It's May of 1943, and the world is at war. The United States has engaged Germany, Italy, and Japan on multiple fronts, from the Pacific Ocean to Africa, and of course in Europe. Rationing is a daily way of life. In December the previous year, only 6 months earlier, gasoline rationing was put into effect, and the average car was allowed 3 gallons per week. We're not talking about hybrids here, these were gas-guzzling machines. Through the depression, the movie industry suffered hard times like most of the country, but during the war, a renaissance occurred. With the exception of the gritty film noir genre, movies were uplifting and/or allegorical to the war effort. The fate of our nation and the world was squarely in the balance. The Normandy invasion was more than a year away, and the news from the front was not good. There is no broadcast TV, families gather around the radio to listen, but images of war and images of other news can be seen at the local theater, along with cartoons and of course the feature.
Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man was released 2 years after The Wolf Man. It was the first of Universal's "monster mash ups" (some may argue that Bride of Frankenstein was the first, but that was a bit of a different animal than the others) that became popular during the war, and after. It's a bit different than the others, because it has a storyline that makes some sense, rather than just being a sparse vehicle for getting as many monsters on screen as possible, that came later. Nothing wrong with lotsa monsters, but this one was something of a bridge between the single monster movies and the mash ups. It was thrilling, it was compelling, and the final scene is probably the most exciting classic monster scene of all. Not the finest of films, but a favorite of many genre fans.
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 19 Feb. 1943
Roosevelt meets Churchill at Casablanca, Yanks meet Japs at Guadalcanal--and yet these events will fad into insignificance to those seemingly inexhaustible legions of horror fans when they hear that FRANKENSTEIN meets the WOLF MAN. Yay, brother! This is the picture they've been waiting for and it's a nightmare, a symphony on the organ of doom with all stops out, with Moussorgsky's "Night on Bald Mountain" for a chaser. The business it is going to do will be limited only by the seating capacity of the theatres in which it will play.
There was a lot of hype for this movie, and Robert Taylor told me of a teenage dance flick of the era that was very popular with teenagers and one of the stars of the movie, in a complete non sequitur, exclaims "Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man" in the middle of the movie, for no particular reason except to advertise it. It was marketed to teenagers and young people. (forget the "Adults Only" sign in the photo below, nobody who is actually 16 reads 16 Magazine either).
The theaters were decorated, and everything was set! Allegedly (more about that coming) Universal took the step to contract J.H.Blecher Mannequins in Detroit to make Frankenstein and Wolf Man mannequins to send to some theaters for promotional purposes. These plaster composition heads may be the first commercially produced monster busts. They can be seen here, in a couple photos of an unknown theater, showing the movie.
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6060/6366811745_c3ce2da1de_z.jpg)
And a hit it was! Besides the monsters on top of the box office, look down and to the left to see a couple guys in makeup and costume!
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6233/6366811519_a1fbee4c0a_b.jpg)
Today, a pair of these mannequins still exist! 68 years old and showing their age, both heads and Frankenstein's hands made their way into my collection recently, where they will have a place of honor among their more recently made offspring.
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6112/6356341173_9b5a1860a4_z.jpg)
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6101/6356341647_fe08da3629_z.jpg)
Frankenstein looks to have sustained a head wound, which was repaired but left him with a very odd left eyelid.
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6045/6356341441_0ff9a102d9_z.jpg)
The Wolf Man has light up eyes, and the cord is buried in the plaster, it wasn't something that was added later.
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6212/6356342841_5a6f4dcc04_z.jpg)
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6114/6356343171_4f46080baa_z.jpg)
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6034/6356342501_f5f92bbaa3_z.jpg)
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6236/6356343773_b6106df28a_z.jpg)
The story I was originally told was that they were made by Mario's Mannequins, and the deal was that he was supposed to get them back. I'm not sure where these were displayed, or how many were made, or how many were returned. Actually, Mario bought the business in 1963, and didn't make mannequins, but only repaired them. It's unknown if these were actually commissioned by Universal, or if any others were made. The Frankenstein in the theater photos looks a bit different, as if that one was a re-purposed standard male head. On the other hand, the grimace on the face is not like you would normally find on an advertising figure of any kind. Some of the mannequins from that era had a melancholy look, having just been through the depression and now in the midst of a war that was going badly for the US, but a grimace would be a bit much for a figure designed to sell something. Also, the head clamps are metal hooks of some sort inside the plaster, with just the tops showing. As you can see, the Frankenstein sustained some damage along the way, and was partially repaired. This repair was done on the same side as can be seen in the theater ballyhoo photos, so it could have changed a little from the original view. It's also entirely possible that Universal had them made for certain theaters. The pressbook for FMTWM makes no mention of them, but it would only make mention of items a theater could order, not items that were specifically sent to certain theaters.
Mario kept a cache of vintage heads, and sold them off around the time he closed the business in the 90's. I have been told that the person who got these from Mario is now deceased, and exactly when they were obtained is uncertain. It's a game of "telephone" at this point, but it's possible that Mario disposed of other Frankenstein and Wolf Man heads years ago, and there were several of them. It also could be that an enterprising theater owner had them made special for his theater, and the heads in the theater photos are the heads now in my collection, and were the only ones made.
Notice the triangular scar on Frankenstein's face, from Bride of Frankenstein.
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6232/6369074017_17aa440a06_z.jpg)
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6105/6369073737_853e6dacb3_z.jpg)
Here are some closeups from the theater photos.
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6220/6369215577_87eb375a22_b.jpg)
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6218/6369215507_4e50e97220_z.jpg)
The latest issue of Famous Monsters of Filmland (#258) has an interview with Don Post Jr. He talked about the history of the company, and how his father got his start. In the 1930's, during the depression, he had many different jobs, but one was at Silvestri's Mannequins, where he learned about slipcasting and took a sculpture class. He quit Silvestri's in 1938 and started making masks for stage plays in New York. As Don tells it, people in the audiences were interested in the masks, and he passed out business cards. He took a couple dozen to Marshall Field's in Chicago, and they sold them all and wanted more. When the war broke out though, rubber was all used in the war effort, and until it was available again, he went to work in a factory building airplanes. Then in 1949, the first Don Post Studios Frankenstein mask was made.
Here is a Jack Nisi Frankenstein and a recast Wolf Man A from Don Post (I think there are maybe 1 or 2 originals still in existence.)
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6102/6369074975_694261011c_z.jpg)
This thread is being made "live" simultaneously with a story Pierre wrote about them in his Frankenstinia blog. More can be read about them here:
http://frankensteinia.blogspot.com/2011/12/discovered-ultra-rare-frankenstein.html (http://frankensteinia.blogspot.com/2011/12/discovered-ultra-rare-frankenstein.html)
http://frankensteinia.blogspot.com/ (http://frankensteinia.blogspot.com/)
Thanks to Adam Love, Robert Taylor, Dan Roebuck, Max "The Drunken Severed Head" Cheney, and Pierre Fournier for their invaluable assistance.
Bump!!!
Beautifully written, Bobby. Great overall story with lots of fun background information about the time - In BOTH threads. Hope someone out there will be able to identify the theater in the pictures.
Glad these wound up in the hands of someone who truly appreciates their historical value and will give them the love they deserve.
AWESOME!!!!
WOW great history! Love the old theater shots...
You really outdid yourself this time, Bobby..What an unusual and unexpected treat! DAMN, I love this group!!
In the theater shot with the crowd, you can see a Frankenstein and Wolf Man on the ground as well.
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/November%2009/smFrankensteinMeetstheWolfmanBallyho3b.jpg)
Danny Roebuck found a picture of those guys!
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/November%2009/smFrankensteinMeetstheWolfmanBallyho6.jpg)
A mask? or makeup?
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/November%2009/smFrankensteinMeetstheWolfmanBallyho6a.jpg)
Nice makeup job on Frankenstein!
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/November%2009/smFrankensteinMeetstheWolfmanBallyho6b.jpg)
Of course, Frankie got the girl.
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/November%2009/smFrankensteinMeetstheWolfmanBallyho7.jpg)
Frankenstein's girlfriend is wearing a very Evelyn Ankers-looking dress.
Bobby, this is the best thread I've seen here in ages!
It is always thrilling to discover a vintage item that you didn't know existed. Thanks for sharing this!
In the 2 vintage close ups of the plaster figures, the wolfman appears to be wearing a mole people glove/hand of some sort on one of the hands. If so that would place these pics around 1956 or after?
Quote from: Minion on December 01, 2011, 11:39:41 PM
In the 2 vintage close ups of the plaster figures, the wolfman appears to be wearing a mole people glove/hand of some sort on one of the hands. If so that would place these pics around 1956 or after?
It does appear to be a leather glove with claws on it.
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6220/6369215577_0645ce093d_o.jpg (http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6220/6369215577_0645ce093d_o.jpg)
It also looks a little like Freddy Krueger's glove, which would mean it was 1984. ;D
The posters are from the original release, not the re-release in 1949.
"FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN was re-released by Realart in 1949 and frequently ran in movie theaters right up until its appearance on TV as part of the SHOCK! program beginning in 1957."
Doesn't mean they couldn't use the original posters.
And it looks nothing like a Freddy glove so let's not be silly. That's a mole people hand
You're joking, right?
Were they having a "dress like it's the 40's" night, too?
That would make this a 13-year-old film playing to huge "adults only" crowds as a heavily promoted single feature.
That would only begin to make sense if it were an initial release in a foreign English-speaking country like England or Australia. Australia played a lot of our monster fare only for adult audiences.
Seems like an awful stretch. (But that glove IS a puzzler.)
It looks to me like a leather glove with claws on it. Look at this enlargement:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6440037245_4a6f1aafab_b.jpg' (http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6440037245_4a6f1aafab_b.jpg')
They could be filed down deer antlers. I used to have some antler material that someone had been working on, and if I had taken a leather glove, cut out the fingers, and stuck the antlers in there, it would look just about like that.
The mole people hands were based on real moles.
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tfJh_LzqFSk/SuQEdY6KmGI/AAAAAAAAAAw/TR3a-ST5hfw/s400/6a00e00982269188330120a6166640970c-800wi.jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fJ5UtbRmbkc/TQ0nHH8nagI/AAAAAAAACoU/3tkalzxvWZg/s400/Mole+People+Lobby+Card+02+MMW.jpg)
I'm just not seeing why you think it's the same. Similar? Yeah, but modeled after nature,
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6440032641_85c5f815f4_o.jpg)
This IS the UNIVERSAL Monster Army, right? You're really going to tell me that's not an attempt at a Universal Mole People hand? Name one other monster from before that film that had big claws for fingers like that. If I had made something today like that, stuck it on my hand, and then took a pic and posted it you'd say "Hey, a mole people hand".
So, what you're saying is:
The guy who built the display in 1943 was, in actuality, a time-traveler from 1956... Could happen.
Probably Doc and Marty messing with us.
No, what I'm saying is that while the figures and posters in the picture might be from an original release that the pictures of them may not be. Why would a brand new wolfman mannequin to promote a brand new film have two different hands on it? It's plain to see in the closeups that the other hand looks nothing like that claw hand.
The two hands have the same suede texture and the same seam pattern. You can see the base of the thumb claw on the right hand, just like the left.
The left hand does resemble the Mole People hand. But the actual rubber Mole People gloves are easily twice the size of the hands on that mannequin. Look at stills that show a Mole Person and a normal human in the same shot. Also, the Mole People claws are fat and rubbery looking. They have mold seams along the edges. Look at some stills using Google images. And the Mole People gloves are rubber with a bumpy texture. Maybe the skin is an outer covering over a more form fitting glove, but why attach the claws to the inner glove.
I'm no fashion expert, but the poople in these photos do not look like they are dressed in 50s clothes.
Okay, what are we talking about here?!?!!?
This is surely one of the greatest Universal Monster finds, ever!
With all due respect to my illustrious colleague from Illinois, There is no doubt in my mind that that these ballyho shots are from the 40's and that , although it does appear to be a moleman style hand, I think it's just an odd coincidence.
The Wolfman hands appear to be jerryriged from some other thing. Anyway, it's secondary to the importance of this historic find.
The heads are simply classic.
So glad that they have landed in a great collection!
The find is amazing, but the presentation by Bobby and Pierre is impeccable. Bobby could have just thrown these online and said "check out my cool score." Instead, he and Pierre have given these pieces the respect they deserve.
Am I to understand these have been floating around in other collections for years? I'm a little fuzzy on that point. If so, I'm surprised they've remained under the radar so long. Now that they are on the radar, maybe someone will come forward with more information about their origins.
Quote from: raycastile on December 02, 2011, 03:18:11 AM
The find is amazing, but the presentation by Bobby and Pierre is impeccable. Bobby could have just thrown these online and said "check out my cool score." Instead, he and Pierre have given these pieces the respect they deserve.
Bingo! And as you said, Raymond, the size of the Mole People gloves are much larger than what's seen here.
Bobby, lurker Pierre, and Dan -- thanks for all the cool photos and info!
These busts and hands are nothing short of Universal/monster history that few have been fortunate enough to reach out and touch during their long existence.
I am grateful that these have survived and been brought out of obscurity and back into the light after all these years.
Congrats on a major score, Bobby! And thanks for sharing them and their story with Universal monsters fans everywhere.
Big finds like these always make me wonder what other treasures (lost films, props, etc.) sit forgotten, wrapped in musty rags and yellowed newspapers in the backs of dark and dusty closets all across our land - waiting to be discovered.
It's fun to imagine.
The Wolf Man gloves are not Mole Man hands. I believe the photos are from 1943 and not a '50s re-release, given the size of the displays and the crowds. Note also that the posters say "Two NEW Features", and the ticket price is 50 cents.
If the pics are from a foreign English-language release, the time frame is not significantly different. The film deployed across America through spring and summer of 43 and it was playing in Australia by January 1944.
The FMTWM graphics are so overwhelming, I didn't see the 2nd feature until you mentioned that there was one.
The other movie appears to be "Vengeance Strikes". The little white box below the title contains the words "prison mutiny". I haven't been able to locate any information about this movie. There is nothing on Amazon, eBay, Google, etc. It isn't even listed in Michael Fitzgerald's 766 page book "Universal Pictures", which contains a catalog of all the Universal movies from 1930 through 1970 - listing casts, credits and major awards.
"Vengeance Strikes" seems to have slipped into cinematic obscurity.
Bobby, congrats on obtaining these pieces. This is pure vintage stuff. never knew these things existed.
Sal
These are absolutely perfect, i love that you can see the age on them! What a great find. thanks for sharing them with us and the great back story too. I look forward to seeing more info on them when it turns up.
You just can't blindly trust photos anymore... a shame. I choose to buy the whole thing as legit, though------primarily because I'm risking nothing by doing so and it's just more fun. ;)
Quote from: Monsters For Sale on December 02, 2011, 05:53:37 AM
The FMTWM graphics are so overwhelming, I didn't see the 2nd feature until you mentioned that there was one.
The other movie appears to be "Vengeance Strikes". The little white box below the title contains the words "prison mutiny". I haven't been able to locate any information about this movie. There is nothing on Amazon, eBay, Google, etc. It isn't even listed in Michael Fitzgerald's 766 page book "Universal Pictures", which contains a catalog of all the Universal movies from 1930 through 1970 - listing casts, credits and major awards.
"Vengeance Strikes" seems to have slipped into cinematic obscurity.
It sure does. The starring actor it says is Jack La Rue. According to IMDb, he was in many movies in the 40's, and by the 50's he was doing TV.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0479011/ (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0479011/)
Vengeance Strikes isn't on his list of credits.
Wartime was a huge series of contrasts in the movie industry. Profits were way up, after things almost collapsed during the depression (as it's often said, the monster movies saved Universal, or they would have gone out of business). At the same time, there were severe materials restrictions and it was hard for them to even get film, as much of it was being set aside for military training films. This is a long article that covers several issues confronting the movie industry in wartime.
http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/articles/pages/2921/The-Motion-Picture-Industry-During-World-War-II.html (http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/articles/pages/2921/The-Motion-Picture-Industry-During-World-War-II.html)
Vengeance Strikes may have run afoul of the OWI and have been pulled shortly after it debuted.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Office_of_War_Information (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Office_of_War_Information)
It does seem to be a lost movie.
Awesome finds and very cool history behind the pieces!!
Amazing find - thanks & congrats, Bobby!
(Though Wolfie looks more like a very sick Carrot Top, than Larry Talbot!)
What a fantastic read, Bobby! The history, the hunt, the score, all adds up to a wonderful story.
Thanks for sharing this with us!
E.A.
Yes lol he isn't a great likeness.
I should also mention that the person who sold me the heads did not have the photos, and the person who sold me the photos was not aware that the heads still existed.
The LaRue feature might be:
"You Can't Beat the Law"
Per imdb, he plays "Convict Cain, Prison-break Leader," and it's a '43 film.
"Vengence Strikes" could just be a ballyhoo line.
-Craig
Quote from: Wich2 on December 02, 2011, 11:19:05 AM
The LaRue feature might be:
"You Can't Beat the Law"
Per imdb, he plays "Convict Cain, Prison-break Leader," and it's a '43 film.
"Vengence Strikes" could just be a ballyhoo line.
-Craig
I was just reading about that movie. I've been looking for a poster.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE:
This must be it. The title matches the words in that little white box under the large phrase "... Vengeance Strikes..."
"PRISON MUTINY" - AKA: "You Can't Beat the Law"
http://www.amazon.com/Prison-Mutiny/dp/B002ZTIV28/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1322843119&sr=8-4 (http://www.amazon.com/Prison-Mutiny/dp/B002ZTIV28/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1322843119&sr=8-4)
Someone is even selling a 16mm print of "Prison Mutiny" on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/16mm-B-W-Feature-PRISON-MUTINY-43-Original-/280644368203?pt=US_Film&hash=item4157b5374b (http://www.ebay.com/itm/16mm-B-W-Feature-PRISON-MUTINY-43-Original-/280644368203?pt=US_Film&hash=item4157b5374b)
Man, I
LOVE the Internet!
This is the kind of stuff I love to read about -- the history of back when.... Thanks for posting that info. It was great.
Simply amazing! I love this stuff! Thanks for sharing!
BK
Wow! Great thread. Thanks for sharing and congrats on the score Toy Ranch!
That is simply amazing! What a realpiece of history-and the Wolf Man's eyes still light up after all these decades!!
Just to let you know Bobby, the seller of these was incorrect about this being a one of a kind set, though she insisted and would not believe me. This is the third set of these I have seen in the last 10 years, and there was also a set of hands made for the Wolfman, that did not look anything like the ones in your pics- they were cast also, like the Frankenstein hands. Cool pieces!
Just for the record, I'm not questioning the age or authenticity of the actual busts, just the time period of the pictures posted of them. The busts are very cool scores and pieces of monster history. I also was not implying these were Don Post latex hands, as those didn't come out until the 60s (though the first ones released that were sculpted by Pat Newman were small. The big oversized movie mold ones didn't come out until Bill Malone worked there in the 70s)
I found this post by Frankenseinia interesting -
Quote from: Frankensteinia on December 02, 2011, 05:10:48 AM
and the ticket price is 50 cents.
Going from that angle I found these online -
"The average price of movie tickets in the 1940's:
1940: 24 cents
1943: 29 cents
1945: 35 cents
1949: 46 cents.
In an effort to compete with television, the average U.S. movie ticket prices declined from $.53 in 1950 to $.51 in 1959."
So either they were massively overcharging (for the time) to see the film when it came out or the price listed in the picture fits into the 50s time period (as do the clothes actually)
Quote from: Monster Bob on December 02, 2011, 01:48:45 PMthere was also a set of hands made for the Wolfman, that did not look anything like the ones in your pics- they were cast also, like the Frankenstein hands.
Strange that they would need to replace the hands on a brand new mannequin with hands that look nothing like wolfman hands.
Okay, I'm done. LOL
Great scores Bobby
Aaron, while you are looking things up, look up when there was a 10% sales tax on movie tickets.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6443066101_4e50852c24_o.jpg (http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6443066101_4e50852c24_o.jpg)
I'm going to guess it was during the war.
Averages are misleading.
If you look here
http://www.natoonline.org/statisticstickets.htm (http://www.natoonline.org/statisticstickets.htm)
the National Association Of Theatre Owners, who you would consider an authority, says that the average price right now of a ticket is $7.89.
Theaters here by me in NY charge $12-$15.
A 3d film in RPX or IMAX is $15-$25.
That said, if this is a NY or LA theatre, which would explain an elaborate display, it make sense for there to be higher prices.
I can't imagine this is a small town theater. Big city theaters are going to charge more than the national average.
Quote from: raycastile on December 02, 2011, 04:05:36 PM
I can't imagine this is a small town theater. Big city theaters are going to charge more than the national average.
Especially on what looks to be a very heavily promoted special "Premiere" run for that city.
What I can't believe is that this discussion has sidetracked into substantiating the date of the photos. Everything about them screams 1940's. The hairstyles, the fashion, the fact that FMTWM was released in March, and everyone is wearing a coat, the posters, the size of the crowd, the level of the ballyhoo being justifiable ONLY for the original release, etc. etc. etc. And the fact that the gloves on the Wolf Man mannequin resemble mole hands, and Universal later released a movie about Mole People is the ONLY reason it's being questioned... the thinking here is totally flawed. It's a ridiculous assertion.
;D ;D
Quote from: Toy Ranch on December 02, 2011, 04:27:12 PM
What I can't believe is that this discussion has sidetracked into substantiating the date of the photos. Everything about them screams 1940's. The hairstyles, the fashion, the fact that FMTWM was released in March, and everyone is wearing a coat, the posters, the size of the crowd, the level of the ballyhoo being justifiable ONLY for the original release, etc. etc. etc. And the fact that the gloves on the Wolf Man mannequin resemble mole hands, and Universal later released a movie about Mole People is the ONLY reason it's being questioned... the thinking here is totally flawed. It's a ridiculous assertion.
Of
course, it's ridiculous on its face.
If FMTWM were being being re-released 13 years later, not only would it not receive such fanfare, it definitely would NOT be re-issued with an obscure 1943 movie about a prison break - it would be paired with another Universal monster picture.
Duh!
-------------------------------------------------------------
The 1950's were the golden age of Universal-International Sci-Fi movies. The Mole People came out in 1956.
The classic 30's/40's Universal monsters had been relegated to childrens' Saturday morning matinees. In October of 1957, they were sold to TV.
The pictures
SCREAM 1943!
Yup, the stake through the heart of the '50s theory is the identification of the second billed movie. I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that some of these pieces survived. It's thrilling!!
Quote from: Toy Ranch on December 02, 2011, 04:27:12 PM
What I can't believe is that this discussion has sidetracked into substantiating the date of the photos. Everything about them screams 1940's. The hairstyles, the fashion, the fact that FMTWM was released in March, and everyone is wearing a coat, the posters, the size of the crowd, the level of the ballyhoo being justifiable ONLY for the original release, etc. etc. etc. And the fact that the gloves on the Wolf Man mannequin resemble mole hands, and Universal later released a movie about Mole People is the ONLY reason it's being questioned... the thinking here is totally flawed. It's a ridiculous assertion.
Yes, god forbid that a discussion on this board should ever progress past anything other than "Great score Bobby". How CRAZY I am to think that a movie theater would actually keep and - gulp! - re-use promotional materials for a film they are possibly re-showing! My imagination must be just running WILD to think that this theater may have created some sort of Mole Man display for a showing of THAT film and then re-used the gloves on a Wolfman display for a a re-showing of a movie that played in theaters until 1957! I can't believe I have the GALL to point out that 50 (or 55 with tax) cents for a movie fits into 50s average movie ticket prices! To think that a huge crowd of people, with questionable 40s or 50s attire, would gather at a theater to see a film if it's not newly released is just INSANE! How DARE I not just accept what is presented to me without questioning it. HOW DARE I?! Yes Bobby, HOW COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS I AM!!!
Just remove my comments and any others referring to them and this thread can go back to being just about the busts and how cool you are for spending money on them.
Quote from: Minion on December 02, 2011, 05:16:48 PM
how cool you are for spending money on them.
I dunno about being cool for spending money on them but he's certainly cool for sharing the photos/stories about them! These are the kinds of items that most of us will never see let alone ever own.....Lastly I think his point was, "Who cares when the photos are from?", I understand that you were just curious and stating your opinion but I think others have made valid/conclusive points about the time period of the photos.
No Aaron, we don't remove comments like that at the UMA.
I know this guy who has always been a little odd, but most people I know are a little odd. One day, a few years ago, he went to a storage auction and bought a locker. The guy who had owned it was a former member of the military, and he was working with NASA. In the locker were photos of the moon, taken from one of the Apollo missions. He had the photos scanned at a very high resolution, and they had been printed from negatives that were dusty, so there were dust spots on the surface of the moon, and in space as well. There were string fibers, dust, etc. on them. He decided that this wasn't dust, rather it was a life form that lived in space and on the moon. He concocted an elaborate story about their habits and nature. After a time, it had been shown to him that this "life form" he saw, was actually dust on the negatives. He accepted that it was dust, and then started seeing vegetation on the dark side of the moon, and other things in the photos.
His original premise wasn't ridiculous, it was flimsy and misinformed, but not ridiculous. When it was shown to him that his life form was actually dust on the negatives, and he started finding other things in the photos, that was when it went to ridiculous.
Wow, sorry I'm late to the party. First off, I want to say how happy I am for Bobby and his willingness to share these remarkable figures with the masses. These are without question, some of the coolest monster collectibles I've seen in the past decade or so. Unique, historical, and freaking cool in every possible way. The pictures seal the deal for me every time I look at them. And while some here may choose to dissect and debate the exact era and timeframe of these figure's existence, I'll just simply say they're timeless. Regardless of ticket prices, wardrobe attire, or even Mole People vs Wolf Man claws, these are the real deal no matter how you wanna (or don't wanna) look at it. A very high salute to Bobby!
Man, that chick Frankie is carrying was HOT.
Hey, ho.... FELLAS... Let's all be pals here. I'm sure we can work out a deal that is acceptable to all.
Bobby, just say that all of Aaron's suspicions about the items are correct.
Aaron, just tell Bobby his stuff is cool anyway.
Scatter, just send me 20 grand in unmarked bills. 8)
See? Everybody is happy.
I have to admit that I think the photos and items are REALLY cool------but that was without paying attention to Bobby's mention that he now OWNED them! WOW. I just thought you found them pictured somewhere. Or found the guy who owned them and took some shots of your own. Forgive my attention deficit. My brain melts a little when I have to read too much in 1 shot.
Incredibly cool.
I'm staying out of the argument over the decade, but I agree with everyone that these are both the coolest and probably the most historically significant find in our hobby in the last 20 years (every bit as cool as Dave Conovers' "War Eagles" material)! Is there any possibility that the UMA could arrange to display these at Wonderfest in May in association with the annual display? I'm drooling over the possibility of going to Dave Hodge, Dave Conover and Donnie Waddell with the idea displaying these and maybe looking into showing "Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman" during the show. It would completely depend on Toy Ranch's comfort with it first, and then I'd have to get big wig approval, but I think Conover and Waddell would flip over it. Any interest at all?
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/November%2009/smFrankensteinMeetstheWolfmanBallyho7.jpg)
Not to mention that this is a very convincing monster---who looks better than Bela did in the film!
Quote from: Radioactive Rod Whitenack on December 02, 2011, 08:15:19 PM
I'm staying out of the argument over the decade, but I agree with everyone that these are both the coolest and probably the most historically significant find in our hobby in the last 20 years (every bit as cool as Dave Conovers' "War Eagles" material)! Is there any possibility that the UMA could arrange to display these at Wonderfest in May in association with the annual display? I'm drooling over the possibility of going to Dave Hodge, Dave Conover and Donnie Waddell with the idea displaying these and maybe looking into showing "Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman" during the show. It would completely depend on Toy Ranch's comfort with it first, and then I'd have to get big wig approval, but I think Conover and Waddell would flip over it. Any interest at all?
I don't know, Rod. Monster Bob says they're fairly common. I hadn't seen them before, but he runs in different circles. If there are that many others out there, and sculpted Wolf Man hands, and undamaged Frankensteins, and more... making such a fuss over them would be silly. We haven't finalized our display plans for 2012. I don't think we are going to be at Wonderfest this year, but won't rule anything out.
"I don't think we are going to be at Wonderfest this year, but won't rule anything out."
ANYONE reading this thread who will be going to Wonderfest this year but can't get to Monsterpalooza (besides me)? Let's all write to Donnie and Dave and ask them to invite the UMA display and the tour gang!
These guys (the UMA brass in this thread and elsewhere) are all friendly, personable Monster Kids. (I haven't seen Bobby in too long and need to see him again!) I can tell you from experience, hob-nobbing with these horrible people (and I mean that in a really nice way!) would be a high delight for any UMA member, AND you might see these mighty monster heads and hands! (I hope that includes Minion--you're a part of the gang--don't be mad 'cause the evidence was against ya!)
We'll all drink together and sing the Song of the New Wine!
Well thanks Max. I'd love to see you again soon and hang out too! But a campaign need not be launched. We saw Dave at MaskFest earlier this year, and he has already extended the UMA an invitation to return. Several other cons have extended standing invitations as well. I'd love to to ALL of them, but it's hard to get time off work, and it takes a lot of work and a lot of money for the UMA to make a toy display appearance. There's the cost to the group for the basic expenses of transportation/rental/whatever for the display fixtures and contents. Then the cost of a hotel room (in some cases) and transportation for each of us is one we each bear individually. The time, the cost, etc. is substantial, and we can only do 1 or 2 each year at the most.
Wonderfest has been great to the UMA. Super-nice folks and a great convention. They have treated us really well, and there is nothing they could do that would make it better for us than they have. We appreciate the hell out of those guys and that con.
Quote from: Toy Ranch on December 02, 2011, 10:20:38 PM
I don't know, Rod. Monster Bob says they're fairly common. I hadn't seen them before, but he runs in different circles. If there are that many others out there, and sculpted Wolf Man hands, and undamaged Frankensteins, and more... making such a fuss over them would be silly. We haven't finalized our display plans for 2012. I don't think we are going to be at Wonderfest this year, but won't rule anything out.
Bobby- I don't think they are "common" by any means and did not mean to sound like I was underplaying them (if I did). In discussing these heads with the seller/lady, she went up my ass when I challenged her "one of a kind"/the only set ever made/ Universal especially commissioned this one set from ye olde mannequin maker statements, etc.; When I told her that they weren't one-of-a-kind as I had seen them before, she got miffed at me. Clearly, your set and the set in the pics are different sets. The fact that they aren't one-of-a-kind doesn't make them any less cool, and I was just trying to figure out if this was one of the sets I had seen before (it had been awhile and I'm old), and find out all she knew about them. She seemed to know the back story of who made them, but seemed to be BSing some of the facts, to me anyway. As you know, ebay sellers often fluff an item in the description, and for my own information and history's sake, I like to get to the truth and as much background info on an item as I can. I am a research junky!
BTW, I think these heads are really sweet. Wish I had a set!
Well, "common" is a relative term, and I didn't mean it the way it came off. I'm not sure that we have a good word in English for "about as rare as a Tomland Mummy". But if you've seen 3 other pairs in the past decade, it's certainly not the "find of the last 20 years." Relative to that, if you are sure it's the same figures, then they are fairly common or scarce or whatever. I mean, someone with the will and the funds could own 2 or 3 pairs of them if they wished (just not THIS pair ;D ).
What the seller had in the listing by the time I saw it was:
"History:
When I purchased these heads many years ago I was given the following history. They were made by Mario's Mannequins of Detroit, Michigan. Mario's Mannequins was started in the early 1900's by Mario an Italian immigrant and master craftsman in the art of mannequin making. His studio in Detroit was often used to make displays and promotional mannequins for movies. Mario had an apprentice who took over the shop when he died sometime in the middle of the century. These mannequins were made for Universal Studios to be sent to theaters around the country to use as a display when the movie was shown. It was in Mario's contract that the original mannequin would be returned to him when the studio was done using it. I myself visited Mario's Mannequins original shop in downtown Detroit in the early 1980's. It looked just like the studio in Vincent Price's House of Wax. This mannequin was sold years before the studio closed and the remaining items were liquidated. It is an extremely rare display piece. Probably the only one of it's kind in existence from the original era of The Frankenstein and Wolfman films."
There are some factual errors. Mario was the apprentice who purchased the business. The description suggests that there were a few reels of film that traveled with the mannequins and opened at different times. Obviously this is erroneous. It doesn't work like that. Enough didn't fit in the story, that I wondered if they were what she said, or if they were from an old dark ride or something. Especially with the light up eyes in the Wolf Man head, they could have been anything. After I saw the photos and had the provenance, I knew it was going to be Ramen for Thanksgiving, if I was able to win.
I guess the thing I'm having a hard time figuring out, is how these have escaped the awareness of so many prominent and long-time collectors if there are that many of them out there. Aside from the folks I thanked at the bottom of my first post, photos were shown to some of the most seasoned collectors in the hobby, and none of them had ever seen these before.
Are you certain we are talking about the same thing? Do you have any photos of others?
Exact same thing...absolutely, positively 100% sure. Red eyeballs and all. i probably did save a picture or two, but it would be on the hard drive of my old dead computer!
The hairline on the one in the photos is more of a flat top. Since mine has been repaired, it could be a little different, but I looked at some other things and the ears seem different between my Frankie and the one in the theater pic.
Did any of the other people who sold them have any provenance or know what they were?
No, though I figured that's what they were because of the age, composition and subject matter. They just seemed too specific to be anything else (obviously a Frankenstein and a Wolfman fighting), and looked too manufactured and thought out to be a "spook house" item, which are often one of a kind, and usually not as well done as these are. Plus, they have that [for lack of a better word] hokey-but-cool quality that movie house promo stuff from way back when often has, and as you know, I am a big fan of vintage Hollywood and TV ephemera. These have that same wacked-out quality that spook show stuff often has.
I do believe these are likely to have a high survival rate, as compared with the number originally made (not that it would be high) because of their quality, material and durability, like store advertising figures.
I'm thinking too they were made to be put on some brand of standard mannequin, judging from the shape of the base of the head, the bolt on the bottom of the base of the head for screwing to something, and the holes in the base of the hands.
A few years ago, I saw a set of mer-people mannequins, I was told they were from 1963 (if I recall right), that were the coolest mannequins I have other seen. Unfortunately, they were just pieces, and too expensive for as many pieces they were each missing. Though I only saw the one partial set and have since seen a piece here and there, they were a mass produced item and known to collectors into such things, but obviously obscure.
I have no idea how common or uncommon they are. I just know I'd never seen any like them before, but I'd never seen those pictures from the movie theater before either. If there are photos of other surviving examples, I'd surely like to see them. I love promotional, ballyhoo material too. "Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man" holds a special place in my heart as well, which made me twice as excited by the photos.
Donnie is always looking for an angle to promote the classic monsters at Wonderfest and I'm certainly in cahoots with him. The problem is twofold. One issue is that very few stars and people with direct involvement in those films are still around, and those few that are have done so many convention appearances that most fans wouldn't blink an eye if they were on anyone's guest list. The other is that Dave Hodge, the primary money man, is more of a sci-fi fan than a classic monsters fan and he generally wants to keep the focus on model/kit making and sci-fi. That leaves Donnie and Dave trying to find a financially responsible and feasible way to work the classic monsters into the show. When I saw these amazing pieces of our collective monster past, and I thought of other cool displays of the past (Bob Burn's "King Kong" armature, etc.), I thought it might be something that would strike a chord with classic monster fans that pass through the Wonderfest doors every year.
Before "Alien vs. Predator", before "Freddie Meets Jason", before "Abbott & Costello Meets Frankenstein" there was... "FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN".
The FIRST great monster pairing. The one that started it all.
(Maybe without the A&C reference?)
Quote from: Toy Ranch on December 02, 2011, 10:20:38 PM
I don't know, Rod. Monster Bob says they're fairly common. I hadn't seen them before, but he runs in different circles. If there are that many others out there, and sculpted Wolf Man hands, and undamaged Frankensteins, and more... making such a fuss over them would be silly. We haven't finalized our display plans for 2012. I don't think we are going to be at Wonderfest this year, but won't rule anything out.
Bobby, whether there's a few of them or a few more than just a few-------they're awesome and worthy of display.
Quote from: Monster Bob on December 03, 2011, 01:37:57 PM
No, though I figured that's what they were because of the age, composition and subject matter. They just seemed too specific to be anything else (obviously a Frankenstein and a Wolfman fighting), and looked too manufactured and thought out to be a "spook house" item, which are often one of a kind, and usually not as well done as these are. Plus, they have that [for lack of a better word] hokey-but-cool quality that movie house promo stuff from way back when often has, and as you know, I am a big fan of vintage Hollywood and TV ephemera. These have that same wacked-out quality that spook show stuff often has.
I do believe these are likely to have a high survival rate, as compared with the number originally made (not that it would be high) because of their quality, material and durability, like store advertising figures.
I'm thinking too they were made to be put on some brand of standard mannequin, judging from the shape of the base of the head, the bolt on the bottom of the base of the head for screwing to something, and the holes in the base of the hands.
A few years ago, I saw a set of mer-people mannequins, I was told they were from 1963 (if I recall right), that were the coolest mannequins I have other seen. Unfortunately, they were just pieces, and too expensive for as many pieces they were each missing. Though I only saw the one partial set and have since seen a piece here and there, they were a mass produced item and known to collectors into such things, but obviously obscure.
So you figured out what they were, and had 3 or 4 chances to add them to your collection, and didn't? Wow, that's not like you Bob.
DOESNT EXIST.
Well, for history's sake and all, it sure would be neat to see photos of others. And those Wolf Man hands for sure. It's really not a big deal to get info off a hard drive.
This looks complicated, but it's really easy. Just take your hard drive out, plug this in the wall, into your hard drive, and then plug the other USB end into a working computer and you have all your stuff again.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-IDE-SATA-S-SATA-Converter-CABLE-Adaptor-w-POWER-/120711932292 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-IDE-SATA-S-SATA-Converter-CABLE-Adaptor-w-POWER-/120711932292)
DOESNT EXIST
Being a research nut and all... ;D
DOESNT EXIST
Pictures or it doesn't exist.
http://www.homerweb.com/vintage/Rare-Vtg-1940s-FRANKENSTEIN-The-WOLFMAN-MOVIE-Theatre-PROP-Universal-Studios_120805917368.html (http://www.homerweb.com/vintage/Rare-Vtg-1940s-FRANKENSTEIN-The-WOLFMAN-MOVIE-Theatre-PROP-Universal-Studios_120805917368.html)
Man you got some money, same ones?
DOESNT EXIST
Congrats Bobby on a piece of history!! Thanks for sharing the candy!! 8)
Carlos
Quote from: Monster Bob on December 05, 2011, 12:02:56 AM
Pictures or what doesn't exist?
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pics%20or%20it%20didn't%20happen (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pics%20or%20it%20didn't%20happen)
Incredible find!
There are def two Frankenstein heads here - the one in the old photo looks like Bela and the one you have is no doubt Karloff in Bride.
I wonder if this shop in Michigan produced other movie display heads for promotional use in local theaters in those years. If so, it might also be possible that the Bride head was made for a run of that film.
I think it also possible that replacing the mannequin heads on this standard form with custom ones could have been an affordable and therefore common way to create full figures for any number of displays during the war years and after. Like putting a custom head on a mego-style action figure, if you will. It would make sense if the mannequin business had contracted with theaters to make them for their promotional displays.
I think Ive just been insulted. Fukkit. DOESNT EXIST, and neither do I.
Quote from: Monster Bob on December 05, 2011, 08:05:01 AM
I think Ive just been insulted. Fukkit. DOESNT EXIST, and neither do I.
PROVE that you don't exist. It's simple. Take a picture of yourself NOT existing and show us. :o ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: seed_murda on December 04, 2011, 11:19:15 PM
http://www.homerweb.com/vintage/Rare-Vtg-1940s-FRANKENSTEIN-The-WOLFMAN-MOVIE-Theatre-PROP-Universal-Studios_120805917368.html (http://www.homerweb.com/vintage/Rare-Vtg-1940s-FRANKENSTEIN-The-WOLFMAN-MOVIE-Theatre-PROP-Universal-Studios_120805917368.html)
Man you got some money, same ones?
They ain't cheap. But they're still cool. 8)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g107/backlotcharlie/167206_193203297361951_100000168474402_849764_7169841_n.jpg)
Quote from: Monster Bob on December 05, 2011, 08:34:24 AM
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g107/backlotcharlie/167206_193203297361951_100000168474402_849764_7169841_n.jpg)
;D ;D ;D
Are the proprietors of that establishment:
(a) denying they know the whereabouts of a particular cat
(b) denying they know the whereabouts of any cat
(c) proving that cats do not exist
What doesn't appear to exist here at this thread is a level of maturity. Let's look at this subject matter (or thread matter) with objectivity and enjoyment for what the figures are, and for what they might not be.
Is it possible there was more than one set made? Absolutely! In fact, I'd be surprised if somebody were to prove otherwise. In saying this, have I somehow diminished the importance of the find? Hell, no! It only makes sense that if Universal (if Universal even had anything to do with this at all), or a movie theater distributor, wanted to promote the release of FMTW with as much ballyhoo as possible in every region, they wouldn't rely on one set of busts to do this. They would have created maybe even a half dozen sets to be included in the promotional package being sent out across the country at select cities. My belief, and this is just my theory, is that multiple sets were made (3 to 6 sets?) and were sent out to high profile areas such as L.A., Chicago, New York, and maybe even Minneapolis? You get the point. The question, for me anyways, is how many of these have survived the past 68 years? Obviously, not many. In all of my years of collecting this stuff, I've never seen a set offered or displayed elsewhere; not at a convention, not at an auction, not even at Hake's. And plenty of vintage and high end artifacts eventually find their way to Hake's.
Let's just enjoy these busts for what they are, and be thankful to be able to even have a picture of them. It appears even getting a glimpse of these is as rare as the figures themselves. And again, a very special thank you to Bobby for sharing such a delightful find as these!
Quote from: Sean on December 05, 2011, 08:16:58 AM
They ain't cheap. But they're still cool. 8)
Def are cool, but man that is def die-hard collector status money. :o I swear, I saw the wolfman bust in a movie before all lit up. Could be wrong. Awesome find regardless, wish I had that kinda cheese. Ahhh, one day...... when I win the lottery..... cause it's my destiny you know. >:D
Hmmm, what the hell happened here?
George
Quote from: ramsey37 on December 07, 2011, 09:52:01 AM
Hmmm, what the hell happened here?
George
Oh, just another day in the world of collecting I suppose. I didn't mean to squelch the discussion here about these fabulous pieces, but it was heading in a southern direction and beginning to erode quickly. Calm, fair, and objective discussion is always welcome at UMA, but things were getting a little weird here at this thread. Perhaps, we already exhausted the discussion here anyways?
WOW!!! Those are amazing!! Incredible pieces of Uni history I never knew existed. I've seen theater promo pics from back in 43, and never saw these guys. Awesome!
edit, this was posted Nov 20th how did I miss it???
Quote from: Dr.Terror on December 08, 2011, 11:57:05 AM
edit, this was posted Nov 20th how did I miss it???
It somehow went under the radar for quite some time as Bobby himself had to bump the thread up on Dec. 5th.....and I for one am glad he did!!
Actually, I cheated. It was started in a maintenance forum (mostly where spam threads go to die) and moved it here when the research was far enough along to make it public. Also, it was made live here when it went live on Frankensteinia and I had to give him a link to post in advance. I know, it's an abuse of power. ;D
Bobby-
Congratulations sir on an absolutely amazing discovery and addition to your collection. Even with the numerous rarities already in your collection, this has to be one of the highlights. Thanks for not only posting the photos, but for the history. I had no idea that these mannequins even existed.
Quote from: ramsey37 on December 07, 2011, 09:52:01 AM
Hmmm, what the hell happened here?
George
Lol! That reminds me of Donald Sutherland in "Ordinary People". Theres this huge argument and the kid runs upstairs and Sutherland says: "What in the hell has happened?" Well anyway, awesome find, awesome pics, awesome history, awesome narrative, awesome...ness! Thanks for the great thread Bobby!
Much earlier in this thread, someone suggested that the box-office pictures might be from a later date, based on the 50 cents admission price. A price of 29 cents was quoted as the average cost of a movie ticket in 1943.
Earlier today, I was looking at newspaper ads for FRANKENSTEIN in November 1931. One theater advertized the film as playing at "regular price, 35 cents!". Apparently, first-run films could be priced even higher.
12 years later, it's no stretch to imagine FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLFMAN opening at 50 cents.
Quote from: Frankensteinia on December 13, 2011, 06:58:48 AM
Much earlier in this thread, someone suggested that the box-office pictures might be from a later date, based on the 50 cents admission price. A price of 29 cents was quoted as the average cost of a movie ticket in 1943.
Earlier today, I was looking at newspaper ads for FRANKENSTEIN in November 1931. One theater advertized the film as playing at "regular price, 35 cents!". Apparently, first-run films could be priced even higher.
12 years later, it's no stretch to imagine FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLFMAN opening at 50 cents.
Yep.
Also, there was some hullabaloo about the Wolf Man's hands being Mole People hands------look at the pics:
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6002/6010198947_37718ba05d_b.jpg)
Mole People have practically no thumbs.
The Wolf Man does.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6440032641_85c5f815f4_o.jpg)
I was looking up this old thread, only to find, to my shame, that I had never commented on it.
I was probably too gobsmacked the first time I read it to say anything. One can only gaze too long at the sun.
Well, let me say, 2.5 years later, that is is one of the top 5 coolest things I have EVER seen on the UMA. I just can't believe things like this are still being found.
Bobby-- thanks for finding this, sharing it with us, and including all the great text.
Best,
Matt
Thanks Matt!
Every time I revisit this group, there is always something new that amazes,enlightens and educates me on the wonderfull world of Universal monsters. I am humbled by all you guys and gals. The greatest thing about internet and by association, the UMA, is the exchange of knowledge and that all these wonderful characters and the actors and actresses who portrayed them will live forever.
The idea that photos of a promo tour from 1942 and the promo products that have miraculously survived all this time is remarkable and the story/report on it is a concise and informative little piece of universal monster history that could only be found here.
My hat is off to all those involved.
Thank you guys.
Every year or so, I go back to revisit this thread and am reminded how awesome it is.
Every time I see it, I can't believe it exists and found its way into a collection for posterity.
It is so wonderful.
Thanks again, Bobby, for posting this for the world to see. This remains one of my top 5 favorite posts on the UMA
Matt
This really amazing! I'm glad it got bumped so I was able to see it. Fantastic monster history lesson and an amazing find. I can only imagine how you felt when you scored these!
Quote from: Gory Glenn on April 22, 2016, 10:33:50 AM
This really amazing! I'm glad it got bumped so I was able to see it. Fantastic monster history lesson and an amazing find. I can only imagine how you felt when you scored these!
Agreed! I sooooo want to see these in person some day!
Matt
So, this seminal post came up in conversation today, and I had to seek it out and bump it up.
Those of you who might be more recent members of the UMA may not realize what an important promulgator of information it was, particularly during its formative years.
There are so many amazing articles hidden away in our archive, but I think Time has since shown me that this find Bobby (ToyRanch) Is the single greatest in the history of the UMA, and, in my opinion, the best post ever.
Thank you again Bobby
Best regards,
Matt
Definitely worth of the bump! Thanks Matt. I'm going to revisit this wonderful post myself.
Quote from: mjaycox on July 04, 2022, 04:41:11 PMSo, this seminal post came up in conversation today, and I had to seek it out and bump it up.
Those of you who might be more recent members of the UMA may not realize what an important promulgator of information it was, particularly during its formative years.
There are so many amazing articles hidden away in our archive, but I think Time has since shown me that this find Bobby (ToyRanch) Is the single greatest in the history of the UMA, and, in my opinion, the best post ever.
Interesting though that Toy Ranch's thread starting post didn't initially get any responses for twelve days!
:o
Quote from: Hepcat on July 13, 2022, 10:49:00 AM
Interesting though that Toy Ranch's thread starting post didn't initially get any responses for twelve days!
:o
I agree, I think a number of us were just too taken aback by what we were looking at.
And, there was a strange obsession at the time, completely misguided, that the claw hands on one of the characters suggested that this was from a re-release around the time the "mole people" came out. Sometimes we got into goofy arguments on this board.
I think this post would've had more traction if it was in the memorable memorabilia section.
Regardless, I maintain my viewpoint that it is the single greatest, and perhaps most important post in the history of the UMA
Matt
Has there been a thread on Kirk Hamnets Wolfman head?
For years it was thought to be a test make-up for A+C meet Frank but turns out its an early 41 test head most likely created by Pierce.