Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror

Rubber Gorilla Jigglers - Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror

This episode explores the world of rubber gorillas made by companies like Imperial, Steven Manufacturing (Gigantor), Azrak-Hamway International, Ben Cooper, Vic's and others. Before getting into the toys, I talk about Phil the Gorilla, a legendary resident of the St. Louis Zoo in the 1940s and 1950s that helped spark my childhood love of rubber gorillas. Notes: While talking about the big Gigantor gorillas with the open mouths, I should have noted that examples have been found wearing a pageant-style sash with the name "Gigantor" printed on it. That is one reason why, years ago, collectors closely associated the name "Gigantor" with these particular gorillas. Also, I mistakenly said that the tan version had plastic eyes. Both the tan and black versions have painted eyes. The tan gorilla's eyes are much more glossy and shiny, so I mistook them for plastic as I was shooting that segment. Look for one more regular episode to close out this season before we break for our summer hiatus. Continue the monster talk by joining the "Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror" Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/644618149275833 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/644618149275833] Just be sure to answer the two security questions or you will be denied membership! Almost no one bothers to answer the security questions, so very few people get into the group. We run a tight ship in the Basement of Horror.

Hammer Horror Distinctive Dummies 8" action figures - Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror

From 2013 through 2020, the Bangkok-based boutique custom toy company Distinctive Dummies produced a definitive line of Mego-style, 8-inch action figures based on Hammer Studios horror characters. Though unlicensed, the line represented the first (and long overdue) serious attempt to produce an authoritative Hammer toy series. Product Enterprise had made a stand-alone Hammer Dracula 12" figure, and XoneX had made some knockoff Curse of the Werewolf items, but nothing as ambitious as the Distinctive Dummies 8" series. Among its very first offerings, Distinctive Dummies had made 12" figures of the main Hammer characters like Dracula, Frankenstein, etc. But in its subsequent Mego-style line, Distinctive Dummies systematically set out to produce an exhaustive lineup representing nearly every monster and villain in the history of Hammer horror films. Mego would later produce a licensed, factory-produced Hammer action figures series sold in mainstream stores, followed by 1/6th scale offerings from Trick or Treat Studios and Kaustik Plastik. Other custom toymakers, such as BrentzDolz, have made more recent Hammer figures. But the Distinctive Dummies series still stands as a landmark. For decades, collectors had clamored for Hammer action figures. But whether it was due to licensing complications or manufacturer disinterest, Hammer toys seemed an unattainable dream. Distinctive Dummies sliced through that Gordian Knot and gave collectors the Hammer figures they had long wanted. Continue the monster talk by joining the "Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror" Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/644618149275833 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/644618149275833] Just be sure to answer the two security questions or you will be denied membership! Very few people bother to answer the security questions, so very few people get into the group. We run a tight ship in the Basement of Horror.

Imperial Universal Monsters Rubber Jigglers - Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror

In this episode, we look at pellet-filled stretchable rubber jigglers made by the Imperial toy company in the early 2000s. Imperial made two sets. The first was a generic monster series marketed for the Halloween season that included a vampire, werewolf, skeleton and witch. The second was a licensed Universal Monsters series with Frankenstein, Dracula, Wolf Man, Mummy, Bride of Frankenstein and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Continue the monster talk by joining the "Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror" Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/644618149275833 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/644618149275833] Just be sure to answer the two security questions or you will be denied membership! Very few people bother to answer the security questions, so very few people get into the group. We run a tight ship in the Basement of Horror.

Burger King and Jack in the Box Universal Monsters - Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror

Before we talk about toys, we pause to reflect on the life of Bobby Beeman, a good friend, extraordinary human, excellent musician and influential toy collector who recently passed away. After commemorating Bobby, we examine the Universal Monsters fast food premiums from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Burger King offered a beautifully designed set of four monster action figures in 1997, probably the best licensed Universal Monsters action figures since the 1980 Remco series. The lineup included Dracula, Frankenstein, Wolf Man and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Frankenstein and Wolf Man had Karloff and Chaney estate licensing. A few years later, fast food rival Jack in the Box released two sets of Universal figures. The first included Frankenstein, Dracula, Wolf Man, Mummy, Creature and Phantom of the Opera. The second series, which featured all-new sculpts and designs, included the same characters but dropped the Creature and replaced him with the Bride of Frankenstein - the only Bride figure in all three sets. All three series touted fun action features, including lights, sound and windup movement. Hopefully, we will have a Part 2 followup fast food episode next year with the White Castle monsters and Taco Bell Creature Crypts series. But this episode is more than enough fast food fun for you to pig out on in the meantime.

Mannix Monsters Maniacs knockoff monster wrestlers - Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror

Exploring the 1990s knockoff horror wrestling toys made by Mannix. Continue the monster talk by joining the "Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror" Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/644618149275833 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/644618149275833] Just be sure to answer the two security questions or you will be denied membership! Very few people bother to answer the security questions, so very few people get into the group. We run a tight ship in the Basement of Horror.