THIS WAS THE FEAR THAT WAS . . . THE MASK

This is a movie about addiction, obsession, and murder -- and it’s pretty good. That it’s also 50-years old this year makes it pretty good, too. With a theme that’s a distant relative of W.W. Jacobs’ The Monkey’s Paw, it is not only the first Canadian film to be widely released in the United States, but it’s also the first Canadian horror film to be widely released as well. Even considering that Canadian horror films were few and far between at the time, it’s still an accomplishment.

Cranking up the cool factor were several sequences shot in 3D. When the voice over exclaimed in a booming, ominous voice to “PUT THE MASK ON NOW!”, he not only meant for the lead to do it in the picture, but for the audience to put on their supplied 3D glasses as well!

In FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FIMLAND #16 (March, 1962), THE MASK was featured in a photo story.

A PACKAGE FOR DR. BARNES

MASK DISPLAY AT TIFF BELL LIGHTHOUSE, TORONTO

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THIS WAS THE FEAR THAT WAS . . . AURORA FRANKENSTEIN PLASTIC MODEL KIT

In 1961 Aurora Plastics blew the coffin lid off the monster craze that started with TV's Shock Theater and Warren's FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND by releasing the first in their line of Universal monster kits, the Frankenstein monster. The craze quickly caught on and soon the company was cranking out models 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Now, a half century later, Aurora monster models have not lost their mystique as several companies have re-issued the line over the years, re-introducing the magic to youngsters today of "making your own monsters" just like us Monster Kids did!

A now grown-up Monster Kid who goes by the name of Monster Man Dan is selling a 50-year Anniversary Frankenstein model tribute T-shirt at Cafe Press. Click HERE to take a look.

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THIS WAS THE FEAR THAT WAS . . . FRANKENSTEIN 1931

This year, MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD celebrated the 80th Anniversary of the release of Boris Karloff's immortal classic, FRANKENSTEIN. Directed by James Whale and with make up by the legendary Jack Pierce, Karloff became an instant star. People crammed into dark movie houses to watch and riots broke out in the lines outside, even to the point of crushing the box office at one theater!

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THIS WAS THE FEAR THAT WAS . . . DRACULA 1931

Celebrating its 80th year, the 1931 Universal Picture, DRACULA, starring the incomparable Bela Lugosi, has become a true icon of the horror film. Sometimes panned today for its static camera work, the film still chills with its stark silence as the immortal vampire and his minions strike fear and terror in the hearts of their victims. It was selected for the National Film Archives and will be preserved for years to come.

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