MEGO-Dracula/Bela Lugosi

[aura of foreboding]

Because they can't use Lugosi as Dracula in a movie for rights reasons, I'd imagine that, since they aren't doing a Favorites of Stage series, this was the only one that made sense and one reason they included a picture of Count Mora since Lugosi did frequently appear on TV as various vampires. 

[Anton Phibes]

A nice Bela Dracula has flown under the radar to release. Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk. Sorry.

[zombiehorror]

Was anyone else disappointed in the Jimi Hendrix figure? That figure could have been so much better.

thm

Might make a good base for a custom Apollo Creed or Dillon from Predator (both played by Carl Weathers).

[zombiehorror]

After reading this thread and checking online for my local store (which said none were available) I was about to skip even checking for Dracula but my wife said she was going for school supplies anyway; and low and behold, one Bela Dracula.  The lower left corner was a little bent (I usually do MIP) but given the fact that these are about the ugliest cards I've ever seen I wasn't to worried about it...and I had little choice if I wanted the damn thing.  So the moral is, keep checking those stores and you might get lucky.

[Anton Phibes]

My Target has nothing of anything related to Mego. they suck.

[horrorhunter]

Because they can't use Lugosi as Dracula in a movie for rights reasons, I'd imagine that, since they aren't doing a Favorites of Stage series, this was the only one that made sense and one reason they included a picture of Count Mora since Lugosi did frequently appear on TV as various vampires.

What other vampires did Lugosi play on TV aside from movie reruns?

[aura of foreboding]

What other vampires did Lugosi play on TV aside from movie reruns?

That's what I'm talking about.  He was always on Saturday morning TV as Dracula, Mora, Armand Tesla.  Always featured on the Horror Host programs.  I mean TV is where I watched my first Lugosi movie. 

[horrorhunter]

After reading this thread and checking online for my local store (which said none were available) I was about to skip even checking for Dracula but my wife said she was going for school supplies anyway; and low and behold, one Bela Dracula.  The lower left corner was a little bent (I usually do MIP) but given the fact that these are about the ugliest cards I've ever seen I wasn't to worried about it...and I had little choice if I wanted the damn thing.  So the moral is, keep checking those stores and you might get lucky.

I don't think the card is that bad, aside from linking the figure to the "TV Favorites" line. I would have just released it as a stand alone figure unconnected with the new line officially. It could have still been released with the TV figures for distribution, just not considered officially part of that line. Linking it with the chaotic TV Favorites line strikes me as a bit clunky and out of place. While I don't think the card is terrible I do agree it could use some monstering up with Horror fonts and appropriate background and colors. Still a good figure though.

BTW, I noticed these have settled down on eBay and can easily be had for around $30 including shipping. That isn't bad for this figure. During the next couple of months the prices may drop even more as scalpers unload, then around Halloween look for them to possibly creep back up a bit. I believe the figure stands a chance to increase in value substantially in the next few years since the retail on them is so low and 10K isn't really flooding the market with a figure of this quality and pedigree (Mego, albeit new) with such wide market appeal. In 5 years they may be trading for around $75-$100 MIP, which is around what a low production run figure of similar quality would sell for new (like Distinctive Dummies for example). Could be wrong but it's something to spark conversation.

[horrorhunter]

That's what I'm talking about.  He was always on Saturday morning TV as Dracula, Mora, Armand Tesla.  Always featured on the Horror Host programs.  I mean TV is where I watched my first Lugosi movie.

I get what you're saying. Mego kind of swerved the whole Uni rights thing by implying the movies-on-TV connection, especially Dracula (1931), but having an out by falling back on the medallionless stage connection...but then advertising it as a "TV Favorite". I don't have a problem with the swerve. I think Universal and Toho are too aggressive in the so called "defense" of their properties. At least Toho treat theirs with respect, where Universal treat their poor monsters like caca. If someone does come up with a great Uni item (LUNCHBOX, BAGGED PLAYSET FIGURES) then Uni often strikes it down, but then they allow their monster characters to be disgraced with some of the worst items and artwork imaginable. I'm all about buying cool monster merch, and if the Uni suits can't serve the fans with appropriate items I have no problem buying unlicensed stuff all day. I care about the monsters, not the suits.

[aura of foreboding]

I think it was pretty ingenious, though I'm fine with just having "Bela Lugosi as Dracula" products and using images from the play. 

I was really impressed with how this figure came without mention of the stage or Broadway like other products have in the past.  Hopefully it's a sign that Universal realizes it can't possibly win in a lawsuit against a public domain property (Dracula - 1927) being tied to its star.   

[aura of foreboding]

My Target has nothing of anything related to Mego. they suck.

While I know mine has the 14 inchers, they refuse to even put them out.  It's incredibly bizarre. 

[darkmonkeygod]

If someone does come up with a great Uni item (LUNCHBOX, BAGGED PLAYSET FIGURES) then Uni often strikes it down...

Why do so many of you continue to spread the falsehood that Universal cancelled these DST products? They were solicited to wholesale, the orders were low, and the products cancelled by Diamond.  I know I keep saying it, but it's because the lies bother me: it wasn't Uni that killed these, it was the lack of market. I ordered them, did you? Did ANY of you?

[aura of foreboding]

I totally understand the need for retailers in a market such as the toy market.  I get why MEGO needed Target.  I get why DST needed TRU.  I get why wholesalers are necessary for companies to commit to making products.  I get all of it.  What I wonder is if there isn't a better way for these buyers to make more informed decisions on products before turning them down.  I know all about "the demo" from my time in the TV industry, and I would imagine buyers are targeting something similar.  I imagine, like in TV, there is a lot of "research" that takes place.  What I never cared about "the demo" was the fact that I didn't really buy "the research" that told me what "the demo" wanted.  Are there focus groups/surveys?  What goes into "the research" that helps buyers make their decisions?  If so, how do I join these focus groups?  haha         

[BRICK]

I'm kind of surprised that a toy company or producer looking to release a classic monster's item hasn't tried to either partner with or do some kind of market research on either the UMA or the CHFB before deciding to license or move ahead with the character. I think that would be a win/win/win for both the company, the fans and the web board. They could reach the fans directly and gauge their reaction. I realize that this may be a "pie-in-the-sky" idea but members could create aggregate buying circles or memberships, either within or linked to these monster discussion groups. That is, take tentative pre-orders for an item, if 100 people order it in a certain amount of time it will cost them $$$ each, if 500 people order= $$, 1000 people=$, etc. The more people who order, the lower the price per person. Make the process both interactive and fun. It would cut out the middleman, altogether!

[Subatomic_Matt]

Are these found in the regular toy aisle or in the area of collectibles by the dvds?