UNSOLVED MYSTERY: DRACULA PAINTING

I came across this original painting by comic artist Rudy Palais at an auction site and noticed it was titled, "Illustration - Bela Lugosi as Dracula". Nothing against Mr. Palais' artistic capabilities, but after scrutinizing it for a few moments--and in consideration of his unique style--I concluded that, other than a blunted widow's peak, none of the subject's other features are remotely similar to those of Bela Lugosi. Since he passed away in 2004, I suspect Palais likely wasn't afforded the opportunity to comment one way or another about identifying his painting as such.

It was sold on April 9, 2023 by Broward Auction Gallery LLC of Dania Beach, Florida for $200 plus $75 shipping and insurance. The painting itself is an oil on canvas and measures 19" W x 27" L. There is no provenance and it is undated. One thing it has going for it is that it's signed.

The auction history for this piece indicates it first came up for auction on January 23, 2021. At that time the description of the painting was listed as: "Illustration - Portrait of Man".

It was listed six more times without selling, from April 4, 2021 to July 3, 2022. Then, abruptly it was re-titled and newly identified as a portrait of Bela Lugosi as Dracula. It went unsold the first time under it's new title on October 9, 2022 and again on January, 2, 2022 until it was finally picked up for 200 bucks, six months later, at considerably less than the estimated value of $400-$500.

Now, I don't know about you, but this has the taint of chicanery about it if you ask me. If it was misrepresented in the earlier listings, there is no statement that the title was changed because of any new discovery. Consequently, if there is nothing to support the change, I suspect it was done in a deceitful attempt to add value to it. My hope is that the buyer purchased it solely because it was a work by Palais and not because it was claimed to be a portrait of Lugosi by him.

The art world has been historically rife with scams, and the foregoing only proves that they can find their way anywhere from multi-million dollar masterworks to a simple comic artist's painting. Caveat emptor!

BELA LUGOSI'S WHITE ZOMBIE TAILCOAT AND VEST

One of the more memorable villains from early sound horror films was Bela Lugosi's Murder Legendre in WHITE ZOMBIE (1932). The role fit Lugosi perfectly and he made the most of bringing out the mephistopholean wickedness that the character demanded.

His costume was a cross between undertaker and plantation master with his wide-brimmed had and long, dark clothing. Amazingly, years later, two of these pieces were found in a studio vault after 80 years and put up for auction. When the gavel dropped, the ensemble sold for an astonishing $100,000!

NOTE: There is one error in the lot details shown below: Lugosi made Universal's MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE before he was cast in WHITE ZOMBIE.

Lot 0783 Details:

783. Original Bela Lugosi tailcoat and vest from White Zombie.(UA, 1932) Bela Lugosi's followup to 1931's Universal Studio blockbuster, Dracula, was the ultra-low budget White Zombie, produced and directed by the Halperin brothers, setting the stage for a career that frequently bounced back and forth between A studio pictures and B movies. Lugosi played the infamous Murder Legendre, a Haitian plantation owner who turns his former enemies into zombies, whom he employs as slaves in his sugar mill. The 1932 film cemented Lugosi's reputation as a strangely seductive leading man. This iconic costume, consisting of dark blue three-button jacket with tails and five-button vest, each with internal United Costumers, Inc. tags handwritten "Lugosi" and "Bela Lugosi".The jacket was originally shot with a five-button design with the top button nearly reaching the collar. Studio tailors closed the holes (evident upon close examination) and the collar was modified for later use. The costume was worn by Lugosi in a key sequence, and was discovered buried in a studio vault where it had remained for the nearly 80 years since White Zombie finished shooting. Comes with a Warner Bros. certificate of authenticity.

THRILLER: THE VAMPIRE WAS A SUCKER!

All I've got to say is, despite the economy being in the shitter there doesn't seem to be a thing wrong with the collector's market. A visit to any auction website will prove my point, with the tens of thousands (and often millions) of dollars for sales of anything from art, to trading cards, to comics and musical instruments (think Mark Knophler's recent haul). A quick perusal on eBay will also show you that so-called "vintage" magazines carry high and often ridiculous price tags, as well.

Now, I don't know exactly how much of this merchandise actually sells, but I suppose that if someone wants something bad enough, they'll spring for it.

I found this unpublished post from 2014 that I never got around to uploading for some reason, so I thought I'd finally let it see the light of day.

The subject is Myron Fass' horror fiction magazine, THRILLER, published by Tempest Publications. I don't have any notes on the asking price at the time or if it was sold at all, but I included here part of the description by the seller:

"Up For Auction: Thriller Magazine, February, 1962, #1. This is Volume #1, and the First Issue of this magazine. A rather scarce magazine to come by. The man on the cover with the noose around his neck is actually Myron Fass, the publisher (looks like he was really involved with his publication). This appears to be a rather trashy magazine devoted to vampires, the occult, monsters, and other strange things. If you have been looking for this rather scarce magazine, this one deserves a second look. It is really nice, not without defects, but nothing glaring to take away from the really nice representation it has."

And then there's this:

"Publisher Myron Fass sat at the top of a pulp magazine publishing empire in the seventies that sometimes published as many as fifty titles a month! Fass favoured one shots, but this title (published in 1962, prior to the prolific publishing run of the ‘70s) lasted for three issues! It suffered from inferior production values (black & white pages on cheap newsprint) making them difficult to find in nice condition, a little crude, a little gaudy, and a lot of fun! Despite the almost total lack of horror film related content, this horror fiction magazine is, nevertheless, sought after by many monster magazine collectors. A few film stills were used as illustration for it's stories, but most of the photos (cover and interiors) were staged scenes of horror, possibly using members of the magazine's staff. The one being offered here (Thriller #2) is complete, but in well worn/read/heavily creased/fragile covers shape, but because of it’s historical significance, I cannot and will not toss it into the dumpster! Please enjoy the scans of some of the internal pages as they perhaps are your first glimpse into the interior of this issue. Here is a golden opportunity to obtain this magazine at a fraction of the price one in better shape (if you could find one at all) would undoubtedly command."

After doing a quick look-up on eBay, as of this writing I found two copies of THRILLER #1 for sale, one for $200 and one for $300. There were no issues of #2 or #3 listed, which gives me the impression they might be even harder to find than the first issue.

Don't mess with Myron!

Read another post about Myron Fass' THRILLER HERE.

FRAZETTA AT AUCTION

When the gavel dropped at auction recently, several more original works by Frank Frazetta had been sold from his vast body of work. From sketches to illustrations to a hand-colored poster, these items only reinforce the potency of Frazetta's legacy.

$7,200.

$9,600.

$16,800.

$33,600.

$78,000.

POTA LAWGIVER STATUE UP FOR AUCTION

"In the beginning, God created beast and man, so that both might live in friendship and share dominion over a world at peace. But in the fullness of time, evil men betrayed God's trust and, in disobedience to His holy word, waged bloody wars...not only against their own kind, but against the apes, whom they reduced to slavery. Then God, in His wrath, sent the world a savior, miraculously born of two apes who had descended on Earth from Earth's own future. And man was afraid, for both parent apes possessed the power of speech. So both were brutally murdered. But the child ape survived and grew up to set his fellow creatures free from the yoke of human slavery. Yet, in the aftermath of his victory, the surface of the world was ravaged by the vilest war in human history. The great cities of the world split asunder and were flattened. And out of one such city, our savior led a remnant of those who survived in search of greener pastures, where ape and human might forever live in friendship, according to divine will. His name was Caesar, and this is his story in those far off days. … We still wait, my children. But as I look at apes and humans living in friendship, in harmony and at peace, now some 600 years after Caesar's death, at least we wait with hope for the future."

Thus spoke The Law Giver, the orangutan prophet on the Planet of the Apes. Statues of The Law Giver (played by John Huston later in the series) were seen around Ape City as a reminder of the fragile relationship between ape and human.

Up for auction is this incredible 8.5 ft., screen-used statue of The Lawgiver seen in PLANET OF THE APES and BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES. Cast with fiberglass over a wood frame, no mention is made of its weight, but there is a note that the winning bidder must arrange their own transport of this marvelous piece. Can you imagine having this in your yard?

Here is the lot description. Bidding begins on July 5th.

Monumental Iconic Screen Used "Lawgiver" Statue Prop from Planet of the Apes and Beneath the Planet of the Apes (TCF, 1968/1970). Vintage original screen used, instantly recognizable "Lawgiver" statue constructed of hollow cast fiberglass over wood substructure, expertly painted and finished in a natural sandstone palette, and distressed to appear weather-worn carved stone statue. The "Lawgiver" is an important central orangutan prophet deity in the Planet of the Apes franchise, appearing throughout scenes of ape culture and in the form of this towering statue in both Planet of the Apes and Beneath the Planet of the Apes. Measuring approx. 8.5 ft. tall and 51" x 44" at the base with integral table and scrolls. Two Lawgiver statues were created and used in the first two feature films. One Lawgiver statue was used on set on stage 22 of the Fox lot, and the other was used out on location at the Fox Ranch "Ape City" set. So, both statues did appear in the films as well as publicity shots for promotional materials. PotA collectors have been aware of this piece and have coveted it for decades. Originally from the collection of Planet of the Apes producer Arthur P. Jacobs (of APJAC Productions), the consignor acquired this figure in December 1998 from Jacobs' widow, Natalie Trundy Jacobs, who played "Albina" in Beneath the Planet of the Apes and other characters in all subsequent PotA films. The piece was professionally repainted and subsequently exposed to outside elements. Exhibiting age, production wear, and expected weathering. Some minor surface cracks in areas. The integrity of the fiberglass shell is very strong. In vintage Good to Very Good condition. NOTE: The winning bidder must arrange pick up or shipping of the item from Beverly Hills, CA within 2 weeks of the auction, otherwise storage fees will apply. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions.

ELVIRA CHATS ABOUT HER AUCTION AND MORE

We're not quite done with Elvira -- or better, she's not done with us. Cassandra "Elvira" Peterson is out there promoting her book and her auction. The first two videos below are from Julien's Auctions and feature Elvira showing off her massive collection of memorabilia. In the third video from Yahoo! Entertainment, she talks candidly about her career and relationships.

ELVIRA'S SELLING OFF HER STASH

You can't say that Cassandra Peterson isn't a sharp businesswoman. With the current buzz around her new book, what better time than to unload her personal collection of items from her life and career as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark? The lucky auctioneer is Julien's and the huge trove of Miss Peterson's memorabilia is going live this December 4th. Now's your chance to own a piece of Evira's . . . history.

Event Details:

JULIEN'S AUCTIONS IS PROUD TO PRESENT "PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK", AN AUCTION TAKING PLACE IN BEVERLY HILLS AND LIVE ONLINE AT JULIEN'S LIVE ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4TH

Julien’s Auctions, the world-record breaking auction house to the stars, has announced its spine-tingling event "Property From The Collection of Elvira, Mistress of The Dark", taking place on Saturday, December 4th, in Beverly Hills and live online at juliensauctions.com.

The exclusive auction celebration of the career of American actress, writer, singer, pop culture icon and sex symbol, Cassandra Peterson, known the world over as “Elvira, Mistress of the Dark” will showcase a frightful collection of her personal memorabilia, including her signature black gown, props and costumes from her television series and films as well as jewelry, a pinball machine and other Elvira ephemera from the pioneering horror host who was the first ever to be syndicated throughout the U.S. on national television.

Cassandra Peterson began her career in entertainment as a Las Vegas showgirl and appeared in the James Bond film Diamonds are Forever and Federico Fellini’s Roma.

In 1979, she joined the Los Angeles based improvisational group The Groundlings where she created a California “Valley Girl” character which would evolve into her iconic persona as Elvira.

In 1981, Peterson was offered the role of horror host of Los Angeles KHJ-TV’s Movie Macabre, a local late-night movie show featuring B horror, sci-fi and genre movies. Peterson's Elvira character attracted immediate attention and raised eyebrows for her tight-fitting, cleavage-enhancing black gown and vampire/punk look. Her campy humor and sexy gothic appearance made her a beloved cult figure with late-night viewers of the show which was soon re-titled Elvira’s Movie Macabre.

Her popularity soared and the Elvira brand grew into an empire during the 1980s-1990s that included Halloween costumes, comic books, action figures, trading cards, pinball machines, décor, Halloween albums, model kits, perfume, beer, dolls and more.

In 1985, Elvira began hosting a successful home video series called Thriller Video with horror and genre films chosen by Peterson which led to a second video set, Elvira's Midnight Madness and the DVD horror-film collection Elvira's Box of Horrors.

On the radio, Elvira was a personality on LA’s KROQ-FM and on the big screen, Peterson produced, wrote and starred in the films, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (1988) and Elvira’s Haunted Hills (2001). The latter film screened at AIDS charity fundraisers across America and made its official premiere in Hollywood where Elvira arrived in her Macabre Mobile, the 1959 Thunderbird from the film, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. The film would later be screened at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival. In 2010, Elvira's Movie Macabre returned to television syndication in the U.S. and in October 2014, Peterson reprised her role in Hulu’s 13 Nights of Elvira.

Peterson is the author of Elvira novels (co-authored by John Paragon) Transylvania 90210, Camp Vamp, and The Boy Who Cried Werewolf.

In the 2000s, her reign as Halloween empress continued with appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Halloween Wars, AMC’s Talking Dead, Celebrity Ghost Stories, Oddities, Counting Cars, Fangasm, Face Off and the TV reality series Search for the Next Elvira.

In 2016, Peterson published a large format photo retrospective “coffin” table book for Elvira’s 35th anniversary. Elvira has been a voice character in several animated films including Scooby-Doo! Return to Zombie Island and Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo and various episodes of the animated TV series, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. She also appeared in the 2019 documentary film, In Search of Darkness.

“Julien’s Auctions is honored to present for the first time at auction this thriller collection from the Queen of Halloween, Elvira,” said Martin Nolan, Executive Director of Julien’s Auctions. “For over three decades, Cassandra Peterson has delighted millions of fans from the television screen to Comic Cons all over the world with her iconic character and trailblazing brand as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable horror personas of all time.”

Highlights of the auction include:

• one of the three original signature Elvira long black gown costume used from 1981 – 1986;
• a gold wooden framed ”oil painting” look portrait of Elvira created by photographer David Goldner and used in several film and TV productions;
• a large carved wood partners desk on which Cassandra Peterson co-wrote the films Mistress of the Dark and Haunted Hills;
• a large concrete outdoor water fountain with a lion's head water spout; Peterson’s pair of Prada “Elvira” pumps worn for photo sessions;
• her original Elvira belt by A1 Pleating with back hook closure and leather “pin” faux front closure;
• Elvira, Mistress of the Dark 1987 film script with an embossed cover with handwritten notes by Cassandra Peterson;
• a screen worn black pane’ velvet robe used in the feature films, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark and Elvira’s Movie Macabre;
• a screen worn black velvet cloak designed by Jane Booke for the film, Elvira’s Haunted Hills;
• a pair of 1987 Fredericks of Hollywood screen worn black marabou slides used in the films Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, and Elvira’s Haunted Hills;
• screen worn “Can Can” dance costume, including the infamous “Applause” panties, used in the musical number, “Le Music Hall,” from the film, Elvira’s Haunted Hills;
• a stage worn “Tassel Twirling Costume” consisting of a Swarovski crystal encrusted long sleeve bodysuit, bra with beaded tassels, and wrap skirt with rhinestone dagger pin created by costume designer Michael Schmidt for the 2017 Elvira Show at Knott’s Scary Farm, a version of the finale costume from the film, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark; plus, a screen used steel chain link pentagram steering wheel seen in the film, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark;
• a custom chrome cast Elvira hood ornament with acrylic bat wings, designed by Brian Cooper for George Barris Studios – an exact replica of the hood ornament that is currently on the Macabre Mobile;
• a figural light-up slot machine topper with Elvira seated on a red chair with skulls and bats;
• an Elvira’s House of Horrors 2019 Stern pinball machine;
• personal jewelry, including a solid silver devil and a solid gold angel earring set and a solid silver skull and crossbones bracelet gifted to Peterson by her ex-husband and manager Mark Pierson, and more.

If you can't make it out to Beverly Hills to bid in person, you can still watch all the action as well as bid online at Julien's Live.

Here are a few of the lots up for auction:

An original early Robert Redding pencil on sketch pad paper drawing presenting several possible looks for the Elvira character.

The sketch is one of the earliest of the Elvira character, presenting two very different looks: one a "'60s Morticia Type, black dress, black hair" resembling the familiar Elvira look, and a "traditional movie type (Polanski), 'Bride of Dracula,' skin and dress are same color (grey-cream), red hair, dress in shreds." Peterson preferred the latter concept, inspired by Sharon Tate in The Fearless Vampire Killers (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1967). However, the TV station insisted on the other style, which became iconic.

"Vampira," rather than "Elvira," is written on top of the sketch, suggesting that these concepts were developed when KHJ-TV first hired Peterson to resurrect the Vampire character, created by Maila Nurmi in 1953. Nurmi was originally brought on as an Executive Producer on the show, but quit when she disapproved of Peterson's casting, at which point the character was renamed.

Robert Redding, an artist and dear friend of Cassandra Peterson, designed the character's original wig, costume, and makeup. He died from AIDS complications in 1986, partly inspiring Peterson's decades of AIDS activism.

Appears in the coffee table book Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (California: Tweeterhead Publishing, 2016).

HWD 17 x 14 inches

Cassandra Peterson's signed copy of her first contract with KHJ-TV to play Elvira, outlining "the details of our agreement covering the program entitled 'Movei [sic] Macabre.''

The contract "shall cover the hosting of a Fright Night type program consisting of a motion picture from the KHJ-TV inventory and program inserts featuring the character known as 'Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.'" The agreement is dated August 19, 1981, and covers one year beginning September 26, 1981.

This lot also includes "interorganization correspondence" from Chuck Velona (KHJ-TV vice president and general manager) to Walt Baker (vice president, programming) and Buck Evans (direct of engineering), with the subject "Elvira Incident - Weekend of 9/11/82," and "pertaining to the airing of outtake material on the Elvira program in which profanity was used." Velona urges repercussions against all concerned.

HWD 8.5 x 11 inches (each)

One of the three original "Elvira" dresses, worn from 1984 to 1986 on the television series Elvira's Movie Macabre (KHJ-TV, 1981-86) and made from thinner fabric than the star's later dresses.

The black polyester floor-length gown has a sewn-in brown nylon bra, plunging neckline, asymmetrical hem, purposely 'tattered' trim at cuffs and hem, and a zip-up back closure. Also included is its coordinating wide black leather belt.

An original Robert Redding ink on board drawing of Elvira crawling seductively, one of her most iconic poses. Done circa 1981-1986 and signed in ink lower left.

This piece was a concept drawing for a similar David Goldner photo shoot, which resulted in one of Elvira's most widely circulated photographs, published in the coffee table book Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (California: Tweeterhead Publishing, 2016).

HWD 15 x 20 inches

MONSTER-SIZED MONSTER MEMORABILIA COLLECTION

This phenomenal collection of FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND memorabilia is currently up at auction with a bid starting at $500.00. There are some interesting items here, including some that you don't see very often.

Lot Description:

Famous Monsters of Filmland Collection of (40) Classic Monster Memorabilia (1960s-2000s). Vintage and contemporary (40) items including (1) QMX silver and Carnelian replica of the Bela Lugosi "Dracula" Crest ring cast from the original owned by Forrest J Ackerman (limited edition 151/1931, (3) vintage (1963) Universal Monsters wallets with 1-"Dracula"/"The Mummy," 1-"The Creature"/"The Wolfman" and 1-"The Phantom"/"Frankenstein," (12) Louis Marx brand 6" x 3" x 2" classic monster figures including 2-"Frankenstein Monster," 2-"Mummy," 2-"Phantom of the Opera," 2-"Wolf Man," 2-"Hunchback," 2-"Creature from the Black Lagoon," (7) packs of "The Ackermonster's Cardic Cards," (1) deck of "Mr. Sci-Fi's Scientifiction Cards," (1) Famous Monsters of Filmland Phantom wrist watch, (14) Son of Famous Monsters of Filmland Convention items including 2-show programs, 3-pins, 3-attendee badge (two for Kevin Burns and one for Al Lewis), 2-convention printed bags and 4-ads for Forrest J Akerman's Sci-Fi magazine, (1) Famous Monsters of Filmland "Fantasticinema" 4" x 6" x 1" plaque presented to Kevin Burns.

FAMOUS MONSTERS ORIGINAL COVER ART

It's not often you get to see some of the classic covers from FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND without the titles obscuring part of (or sometimes, a lot of) the image. In this gallery of original art from FM covers are selections from several different artists who lent their brushes and paint to Warren Publications. While we are all familiar with the now-famous cover images created by the late, great Basil Gogos, other artists contributed their talent as well.

FAMOUS MONSTERS #5. Art by Albert Nuetzell.

FAMOUS MONSTERS #17. Art by Basil Gogos.

FAMOUS MONSTERS #34. Art by Maurice Whitman.

FAMOUS MONSTERS #110. Art by Basil Gogos.

FAMOUS MONSTERS #264. Art by Basil Gogos.

MONSTER WORLD #2. Art by Vic Prezio.

MONSTER WORLD #7. Art by Gray Morrow.

BONUS! This artwork depicting the cover of FM #30 was done as a commission for Forrest J Ackerman by Tony "The Repro Man" Brezezinski.