Rat Lady

> "*Step right up and face your fears*"
> ― Slogan on Universal's Rat Lady poster in 2020 HHN Tribute Store
>
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**The Rat Lady‏** is a recurring character (and/or moniker) in Halloween Horror Nights, originating from the original *Fright Nights* event of 1991. She is possibly the oldest recurring Halloween Horror Nights character, pre-dating even the official event icons.

## History

### Background

**Note**:  *It is unclear/unknown if the various depictions of the Rat Lady at Halloween Horror Nights depicts the same character, or a multitude of different characters.*

#### Origins

The Rat Lady is a circus-performer (or circus performer title) used for a woman who is encased in a glass-coffin with various live rats. "**The Horrifying Rat Lady**" was an attraction at *Doctor Oddfellow's Carnival of Thrills*, presumably in the 1920s-1930s when Oddfellow's circus was active south of the *Shadybrook Asylum* in Seneca Falls, New York.

A Rat Lady was one of the actors at *Universal Studios*, presumably for their annual *Halloween Horror Nights* (or even *Fright Nights*) activities. A Rat Lady may have been a feature of the "Dungeon of Terror" haunted-house attraction in Rabun County, Georgia which was closed down in 1991. The Rat Lady, dressed in Victorian clothing, may have been kept in the mansion of the sadistic and monstrous "Crypt-Keeper",

#### Icon Cycles

In 2003, the Rat Lady encased in her glass coffin of rodents was seemingly used by the twisted snuff-film director Paulo "The Director" Ravinski when he shot his fantasy-film "Immortal Island" on Universal Studios Florida property.

A rat lady was wheeled around by the sadistic "Ore Mongers" of the realm *Terra Cruentus* during the *Season of the Queen* (presumably in 2005).

In the year 2007, Doctor Oddfellow's murderous and undead former clown *Jack the Clown* seemingly killed the long-lived Doctor Oddfellow, and took over his business to become "Jack's Carnival of Carnage". The Rat Lady was a part of this carnival, being featured in the "Midway of the Bizarre", which shared its name with a mysterious carnival which has appeared throughout history claiming victims each time.

### Development history

The Rat Lady first appeared in Fright Nights' *Dungeon of Terror*.

## Appearances

### Halloween Horror Nights

#### Fright Nights

##### Dungeon of Terror

The Rat Lady first appeared in this haunted house.

#### Halloween Horror Nights II

##### Dungeon of Terror

The Rat Lady reprised her role in this haunted house.

#### Halloween Horror Nights III

##### The People Under the Stairs

The Rat Lady appeared in this haunted house.

#### Halloween Horror Nights IV

##### Dungeon of Terror

The Rat Lady reprised her role in this haunted house.

#### Halloween Horror Nights V

##### Cryptkeeper's Dungeon of Terror

The Rat Lady appeared in the final scene of the Crypt-Keeper's mansion.

#### Halloween Horror Nights VI

##### The Crypt Keeper's Studio Tour of Terror

The Rat Lady allegedly appeared in this haunted house.

#### Halloween Horror Nights 13

##### Immortal Island

The Rat Lady appeared in her coffin in this scarezone, themed to one of the Director's sets.

#### Halloween Horror Nights: Carnival of Carnage (HHN 17)

##### Midway of the Bizarre

The Rat Lady appeared in this scarezone, dressed in stereotypically Romani clothing.

#### Halloween Horror Nights: Reflections of Fear (HHN 18)

##### Streets of Blood

A victorian woman representing victims of the Body Collectors as portrayed by Bloody Mary's mirror realm, appeared in a glass case surrounded by rats.

#### Halloween Horror Nights: Ripped from the Silver Screen (HHN 19)

##### Cirque Du Freak

The Rat Lady appeared in this scarezone, with a rat-like nose and whiskers.

#### Halloween Horror Nights 22

##### Legions of Horror

The Rat Lady was identified as a member of the *Cerebins* Legion of Horror.

#### Halloween Horror Nights 25

##### ICONS: HHN

The Rat Lady (appearing more human again) was one of many notable Halloween Horror Nights characters who appeared in this scarezone.

#### Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store

The Jack the Clown themed room of the 2020 Tribute Store had several vintage-looking flyers for the Rat Lady, one coming from Universal Studios while another came from Doctor Oddfellow's Carnival of Thrills.

## Trivia

* The Rat Lady did not appear in the *Dungeon of Terror: Retold*.
* The moniker "The Rat Lady" was used for the character of Madame Squelette in Hollywood's *Universal Monsters: Unmasked*, though this character was a sickly woman in the Paris catacombs who survived off of eating rats.

## External links

* *Rat Lady on the Halloween Horror Nights wiki.*