FRANKEN BERRY AND FRIENDS

The classic monster breakfast cereals, Franken Berry and Count Chocula, were introduced to Monster Kids in March 1971. Who can forget those crazy animated commercials with the two arguing over which cereal was the best -- a good marketing ploy that fed the unconscious desire to try both. A third flavor, Boo Berry, was added in December 1973.

Here a several production cels from an animated TV commercial that features all three characters.

TOPSTONE THROWS IN THE TOWEL

A monstrous spoof on the consumer report is in THE MONSTER TIMES' July 1973 issue (#24). The products covered are the breakfast cereals, Count Chocula and Frankenberry, as well as towels with each one of the famous cereal monster's image printed on them. The MT consumer reports gang are seen eating the cereals and cleaning up after their repast with said towels -- and they've donned Topstone masks for the occasion! Or have they?

In any event, fortunately, we can still enjoy our favorite General Mills monster cereals when they briefly come back to life on the shelves every Halloween season.

THE GENERAL MILLS "MONSTER FAMILY" OF CEREALS IS BACK!

Who can forget chomping on a huge bowl of Count Chocula, Franken Berry, or Boo Berry cereal? Between these, Lucky Charms and Cap'n Crunch, I was almost assured of adult-onset Diabetes! Little did we know -- or care -- as long as there was a box of something to jump start us growing Monster Kids in the A.M, eh?

Well, now you can relive the joy of junk food as General Mills has re-introduced the trio of tasty morsels as their special Halloween season "Monster Family" of cereals. Looks like they may be a Target exclusive, but I'm checking my local Fred Meyer and Safeways, too. My teeth are hurting just thinking about it!