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This is my custom monster playset like I always wanted them to make, but they never did. The plot is pretty much explained on the box. The undead knights (and undead horses LOL) are a rogue sect of 13th century knights who gained immortality through undeath by worshipping malevolent forces. They are known as The Fist Of Satan. They were summoned by Hagmar The Witch, and bound to her army of evil. The military troops are a group of poor doomed bastards called in by the government when things got "out of hand". Those monster hunters at the cemetery gate are called The Paladin Force. They pack anti-supernatural hardware like silver tipped rounds filled with holy water, nuclear accelerators, and silver spike throwers. Still, I don't like their chances. Hagmar had the sexy victims trotted out to keep the good guys from using explosives. She also has a thick fog spell surrounding the area to prevent sniping. The Unholy Eight are very powerful, and will probably be able to go through with the sacrifices "when the stars are right". Hagmar can begin paying her debt to the Dark Gods who empowered her, and get revenge on the families of the people responsible for hanging her those centuries ago.
There is also a "what if" background to the teaming of MPC and Marx for this playset. Basically, some bold fool at MPC conned some dunderhead at Marx into supplying them with many of the parts needed for the playset. This was done behind Louis Marx back. When Louis discovered this he was irate. Using gory imagery, Satanic symbolism, and the victimization of scantily clad females was a sure way for Marx to be put out of business. They even turned Magic Marxie into Black Magic Marxie! Louis shut down the entire deal quickly. Only a handful of these infamous playsets were released. And one fell through the dimensions to land in my collection. :)
I put the playset together and drew the box. I hope you guys like it. :) >:D
I followed the directions for posting pictures but it's not working. Any advice?
It's working now - for me, anyway. And this thing looks GREAT!
I love it. The playset looks like fun. ;D
WOW! I want one!
Thanks, guys. I've been wanting to post this for awhile. I finally picked up a cheapo digicam and warred my way through the whole "posting pics" thing. It's easy once you figure it out, but it's a real beyotch 'til you get there. BTW, if not for Terry's video I would still be bumbling with it. I apologize for my wretched photography skills. It looks way better in person. And you can rearrange everything almost limitlessly, just like any good playset. Just the underground section could fill up a room if it were all set up. And, it all fits in the box.
I definitely had to post this thing before our favorite holiday. I'm a little early but....HAPPY HALLOWEEN UMA! >:D :)
very cool!
Damned cool with a capital C! This is what people on this site dream about (unfortunately, we all wake up). Great work on this, you should be very proud!
Quote from: horrorhunter on August 28, 2013, 05:16:50 PM
This is my custom monster playset like I always wanted them to make, but they never did.
There is also a "what if" background to the teaming of MPC and Marx for this playset.
I put the playset together and drew the box. I hope you guys like it.
Damn! I wish you'd had the wherewithal to buy out Marx and MPC and make this playset available in every toy shop on both sides of the pond!
:o
Thank you for the kind words fellas. I have to admit I leave this thing set up all the time and just kind of stare at it sometimes....wishing it was 1969 again, and I was still ten, and I stumbled on this thing in some out of the way little hobby shop. You can't go back, but we can damn sure try. ;)
Quote from: horrorhunter on August 28, 2013, 05:16:50 PMUsing gory imagery, Satanic symbolism, and the victimization of scantily clad females....
So what did you use for the scantily clad female sacrificial victims?
Quote from: horrorhunter on August 28, 2013, 05:16:50 PMThe undead knights (and undead horses LOL) are a rogue sect of 13th century knights who gained immortality through undeath by worshipping malevolent forces. They are known as The Fist Of Satan.
Those monster hunters at the cemetery gate are called The Paladin Force. They pack anti-supernatural hardware like silver tipped rounds filled with holy water, nuclear accelerators, and silver spike throwers.
And what knights and horses did you use for the Fist of Satan and what are the monster hunters of the Paladin Force?
???
Thanks, looks like fun!
Quote from: Hepcat on August 28, 2013, 08:44:59 PM
So what did you use for the scantily clad female sacrificial victims?
And what knights and horses did you use for the Fist of Satan and what are the monster hunters of the Paladin Force?
???
The curvy victims are Marx Bathing Beauties. They are actually 60mm scale while the rest of the playset figures are 54mm, so they appear very tall. They are so hot I had to use them. Other female figs don't even come close. I guess the descendants of the men who originally hanged The Witch are just really healthy Amazonion female luchadore types. :laugh:
The knights and horses are just standard Marx black knights. They make good undead because armored in black they could be just about anything evil. This is a bit of an homage to Amando de Ossorios Blind Dead Templars. The Blind Dead wore white so I dreamed up The Fist Of Satan. Undead knights on undead steeds just strikes me as damned cool. Zombie Cool
Those figures I use for The Paladin Force are part of a table top game sold in Russia. I can't read Russian so I can't give you specifics. All I know is when I saw them on eBay I knew I had my monster hunters.
BTW, I collect playsets so I already had a lot of this stuff, but if it weren't for eBay this playset would have never happened. I worked months on this thing and it's been in the back of my mind for years. I'm glad you guys are having fun with it.
Awesome!
Fantastic job AND idea! This is actually something that should be made by a toy company right now!
Quote from: horrorhunter on August 28, 2013, 09:24:52 PMThe curvy victims are Marx Bathing Beauties.... They are so hot I had to use them.
But of course!
Quote from: horrorhunter on August 28, 2013, 09:24:52 PMUndead knights on undead steeds just strikes me as damned cool.
You're not the only one! I'd venture to say everybody on this board thinks they're very cool.
;)
I love the use of the MPC "Haunted Hulk". Wish I still had mine. I'm not as familiar with some of what you used, as some on this board. Who made the Haunted House that you used?
Quote from: Haunted hearse on August 29, 2013, 11:13:09 AM
I love the use of the MPC "Haunted Hulk". Wish I still had mine. I'm not as familiar with some of what you used, as some on this board. Who made the Haunted House that you used?
The house is made by BMC. It's actually for World War II playsets...a damaged French dwelling maybe. I wanted something that fit the look of the '60s playsets, and that I could decorate with spooky stickers for background and atmosphere.
In the storyline the house was built by the same religious folk who built the cemetery a few decades ago. They wanted to sanctify the area and destroy the evil reputation of Demon's Overlook as it was known then. After the cemetery, and later the house, was built the area became known as Cemetery Hill to all of the locals. It was just a normal spooky place until the Unholy Eight moved into the underground caves that ran through the hill back to the cliffside/seaside grotto. Kids used to go to Cemetery Hill and party. Hence, the graffiti sprayed on the cemetery sign. It used to read "Hillcrest".
Even before The Witch was hanged the area was besieged by negative energy. Going back thousands of years the hill was used for human sacrifice to The Dark Gods. That's the reason for the rock fence surrounding the cemetery. It is what is left of the Temple Of Agrezelh. That particular malevolent entity is Hagmar's main "sponsor" in her quest for revenge and chaos sowing.
BTW, the Haunted Hulk sticker on the front of the box is Hagmar. She is undead and wears a spectral noose from the hanging. Many people think all witches were burned, but many were hanged. And many were probably just stoned or murdered with axes or clubs.
Sorry if I tend to get a little carried away with all this rot. I dreamed up this background story to explain the playset. Too many monster movies and comics bouncing around in my head I guess. ;D
Quote from: Type3Toys on August 29, 2013, 05:32:51 AM
Fantastic job AND idea! This is actually something that should be made by a toy company right now!
I wish someone would market cool monster playsets, too. The economic environment would be a real obstacle to something like this nowadays. I have over $200 spent in parts for this one. I got a good deal on the original MPC monsters or it would be a lot more. The box took a ridiculous amount of time to draw, as well. Aside from a few weirdos (like us :laugh:) the sales potential would be very limited. Since not many units could be made and sold, the price would be very high...maybe as high as $400-$500. Not many people could afford that. I'm sorry to say the window of opportunity for something like this probably closed in the '70s. Marx really dropped the ball when they failed to produce that Haunted Mansion playset in the '60s. Can you imagine what a nice example of the Haunted Mansion playset would fetch today?! It boggles the brain.
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Here is another shot of some detail of the rock formation and victims. The cave leads back to the network of tunnels and chambers which form the underground monster lair. The pool WAS filled with water. Now it is filled with a summoned demon with the form of a green slime. The blood pool and streaks where a victim was being dragged down by the slime are not actually blood. It appears as blood the way walls bleed in haunted houses. It is a phantom death trace. The area is so charged with negative energy that when someone dies there they stay as a haunt. So, even if you get killed you don't get out of the place. You remain as a plaything for the Creature Of Doom (Grim Reaper). tynhrt
What are those four legged pink beasts?
???
Quote from: Hepcat on August 30, 2013, 02:38:43 PM
What are those four legged pink beasts?
???
Large wolves. The Vampire has summoned wolves and giant rats. I know that you don't just see three foot rats running around everyday, but this area has been cursed since prehistory, and some strange things have happened to the fauna (and probably the flora as well).
BTW, the wolves and rats are red. The pictures just make them look pink. I hate photography. :-[
Quote from: horrorhunter on August 30, 2013, 03:21:44 PM
Large wolves. The Vampire has summoned wolves and giant rats. I know that you don't just see three foot rats running around everyday, but this area has been cursed since prehistory, and some strange things have happened to the fauna (and probably the flora as well).
BTW, the wolves and rats are red. The pictures just make them look pink. I hate photography. :-[
Every playset should have wolves and rats.
Beautiful set man!
It must have been a lot of fun to make.
What is the Cemetery gate and fence from?
Quote from: ilikemonsters on August 30, 2013, 06:28:36 PM
Beautiful set man!
It must have been a lot of fun to make.
What is the Cemetery gate and fence from?
Thanks, dude. The cemetery fence and gate are made by Marx. It originated in an old playset, probably a dollhouse type set. I seriously doubt it was originally intended for a graveyard....but it makes a good one. ;) >:D
Quote from: horrorhunter on August 30, 2013, 03:21:44 PM
BTW, the wolves and rats are red. The pictures just make them look pink.
That's a relief. Pink wolves would be wrong. Very wrong.
:o
Quote from: marsattacks666 on August 30, 2013, 05:52:44 PMEvery playset should have wolves and rats.
Agreed. Just not pink ones!
;)
Love your Haunted Hulk! I want one so bad :'(
Quote from: Darkside1 on August 31, 2013, 04:44:43 PM
Love your Haunted Hulk! I want one so bad :'(
Thank you Darkside1.
It was a real struggle to get the HH up to speed. For decades it has just been a green hull as a base to display my MPC Unbreakable Weird Monsters. I finally ran across an evilBay auction a few months ago with the original sail, spiderweb, and skull standard. The guy knew what he had and set the minimum at $150. I bid on it and got them for that. Kinda breathed a sigh of relief that nobody bid it up, but I would have gone to $300 if I had to since nice Haunted Hulks sell for around $700. After that I just needed the wheel and the stickers (the sail I bought had lost the original stickers long ago). I got a MPC pirate ship's wheel, which is exactly the same as the HH wheel except for the color. I emailed a fellow who made old toy stickers and talked him into doing Haunted Hulk stickers. Really nice guy named Jon Olson. We emailed each other for awhile as I was giving him information on the dimensions of the sticker area. When he printed off some of the stickers for sale he sent me two sets free for helping him (one glossy and one matte). I put the glossies on my HH and used the mattes on this custom playset.
I don't know how many Haunted Hulks actually exist today, but they only come up on eBay every year or two. Most of them I've seen over the last few years have minor damage, nasty looking stickers, or other problems. Getting a nice one is tough. Hang in there. I wish you good fortune in finding yours. :)
Nice to see you nurse yours to it's current state!
Quote from: horrorhunter on August 28, 2013, 09:24:52 PM
The curvy victims are Marx Bathing Beauties. They are actually 60mm scale while the rest of the playset figures are 54mm, so they appear very tall. They are so hot I had to use them. Other female figs don't even come close. I guess the descendants of the men who originally hanged The Witch are just really healthy Amazonion female luchadore types.
I actually see no problem with scale there at all. People have grown over the centuries. Just check out any medieval suit of armour. People were little runts back then. That's why the Unholy Eight and the undead knights are so small relative to their chosen sacrificial victims.
And the Paladin Force? Specially chosen for their short stature in order to be able to pursue the Unholy Eight "into the underground caves that run through the hill back to the cliffside/seaside grotto".
;)
Quote from: Hepcat on August 31, 2013, 06:08:23 PM
I actually see no problem with scale there at all. People have grown over the centuries. Just check out any medieval suit of armour. People were little runts back them. That's why the Unholy Eight and the undead knights are so small relative to their chosen sacrificial victims.
And the Paladin Force? Specially chosen for their short stature in order to be able to pursue the Unholy Eight "into the underground caves that run through the hill back to the cliffside/seaside grotto".
;)
LOL...thanks for helping with the rationalization. :laugh:
Actually all the figures are very close in scale. The Paladin Force are a tad shorter because they are free standing without bases. The victims being very tall is actually cool because after so many generations had passed the Unholy Eight would have a wide selection of descendants of the men who originally hanged The Witch, and they would naturally pick the most statuesque and beautiful to gift to Agrezelh and the other Dark Powers through sacrifice. Those zombies are kinda shrimpy, but then a shrunk up zombie makes sense as corpses lose body mass. An even creepier idea is that the zombies are actually undead children that The Creature Of Doom raised from the graveyard.....wooooo, scary huh kids!? cl:)
Quote from: RICKH on August 28, 2013, 06:31:15 PM
WOW! I want one!
Me too! But I really want two .. One to play with and one to look at .. ;D
Quote from: horrorhunter on August 31, 2013, 08:09:16 PM
The victims being very tall is actually cool because after so many generations had passed the Unholy Eight would have a wide selection of descendants of the men who originally hanged The Witch, and they would naturally pick the most statuesque and beautiful to gift to Agrezelh and the other Dark Powers through sacrifice.
Understandable. Word on the street is that Agrezelh likes them tall and "healthy".
;)
I've fleshed out some background on The Unholy Eight for anyone interested in such silliness:
Hagmar The Witch, born Hagmarion Thorne, travelled Europe and Asia amassing vast knowledge of The Black Arts before coming to The New World and being hanged in 1692 at Demon's Overlook. She prayed to malevolent entities insuring she would have friends in Hell before she ever died. Those religious fanatics who hanged her merely allowed her to achieve her destiny- to lead The Unholy Eight on a crusade of evil and chaos sowing the likes of which hadn't been witnessed in centuries. Two hundred and seventy seven years after her hanging, she has returned for revenge...now an emissary of Dark God Agrezelh, the bringer of blood and pain and ecstasy...she will begin her revenge on those that murdered her for practicing her religion. Hagmar is a ghastly revenant wearing a spectral hangman's noose, and talking to her bat familiar, which is really just a manifestation of her clairsentience spell. Her spellcasting abilities have increased tenfold since spending over two centuries in Hell. Her magical laboratory under Demon's Overlook, now called Cemetery Hill, contains a summoning circle, an alchemy table, a mystic library, and a powerful grimoire called Malefus Infinium. This tome allows her to cast her spells through time and over great distances. It also allows her to summon a ghost galleon which she has antichristened The Haunted Hulk. This spectral ship allows the Unholy Eight to sail the seas at unnatural speed.
The Creature Of Doom is the avatar of an unnamed Dark God. It is virtually indestructible. It has great psychokinetic powers. The scythe it wields is intensified negative energy and can cut through nearly anything on a molecular level. It can raise undead by the hundreds and has absolute control over all lesser undead. It is there to assist The Witch, but also to insure that she honors her part of the pact with the Dark Masters. It is the most powerful of The Unholy Eight.
The Wolfman is a 13th century Spanish nobleman named Amando Jose Alverez. The Witch controls him with spells and potions but he is willful and occasionally rebels, especially when beautiful women are in peril. Strangely, they usually fall in love with him. The other members of The Unholy Eight sometimes have to beat him back in line. He is a deadly lycanthrope.
The Monster is a demon possessed body made of parts of different corpses and given life through alchemy by The Witch. It serves her totally and without question.
The Mummy is an undead possessed by the snake demon Ssekarkuss. It is surrounded by an energy aura making it fireproof. It has a negative energy touch which turns the living into the undead unless a cleansing ritual is successfully carried out.
The Vampire jokingly refers to himself as Varney after the character in the penny dreadfuls. He is Count Valigast. He is a potent vampire lord of eight centuries. He considers himself Hagmar's equal but she usually figures a way to him. He serves with her because it pleases his lord Agrezelh. Someday The Witch will bow before him if he has his way.
Skeleton and Devil Bat are demons which work in tandem. They keep their names secret to avoid unwanted control. The Skeleton body is powered by a great energy aura which makes it an exceptionally tough brute. Devil Bat relies on speed and maneuverability to put a diseased bite on it's foes and victims. Devil Bat thirsts for blood, but is strangely attracted to sweet smells like cologne and aftershave.....go figure.
The Executioner is an insanely sadistic revenant who was called The Crimson Executioner in life. Although physically powerful, his greatest ability is the fear he strikes in others. With a glance of his red eyes he can make the weak willed flee or cringe. With a stare he can render them insane, or make their hearts explode.
That's it for now. Keep telling yourself....."It's only a playset"....."It's only a playset". cl:) :laugh:
Did you not find anything from the Dragon Crest playset useful? It featured sixteen of the MPC Weird Monsters plus knights.
???
this is awesome
Quote from: Hepcat on September 02, 2013, 12:25:17 PM
Did you not find anything from the Dragon Crest playset useful? It featured sixteen of the MPC Weird Monsters plus knights.
???
No. I'm not a big fan of the Dragon Crest playset. It was put out to capitalize on the popularity of Dungeons & Dragons as opposed to being inspired by classic monsters. The Marx knights, horses, and other pieces were far superior to the MPC equivalents. MPC just had the cool monster figures which Marx lacked in 54mm. That's why I made my playset an amalgam of the two companies product. I know I keep bringing this up, but the job that Marx would have probably done on that Haunted Mansion playset would have blown everything else away. If it existed it would be THE Holy Grail Monster Toy for many of us.
Isn't it amazing that our wives allow us to play with these toys at our ages? I still set up the Hot Wheel or Johnny Lightning track now and then and do some racing. She just rolls her eyes...but when the Yeti does his thing, she puts her foot down.
Quote from: Frankenmarx on September 04, 2013, 08:33:10 PM
Isn't it amazing that our wives allow us to play with these toys at our ages? I still set up the Hot Wheel or Johnny Lightning track now and then and do some racing. She just rolls her eyes...but when the Yeti does his thing, she puts her foot down.
Yeah...sometimes you gotta kinda sneak around and stay outta the way...like we did with our moms. ;D
Of course, it helps to have a monster room(s) to retire to so we can monster away from nonmonstering eyes. ;)
Little clearer pic:
(http://imageshack.us/a/img153/7978/tk7m.jpg)
I'm not a man given to profanity.....but this play set is F&$(*at*)IN' WICKED!!
Quote from: Scatter on September 06, 2013, 05:57:37 PM
I'm not a man given to profanity.....but this play set is F&$(*at*)IN' WICKED!!
Thanks, man. :)
Quote from: Scatter on September 06, 2013, 05:57:37 PM
I'm not a man given to profanity.....
Yeah, right (ya basterd).
Occasionally toys would contain small comic book styled instruction sheets like the Monster Scenes kits by Aurora. If this playset had have actually existed in 1969 it would have been totally awesome if an 8 page comic book were included explaining the plot behind the Unholy Eight and the Haunted Graveyard. Since we're dreaming let's dream big...interior art by newcomer phenomenon Berni Wrightson (later Bernie), and cover by Neal Adams, with a scary cool House Of Mystery vibe. Since MPC was really behind producing this thing it's highly doubtful they would have sprung for a comic book extra...but hey, that would have been a little slice of monster heaven were it real. Zombie Cool cl:) tynhrt
Quote from: horrorhunter on September 06, 2013, 08:16:21 PM
Occasionally toys would contain small comic book styled instruction sheets like the Monster Scenes kits by Aurora. If this playset had have actually existed in 1969 it would have been totally awesome if an 8 page comic book were included explaining the plot behind the Unholy Eight and the Haunted Graveyard. Since we're dreaming let's dream big...interior art by newcomer phenomenon Berni Wrightson (later Bernie), and cover by Neal Adams, with a scary cool House Of Mystery vibe. Since MPC was really behind producing this thing it's highly doubtful they would have sprung for a comic book extra...but hey, that would have been a little slice of monster heaven were it real. Zombie Cool cl:) tynhrt
The story and cast you've developed for this playset would require a lot more than an 8 page comic.
Quote from: Haunted hearse on September 07, 2013, 03:23:17 PM
The story and cast you've developed for this playset would require a lot more than an 8 page comic.
Yeah...I got a little carried away. Maybe a little ashcan type comic could just introduce the villains and briefly summarize the plot. If something like this were done today there would probably be a several issue tie-in to milk the thing for every penny. Things were a lot simpler back in '69.
Quote from: horrorhunter on September 07, 2013, 03:38:50 PM
Yeah...I got a little carried away. Maybe a little ashcan type comic could just introduce the villains and briefly summarize the plot. If something like this were done today there would probably be a several issue tie-in to milk the thing for every penny. Things were a lot simpler back in '69.
The best way to do it, might be to break the playset down to the 8 prinicpal components, and do one page on each.
Quote from: Haunted hearse on September 08, 2013, 05:41:05 PM
The best way to do it, might be to break the playset down to the 8 prinicpal components, and do one page on each.
That is a possibility. That 8 pages includes the covers so it would have to be a full size comic in height and width to have the space to do anything. I was thinking a full page for The Witch since she is such a plot driver, and 1/2 page each for the other members of the Unholy Eight, 1/2 page each for the Fist Of Satan and the Paladin Force, and the remainder (including the back cover) for a very condensed overview of the plot. It could be done but it would be text heavy with a little room for some gruesome illustration. If I ever feel obsessed to the point of delirium I may give it a shot one day. Sure would be a crapload of work though.
A couple of points for anyone who gives a rat's *ss:
Devil Bat is a sidekick for The Skeleton, so he doesn't count as a full member. Otherwise it would be the Unholy Nine and that just doesn't roll off the tongue the same. I had to come up with a reason for the MPC Skeleton carrying that bat around so I made them both demons who work as a team. Thought I'd show one of our favorite poverty row flicks some love, too. The demon's true names are guarded to avoid undesirable control.
In the fictitious background for MPC and Marx teaming on the playset it is really MPC who puts the thing out. They just temporarily conned Marx into providing them with parts and box branding (Black Magic Marxie, etc.). The Haunted Hulk would be a companion piece sold separately. Not much is known about The Haunted Hulk today. It is shrouded in mystery like the ghost galleon it represents. It was released in 1963 and must not have been available for very long. Maybe the profit margin just wasn't there, or maybe the stickers were considered too gory for a 6 year old. We don't know. Anyway, MPC would have had to rerelease it in 1969 to tie in with the Haunted Graveyard Playset. In 1969 I bet it would cost more like 5 bucks instead of the 3 bucks in '63. If MPC had have released an offensive (for the time) playset like this they certainly would have had no qualms about rereleasing The Haunted Hulk to make a quick buck. Had that happened at least they wouldn't be so damned hard to find now.
Quote from: horrorhunter on September 01, 2013, 10:48:35 AMSkeleton and Devil Bat are demons which work in tandem.... Devil Bat relies on speed and maneuverability to put a diseased bite on it's foes and victims. Devil Bat thirsts for blood, but is strangely attracted to sweet smells like cologne and aftershave.....go figure.
Hagmar the Witch's bat familiar feels aggrieved since you've not fleshed out a back story for him as well.
:(
Is he Devil Bat's identical twin or some sort of diabolical variant?
???
Quote from: Hepcat on September 13, 2013, 09:26:21 AM
Hagmar the Witch's bat familiar feels aggrieved since you've not fleshed out a back story for him as well.
:(
Is he Devil Bat's identical twin or some sort of diabolical variant?
???
Hagmar's bat is just a manifestation of her clairsentience spell (she can sense through it). Since she is a crazed undead sorceress driven by revenge she has a number of psychological problems. One of those problems is that she talks to her bat frequently, even though it is only a magical special effect created by her subconcious. She calls it Gregory. If it were attacked with sufficient damage it would simply disappear until she casts what she imagines to be a resurrection spell. She would really just be wishing it back into existence. Pity the poor Witch on this Friday The 13th. If my mom had named me Hagmarion I might turn out to be a rotten person, too. :'( :laugh: >:D
Quote from: horrorhunter on September 02, 2013, 01:26:44 PM
I know I keep bringing this up, but the job that Marx would have probably done on that Haunted Mansion playset would have blown everything else away. If it existed it would be THE Holy Grail Monster Toy for many of us.
Pics of the Marx Haunted Mansion prototype. Notice the MPC Monsters standing in for what would have been Marx 54mm monster figures. One wonders if Marx would have reduced the size of their Universal Monsters, or made all new sculpts of various undead, lycanthropes, and creatures. This prototype is what inspired me to create my custom playset featured in this thread. Marx product was always top quality. If the Marx Haunted Mansion had gotten to the release stage it would have been the monster version of other classic Marx sets like Battleground, Fort Apache, and Blue And The Gray. In other words it would have been awesome!
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1276/1155669217_94f48b6bf4_o.jpg)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/General%20Album%203/Marx_zps80f855c4.png)
There are articles on the Marx Haunted Mansion playset and the MPC Haunted Hulk in issue #11 of Playset Magazine.
(http://www.playsetmagazine.com/photos/IssueNo11_cover.jpg)
Quote from: horrorhunter on September 21, 2013, 07:04:02 PM
Pics of the Marx Haunted Mansion prototype. Notice the MPC Monsters standing in for what would have been Marx 54mm monster figures. One wonders if Marx would have reduced the size of their Universal Monsters, or made all new sculpts of various undead, lycanthropes, and creatures. This prototype is what inspired me to create my custom playset featured in this thread. Marx product was always top quality. If the Marx Haunted Mansion had gotten to the release stage it would have been the monster version of other classic Marx sets like Battleground, Fort Apache, and Blue And The Gray. In other words it would have been awesome!
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1276/1155669217_94f48b6bf4_o.jpg)
This could be the basis of a great playset for the Palmer monsters. The use of Dracula is interesting, considering Marx never made a Dracula. Considering the size of the Marx Monsters, I can't imagine that they would have made a playset that would be big enough to accomidate the full size figures, so I think you're right they may have made smaller figures to go with the playset. By the way, it might be interesting to see a stop motion animated film, where you use the toys as the cast, to tell your story.
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/General%20Album%203/Marx_zps80f855c4.png)
There are articles on the Marx Haunted Mansion playset and the MPC Haunted Hulk in issue #11 of Playset Magazine.
(http://www.playsetmagazine.com/photos/IssueNo11_cover.jpg)
Quote from: Haunted hearse on September 22, 2013, 03:40:49 PM
(*at*) Haunted Hearse (I couldn't quote you because you inserted your reply in my other quote. No big.):
I've considered doing custom monster playsets using Palmers. A King Kong set with Marx dinos would be cool. A Creature set using the Black Lagoon setting would also be cool. A Marx Bathing Beauty could be Julie, with Palmer Divers for Richards Carlson and Denning. It might be hard to find a boat for the Rita, and good figs for some of the other guys, but natives were made by MPC and Marx. Some Prehistoric Times palm trees, ferns, and dead trees, and a lagoon playmat with a Marx logs for Creech to block the boat's escape, and crocs, and a custom drawn box, and you're in business.
Doing custom playsets is a crapload of work, but the payoff is that you can add something cool to your collection that is truly unique. Even if someone were to duplicate all of your parts (which is expensive and a lot of trouble), they still couldn't exactly duplicate a hand drawn box. They could copy it but I don't think they could get it exact. And if someone went to all the trouble to do a custom box they would probably do their own design anyway. So you have a one-of-kind collectible which isn't just one piece, but a well planned set of complimentary pieces.
The stop-motion video idea is very cool. I'll leave that for someone far more photography savvy than myself.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img27/3096/jvkt.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img694/6448/mqph.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img694/4449/jp3u.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img10/2634/nt2b.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img844/8903/9gcq.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img19/8066/abuv.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img689/4558/5gvn.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img199/2488/125k.JPG)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img694/5168/c4j5.jpg)
I can't get over how awesome that is, I would buy one in a heartbeat =)
Quote from: vtoys on October 08, 2013, 11:26:29 AM
I can't get over how awesome that is, I would buy one in a heartbeat =)
Thank You.
Most of the pics aren't very good because I was getting used to my new (cheap) digital camera when I took them. The set looks much better in person. I do have another pic or two that I took before I put the set up a few weeks ago. I'll probably post them soon.
Maybe someone else will put together a custom monster playset, and post pics for us to enjoy. The Palmer Monsters would be cool to star in a playset.
I have a few ideas in mind, but promised myself I'd do a Mego scale one first- problem is with a fresh baby in the house, my 'free time' is next to nothing anymore =)
Quote from: vtoys on October 08, 2013, 06:38:03 PM
I have a few ideas in mind, but promised myself I'd do a Mego scale one first- problem is with a fresh baby in the house, my 'free time' is next to nothing anymore =)
I see what you mean about doing a bigger scale custom playset first, since you have those cool Lincolns with that sweet Lincoln Victim. ;)
(http://i.imgur.com/c14st0o.jpg)
Most UMA members focus on stand alone action figures, kits, and masks. Playsets need some monster love, too. :)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img534/1447/ihee.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img29/425/0nex.jpg)
Quote from: horrorhunter on October 09, 2013, 12:02:31 PMPlaysets need some monster love, too.
Oh absolutely! Marx and other playsets are boss cool.
Quote from: horrorhunter on October 26, 2013, 10:37:25 AM(http://imageshack.us/a/img29/425/0nex.jpg)
That plesiosaur is a fine added touch!
8)
Quote from: Hepcat on October 28, 2013, 09:33:00 AM
That plesiosaur is a fine added touch!
8)
Thanks, Hepcat. Some of the MPC prehistoric animals made good additions. The Kronosaurus (plesiosaur-like) makes a great classic sea monster guard for the grotto entrance to the underground monster lair. The Dire Wolves make appropriate large wolves for The Vampire to call up. The Ceratogaulus (sp) make scary giant rats to serve The Vampire.
I'm glad I got this set finished, and posted, before Halloween. I hope UMA members enjoyed seeing it. tynhrt
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_1_zpstx4s6rwu.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_2_zpsqhblwwzq.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_3_zpsn5i3eqo3.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_4_zpsziq0rmot.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_5_zps8kcqlwtc.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_6_zpsir51hb0g.jpg)
Two squads of Army Rangers attack the undead on Cemetery Hill while another group invades the underground lair.
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_7_zps6tlie1bp.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_8_zps6apyte0m.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_9_zpsqrcbgtsh.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_10_zpsyaaboyqt.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_11_zpsil7ldqdo.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_12_zpspv9zptvq.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_13_zpsc7hkkl8o.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_14_zpscykvi4lm.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_15_zpsifwzesni.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_16_zpsbhd50btk.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_17_zps6zf8por9.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_18_zpsua7ivwtw.jpg)
The Paladin Force and another squad of Rangers invade the underground monster lair to attempt to rescue the three captives before the sacrifice.
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_19_zpsgsr5g6ec.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_20_zpszs40cu7w.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_21_zpsoxcipj7z.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_22_zpsletijheb.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_23_zpsglmkg3la.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_24_zpsjoyvy2uw.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_25_zpsxxixphdk.jpg)
Still more underground tunnels leading out to the seaside grotto where the Haunted Hulk is anchored.
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_26_zpsa5mihxe8.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_27_zpsg25cbzzs.jpg)
(http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b552/horrorhunter/HGP2015_28_zps3lvffsqm.jpg)
cl:)
http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=23458.msg438520#msg438520 (http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=23458.msg438520#msg438520)
Ahah! You've fleshed out the twisted, sordid storyline behind your magnum opus I see.
:laugh:
Quote from: Hepcat on March 21, 2015, 09:40:37 AM
Ahah! You've fleshed out the twisted, sordid storyline behind yourmagnum opus I see.
:laugh:
Well, that was pretty much the basic storyline from the beginning. But, being a playset with classic monster story components, really any storyline would be possible for a 10 year old Monsterkid (or an adult Monsterkid collector who just likes to set these things up). The main reason I posted all of these pictures is just to finally get decent pictures of it on the internet so I'm able to show it to anyone by emailing them a link. Also, it gets it out of my system to finally have viewable pics after having that cheapass Vivitar camera and vainly trying to take a decent picture. This Nikon I'm using currently is still only a point&shoot but the pictures are at least acceptable.
Evidently there aren't many UMA members who are interested in Marx-style playsets. Hepcat, I've noticed that you and I are really the only ones who consistently post about this stuff. The Dinosaur Playsets thread has over 10,000 views but I believe much of that to be non-members who have found that information by internet search. Action figures, masks, model kits, comics, and magazines are all great, and I love them all. But, MPC and Marx playsets and plastic figures have an important place in monster and dinosaur collecting as well. I guess most of the current members who bother to post aren't interested. At least I'm able to put pics of my playsets on the internet by using UMA, and who knows, maybe someone out there is enjoying seeing some of this stuff. :-\
Quote from: horrorhunter on March 21, 2015, 12:51:46 PMEvidently there aren't many UMA members who are interested in Marx-style playsets. Hepcat, I've noticed that you and I are really the only ones who consistently post about this stuff.
I don't know. It does seem though that there were more members posting about this stuff a year ago.
:-\
But I still love all the Marx playsets and all the Marx and MPC figures and I very much appreciate both your efforts and your pictures!
:)
I don't post very often HH, but I thoroughly enjoy your posts about the playsets. I loved my Marx playsets, I had the Alamo, WWII, Fort Apache, Castle and Knights, and my favorite the Blue and Gray sets. I also had countless dinosaurs and one actual dino playset. Thanks for your very enjoyable posts!
Quote from: RICKH on March 22, 2015, 10:14:57 PM
I don't post very often HH, but I thoroughly enjoy your posts about the playsets. I loved my Marx playsets, I had the Alamo, WWII, Fort Apache, Castle and Knights, and my favorite the Blue and Gray sets. I also had countless dinosaurs and one actual dino playset. Thanks for your very enjoyable posts!
Thanks, RICKH. As long as a few folks enjoy them it makes it worthwhile. I'm done with the Haunted Graveyard Playset now ('bout time after a year and a half :laugh:), but I may still get around to posting more of my dino playsets. ;)
So Awesome!!!
This is very cool.Now I want one.HH definitely keep posting these customs.
Quote from: The Creeper on March 31, 2015, 07:18:04 PM
So Awesome!!!
Quote from: Dr Wolfenstein on March 31, 2015, 07:38:30 PM
This is very cool.Now I want one.HH definitely keep posting these customs.
Thanks, fellas.
I've posted the customs I have for now, but I do have an idea for a
Voodoo Island set using Marx Daktari figures and huts, and some cool zombies. I don't want to use the little stylized zombies like I did in the Haunted Graveyard Playset though. I would like to use some of the realistic looking solid color Walking Dead zombie figures. I just can't seem to find any. If I ever get to it I'll
gore up a green hell style playset box in Eerie Pubs and Fulci Zombie/Deodato Cannibal style. Gathering the proper pieces for these things is always biggest beyotch...and then there's always the hours of work on the box. Maybe someday. Zombie Cool
That sounds great, I look forward to seeing what you create!
Quote from: RICKH on March 31, 2015, 09:34:42 PM
That sounds great, I look forward to seeing what you create!
Maybe I can find the right zombie figures for it sometime. The Walking Dead Horde figures seem to be considered "rare collectibles" now, and the few that are available are 50 bucks for a small package of them. With the popularity of zombies now some toy company will surely do good sculpts of 54mm zombies at some point. I'll just wait.
Have you considered using the figures in the bag on the upper right of this picture for one of your custom playsets?
(http://www.figures.com/gallery/data/21772/DSCN97893.JPG)
???
Quote from: horrorhunter on April 01, 2015, 12:50:14 PM
Maybe I can find the right zombie figures for it sometime. The Walking Dead Horde figures seem to be considered "rare collectibles" now, and the few that are available are 50 bucks for a small package of them. With the popularity of zombies now some toy company will surely do good sculpts of 54mm zombies at some point. I'll just wait.
If you can't afford the WD Zombie horde,which are pretty easy to find,you may want to try these.
BOX O Zombies. 6 figure set with great sculpts and details. There are a couple sets on Ebay even cheaper than the $14.99 Amazon has them for.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41YklBV5IyL.jpg)
Quote from: Hepcat on April 01, 2015, 01:29:36 PM
Have you considered using the figures in the bag on the upper right of this picture for one of your custom playsets?
(http://www.figures.com/gallery/data/21772/DSCN97893.JPG)
???
I plan to buy those for my collection but I don't see Universal Monsters fitting into this custom because it centers on the MPC Monsters (Unholy Eight) being the
big bads. The Angry Villagers...maybe, but a backward European torch wielding mob really isn't a good fit for it either. Contemporary civilians with rifles and shotguns would be better, but the only thing I've seen close to that are the figures in one of the cheap zombie bags and they are pretty wimpy and don't look very good. Anyway, I've packed the Haunted Graveyard Playset full and I'm considering it finished.
Regarding using the Universal Monsters figures in another custom playset, I probably won't do that. I'm more interested in doing original sets and not treading well beaten paths. As I stated before, I do plan to buy a couple of sets of those to add to my collection of most anything to do with Marx/MPC style monster playsets.
The way some of these litigation mongers are digging, and gouging, a custom UniMon playset might get ripped right out of your closet by jackbooted authorities on the authorization of some palm greased judge to
set an example. This is an extreme exaggeration bordering on the ridiculous to be sure, but judging from some of the things we've seen lately regarding custom toys it makes me wonder how far they will go with all of this
example setting. I was going to put a laughing emoticon here but now that I think about it it isn't really funny...just aggravating.
Quote from: Wicked Lester on April 01, 2015, 03:28:47 PM
If you can't afford the WD Zombie horde,which are pretty easy to find,you may want to try these.
BOX O Zombies. 6 figure set with great sculpts and details. There are a couple sets on Ebay even cheaper than the $14.99 Amazon has them for.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41YklBV5IyL.jpg)
The WD Zombie Horde is way overpriced but I would buy them if they were a perfect fit for that Voodoo Island set I was contemplating. What I really need are more standard Haitian or African type zombies raised by a classic voodoo priest (houngan). They need to be dressed in tattered rags instead of civilian clothing like most zombie figures are. I may never find the right kind of zombie figures for the set in which case I'll just not make it. Those Marx Daktari figures and huts look pretty good and I would want to go for a more realistic Marx type look on the Voodoo Island set instead of the stylized MPC type look of the Haunted Graveyard Playset. Thanks for the recommendation, WL, but the Box O Zombies doesn't fit the bill either.
Quote from: horrorhunter on April 01, 2015, 03:47:10 PMThe way some of these litigation mongers are digging, and gouging, a custom UniMon playset might get ripped right out of your closet by jackbooted authorities on the authorization of some palm greased judge to set an example. This is an extreme exaggeration bordering on the ridiculous to be sure, but judging from some of the things we've seen lately regarding custom toys it makes me wonder how far they will go with all of this example setting.
Actually two elements are required for a patent/copyright infringement suit to be levied.
1. An item must be copied/reproduced. Using "existing" pieces would therefore not meet this condition. Therefore in the case of say a vinyl LP, one can sell or lend the LP to a friend without that constituting copyright infringement.
2. The copied/reproduced item must then be distributed to others (rather than just kept for personal use).
Therefore one can make a copy on cassette tape or CD of a vinyl LP one already owns for use in one's own car stereo or ghetto blaster without an infraction occurring. One can also make a T-shirt for oneself incorporating the image on the LP jacket. If however a
reproduced item is then even lent to a friend, that would constitute distribution and thus an infraction under law.
Like I say, the elements of both reproduction as well as distribution must be present in order for there to be an infraction under law.
:)
Quote from: horrorhunter on April 01, 2015, 04:00:02 PMThe WD Zombie Horde is way overpriced but I would buy them if they were a perfect fit for that Voodoo Island set I was contemplating. What I really need are more standard Haitian or African type zombies raised by a classic voodoo priest (houngan). They need to be dressed in tattered rags instead of civilian clothing like most zombie figures are.
I agree! The Walking Dead Zombie Horde isn't worth the price being asked. Moreover zombies just aren't "right" unless they're dressed in tattered clothing after having been raised from the dead by a proper houngan in Haiti or the Louisiana bayou.
cl:)