Podcast Summary: Into The Dark - Episode 115: "The Cursed Painting - The Hands Resist Him"

Released on April 16, 2025, Episode 115 of "Into The Dark" delves into the eerie history and sinister legends surrounding the infamous painting "The Hands Resist Him." Hosted by Payton Moreland from OH NO MEDIA, this episode combines true crime elements with hints of horror and mystery, exploring whether the painting truly harbors supernatural powers.

1. Introduction to "The Hands Resist Him"

At the outset, Payton Moreland introduces listeners to "The Hands Resist Him," a physical painting measuring 36 by 24 inches. The artwork features a young boy in a blue shirt standing beside a life-size girl doll holding what the artist, William Stoneham, describes as a "battery with wires" (transcript, [01:00]). However, viewers often perceive this device as resembling a bomb or weapon, adding to the painting's unsettling presence. The backdrop showcases a dark interior with eleven hands reaching through a glass window, attempting to push through, accompanied by a crescent moon above the boy's head.

Notable Quote:
Sam Ashford, a blogger, remarked at [05:45], “The Hands Resist Him is one of the few paintings I’ve ever seen that sends chills down my spine from a single glance.”

2. The Origin and Early History

Created in 1972 by William Stoneham, a multifaceted artist from California with credits in entertainment and video games, the painting was part of a contractual agreement with a local gallery. Stoneham produced two paintings monthly at $200 each, leading to a collection of 48 works by 1974. His one-man show garnered positive reviews, notably from Henry Seldes, LA Times art critic, who stated at [10:20], “William Stoneham's paintings are at their best when at their weirdest. The best works here deserve the attention of collectors.”

Despite the acclaim, only "The Hands Resist Him" sold, purchased by actor John Marley, famed for his role in The Godfather. This sale marked the beginning of a series of tragic coincidences linked to the painting.

3. Tragic Coincidences and Cursed Reputation

Within ten years of the painting's exhibition, three individuals closely associated with it met untimely deaths:

• Henry Seldes (1978): Found dead in his home, suspected suicide.
• Gallery Owner (1981): Deceased following a mysterious incident.
• John Marley: Suffered unsuccessful open-heart surgery leading to his death.

These events fueled rumors that the painting might be cursed, though no direct evidence linked the deaths to the artwork.

4. The Mysterious eBay Sale in 2000

After a 16-year disappearance, "The Hands Resist Him" resurfaced online in 2000 when an anonymous seller listed it on eBay. The seller, pseudonymously named Sarah and Jack, claimed to have acquired the painting from a picker who found it abandoned behind a brewery. Upon displaying it in their home, their four-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Kathy, began reporting supernatural disturbances:

• Kathy's Claims: She believed the boy and doll were coming to life, engaging in nightly battles and escaping the painting into her bedroom.

Notable Quote:
Kathy expressed her fear at [18:50], “I’m terrified of the new painting my parents bought. The little boy and the doll are trying to come to life in our home.”

Attempting to disprove her fears, Jack installed motion-detecting cameras. The footage allegedly showed the painting undergoing transformations:

• Doll Transformation: The girl doll glowed with an orange aura, and the "battery" became weapon-like.
• Movement of Figures: The boy in the painting appeared to move and flee the girl.

Despite their skepticism, Jack and Sarah decided to sell the painting on eBay, adding a cryptic warning:

Notable Quote:
Their listing stated at [22:30], “Do not bid on this painting if you are susceptible to stress-related disease, faint of heart, or unfamiliar with supernatural events.”

This paradoxical warning—cautioning against belief in the supernatural while denying its existence—sparked widespread intrigue and speculation.

5. The Artist's Involvement and Further Developments

Kim Smith, a Grand Rapids gallery owner, acquired the painting for $1,050 after communicating with William Stoneham via email. Stoneham, initially unaware of the painting's haunted reputation, learned of the legends only through Smith's correspondence. Despite recognizing the painting, Stoneham dismissed the supernatural claims, attributing the tragedies to mere coincidences.

Notable Quote:
William stated at [25:15], “There is nothing haunted about my piece. These are just unfortunate coincidences.”

Kim, however, grew uneasy and chose to keep the painting hidden in his gallery's back room, refusing numerous high-value offers to sell, fearing the spread of its cursed reputation.

6. Expansion of the Cursed Lore

William Stoneham continued his artistic journey, creating sequels and prequels to "The Hands Resist Him," including:

• "Renaissance at the Threshold" (2004)
• "Threshold of Revelation" (2012): Features the doll becoming a real girl, coinciding with Stoneham discovering he had a biological sister.

These subsequent works did not inherit the cursed reputation, though "The Hands Resist Him" remained the focal point of ongoing supernatural tales.

Additional stories emerged, such as Darren Kyle O'Neill's account where a mold infection spared only his print of the painting, inspiring his fictional novel. These narratives, whether true or embellished, perpetuated the painting's eerie legacy.

Notable Quote:
Darren shared at [27:45], “The printed Hands Resist Him repelled the mold entirely. There’s something inexplicable about this piece.”

7. Conclusion and Reflections

Payton Moreland concludes the episode by reflecting on the thin line between artistic expression and perceived curses. While William Stoneham never intended for his painting to be malevolent, the unsettling imagery and coincidental tragedies have woven a compelling narrative around "The Hands Resist Him." The episode leaves listeners pondering the nature of belief, coincidence, and the potential for art to transcend its canvas in the collective consciousness.

Final Thought:
As Moreland muses at [28:22], “Maybe, just maybe, we live in a universe where ghosts exist, where our memories can predict our futures, and where paintings can come to life.”

Key Takeaways

• "The Hands Resist Him" is an unsettling painting with a history of associated tragedies, leading to rumors of it being cursed.
• William Stoneham, the artist, denies any supernatural aspects, attributing events to coincidence.
• The painting's resurgence online in 2000 reignited its haunted reputation, amplified by mysterious incidents reported by new owners.
• Skepticism vs. Belief: The episode explores how perception and belief can shape the narrative around art and alleged curses.
• Artistic Intent: Stoneham's original intent was to capture a personal moment and explore alternate life paths, not to invoke horror.

Episode 115 of "Into The Dark" masterfully intertwines art history with supernatural lore, encouraging listeners to question the origins of legends and the stories we tell about the objects that surround us.