Operation MC4 ~ DP's "highbrow" PHANTOM

[Sir Masksalot]

Ask which are my favorite DPS/Universal masks and a list of top five would include Phantom "MC4" >

     

All our local magic shops carried them >

   

One could even be spotted as a walkaround on Universal Studios Tour >



Its first production run lasted into the early 1970s during which I scored my first copy >



Within a year or two, DPS changed its paint scheme to pale flesh tones. Here's a rare glimpse
of the mask in production at Post Studios, mid 1970s >



Sensing its time in DP's catalog was running out, I got another copy >

     

It fit like a glove ... and so did the gloves >



The character returned to production in 1983, its finishing work fairly consistent
throughout the edition which ended after '86 >



A short run of five dozen copies was produced in 1989 but they were cast
barely thick enough to support the weight of their hair fibre >

   

That was the last time the "highbrow" Phantom saw licensed production at Post Studios.
Today there remain three copies in my collection, one of which is still wearable >

     

If you have one as well, do reply with pics. The "MC4" Phantom is one of those masks
that really benefits from custom re-finishing. They didn't always look that great on store shelves ...



... but once you got them home and applied new paint and eye inserts, you'd have
a showpiece that any wax museum would covet for their chamber of horrors >

   

[Dr.Terror]

[FRANKENSTEIN455]

Thanks again Sir Masksalot for the always informative posts. This is my high-brow Phantom beautifully finished by the Tharp's.  I have always loved this mask since I was a young lad.

[Josh]

The "high brow" Phantom is my favorite DP Phantom sculpt. While the Pat Newman "Calendar" version will always be inextricably linked to the 60's monster craze, FM and the golden age of DP, I think the high brow version captures the theatrical drama of the movie, especially with the white paint job.

This copy arrived over the weekend. Purchased from a brand new, zero-feedback ebay account that had a few other Halloween items listed, including a fantastic '83 Karloff Frank. It arrived in a box that was way to big for it that had nearly completely split open at the bottom.

However, once I breathed a sigh of relief that the mask was undamaged and discarded the styrofoam head the seller had thoughtfully added, I was pleased to examine one of the most perfectly preserved early 80's masks I've ever owned. Not a hint of cracking, dryness or roughness. Near perfect paint and an ample head of hair. If it was not for the hair being a bit matted this would appear to have come right out of a costume shop.