THE HAUNTED SEANCE OF DR. DRUID

Some may think that the Monster Craze ended with the decade of the 1960's, but not so! Monsters and other creepy things continued on well into the seventies.

One of the memorable sidelines from this era was the multitude of "Halloween albums" that were produced.

Wholly unique was this 1973 recording (with sleeve art by Ron Cobb) from the Electric Lemon Record Company entitled, DR. DRUID'S HAUNTED SEANCE. Now considered by collectors as rare (one is currently being offered on eBay for $129), it has popped up now and again as a digital copy (see below).

From Electric Lemon Records CD re-issue:

Spirits Abound! Spooks Around! A Spook show in your parlor!

An classic gem from the vaults now on CD! Doctor Druid is back ... and has he got a paranormal haunted séance for you. You will now be able to resume spirit séances in your very own parlor with the return of the original Doctor Druid, the world's most renown psychic, spiritualist, and parapsychologist extraordinaire! Once a popular  LP record album available from James Warren's Famous Monsters Of Filmland Captain Company, Doctor Druid's Haunted Séance is now digitally remastered from the original tape master in CD form for your enjoyment, edification, amusement, amazement, and fright!

This unique CD is all you need to haunt your house (or Castle, or parlor, or tomb), as it comes complete with progressive demonstrations of supernatural emanations, inexplicable transmogrifications, paranormal incantations, plus a real live apparition!

Sound like fun? Trust us, it is!   Druid's Haunted Séance CD is a good old fashioned séance in the purest sense of the word, and with easy instructions and very little preparation, you can throw a séance that will delight, astound, spookify and terrify your friends!

Perfect for any paranormal house haunting. Make spirit contact with our spirit! Doctor Druid's Haunted Séance is the CD that will make you the spookologist of all spookdom! Performed by none other than the ethereal Doctor Druid himself, this is the kind of phenomenal spirit "happening" that you and Doctor Druid can do together.

Doctor Druid's Haunted Séance runs a full half-hour but your guests might be running long before that! The recording is a ghost show unto itself! Produced by Verne Langdon and Milt Larsen (he who built the magic castle). Liner notes by Forrest J Ackerman and cover by Ronn Cobb. Recorded with paranormal pride in a haunted séance parlor in Horrorwood, Karloffornia.

Compact Disc in Jewel case

Originally recorded in 1974

CD released in 2008

Electric Lemon Record Company (USA)

Tracklist

A1 Introduction

A2 Music Of The Mind

A3 Auditory Test

A4 Concentration

A5 Hypnotism

B The Haunted Seance

Credits 

Manufactured By – Lemon Records

Published By – Brookledge Music Co.

Record Company – Electric Lemon Record Co.

Copyright (c) – Electric Lemon Record Co.

Co-producer [Associate Producer] – Sandy Spillman

Cover [Art] – Ron Cobb

Engineer – Paul Elmore

Executive-Producer – Milt Larsen

Featuring [Paris Opera Pipe Organ] – Erik (Verne Langdon)

Liner Notes – Forrest J. Ackerman

Producer, Composed By [Haunted Seance Suite] – Verne Langdon

Notes

Notice: This record is intended for entertainment purposes only; responsibility for any psychic phenomenon which may occur (either directly or indirectly) as a result of playing this record will not be assumed by the manufacturer.

Side 1 Duration - 13:01

Side 2 Duration - 16:25

A Dr. Druid mask was even produced by Verne Langdon.

From his website:

DR DRUID MASK

$285.00

From the macabre mind of Verne Langdon and the arcane artistry of Ron Cobb come’s a truly one of a kind mask. now equipped with glow in the dark features, this is a must have!

LANGDON AFTER MIDNIGHT

I wrote about famous makeup and special effects artist Rick Baker a few days ago here at MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD. Another makeup man whose specialty was monster masks was a fellow by the name of Verne Langdon. Mr. Langdon was responsible for the FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND "Zombie Mask" that has become the stuff of legend.

Forry Ackerman included an article by Bud Philips (who writes very much in the style of FJA) on Langon in FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #102 (October 1973). In it, he talked about Langon's fabulous career and his work on the Zombie Mask, that is actually a she-zombie originally named Creepy Suzette!

GET YOUR FREAK ON WITH THE PHANTOM: LET'S TALK MONSTER MASKS! (PART 2)

Today we conclude the MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD interview with Pete Infelise, The Yellow Phantom from THE BLOOD-CURDLING BLOG OF MONSTER MASKS. You know, monster masks had the distinct advantage of being offered for sale all year long -- long after Halloween was over. They found perpetual life within the pages of vintage monster magazines like FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND, CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN, MAD MONSTERS, and HORROR MONSTERS, and to a lesser extent in today's monster 'zines. One thing for sure, they never seem to loose their appeal or popularity.

We pick up the interview with Pete talking about some of the latest monster mask creators, as well as the upcoming MASK-FEST.

MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD: Who are some of the current monster mask makers?

PETE INFELISE: Mass produced mask makers that produce masks of interest include Don Post, Zagone, Bump in the Night, and Trick or Treat Studios.


Assortment of Death Studios Masks

 MMW: What is the most common material to make masks out of these days?

INFELISE: Most masks are still made the old fashion way, with good ol’ latex rubber. There is a movement occurring with silicone masks, which are incredibly realistic and wear well, but the cost is still a serious drawback to most folks.

MMW: What’s the best way to display a mask collection?

INFELISE: Masks display nicely naturally, as the full-scale size factor is impressive. Most collectors make simple stands from dowel rods and wood bases.

MMW: What’s the best way to preserve a latex mask?

INFELISE: There are a few things to keep in mind. Exposure to direct sunlight or fluorescent lights is really harmful to the latex. So it’s best to avoid either. Also, they should be stuffed with plastic to preserve the shape. If the mask is thick enough, news paper will do, but for most older masks, or mass produced masks, news paper can distort the shape.


Examples of Be Something Masks


MMW: The Mask-Fest Convention is coming up. Can you tell us a little about it? Are you involved with it?

INFELISE: MASK-FEST is the brainchild of Eric Austin, founder of the HMA (The Halloween Mask Association). This will be the third consecutive year that Mask-Fest has been held along side of the Horror Hound Convention. It’s the event of the year for mask makers and collectors. Getting to see all the new masks and hang out for three days in the dealer room and the bar, it doesn’t get any better.

I do have a table there, THE DEVIL'S WORKSHOP table. Stop on by and say hello and have a beer!

MMW: Other than the convention, where can one go to look for and purchase both new and vintage monster masks?

INFELISE: The HMA.net is the place to go to hunt down a mask. Otherwise, options are pretty limited. Like most collectibles, E-Bay occasionally has some interesting masks pop up.


Masks from the Famous Monsters Cover Project


MMW: How long have you had your blog and what was your inspiration to start it?

INFELISE: I started it last September. I had spent a good deal of time in 2010 bouncing around the blogesphere, and I was blown away by the information being posted, and the dedication of the bloggers. I have a ton of mask info I’ve saved through the years that I thought I should put out there to share with other like-minded folks.

MMW: Any particular reason why you chose Google Blogger over another type for your blog?

INFELISE: I actually started with Wordpress, which is a pretty powerful tool, but the site got hacked and too much of a pain to clean up after that. Blogger is great, it’s a wonderful tool for straight-up blogging, and the code behind it is very manageable.

MMW: What’s in the future for the BLOOD-CURDLING BLOG OF MONSTER MASKS?

INFELISE: I’m coming up on the 100 post mark any day now, and I have enough old articles and ads for at least 200-300 more posts. I try to post every other day, just to keep it fun.

MMW: Topstone or Don Post?

INFELISE: Don Post. The mask world would never be what it is with out DP. The man literally pioneered the industry.

MMW: Any last comments you’d like to make to the readers of MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD?

INFELISE: Thanks for the interest in my blog, and don’t be afraid to throw on a monster mask this Halloween when the kids come to the door.

Thank you, Pete Infelise, a.k.a. The Yellow Phantom!

GET YOUR FREAK ON WITH THE PHANTOM: LET'S TALK MONSTER MASKS! (PART 1)

What's there not to like about putting on a mask at halloween and going out to either amuse or scare the crap out of somebody? It seems some people like monster masks so much that they not only wear one on Halloween, but they make, buy, sell, and collect them all year long! There's even a monster mask convention for the hardcore among them.

One such enthusiastic gentleman is Mr. Pete Infelise, who more often goes by the name of his alter-ego, The Yellow Phantom. Pete is one of those guys that got bit by the monster collecting bug, and the mask thing stuck more than anything. How can something like this be possible, you may ask? Well, you'll have to read the following interview to find that out.

Pete runs THE BLOOD-CURDLING BLOG OF MONSTER MASKS blog, and it's a dandy. Several times a week he posts up some monster mask goodness that is not only educational, but it's also entertaining as hell. You see, monster masks are an integral part of the entire monster fan experience. If you don't believe me, just check out a few of the advertising sections of any number of monster 'zines over the years, especially FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND. And, who among us has never wanted to know what it feels like to be the monster we see in the movies and magazines?

Monster mask maker Pete (his site is cleverly called THE DEVIL'S WORKSHOP after the cult B-movie monster creator, Paul Blaisdell) is gearing up for the 3rd annual MASK FEST coming up this month, but he took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to speak to you, the readers of MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD.

MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD: Why monster masks?

PETE INFELISE: I fell in love with monster masks fairly young, around 8 years old. There is something really amazing about being face to face with a life size monster. Not to mention the fact that you could wear the mask, and actually become the monster!

I bought my first mask when I was 10, it was a Distortions Unlimited Skull. But I suppose I was truly hooked by the very next Halloween when I bought a mask without the intent of ever wearing it. I picked up a Don Post Herman mask to use as part of a life size corpse in a coffin display at my Aunt’s Halloween party.

The rest is history!

MMW: Do you have any other monster collecting interests other than masks?

INFELISE: I used to collect any vintage monster memorabilia I could get my hands on. I realized after a few years that I didn’t have the space, or funds, to continue down that path. So, these days, it’s only masks. I still have a decent stash of magazines and a few models, but I’ve sold most of everything else. Tiki mugs are my only other vice.

MMW: What’s the monster mask market like these days? Growing?

INFELISE: Today, there are definitely more mask makers than ever before. There are a lot of collectors too. Perhaps a few more active collectors on the scene before the economy tanked a few years ago.

MMW: Describe your own monster mask collection.

INFELISE: I would classify my collection as mish-mash or new and old. My favorite mass-produced masks come from Be Something Studios, and I managed to track down most of the characters I loved as a kid. I also have a soft spot in my heart for Death Studios masks which constitute a large part of my collection. Don Post masks occupy a special shelf in my collection. In addition, I have a ton of masks that aren’t on display that I use for my Halloween yard display.


The "Super Frankenstein" replica mask from The Devil's Workshop.


MMW: Have you designed or made any of your own masks?

INFELISE: Yes, indeed. I’ve made masks on and off for 15-16 years. I’ve been focusing most of my attention over the last year on retro-style masks. I’ve been having a ton of fun with the Famous Monster Cover Project, and recently finished a Super Frankenstein replica, which will debut at Maskfest next month. Folks can see my masks at THE DEVIL'S WORKSHOP.

MMW: Lots has been said about Topstone masks. Were they the first to mass produce and market monster masks?

INFELISE: No. Don Post Studios released the first mass produced masks back in the 1930s he released a set of “villains” of the time: Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin. Apparently, these masks were a huge hit!

A vintage Don Post masks ad with some interesting characters.



MMW: The so-called “Shock Monster” mask has become something of a legend. What can you tell us about how this came to be?

INFELISE: Ah yes, the beloved Shock Monster. While this was a Topstone creation, it really was made popular by the famous Captain Company ads. The Shock monster has definitely become a mask celebrity through the years and has since been re-created over and over again by a number of independent artists. In fact, the 2011 Don Post is slated to release their rendition of the Shock Monster!

MMW: What’s the most valuable monster mask? Is there a “holy grail” mask for mask collectors?

INFELISE: The Verne Langdon Zombie. Verne estimated that 30 copies were produced back in 1972.

MMW: Did you ever meet Don Post or Verne Langdon?

INFELISE: I’ve met Don Post Jr on a few occasions, but not Don Sr. or Verne. I was looking forward to meeting Verne at the Monsterpalooza out in Burbank this year. Verne’s passing this past January surprised so many of us. He will certainly be missed.



The "Holy Grail" of monster masks: Verne Langdon's Zombie.

[To be continued tomorrow here at MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD!]

VERNE LANGDON (SEPTEMBER 15, 1941 - JANUARY 1, 2011)

Prince Sirki has taken another in this new year. Verne Langdon, man of many talents, including  work with the world-famous Don Post Hollywood Masks, passed away on New Year's Day. Born in Oakland, California, Mr. Langdon was well-known to us monster kids for his "monster maker" articles in the early issues of FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND magazine as well as designing his own masks, his most legendary being "The Zombie", a photo of which found itself on Warren Publication's CREEPY 1972 Yearbook.

Langdon was also an accomplished musician and performer. During the 1960's and 1970's he played on LP's such as PHANTOM OF THE ORGAN and VAMPIRE AT THE HARPSICHORD. He was the producer of the very popular AN EVENING WITH BORIS KARLOFF AND HIS FRIENDS on Decca Records.

Back cover ad FAMOUS MONSTER OF FILMLAND

FAMOUS MONSTERS ad listing The Zombie mask as the only item on the page as "Sold Out"

"The Mold People" article (below) was featured in FAMOUS MONSTERS #46

According to the contents page, a photo of the Verne Langdon Zombie "masque" by Milton Lewis