Favorite mask displays at conventions

[Sir Masksalot]

I've been attending monsters cons since the late 1970s and the main attraction
for me was (and still is) exhibits. Rubber masks draw me in like a magnet so I've
chosen the five best mask displays that come immediately to mind. The only
requirement I've imposed on myself is that I must've experienced them up close
and in person. Unfortunately that disqualifies such worthy contenders as the
incredible UMA exhibits seen at Wonderfest and elsewhere. Dealers' tables and
trade shows like Transworld are also off my ballot. Only non-commercial mask
exhibits are under consideration here; presented by collectors, for collectors.

This first one is a no-brainer if ever there was one: the astounding Hollywood Masks Cabinet.
Huge, fragile, and extremely heavy, this was its only public appearance for
thousands of privileged fans attending the 1995 "Son of Famous Monsters"
world convention at Universal City. There have been other cabinets built since
to recreate the look of old Captain Company ads but they all owe their inspiration
to this frightful folly, conceived by Evil Wilhelm in the 1980s >



There'll be four more to come over the next few days. In the meantime,
reply with your nominees for best public mask displays.

[Mike Scott]

Can you imagine that thing on permanent display in your monster room?!

[Dr.Terror]

Thats the greatest mask display period.

[Wolfman]

Totally agree. That display can’t be beat! Easily #1.

JP

[Dr.Terror]

I may be a little biased😉

[Sir Masksalot]

The next of my top five favorites offers up a double dose of dread:
kolchak's Twin Towers of Terror. He's currently an inactive member
here at The UMA but the monster memories he left us loom larger
than ever. Again based on a Captain Company ad page, his re-creation
features original DPS masks of the 1970s, carefully posed at the
same angles depicted in the ad. Don Post himself was on hand to
receive throngs of fans at the awesome edifice while it toured
various conventions over the past ten years >

     

kolchak's characters from Topstone Industries were similarly housed on a
tower all their own, accompanied by enlargements of ads and catalogs in which
they once appeared. It's highly doubtful that monsterkids could witness such
an extensive collection of mask nostalgia anywhere else >

     

[Hepcat]

Great thread!

 

[Sir Masksalot]

The year was 2008 when I found myself in The Garden State of New Jersey at MonsterMania #11.
An entire room set apart from the main floor was devoted to mask displays. All were impressive
but frankenbill's One Hundred Heads of Frankenstein exhibit had me awestruck. I never bothered
confirming that every single cinematic Frank'ster was represented, especially the oft forgotten
silent era versions; not that there would've been room for even one more >

     

Extra added attraction: I curse myself for not taking pictures of BigCat's exhibit nearby, featuring
vintage DPS and Distortions masks from the 1960s to '80s. They had even stacked up the DP/Universal
reissues with a vacant space dead center through which fans could join the display for a snapshot.
Luckily for us, a few small photographs of the exhibit were later published in a genre magazine.
Do reply with better images if you have any.



That's three down, two to go. You can probably guess what one of them is going to be,
especially if you attended 2015's D ... well, just you wait until my next post. 


 

[Dr.Terror]

Ahh, from the true FIRST  mask convention.   Maklapalooza.


The hobby was much different (and much more affordable) back then before Instagram and  Facebook ruined it.

[Hepcat]

The hobby was much different (and much more affordable) back then before Instagram and  Facebook ruined it.

Yes, combined with Twitter, Tiktok, CGC, SGC and PSA, they've ruined many good things.

 

[FRANKENSTEIN455]

Thanks Sir Masksalot and Dr. Terror for the great display photos.  Those are some of the finest and most original presentations of the classic masks ever.  Evil’s collection has always been one of my favorites. I have only seen it in photographs. However, I am sure in person it must look just incredible.  I also miss the fun times in the mask hobby before social media got a strangle hold of everything.  Sadly it seems social media has taken a lot of the innocence and happiness out of so many aspects of our lives today.

[Sir Masksalot]

I'm not sure just who initially conceived of recreating the old "Unimart Monster Daze" set for DonCon.
The original live show became a sort of retro-template for 2015's event as pertains to its art and
attractions. Forrest J Ackerman, Verne Langdon, Tor Johnson, and Don Post Sr all made encore appearances
at DonCon as honored effigies while the monsterkid generation of families and fans handled the
new show's production and hosting chores. These included commissioning one Mike Gaglio to
construct a replica of the 1965 stage which served as the official backdrop for numerous photo opps
throughout the weekend >

     

It's presently serving here as the fourth of my five favorite mask displays. The DPS masks once encased
along both sides, which I dubbed "The DonCon Ten", remain all together and safely archived today. The same
cannot be said of the set itself. It made one last public appearance at another convention the following year
and hasn't been seen since. Its current whereabouts are unknown.

     

[Spinal Remains]

those are awesome displays!



is that a Gacy painting? 

[Sir Masksalot]

is that a Gacy painting? 

Yes, it's a JWG original. Prior to his execution, the condemned killer was accepting commissions for self-portraits.

This last exhibit may not be as large or extensive as the previous four but it's the last of my five.
Within months of DPS legend Verne Langdon's death, this fine tribute to his career as a mask
maker was presented at a local convention. He was involved in the creation of all shown, donated
for the display from three private collections. Of particular interest are the two VL Zombie masks
on the bottom shelf: one from the RetroRubber edition; the other, a restored original from the 1970s.
I can't recall why the "Schlitzie" figure was there; perhaps because Mr Langdon actually saw him
perform in person on Hollywood Blvd (yes, Schlitzie was a cross-dressed male).

     

Well, there are all five favorites. It's never too late to contribute pics of your own. With conventions popping up all the time, maybe the best are yet to come ...

[Dr.Terror]

This one is my favorite display designed for a con.   

Verne spoke at Schlitzies grave.  For a funeral or memorial, not sure.   Must be some connection there.