Don Post Studios 800 Line Planet of the Apes Masks

These 800 line Planet of the Apes are the economy versions of the deluxe 1100 line POTA masks...

Image Source: Matt Post

1976 Don Post Studios 1100 Line Catalog Sheet

This catalog sheet was originally part of a showcase post on the 1100 line Gorilla by the Maskahuna on the HMA. The post no longer exists due to forum migration, however it now lives online once again...

I have good reason to think that this catalog sheet dates back to 1976, while the 1100 Line catalog sheet posted a few days ago dates back to 1975.

Here's my rationale... the 1100 line was introduced in 1975. The previous 1100 line catalog sheet featured masks numbered from "PSM1-3" with the 1100 line POTA masks being numbered "PSM4-7". The catalog sheet in today's post has the addition of the 1100 line PSM8 (Fly), which leads me to believe that it was released at later date than 1975. Actual multi-page DPS catalogs began being released in 1977, which would leave 1976 as the natural year for this catalog sheet to fit into. It's possible that this is one of the very last single page catalog sheets to be released in the 1970s by Don Post Studios.

Image Source: The Maskahuna

Don Post Studios 1100 Line Planet of the Ape Masks

Those of you more observant folks out there may have noticed the word "and...." on the bottom right hand corner of the previous 1100 line mask catalog sheet. What that "and" referred to was the remainder of the 1100 line... the licensed Planet of the Apes series. The POTA series consisted of the Gorilla Warrior, Cornelius, Dr. Zaius, and Zira. Like the rest of the 1100 line, these high-end masks were created with the collector in mind and all featured and incredible level of craftsmanship and skill.

Image Source: Matt Post

Don Post Studios 1100 Line Catalog Sheet

These high-end 1100 line masks introduced by Don Post Studios in 1975-76 featured a re-release of the "smooth" Glenn Strange Frankenstein monster mask. According to the information from the Halloween Society publication this version of the Smooth Frank had "hair brushed down at sides. First poured in natural color latex and painted flesh base with bluish shading; later poured in black with bluish grey stipple coat."

A reissue of the Wolfman was also part of the 1975 1100 Line. The 1100 Line Gorilla was the replacement for the long-popular "Hollywood Gorilla". This version Gorilla could be found in DPS line-ups in various forms all the way through the 1989 catalog as the 1002 Gorilla.

Image Source: Matt Post

Missing DPS 1970's Catalog Sheets Coming

Tomorrow will begin a streak of posts meant to fill in some holes in the Monster Mask Catalog archive.  Stay tuned Creeps...

Masks Ads of Movie Aliens Illustrated

Originally published back in September of 1979,  Warren Presents Movie Aliens Illustrated contained a few noteworthy mask ads. The first was the standard "Deluxe Latex Rubber Whole Head Masks" ad that appeared in several Warren pubs featuring Don Post masks from the 900, 1000, and 1100 line series.

 The second was a modified version of the "Whole-Head Horror Masks" ad that was updated to include a few extra "other worldly" masks. The third wasn't a traditional latex mask ad, but rather one for Imagineering's FACE make-up kits. Personally, I've always considered these more of a mask / make-up hybrid.

Random Sunday Morning Mask Pic: Ladies Love the Swank Frank

Image Source: Classic Movie Monsters Blog

Don Post Studios Channel

Matt Post has been on a roll trans-coding old videos and uploading them to the Don Post Studios Channel on YouTube...

1997 Illusive Concepts Catalog

In 1997 Illusive Concepts was easily the king of the hill of the mass-produced mask and Halloween prop market. The '97 catalog included 40 new items and licenses such as the Universal Monsters, Freddy Krueger, Jason, Tales from the Crypt, Planet of the Apes, and the Munsters.

It's been said here before, but it's worth noting again, during the 90's Illusive Concepts was releasing masks unlike any that had been seen before in terms of sheer size, and thickness. Walking into a Spencer's or other Halloween themed store during the mid-to-late 90's, you couldn't help but being blown away when standing face to face with these massive masks or life sized props.

Thanks to Matt Post for sharing these scans...

Maskfest 2015 Website

The Maskfest '15 website is up and running and the line-up of mask makers looks spectacular...

2005 Don Post Studios Catalog