[citation needed] The tale first appeared in print in the form of a poem by Samuel Rogers entitled "Ginevra", in his book Italy published in 1822.
Many old houses lay claim to it.’[2][3] The popularity of the tale was greatly increased when it appeared as a song in the 1830s entitled 'The Mistletoe Bough' written by T. H. Bayly and Sir Henry Bishop.
[9] The Percy Stow film version of the story can be seen on the BFI player with a new specially commissioned score by Pete Wiggs from the band Saint Etienne.
[10] The story of the Mistletoe Bough is recounted in the 1948 Alfred Hitchcock film Rope, where it is said to be the favorite tale of the main character, Brandon Shaw.
Unbeknownst to the story teller, Shaw has previously murdered his friend, former classmate David Kentley and hidden the body in the chest in front of which they are standing.