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Why does Dandridge hold holy water by fireplace?

posted 13 years ago by ViolentRhapsody
22 replies | jump to latest

The scene where Peter Vincent hands the "regular tap water" as holy water to Jerry Dandridge to drink in order to prove to Charley that Dandridge is not a vampire.

Dandridge seems to have a moment of hesitation and doubt just before he drinks it: "And are you sure that this is, um,(gulp) holy water?"

After Peter Vincent says ambiguously that he saw "Father Scanlon bless it down by St. Mary's", Dandridge blatantly (via Director Tom Holland) holds the holy water down in front of the flames of the fireplace. Why does he do this?

In folklore or witchcraft is it supposed to neutralize any blessings? I mean it's not cognac!

I'm pretty sure director, Tom Holland, was trying to show the movie audience something by the close up of the holy water being place by the fire for a few seconds. But what?

[–] Evilnerd 9 years ago

I actually think it was just because he was buying time to think. He seemed a bit worried and he used the moment to think the whole thing through. I mean he took a major risk there.

[–] elmadman_99 8 years ago

As far as I am aware before holy water is blessed / consecrated by a priest there is a small amount of salt added to it. I always thought that Jerry Dandridge held the water up to the fire to see if there was any salt in it, which would act as an 'early warning' to him that the water had been blessed.

Please post with any thoughts.

[–] Foxbarking 8 years ago

I think this is probably the absolute best explanation I have ever heard on this. Good job.

If you notice, Jerry tends to use a lot of flair in his actions and this flair can be used as time for him to think things over. This could just be more flair on his part which gives him an extra moment to decide if he really wanted to drink it or just kill everyone.