From Zombos' Closet

Ben Cooper Skeleton Halloween Costume With Ventilated Mask, 1972

Here's a Ben Cooper Skeleton Halloween costume with ventilated mask, circa 1972. Of course, with the vinyl costume, you'd need more than just a mask to provide cooling relief. Whoever came up with the idea of saving money by using vinyl for Halloween costumes was evil, pure and simple. (Seller nashei listed this one on Ebay.)

Another Scary Clown to Call My Own

On a recent jaunt to Crossville, Tennessee, I came across this groady little clown statuette in an antique shop. Yes, his nose is a light bulb and shines bright when lit. Yes, he's quite a scary and ugly little thing. Yes, he's really not, and I repeat not, a good gift idea. But I couldn't resist. I can only imagine those poor kids scared in their beds when their parents brought this night light home. So, you may Elf on the Shelf, but I've got...well, you know...

 

Castle of Frankenstein No. 14, 1969

Courtesy of Professor Kinema comes this well-read issue 14 of Castle of Frankenstein. Boris Karloff takes center stage in this issue with My Life as a Monster, Ray Bradbury's interview concludes, and part one of All Manner of Fantasies explores the patterns of fantastique cinema. Lin Carter looks at more books, a reader's mail lambastes Star Trek, and there's the latest film news and movie guide. Here's the comic book reader version:  Download Castle of Frankenstein 14

Halloween 2016 Sighted at Michaels

Michaels Craft Stores are always a big-deal visit for Halloween. Their focus is on the smaller, home-oriented decorations that dress up any party and decor with a retro, Gothic style. And this year is the largest selection I've seen. And of course, there's the Lemax Spooky Town Halloween Village collection, too. And they bring it all out before September! Lovely.

Collegeville Skeleton Halloween Costume White for Nite for Safety

So many skeletons, so many Halloween costumes. Here's another one: a large-eye-holes and white for nite variation for safety. (Listed by bc3697 on eBay.)

Ben Cooper Wolf Man Halloween Costume

Big-eye safety mask and safety-sign on the back doesn't take the bite out of this Wolf Man Halloween costume from Ben Cooper.

Cinefantastique No. 2, 1971

Cinefantastique explored the mechanics of genre movies, providing more production depth and more creativity-analysis than you would typically find in the monster magazines and fan publications of the day. In this second issue, House of Dark Shadows, stop frame fantasy film animation techniques part one, and John Carradine's movie comeback are covered. And similar to the Frankenstein TV Movie Guide in Castle of Frankenstein, there are many movie reviews to ponder, too.

Here's the comic book reader version:  Download Cinefantastique Issue v1-2

Ben Cooper Has Batman Print Advert

From the March 1966 issue of the industry magazine, Playthings. It's never too early to get ready for Halloween. 

Castle of Frankenstein No. 11, 1967

Issue 11 of Castle of Frankenstein, "The Magazine of Psychotomimetic Monsters," is glowing with monster-goodness. Start with a little-seen Dracula photo for the front-inside cover  and end with a back-inside cover with Raquel Welch and a T-Rex, then in-between add: The Star Trek Story by Allan Asherman, an endorsement for Star Trek, "the best dramatic TV series ever made," and part two of Christopher Lee's interview. There's more! CoF returns to Hammer Studios, Donald Phelps praises The Horror Chamber of Dr. Faustus, and Steranko is given his due. Oh, wait, there are some topless shots (you know what I mean) of The Brides of Fu Manchu, too. Here's the comic book reader version:  Download Castle of Frankenstein Issue 11

More in the Magazine Morgue From Zombos' Closet

Ben Cooper Dracula Halloween Poncho, 1977

This illustration of Dracula would make an essential blacklight poster. Or maybe even a vivid velvet painting to hang next to Elvis. Or both! Seller thissales4u offered this on eBay.

Castle of Frankenstein No. 13, 1969

With Some Thoughts on Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, John Stanley's Interview with Ray Bradbury, and How They Filmed The Planet of the Apes, this would be a great issue already, but there's more. There's also An Interview With Basil Rathbone, fan magazines reviewed, and a fun on the set picture with Glenn Strange and comedian Ole Olsen on page 5. Here's the comic book reader version:  Download Castle of Frankenstein Issue 13

More Magazine Morgue From Zombos' Closet

Ben Cooper Big Foot Halloween Costume, 1977

usa7296 listed this Ben Cooper Big Foot Halloween costume on eBay. I wish the seller had unfolded the satin costume (and is the illustration vinyl?)  so we could see how Big Foot is drawn. I bet the illustration is fantastic. If I find a full picture of the costume I'll add it.