The Aurora Monsters: The Model Craze That Gripped the World

THE AURORA MONSTERS is a lovely look back at something that was in some ways at the heart of my childhood and those of many of my generation. It is a very nice feature to have John Zacherle, dean of all the myriad TV horror-movie-show hosts of the '50s through early '70s, as the host/narrator here. The best parts are the appearances by Aurora box illustrator (and noted paperback cover artist) and fine artist James Bama, Aurora executive Andrew Yanchus, and master model sculptor Ray Meyers. The history of the Aurora monster models and their problems, descendants and variants, and replications by later companies, is fascinating, as are the reminiscences of how FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND magazine (another favorite of my youth) affected Aurora's remarkable success. This documentary is a labor of love by Witch's Dungeon's Cortlandt Hull (great-nephew of Henry Hull, who played the Werewolf of London) and a number of other fans, pros, hobbyists and collectors. If the Aurora monster models--ANY kind of monsters--were part of your childhood, or if you'd just like a look back at a unique phenomenon of the '60s which still resonates today, I strongly recommend this DVD.