Jack-in-the-box
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For other uses, see Jack-in-the-Box (disambiguation).
A jack-in-the-box is a children's toy that outwardly consists of a box with a crank. When the crank is turned, it plays out a melody, often Pop Goes the Weasel. At the end of the tune, the lid pops open and a figure of some sort, usually a clown, pops out of the box.
[edit] Origin of Toy
One theory as to the origin of the jack-in-the-box is that it comes from the 13th century English prelate Sir John Schorne who is often pictured holding a boot with a devil in it. It is believed in folklore that he once cast the devil into a boot to protect the village of North Marston in Buckinghamshire.
[edit] Influence on Culture
The Jack-in-the-Box toy has had a widespread effect on culture:
- The toy gave its name to the fast food restaurant chain Jack in the Box, which features a mascot named "Jack" who resembles a toy clown from a jack-in-the-box. [1]
- The toy was part of the inspiration for the character Jack-in-the-Box, from the Astro City comic book series.
- The toy frequently appears in horror movies. A certain tension lies in knowing that when the tune ends, something pops out – and in horror movies it's usually more sinister than a toy clown. In the preview for Child's Play 2, a jack-in-the-box is seen moving on its own and just before it pops out, Chucky stomps on it, proclaiming, "Sorry Jack, Chucky's back!"
- A jack-in-the-box named "Charlie-in-the-box" serves as the sentry to the Island of Misfit Toys in the Christmas movie Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
- A deranged-looking jack-in-the-box named "Mad Jack" is a boss character in the Nintendo 64 game Donkey Kong 64. He serves as the guardian of Frantic Factory - a grimy, noisy and extremely-hazardous toy-making facility.
- In the Bullfrog computer game Dungeon Keeper 2, the Jack-in-the-box Trap appears to be a harmless object but, upon being touched, will pursue and lethally frighten enemy imps.
- In the video game American McGee's Alice the protagonist Alice can use the Jack-bomb weapon which is essentially an explosive Jack-in-the-box that can be thrown at enemies.
- The Hand-in-the-box in Sid's room from a Disney/Pixar film Toy Story.
- A Jack-in-the-Box, known simply as Jack, is also the protagonist of the children's book The Plucker, written and illustrated by the science-fiction and fantasy artist Gerald Brom.
- In Spyro the Dragon, the Dreamweavers boss is named Jacque and throws boxes at his enemies, which is an obvious connection to the childrens toy.
- The rap duo Insane Clown Posse have released an album entitled the Riddlebox, whose cover resembles an evil jack in the box.de:Schachtelteufel
