Savage Eye Sunday

[Sir Masksalot]

I've been wanting to start a weekly thread in the tradition of
horrorhunter's "Topstone Tuesday", so have chosen as my subject
one of the least known of all major maskmakers.

It really shouldn't be so mysterious. There was a member around here
some time ago (and at The HMA) who claimed to have discussed the
company's history at length with its founder, yet not one word of
that interview ever appeared as a post on either website. Mr Curtis
was also scheduled as guest speaker at a past convention but failed
to show up. My only hope is that his surviving family might someday
compile printed matter in tribute to the company. For now, I'll share
my somewhat limited experience as a collector of its product.



I got my first Savage Eye mask in January 1979. It was the last copy
in stock of their olde style SATAN, soon to be replaced by a
re-designed version which wasn't as good. There was no foam-filling
service back then so I had to watch helplessly as my SATAN  mask
deteriorated over time. Of the few Savage Eye masks I've ever owned,
it remains my all time favorite >

 

A month later I scored a Savage Eye SATYR  mask. I'd set my sights
on one ever since seeing a copy in another collection >



I had to settle for a re-designed version which still included the
extended neck bib and zippered back slit, standard on most Savage
Eye masks.



I'll have more to add in coming weeks. In the meantime, reply with
pics and memories of masks by the late Charles Curtis.

 

[FRANKENSTEIN455]

Charles Curtis was such a kind man. I got a few masks from him late in his mask making career.  He always had a unique perspective on the Classic Monsters'. Here are a few pictures of my "Savage Eye" masks. I used one of his later Frankenstein sculptures for a Halloween window display some years ago. Sadly, I heard Charles passed away fairly recently at the age of 92. He was still sculpting and making masks into his 90's until his passing. Thanks Sir for the always fun and informative posts on a special artist and classic mask maker. RIP Charlie and thanks for all the happiness you brought to us monster kids.

[Sir Masksalot]

Thanks for the great reply, F'455.
Of all the Frankenstein masks created by Mr Curtis, yours
is my favorite version. Savage Eye certainly offered some
weird ones in years past >



For the longest time, there was one that I only ever saw
in Disneyland's magic shop >

   

I finally saw one in a private collection and now can't remember whose!

[FRANKENSTEIN455]

Thank you Sir for the great photos and kind words on the later Charles Curtis Frankenstein mask. I think a few of his last sculptures were some of his best.

I truly love your vintage pictures from Disneyland's Magic Shop. That snarling version of Frankenstein looks quite sinister.  It has an almost eerie look in the old photograph.

It is interesting to see how the Disneyland Magic Shop was also carrying Don Post masks along with Savage Eye masks at that time. Unless I'm mistaken - I believe that I can see the David Ayres/Don Post Studios Hunchback in the photo?   

This is the final Frankenstein mask that I received from Charles before he passed away. I had him finished my LMB masks. He still needs his locks. Sorry as I have posted him before but I believe this was Charlie's final Frankenstein sculpture ... Thanks again for the fun thread.

[Sir Masksalot]

vintage pictures from Disneyland's Magic Shop. That snarling version of Frankenstein

If memory serves, I snapped those shots around 1982.
Magicians frown on photography inside their shops.
That's why all my shop shots are so dark. If I'd used
a flash, they would've noticed and thrown me out, lol!

[Sir Masksalot]

My favorite of Savage Eye's "Universal Monsters" was
their CREATURE.  It didn't look much like the movie
version but I got one anyway. Normally $32 retail, I
paid only $9 from San Diego Costume which offered
reject castings from the production facility nearby.
Mine had thin spots >



I never got a pair of accompanying hands but have seen them
around in other collections >



Those molds also supplied hands for the Savage Eye ALLOYTA  >



I shelled out $39.98 for an ALLOYTA  mask in summer of 1979.
I had this theory that its features were loosely based on those
of an animal called the Javan rhinoceros. Mr Curtis later denied it,
claiming he'd dreamed up the character for his daughter to use at
"show & tell" ...  Should we believe him?




 

[FRANKENSTEIN455]

The "Creature" is cool looking. It looks more cartoonish and sort of like a Sea Monster with a slight happy smile. 

[Sir Masksalot]

The spectacular GREAT GOBLIN  is here to swallow us whole!



It was my final Savage Eye score of 1979. The largest mask
I ever owned at that time, it hung down past my belt buckle
and featured plastic eye lenses and a coat of grey flocking.
Ordinarily, stock copies were topped with black hair and
a regal crown >



Having never seen The Hobbit (1977) on which it was based,
I took the opportunity to order mine custom-finished as an
ogre-type character. At my request it was also cast extra
thick which rendered it so heavy, my metal tripod was the
only mount strong enough to support it!



I ordered hands for it too, also covered in grey flocking >

[Sir Masksalot]

This Savage Eye score was literally a triple-header,
purchased all together in April 1980.

   

They were cast thinly which allowed for life-like animation.
The CRONE even came complete with earrings and a hairnet  >

   

I can't recall ever trying them on myself but the few
ladies bold enough to set foot inside my collection room
got quite a kick out of wearing them.

   


 

[Doh!]

I'm getting Wrath of Khan vibes off that last one!

[Sir Masksalot]

The ELOCIN  is not a mask I ever owned
but a fellow collector had one along with
the Savage Eye catalog in which it appeared >



Named after his daughter Nicole, I believe this to be
another character Mr Curtis patterned after a wild
animal of some sort. That's me wearing one in 1979 >



The same goes for the ESON, once available in
two different finishes. You needn't reverse its
name either to concede its most prominent feature,
an elephantine proboscis with rudimentary tusks  >



As if not outrageous enough, that trunk was attached
from the inside to a cord which ran down the bib and
could be manipulated by the wearer ... gotta love the
insanity of Savage Eye masks! There I am again, as an
ESON  in 1980  >