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!
===================================================================
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
==================================================================