History Channel program

History Channel program airing Wednesday examines tale of the Jersey Devil

The Jersey Devil. The reaction to that name can vary from pure fright to fits of laughter, depending upon the person.

But one thing is certain: Central Jerseyans know more about this creature than just about anybody. Apparently "MonsterQuest'' agrees. The History Channel series interviewed several Garden Staters for its "Devils in New Jersey'' episode, which debuts at 9 tonight. Among them are a Rutgers University professor, a sculptor who specializes in Halloween props and masks and a seasoned comic-book artist.

For background on the creature, "MonsterQuest'' turned to Rutgers University American Studies professor Angus Kress Gillespie. And based upon his retelling of the tale, it's not hard to understand why.

The legend goes that Jane Leeds, who lived near South Jersey's Mullica River with her husband and 12 children in 1735, despaired at the thought of having another child. When she discovered she was pregnant, Gillespie says Leeds said, "I hope that this one's not a child, let this one be a devil.''

Leeds gave birth to a healthy baby boy. In the space of about 20 minutes, though, Gillespie said, "It grew to the size of two full-grown men. In the place of the baby blue eyes ... were burning red (eyes), like two burning coals, and they were set in the horrible head of a horse. The creature had a powerful torso of a man, goat-like legs, a long, serpentine tail and giant batlike wings.

"With one swipe of his right hand, he slit the throat of the midwife and attendant, who collapsed in a pool of blood. The creature let out a bloodcurdling scream and escaped out the chimney, where he's terrified the people of South Jersey for more than 250 years.''

TELEVISION TREATMENT

"MonsterQuest" takes an investigative approach to the Jersey Devil, focusing on a 2004 sighting by an Egg Harbor Township family that includes photographic evidence as well as footprints. The program recruits a New York police detective to interview the family, a process that was witnessed by both sculptor Mike Melillo of Clark and comic book artist Frank Thorne of Scotch Plains.

The show approached Melillo and Thorne to create a three-dimensional version of the Jersey Devil. Thorne was responsible for drawing the creature based upon the eyewitness accounts. Melillo then took Thorne's sketch and constructed a sculpture from a variety of materials, including PVC pipe, insulation foam and liquid latex. The project, which took three weeks and stands 5 feet tall, was a challenge for Melillo.

"I've never produced an actual creature" for television, he admits, adding that it forced him to approach the process differently because he knew it was going to be shot — and viewed — via television cameras.

Meanwhile, Thorne found that his extensive experience in sketching cartoons and fantasy came in handy.

"It's a fantastical creature," he says. "It was easier (for me) to visualize it."

Thorne points out that most Jersey Devil images in existence were not made by professional artists.

"This is the first time that it's been realized by experienced, practiced image makers," he says.

"This show is going to be really good."

Melillo and Thorne plan to bring the "MonsterQuest" Jersey Devil sculpture with them to The Chiller Theatre Toy, Model and Film Expo in Parsippany and the New Jersey Folk Festival in New Brunswick, both in April.

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