The Haunted World of Mold-A-Rama

[Monsters For Sale]

Adam, as usual, you gave me a wealth of information. Now I'm going to start hunting for a standing Frankenstein. Thanks again.

Just for you:


Here are pictures of the Mold-A-Rama machines that churned out the Frankenstein figures.

The Universal Studios machines:


(Click on picture for full-sized image.)

There are 3 separate machines side-by-side.  One each for the Standing Frankenstein, King Kong and Bruce from "Jaws".



The Frankenstein Bank machine:




If the signs are to be believed, the un-licensed Frankenstein Bank was also sold at the studio.

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I assume these vending machines were bought and maintained by independent owners who rented space at whatever venues would accept them.  Then they would pay a small percentage of actual receipts.  Add to that, the Standing Frankensteins were licensed, and Universal would get an even larger cut from their sales.

I have been told that these large, cumbersome machines were prone to breakdowns and occasionally spitting out a deformed toy.  That meant an attendant had to be on hand to give out one of the pre-made toys to disappointed customers.  That must have added a great deal to daily operation costs.  No wonder the Universal Studios park exclusive Standing Frankensteins had a much shorter run.

When you add in the fact that many of the old Standing Frankensteins seem to suffer from vertical cracks in their legs, it is not surprising so few have survived.

[Hepcat]

I have been told that these large, cumbersome machines....

But the sheer size of the machines would have made them even more difficult for a kid to resist!

 

[Monsters For Sale]

But the sheer size of the machines would have made them even more difficult for a kid to resist!

 

Kids would love them - especially monsterkids.  They look like something that would belong in a mad doctor's laboratory.

[Monsters For Sale]

A couple years ago a seller offered this Mold-A-Rama mold on eBay:



















Note that the back of the base has the unusual single "UNIVERSAL STUDIOS" line that I found on my Green Standing Frankenstein.

The eBay seller was asking a lot of money for the mold, so I believe it went unsold.  It was a lot of money even if it could have been put back in use.  But, of course, Universal would come knocking on the door of anyone who attempted that.

And then you'd have to have one of the very expensive Mold-A-Rama machines, and know how to maintain it.

Man, I wanted this at the time!

[Mord]

Wow, how much was he asking for the molds? That's a nice little piece of history to own.

[Monsters For Sale]

Wow, how much was he asking for the molds? That's a nice little piece of history to own.

I seem to remember he wanted 9 or 10 thousand.  (I could be wrong.)

[Mord]

I seem to remember he wanted 9 or 10 thousand.  (I could be wrong.)

Ok, I would have been out too at that price. Maybe Kirk Hammett...

[darkmonkeygod]

I seem to remember he wanted 9 or 10 thousand.  (I could be wrong.)

I believe you are correct.

[zman1981]

The "standing" franks are fantastic. I would love to snag one eventually.


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[zman1981]

Great thread too


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[ravenloft]

The Mold A Rama Frankenstein bank is still in production at several zoos in the Eastern U.S. here are the Halloween ones for 2013







Brookfield Zoo, Illinois     Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa, Florida


I really want that Franken-bank and Skull

[Mord]

 Nice to know. The last time I saw a Mold-A-Rama machine in person was 20 years ago in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood.

[Hepcat]

The Mold A Rama Frankenstein bank is still in production at several zoos in the Eastern U.S. here are the Halloween ones for 2013

I really want that Franken-bank and Skull

Oh man! Those are wild!

 

[ravenloft]

brief history of mold o rama article, no mention of high priced frankensteins
http://mentalfloss.com/article/55241/brief-history-mold-rama

[horrorhunter]

The Mold A Rama Frankenstein bank is still in production at several zoos in the Eastern U.S. here are the Halloween ones for 2013

It looks like these current ones would be for sale by someone online. I Googled it and checked eBay and found nobody selling these new ones, just highly priced older ones. Too bad the Mold-A-Rama company doesn't sell these through their website. They have a Store link but it is under construction. I would buy all of those monster themed ones if they were priced reasonably.