Alton Rubber Giant Frankenstein Jiggler

[Scatter]

Wow, Toy Ranch, I really have to respond to your accusation of me not "getting" the charm of vintage toys. During Christmas, I forked out $1,400 for a MIB Marx Frankenstein. I grew up in the sixties and had (and cherished) the same vintage toys discussed on this site (Aurora kits, Renzi car, Marx figures, Don Post masks, flicker rings etc.). That doesn't mean that everything old is gold any more than everything new comes from Satan. It seems to me that a lot of people figure that ANYTHING old is better than ANYTHING new. Some of the old school toymakers took a lot of pride in the product they were releasing ( the aforementioned Marx, Aurora etc.), but there were at least as many who cynically put out whatever crap kids were willing to accept without regard to quality. I don't even think the rubber Frankenstein in question is authentic (if you listen to some of the compelling evidence some people have presented). Also, the constant attacks on Sideshow are completely unfair and undeserved. The original Sideshow crew were hardcore Universal fans (like us) that cared about about getting out well-crafted pieces. I don't understand why talent, artistry and dedication is a liability. I don't see why well-made modern toys can't receive the same respect as well-made vintage toys. Some of you guys must hate the work of talented people like Jeff Yagher and Ray Santoleri, but I really can't see why.

Well stated. I prefer vintage, but the beautifully rendered new toys definitely have their place. I have some of each, and will keep collecting some of each. To say this site is overwhelmingly positive in its responses to pretty much ANYTHING that's shown is a vast understatement. Why deprive yourself and others of the joy of sharing these old treasures because complete unanimity is impossible? Can anyone point me to the threads where these vintage toys are being disparaged and degraded? I'm closing in on 13,000 posts, and I can't recall anything like that happening in all my posting travels.

[Monsters For Sale]

There was a time that you could share  your cool old monster toys at the UMA and get support and kudos from fellow monster fans and collectors. Seems like it's more common these days for you to share something and have other UMA members piss all over it.  Lately, when I think about sharing something I'm excited about, I might start to post it at the UMA, and then remember that I'll probably be disappointed with the result of that.  I've picked up what I feel are some really cool monster toys lately, but not gonna post them here.   If I did, in no time they would be common, and worthless.  It might come off like I'm picking on Mord here, but it's not just Mord, it's others as well.  One of the coolest things about the UMA for me, was seeing all the great stuff others found for their collections, and sharing my own.  That is about over.

Screw 'em.

Post your new finds here for those of us who do appreciate them.  I get a big kick out of seeing and learning about all kinds of new and old toys - even the stuff I would never spend my money for.  Maybe especially the stuff I would never spend my money for.  If others don't share, how would I ever learn anything about them?  The more I know, the less likely I am to dismiss a several hundred dollar item resting in a neighbor's "Anything Thing In This Box 25¢" carton in a yard sale.

I'll share in your excitement.  If not in the toy itself, then in the fact that you have finally located that grail or made a fun new discovery.  Such finds by others only help me renew my hope in making such finds for myself.

You can't please everyone.  Why try - or care?

Reminds me of the funniest line ever from a John Waters film,"Serial Mom", when Kathleen Turner
deliberatley smashes another character's prized collectible, it elicits a horrified look and the exclaimation: 
   "MY FRANKLIN MINT FABERGE EGG!!!"

[Scatter]

I'll share in your excitement.  If not in the toy itself, then in the fact that you have finally located that grail or made a fun new discovery.  Such finds by others only help me renew my hope in making such finds for myself.

That already IS the attitude here. Which is what makes this place so special.

[Mord]

Whoa, everyone's getting so sensitive all of a sudden. Are we going to need Dr. Phil or Oprah or something?

[darkmonkeygod]

Also, the constant attacks on Sideshow are completely unfair and undeserved. The original Sideshow crew were hardcore Universal fans (like us) that cared about about getting out well-crafted pieces.

If I may and without pointing fingers and with all due respect and out of a sense of comraderie with all monster fans including you, the main issue I experience is that in threads which have absolutely nothing to do with Sideshow, someone tends to pop up and mention how awesome their love of Sideshow's fantastic output is and how much better those products are than the topic at hand. That usually devolves into "discussion" about original retail price, "market" price, perceived personal value, etc. and from there some bit about a lack of personal disposable income, the evils of manufacturing, capitalism, licensing, distribution, ad infinitum.

That is very offputting for myself, as well as many others I know who won't post on this board what would be very interesting things to a number of people. It pains me to think of what I never get to see because of that. Some years back, the UMA didn't have as much of the general internet tendency to pointlessly pop up and tell people who really only have an interest in hearing from the folks who enjoy something about the topic a hand (or at least have a reasoned and articulated dislike) that their values aren't shared and by extension, aren't appreciated. Generally it's still a polite place, but the negativity here has increased and the focus inside the topic threads has decreased. That percieved lack of signal to noise creates a real dissonance for some, including me.

Thanks for reading, now back to the regularly scheduled Alton Rubber Company Frankenstein figure discussion. Just kidding, of course. We've derailed enough that I'd like to read others perception of this here vs somewhere else on the board I suppose.

[frankenstein73]

I think this franky is absolutely perfect exactly the way he is. And my money is on a vintage 60s date. In my mind only a few were made as an advertising gimmick for a tire company or some other rubber product and the idea was scrapped due to the realization of copyright laws. Or they were top shelf carnival item never meant to be won, just to sit and entice people to spend their money only to win a 5" rubber gorrilla .

[twilitezoner]

Interesting thread. There really is such a great mix of people on these boards and needless to say fantastic collections.

[Mord]

Sorry, Toy Ranch, I didn't mean to create hard feelings. I hope you continue to show ALL of your new finds, that's what makes this site so special. We all don't always agree on everything, but it's still nice to get different perspectives.     

[Toy Ranch]

Wow, Toy Ranch, I really have to respond to your accusation of me not "getting" the charm of vintage toys. During Christmas, I forked out $1,400 for a MIB Marx Frankenstein. I grew up in the sixties and had (and cherished) the same vintage toys discussed on this site (Aurora kits, Renzi car, Marx figures, Don Post masks, flicker rings etc.). That doesn't mean that everything old is gold any more than everything new comes from Satan. It seems to me that a lot of people figure that ANYTHING old is better than ANYTHING new. Some of the old school toymakers took a lot of pride in the product they were releasing ( the aforementioned Marx, Aurora etc.), but there were at least as many who cynically put out whatever crap kids were willing to accept without regard to quality. I don't even think the rubber Frankenstein in question is authentic (if you listen to some of the compelling evidence some people have presented). Also, the constant attacks on Sideshow are completely unfair and undeserved. The original Sideshow crew were hardcore Universal fans (like us) that cared about about getting out well-crafted pieces. I don't understand why talent, artistry and dedication is a liability. I don't see why well-made modern toys can't receive the same respect as well-made vintage toys. Some of you guys must hate the work of talented people like Jeff Yagher and Ray Santoleri, but I really can't see why.

Well, thanks for doing such a great job of making my point. I brought up Sideshow, and praised them for putting out quality product. Actually said, "Some of the best sculpts ever, as far as toys go (not model kits, but toys) are the 8" Sideshow figures."

And here you are defending Sideshow against "unfair attacks". Can you not see only the praise?  No, because the criticism about something YOU care about offends you much more than any praise it receives.  Now you see why others feel the way they do about your post, which you said is just offering a differing opinion. That's all anyone did about Sideshow as well, but it upset you.

[horror1o1]

Oh wow guys this seems a little out of control. Let's just shake hands.

[Toy Ranch]

Oh wow guys this seems a little out of control. Let's just shake hands.

I don't think anything is out of control.  Actually we are getting to a point where we might have some understanding.

[horror1o1]

I don't think anything is out of control.  Actually we are getting to a point where we might have some understanding.

It's cool just trying to keep peace.

[Mord]

Toy Ranch, I've checked my posts and can't find me saying anything about "differing opinion". As a matter of fact, my one sentence post (which I stand by) seemed to echo what others had previously said. Before my comment Monster Bob had cited the "sloppiness of the figure" and mentioned that it was "badly molded" among concerns over it's true vintage. Richard stated that it was "poorly sculpted", while Ray Castille doubted it's existence prior to the 90's. The General called it an "unidentified hunk of rubber". How is any of that much different from what I said? Why do I get singled out and told (condescendingly) that I'm lucky I don't "get" the charm of vintage toys and should be happy with a $10 Sideshow figure. My post was number 50 in a mostly negative/skeptical thread. How did I become the villain?

[Universal_Adam]

I like this figure cause it's odd and when all is said and done it still looks like frankenstein. 

I'd say it looks more like Frankenstein's Monster than Frankenstein himself.

[Richard]

 My friends~
I've re-read all the posts here and feel that the mystery "Alton Rubber Frankenstein figure" is loved at best & misunderstood at worst.

This is good and as it should be.

The figure should not be reduced to a rubber tire chock to carry in one's trunk (though that might actually work). In reading my posts, I was possibly being a bit negative about the figure~but not that much. I'm in the dark as much as everyone else. And though I'm sticking with my garage-kit sculpture assessment, I am open to any opinion on this guy. The idea that it could've been a 50s/60s/70s creation (even knowing what we know about the composition of the figure and tag)~ well, maybe so. Unless we could carbon-date the material OR the creator comes forward with proof, the age of this piece (at least before the early 90s) will remain a mystery.

That the creator sculpted a great G.S. Frankenstein likeness with a brute of a body and that it blends right into a vintage toy collection display....YES it DOES!!!

Well stated. I prefer vintage, but the beautifully rendered new toys definitely have their place. I have some of each, and will keep collecting some of each. To say this site is overwhelmingly positive in its responses to pretty much ANYTHING that's shown is a vast understatement. Why deprive yourself and others of the joy of sharing these old treasures because complete unanimity is impossible? Can anyone point me to the threads where these vintage toys are being disparaged and degraded? I'm closing in on 13,000 posts, and I can't recall anything like that happening in all my posting travels.

I like this posting.

There have been times of poor sportsmanship. One is not going to talk about their red pants Wolf Man Soaky bottle if someone just told them their blue pants example is a poor sculpt and not worth collecting.
But overall, UMA is a positive place, I'll agree.

.... That usually devolves into "discussion" about original retail price, "market" price, perceived personal value, etc. and from there some bit about a lack of personal disposable income, the evils of manufacturing, capitalism, licensing, distribution, ad infinitum.

That is very offputting for myself, as well as many others I know who won't post on this board what would be very interesting things to a number of people. It pains me to think of what I never get to see because of that. Some years back, the UMA didn't have as much of the general internet tendency to pointlessly pop up and tell people who really only have an interest in hearing from the folks who enjoy something about the topic a hand (or at least have a reasoned and articulated dislike) that their values aren't shared and by extension, aren't appreciated. Generally it's still a polite place, but the negativity here has increased and the focus inside the topic threads has decreased. That perceived lack of signal to noise creates a real dissonance for some, including me. ...

I like this posting too. Very much. I've felt this in the past.

I "left" UMA discussion over a year ago. Unlike some who announce "Cancel my membership!", I didn't do that. Rather, I followed the Ray Castile suggestion to just quietly stop participating all together . I'm not saying he's doing that, only that he suggested this is the proper way to do it and I accepted that as the polite thing to do.

What finally did me in was not the feelings in the above posting~which I think happens more than it should (I was less & less inclined to post anything just to prevent a battle).  I actually left, at the time, feeling bad about getting cheated out of money by a (former?) UMA member. I know, "buyer beware" and "it's only money", but it hurt just the same. I didn't feel like doing monster collecting for a while.

Time heals, I started to enjoy my collection again and drifted back to just reading UMA as a guest. There are lots of experts here. New ones every day, it seems. I'm not one of those so am hesitant  to say too much (as I'll probably be wrong) but enjoy reading the postings of others. I do have a comfortable number of vintage items.  If I think I can add something to a discussion hopefully without being too speculative or redundant or just plain wrong, I'll consider it.

Lately, I've been helping my friend Rhonda("Batty Belfry") post/promote here, as she makes baby blankets and tried making some monster ones to show on UMA. That's how I came upon two postings~ the wind-up Japan King Kong and this Alton Rubber Frankenstein posting. After consideration, I decided to post information about what I know (or, think I know) on each. I guess its okay that I did that. As I mentioned somewhere here, I'm just trying to help the discussion~ as most everyone is. I wouldn't mind more constructive analysis about this figure. I think there's been a fair amount already.

I may try to participate more again on another subject. We'll see.
I think we are all friends and family. Hope so, anyway.
Monster hugs