Posts

Showing posts from January, 2023

Karloff Mummy, Geometric Design

Image
 1/8 scale resin and vinyl model kit of Boris Karloff as The Mummy.  Released by Geometric Design in the mid 1990's. The Mummy himself is vinyl, but he was filled with an epoxy of some sort. So he is remarkably sturdy, and not subject to vinyl warpage. The base is resin. Painter is unknown. They did a great job on it though.

Justin Mabry Verne Langdon Zombie Tribute Mask, Night Owl : 2010

Image
Remember the back covers of Warren Publishing Magazines of old? Covers advertising a mask that everyone wanted: and almost no one actually owned? I am not talking about the Don Post Calendar masks, but rather....The Zombie. Designed and produced by Verne Langdon in 1972, the original release of this mask wasn't exactly a big seller. As years passed, and more people appreciated the mask, interest grew. Yet there was no way to meet the interest with product, because there are only a few original masks in existence.  The only perfect, unrestored one is the property of the Crimson Ghost, and resides in his fantastic mask room. There was the Kelly Mann version we discussed in a previous post, and then there is the Night Owl Masks Tribute, by Justin Mabry in 2010. This mask was offered prior to Mabry becoming a creative lead at trick Or Treat Studios. There were several differing cuts in regards to the neck length. A version with almost no neck (to emulate Langdon's 1972 original), a

Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman~ 8MM Movie by Castle Films, 1960's

Image
Long before the advent of VHS, DVD, Blu Ray, or 4K there existed these primitive little beauties. Reel to reel, and playable on a home projector. While the media itself has become something of a novelty, the artwork on some of these boxes is just amazing. Pure 1960's Americana/Monster Kid goodness. This one might be my tied with The Wolfman as my absolute favorite 8MM box art.

Don Post Calendar Mask, 1998: The Mole People

Image
 In 1998, Don Post Studios re-visited their most famous series of masks; The Universal Monsters series.  They were (unofficially) called the "Calendar Masks". Each mask in this re-release was limited to 498 editions.   This is a Mole Person from the Universal feature: The Mole People This mask sports the original factory paint and hair. No mask rust has afflicted him yet.

Don Post Calendar Mask, 1998: Mr. Hyde

Image
 In 1998, Don Post Studios re-visited their most famous series of masks; The Universal Monsters series.  They were (unofficially) called the "Calendar Masks". Each mask in this re-release was limited to 498 editions.   This is Mr. Hyde from the Universal feature: Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, featuring Boris Karloff as Dr. Jekyll. This mask sports the original factory paint and hair. No mask rust has afflicted him yet.

Monster of Piedras Blancas Kit

Image
 Monster of Piedras Blancas ,1/8 scale, resin monster model. Produced by Monster Museum in 1992. Scales nicely with the original Aurora monster kits of old. This is the second release of the kit, as the base is extended and the sculpt was tweaked and improved.  Unsure who painted this, as I acquired it pre-finished. It's stunning.

Invisible Man~ 8MM Movie by Castle Films, 1960's

Image
 Long before the advent of VHS, DVD, Blu Ray, or 4K there existed these primitive little beauties. Reel to reel, and playable on a home projector. While the media itself has become something of a novelty, the artwork on some of these boxes is just amazing. Pure 1960's Americana/Monster Kid goodness.

Verne Langdon Zombie Mask, recast of the original by Dwayne Whitehead.

Image
 Remember the back covers of Warren Publishing Magazines of old? Covers  advertising a mask that everyone wanted: and almost no one actually owned? I am not talking about the Don Post Calendar masks, but rather....The Zombie. Designed and produced by Verne Langdon in 1972, the original release of this mask wasn't exactly a big seller. As years passed, and more people appreciated the mask, interest grew. Yet there was no way to meet the interest with product, because there are only a few original masks in existence.  The only perfect, unrestored one is the property of the Crimson Ghost, and resides in his fantastic mask room. There was an extremely limited version of the mask offered by Kelly Mann, and approved by Verne Langdon and they were swiftly gobbled up, and rarely are seen on the secondary market. A gentleman named Dwayne Whitehead made an extremely limited number of recast masks. A casting was taken from an original mask during restoring. The re-cast is slightly smaller, an

Dark Horse Models: The Invisible Man

Image
 Produced by Dark Horse in 1995,  sculpted by Dave Grasso, cold-cast porcelain kit. Set in the Invisible Man's study, the sculpture is 1/8 scale and stands 9 inches tall. Box art created by Den Beauvais. This Kit is a winner and fits in nicely with the old Aurora monster models. Painted by me.

Don Post Calendar Mask, 1998: Quasimodo~ The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Image
In 1998, Don Post Studios re-visited their most famous series of masks; The Universal Monsters series. They were (unofficially) called the "Calendar Masks". Each mask in this re-release was limited to 498 editions.   This is obviously inspired more by Cagney's Man of 1,00 faces docu-drama than the 1923 classic, but here he is: Quasimodo, the Hunchback of Notre Dame. This mask sports the original factory paint and hair. No mask rust has afflicted him yet.

Curse of Dracula Franklin Mint Statue, 1999

Image
 In 1999, Mike Hill sculpted this pre-painted statue diorama for Franklin Mint. Although it has its minor nits to pick, it is still a wonderful piece and holds up well for its age. While there's certainly a wide variety of Lugosi products to choose from, this one is a definite must have for me.

Don Post Calendar Mask, 1998: Frankenstein's Monster~ Glenn Strange Version

Image
 In 1998, Don Post Studios re-visited their most famous series of masks; The Universal Monsters series. They were (unofficially) called the "Calendar Masks". Each mask in this re-release was limited to 498 editions.   There were two versions of the Frankenstein Monster mask. A Boris Karloff Version ; which I featured in an earlier post, and a Glenn Strange Version, which I have photographed below. This mask sports the original factory paint and hair. Alas, he has began to experience a bit of the dreaded "mask rust", and may have to be refurbished in a few more years.  A beautiful mask, as most in this series are.

Wolfman~ 8MM Movie by Castle Films, 1960's

Image
Long before the advent of VHS, DVD, Blu Ray, or 4K there existed these primitive little beauties. Reel to reel, and playable on a home projector. While the media itself has become something of a novelty, the artwork on some of these boxes is just amazing. Pure 1960's Americana/Monster Kid goodness.

Vincent Price, Theatre of Blood 1/6 Scale Collector's Figure

Image
 Vincent Price,  as Theatre of Blood's Edward Lionheart. 1/6 Scale Collector's Figure. Sculpted by Steve Thompson. Released by Distinctive Dummies, and painted by Martin Cage. Included with the figure is the Critic's Circle Shakesperian Theatre Award. Although this is before DD began numbering their editions, the 1/6 releases were always produced around 75-100 editions. Released in 2012.

Psycho: 35th Anniversary Hardcover

Image
This is a special edition hardcover . Limited to 500 numbered copies. Signed by Robery Bloch and Richard Matheson. This particular copy also has an afterwards page signed by Ray Bradbury. The store owner knew Mr. .Bradbury, and sponsored a special signing event at their establishment. This wrap around dust jacket cover is excellent....and creepy.

Psycho: Mother /Mrs. Bates's Corpse: Latex Bust/ Mask Display

Image
Psycho: Mother /Mrs. Bates's Corpse: Latex Uncut Mask Display. 1:1 scale. Painted by David Lady, Haired by Laura Lady. Sculpted by Carol Hicks. Not wearable as it is not trimmed. Base, dress neck frill, brooch added by me. Staircase and Persian rug cobbled together by me. Nametag by Engraveyard. Super cool item for Psycho fans. She wouldn't even harm a fly. That's why there's one hiding on the corner of her base.

Frankenstein~ 8MM movie by Castle Films, 1960's

Image
 Long before the advent of VHS, DVD, Blu Ray, or 4K there existed these primitive little beauties. Reel to reel, and playable on a home projector. While the media itself has become something of a novelty, the artwork on some of these boxes is just amazing. Pure 1960's Americana/Monster Kid goodness.

Monsters of the Movies: Aurora Plastics, 1975 ~ The Wolfman

Image
In 1975, Aurora Models got the idea to re-visit their most famous line of kits. Movie Monsters. There were 8 Monsters total in the series, and others were planned, but never released. Here is The Wolfman 1/12 scale. He is my favorite of the series. Box artwork was by Dave Cockrum, of Uncanny X-Men fame. Built and painted by me decades ago. All of the other monsters in this series have been re-released, except for The Wolfman.

Dracula ~ 8MM movie by Castle Films, 1960's

Image
 Long before the advent of VHS, DVD, Blu Ray, or 4K there existed these primitive little beauties. Reel to reel, and playable on a home projector. While the media itself has become something of a novelty, the artwork on some of these boxes is simply amazing. Pure 1960's Americana/Monster Kid goodness.

Monsters of the Movies: Aurora Plastics, 1975 ~ Frankenstein's Monster

Image
  In 1975, Aurora Models got the idea to re-visit their most famous line of kits. Movie Monsters. There were 8 Monsters total in the series, and others were planned, but never released. Here is Frankenstein's Monster, 1/12 scale. Box artwork was by Dave Cockrum, of Uncanny X-Men fame. Built and painted by me decades ago.

Dark Shadows Ring

Image
 Fully licensed replica ring of the one worn by Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins on the television soap opera of the late 1960's-early 70's. Produced by Dan Curtis Productions. Available for sale via MPI Home Video. Adjustable Band.

Monsters of the Movies: Aurora Plastics, 1975 ~ Count Dracula

Image
 In 1975, Aurora Models got the idea to re-visit their most famous line of kits. Movie Monsters. There were 8 Monsters total in the series, and others were planned, but never released. Here is Count Dracula, 1/12 scale. Box artwork was by Dave Cockrum, of Uncanny X-Men fame. Built and painted by me decades ago.

Rainman Artworks: Psycho Deluxe Set; #4/50

Image
 This is one of my favorite items, despite a few shortcomings. Released by Rainman Artworks in 2016-2017. These evaporated immediately.  1/6 scale, limited to a scant 50 complete sets with the Hitchcock bust. The few that were purchased by scalpers went to, and disappeared from, ebay quite quickly. Selling for considerable sums. The rest made their way into collections, and have stayed there. To some folks, Rainman could do no wrong. Having never purchased anything from them before, I was hesitant at first. Good thing I didn't waffle long. I have pictures of mine below, the last 3 pictures, and the shot showing Norman's clothes and hand offered as a subset via Rainman, are professional shots from when the item was offered for sale originally. The set is a masterpiece despite the aforementioned shortcomings. Shortcomings: #1. The flesh colored tint of Norman's body. The entire set is done in black and white. Everything. Except Norman's body. In contrast, Mrs. Bates is a