Until Next Year...

Like last December, I'll be winding down the year with a few days away from the keyboard. Here's wishing you a very happy New Year. I'll be back January 2nd with another year's worth of monster mask madness and fun. Until then, kick back with a drink or your favorite smoking jacket and enjoy perusing the archives creep!

Photo from J. Willis' Flickr Photostream Photo by Jackie Alpers,

The Masks of Famous Monsters - Issue # 14

Welcome to the eighth installment in The Masks of Famous Monsters Series. Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine was an absolute treasure trove of early mask history. By combing through the 191 issues published between 1958-1983, it's possible to gain a good understanding of the decades of evolution and history of Don Post Studios and Topstone monster masks. The eventual goal of this series is to catalog and archive each monster mask appearance in the pages Famous Monsters.

By October of 1961, when issue #14 was released, the classic Topstone ads have all debuted and there is little in the way of new ads, but that certainly doesn't stop issue 14 from containing some real monster mask gems within it's pages.

Monster masks make a double appearance in The Graveyard Examiner, which had become a monthly feature at this point in the history of FM...

While the quality of the photo is poor, this The Frankenstein monster mask is almost assuredly the same type (or even same one) used for the photos on page 35-36 of the first issue of Famous Monsters.

Another masked ghoul creeped into the Graveyard Examiner in the form of a rockin' roll Phantom. This appears to be an Ellis Burman Sr. Phantom Mask. When compared to the Wheeler catalog shot below, the lower lips and the lines on either side of the mouth match up pretty well, as do the cheek bones...

Ellis Burman Sr. - Phantom of the Opera Monster Mask

Another monster mask rears its ugly head later in issue #14 in the form of this spectacular Mr. Hyde mask from Dick Smith. The full article that this photo came from can be seen here.

Mr. Hyde Mask by Dick Smith

We'll wind down our look at issue #14 with a fun ad from the final pages of the Captain Company Shock Monster T-Shirt...

That's it for another installment of the Masks of Famous Monsters. Tune in next time when we build a bridge to the first appearance of Don Post Studios ads in FM pages!

Merry Christmas to All!!!

Christmas Eve is Here!

I look forward to the "eve" celebration more than the big day itself. Coming from a large Italian family, the eve means lots of food and family. There's nothing better than eating, drinking, and yelling with bunch loud and obnoxious loved ones. Here's hoping your Eve is merry a merry one!

Photo from J. Willis' Flickr Photostream Photo by Jackie Alpers,

Happy Horrific Holidays to All!

As Christmas gets another day closer, here's to wishing you all a happy horrific holiday!

Season's Greetings from Captain Spaulding

For those that are still struggling to get in the festive spirit this year, here's a quick message from your old friend Captain Spaulding to put you in the holiday spirit...

Here's to a Creepy Christmas...

Nothing says Seasons Greetings quite like twelve deluxe Uncle Creepy masks...

Happy Hanukkah!

A very happy Hanukkah to everyone who begins to celebrate at sundown tonight!

Photo from J. Willis' Flickr Photostream Photo by Jackie Alpers,

A Christmas Story Frankenstein Monster Mask

With the big day less than a week away, I'm looking forward to breaking out one of my very favorite movies of all time... A Christmas Story. I love everything about this movie, but I have to admit that I always especially look forward to a short shot at the end when Randy is sleeping under the tree next to a rubber Frankenstein monster mask.

Here's a nice hi-res still I captured right from the Blu-Ray...

A Christmas Story - Randy and the Frankenstein Mask

In addition, I had some fun with the film and put together a quick edit of the magic moment which can be seen here...

For those interested in the mask itself, it appears to be a Savage Eye Eco-Frank. There are some nice photos of the mask here on this informative and fun UMA thread.

Monster Makers Series #5 : Dick Smith

The Monster Makers series is a monthly look at the men that made the monsters. Many FX and make-up men started as garage mask and monsters makers. Some graduated to making rubber monster masks or monster suits for Hollywood films. Still others went on to produce revolutionary effects...

This month's edition of the Monster Makers series features an article written by Dick Smith himself. The article originally appeared in Famous Monsters # 14 and is fully of amazing photos and how-to information...

Don Post - Freddy Krueger Mask Classified Ad

For a brief period in in early 1988, The Don Post Freddy mask was offered up for sale in the back classifieds of Fango. The Freddy mask was sort of a generic overall Freddy, not really based off the design of a particular movie.

"Freddy" Mask Ad

Don Post Freddy Mask

Don Post Freddy Mask

Don Post Freddy Mask Tag

10 Days to Christmas... Sandy Claws Wants You!

Topstone Shock Monster Info

I ran into an interesting write-up yesterday afternoon titled The Speculative History of the "Shock Monster" Mask on the Shock! Theater Blog. The post contains some nice history and tidbits on the old fellow. For instance, the mask was originally introduced in the 1956 Topstone catalog as "Horror Zombie". Check out the original post for more info on what may very well be the most iconic monster mask of all time...

1970s Morris Catalog

In Saturday's post,  I made mentioned that some of the masks that appeared in those ads were from this catalog. I had a chance to throw it on the scanner yesterday, and here it is in hi-res glory...

I'm not sure of the exact year this Morris costume catalog was released. When I purchased this catalog it was described as a generic "1970's Morris Catalog", so until I find out any additional info, that's how I'll refer to it here.

The highlight of the catalog is the 2000 line of deluxe masks created by R. Quinn Studios. I started a thread over a the HMA on the subject. Some of the veteran collectors there that might be able to shed further light on these.

Cover 1970s Morris Costumes Catalog

It's interesting how within a decade the Morris costume catalog went from 8 pages to well over 400!
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NOTE: A quick word on the watermarked pages. I try very hard to avoid watermarking materials that I post here. However, I have decided to  watermark as these, as they are easily reproduced on a copy machine. I want to avoid any unscrupulous sellers reproducing this catalog to sell as an original. I respect the hobby too much for materials found here to be reproduced and sold to unsuspecting buyers. So kindly forgive the watermarks.

1970s Morris 2000 Line Masks

CFX Composite Effects Mask Ad

It's been a while since I posted any modern mask ads. Here is a full page CFX Composite Effects ad ran in the June 2010 issue of Fango...

More Johnson Smith Ads

Yesterday's post on the Johnson Smith ads inspired me to dig up a few full page ad scans. In addition to the mask ads there's some other good stuff like Vampire Blood in a tube, Horror Records, and the all-time classic U-control 7 foot life-size ghost...

Johnson Smith Ads - Jart In My Head

It's entirely possible to assume that every kid who picked up a comic book or magazine during the 1960's, 70s or 80s was exposed to a Johnson Smith Ad. Memories of these ads must be permanently etched into multiple generations and millions of former kids everywhere. Within these ads, there was almost always a portion or two devoted to low cost budget masks. On special occasions, there may have even been a deluxe mask offered.

There are a couple of excellent posts on the Jart In My Head blog highlighting the mask ads of the Johnson Smith Company. Good info and pics, as well as a fun read! Here are a few pics I pulled from the posts...

Deluxe Demon Mask

Deluxe Planet of the Apes Mask

Deluxe Santa Mask

Deluxe Werewolf Mask

I'm not sure about the manufacturer of the Santa or the POTA mask, but the Werewolf and Demon masks pictured above were part of Morris Costumes 2000 line in the mid seventies that were likely produced by R. Quinn Studios.

Image Source: Jart In My Head
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