Lots of cool photos and, better yet, some killer advertisements, like the holy grail of monsterkid-dom: the Famous Monsters Photo Printing Kit. And if that weren't enough to get you drooling, there are ads for the Mad, Mad, Mad Scientist Laboratory, the Addams Family Haunted House by Aurora, and Wacky Action Kits.
Comic reader version: Download Monster World Issue 5
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Here's what I want for Christmas. No, not the magazine! Got that. But every cool send-away-for item in the magazine! In doubles! That's what I want Santa to bring me. While I'm waiting, like the cover says, "Have a Cool Yule" (with or without a ghoul is fine).
Comic book reader version: Download Monster World Issue 6 (Here's more cool monster magazines to read any time of year.)
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In Professor Kinema's files is this photograph taken by Forrest J. Ackerman at the Ackermansion, though I don't know the exact date. I don't know who the woman is either, but she's holding onto a Beast With a Million Eyes puppet by Paul Blaisdell. This is probably the latex version, not the wax, but anyone who can take their eyes off of the lady long enough to confirm this, I'd appreciate it. Notice the After Hours magazine in the shot: one of Warren's lesser known publishing ventures (it lasted 4 issues).
While discussing horrible things (movie related, of course) with Professor Kinema one sunny Sunday, he tossed this replica of Eerie No. 1's 24-page ashcan, 1st edition, over to me. While I vaguely knew about it, I had never seen this pocket-sized first issue, which was quickly slapped together in 1965 by Warren Publishing, and distributed briefly to lock in the magazine title's name before a rival used it, or so the story goes.
Here's the entire ashcan for your edification pleasure (although the stories were pulled from Creepy issues). From what I've read on the web, this replica indicates it's from the 1st edition because: on page 18, panel 5, what should be recognized as the back of a bald-headed man in the upper left corner shows only black; and in the margins of certain pages you can see the paste-up instructions. Bootleg copies abound, making it a difficult item to purchase without authenticating it first. Warren complained about the bootleg copies in Creepy No. 81 (see page at the end).
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The Star Wars Van Kits are goofy, yet so much fun. Wouldn't mind customizing my Mustang like the Darth Vader one (although my convertible top does present a problem).
Here’s a magazine promo (Creepy, issue number 74, back cover) for the 1975 Famous Monsters Convention.
In the words of that crass, smarmy game show guy in Robocop, "I'd buy that for a dollar!" This advertisement is from the inside cover of Creepy, issue number 74.
Still waiting…Hammer? How about The Woman in Red next? This promotion is from the inside cover of Eerie, issue number 70, 1976.
There are a few toys from my younger days that I’d love to have again: My Favorite Martian Magic Set is one and, were I to name the single most important toy nearest and dearest to me, it would have to be the Famous Monsters Yankee Photo Printing Set.
I came across these 3 Stooges Photo Printing Set images on eBay a few years ago. I wouldn’t mind having this kit, either. The chemicals, mixing trays, and orange bulb you see here are the same for the Famous Monsters Set, only the 10 negatives you get are different, of course.
The process involved placing the negative on a wallet-sized photographic paper, exposing the combination to a strong white light, then popping in the orange bulb to make your own darkroom (my bedroom floor) for developing the photograph using the chemicals and mixing trays. I’ve no doubt the mixing solutions were highly toxic. Didn’t care, still don’t. For me, this was probably the best toy offered in the pages of Famous Monsters of Filmland.
I sure got my money’s worth.
I didn't see this movie from James Warren. Did any of you see Screen Thrills? Was is ever released?
Courtesy of Professor Kinema.
Medieval Coneheads? People waiting for the Rapture in the Dark Ages? Cosplayers doing people waiting for the Rapture in the Dark Ages?
Of "Curse" not! It's another eye-catching back cover from Famous Monsters of Filmland.
Courtesy of Professor Kinema
I never really liked the Jack Davis Frankenstein pin-up, so I didn't get that promised "100 hours of laughs and thrills." Don't get me wrong, it's a great drawing, but maybe it's that fuzzy vest, annoying me deep down on some Pavlovian level. My mom bought me one of those Carnaby Street Mod vests on a whim. Seriously. She expected me to wear it to school, looking like some Michael Saracin wannabe in it. Maybe that's why I don't like this poster.