Greetings Night Creatures!
Prof. Griffin here. With the kind permission of General Terry Ingram, I am starting an official thread for the posting of anything having to do with Wax Museums, Dark Rides, Year-Round Haunted Attractions, Fun Houses, and Spook Houses.
PLEASE post memories, pictures, souvenirs...etc.
These places hold a lot of dear memories and have given us nightmares and sometimes blurry images etched in our minds...(many of us traveled through them in our younger days).
I myself simply ADORE these places...for the dimestore cheapness of some of the displays, the colored lights, the sounds, and most of all, a time BEFORE the BIG BOX restructuring of our landscape...when individual attractions like these still glowed like quirky beacons in the night.
Let's begin....
For any and all interested in these magic places, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND these websites.
I am a frequent visitor to them, they are wonderful!
http://darkinthepark.com/index.htm
http://www.laffinthedark.com/
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Erik20Wax.jpg)
Photo is close up of wax Eric, from the Palace of Wax, San Antonio, Texas.
I found some images online of the Castle Dracula (the burned down one in Panama City) that started this nonsense of remembering these places....
I have this brochure somewhere in my collection, but mine is burned and crispy around the edges. I like it like that...it looks...well, spooky and old.
Anyway, here it is.
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/drac-fr.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/drac-bk.jpg)
I wouldn't be the way I am had it not been for all the wonderful Dark Rides on the Wildwood N.J. board walk. Castle Dracula especially.
Here are a few shots I snapped during it's final season, it would burn down like most N.J. haunted houses that January, 2002. One of the saddest days of my life.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/doctorterror/img0082.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/doctorterror/img006.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/doctorterror/img007.jpg)
In fact I did a home haunt for a few years (2000-2005) that was inspired by these places. I even named it after one of them. There use to be a ride called "Dr Blood's House of Horrors" I thought that was about the coolest name around but instead of Dr. Blood I changed it to Dr.Terror. I didn't even know the movie existed when I named it. Here is a pic of the flyer I made up for it using old Spookshow clip art etc...by hand mind you no computers here. I even had Doug Higley, Author of the book "Scary Dark Rides" do a grind pitch and some other voices for it. Unfortunately I've never been happy with the way the pictures turned out so all you get is a pic of the flyer.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/doctorterror/orangedrt2-1.jpg)
Anyways I got tired of doing it myself. I built everything, set up everything, Hung flyers and put them in mailboxes, cleaned everything up etc...Maybe one day if I have a more permanent location it may return.
Okay boys... THIS IS MY GREATEST PASSION!
I just don't have any of this scanned. I will try , over the next few days , find some rare fun.
Quote from: gracebuster on December 07, 2007, 10:50:50 PM
Okay boys... THIS IS MY GREATEST PASSION!
I just don't have any of this scanned. I will try , over the next few days , find some rare fun.
I can only imagine the wonderful stuff you have archived. I'm getting my mildew and industrial grease candle ready with some scary sounds playing through and old muffled speaker. I'll even have a can of compressed air ready to complete the experience. ;D
Good job on this one guys, Prof. thanks for starting it!!
I'll also try to get some scans coming soon.
Until then here are a few photos...
These are from the Ripley's Museum and Tussaud's Palace of Wax outside of Dallas, Tx.
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/johnfoam/phantom01.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/johnfoam/phantom03.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/johnfoam/dracula01.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/johnfoam/dracula02.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/johnfoam/3rd01.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/johnfoam/DayglowPirate02.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/johnfoam/MYSTERYSIGN03.jpg)
One of my fondest monster memories as a kid came from a spookhouse at the State Fair of Texas. I was probably 5 or 6 years old (1967/1968) and a carny was promoting all the monsters, ALIVE INSIDE! I spent my ticket and basically it was a small room with a low stage and as we passed through, a guy with a flashlight shone it in the face of 5 or so guys in Don Post masks and costumes. The Wolf Man growled at me and I growled back and he ran around a little and it made my whole year. That was the coolest spook show I ever saw... a real Universal sideshow!
The PALACE OF WAX outside of Dallas is wonderful, as you can see in these pics above. Did you guys take any pics of hallway leading up to Frankenstein and the Frankenstein?
Quote from: gracebuster on December 08, 2007, 08:10:40 PM
The PALACE OF WAX outside of Dallas is wonderful
They have a spookhouse each year at Halloween there. Part of it is the horror display at the museum, but they have a lot of other stuff the do as well. I've heard about it but never made it over there until this past Halloween. In addition to the haunted house, Gunnar Hansen was making an appearance the night we went. I had no idea until we got there. They do have a great horror display. I have some pics somewhere... just not sure where.
Of the one million wonderful memories I have of my youth, one of the best is my trek North ot see yhe MOVIELAND WAX MUSEUM KONG!
He started life like this.
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/kong1.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/kong3.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/kong2.jpg)
Made it Canada and looked like this! (mid 70's Movieland Postcard)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/kongpostcard.jpg)
In 2003 he looked like this.
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Kongtoday.jpg)
And know he looks like this.
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/NiagaraFallsSept07048.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/NiagaraFallsSept07049-1.jpg)
I LOVE THIS THING!
Where is that Kong now? Do you own it?
LOL
I do not. It's still there, at Movieland in Niagara Falls!
Wish I did, though!
COming Soon
I'm personally obsessed with the travelling spook shows that would frequent movie houses throughout the 60's and 70's. I have a friend a few years older who went to one and says it was somewhat disapointing but I'd still like to have gone.
I always go to the spookhouse at a carnival, there just aren't many left sadly.
Fellow UMA member, Tony Pitocco hit the big town a few months ago!
As far as HAUNTED HOUSES and WAX MUSEUMS go this town, NIAGARA FALLS is the "BIG DANCE"!
I have countless photos of this plce over the years. This is ht most recent trip and it's mainly the monster stuff.
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07123-2.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07117-2.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07096-1.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07094.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07090.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07092-1.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07093.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07053-1.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07110-1.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07111.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07016.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07017.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07122-1.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07133.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07131-1.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07124.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07250-1.jpg)
At the new Louis Tassaud's museum
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07203-1.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07241.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07239.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07234.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07228-1.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07229.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07227.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07222.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07220.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07248.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07244-1.jpg)
This is a great thread!
The now defunt Lincoln Park (MA) and Rocky Point Park (RI) both had spooky dark rides which I remember with great fondness - lots of neon horror paintings on the walls and weirdly-lit wax figures.
MONSTER RIDE - Lincoln Park
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/pennydreadful/MonsterRide.jpg)
HOUSE OF HORRORS - Rocky Point Park
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/pennydreadful/HouseofHorrors1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/pennydreadful/HouseofHorrors2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/pennydreadful/Houseofhorrors3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/pennydreadful/houseofHorrors4.jpg)
BTW, these pics are from Craig's Dark Rides page - http://ctacke.tripod.com/index.html
My friend Jason Mayoh even wrote and illustrated a new comic book about the beloved Rocky Point House of Horrors. I highly recommend it! -- http://www.myspace.com/talesofrockypointpark
As for Haunted Attractions, I was a big fan of the defunct Terror On Church Street in Florida which was a wonderfully scary place where our own Lon Madnight used to hold court! I remember going there in my late teens and wishing I could work there year-round. I thought to myself, "this is the kind of job I'd just love to have."
There are currently fun places in Salem, MA such as the Museum of Myths and Monsters, Terror on the Wharf and Dracula's Castle.
I remember the House of Frankenstein in Niagra Falls! I went many, many years ago. There was a fella dressed as the Monster hanging out outside the front door of the place. My youngest sister, who was about 4 at the time nearly passed out from fright when she saw ol' Frankie!
Harpy Holidays,
Penny
OMG! That house of Horror looks GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here's the Frankenstein figure from the Palace of Wax in Arlington...(just outside Dallas)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Frank20Wax.jpg)
That Frankenstein from Niagra is amazing! I have a mission...I am digging through some old photos and I'll scan and post some really COOL Wax Museum photos over the years. Most of it monster stuff...a lot of it from my childhood. (Yeah! the 70's!)
Ah still remember the joy of my parents buying my brother and I AHI Monsters from the gift shop of the Movieland Wax Musuem.
We opened them in the car...
Most impressive tour, GB :o
This is a really fun thread!
How many of you out there are Boomers? In regards to sideshows with gaffs and "special people", etc., we are a lucky bunch. We're the last generation to see the traveling sideshow wonders in person. (Now they appear on talk shows.)
I remember as a small child being held up by my dad to see a man who would make his eyes pop out. Frightened grown-ups as well as kids! This guy would be doing a patter, then suddenly lunge forward, yelling and bulging his eyes waaay out. I can never forget it...I've seen a "headless woman" sitting in a chair, tubes seemingly running into her to "keep her alive", as she idly changed her posture a bit or scratched her arm. I've seen a woman change into a gorilla before my eyes and "break" from a cage, sending folks running, and I've seen a stuffed calf with an extra leg, and claw-handed and scaly people. That's all gone, I guess. Can't look forward to a carnival with such attractions coming to town anymore. Alas!
Of course, back then, people would have paid to see really, really fat people, and really, really tattooed people, and people with piercings in their face, and nowadays they are a common sight. :D
That's some cool stuff Dan! Thanks for sharing! Nice to see Michael Jackson made the Museum...
BK
Quote from: gracebuster on December 10, 2007, 12:42:35 PM
Fellow UMA member, Tony Pitocco hit the big town a few months ago!
As far as HAUNTED HOUSES and WAX MUSEUMS go this town, NIAGARA FALLS is the "BIG DANCE"!
I have countless photos of this plce over the years. This is ht most recent trip and it's mainly the monster stuff.
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/NiagaraFallsSept07094.jpg)
Say, he's gone and gotten the latest designer haircut---you know "Hair by Shemp".
What would really set this haircut off would be a bird cage over his head.
"Meek"
Oh my goodness! In those Movieland photos, I see one of the giant Don Post/Verne Langdon/Marcel Delgado King Kong figures!
I've never seen a color photo of one before! I didn't know any still existed!
Wow. Nice. Thanks for posting that stuff!
Great photos being shared. Bela's wearing the hairstyle he had in THE BODY SNATCHER!
Anybody remember the creepy animated laughing fat lady that often would be set up in front of spook rides?
Say, we need to get Kirk Demarais in this discussion!
Quote from: The Drunken Severed Head on December 10, 2007, 09:37:37 PM
Great photos being shared. Bela's wearing the hairstyle he had in THE BODY SNATCHER!
Anybody remember the creepy animated laughing fat lady that often would be set up in front of spook rides?
Say, we need to get Kirk Demarais in this discussion!
I sure do!! Laughing Sal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDmeaSnGZBQ
Great pics Dan. Thats what I miss the most about old spookhouses..Don Post masks and classic monsters. I am not a big fan of modern "Haunted Attractions". A lot of time and effort goes into them, but they all seem to follow the same game plan.
Greetings Night Creatures and Welcome to...
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/Chambersignage.jpg)
Ok, Ok, sorry...
But I have unearthed some photos of Wax Museums I have visited in my travels. I dug through my photos last night and found these...scanned them this morning and here they are...
These are but a small sample. There ARE others, but alas, I have to REALLY dig.
But enough prattle...
Step through the curtain (if you dare) and view...
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/Mummification.jpg)
The horrors of Egyptian Mummification! (from San Francisco Wax Museum)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/LaVey.jpg)
Anton LeVay...huckster, con-man and founder of the Church of Satan. Razzle Dazzle Satan Style.
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/Leatherface.jpg)
Leatherface....as he appeared in Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2!
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/LizzieBorden.jpg)
And the bloody aftermath of Lizzie Borden!!!!
More to come...step this way...
Loving it all, Thanks Prof Griffin.
Now onto one of my favorite wax museums n the world. The MUSEE CONTI!
Sadly, it is ALMOST closed, grasping for breath as New Orleans "drowns" once again. This time in apathy.
I am going to share the monsters, but let me tell you there is a wonderful and historic wax museum here. The main vignets featuring the histoy of New Orleans are all breathtaking.
The mosters area homerun.
We begin with the CYCLPOS that once battled SUPERMAN in th Worl of Wax display at the 64 World's Fair.
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/MuseeContiWaxMuseum007.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/MuseeContiWaxMuseum008.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/MuseeContiWaxMuseum014.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/MuseeContiWaxMuseum083.jpg)
Hmmmmm...BURKE AND HARE are looking alot lke CREEPY and EERIE!
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/MuseeContiWaxMuseum013.jpg)
Fans can see the clear influence of MAN OF A THOUSAND FACES and the Aurora Model in the Phantom display
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/MuseeContiWaxMuseum016.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/scan0008-1.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/MuseeContiWaxMuseum017.jpg)
Barnabas Collins anyone?
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/MuseeContiWaxMuseum043.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/MuseeContiWaxMuseum047.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/MuseeContiWaxMuseum045.jpg)
I also see the Gagney movie in this.
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/MuseeContiWaxMuseum037.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/MuseeContiWaxMuseum038.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/scifitrail121212.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/MuseeContiWaxMuseum029.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/MuseeContiWaxMuseum035.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/MuseeContiWaxMuseum030.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/MuseeContiWaxMuseum022.jpg)
And we wnd with a CREATURE made by Henry Alvarez mostly out of papier Mache'.
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/MuseeContiWaxMuseum060.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/MuseeContiWaxMuseum061.jpg)
Greetings Gracebuster
You beat me to the Conti Photos! Thanks for posting them...got any good ones of the Madame LaLaurie or Marie Leavoux?...(I just found my Phantom and Cyclops Langiappe! photos)
Awesome!
I just LOVE to see these all together...
But here's some from the Plaza Musuem of Wax in San Antonio!
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/SanAntonioentrance.jpg)
My son and I admiring the Roaring and moving T-Rex in the Lobby. (this was a while ago...my son is 4 here, he's almost 6 now)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/SanAntonioPhantom.jpg)
The Phantom here is different from the sister Wax Palace in Arlington...similiar, but different sculpts and colors...
Here's that AMAZING Arlington Phantom again for comparison.
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/ArlingtonPhantom.jpg)
Finally, here's Fredrick March as the heinous Mr. Edward Hyde!!!!
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/SanAntonioHyde.jpg)
Must get to San Antonio...must get to San Antonio.
Thanks Prof. Great stuff. Love both of those phantoms.
I must say, I do like the "I Love Lucy" gargoyle directly behind Mr. Hyde.
Luuuuuuucy, you got some splainin' to do.
"Meek"(what waxy build-up?)
Finally, (at least for today) here's an odd Phantom from the Wax Museum Medieval Dungeon...
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/MedievalDungeon.jpg)
Look at this Phantom...
I definately see an attempt to recreate an ACID Bath creation...burns etc...
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/SanFranPhantom2.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/SanFranPhantom.jpg)
And speaking of BURNS...
Here's ol' Lionel Atwill as Mystery of the Wax Museum Sculptor Ivan Igor...and the inspiration for House of Wax's Henry Jarod!
(as seen once again at the Arlington Palace of Wax...in Arlington, Texas)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/ArlingtonAtwill.jpg)
I am so digging this thread.
Quote from: 1975 on December 12, 2007, 02:05:34 PM
I am so digging this thread.
Me, too. I think I'm going to take a trip to Niagra Falls very soon. It seems to be the place where you'll get the most in one location...
I did the Niagara falls thing in 1993, one of the attractions I visited was called "The Hall of Villains". A wax museum with Capone, Dillinger, Dracula, The Joker and oddly enough Boss Hogg!
I need to get down there again, it's incredibly affordable (and beautiful) in the winter.
Favorite Wax figure?
I just wanted to comment on my favorite Wax Figure...
While the Phantom of the Opera and Frankenstein and Dracula might be the most popular and plentiful Wax Monster...I must admit to having a affinity for a certain derranged non-official surgeon prowling the foggy streets of Whitechapel.
Jack the Ripper.
Strangely, apart from movies, I have not seen many actual wax figures of old Jack...why even the famous Madame Tussaud's does not have a Jack figure in their 'Jack the Ripper exhibit'...just the victims. The reason? No one knows what Jack looked like! And Tussaud prides themselves on accurate images...(even made from the life masks of decapitated royalty)
One of my favorite Jack figures is on display in (yup you guessed it) Arlington Texas. In the Hall of Evil...(with Hitler, Pol Pot and Boss Hogg...just kidding)
The figure is a man in a dark coat and deerstalker cap, crouched on the other side of a frosted window on a small set. He is dramaticallty lit from below with red lights.. You see the man, but because of the frosted glass...have no idea of what he looks like.
It's a masterful exhibit.
Unfortunately, I do NOT have a pic.
The only year-round attractions I've seen are local VA Beach boardwalk houses, and the Ripley's Believe-It-Or-Not Haunted House in Gatlinburg TN. Okay, I've been through the Manor at WDW a few hundred times, but not since 2000. And the Dark Kastle 3D ride at Busch Gardens Williamsburg might kinda sorta count, as might Madame Toussad's in Manhattan, but I'm iffy on those.
Came this close to visiting TERROR WITHIN THE WALLS at the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philly this year though.
An utterly amazing thread. Thank you guys so much for providing those amazing pics! I'm with you Andy .. it's Niagara Falls or bust! Let's carpool?
BTW, I too have some Hollywood Wax Museum photos to share from the late 80s. Time to crank up the old scanner.
This is all too good to stop now! Encore! Encore!
Quote from: fmofmpls on December 12, 2007, 06:52:29 PM
An utterly amazing thread. Thank you guys so much for providing those amazing pics! I'm with you Andy .. it's Niagara Falls or bust! Let's carpool?
I think it's a great idea...seriously. We need to organize a full-on UMA pilgrimage to Niagra Falls. It could be done with a little planning. Maybe in the spring?
Quote from: poseablemonster on December 12, 2007, 07:04:16 PM
I think it's a great idea...seriously. We need to organize a full-on UMA pilgrimage to Niagra Falls. It could be done with a little planning. Maybe in the spring?
Splendid idea! We could generate funding by charging club members a nominal fee for seeing Max go down the falls in a barrel. I believe people would be very generous in paying to see it happen too! ;D
NIAGARA FALLS!!!! Sloooooowly I turned, step by step, inch by inch . . .
Well, somebody had to say it after invoking the name of Niagra Falls far too many times.
Now, will anybody say the Susquehanna Hat Company?
"Meek"(slap schtick)
Thuthquehanna Hat Company!
Sylvester
Thay, didn't we havth thith converthathon before, only with a Thakethpearean twitht?(and if you've ever had your Thakethpearean twithed, you know how painful that ith).
"Meek"(Now ith the Winter of our dithcontenth, made gloriouth Thummer by thith thon of York)
*I think Thpell Check juth had a nervouth breakdown.
Amazing pics guys, Niagara is legendary for their spookhouses etc...
The only Wax museum I've ever been to was the old World of Wax in Wildwood.
http://www.funchase.com/Images/World%20of%20Wax/World%20of%20Wax.htm
I was especially smitten with the KISS display.
Going back o "Dr. Blood" Here is a story about it's demolition. :'(
http://www.funchase.com/Images/Sportland/Bloods/DrBloodsLastCall.htm
And really cool article about the King Kong ride from Wildwood.
http://www.funchase.com/Images/Freddie%20Mahana/MahanaKong.htm
The enitre Funchase site is great.
Dear God...
How I would LOVE to dumpster dive in that Dumpster for Dr. Blood memorabilia...
A claw, a hand a skull...painted with garish flourescent color...
Sigh.
Gone.
Quote from: poseablemonster on December 12, 2007, 07:04:16 PM
I think it's a great idea...seriously. We need to organize a full-on UMA pilgrimage to Niagra Falls. It could be done with a little planning. Maybe in the spring?
If we do this, I'm in--I'm only about an hour and a half away, but haven't been to one of the "haunted houses" for years, and that was an alien-themed one.
If you guys do Niagara, be sure to stop in at the Flying Saucer Drive In.
(http://cache.virtualtourist.com/2773220-Flying_Saucer_Drive_In_The-Niagara_Falls.jpg)
That looks so cool...and a 99 cent breakfast special, too! I'm there!
I always wondered what Klaatu did once he retired from intergalatic diplomacy. Gort probably busses tables so you better not steal any silverware or napkins.
"Meek"(I'll have the "Burnt Out Cinder Burger" with curly fries, please)
Quote from: ProfGriffin on December 13, 2007, 11:03:03 AM
Dear God...
How I would LOVE to dumpster dive in that Dumpster for Dr. Blood memorabilia...
A claw, a hand a skull...painted with garish flourescent color...
Sigh.
Gone.
Here are some shots before it was torn down. It really is sad. Wildwood was full of great stuff like this. Most of it burnt down.
http://www.darkridethrills.com/page.cfm?pagea=6
Here is some cool/sad stuff about another great place..."Castle Frankenstein"
http://www.angelfire.com/nj/wwbysea/FUN/frankensteincastle.html
http://www.funchase.com/Images/Funpier/Frankenstein.htm
You want to hear something really cool??
http://darkinthepark.com/Dracula/cdSounds/cdsounds.htm
Check out the "Robot Speech" I think this had more impact on me as a monster fan than anything else as a child. Just imagine being a child standing outside of a full-size castle seeing an animated talking Dracula robot. This place was cool. The "Dungeon Boat ride" was the best part. You actually did sail on a sea of blood..sort of. The water was colored red, and floated more than you sailed.
http://darkinthepark.com/Dracula/cdPictures/cdboat.htm
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/August2005143.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/August2005141.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/August2005142.jpg)
Inside the HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN for over 30 years.
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/August2005404.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/August2005385.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/August2005353.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/August2005355.jpg)
OTher things to do
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/August2005004.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/August2005003.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/Niagara%20Falls%202007/August2005002.jpg)
I love those HOF props. Looks like they put shellac on some Post masks. The second Wolfman and "white"Phantom to be exact.
Wow Dan great pics!! I really need to get up there someday.
You and me both, brother. Jamey went when he was dating Jen from Rue Morgue. Had nothing but good things to say, and he's a curmudgeonly fellow, you well know.
Before one finds there way to the wonderful amusement park in the Pocono mountains one must take an oath to TELL NO ONE who cool it is!
This park is unique in that it is situated in such a place that the rabble have never discovered it. It's calm and peaceful and there is NEVER line budding or the kinds of things that have hampered my old haunt - DORNEY PARK in Allentown, pa. Can't go to Dorney without getting into some altercation anymore.
Knoebels is like Brigadoon-appearing in the mist once every 20 years.
Quaint , calm and magical.
On the way there you might pass this sign. It's made me laugh for over 25 years.
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2006033.jpg)
THANK GOD they OFFER 24 HOUR service for those middle of the night Venetion Blind emergencies!
Anyway, onto the park.
They built the HAUNTED MANSION in the early to mid 70's and have always charged an additional fee to ride (even with the all day park pass)
These pictures are from 2 differnet trips, but as you can see little has changed...ever!
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005110.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005109.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005111.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005112.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005113.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005114.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005115.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2006035.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005116.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005131.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005133.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005130.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2006038.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005135.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005119.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005116.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005118.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005123.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005124.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005122.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005137.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005138.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005139.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2006040.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005141.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005140.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd54/gracebuster/August2005145.jpg)
CHECK IT OUT...but tell NO ONE!
http://www.knoebels.com/ (http://www.knoebels.com/)
That looks wild, I go through the poconos at least twice a year, I've got to remember this place.
I planned to go this summer, but never made it. Those pics seal the deal..I'm there this spring!!
Awesome stuff Dan.
Neat!
I'm sure that in the dark, under the soft touch of Black Light tubes...everything looks so much more...eerie. That's the trouble with flash pictures, never the right atmosphere...but I can picture it by God. Sure as my name is
Ishmael Hepple....I can see the glowing tombstones...and the vibrant colors of the Monster Tiger!!!
Love it!
Wow! That dark ride is a trip alright. Bizarre, surreal, abstract, and disjointed. The things that nightmares are made of. Here is the park's web site link - http://www.knoebels.com/
BTW, why is that Pennsylvania has all of the old mom and pop amusement parks? It's astonishing to see that they've managed to survive in the age of the Six Flags era. Kids are hard to please nowadays, and it's surprising to me that these old fashioned parks are somehow able to stay relevant with today's audiences.
I remember visiting a very old family amusement park in Pennsylvania back in 2004 named William's Grove. Man, I swore I stepped straight back into the 1960s. Unfortunately in 2004, it was a pathetic run down ghost of once was. It was like I was in a Twilight Zone episode. They had a dark ride named Dante's Inferno. I wonder if that place is still there?
It closed, sadly, the following year, I believe.
We were also there around 2004. The Rollercoaster was as close as I ever came to dying.
Of course, we rode it 3 times.
Quote from: gracebuster on December 17, 2007, 11:38:41 AM
We were also there around 2004. The Rollercoaster was as close as I ever came to dying.
So you were the guy that budded in front of me at the Roller Coaster line? I should have kicked your ass Dan when I had the chance. LOL! ;D
Just great stuff, I really gotta get outta the house more often..... :)
Love that venetian blind thing, too! Reminds me of that episode of "Police Squad" where Lt. Drebin plans to meet someone at "one of those all night wicker places"! They show up at about 2 in the morning and sure enough, not only is it open, it's hopping!! LOL
Here in Georgia during fair season we still get a few good spook houses. I've got more photos somewhere, I just have to find them.
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/johnfoam/058_58.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/johnfoam/057_57.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/johnfoam/056_56.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/johnfoam/055_55.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/johnfoam/053_53.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/johnfoam/050_50.jpg)
Greetings!
Yes, I am diggin up this old thread again to add on!~
This past weekend we went to the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo here in Austin and at the Fair they had a dark ride...a pretzel ride and it was BRAND SPANKING NEW!
Seriously, the cars, the pop-ups the lights, the paint....the entire thing was construction new!
I honestly did not think that they still made these...but it was sweet!
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/HauntedMansion2.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/HauntedMansion3.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/HauntedMansion1.jpg)
The fair also had a sideshow with freakish animals on display and a barker on a platform promising things, "alive Alive! alive!"
FANGTASTIC!
Quote from: gracebuster on December 16, 2007, 06:19:03 PM
Before one finds there way to the wonderful amusement park in the Pocono mountains one must take an oath to TELL NO ONE who cool it is!
This park is unique in that it is situated in such a place that the rabble have never discovered it. It's calm and peaceful and there is NEVER line budding or the kinds of things that have hampered my old haunt - DORNEY PARK in Allentown, pa. Can't go to Dorney without getting into some altercation anymore.
Knoebels is like Brigadoon-appearing in the mist once every 20 years.
Quaint , calm and magical.
Too late Dan, the Tullo family rabble discovered it last summer. It's a great old fashioned park and one of the best parts is that there is no charge to enter the park itself, so my mom was able to go in without having to spend $50 for admittance to a place when she really isn't a ride rider. She did go on the Haunted House ride though. I think dinner for 4 was about $20-25. We also stopped at Clyde Peeling's Reptiland on the way out there. http://www.reptiland.com/
Rob
Wow, an actual new dark ride? Was there anything different, or more modern about it inside?
I want this to come to my town! Thanks for posting the photos.
Quote from: Gary D Macabre on March 11, 2008, 08:20:06 PM
Wow, an actual new dark ride? Was there anything different, or more modern about it inside?
The interior was very slick and glossy...everything painted new and glowing brightly. The only PROPS were air-powered pneumatic props.
The classic Electric Chair, a few screaming women, guy chained up, demon, and a creature in a barrel. These would be activated and lit as we passed them.
It was very nice. The ride (and the carnival) was supplied by Crabtree Amusements. A Texas based Carnival supplier.
It was not the nostalgic glow in the black light kind of Pretzel Dark Ride...but it was very cool to see a brand new one.
Dear UMA FANG-MILY,
... GLORIOUS Thread! Glorious, as in BELA'S purring DRACULA line:
"To die; to be really dead...
that must be... gloooorrrrius!"
To paraphrase:
"To create; to bring to life a MONSTER ABODE...
That is truly Gloooorrrius!"
... Your exalted, giddy, contributions have awakened many wonderful memories... This thread reflects the bread & butter of my youth, too! From the small carnival Haunt rides, to the larger, permanent Coney Island {Cinci, Ohio} Haunted House ride... my imagination was, like yours, tweaked, fascinated, and, addicted to recreating such Monstrous splendours!
... Then, when I discovered THE UNIVERSAL CLASSIC MONSTER Movies... with 4SJ's print contributions, The Road of Dreams & Nightmares was paved... and, open to the public!
... I did my first Haunt in AD 1960, when I was in 7th grade. My school had a yearly carnival, and, we did a 'maze room'... I supplied a huge GLENN STRANGE FRANKENSTEIN, sculpted in paper-mache, and, painted in glorious Day-glo, to stand, eerily, as a greeter, inside the entrance. That year, and, for the 3 years following, I wandered about, in several other carnival rooms {for my school, as well as the neighbouring school where my Mom taught}, as DRACULA, THE WOLFMAN, and, later, as FRANKENSTEIN. I still have photos of that, somewhere. When I locate them, I'll scan them, for you to see.
... Then, in AD 1971, I began a decade-long string of HAUNTED HOUSES. Additional photos, upon unearthing, will be shared! The Haunts I did reaped in excess of $750,000 for Charity, and, to my knowledge, birthed the HAUNTED ATTRACTION Industry.
EXANIMO EVERNOW,
BARON TIMOTHEUS Von WOLFSTEIN & FRIENDS, B.G.G.
Baron!
It's so wonderful to see you again. (Well, SEE in that I can read what you have written from a place far away in another state...etc)
I hope you're well my friend.
God's Blessings...
-Joseph
Prof Griffin writ:
Baron! It's so wonderful to see you again. (Well, SEE in that I can read what you have written from a place far away in another state...etc) I hope you're well my friend.
God's Blessings...
-Joseph
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My Beloved Brother, JOSEPH,
... Yes, thank you! Doing quite well; much is happening, which shall be 'revealed' in the near future!
You, dear Brother, Live within my heart, EVERNOW! GOD Bless you, TAMMY & EDWARD! Yikes! How the wee lad hath grown!
EXANIMO EVERNOW,
TIMMY & THE BARON, B.G.G.
This might have been covered in a previous link but if not, here are some picts from an old dark ride catalog:
http://theimaginaryworld.com/darkride.html
Some of these are in the Trimper's Haunted House in Ocean City, MD.
Let's see if I can make this work. Here's a pic from the Star Cars Museum in Gatlinburg TN
(http://photos-702.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v198/160/26/1041805702/n1041805702_50706_5739.jpg)
The url is: http://photos-702.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v198/160/26/1041805702/n1041805702_50706_5739.jpg
Oh good, it worked.
Here's one from the Ripley's Museum
(http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v181/160/26/1041805702/n1041805702_38994_6587.jpg)
And one from... I think it was the Guinness Book museum
(http://photos-702.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v198/160/26/1041805702/n1041805702_50669_6633.jpg)
It's easy to spot me; I'm the jerk wearing his sunglasses indoors.
Greetings Night Creatures.
It's Old Wax-head Griffin again...with MORE wax musuem pictures.
This is from my recent trip to New Orleans, and the Museum De Conti!
A small, intimate, but creepy cool Wax Musuem.
When I visited it was closed, but the very kind man at the front took pity on the rain-drenched sad-faced guy out front, and allowed me to tour. Alone. By myself.
In the Wax Musuem.
Danny, you know the joys of what I speak...
Here are the photos.
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/100_0410.jpg)
The cruel and wicked Madame La Laurie, New Orleans' most infamous sadist, the house she tortured her slaves in still stands and is still VERY haunted.
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/100_0411.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/100_0412.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/100_0414.jpg)
Marie Lavueux, the Vodoo Queen of New Orleans.
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/100_0413.jpg)
From the Marie Lavueux exhibit.
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/100_0415.jpg)
Voodoo Exhibit
And from the chamber of horrors...
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/100_0416.jpg)
The Body Snatchers
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/100_0417.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/100_0418.jpg)
The Corpse in the Waxworks
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/100_0419.jpg)
I think we all know this guy
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/100_0420.jpg)
And him
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/100_0421.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/100_0422.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/100_0423.jpg)
The Wheel of Pain turned in this exhibit...Quasimodo's face came into and out of a pin spot...very effective
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/100_0424.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/100_0425.jpg)
They called this Vampire Vs. Werewolf, but I call it Barnabus Collins meets the Wolf Man
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/100_0426.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/100_0427.jpg)
The Pit and the Pendulum
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/100_0429.jpg)
And the cyclops who was the langaippe....
Also, at the end of my hour long meander through the chilly wax museum, my guide let me ride up to the second floor, in THE OLDEST WORKING ELEVATOR in New Orleans.
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/ProfGriffin/Wax/100_0430.jpg)
Highly recommened. Just off Bourbon...stumble to the left on Conti and head down three blocks. The musuem is on the right.
The pix ain't loading for me at the moment, but it sounds like a dream come true; exclusive access to a genre-themed wax museum! Much Jealousy atcha!
8)
Wow, that's a glimpse back into a bygone era. I'd love to see the museum in person, but for now THANKS for the pics! ;D
Great shots PG!!
Very nice pics, Prof. It would be cool to spend a night in that museum!
That's the kind of place you assume only exists in movies. I would like very much to walk through a creepy little wax museum like that, especially alone with a storm outside.
I've managed to uplaod many of my pictures from the Slaughtered Lamb and the Jekyll & Hyde Club, both in NYC, to my Facebook account. Sadly I cannot access that account from the ship, so I can't put up the pix, or links to the pix, or even a link to the album. But if you can get to this pic via the link; http://photos-702.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v198/160/26/1041805702/n1041805702_50706_5739.jpg then you should be able to get to my NEW YORK MINUTES album.
I'm hopeful that I can get them to my Photobucket acct, and use them from there.
Quote from: Crazy1van on June 06, 2009, 03:25:42 PM
I've managed to uplaod many of my pictures from the Slaughtered Lamb and the Jekyll & Hyde Club, both in NYC, to my Facebook account. Sadly I cannot access that account from the ship, so I can't put up the pix, or links to the pix, or even a link to the album. But if you can get to this pic via the link; http://photos-702.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v198/160/26/1041805702/n1041805702_50706_5739.jpg then you should be able to get to my NEW YORK MINUTES album.
I'm hopeful that I can get them to my Photobucket acct, and use them from there.
I tried and could not do it. The link might be broken. Do you see any extraneous digits?
No, but I cannot open links to Facebook anyway, so it matters not. :-(
Okay, here's a link to one of my pictures from my Disney trip, which can be used to view the whole album, and then view all my albums, which includes NEW YORK MINUTES. The Disney trip does have some memorable memorabilia pictures, mostly courtesy of the Pleasure Island Planet Hollywood.
http://www.facebook.com/n/?photo.php&pid=476919&id=1041805702&comments&mid=92781eG3e18b186G8f01a4G9 (http://www.facebook.com/n/?photo.php&pid=476919&id=1041805702&comments&mid=92781eG3e18b186G8f01a4G9)