The Watching Eyes

Ever see one of those old spooky movies where there is a picture with moving eyes? I remember them from movies like Munsters Go Home and Murder by Death. They play a big roll in haunted houses and can be a great addition to a yard haunt.

Here is a great blog I read that discusses the Haunted Mansion called Long-Forgotten Haunted Mansion.

 longforgottenhauntedmansion.blogspot.com

A while ago they were talking about the concepts for changing portraits at the Haunted Mansion and they showed this one:

(gif animation by Jordan Manchester)

While not an official concept it was an image animated by someone named Jordan Manchester.

It made me think about a few old movies with that illusion. But before I show you some of them here is a sample of a few home made versions from YouTube:

 

Dracula picture with moving eyes. Can't see this video? Click here 

 "Haunted" portriat. If you can't see this video, click here.

These two rely on a concave half circle behind the eye socket for their illusion.

It even works with busts. Here is a sample of a home made Madame Leota tombstone with moving eyes:

Unable to see this video? Click here!

Another variation is the flat moving eyes behind  the painting. Here is an example of this illusion:

MAKE magazine on their blog has a GREAT article on a very technical version of this illusion that uses a sensor to figure out where you are standing The eyes then move to watche you. 

UBER CREEPY!

The Painting That Watches 

Here an one last one for tonight from YouTube. It is a home made animatronic four painting series. It looks like it would be placed in a hall where people walk down it... and the painting would watch everyone walk bye.. Sounds like the story of my High School dances..

Unable to see this video? Click here!

I am still looking for where this illusion is in an old movie or two... perhaps next time. That's it from 1313 El Potro. 

Stay Spooky Orange County