From Zombos' Closet

Castle of Frankenstein No. 23, 1974

Good coverage of Roger Corman' Fantastic Planet and Not of This Earth, plus a solid layout with lots of photos, makes issue 23 of Castle of Frankenstein a good read. Unfortunately, coverage of the Planet of the Apes series, which could have been better represented, is marred by yet another dislike-fest (so much bitterness in the 1970s, oh my) from Paul J. Wishninsky (nom de plume alert?). Edward Felipe soothes the burn with his article on George Pal's Doc Savage. Sort of. He doesn't cover the movie, just provides a good background to the pulp superhero who predated Superman.

Comic book reader version:  Download Castle of Frankenstein No. 23 (and read more cool monster magazines from Zombos' Closet).

Collegeville Fire Demon Halloween Costume

eBay'r bidzilla listed this Collegeville Fire Demon Halloween costume. If only the box illustration were as fantastic.

Ben Cooper Dracula Halloween Costume

I'd put the bite on this Ben Cooper Dracula costume for sure.

Jungle Jim Daredevil Mexican Lobby Card

Nothing like a man versus ape illustration to get the blood pumping, right? I'm not sure which Jungle Jim movie this Mexican lobby card is for, but note that Chita gets third-banana billing. Not bad for a chimp.

Sherlock Holmes in Dressed to Kill (1946) Mexican Lobby Card

While the hooded executioner, with his blood-dripping axe, shown in this Mexican lobby card for La Ropa Del Verdugo (Dressed to Kill), is certainly dressed to kill, I don't think Sherlock Holmes needs to worry about him much in this last movie of the series that starred Basil Rathbone as Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Doctor Watson. Nevertheless, this lobby is thrilling to see; from its fear-inducing executioner, to the hanged man, to the vibrant text style and background, it's a fine example how a lobby card can dress up a movie by outright lying. While Holmes faces danger, its nothing as sharp as that axe. But after seeing this card, wouldn't you want to see the movie?

Halloween Honeycomb Witch Decoration

This is a simple Halloween witch with honeycomb cauldron from Paper Art. While you could tape it to a wall and show one side, it's really meant to be hung so both sides of the honeycomb cauldron, and witch, can be seen. The style is neither here nor there, and seems about right for a 1970s to 1980s approach to Halloween decorations: more child friendly and cheaply printed.

Collegeville Creature From the Black Lagoon Halloween Costume

This one's a keeper! Here's Collegeville's Creature From the Black Lagoon costume. Nothing says Halloween like the Universal Monsters.

Screen Facts Bela Lugosi Album

In issue No. 6 of Screen Facts: The Magazine of Hollywood's Past (1964), William K. Everson contributed some pictures from his Bela Lugosi collection. Here's that section from the fanzine.

Flying Disc Man From Mars (1950) Mexican Lobby Card

This Mexican lobby card for the Republic Pictures' 12 chapter serial, Flying Disc Man From Mars, has it all. Blasting ray gun, cool space alien suit and rocket, burning cities, fleeing people. This is a costume for Halloween I'd die for.

 

Halloween Mobile From Beistle

I'm a pushover for Halloween paper decorations. Not overly fond of "cute" stuff, but I had this Beistle mobile in my closet for ages, and I like the colors and cartoon whimsy. So now it's hanging from the ceiling this Halloween, and for many more to come.

Ben Cooper Captain Marvel Halloween Costume

Shazam! You too can play young Billy Batson as he turns into the superhero, Captain Marvel!

Ben Cooper Beatnick Boy Halloween Costume

Good thing this Beatnik costume, Beatnick Boy, from Ben Cooper is flame retardant; you never know what those beatniks are smoking. Just practice snapping your fingers together with an air of aloofness, and have a short beat poem ready to amuse the candy givers.  (For those of you old enough to know what I'm talking about, for the life of me, the mask keeps reminding me of Paul Winchell!) Oddly enough, this is the first mask I've seen that fits comfortably in the box--like, just hanging out man--you know what I mean?