Vintage Don Post Studios mask thread

[Doh!]

Thanks for filling in the blanks! I recall seeing pictures of a snarling version from the time, but never saw one in person. But yeah, the hair is most impressive on these.

[Sir Masksalot]

pictures of a snarling version from the time

The 1977 movie had just barely premiered when that version of the Chewbacca mask went out of production.
I managed to score the last copy in stock at our local magic shop. Today, it'd be worth ... "more wealth than you can imagine".

       

I last saw one in 2014. DPS alumnus Robert Short brought his personal copy to a book-signing in L.A. >

[Doh!]

Man, that's NICE! If I had the option at the time, that would've been the Chewie for me.

[zotzcoin]

Bob Short was also the sculptor of both versions of the Chewbacca mask.  After the open mouth version had been in production for awhile, Bob decided to sculpt a more benign expression version he felt was truer to Chewbacca's character.  (Less chance of the mask being mistaken for yet another Werewolf instead of a Star Wars movie star, too.)  Bob also did the Tuskin Raider mask back then.  He and Bill Malone were busy guys!

[Dr.Terror]

I really prefer the open mouth because it looks like that iconic image of Han +Chewie.

Before Chewie was released, did Bloody Werewolf  fill the hole for fans like Death Cyborg?     

Im assuming the 800 Werewolf had its color changed from dark to light brown for this purpose?

[Sir Masksalot]

it looks like that iconic image of Han +Chewie.

     

Those must've been the only photographs they had to work from.

As to your questions, they're awfully good ones. DPS alumni visit this site occasionally and let's hope they can address them.

[Sir Masksalot]

'More DP mask madness from the 1970s >

       

       

The 1975 MR HYDE was a newly designed addition to the Universal series. I scored my copy in July,
not a moment too soon for it only remained in licensed production that one year >

       

[Sir Masksalot]

I've owned numerous copies of Don Post's "Calendar" PHANTOM over the years
but none could ever match the thrill of scoring my very first copy in June 1975 >



It was already several years old by then and, though its paint was still original, some of
the hair was missing. Within a year, my old PHANTOM mask was turning heads with a
new shock-white hair style courtesy of the good folks at DPS >



It was a comfortable fit, having been cast thinly to allow DP's "Second Skin Animation" concept
to reach full effect. To get that same action out of their thick 1999 reissue, you'd probably need a crowbar!

[Doh!]

Nice! I have the TOTS version (but it's in storage with no good photos of it handy). Appears to be out of stock at the moment:

https://trickortreatstudios.com/chaney-entertainment-phantom-of-the-opera.html

[vader45]

This thread is full of greats!

Here is some of my Don Post masks.



I have 70's vinyl mummy and hyde 1977 Quasimodo, 902 Alien, 1981 Reptilia and badly rotted Syngenor, 1988 WormWood, 1989 Sam McCain painted Karloff Frank, 1983 Phantom and reissues of Drac, Hyde, Mad Doctor, Phantom and Hunchback.

I can take more later as that is my only on hand photo.

[Sir Masksalot]

I can take more later as that is my only on hand photo

Include a shot of that bottom shelf too, looks like some Horror Sanctum masks down there.

[vader45]

Include a shot of that bottom shelf too, looks like some Horror Sanctum masks down there.

Oh yeah. The Wolf man Mummy and Dracula from Horror Sanctum. 

[Buzzybean]

When these Don Post threads come up, I always feel like I don't have much to contribute. But I do have a few vintage DPs. (My definition of "vintage" is anything at least 20 years old.)

Here's some glamorous photography:

When I was a kid, my family used to go to a campground on the weekends where our 29 foot rec trailer was parked. One year, probably 1975 or so, the campground held a Halloween party at their pavilion/game room. I remember as we left for the night, a bunch of adults in costume had just gotten there and we passed them in the parking lot. One of the guys had this mask on and I thought it was the creepiest/scariest/coolest mask I'd ever seen. I didn't know who the character was and I occasionally bought the Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine, funds permitting, but didn't recall ever seeing that mask in their masks section. I just remember it looking real-life and scary as hell...lol

[Dr.Terror]

When I found that Wormwood it had 1987 Halloween newspaper in it😎