RARE AURORA MODEL BUILT UP STORE DISPLAY

Despite advances in model kit manufacturing technology and assembly, the Aurora model kits still stand as the epitome of monster model making. First introduced in 1961 by Aurora Plastics Corporation, the Frankenstein kit was a smash hit for Monster Kids who discovered that with a little bit of work (and a lot of fun), they could have their own, full-color three-dimensional monster movie figure sitting on their bedroom shelf.

The Frankenstein kit became so popular that Aurora cranked them out 24 hrs. a day, even tooling a second set of molds to keep up with the orders from hobby shops around the country that couldn't keep their stock. At the height of production, Aurora was pushing out 8,000 kits a day -- that's 3 kits a minute!

Aurora was more than happy to supply Monster Kids with their most favorite hobby next to watching monster movies on TV, of course. They followed up with 12 more kits in just six years (with box art by James "Doc Savage" Bama that kids wisely kept and collected, too):

1962
Dracula
The Wolf Man

1963
The Mummy
The Creature from the Black Lagoon
The Phantom of the Opera

1964
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (a second box art version was produced when actor Anthony Quinn said the original image looked too much like him!)
Dr. Jekyll as Mr. Hyde
King Kong
Godzilla
Salem Witch
Bride of Frankenstein

1966
The Forgotten Prisoner of Castle-Mare (a collaboration between Aurora and Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine)

Also released in 1964 was a non-monster, but all-thrilling kit called "Madame Tussaud's Chamber of Horrors La Guillotine". This charming kit, when built up had a working blade to hack off the head of the hapless victim.

Like the rest of the kits, Aurora added a touch of marketing genius (among numerous other ideas) by supplying hobby shops with a "professionally-painted and built" sample of each figure. As seen below, included was the Dracula and La Guillotine kits. These, and the other figures are quite rare today and occasionally show up on the auction block to sell at high prices (no kidding!). Following these images is a roll call of some of the original boxes and box art from the most famous model maker in Monsterdom!

MARX MONSTERS!

Any Monster Kid growing up during the first "Monster Craze" wave of the 60s could not have easily missed all the monster toys and other sideline goodies that sprung up like Matango mushrooms. Monsters could be found in just about any store, even at your local grocers (can you say, "Frankenberry"?).

For a time, it was our neighborhood S.S. Kresge's that was a Monster Mecca (The "Speedee Mart/7-11" store was probably the biggest, but that's another story). Kresge's started off as the now pretty much defunct and nostalgic "five and dime", which evolved into a "department store", then morphed into K-Mart. Whenever the family stopped there, I headed straight towards the back of the store where they had a row of wire bins that held a treasure trove of plastic figures, including WWII soldiers, the outrageous "Nutty Mads", and the best of all, monster figures!

This is the only image I could dig up of the S.S. Kresge Co store that my family shopped
at on Victory Blvd. and Platt Ave. in Canoga Park, CA back in the 1960s.

Introduced by Marx in 1964 or 1965 (my best guess), the first series of these 6" plastic figures was cast in a bright orange color. Louis and David Marx founded "Louis Marx and Company, Inc." in 1919 and their inexpensive, quality plastic toy sets were all the rage with kids (me, too!). The monster figures were only one line of many, many toys that they produced. Later, the monsters were cast in other colors, such as blue and red, and a recent "recast" set is in silver from someone claiming to have the original molds.

The Marx empire lasted until 1980, when it sold to the Quaker Oats company. Now, some of Marx's better known play sets, like Fort Apache and The Alamo, have been reproduced and sell for scads more than their original price. You can still find Marx monsters for varying prices on eBay and other auction sites.

I've still got my orange originals! They somehow made it through over 50 years of moving and dragging them from here to there in a shoe box, probably because -- like my baseball cards -- they're small and don't take up a lot of room. Plus, for what they are, the figures are really well done and in great proportion. The Frankenstein Monster is easily recognized as the Glen Strange version, The Wolf Man and The Mummy are both from the Lon Chaney, Jr. films, The Phantom of the Opera is from the version by Chaney's Dad, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is Anthony Quinn, and The Creature From the Black Lagoon looks like it was sculpted directly from an often seen film still from REVENGE OF THE CREATURE. What do you think?

[NOTE: Images of the figures are from Hake's Auctions. The current bid is $110 for the set.]

RARE AURORA DRACULA PROMO STORE MODEL

In 1962, Aurora Plastics distributed a number of built-up and painted kits of their smash hit monster series to hobby shops across America intended for promotional display purchases. Shown here is a rare example of one of them.

TOPSTONE BIG FOOT

A relic from a Bayshore/Topstone catalog from the 1960s is currently at auction. Not considered a true Topstone product by today's collectors, the line sold by Bayshore (now Rubie's Costume Co.) was nevertheless designed by Topstone designer Keith Ward. The "big foot" is expected to earn $100-$200 by the time the gavel drops.

AURORA MASTER MONSTER MAKER ULTIMATE COLLECTION

 

The "Master Monster Maker" model kit contest of 1964 was a collaboration between FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND magazine, Aurora Plastics, and Universal Studios. All three had a huge stake in the venture and, if successful, a bounty of notoriety (and lots of cash) would be realized. The project was ambitious; Universal had licensed the rights to Aurora to make model kits in the image of their horror icons. Since introducing the Frankenstein kit in 1961, Aurora enjoyed a popularity in figure kits that was never before seen in the industry. They sought to further capitalize on their success by introducing two monster customizing kits that coincided with the contest. Universal benefited from the promotion of their "Shock Theater" ensemble and the potential for more licensing revenue. FM was the fulcrum of the campaign and got the paint stirring when it announced the contest in issue #27 (March 1964). The result? Monster Kids by the thousands entered their customized monster models at their local participating hobby shop all over the United States. It was an overwhelming, unparalleled smash hit.

Amazingly, some of the "throwaway" relics from this unique pop culture phenomenon have survived. Most notable of late is a collection of materials from the contest that showed up for auction in 2014. It includes a carton of entry forms and certificates and a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner vacuformed wall plaque. Characterized as "very rare", a collection like this had not been seen on the market since the contest was held. When the gavel dropped, it sold for $3,248.37.

Here is the description of the auction Lot #2459:
Original 10.25x13.25x4" deep cardboard shipping carton w/"Aurora Plastics Corp." name on side contains kit for 1964 contest sponsored by "Famous Monsters Of Filmland" magazine in which Aurora monster model enthusiasts built Aurora monster models, customizing them in hopes of being judged among the best that were then featured in issue #32 of the Famous Monsters Magazine. Kit contains all three versions of the 10x13x1" deep vacuform plastic awards w/cardboard backing designed like framed picture w/high relief portrait of Frankenstein. Simulated plaques on front "Master Monster Maker Contest 1964 - Sponsors Aurora Plastic Corp./Universal Pictures Co. Inc./Famous Monsters Of Filmland Magazine" and goes on to note first, second and third Place, each in gold, silver or bronze reflective lettering. First place award has some creasing at bottom left corner w/1/8" edge crack and some color rubs along edges. VF. Other two awards are Exc. Kit also comes w/15 unused 8.5x11" certificates designed to look like aged documents; that entitle model builder to "...Be Recognized As, And Be Entitled To Be Addressed As Master Monster Maker." Certificates have blank to be signed by dealer w/facsimile Aurora Plastics Corp., Universal Pictures Co. Inc. and Famous Monsters of Filmland Magazine signatures. Simulated skull and crossbones and bat seals. Some lt. handling wear but Exc. overall. Kit also comes w/three 8.5x11" "Official Entry Blank - Monster Maker Contest 1964" all of which have been filled out in ink by "Hobby Castle" dealer in provided areas. Entry blanks are o/w unused and aside from some lt. handling wear, VF/Exc. Last item in lot is impressive 9.5x25" full color store banner which features large image of Frankenstein at right w/smaller, full body images of Universal Monsters The Wolf Man, Creature From The Black Lagoon, Mummy and Dracula as depicted on Aurora model kit boxes. They hold signs that read "Customize An Aurora Movie Monster - Win A Free Trip To Hollywood - Act In A Real Live Monster Movie" and sign goes on to state "We Dare You To Enter This Contest! All Human Beings Are Eligible. Official Entry Blanks With Purchase Of One Aurora Movie Monster Kit. Get All The Gory Details Inside!" Three vertical folds at center as issued. Scattered lt. color rubs, but banner remains bright and glossy. Exc. Original shipping carton shows some scattered wear w/creasing to one top flap but is complete and Fine overall. The ultimate item for Aurora monster model collectors as well as a must have for any Universal Monsters collector. Very rare and the first we've offered in our 48 years.

The year following the contest, FM published an article in issue #32 (March 1965) that showcased the Grand Prize winners of the Master Monster Maker contest from around the country. The article describes the prize packages, which included future Aurora models, a subscription to FAMOUS MONSTERS (that was good until 1970!), and a trip to Horrorwood, Karloffornia.

BONUS #1: MASTER MONSTER MAKER CERTIFICATE
This full-sized image can be downloaded and printed as an example of the certificate that was issued to young monster model makers who participated in the contest in 1964.

BONUS #2: MASTER MONSTER MAKER CERT AND ENTRY FORM ON EBAY
Currently for sale on eBay is a Master Monster Maker entry from and certificate. Selling for $399.99, the entry form was filled out and the certificate signed by none other than Forrest J Ackerman on November 24. 1990... his 74th birthday!