Help Me Identify This Frankenstein Movie Lobby Sign in Universal Horrors Forum

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Help Me Identify This Frankenstein Movie Lobby Sign

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monsterseller	Help Me Identify This Frankenstein Movie Lobby Sign	Lead	[-]
May 22 12 5:59 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hello fellow horror movie buffs, I recently came across a huge rubber possible lobby promotion sign advertising what looks like the original 1931 Frankenstein movie. It definitely shows Boris Karloff as the monster at the gates of castle Thunder. It is pressed molded rubber over a wood frame and has a masonite backing. The piece does appear to have quite a bit of age, as the rubber is breaking down and you can smell it pretty good, and pretty dry, although it is still mostly all there and looks AWESOME. My question is, does anyone know who made it, and was it made for the original Frankenstein movie. The thing is huge measuring 54 inches tall by 34.75 inches in width, and has hand painted accents. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Wich2		#1	[-]
May 22 12 6:55 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The style doesn't look 1931 to me; and it seems like a piece celebrating an Iconic character, when The Monster wasn't one yet then? Good luck! -Craig
PhantomXCI		#2	[-]
May 22 12 7:12 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I agree 100% with Craig. 1931 was waaaaaaaay to early for this type of iconic image to have been marketed. Were they even using pressed, molded rubber for displays in '31? It's an extremely nice piece (I'd love to own it myself); but it looks so commercial that I doubt if it was manufactured any earlier than the mid-1970s.
monsterseller		#3	[-]
May 22 12 7:20 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Yes I think both of you are right. I was doing some more research on the materials used, and it does have polyurethane foam inside, which, although it's breaking down, (crumbles when touched) I believe wasn't first widely used until the 1960's. So judging by the amount of deterioration, I would say it was made sometime in the late 60's early 70's. Still, quite a nice piece, but wonder what it was used to promote.
Bobtheman		#4	[-]
May 22 12 7:42 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"but wonder what it was used to promote." It was used to promote... Frankenstein.
monsterseller		#5	[-]
May 22 12 7:55 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Bobtheman wrote: "but wonder what it was used to promote." It was used to promote... Frankenstein. lol, yes but, which later film, or what. Seems like a movie promo piece being it's a sign, and so large. If you were making it as a mass produced piece, the actual figure of the monster on a much smaller scale would be the choice. Maybe for a haunted house attraction.
Andy	No Expert	#6	[-]
May 22 12 8:17 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Greetings, This piece looks like an advertising item used in the late 1970's and early 1980's when VHS/Beta rentals first came available. The now-defunct Sun Coast in Vancouver used to sell items like this when the Universal Monster Classics were first available for purchase. Also, judging from the hanger holes in the back, this display could be wall-mounted as in a retail outlet. Identifying information on these kinds of displays were printed on adhesive stickers, which may have dried up an fallen off long ago. Cool display piece! Regards, Andy in Vancouver.
monsterseller		#7	[-]
May 22 12 8:28 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Andy wrote: Greetings, This piece looks like an advertising item used in the late 1970's and early 1980's when VHS/Beta rentals first came available. The now-defunct Sun Coast in Vancouver used to sell items like this when the Universal Monster Classics were first available for purchase. Also, judging from the hanger holes in the back, this display could be wall-mounted as in a retail outlet. Identifying information on these kinds of displays were printed on adhesive stickers, which may have dried up an fallen off long ago. Cool display piece! Regards, Andy in Vancouver. Hey thanks much Andy, best explanation so far.
MrDark1.monstermayhem18866		#8	[-]
May 22 12 10:45 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Actually, this is from '96-97 from mask maker Mario Chiodo's Illusive Concepts company. He had the Universal Studios Monsters license to make Halloween masks, props etc. He, and his masks were a staple on QVC shopping channel, selling these classic monster masks, and props. He is known for over sized masks of not only the Universal Monsters, but many fantasy creatures, and characters. Dragons, Trolls, Wizards etc. Some of these are created as large mascot type faces for a full Halloween costume. This Frankenstein wall hanger was created under his Universal license then, he also made a larger Karloff Frankenstein Prop head/shoulder that is breaking through a wall, and another large size of just his head with a sculpted banner beneath reading.. BELOVED ! ? His sculpting is excellent, as the likeness is great, though he tends to add a lot of pebbly details to the Karloff faces that is not needed. A small toy size Karloff head with banner FRANKENSTEIN just under the head was released at this time too. He still creates masks, and props for Halloween, and main stream pieces of sculptures/art works for cities, and clients with his Chiodo Art designs. Your Signature ...
Rakshasa		#9	[-]
May 22 12 10:52 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	And there you have it. Thanks, Mr. Dark1, for setting the record straight. Cool piece! Links To All The Classic Monster Stills I've Posted: http://monsterkidclassichorrorforum.yuku.com/topic/30758
acker j forestman		#10	[-]
May 23 12 11:42 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I have the head only version that was sold by Wal-Mart around Halloween, at the same time as the above display. The monster's head is about 80% of full size, and is a dead-on likeness of Karloff. There was also the Crypt Keeper head from TALES FROM THE CRYPT that I didn't purchase. Amazingly, Wal-Mart had some better-quality Halloween props in the 1990s.
Detective Kemper		#11	[-]
May 23 12 10:38 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I saw this advertised in one of my early Phillip Morris Costume catalogs. It's a modern piece. DK
siciliano66		#12	[-]
May 24 12 8:24 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Whatever it is ..it's beautiful. What a great keepsake! New Info*Looking on Ebay, i found an illusive Frankenstein for sale, although not the same piece, look at the eyes and the shape of the mouth. Definitely the same artist. Very cool item! Last Edited By: siciliano66 May 24 12 8:34 AM. Edited 1 times.
The Batman of Gotham		#13	[-]
May 24 12 11:56 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	'Looks like the "head only" version that acker j forestman described above. - GJS
professor liebstrum		#14	[-]
May 24 12 5:42 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	It's a very nice piece and a shame it's deteriorating. A good likeness of Dear Boris. Thanks for the pictures and well done to Mr Dark for the identification I really enjoy seeing this sort of thing on the board Russ
countplastica		#15	[-]
May 25 12 7:19 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	However new it is, someone needs to try to preserve it...how many of these things can still exist.
DrJeffyll		#16	[-]
May 26 12 10:59 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	My buddy has one of these and also the one with Frankie bursting thru the brick wall. Very cool!
back lot charlie		#17	[-]
May 26 12 11:19 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Illusive Concepts used notoriously bad latex. All their stuff rots away to dust.
monsterseller		#18	[-]
May 28 12 7:24 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	back lot charlie wrote: Illusive Concepts used notoriously bad latex. All their stuff rots away to dust. Thank you to all for the identification. Unfortunately it looks like it will need to be disposed of, as the thing is giving off a rather pungent smell and could possibly even be releasing PCB's as I have gotten a bit sick from having it in my room. Need to be aware of chemicals and other hazards used in manufacture, as what you don't know can hurt you.
countplastica		#19	[-]
May 28 12 8:23 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Something that old is still outgassing? Could it be moldy inside or somewhere that isn't obvious? Mold and mildew make me feel as you describe, especially when I'm cooped up with them.
back lot charlie		#20	[-]
Jun 3 12 8:46 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Latex often gives off the smell of ammonia early in its life...does it smell like ammonia?

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