What Happened to the AURORA MODEL KITS?

What Happened to the AURORA MODEL KITS? video by Dan Monroe / Movies, Music & Monsters.

Summary:

Dan Monroe explores the history of the Aurora Plastics Corporation, tracing its origins from a simple injection molding shop to a pop culture icon. The discussion covers the evolution of their legendary monster and sci-fi model kits, their massive commercial impact on youth culture during the 1960s, and the factors leading to the brand's eventual closure.

I bought my first Aurora monster model kit at the 1961 Los Angeles County Fair which was Frankenstein sculpted to look like Boris Karloff. I still have it. I had most of the Universal monsters but they broke over the years. I did buy the Polar Lights Dracula re-issue model kit a few years ago. It is sculpted to look like Bela Lugosi.

I bought further monster model kits at Boys Market in Los Angeles.

"Ed Wood" (1994)

Now that we're in summer, with students on summer vacation and some seasonal workers idly relaxing, here is a suggestion for a movie to watch.

It is Tim Burton's Ed Wood (1994), a comedy-drama based on the schlock film producer-director and his friendship with the late horror star Bela Lugosi. The movie stars Johnny Depp as Ed Wood.

Ed Wood, at the time of its release, was given two thumb's up by critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert (see video below). 

 

Although it didn't make that much theatrically, it is now considered a cult classic by movie fans. It is hard to believe that it was released 32 years ago.

Above, yours truly with Martin Landau at Monsterpalooza in 2013.

Back in 2013, I met actor Martin Landau, who garnered a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his role as Bela Lugosi at Monsterpalooza. Rick Baker, who created Landau's Lugosi make-up, also received an Oscar for his Ed Wood work.

 

I highly recommend getting the DVD (or Blu-ray) of Ed Wood. It is available at Amazon or at other dealers.

Lost DRACULA 1931 Original Ending FOUND!

Lost DRACULA 1931 Original Ending FOUND! (Full Clip + Context) video by Haunted Blowfish.

Summary:

Dracula 1931's original final scene has been presumed lost for decades and decades. 95 years later, it has unexpectedly been rediscovered and restored.

The full scene is included in this video, along with a dive into the background, context and controversy surrounding it all.

Lost footage found?! There ARE such things!

Dems Push For Taxpayer-Funded Tampons In Men's Rooms

This could go into the Looney Left Report, but I decided to post this otherwise.

The state of Maryland is having financial problems, yet the Democrats would rather waste taxpayers' money on ridiculous things, such as tampons in men's/boy's restrooms.

I kid you not!

From WBFF:

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WBFF) — As Maryland faces a billion-dollar deficit and mounting questions over government oversight, state lawmakers are advancing a bill that would require tampons and other menstrual products in all public restrooms, including men’s rooms.

The proposal, introduced by 17 House Democrats, has sparked debate in Annapolis over priorities, cost transparency and how taxpayer dollars should be spent as lawmakers race toward the end of the legislative session.

Maybe there's high numbers of shooting incidents and the boys need the tampons for bullet wounds?

To read more, go here. 

"Dracula" Opened 95 Years Ago Today

Above, an original Dracula lobby card.

Did you know that Universal Pictures' Dracula (1931) starring Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler, Dwight Frye, David Manners and Edward Van Sloan opened to theaters 95 years ago today?

Interestingly,  Universal first advertised 1931's Dracula as a love story when they opened it on Valentine's Day. 

Actor Dwight Frye (Renfield) gained movie immortality with this maniacal laugh:

A Spanish version was produced at the same time with different actors but with the same sets. Technically, many feel that the Spanish version was superior to the English (Lugosi) version. The Lugosi version was filmed during the day and the Spanish version was filmed at night. 

The movie ushered in Universal's monster movie franchises that are still popular today. 

Son of Frankenstein: 20 Weird Facts You Never Knew!

Son of Frankenstein (1939): 20 Weird Facts You Never Knew! video by Iconic TV Rewind.

Summary:

Discover 20 weird and disturbing facts about Son of Frankenstein (1939)—one of the most iconic films in the entire Universal Monsters franchise. In this deep-dive horror documentary, we reveal shocking behind-the-scenes secrets, rare Karloff and Lugosi stories, brutal makeup truths, lost color test footage, grueling production chaos, and the hidden history that shaped this legendary Frankenstein sequel. Whether you're a fan of classic horror movies, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, or vintage Hollywood filmmaking, this video uncovers the wild and unsettling mysteries that Universal tried to bury. Perfect for fans of old monster films, Universal’s Frankenstein trilogy, horror film history, and the darker side of 1930s cinema.

In this video, we explore everything from Karloff wearing full Monster makeup to his daughter’s birth… to Lugosi’s exploitation by Universal… to massive script rewrites done minutes before filming. You’ll hear how Son of Frankenstein nearly collapsed under studio pressure, how lost footage mysteriously vanished, how child actor Donnie Dunagan became the youngest Marine drill instructor, and how this film became the longest—and one of the most expensive—classic horror productions of its era.

If you love learning shocking Hollywood secrets, rare Universal Monsters trivia, and hidden stories from the golden age of horror, you’re in the right place.

Black Friday and "Black Friday" (1940)

If one is dense or just happened to forget, today is Black Friday. This is the day that Christmas shopping starts with deals (supposedly) to cause people to part with their money.

Some people will avoid fighting traffic and parking hassles and just treat today as a normal day. For them, here is a treat.

Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi starred in Universal's Black Friday (1940). But Stanley Ridges gives a great performance and outshines both Karloff and Lugosi.

Here's the complete movie (on YouTube):

The Movie That Got Horror BANNED!

The Movie That Got Horror BANNED! video by Antonia Carlotta.

Summary: 

In 1935, The Raven starring Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff pushed horror to its breaking point. Disturbing and psychological, it was banned in multiple countries, and nearly ended the golden era of the Universal Monsters. But why was this movie considered so dangerous? 

I’m Antonia Carlotta and this is Universally Me, the channel for all things Universal and classic horror. My family started Universal Studios, they made the Universal Monsters, and they made The Raven. 

Bela Lugosi's Greatest Role...Wasn't Dracula!

Bela Lugosi's Greatest Role...Wasn't Dracula! by Antonia Carlotta.

Summary:

Son of Frankenstein could have just been another sequel, but instead, thanks to Lugosi, it became a showcase for one of horror’s most underrated performances, and it helped create a film that almost holds up next to the first two Frankensteins. Ygor is cunning, terrifying, tragic, and not-so-secretly hilarious. And Bela Lugosi brought him to life with a ferocity that still jumps off the screen more than 85 years later. 

"Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man" Battle

Since today's Halloween, here's a classic scene from monster movie history: the battle between the Frankenstein monster (Bela Lugosi) and the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney Jr.) from Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man (1943). 

Featured in the following clip are Ilona Massey and Patric Knowles.

Too bad the fight didn't last a little longer, but it is still fun to watch regardless. 

Monsterpalooza In Burbank

Monsterpalooza In Burbank

Text and photos by Armand Vaquer

Above, King Kong atop the Empire State Building greeted entering attendees (click on this and the other photos to view larger).

I just got back from Monsterpalooza (and my local sushi bar) that's being held this weekend at the Marriott Convention Center in Burbank, California and I was greatly impressed. There were plenty of things to do and see. There were many stars, past and present, of horror and science-fiction movies and television shows.



Monsterpalooza had scheduled events in the Theater and a Museum of horror figures. There were dealers galore such as Anime Jungle (below) and Monsters In Motion thoughout the venue. Throughout the show, there were monster make-up displays (above). I saw several people in the process of being made up as some ghastly being of one kind or another.



Some of the stars included Julie Adams from The Creature From The Black Lagoon, Margot Kidder (Lois Lane) from the Christopher Reeve Superman movies, scream queen Brinke Stevens, Danielle Harris, Michael Berryman and many more.

Above, Julie Adams and Armand pose with a life-size Creature figure.

It was a pleasure to meet the late Forrest J. Ackerman's assistant, Joe Moe along with Phil Kim (below), the new head of Famous Monsters of Filmland.



I was also pleased to meet the Classic Horror Film Board's "Count Gamula" himself in his guise as mild-mannered artist Kerry Gammill.

The Museum had quite a number of displays. They included...

Boris Karloff in Jack Pierce's make-up chair having tea...



...Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula with Kharis, the Mummy...



...the Alien...



...and, of course, no visit to California would be complete without having Governor Schwarzenegger on hand...



... and Dracula putting on the whammy



Before heading out of Monstepalooza, one more shot of Kong:



Monsterpalooza runs through tomorrow, so if you get the chance to go, do yourself a favor and go. If not, start planning to attend next year's show!

UPDATE: Jim Nolt, who founded the Adventures Continue website, sent me this message:

Your mention of Brinke Stevens sent me looking for a photo taken in (judging from my hair style and waistline) about 1992-1993.

Jim

This is the photo of Brinke and Jim that was attached (he looks like a young Jonathan Frid here):

Hot Bench Has A Roku Channel

Above, our appearance on Hot Bench nine years ago.

While perusing the directory of stations on Roku television, I saw that the courtroom show, Hot Bench, has its own channel.

There are many channels on Roku including Universal Monsters (1931's Dracula with Bela Lugosi was just on), westerns, news, crime, Cheaters and others. 

Denise Santos and I were on Hot Bench nine years ago (season 3, episode 55). Although the verdict by the three judges was mixed, overall, it was a win for me. It is hard to believe that nine years has been reached. Yeesh!

Since I already have a copy of the Hot Bench episode we were in, I needn't bother watching for it.

Poll: Do You Enjoy Visiting 'haunted' or Spooky Locations?

Above, the grave of Bela "Dracula" Lugosi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Travel has posted a poll asking, Do You Enjoy Visiting 'haunted' or spooky locations?

Personally, the only place I've been to that may qualify as a spooky location was the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California. Other than that, I can't think of any other place.

When I was 15, I worked at a convalescent hospital as a dishwasher when I saw a metal dessert cup move by itself on a counter. But that was at work and not on a trip. 

Above, Cedar Hill Cemetery in Ouray, Colorado. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I did take a Dearly Departed Tour of cemeteries containing celebrity graves about ten years ago. 

The poll begins with:

During your RV travels, do you enjoy visiting “haunted” or just plain spooky locations? These could be old cemeteries, old, haunted mansions, abandoned mental institutions, old jails/prisons, or anything else along those lines.

If you do enjoy visiting those kinds of places, do you seek them out on your travels, or do you only visit them if you come across them along your route or at your destination?

There are many places around the U.S. (and world!) that claim to be “haunted.” Have you ever visited a haunted location and had a ghostly or creepy experience?

To read more and take part in the poll, go here. 

Route 66 Casino Hotel and RV Resort

Yesterday, I went to Albuquerque for a cardiac stress test.

Since the appointment was set for 8:00 this morning, I stayed at the Route 66 RV Resort in the motorhome.

I had to fast 12 hours before the test, so I had a Laguna Burger at the hotel before the fasting period started.

After having the burger, I wandered around the hotel and took a few photos.

Above and below, Dracula (Bela Lugosi) lives again as a slot machine.

Above, where I had dinner last night.

Above, at the Route 66 RV Resort.

Above, having a brew before heading into the casino for dinner.

Above, a great place for steaks and prime rib.

94 Years of "Dracula" (1931)

Above, Bela Lugosi (left) and his co-stars in a publicity photo. Photo by Universal Pictures.

Today in motion picture history.

On Valentine's Day in 1931, Universal Pictures' Dracula starring Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler, Dwight Frye, David Manners and Edward Van Sloan was released. It was the first purely supernatural movie and started the monster/horror cycle at Universal.

From Wikipedia:

Dracula is a 1931 American pre-Code supernatural horror film directed and co-produced by Tod Browning from a screenplay written by Garrett Fort and starring Bela Lugosi in the title role. It is based on the 1924 stage play Dracula by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston, which in turn is adapted from the 1897 novel Dracula by Bram Stoker. Lugosi portrays Count Dracula, a vampire who emigrates from Transylvania to England and preys upon the blood of living victims, including a young man's fiancée.

Produced and distributed by Universal Pictures, Dracula is the first sound film adaptation of the Stoker novel. Several actors were considered to portray the title character, but Lugosi, who had previously played the role on Broadway, eventually got the part. The film was partially shot on sets at Universal Studios Lot in California, which were reused at night for the filming of a concurrently produced Spanish-language adaptation of the same name, also produced by Universal.

Dracula was a commercial and critical success upon release, and led to several sequels and spin-offs. It has had a notable influence on popular culture, and Lugosi's portrayal of Dracula established the character as a cultural icon, as well as the archetypal vampire in later works of fiction. In 2000, the film was selected by the United States Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." 

Incredible as it seems, the 1931 Dracula has been around for 94 years.

"Black Friday" On Black Friday

This coming Friday is Black Friday. At least that's according to retailers nationwide.

What better way to spend Black Friday night than to pop in the DVD of the 1940 Universal feature, Black Friday?

It stars Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. Oddly, both seem to be in secondary roles with the main character played by Stanley Ridges.

According to Wikipedia:

The famous Dr. Ernest Sovac's best friend, bookish college professor George Kingsley, is run down while crossing a street. In order to save his friend's life, Sovac implants part of another man's brain into the professor's. Unfortunately, the other man was a gangster who was involved in the accident. The professor recovers but at times behaves like the gangster, and his whole personality changes. Sovac is horrified but also intrigued, because the gangster has hidden $500,000 somewhere in the city. The doctor continues to treat his friend and, when the professor is under the influence of the gangster's brain, Sovac attempts to have the man lead him to the fortune. Béla Lugosi plays a gangster also trying to get his hands on the cash.

I have Black Friday in the Bela Lugosi Collection DVD set. But, if you don't have it, you can watch it above via YouTube!

Enjoy!

Happy Halloween!

 

Dracula Silver Round

 

Here's something new that I haven't seen before.

It is a Dracula silver round by the Intaglio Mint in Colorado. It contains 1oz of .999 fine silver.

According to SD Bullion:

With immortal popularity, Count Dracula has been featured an uncountable number of times in pop culture since Bram Stoker’s novel was released in 1897. That includes the Vintage Horror Series of Silver Rounds from the Intaglio Mint. Dracula is often regarded as the first vampire and is an iconic character in fictional literature creating the legend of vampires in the horror genre. With a striking depiction, Dracula Silver Rounds are a captivating artistic representation of a timeless character and an essential collection piece.

Because silver rounds are privately minted products, they tend to be a more accessible acquisition, with lower prices than silver coins. 

It sort of looks like Bela Lugosi from the 1931 classic by Universal Pictures. 

Personally, I don't collect silver rounds, but I am sure someone reading this likely does.

Remembering Carla Laemmle

.Above, Carla Laemmle at the 2011 Monsterpalooza. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is sometimes incredible how fast time flies. This is particularly true whenever someone passes away and the passage of time isn't realized until someone makes note of it years later.

Craig Brann posted the following on Facebook this morning:

In memory of Rebekah Isabelle Laemmle, AKA Carla Laemmle. (October 20, 1909 – June 12, 2014) R.I.P.   She was the niece of Universal Pictures founder, Carl Laemmle. Some of you may remember the small part she had in the beginning of Dracula (1931).

It doesn't seem that long ago that Carla Laemmle passed away at 104. But it has been nine years ago today. For a long time, she was the sole surviving cast member of Dracula (1931) starring Bela Lugosi.

It is nice that she is still remembered today.

Universal Monsters At Fire Rock Navajo Casino

Above, Bela Lugosi's Dracula slot machine. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following Larry Lucier's physical therapy session in Gallup last evening, we headed over to Fire Rock Navajo Casino for dinner. Neither of us had been there for quite a while and we wanted to see what they had on their menu at their restaurant, Cheii's, these days.

He had fish & chips and I tried out their brisket sandwich special. Both were quite good and we found the meals to be less expensive than at the El Rancho Hotel. Another plus, they have a bar and we had Margaritas to start.

Since the majority of their clientele are Navajos, the restaurant has several lamb dishes for them to choose from. Navajos seem to favor lamb in their diets.

Above, Margaritas before dinner.

After dinner, we wandered around the casino and watched some players playing craps, blackjack and roulette. Each table game has a five dollar minimum bet rule. Neither of us played, just watched. Larry said the last time he was there, there were no table games, just slot machines. That was around 12 years ago when the casino opened. I told him that I had played roulette there a few times. I don't recall if they provided free liquor to players like Las Vegas casinos. They definitely don't provide free cigarettes as it is a non-smoking casino. The last time I saw free cigarettes at a table game was seven years ago at The Mirage in Las Vegas. 

Above, a Universal Monsters-themed slot machine. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In the casino, I noticed some Universal Pictures monster-themed slot machines. Each featured Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, Wolf Man and Bride of Frankenstein. Occasionally, a small video clip of each movie would pop up on the screen. I was wondering as the time if they were properly licensed by Universal and, by extension, the families of each monster (such as Bela G. Lugosi, Sara Karloff and Ron Chaney).

There was occasional rains coming through the Gallup area. But it stopped by the time we headed back to Jamestown.