UNIVERSAL MONSTERS WALLET ORIGINAL ART

Here's a blast from the past! I'm sure any Monster Kid worth his mummy-wrapping will remember these when the were advertised in FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND. Usually printed in color on the back cover was this full-page ad for Universal Pictures Monster Wallets and Wall Plaques. Monsters included were: Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy, The Phantom of the Opera, The Wolfman and The Creature from the Black Lagoon. The same image was used on both the wallets and the plaques, which were vacuformed in "3-D" with a black border frame and an eyelet to hang them with.

Back page ad from Famous Monsters of Filmland.

Shown below is the original art from this page. Note the Wolfman is pictured with pointy ears, the same as James Bama painted him on the Aurora model kit box art and The Phantom the same way, using the James Cagney image from MAN OF A THOUSAND FACES.

Included in this vintage monster artifact is a transparent cellophane sheet overlay with the lettering, "Universal Pictures Monsters" in white and yellow. Painted on 19" x 22 7/8" illustration board, the image measures 12.75" x 16.75".

This vintage piece of vintage monster art was sold by Heritage Auctions on November 20 for the tidy sum of $16,250.

Art without transparent lettering overlay.

Art with transparent lettering overlay.

THE GREAT GARLOO!

"This Is Garloo-Mighty, Unchained, Unconquerable Garloo. Yours To Command. Order

And Garloo Obeys!"

Riding on the popularity of 50's science-fiction movies were an abundance of memorable related toys and games. One in particular was a motor driven monster by the imaginative name of Garloo. Operated by a remote control, the 2-foot figure could move forward and backward, bend over and pick up objects.

Released by Marx Toys in 1961 and selling for $17.98, they launched a TV campaign with a commercial that showed Garloo in all his glory. Figures in good and working condition have become rare and it can go for as high as $500.

Garloo has been enjoyed by fans for many years and several versions of him have been produced as an action figure (but as yet, no motorized version). There was a spot on the History Channel (see below) and even Funko produced their own version. Long Live the Great Garloo!

THE ORIGINAL GARLOO:

THE NEW GARLOO (3" tall figure only; no moving parts), available at the NACELLE TOY STORE:

BONUS! The original patent application by Marx Toys for The Great Garloo!

EBONY MAGAZINE MEETS THE MONSTERS

The Monster Craze of the 1960's was not just limited to white kids in suburbia as this pictorial from EBONY magazine (December, 1964) proves. Kids of all colors were caught up in monsters, models and toys. The accompanying short article discusses the pros and cons of kids playing with monster toys. Parents didn't know what they were up against!

HAMILTON'S INVADERS!

In 1964, kids got a thrilling surprise with the release of the toy set, Hamilton's Invaders. Found in the phone book-sized Sears catalog was an ad for this exciting new playset that included giant bugs, army men and vehicles. Produced by Remco, the monster insects with names like Horrible Hamilton, Yellow Spider and Yellow Beetle were garishly painted and were propelled by a pull string motor. To add to the fun, a plastic helmet and grenade pistol were accompaniments.

For some reason the set was only sold in 1964, after which it disappeared, thus making it an expensive collector's item today for boomers who want to re-experience their childhood through toys.

NOTE: Images are from various auction sites.

Ad from Ebony Magazine, Dec. 1964.