It’s been awhile since I’ve read the book, but I specifically remember Pennywise referring to himself by the name Robert Gray. I don’t believe this moniker was ever explained in the book. Anyone know what this name refers to?
A quick google drew a blank, as did a search on a Stephen King wiki. But I did find a Robert Gray intestinal cleaning programme.
It doesn’t state the origin, but does list the aliases:
Pennywise the Dancing Clown, Pennywise the Clown, Robert Gray (also Bob Gray), The Spider
I doubt anyone knows. Not even King himself, seeing as he admits to not remembering writing the book.
My fanwank guess would probably be a play on the the alien reference “grey”. Wasn’t IT of extraterrestrial origin?
I have no recollection of the name “Robert Gray,” but I think the scene where the pre-teen girl pulls a train burned the rest of the book out of my memory.
When I read It, my interpretation was that there really was a creepy child killer (named Bob Grey) who dressed like a clown at one point and that became one of the characters Pennywise would use as his “avatars”, so to speak. That’s based on nothing, of course.
I hadn’t considered that. It’s as good a guess as any. Better than my interpretation.
It’s been a while, but I was under the impression that Pennywise was the stage name of Robert Grey, who in turn was the father of the lady Bev meets in her old house. I can’t really remember any exposition on him other than that. So, Hogarth may be right.
Also, Mr. Grey is a character in Dreamcatcher, which also takes place in Derry. I always assumed there was a connection, but I don’t believe I’m observant enough to figure out what exactly.
I didn’t know that was the way you said it. I mean, that the girl pulled a train on all the guys. Anyway, it’s an awesome book, except for this bit of weirdness near the end.
I don’t remember Robert Gray at all.
I played Pennywise the Dancing Clown for Halloween twice and introduced myself as Robert Gray to anyone who asked. Read the book three times. My favorite parts were the Derry Interludes.
Why do you ask, Da-da-da-da Darth?? How 'bout a balloon? 
Pennywise also introduces himself as Bob (or maybe he said Robert) Grey when he’s talking to Bill’s little brother Georgie. Georgie says he’s not supposed to talk to strangers, P. introduces himself and says that now they’re not strangers, and then they have a lovely chat right up until Pennywise rips Georgie’s arm off like he’s pulling the wing off a fly.
I think it’s Gray in Dreamcatcher because
it was an anagram of Gary, the character who was unknowingly the host.
That was my impression too.
I have never heard of that expression either. And here I was desperately trying to remember a literal train pulling scene in the book. :smack:
Though that was “Cujo” he didn’t remember writing, due to being drunk/stoned throughout.
Not to point out the obvious, but isn’t looking for continuity and reason in a Stephen King book like looking for ice on the sun?
The whole mid to late 80’s were a bit of a haze; he claims to have hit his nadir with Tommyknockers.
You mean he was fucking sober when he wrote The Langoliers?! :eek:
I’ve heard the expression, but I always heard it from the other POV: the guys ran a train on her.
(Funny thing is, I actually first heard it from an old urban legend. Bunch of frat guys run a train on a sorority sister who’s leaning out the window. Last guy pulls her up and whoops! it’s his sister.)