors” – the ghosts from the nearby headstones – go on their nightly haunts.

Casper began starring in comic books in 1952, and it was due to Harvey Comics that Casper finally got a ghost family: a mom and three uncles, who were later named Fatso, Fusso, and Lazo. Originally, none of the group had backstories, talked about what their lives were like when they were alive, or made reference to a beginning of their relationship to each other.

Basically, it seems that Casper’s early mythology sort of implied that he and the others like him were “born” ghosts and had never been alive at all.

The 1995 feature film, starring Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman, and Devon Sawa, gave Casper a full living backstory. He told Christina Ricci’s character that he had been a boy named Casper McFadden who had died from the flu – perhaps the Spanish flu, based on his dress and the time period – at the age of 12.

In it, we also see Ricci’s mother portrayed as an “angel,” suggesting there’s a more complicated hierarchy and mythology for the dead than the comics had previously envisioned – perhaps something more along the lines of what’s established in It’s a Wonderful Life? But that’s just speculation.

The original creators had to let go of Casper before they could fully flesh out their idea of who he was and how he became a ghost – friendly or otherwise – so perhaps it’s fitting that the truth of his origins seem to be left up to whoever is continuing his story at the moment.

Though, to me, the fact that he seems to get so much comfort from hanging around a particular headstone seems the point to the fact that it is his headstone. That means he was once alive, and he perished before his time.

I know he’s a child’s character, but hey. Life isn’t fair, and sometimes a bittersweet touch is just what a story needs to make it come alive (see: The Fox and the Hound).

Or in this case, dead.

The post How Did Casper Became a Ghost? appeared first on UberFacts.

These Unexpected Coincidences May Make You Reconsider the Fictionality of “The Matrix”

Sometimes, you just can’t explain the odd things that happen in this world. I’m talking about those weird coincidences that make you scratch your head and wonder, “Huh…what the hell did I just see?”

Here are 15 times that things just like that happened.

Let’s take a look.

1. The most beautiful pigeon sh*t in the world.

Pigeon poops portrait of itself on a leaf from nevertellmetheodds

2. A perfect landing.

The cat knocked my daughter’s fish bowl off the dresser. from nevertellmetheodds

3. What are the chances?

The first time my friend visited my apartment she was mind-blown that my shower curtain looked “exactly” like one of her shirts. I half-seriously said that her story sounded made up and promptly forgot about it until she returned the following week to demonstrate. I forever stand corrected. from nevertellmetheodds

4. Blending right in.

Girl’s shirt matches a coffee mug perfectly at Purdue University from nevertellmetheodds

5. Musical curly fries.

Found a treble clef in my Arby’s curly fries once from mildlyinteresting

6. That is random.

my grandma (left) went to a wine tasting & met her two friends there & they were all wearing the same dress from mildlyinteresting

7. One in a million.

The serial number on this pizza cutter from nevertellmetheodds

8. Separated at birth?

It’s gotta be weird to go to the mall one day and run into… yourself. from nevertellmetheodds

9. I’m a huge fan!

This bird that looks like Danny DeVito from mildlyinteresting

10. That is incredible.

My girlfriend and I both took pictures from the same angle at the same show… 3 years before we met each other from nevertellmetheodds

11. Saved by a bird.

The police Facebook page posted a picture taken by a speeding camera. The bird saves the day from nevertellmetheodds

12. Thank your lucky stars.

This car not being swallowed up after the earthquake in Alaska from nevertellmetheodds

13. Here I am!

Well that was easy. from nevertellmetheodds

14. Twist of fate.

This pilot found out that the OH58 Kiowa helicopter he’d been flying was the very same aircraft which made him want to become an army pilot in the first place from interestingasfuck

15. It equals ten!

I was born with 6 toes on my left foot and my Co-worker was born with 4 toes on her right foot from nevertellmetheodds

Those sure are odd!

Have you ever captured photos of some totally random coincidences? If so, share them with us in the comments! Please and thank you!

The post These Unexpected Coincidences May Make You Reconsider the Fictionality of “The Matrix” appeared first on UberFacts.

These Unexpected Coincidences May Make You Reconsider the Fictionality of “The Matrix”

Sometimes, you just can’t explain the odd things that happen in this world. I’m talking about those weird coincidences that make you scratch your head and wonder, “Huh…what the hell did I just see?”

Here are 15 times that things just like that happened.

Let’s take a look.

1. The most beautiful pigeon sh*t in the world.

Pigeon poops portrait of itself on a leaf from nevertellmetheodds

2. A perfect landing.

The cat knocked my daughter’s fish bowl off the dresser. from nevertellmetheodds

3. What are the chances?

The first time my friend visited my apartment she was mind-blown that my shower curtain looked “exactly” like one of her shirts. I half-seriously said that her story sounded made up and promptly forgot about it until she returned the following week to demonstrate. I forever stand corrected. from nevertellmetheodds

4. Blending right in.

Girl’s shirt matches a coffee mug perfectly at Purdue University from nevertellmetheodds

5. Musical curly fries.

Found a treble clef in my Arby’s curly fries once from mildlyinteresting

6. That is random.

my grandma (left) went to a wine tasting & met her two friends there & they were all wearing the same dress from mildlyinteresting

7. One in a million.

The serial number on this pizza cutter from nevertellmetheodds

8. Separated at birth?

It’s gotta be weird to go to the mall one day and run into… yourself. from nevertellmetheodds

9. I’m a huge fan!

This bird that looks like Danny DeVito from mildlyinteresting

10. That is incredible.

My girlfriend and I both took pictures from the same angle at the same show… 3 years before we met each other from nevertellmetheodds

11. Saved by a bird.

The police Facebook page posted a picture taken by a speeding camera. The bird saves the day from nevertellmetheodds

12. Thank your lucky stars.

This car not being swallowed up after the earthquake in Alaska from nevertellmetheodds

13. Here I am!

Well that was easy. from nevertellmetheodds

14. Twist of fate.

This pilot found out that the OH58 Kiowa helicopter he’d been flying was the very same aircraft which made him want to become an army pilot in the first place from interestingasfuck

15. It equals ten!

I was born with 6 toes on my left foot and my Co-worker was born with 4 toes on her right foot from nevertellmetheodds

Those sure are odd!

Have you ever captured photos of some totally random coincidences? If so, share them with us in the comments! Please and thank you!

The post These Unexpected Coincidences May Make You Reconsider the Fictionality of “The Matrix” appeared first on UberFacts.

These Tidbits From Children’s Shows Might’ve Escaped You as a Kid

One interesting thing about being a parent is getting to watch kid’s television and children’s movies again as an adult. There are so many details that make no sense – and so many more that you finally realize are definitely not included for the kids in the audience.

To that end, these 14 pieces of information probably didn’t mean anything to you as a child….but you might find them interesting now.

14. Barney doesn’t exist.

Image Credit: PBS

I mean, obviously – but if you’ll notice, this “imaginary friend” only appears when there are no adults in the room.

13. Some Proud Family characters are named after Southern California streets.

Image Credit: Disney Channel

La Cienega and Sunset Boulevards, to be exact.

12. This puberty joke on Victorious.

Image Credit: Nickelodeon

It’s actually pretty well-timed and funny.

11. This “balloon” looks a lot like a condom.

Image Credit: Nickelodeon

But I guess they’d find a lot of those in the ocean these days.

10. Miss Yvonne’s mind had no place in a children’s show.

Image Credit: CBS

I mean, neither did Pee Wee Herman’s, it turned out. So.

9. Helga’s mom on Hey, Arnold! had a drinking problem.

Image Credit: Nickelodeon

There’s definitely more than fruit in those “smoothies.”

8. Spongebob is about to get even weirder…

Image Credit: Nickelodeon

Because crabby patties are made from crabs, so Mr. Crabs…yeah.

7. Patrick lives under a rock for a reason.

Image Credit: Nickelodeon

Because he’s that dumb and clueless that, yes, he has literally been living under a rock.

6. The Crusty Crab is shaped like a lobster trap.

Image Credit: Nickelodeon

I wonder what exactly they’re trying to say here?

5. I guess there’s no point in lying to kids about Hollywood at any age.

Image Credit: Disney Channel

They should know what they’re getting into, right?

4. The Victorious homage episode to The Breakfast Club made a few alterations.

Image Credit: Nickelodeon

I don’t think Bender said “vegan.”

3. There was a character named Faymen Phorchin on Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide.

Image Credit: Nickelodeon

Fame and fortune. Now that’s the kind of boyfriend I want.

2. Also on Victorious, Tori’s mom seems to be having an affair?

Image Credit: Nickelodeon

I mean, I don’t know what else they would be implying.

1. That time Patrick thought Spongebob was saying “penis.”

Image Credit: Nickelodeon

One more reason to just lol at this show.

 

Do you have a moment like this, where an adult joke “got” you after several years of watching? Share it with us in the comments!

The post These Tidbits From Children’s Shows Might’ve Escaped You as a Kid appeared first on UberFacts.

Check out These Funny One-Star Movie Reviews From Amazon

There are a lot of armchair film critics out there, huh?

Especially now that every single person on the planet can review every single thing on the planet whenever they feel like it. But that leaves us with a whole bunch of hilarious one-star movie reviews from very unsatisfied customers.

Here are some reviews that will probably leave you laughing.

1. That’s a good point.

2. Didn’t even watch the whole thing.

3. Not women, but children.

4. Damn liberal propaganda.

5. Neil Armstrong definitely saw aliens, so I don’t why they left them out in the movie.

6. Not a fan of guys in tights.

7. Those poor criminals.

8. The movie came out in 1939.

9. Maybe he was lying?

10. Cold is a way better title.

11. Hahahaha. This is good.

12. I think he rented the wrong movie.

13. Sounds like a loving parent.

14. By the way, it’s not a documentary.

15. And then there’s this classic review.

Those are priceless!

Have you seen any hilarious movie reviews lately? If so, tell us about them in the comments!

The post Check out These Funny One-Star Movie Reviews From Amazon appeared first on UberFacts.

Enjoy Some Funny Posts About the Pains of Adulting

Remember when you were young and you couldn’t wait to be all grown up?

Like me, you probably thought it would be a never-ending party full of fun and games. And then…you realize it’s nothing like that at all and reality sets in. Being an adult can be a real drag, huh?

These tweets about adultiing should make you laugh…and maybe cry just a little bit.

1. What am I even doing here?

2. What’s the point of this?

3. $$$$$$$$$$

4. Tell me what I’m doing wrong.

5. Yes, pretty much.

6. The trifecta.

7. Now I get it…

8. Knickknacks for days.

9. Gonna start very soon.

10. A truthful haiku.

11. Let’s see where this one came from…

12. Ehhhh, it is what it is.

13. This is lame.

14. Sometimes even 8:30.

15. All the good stuff.

Do us a big favor: tell us about the most painful lesson you learned after you officially became an adult.

Let’s compare notes!

The post Enjoy Some Funny Posts About the Pains of Adulting appeared first on UberFacts.

Nearly 200 People Have Been Arrested in Connection With the Devastating Brushfires in Australia

Australia’s bushfires have had an awful effect on the country’s landscape, residents, and the economy. Though a certain number of fires is normal, it turns out people have been making it a lot worse – and not just by contributing to climate change.

Authorities now reveal that nearly 200 people have been arrested for of bushfire-related misdeeds since November 2019.

Arrests have been made in the states of Tasmania, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

A total of 183 people have been arrested in relation to 205 offenses according to the latest data. Police in the Australian state of Queensland have found that 103 bushfires were set on purpose. 98 people have been detained in connection to these, and 67 of the perpetrators are underage.

In New South Wales, 53 people will deal with legal consequences because they reportedly ignored the total-fire bans in place. 24 people have been charged for setting bushfires on purpose.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Sydney Morning Herald also reports that 47 people allegedly discarded matches or lit cigarettes improperly, and they are facing charges as a result.

These fires are no joke. Thus far, they have scorched an area of land double the size of Maryland, or roughly 13 million acres.

Because fire in Australia is such a problem, persons caught lighting tobacco or related products near hay, corn, standing crop, or grain can be fined up to $5,500. Lighting a fire during the implementation of a total fire ban, on the other hand, could result in a fine of $5,500 or 12 months in prison.

Those who are formally charged with starting a bushfire could face jail time of up to 25 years.

In the meantime, it’s important to note that although humans may have started some – not all – of the bushfires that have torn through the Aussie countryside, climate change is widely believed to have significantly exacerbated their destructive power. The areas of Australia most affected have had years of drought, and the world is coming off the hottest decade ever recorded, both of which have combined to crisp Australian vegetation into the perfect kindling.

Though some in Australia have been blaming the fires on arson for political purposes – primarily to deny culpability for or the existence of climate change – these fires would not have been so destructive without the warming and drying effects of climate change, and if the world does not step back from the brink, it is possible that this fire season could become the new Australian normal.

The post Nearly 200 People Have Been Arrested in Connection With the Devastating Brushfires in Australia appeared first on UberFacts.

People Really Love the New Fruit Bat Quarter

This year is not off to a great start. We’ve got raging wildfires, a government in turmoil and Megxit to deal with. But all is not lost.

Y’all, we have bat quarters now.

As part of the United States Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters Program commemorating the country’s national parks and sites, the bat quarter honors the National Park of American Samoa.

According to the U.S. Mint:

“The reverse (tails) design depicts a Samoan fruit bat mother hanging in a tree with her pup. The image evokes the remarkable care and energy that this species puts into their offspring. The design is intended to promote awareness to the species’ threatened status due to habitat loss and commercial hunting.”

Expect to see this special coin in circulation starting in February.

There are 56 coins featuring each state, the District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories–Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Social media users went wild over the new design.

One user went straight for the Batman jokes–low hanging fruit.

Others showed they were pretty batty about the new currency.

And some took the opportunity to ask for an update on the postponed Harriet Tubman $20 bill.

Other coins to expect are:

  • Weir Farm National Historic Site in Connecticut
  • Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve in the U.S. Virgin Islands
  • Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park in Vermont
  • Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Kansas

But the bat quarter is meeting all my currency expectations for this year, so I’m good.

How about you? Love the new bat quarter? Let us know in the comments.

The post People Really Love the New Fruit Bat Quarter appeared first on UberFacts.