Mary Knowles

Mary Knowles is a fictional character and one of four primary victims targeted by the Firefly clan of Deadwood in the movie House of 1000 Corpses. Played by actress Jennifer Jostyn, she is the second of the four to be killed in the film.

Biography
In October of 1977, Mary Knowles accompanied her friends Denise Willis, Jerry Goldsmith and boyfriend Bill Hudley on an ill-fated cross-country expedition documenting obscure roadside attractions. Their journey brought them to a small horror-themed gas stop and eatery called Captain Spaulding's Museum of Monsters and Madmen. Mary had little interest in exploring the bizarre establishment, but was cajoled into going inside and even partaking in Captain Spaulding's underground "Murder Ride".

During the ride, her boyfriend learned about a nearby cemetery allegedly containing the grave of a local urban legend known as Doctor Satan. Mary and the group began driving out towards the grave site and along the way, picked up a hitchhiker named Baby Firefly. Mary instantly disliked Baby who made no allusions regarding her interest in Bill Hudley. Things became more complicated when their vehicle suffered a blown tire. Baby told them that her brother would be able to tow their vehicle, but she had to go to her house first to reach him. Bill accompanied Baby on the rain-filled walk to the Firefly home, much to Mary's chagrin.

Eventually, the rest of the group were brought back to the house and Mary became a reluctant dinner guest for the entire Firefly clan. Following dinner, the Fireflys put on a theatrical stage spectacle highlighting Baby's talents. Baby performed a vaudeville dance and once again made overt flirtations with Bill Hudley. Mary could no longer restrain herself and Baby and she came to blows. As tempers cooled, the four guests were asked to leave.

Only moments later however, three members of the Firefly clan, Otis, Rufus and Tiny ambushed their vehicle and took the four youths hostage. Otis murdered Bill and turned his remains into a carnival-inspired sideshow freak that he called "Fish Boy". He kept Mary bound and gagged to a chair, forcing her to gaze in horror as Otis unveiled his special project.

The following evening on Halloween night, Mary, Denise and Jerry were brought into living room of the Firefly home where they were dressed up in adult-sized rabbit costumes. The Fireflys dragged the three of them out into the cemetery (ironically, the same graveyard they had intended on visiting) where they prepared to execute them in a bizarre occult ritual. Mary broke away from the others and tried to run for her life, but Baby chased after her. She eventually caught up to her and stabbed Mary repeatedly with a knife, killing her.

Notes & Trivia

 * Actress Jennifer Jostyn also starred in the 1988 horror-comedy Vampries on Bikini Beach.