Many of you may recall a series of dioramas that Dept 56 released a few years back featuring four of Universal's Monsters: Dracula, the Creature, the Monster and the Bride. They originally retailed at about $60 a piece. TJ Maxx Department Stores (HomeGoods) have received shipments of these and are selling them at significantly reduced rates of about $12-$15 each. This is a great deal on these. I was able to pick up a complete set, but quantities are limited. If you're interested in these awesome display pieces, I suggest heading down to a TJ's or HomeGoods near you and checking out the Halloween aisle. My store also had a shipment of Dracula snowglobes from Dept 56 too. I just thought I'd give you all a heads-up if any of you were interested.
They have a "Halloween aisle" in July?
Now that's my kind of store!
Thanks for the heads up! I thought 60 bucks was too much for those, but 15, what the heck!
I checked the Columbus OH. locations, no luck. >:( >:(
Of course, Monsters For Sale. Would you want it any other way? ;)
Mike Scott, I too thought the sixty dollar price tag was a bit much for these. When I originally heard about these, I was initially only going to buy one for that price, but no Dept 56 retailer around me carried them, so I had to pass. I was really surprised to see them show up at this store, and at such a good deal. Dracula and the Creature were 12.99, while Bride of Frankenstein was 15.99. The Dracula snowglobe was $12.99.
Capt.Hendry51, I really don't know how these stores work, as they seem to get overstock items and such, so shipments may be sporadic . My store had only one Frankenstein and only two Dracula. There were more of the Creature, but they were going quickly. I might suggest checking back with your store in a week or so to see if they got any in.
I've got a TJ Maxx and a Homegoods store practically 5 minutes from my house and right next to each other. I'm going to go check tomorrow. If they have them I'll be glad to pick them up for anybody that want them.
Quote from: Roback on July 27, 2008, 02:49:41 PM
If they have them I'll be glad to pick them up for anybody that want them.
Thanks! I'd like to have a Creature, if the postage isn't more than the price of gas to the nearest TJ (30+ miles for me)
Aura, is there a weight listed on the boxes?
I went back to see if they still had these in stock, and they only had the "display" pieces up. My store didn't have too many to begin with, and now they don't seem to have any for sale. I guess these are popular now that they are affordable. :P (Methinks people are buying in bulk and listing them on ebay for significantly higher.) I would recommend visiting your local stores as soon as you can.
Mike, I don't see the weight listed anywhere on the box. They were larger than what I was expecting. The boxes are about 10 inches tall, 8 inches wide and 11.5 inches long. Dracula is the heaviest and the Creature is the lightest. I really couldn't venture a guess on the weight (I'm really bad at that), but they are heavier in comparison to other pieces Dept 56 has produced, if that gives you any indication. :-\
Okay, so I'm going to venture a guess on the weight now (with the help of an old scale). Creature is about 7-8 lbs; Dracula is about 12 lbs. That's a rough estimation using an ancient scale, so keep that in mind when you look at those numbers. I hope that helps.
Quote from: aura of foreboding on July 27, 2008, 07:49:38 PM
Creature is about 7-8 lbs
Whew! 22ish bucks for Priority Mail! I think I'll pick it up myself. Thanks for the offer, though.
Quote from: Mike Scott on July 27, 2008, 08:05:09 PM
Whew! 22ish bucks for Priority Mail! I think I'll pick it up myself. Thanks for the offer, though.
If someone else comes up with different numbers, please share them. Like I said, I don't have the best technology when it comes to weighing things.
Thanks for the tip! The TJ Maxx that's here by me in Riverhead, Long Island had the Bride of Frankenstein Lab set and the large Dracula water globe. I picked up the latter for my niece's B-day for 13 bucks!! Wasn't that impressed with the BoF set. The lab was nice, but the Monster and Bride figures were a bit too Smurfish for my taste. No matter how cool the backdrop is, it's THE MONSTERS that make or break these sets. The Drac globe is BEAUTIFUL!
Quote from: Roback on July 27, 2008, 02:49:41 PMIf they have them I'll be glad to pick them up for anybody that want them.
That would be excellent! I'd love to get one of whatever they still have from this set. I won't get back to the States until the weekend, and from the looks of things, there won't be much left by then.
Checked St. Peters, Mo store today, nada! A lot of generic-cutesy Halloween stuff but no Dept. 56 statues. I'm hoping to recheck one more time later these week or on the weekend but I'm not keeping my hopes up. I'm being taken back to my search for the Code 3 movie posters that were on clearance at Tuesday Morning a few years ago, I went to 3 or 4 stores (miles and miles apart) and only came up with a Frankenstein. Oh well, on with the hunt!
I went to the Deptford, NJ TJ Maxx store and got a Dracula, Bride/Frank, and 2 Creatures. No snowglobes. I left behind 2 more of the Draculas. Their damned carts are so little and they had no bags! I forget, was there any Wolf Man or Mummy stuff in this series?
Rob
First, let me also say thanks for the heads up! I remember having a chance at some of these for $45 a couple years back, but passed at that price. (In fact, I want to say it was a Wolf Man one, unless it was a just a similar style product. But I do remember it being the Wolf Man.) I'll bite for $13 though. Anyway, in the last two days I've been to three TJ Maxx's and a Home Goods and I've seen 7 Draculas and 1 Creature. The Creature was at the Home Goods.
By the way, Thanks Aura of Foreboding for finding these deals for us. Say, do you have a name other than Aura?
Rob
You're very welcome, guys. I am glad that some of you have had luck with finding these.
I believe that these were the only three Dept 56 made in this particular series. They made a village collection with Dracula, the Monster and the Wolf Man a few years before these, and now they have released some Dept 56 Monsters for their Snow Village. I have only seen Dracula, the Monster and his mate thus far from this most recent release.
I've got none of those stores around me.. any chance someone could pick me up a creature for cost + shipping?
Pretty please?
Since yesterday, I've managed to snag the Frankenstein and Bride, and actually got around to opening the Dracula and Creature ones. The Creature is far and away the best one, but something is driving me nuts about it. I really, REALLY wish that they had hidden the lights behind some rocks or something. The light looks beautiful on the "water", but it looks like the Creature has had some wiring done in his cave. At least the Dracula one you can sort of pretend the lights are torches or something but I can't think of a way to justify the light bulbs in the Creature's cave.. lol
I hated where they put the lights also. I had some small plastic aquarium plants and put them in front of the lights and that helps a lot. They fit in very well.
(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o155/karloff4623/002-1.jpg)
Awesome idea, Universalrocks!
still hoping someone can find an extra creature...
Same here, only I'm hoping someone can snag any or all of them for me.
Closed circuit to Packy Paul. Got your message last night. Thanks for the offer. And yes, a Creature would definitely be in order. Any luck reeling one in here at the Mpls locations? Did they have any of the monsters at all?
Just picked up a Dracula Diorama and Dracula Globe. Thanks for the heads up on these!!! I wanted them but not at $60. Now if I can just find that Creature squirtgun. LOL.
Back at Terry - no luck yet except one Dracula's Lair at a TJ Maxx - but have been assured they will be putting out more Halloween stuff every week so I'll be checking again. Homegoods is right by my work so I plan to zip over at lunchtime. They do have a nice Paint-By-Numbers kit though.
Still no luck on anyone finding a extra creature for me? :'(
I'll be stopping by one on Monday. I can look for those who still need them.
BK
Hi everyone, my first post over here so I thought I would report from central Illinois. I checked the TJ Maxx here in Peoria but no luck. May continue to check as they get new stuff in all of the time.
Just wanted to say that I love this board. I am a regular over on the Classic Horror Film Board but I have to admit I love the monster toys and merchandise almost more than the movies themselves. I look forward to many "wasted" hours perusing and commenting with all of you!
Welcome to the best site on the web !!!!
Pull up a chair and get comfy.
I have just returned, triumphant, from my visit to TJ Maxx. I was able to pick up both the Frankenstein diorama and a Creature diorama. It struck me as odd that the Frankenstein piece was priced at $14.99 and the Creature was priced at $12.99. Strange.
Oh, and by the way, I picked up two extra Creature dios for those who are TJ Maxx deprived. Please contact me if you are interested in them for cost plus shipping.
Quote from: Jim Bertges on August 03, 2008, 09:16:08 PM
I have just returned, triumphant, from my visit to TJ Maxx. I was able to pick up both the Frankenstein diorama and a Creature diorama. It struck me as odd that the Frankenstein piece was priced at $14.99 and the Creature was priced at $12.99. Strange.
Oh, and by the way, I picked up two extra Creature dios for those who are TJ Maxx deprived. Please contact me if you are interested in them for cost plus shipping.
You are a true giver, Jim! Oh Gareee?
One Creature Dio is already spoken for. I still have one extra left.
Email sent! Me wants creature love!
All my extras have been spoken for. My friends, there are still others in need if you have an extra Creature Diorama, please speak up, I know there are still members who are Creature deprived.
I went yesterday to TJ MAXX and got zippo,nada.They had some Halloween stuff out but none of them Dept 56.Went to Homegoods and saw a werewolf nutcracker and went to Micheals and saw a bust of what kinda looks like Vincent Price with pointed ears.I want them Dept 56 dios so I'll guess i'LL go back later to see.
Harry,
I ,too visited Michael's and thought the same thing about the pointy eared statue. I almost bought because of the unusual VP likeness. They also had a little generic Frankenstein bust, but they went SO far out of their way to make it not resemble Karloff, Strange or anybody good, that i really don't see why they bother making them at all. Either license it or forget it... Can't wait for the Funko Uni-monsters due out this Fall!
Mike
I checked back at TJ's and they hadn't put anymore out.
But, I did see the "Vincent Price" bust at Michaels. I am going to have to get one of those to go with the "female ghost" (I call her Lenore) bust they had last year. What a set they will make. ;D
Quote from: Gasport on August 04, 2008, 10:07:22 PM
"Can't wait for the Funko Uni-monsters due out this Fall!"
Mike
Hey Mike, any pics of these?
BK
Sorry, no...head over to the Frankenstein Jr thread. That's where i first read about the Funko Uni monster bobbles. All's i know is their due out in Oct.
Mike
Quote from: Gasport on August 05, 2008, 11:31:01 AM
Sorry, no...head over to the Frankenstein Jr thread. That's where i first read about the Funko Uni monster bobbles. All's i know is their due out in Oct.
Mike
If anyone knows anything about them, I'd love to see them.
BK
I finally got a chance to go back and check Homegoods and they had finally put some of these out! I got a Creature dio (the only one I saw) and I got a Bride of Frankenstein (they had 4 so I choose the one with no flaws). All of them were out of box and they claimed they did not have the boxes for them. Unfortunately they didn't have the Dracula dio or the globe so I may have to check again if I can but if I keep having to check and recheck Homegoods I may as well have paid full price for these with the rising price of gas.........
I picked up the Dracula dio today at tj maxx, only one they had. was told if they were to get anymore that their shipments come in on Mon. Wed., and Fri.'s.
Lee
I have also heard reports that these dioramas are popping up at Marshall's stores across the country. I have no word on the price, but I would suspect they would be similar to TJ MAXX, but I'm not sure. If anyone has a Marshall's around them, check out the Halloween display and see if any Uni's are available. If anyone has any luck, be sure to share the price. :)
Well now so far my Homegoods has about five Draculas (which I don't need) and the TJ MAX had one with Frank and Bride in the lab. It's not like the other scenes, the figures are attached so you can't reposition them, too bad cuz if I could I'd can the figures and use a different Frank instead. There is no AC adaptor - batteries only - and to be honest the figures are kind of disappointing compared to the other D56 Monster scenes. But of course I got it nonetheless. I am still on the prowl for the Creature's Lair or whatever it's called, in my opinion the coolest one!
END REPORT
Thanks to Jim, I got the creature dio now. After picking up on ac adapter that had the wrong plugs, I just snagged some dollar store c batteries, until I can pick up an ac adapter at Michaels.
I also picked up some aquarium plants as well, to hide the leds, as others have done.
Only thing that has me puzzled, is why they didn't back the creature up a little more, so the lights would illuminate all of him, instead of just his sides? Could have been a assembly issue at the manufacturing plant.
I was going to put mine over a mister, but it's far too heavy for that mister shield stand, so I'll have to either make something custom, or find something that could be used in it's place.
Quote from: Gareee on August 14, 2008, 07:41:43 AM
Thanks to Jim, I got the creature dio now.
Me as well! Thanks, again, Jim!
Wow! I dont know if there is still a TJ Maxx in my area. Im gonna have to look around!
I actually posted a review of the Creature's Lair at CollectionDX (http://www.collectiondx.com/node/2738) a few days ago and I'm working on a Dracula one now. In so doing, I noticed something I missed before....Dracula is wearing a cross! I mean, the bottom is not that long but it still counts as a cross to me. How strange..
Not trying to review your review and it is a very well done review in which you mention the <others in the series being Dracula's Domain and Frank's Lab (with Bride)> I was wondering about the Wolfman Gypsy Wagon and the Frankenstein Burning Windmill? Is that a different series? They are both beautiful and are worth owning or at least seeing if you haven't yet. I'd flip a couple pics up but I'm at work.
pk
Quote from: packy120353 on August 14, 2008, 12:10:44 PM
I was wondering about the Wolfman Gypsy Wagon and the Frankenstein Burning Windmill? Is that a different series?
That is indeed a different series. That was the first line of Universals that Dept. 56 did. Castle Dracula with Bela was the first release, and Frankenstein and the Wolf Man followed. Those were my favorite releases from Dept. 56. They were really great.
These dioramas were the second thing Dept 56 did for Universal. While these are still pretty neat, they definitely aren't as good as the first series. The latest Universal releases from Dept 56 are Snow Village figures. The two they did for Snow Village are Dracula and Frank/Bride. (Both are new items for this year.) Because they are made for the Snow Village, they lack the detail of the original first series figures, but they still carry the Universal trademark.
So, so far Dept 56 has released three series of Monster items. I hope that they do some more in a similar vein to the first series.
Thanks for the info, I had forgotten about the Dracula Castle too! And don't forget the "Monster Park" three bronze statue figures of Frank Dracula and Wolfman. I also have a big stein from D56 that says "Frankenstein's Lab" or something on it and is in the shape suggesting a Strickfaden apparatus.
Quote from: packy120353 on August 14, 2008, 12:10:44 PM
Not trying to review your review
By all means, please do! Feedback of all kinds is always welcome,
especially if I've gotten something wrong. After I basically finished all the robot stuff in my collection, I wasn't planning on posting monster stuff because I didn't really feel I had the proper knowledge (plus the site was mostly Japanese robots). But my friend who owns the site wanted me to stay involved so as my monster collection is growing, so too is the monster database on the site (clicking the blue "monster" link in the category section brings up everything else we've got so far). But I know full well that I've got a long way to go before I know as much as the people here. :)
But I'll be the first to call myself the Sgt Schultz of the group!
( I knooow naaathink)
QuoteI've got a long way to go before I know as much as the people here.
Garee and Mike, it was my pleasure to help out my fellow UMA members. And now I have the opportunity to help out one more. I visited that same TJ Maxx today and picked up their last Creature's Lair Diorama. So I have one available for another member who is lacking a TJ Maxx in his or her vicinity. The first person to contact me through PM or e-mail gets the Creature for cost ($14 with tax) and shipping ($27 Priority Mail or $12 Parcel Post, it's a big box and costs extra). Just let me know...quick.
Building up UM karma for October and Halloween? :o
Went today to both and still nothin.
Quote from: HARRY HAMMOCK on August 16, 2008, 07:57:21 PM
Went today to both and still nothin.
Do you have a Marshall's? I heard that they have some. I don't know the price on them though.
Nope, no Marshalls.
I went to two Marshall's (still looking for a Creature Lair)- they do have the same Halloween stuff as TJ Maxx and Homegoods, but no D56 yet. Something I saw non-monster but nice and spooky is a bride and groom skeleton statue I liked an all their stuff is very inexpensive. I'll be checking Homegoods again this week.
I still have one Creature's Lair available, if anyone is interested.....or desperate.
After reading these posts in late July, I found that my local TJ Maxx had a couple of Lairs and I snapped them up pronto. Last week, on a whim, I stopped by an out-of-town Marshall's and relieved them of both a Monster/Bride and Dracula set that were still available (August 19). Both places had lots of Halloween snow globes but not UM versions.
Not having the diorama packages with me at work, I am wondering about the AC adapters. Is this a Radio Shack purchase or do the sets require a specific (D56) adapter?
I bought a regular power convertor from walmart, and both models they carried had the wrong plugs.
Does anyone have an extra Creature's Lair? I searched high and low back when people were finding them and had no luck. Now they're rediculous on eBay... Anyone?
FWIW, Michael's has the power supplies (for the lemax spooky village pieces) on clearance 50% off this week.
I need the Frankenstein and Drac sets. Anyone?
I have also been looking for these. If you live in Northern VA, there were 2 Dracs at the Manassas TJMaxx today $12.99 brand new in box and unopened, I bought one of these. Also, there was 1 Frankie and 2 Creatures at the Fair Oaks Home Goods in Fairfax on Friday, but I did buy one of the Creatures there, also $12.99 but had no boxes and I think Frankie's battery box was missing. If anyone in Northern VA area knows any were else to find these please pass it on! Still need any others!
I am looking for a CREATURE'S LAIR. Anyone? e-mail me at jmichaelroddy(*at*)me.com