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Tubs of Terror: Hollywood's Blood Bath

Courtesy of Wikimedia

by Alan Knight

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a bloodbath is a violent and cruel killing of many people. The earliest known use of the term “blood bath” had to do with Elizabeth Bathory, who was known as the Blood Countess. She was born in Transylvania, Hungary, in 1560. According to legend, she believed that human blood would help to preserve her youth and her own fading beauty.

It’s estimated that she may have killed as many as 600 people. That would make her the most prolific female serial killer in history. The immortality she sought didn’t work out for her. She was imprisoned for her crimes in 1611 and died three years later. Although there’s evidence that she was very cruel, there’s some debate about whether or not she actually bathed in blood. In any case, the legend of the Blood Countess has been presented in several movies and also on TV.

In 1974, four stories, including hers, were wrapped up into one package called Immoral Tales, which was made in France. In 2008, Bathory was featured in an episode of a TV series called Martina Cole's Lady Killers. There was a biography that same year called Bathory: Countess of Blood, which was filmed in Europe. Most recently, in 2014, a movie titled Elizabeth Bathory was released.

"Bathory poster" by
Jakubisko film Europe

The blood baths of Elizabeth Bathory are not the only ones that have shown up in the movies. There’ve actually been several movies titled either Blood Bath or Bloodbath. In 1966, a horror movie titled Blood Bath was released. The setting is Venice, CA. An artist kills beautiful women and dumps them into a vat of hot wax in his studio.

In 1976, another movie titled Blood Bath was released. In this film, the members of a cast of a horror film go out together one night and tell each other their scariest stories. In 1979, a Spanish horror film titled Bloodbath was released. In 1999, yet another Bloodbath hit the screens, this one set in L.A. In 2008, a Blood Bath was filmed in Argentina. And, finally, according to the IMDB, a new movie titled Blood Bath is currently in development.

There’ve been numerous suicides in bathtubs in the movies. One of the most memorable was Frank Pantangeli in Godfather Part II. In that movie, the suicide was depicted in a montage of still pictures instead of moving pictures. One of the most artistic suicide bathtub scenes was in the unforgettable Rules of Attraction. While Harry Nilsson sang, “I can’t live, if living is without you,” a young woman got comfortable in the tub and proceeded to slit her wrists. Some viewers thought the scene was too nice and that it romanticized the act of suicide.

Electrocution is always a scary possibility in a tub full of water, as Mr. Morgan found out in The Ring. Dropping an electric device in the tub seems simple enough. However, not every movie character can pull that off. In Groundhog Day, Phil Connors, played by Bill Murray in one of his best roles, resolutely dropped a plugged in toaster in the bath he was taking. It didn’t work. Phil would have to die again another day.

Blood Baths don’t only show up in the movies. They’re in books as well. In addition to over a dozen currently available books simply titled Blood Bath or Bloodbath. A few more imaginative titles are: Blood Bath in Rio, Blood Bath and Beyond, Blood Bath in Jasper County Mississippi, The Assam Blood Bath, Blood Bath of Bethlehem, The Bloodbath Ritual, Kansas Bloodbath, Kentucky Bloodbath, Preacher’s Bloodbath, Bloodbath in Tinseltown, and Beach Blanket Bloodbath. In addition to all the movies and all the books, there are numerous video games with Blood Bath in the title. There’s also a death metal band from Stockholm, Sweden, that calls itself Blood Bath.

One of the greatest things about taking a bath is the sheer relaxation of it. The second you step into the water, your body knows that it’s time to slow down and smell the roses or whatever else you have on hand for aromatherapy. It’s almost like entering into a different world where the job, the bills, and high blood pressure don’t exist.

That’s why bathtub scenes in horror movies are so frightening. A character gets into the tub and relaxes. Normally the character is completely alone and completely vulnerable. Even so, the character feels safe. Some say that taking a bath is like returning to the safety of the womb psychologically. As the character takes a few deep breaths, a shadow passes in the hallway or it seems like someone is jiggling the bathroom door handle. And then… No need to get graphic.

The nice thing about Tub King baths is that they’re some of the safest bathtubs known to man. In all the years we’ve been in business, we have yet to hear of one report of anyone taking a blood bath in any of the tubs we’ve sold and installed. We’ve never even heard of a single customer scratching himself or herself in a Tub King tub. That may be hard to believe, but it’s true.

Whether you choose a clawfoot tub, a pedestal tub, or a solid surface tub, they’re all very safe. Our walk-in tubs are the safest of all. They’re so easy to get in and out of that a caveman can do it without hurting himself at all. Also, you won’t have to open a vein to purchase a great tub, because our prices for high quality bathtubs simply cannot be beaten.

Perhaps the best part of buying a tub from Tub King is that it gives people something they really want to live for. When you can look forward to a nice relaxing bath in a beautiful tub at the end of the day, you know how good life can be. When you really think about it, there aren’t many problems at all that a nice soak in a warm bath won’t help.

In this article, I’ve written about the earliest use of the term “Blood Bath” which was associated with Countess Elizabeth Bathory of Transylvania in the sixteenth century. I’ve also mentioned movies and books with “Blood Bath” in the titles I’ve specifically noted that, to the best of my knowledge, nobody has ever taken a blood bath in a bathtub sold or installed by Tub King.

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Would you like to receive a FREE COPY of Tub King's Ultimate Guide to Cast Iron/Porcelain Tubs, Walk-in Tubs & Safety Suite Showers, our new e-book? Fill in the form below and we will send it to you for free! It is also for sale and you can see/buy it on Amazon.com by clicking on this link.

Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and I will personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this information with you.

Alan Knight is the owner of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville, Florida.

He has many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. In addition to providing superior products, Tub King has been honored with “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Awards” for four years running. If you would like to contact Alan Knight, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231; or send an email to alan@tubking.com.

Buyer Be Aware: Things to Look for Before You Buy That House You Want

By Kerry Knight

Photo Credit: cmcsheriff.net

As we all know, the purchase of a home is probably the largest investment most people will make in their lifetime. Stories abound of hapless homeowners who made a purchase too quickly before they checked out the details. Let's take a look at some important areas where investigative research is vital.

Is the house in a quiet neighborhood? Check out the area around the house you’re considering. Is it near a busy street or intersection? Is it along a train route? Some train routes allow for as many as 10 trains in a single day. That means traffic is snarled and the train horn will blare over and over again. What about traffic flow? I was once very much in love with a property that was walking distance to the beach. The problem my wife and I discovered was that a major traffic intersection was only one block away from the house. You could actually see the primary traffic light from the deck out back. Car horns would blow, tires would screech, and it destroyed the tranquil perception of the property that I had initially envisioned. There were also restaurants and bars all along the highway, which also added to the traffic problems.

Photo Credit: jacksonville.com

Another major consideration, “Is my house in the flight path of an airport?” When planes fly over your house in a low descent as they approach a runway, or a high-pitched, full-throttle ascent when taking off, the high decibels can shake your house and rattle the dishes, not to mention your nerves. In Jacksonville, Florida where Tub King is located, there is the Naval Air Station Jacksonville across the river from our office. Even though it’s 15 miles away, sometimes its jets and big propeller planes fly overhead and they can be quite loud. Do some checking before you buy. Is the house really located in a quiet community that it appears to be on the surface?

Photo Credit: jacksonville.com

Is there adequate drainage around the property? Years ago, my wife and I decided to rent an oceanfront condo for a couple of years. We were soon hooked with living on the seashore. Coming home from work each day and being able to walk out on the balcony to a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean was addicting. Our regular morning walk on the beach while drinking our cup of java was something I’ll never forget. We thought seriously about making an offer to purchase the property. However, there were two huge problems with it: First, the streets along the ocean drive had poor drainage. During a rain storm ― and there are many in Florida, especially during the summer and early fall ― the streets would all flood. I'm talking about a foot or more of water. During hurricane season, there was no question about it: evacuation time. The other issue was the dampness. You might expect any property located next to the ocean to have some element of dampness. However, this was problematic. The bedroom overlooking the ocean had developed mold in the closets and along the baseboards. The water inside the house and the neighborhood ruined the view and experience of the water outside.

Photo Credit: lushome.com

Is there adequate storage? Does the house you're looking at have an attic? There should be stairs leading to an attic space, either in the garage or a hallway inside. It’s normally a pull-down ladder to make the best use of space. Check and make sure plywood has been placed over the ceiling joists. If properly supported, you should be able to walk on it and find significant floor space to store household things. Of course, another option would be a basement. Make sure the basement stays dry year round before storing boxes and valuables that can be damaged by moisture. If the property has a garage, there might be additional storage area there. Older homes had minimal closet space and hardly any walk-in closets. If that’s the case with the home you’re considering purchasing, make sure you can live with its limited storage space.

How old is the roof? By today's standards, roofing shingles should last you 15 to 20 years. If you’re looking at a much older home, have it inspected. If it’s a flat roof or with only a slight pitch, examine the material that covers it. There are membranes today that are much better than the asphalt and gravel solutions of yesterday as these would typically leave ridges and spikes that could cause leaks.

Photo Credit: littleheroes.com

Make sure the previous owners didn’t try to do a “cover up” and stage things before you viewed the house. When you walk through the house the first time, look for cleverly placed mirrors, strategically situated lighting, enticing smells, cozy fireplaces and especially the obvious odor of fresh paint. Check to see if the window frames have paint that’s cracking. The external window frame is a great indicator of the state of the house. If you can easily push your finger into a wooden window frame, it’s usually rotten. If there is condensation between double-glazed window-panels, it means they’re faulty.

Does the house have modern bathroom designs? Older homes were notorious for having small bathrooms. Some actually bordered on ridiculous. Building a bathroom that is 5' x 4' is more like today's powder room. You must ask yourself, “Can I live with a bathroom that small?” Of course, there’s always the option of remodeling and expanding its size, but when you do, you have just added a sizable amount to the overall price of the home.

Photo Credit: tubking.com

Another common feature in many homes is the ubiquitous fiberglass shower/tub combo. You can give your bathroom an entirely new look and feel by replacing that tub with a standalone cast iron/porcelain Clawfoot or Pedestal Tub. Or, consider choosing a handsome model from our new line of Solid Surface tubs. If you’re looking to enhance the safety of your bathroom there is the option of our Walk-in tubs. These have a low threshold, so it’s easy to get into and out of the tub. Similarly, we now carry Safety Suite Showers, with both low threshold and zero threshold designs.

Are the bathroom fixtures and plumbing in poor condition? If the pipes are made of lead, they’ll have to be replaced. If the bathtub or sink is made of metal, the drain may be rusting. The faucets may be leaking due to worn seals. They also may be severely tarnished. Is the tub’s or shower’s porcelain chipping or discoloring? You might want to consider taking that old, ugly tub out and replacing with something modern, like a beautiful cast iron/porcelain Clawfoot tub. Even a small bathroom can accommodate certain models.

Photo Credit: calbath.com

There is another option if you’re on a very tight budget. Consider having the current tub or sink refinished. There are refinishing companies in almost every city, in many cases, a dozen or more. They’ll come to your home and refinish your old tub to render it into a like-new appearance, and this way, you won’t have to replace the old tub. Everything is done in place, and it can normally be completed in less than a day.

Do the counter tops need replacing? Many of today’s counter top materials are attractive and highly durable. Another thing about giving the bathrooms a look-over. Check to see if there is enough water pressure. Again, some of the older homes may not be up to today's standards, but this, too, can be corrected.

Photo Credit: makinghouseahome.blogspot.com

If you really like the property, it would behoove you to have a professional inspection done before you decide to move forward with purchasing it. Once it passes professional muster, then it’s time to arrange a second viewing for a different time of day, and scout out the local area a little more to make sure it’s the kind of neighborhood you can live in. When checking out the property a second time, ask yourself, “Can I make this house my home?”

In this article, I discussed several key points to consider and investigate when shopping for a new house. For example, I discussed the importance of location; the roof; drainage issues; the state of the current bathroom, bathtub, shower and sink; and other key factors that are important in your home buying decision process.

If you found this article useful, please share it with your family, friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related to this article, leave it in the Comment section of this blog. Thanks again for visiting with us.

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Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and my brother, Alan, who heads up Tub King, will personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this information with you.

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Kerry Knight, now retired, is the former co-owner of Tub King, Inc. and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville, Florida. He and his brother, Alan Knight, have many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. Their companies not only provide superior products, they are also award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award” four years running. To contact Tub King directly, call (800)843-4231 or email alan@tubking.com.

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