New Universal Monster Collector Masks

[lblambert]

Seems like the Creature is the only one that hasn't suffered from genericization!!!

Here's why...this was posted by the sculptor of all three:

"its from the movie molds, modified slightly for mass production (and despite that, it required the most work of the 3 of them!). the eyeholes are between the eyelids and brows. and although you cant see it in these pics, i recreated the inner mouth structures from the chapman mask.
the paint you see is the one approved (and specified) by universal, so no "white chin" (or red lips!). "

[Sean]

I just don't understand why/ HOW--------IF Universal is the actual entity putting out these masks---------that they can't find a sculptor who knows what Lon Chaney Jr. or Glenn Strange or Boris Karloff looks like... and who can reflect that in the mask.  Somebody given Universal Daniel Horne's number, for chrissakes.

[Gillfan]

I wish that DP would offer these foam filled as well. Make life easier.

[creaturerevenge]

I have to wonder if it has something to do with the fact that, especially since these are Halloween masks and are meant more for trick or treating than for collecting, that since the average joe going to spirit halloween and buying a Frankenstein mask doesn't know who Karloff or Strange are and Universal doesn't want to jump through the hoops of getting it approved by the different estates for each actor. They just wanted a general Frankenstein mask that has the required copyright marks (i.e. the scar in the right place, the flat head, the neck electrode) to make it an "official" Universal Frankenstein to make their money but not have to share royalties or get it signed off by the respective actor estates. Creature doesn't suffer this because you couldn't tell which actor it's supposed to be anyway! Seems like these might be suffering from a bit of Hollywood greed perhaps...

[zombiehorror]

Here's why...this was posted by the sculptor of all three:

"its from the movie molds, modified slightly for mass production (and despite that, it required the most work of the 3 of them!). the eyeholes are between the eyelids and brows. and although you cant see it in these pics, i recreated the inner mouth structures from the chapman mask.
the paint you see is the one approved (and specified) by universal, so no "white chin" (or red lips!). "

I was speaking across the board ever since the dawn of models, figures, etc. The Creature has always (Aurora probably being off the most) pretty much looked like the Creature, I assumed it was because Universal didn't have to share anything with respective families/relatives of the Creature like they do with the other monsters!  Although didn't Sarah sell the Karloff rights out right to Universal!?

I've always wanted this Frankenstein mask but still have yet to pick one up, it's the most accurate (mass produced) one I've ever seen and you can always find them selling on Ebay!

[Scatter]

I was speaking across the board ever since the dawn of models, figures, etc. The Creature has always (Aurora probably being off the most) pretty much looked like the Creature, I assumed it was because Universal didn't have to share anything with respective families/relatives of the Creature like they do with the other monsters!  Although didn't Sarah sell the Karloff rights out right to Universal!?

I've always wanted this Frankenstein mask but still have yet to pick one up, it's the most accurate (mass produced) one I've ever seen and you can always find them selling on Ebay!

Man, that's beautiful!! Who produced this ZH??

[creaturerevenge]

I have that one hanging up in my monster room. It's pretty good, but don't expect to get a package in the mail with a mask that looks just like that, it photographs better than it looks in person. It isn't a terrible likeness, but it is a fairly thin latex on it and has a pretty assembly line looking paint job. I don't mean to rain on your parade, but I would hate for you to order it and be disappointed with the results...







Not a bad mask by any means, but not exactly what the photos online show either.

[zombiehorror]

Well geez, thanks for raining (no make that pissing) on my parade....LOL!  Even your shots look better than the stock shot of that new Frankenstein mask and in the middle picture I can actually see Karloff as the Mummy!  According to some sites it is Rubies, the SKU is ru67135 so that'd make sense to me; It usually goes for around $50 during any given Ebay auction so with your info creaturerevenge I'll definitely wait until I see one for less....or of course if I just happen to have the cash burning a hole in my pocket!

[creaturerevenge]

Yea theres no question on the Rubies one they definitely went for the Karloff likeness more than this new generic one! They actually did a pretty good job with the likeness on the Rubies mask... it just fell victim to the standard issues with Halloween masks as supposed to collectors masks: quickie paint jobs and cheap thin latex!

[Kidagain]

I have one also, shown in Show Us Your Monster Rooms thread page 106. Very large compared to the other masks. Picked it up on ebay for 25 bucks plus shipping.For that price I had to do it.

[gracebuster]

Okay, I am going out on a limb here...I LIKE THESE!

The Creature looks wonderful and the others have a kind of retro feel. Call me crazy but I am just happy they are making new masks for a new generation of Trick or Treat-ers! They kind of remind me of the Savage Eye masks that I loved.

Thankfully we do have countless wonderful artists making movie accurate pieces.

[aura of foreboding]

I really like these as well.  I'll be interested in seeing them in person and pricing information.  I know I'm getting the Creature.  But, I also have a fondness for that Frankenstein...  Don't ask me why.  I just do. 

[zombiehorror]

If these were just your average ordinary knock offs then sure fine, they're great but as licensed Universal pieces?!??  We've spent decades with Universal ignoring the men that made these monsters what/who they are, the men that made these monsters so iconic!  It looked like that was all behind us in the 90's, the men that were these monsters were finally getting some plastic effigy's but alas Universal strikes again!!

To any hopefull sculptor out there, if you get picked to do a licensed Universal product don't even bother looking at photos of Boris/Bela/Lon/Lon Jr. in make up just save yourself the hassle/heart break and make it as generic as possible!!  I don't know maybe this guy shot for generic in the first place and that's how he got the gig?!?!

[Wicked Lester]

Not diggin the Frank. All my Frank masks are cooler than that from various sources. Wolfie is "not bad". Creech is pretty cool.

ZH ,one thing about those Rubies Karloff masks is that the first production run was a pretty good good likeness and pretty decent mask for the $. The runs after that as time went on got worse and worse and looked pretty cheesy. I'm saying this because I saw the first run mask in person at a mask shop the year it came out. The rest due to collectors comments I've read on the net about stock photos vs actual product = cool vs near crap.

[lblambert]

ZH ,one thing about those Rubies Karloff masks is that the first production run was a pretty good good likeness and pretty decent mask for the $. The runs after that as time went on got worse and worse and looked pretty cheesy. I'm saying this because I saw the first run mask in person at a mask shop the year it came out. The rest due to collectors comments I've read on the net about stock photos vs actual product = cool vs near crap.

Very true...I found one of the later copies in a thrift shop last year and it's hardly recognizable from the stock photo. It was only 99 cents so I picked it up figuring I might be able to do something with it someday.