What is the purpose of the bandage wrapped around the head of Marley's ghost? I have been watching different versions of A Christmas Carol with my kids and the head bandage is a question that keeps coming up and I can't answer it.
thanks
I believe the undertakers used to wrap the bandage around the head and under the chin to keep the mouth from springing open.
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"Back in the day.... If you were found dead, they would break a persons jaw, to make sure they are dead."
That is a completely ridiculous claim. What sort of corroberation can you offer for this wild theory? There can be none.
The jaw was routinely tied shut in order to prevent it opening and presenting a less desirable appearance in the dead. This is similar to the placing of pennies on the eyes to prevent their opening.
In the case of the jaw tie, in the unembalmed corpse the tongue will also begin to swell, preventing the jaw from being closed if it is not already secured so.
Marley appears as he would have when laid out by the undertakers of the day.
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I thought the practice of "foot-binding" in China just involved binding girls feet at a very young age - then over time, the feet become deformed and their is stunted. I didn't know it involved breaking any bones in the feet!
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Where is the proof? I have searched and am unable to find any evidence to back up this remarkable theory, where the jaw of the deceased is broken "in order to make sure they are dead.!"
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This version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL was definitely the first time I even noticed the jaw-wrap...really made Jacob Marley all the memorable...that and the amazing performance by Frank Finlay.
shareI searched as suggested but found no reference at all to back up the unlikely notion that the traditional practice of jaw binding was required due to the deceased's jaw being broken in order to 'make sure he is dead'.
Perhaps you could provide an actual link, mjbrandstoettner...
Aside from being more astheiticly pleasing, I would also think that it helped to slow odors (gases) from escaping. I mean the nostrils would prove to be smaller exits than a mouth hanging open.
As far as proof of being dead, I believe that was the era when they had bells connected to a string inside the coffin. This where the term "graveyard shift" came from because there had to be someone in the graveyard to watch the graves for ringing bells in case someone was buried alive.
Besides, if you broke somebodys jaw, and they WERE still alive, but not able to move, you have just eliminated their ability to cry out and let somebody know it!! Why not break their leg, foot, etc...? At least somewhere that wouldn't show when the upper half of the casket was open for viewing.
I would think a pin stabbed into the body like George Kennedy did in Charade would suffice.
"Go back to your oar, Forty One."
That would be horrible if the person was not really dead.
shareA broken jaw is not fatal. People sustain broken jaws all the time, heal, and go on to live normal lives. To ensure death, a couple of bullets to the head would work better.
shareI agree Frank Finlay is terrific as Marley's ghost. I just sat down and watched the 1999 Patrick Stewart version and 1951 Alastair Sim version and it's interesting to compare.
In the 1999 version, Marley is kind of soft-spoken, perhaps more conversational toward Scrooge. They use CGI effect to drop his jaw when releasing the wrap. It's a little unnecessary and a bit strange. And when this Marley screams out to prove he's not more of "gravy" than grave, it's pretty weak.
Then we have the 1951 version and, forgive me for saying this...I mean no offense, he's portrayed by the actor like some kind of old queen. Very flamboyant and foppish.
Yeah, I'll definitely take Finlay's performance over the others.
They use CGI effect to drop his jaw when releasing the wrap. It's a little unnecessary and a bit strange.It's accurate to the story though, and I wish more versions did it.
It's accurate to the story though, and I wish more versions did it.
I've come to agree with this sentiment. The way his jaw drops open in this one is actually creepier than the, as you say, cartoon-like equivalent.
"I've been living on toxic waste for years, and I'm fine. Just ask my other heads!"
I don't know this for sure, but I do know that it is a better answer than breaking one's jaw to make sure that they are dead.
Back in Dickens' time, a funeral procession was more of a big deal than made out to be in this movie. First the bodies would lie in the house for days on end while mourners came by to pay respects. By this time the corpse is already beginning to decay. A dead person's jaw will hang open after a while because obviously the muscles do not hold tension. After a few days I would assume that any respectable person would tie the mouth of the dead up so mourners would not be disgusted (as if anything could be more disgusting than a rotting corpse) by the sight of a persons mouth open wide. If you will notice in the movie that when Marley unties the bandage (acting of course) his jaw immediatley falls open...hince the bandage
A very good explanation, tommyfulton. Thank you!
shareBack in Dickens' time, a funeral procession was more of a big deal than made out to be in this movie.
Please allow myself to apologize for my past posts. I was relying on invalid information (specifically from my father's old rants). I was simply ill-informed, and would like to apologize to all posters(especially choatelodge). I am sorry to all. I will delete these posts immediately.
All in all you're just a nother brick in the wall.
It was an odd notion alright, but you can hardly be called to fault if your father told you it was so.
Awfully good of you to offer amends. You're an alright fellow, buddy. :)
It's rather embarressing... Now that I look back on it, that's about the most stupid thing I have ever heard of (the "checking of death by breaking a jaw"). But thank you for keeping the valid information going. What would ya know, the season is coming back up!
All in all you're just a nother brick in the wall.
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As a person formerly "in the business," I can say with complete certainty that: (A) Jaws were NOT broken in order to ascertain the certainty of death and (B) The practice of wrapping a bandage around the head of the deceased was and still is practiced in order to keep the mouth closed for a number of very good reasons.
shareI'm not sure of the reason for the bandage but also had heard that it was to keep the mouth shut. There is a sketch of Charles Dickens done before his funeral that shows him jaw tied in the same way. Click on the link and go towards the bottom.
http://www.dickenslive.com/1870.shtml
it's there in the book - ... Marley is so far decomposed as to need a bandage to stop his jaw falling off almost altogether -
"But how much greater was his horror, when the phantom taking off the bandage round its head, as if it were too warm to wear indoors, its lower jaw dropped down upon its breast!"
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