UNIVERSAL STUDIOS TOUR - THE MONSTER UNMASKED!
Fifty years ago, if you visited Universal Studios, you likely encountered a tall, handsome young man and snapped his picture without ever knowing his name - or even capturing his face in your photograph.
No, it wasn't a ghost. It was Mike Bongiorno, who portrayed the Studio's Frankenstein Monster from the Summer of 1967 (when he was 21) 'til September,1973.
Universal Studios has always catered to tourists. Shortly after they began productions in 1915, guests were charged 5ยข, to watch movies being made. The original tour ended when the studio switched to talkies in 1930.
The modern Studio Tour began in earnest in 1964 with the introduction of the Glamor Tram. The first year of operation, the Tram departed from the front lot commissary. The upper lot Studio Tour Center opened in 1965.
Mike Bongiorno became Universal Studio's very first roaming Frankenstein Monster in 1967.
And he did it without relief. Mike was the only one playing Frankenstein during that 6 year period. He worked EVERY holiday. When his college buddies were enjoying weekends, holidays and school breaks, he was lurching around Universal to the delight of hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world.
During this time, Mike was attending UCLA Law School and living in his Frat House, riding a motorcycle and driving a VW Bug. He also joined the Marine Corps Reserve, where he would eventually attain the rank of Sergeant, E5.
Knowing Mike was seeking employment, a friend who worked in the Universal Studios Personnel Department let him know of hiring possibilities.
At first, because he was a Marine, Mike was hired for Universal's Changing of the Guard Ceremony. They would go through the change and he would be required to stand rigid until the next change.
Later, Universal decided to see what else he could do around the studio. Mike was told, "Go to Wardrobe. See what fits."
At the Wardrobe Department, 6' 3" Mike was given one of Fred Gwynne's Herman Munster costumes and a pair of his boots. Then he was sent to Don Post studios were they customized one of their Frankenstein masks for him.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2809/33677085090_b2393b7255_h.jpg)
Becoming the MonsterMike would apply black makeup around his eyes, green makeup to his hands and darken his fingernails.
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"... I used a damp make up sponge to dab into two cakes of pancake makeup (green & gray) to coat the back of my hands to match the color of my mask, after I'd applied a black Marks-A-Lot to my fingernails. This black would last all day, until I'd remove it with ladies fingernail polish remover. I'd have to reapply the hand makeup after each hourly break, due to sweating and loss from shaking hands with the tourists (they would usually comment favorably about getting some of my makeup on them).... ... Universal never told me to use makeup on my hands/eyes. I just decided to do so to better remain in character."_______________________________________
He would don the Fred Gwynne costume and built-up boots.
Then Mike pulled the mask over his head. He tucked the neck of the mask inside a turtle neck sweater and secured it with Velcro so it would not ride up. A towel was folded up and glued into the top of the mask to fill out its elevated flat head. A little extra padding was put inside the jaw, so it would not collapse as he moved about inside.
With the full costume on, Mike was transformed into the 6' 9" Frankenstein's Monster.
Mike would come out and position himself with a wall at his back (to prevent mishaps because of limited vision) to pose and sign autographs for about 45 minutes - then escape to his air-conditioned dressing room to recover from the heat.
He especially liked to entice the smaller kids to come up to him. He would get down on one knee and pose for pictures of him "strangling" the little tykes who would do their best to look properly terrified.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4302/35394851864_01ab495845_h.jpg)
Signing AutographsPerhaps it was inevitable that Mike would drift toward this occupation. As a kid of 10 or 11, he liked to go to Buddy's Fun Shop in North Hollywood, where he bought his first Frankenstein mask. He would put on one of his dad's old jackets and play the monster - Little suspecting that someday he would be the official park monster for Universal Studios Tour when he grew up.
Mike's Monster was allowed to wander around Universal's upper lot Tour Center at will. Then, he would call for one of the studio's drivers to pick him up and take him down to the lower lot where he also roamed free. He would spend most of his time there (an hour or two) suddenly appearing from doorways on European Street .
Sometimes, Mike would walk over to Manhattan Street and Western Street, go inside the various doors and wait for the Tram to come by. Then he would spring out and startle the Tram tourists, and often the tour guide, with an unexpected appearance.
Because Mike was Universal's first roaming Frankenstein, there was no established Guidebook of Proper Monster Conduct. He had to make up rules for himself as he went along.
When I asked him if Universal required him to do a mute act or if he fielded tourist questions, Mike responded:
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"Universal never instructed me on what to say or do or how to talk with the Tour guests. On my own, I felt I should always remain "in character", so I tried to emulate how Boris Karloff sounded and spoke as Frankenstein's Monster.
I sort of growled in my baritone voice as I approached tourists, flailing my arms straight out in front of me. I would growl-shout "Gooood!!" (as Boris did when he tried smoking that cigar given to him by the blind hermit, [in "Bride of Frankenstein"] and I'd growl "Gooood!!" again after each tourist had taken their picture(s) with me, coupled with a growling "Thank You"
I got quite adept at knowing how to say "Thank You" in a variety of languages when I could tell their nationality (in French, German, Italian, Japanese, Filipino [Tagalog], Swedish). The tour guests loved that.
Generally, they were so happy to have gotten their pictures taken with this huge and initially frightening Character, who proved surprisingly approachable and friendly (in his pitiable way), that I really had to field no personal questions...I believe they in effect thought I WAS a Real Monster!"
_______________________________________
Prowling Universal as the Monster was a hot, sweaty job. At the end of each day, the costume would be dried out and aired for the next day's use. As needed, the padding was removed from the costume and the garments laundered. Universal would need to replace the costume about twice a year.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2875/34061524655_b0c52e11b2_h.jpg)
Quenching a Monster-Sized ThirstA friend of Mike's dressed up and played "The Mad Dr." He would later become the Phantom of the Opera with a Lon Chaney mask. They were the only monsters who roamed the studio during Mike's tenure.. There never were any other monster characters terrorizing the tourists. (Universal's short-lived Baby Frankenstein character was introduced three years after Mike had graduated college and gone off to practice law.)
The young law student was hired to work 8 hr. shifts for $5 an hour in 1967 - good money at that time. (The U.S. minimum wage became $1.40 an hour in February, 1967 and rose to only $2.00 an hour by 1974.)
Sometimes, Universal would have Mike venture outside the studio for public appearances, mostly openings and such. When going to outside gigs, he would dress in everything but the mask and boots and drive his Volkswagen Bug. He was paid $100 each for such special appearances.
Once, Mike was sent to Dan Tana's Restaurant where he surprised Frank Sinatra for his birthday. (Ol' Blue Eyes was less than amused.)
Occasionally, he would get into his VW Bug and drive away from an appearance with the mask still on, just until he could disappear around a corner - so he wouldn't spoil the image for the people he had just entertained. The big monster driving off in the little car must have been quite a sight.
When Mike graduated law school in 1973, he left Universal. His Studio co-workers threw him a party and presented him with a sculpture of himself dressed as the monster. He still has a piece of it. Sadly, the rest was lost, along with many of his other personal keepsakes, in the 1993 Malibu fire.
Michael Bongiorno went on to practice medical malpractice law for 42 years, first as a defending attorney and later as a prosecuting attorney. He retired in 2015.
Today, he is a contributing columnist for the Newport Beach Independent Newspaper.
It's easy to see why Mike was chosen by Universal to enhance their visitors' tour experience. He is a very out-going and friendly guy who gave freely of his time and endured my many questions without complaint. Not everyone would put up with a stranger grilling him about a college job he began half a century ago.
Monsters are the nicest people.
Adam Love
7-29-2017
What a great story.
I just love stories like this, getting to know the person behind the mask at these parks.Thanks so much Adam for this.
I wonder if he is the same Frankenstein monster in this postcard?It does mention The Phantom of the Opera on the back of the card.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/922/ytqJcx.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmytqJcxj)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/zz6vLh.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnzz6vLhj)
Gab
Quote from: Dr Wolfenstein on August 01, 2017, 07:54:27 PM
I wonder if he is the same Frankenstein monster in this postcard?It does mention The Phantom of the Opera on the back of the card.
Gab
Hmmm. The pants and boots are darker. It would depend on the year the photo was taken - not the date the card was printed, or mailed.
Just found this while searching for Frankenstein postcards from Universal Studios.It says the postcard is from 1968 so it might be him if the site is correct.
http://www.thestudiotour.com/ush/attractions/streetmosphere/frankensteinsmonster.php (http://www.thestudiotour.com/ush/attractions/streetmosphere/frankensteinsmonster.php)
A very heart felt story about the passion for one of, if not the greatest Monster of all time. The pic of him signing autographs is fantastic. Ironically, he is surrounded by little girls and not one of them is afraid that they might to be thrown in the lake. ;D Perhaps there was not a lake close by. ;D
thm
Great story, Adam! How did you find this guy?
This is fantastic. Thank you for posting that.
Quote from: Mike Scott on August 01, 2017, 11:09:41 PM
Great story, Adam! How did you find this guy?
Got the first and last pictures off eBay for
very reasonable Buy-It-Now prices. They were both dated December, 1971 and came with small snipes on the backs. Mike was identified by name and the fact that he was a law student. This was the first time I had ever seen the Monster's alter-ego revealed.
I thought it would be fun to have him autograph them and get them framed.
I searched his name + "lawyer". There were several hits, so I began with the one in Southern California. I sent an e-mail saying that I was searching for a former Universal Studios employee or anyone who could point me to him.
That same day, the answer came back; "I'm him." with a couple facts about his post-Universal life, his phone number and an invitation to give him a call.
And he has been just as sweet about putting up with my crazy quilt, haphazard way of assembling information all through the process of putting this together. I asked him to read each of my several edits and fact check everything I included. Surprisingly, he was willing to do this.
At first, I thought I would just add a couple notes to my picture post. Then, not finding any other sources about the subject, I decided I would try to document this cloudy area of Universal Tour history for people like me, who are always curious about back-stories .
This was my try.
This is simply phenomenal. Great work! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this.
Great detective work Adam.
You should shop your story around to get a wider audience. Try the FRANKENSTEINIA (is that right?) blog, for one.
Quote from: Mike Scott on August 02, 2017, 10:16:30 AM
You should shop your story around to get a wider audience. Try the FRANKENSTEINIA (is that right?) blog, for one.
I don't know anything about such things.
The UMA is the
only group I have ever belonged to. During some dealings with ToyRanch, he suggested that I might like to join the old site. Been here ever since.
I did sign up for one other group but found the way they did things not to my liking (lots of ads, complicated picture posting, etc.) and dropped out almost immediately.
I did this little project for myself and my fellow UMA members. Where it goes and what happens to it next is out of my hands. Once posted on the Internet, all control over a thing is lost.
If someone else wants to use this, I have no objection.
One of the best posts ever on this site! Great stuff, I may have even seen him as I went to Universal Studios on a regular basis as a kid. Thanks for sharing, really enjoyed this.
Quote from: Monsters For Sale on August 02, 2017, 10:31:30 AM
I don't know anything about such things.
You don't read the Frankensteinia blog? I figured that would be right up your alley. Everything Frankenstein!
https://frankensteinia.blogspot.com/
Awesome post, MFS! I wonder if Universal let him keep his mask after retiring ...
that is, if he ever even wanted to see it again!
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/924/6pQpSz.png)
John Squires writes for Dread Central and would probably be all over this story - Ill ping him on Twitter and link back to this with your permission? I feel like this story should be archived somewhere!
Quote from: tylerh on August 02, 2017, 11:58:46 AM
John Squires writes for Dread Central and would probably be all over this story - Ill ping him on Twitter and link back to this with your permission? I feel like this story should be archived somewhere!
Please do.
I would like to share it with as many people as possible.
The only thing I would
request is a link to other future posts - for me, and to share with Mike.
The pictures are on Flikr, under my user name
monstersforsale. I scanned them at 300 dpi, so they would make decent illustrations/prints.
Wow, I'd seen pictures of these two guys before but I hadn't realized they were seriously always the same two guys.
Were there really never any other monster mascots there throughout all these years?
Quote from: YoungestMonsterKid on September 04, 2017, 07:55:23 PM
Wow, I'd seen pictures of these two guys before but I hadn't realized they were seriously always the same two guys.
Were there really never any other monster mascots there throughout all these years?
For the first 6 years, only Mike played the Monster. After that, you can see changes in the costumes and stances of whoever followed.
Don't know about when the Phantom actor was replaced. Doubt he lasted as long. This wouldn't be the kind of job a person would make a career of.
I think a big part of why Mike stuck with being the Monster so long, was that Universal was willing to work his hours around his college classes and reserve weekends.
Quote from: Monsters For Sale on September 04, 2017, 08:02:29 PM
For the first 6 years, only Mike played the Monster. After that, you can see changes in the costumes and stances of whoever followed.
Don't know about when the Phantom actor was replaced. Doubt he lasted as long. This wouldn't be the kind of job a person would make a career of.
I think a big part of why Mike stuck with being the Monster so long, was that Universal was willing to work his hours around his college classes and reserve weekends.
Yeah, after I posted that comment it struck me that what I said was obviously wrong. We already have photos of other Frankenstein's in this thread. Still good to know.
Thank you, Adam for investing the time and energy to research and interview Mr. 'Stein on our behalf.
And thank you, Mr. Bongiorno, for humoring all of us and indulging our curiosities.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4373/36740891885_1924092bda_b.jpg)
Mike Bongiorno as Frankenstein - Universal Studios Hollywood, September 14, 1971
Mike told me that he would give the ladies a friendly shoulder hug - but he would usually pretend to strangle the little monsterkids.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4385/36693868386_7b73e7298c_b.jpg)
Mike Bongiorno as Frankenstein - Universal Studios Hollywood, April 25, 1972
This picture of Mike escorting a member of the Chinese ping pong team seems bland enough today. But when the picture was taken this was a very big deal indeed. Given the importance assigned to the visit, the gentleman pictured is almost certainly the Captain of the team.
After the Mao revolution in China in 1949, the United States refused to recognize the new communist state. After decades of almost zero contact between our countries, things began to loosen up with then secret negotiations with Henry Kissinger 1n 1971.
In April of 1971, the U.S. table tennis team was invited to China to compete. Regardless of "Forrest Gump", my recollection is that they creamed us. In July of 1971 ultra conservative anti-communist President Richard Nixon announced that he would visit China.
In April of 1972, the Chinese table tennis team paid a visit to the U.S. (under heavy supervision to prevent defectors) it was considered a significant gesture at the time. Citizens of Communist China were NOT allowed to travel to other countries.
This picture is a result of what was being called "Ping Pong Diplomacy" - no, I'm not kidding.
In our talks, Mike told me he remembered visiting with the Captain of the Chinese ping pong team.
(Sorry if that was over-long and boring, but I remember the time well. I thought some of you would appreciate some background with the image.)
I remember the "Ping Pong Diplomacy" and all that other stuff. Didn't know of the Universal Monsters connection, though! :)
Quote from: Mike Scott on November 19, 2017, 08:35:26 PM
I remember the "Ping Pong Diplomacy" and all that other stuff. Didn't know of the Universal Monsters connection, though! :)
Gawd! You must be old.
Great pics/ great stories.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1804/42966618212_63a82166b7_b.jpg)
Frankenstein Greets Glamor Tram Passengers at Universal Studios, Hollywood - 1970
Smiling First Lady Pat Nixon shakes hands with the Frankenstein Monster (Mike Bongiorno) on February 24, 1970. At her side, daughter Julie Nixon is laughing at something going on just out of camera range.
(A little over a year later, five men would be apprehended breaking into Democratic Party National Headquarters in the Watergate office complex.)
Looks like they changed the mask to a Glenn Strange one,I guess it depends on the year what mask was used?
Wonder if the replacement suits were made lighter gray to reduce heat and sweating stomping around in the sun all day? Would make sense.
Found these pics from a trip to Universal Studios Florida in 1996.Sorry for the blurry pics I must have been shaking in my shoes!
(https://s25.postimg.cc/bx1vu9g4b/IMG_5756.jpg%3Cbr%20/%3E%5Bimg%5D)[url=https://postimg.cc/image/kfbbylucr/](https://s25.postimg.cc/kfbbylucr/IMG_5758.jpg%3Cbr%20/%3E%5Bimg%5D)[url=https://postimg.cc/image/kfbbylucr/][img]https://s25.postimg.cc/kfbbylucr/IMG_5758.jpg (https://postimg.cc/image/bx1vu9g4b/)
Quote from: Vandor_Zorkov on August 02, 2018, 04:35:58 PM
Wonder if the replacement suits were made lighter gray to reduce heat and sweating stomping around in the sun all day? Would make sense.
The original suits that Mike Bongiorno wore really were hand-me-downs from Fred Gwynne in the ended "Munsters" TV show.
I don't imagine Herman's wardrobe lasted that many years. After that, they had to cobble together replacements, and Universal has never been too consistent about preferred colors.
After Mike left the studio, the overall look of the monster changed just a bit, the stance was never the same to me. Kinda like when the original "Shape" from the "Halloween" movies was replaced by another actor. Michael Myers never moved exactly the same way again.
Quote from: Kidagain on September 14, 2018, 02:57:24 PM
Found these pics from a trip to Universal Studios Florida in 1996.Sorry for the blurry pics I must have been shaking in my shoes!
(https://s25.postimg.cc/bx1vu9g4b/IMG_5756.jpg%3Cbr%20/%3E%5Bimg%5D)[url=https://postimg.cc/image/kfbbylucr/](https://s25.postimg.cc/kfbbylucr/IMG_5758.jpg%3Cbr%20/%3E%5Bimg%5D)[url=https://postimg.cc/image/kfbbylucr/][img]https://s25.postimg.cc/kfbbylucr/IMG_5758.jpg
(https://postimg.cc/image/bx1vu9g4b/)
Of course the Florida park has had its own staff of Roaming Monsters. The look of their Frankenstein always seemed a bit off to me - more similar to the Universal Studios Japan monster's look.
Here is another thread that collects pictures of the changing roaming (Walk Around) monsters throughout the years:
http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=21931.0 (http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=21931.0)
Just received my complimentary copies of Monster Bash Magazine No. 48.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52377764680_1d7fe8be36_c.jpg)
Monster Bash Magazine - No. 48 - Autumn, 2022
The post at the top of this thread appears on Page 31.
Quote from: Monsters For Sale on September 22, 2022, 05:16:12 PM
The post at the top of this thread appears on Page 31.
Oh, I remember that! :)
Universal Studio's first (and best) roaming Frankenstein Monster has passed away.
He was only 4 month older than me.
The announcement: https://tinyurl.com/7fu8djpp
He lived long enough for me to send him 5 copies of the No. 48 Autumn, 2022 Monster Bash Magazine with my little piece about him. I sent him a follow-up Christmas card but never heard back from him. I knew he was in poor health and had moved away from California.
Bye, Mike and thanks for all your patience and help. You are fondly remembered.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4307/35955552731_56e9f3ea88_c.jpg)
Here are a couple found photos of Mike Bongiorno in 1969. These two 35mm slides give us a view of the Monster in color.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53275956750_b50b43e858_b.jpg)
(http://)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53274596232_33761322f8_b.jpg)
FRANKENSTEIN - Photo - 35mm Slide - Universal Studios - Michael Bongiorno - August, 1969 - B
I love this thread and was reminded of it today when I caught an episode of Different Strokes that showed Arnold walking around the Universal Studios lot, and finding the Psycho house. They rang the doorbell and the Monster answered. They had a short conversation and then The Phantom showed up and scarred them off. It is the same episode where he meets Knight Rider, and the episode was called Hooray for Hollywood part 1.
\
Here is the only snippet I could find on youtube. It is called Diff'rent Strokes at Universal.
https://youtu.be/J3f-rdKlbrQ?t=19
Thanks a lot to keep reply at this thread soo i can see it and read it. Pretty special thread, integral part of the Monsters history outside of the screen.
Quote from: Sir Masksalot on January 21, 2026, 10:07:24 AM(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q70/924/ZfHATa.jpg)
^ This old magazine from 1973 turned up at a collectibles show I attended
last weekend. Its cover story features Universal Studios Tour from the
days when they still used Don Post masks on their walkarounds >
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q70/921/9bme4x.jpg)
I immediately recognized the DPS mask on that cover as identical to
one I scored in 1973. The two might even have been from the same
production batch!
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q70/9/krlfffrnkbhwallpi9.jpg)
This is going in my "Separated at Birth" file.
'Only wish I still had the mask itself ...
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q70/46/twofranksbhwall.jpg)
Cool find!
That would have been Mike Bongiorno. It was during his reign at Universal.
What a great thread! Not sure how I missed it initially, but glad I found it.