{"id":33569,"date":"2025-10-25T15:00:56","date_gmt":"2025-10-25T19:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monsffa.ca\/?p=33569"},"modified":"2025-10-22T12:11:03","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T16:11:03","slug":"monsffas-halloween-special-post-4-of-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.monsffa.ca\/?p=33569","title":{"rendered":"MonSFFA’s Halloween Special – Post 4 of 4"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>This is our closing post of the afternoon.<\/p>\n

At this moment, the club is wrapping up its annual Super Sci-Fi Book Sale at our downtown meeting locale. As such, there is no interactive ZOOM-chat component included with this month\u2019s MonSFFA event.<\/p>\n

But for our out-of-town club members and friends, we do offer today, here online, a few Halloween-themed items of interest, culled from our meeting archives.<\/p>\n

The Horror, The Horror<\/em>\u2026<\/strong><\/h1>\n

For your perusal, then, this overview of Aurora\u2019s line of movie monster-themed plastic model kits, and the mania they precipitated in the 1960s, originally presented as part of our DIY October 17, 2020 Virtual MonSFFA Meeting:\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Any so-called \u201cMonster Kid\u201d growing up in the 1960s harboured two utmost desires: the latest issue of Famous Monsters of Filmland <\/em>magazine (co-founded by pioneering sci-fi fan Forrest J Ackerman), and the latest release in Aurora\u2019s line of classic monster model kits!\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Long Island, NY-based Aurora Plastics Corporation was founded in 1950 as a contract manufacturer of injection-molded plastics. Before too long, the company began producing and marketing its own line of \u201call plastic assembly kits\u201d for young hobbyists, focusing chiefly on aircraft and automobiles.<\/p>\n

Aurora\u2019s first figure kits, a set of medieval knights in armour, were introduced in the mid-\u201950s, quickly followed by the \u201cGuys and Gals of All Nations\u201d series, featuring statuettes dressed in the national costumes of Holland, China, Scotland, and other countries, this in an effort to appeal to female crafters. Throughout the late-\u201950s, \u201960s, and \u201970s, other historical subjects followed the knights, from Roman gladiators to modern U.S. soldiers, sailors, and airmen, along with a variety of kits spotlighting American wildlife, sports stars, comic book superheroes, sci-fi TV characters, and the prehistoric world.<\/p>\n

But it was a licensing agreement with Universal Studios that allowed Aurora to launch what would become its most popular and successful series of all, the Movie Monster Models collection!\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Universal\u2019s classic horror films were enjoying a revival in the late-\u201950s- and early-\u201960s, and were all the rage with youngsters, who watched them on television, where they aired frequently, or flocked to movie houses to see them. Aurora marketing director Bill Silverstein had taken note of the appeal these old pictures had with adolescents and teens, and pitched the idea of a series of kits showcasing Universal\u2019s stable of venerable movie monsters. He was met with ridicule and disinterest but persisted and eventually convinced skeptical upper management to gauge interest by bringing to market one<\/em> model.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

That model was Frankenstein, released in 1961. Silverstein was soon vindicated! Frankenstein was an instant hit and calls started coming in to Aurora\u2019s sales offices requesting other kits in the line. Dracula and The Wolf Man were rushed into production and were on store shelves in time for Christmas 1962.\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Creature (from the Black Lagoon), The Mummy, The Phantom of the Opera, Dr. Jekyll as Mr. Hyde, non-Universal behemoths King Kong and Godzilla, and others followed. There were 13 monster kits produced in all\u2014tagged by aficionados \u201cThe Aurora 13\u201d\u2014plus two customizing kits and a Gigantic Frankenstein, the finished model standing some two-feet tall.\u00a0 A pair of affiliated models, the Munsters \u201965 and the Addams Family Haunted House, are often considered part of the series. \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Hunchback’s box art was modified several times. Actor Anthony Quinn’s face was painted over to arrive at a more generic visage, and later given the Glows-in-the-Dark treatment!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a>Advertised in Famous Monsters of Filmland<\/em> and DC Comics publications, Aurora\u2019s monster kits skyrocketed in popularity. In 1964, a U.S.-wide Monster Customizing Contest was sponsored in cooperation with Universal Pictures and Famous Monsters<\/em>, contributing to a growing \u201cMonster Mania.\u201d\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Young model-makers were tasked with creating a macabre diorama using any combination of Aurora monster kits and customizing materials. Two customizing kits were issued, providing modellers with an assortment of skulls, spiders, rats, and such with which to enhance their miniature tableaus. Each entrant received a \u201cMaster Monster Maker\u201d certificate. Hundreds of prizes were handed out with the national winner awarded a paid trip to Hollywood and the opportunity to appear in a horror movie!\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Sculptor Bill Lemon was responsible for designing and producing the patterns for most of the monster models, with Ray Meyers and Adam \u201cLarry\u201d Ehling taking over when Lemon left to pursue other commissions. The Forgotten Prisoner of Castel-Mare was the last kit in the line, becoming available in 1967-\u201968 and sporting box art by renowned pulp illustrator Mort K\u00fcnstler.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It was the box art produced by James Bama, however, that indelibly marked Aurora\u2019s Movie Monster Models. At the time, Bama was working as a commercial artist for a major New York advertising firm. He was known as a prolific paperback and magazine cover artist, as well as for dramatic interior illustrations featured in men\u2019s adventure magazines. Genre fans would soon come to know him for his extraordinarily striking monochromatic Doc Savage covers for Bantam Books\u2019 paperback reprints of the original novels.\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The accomplished illustrator applied his signature realism to what was fantastical subject matter in rendering melodramatically lit, vividly colourful box art for the monster kits. Save for K\u00fcnstler\u2019s single contribution, Bama produced all of the original box art for the series, as well as a few pieces for spin-offs like the Monstermobiles line, which put our favourite monsters in crazily-exaggerated hot-rods, a concept that did not fly with either monster or hot-rod enthusiasts.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Beginning in 1969, the original monster models were modified to include luminescent parts and reissued through the early-\u201970s with reworked packaging that included some new art by artist Harry Schaare, who essentially copied Bama\u2019s originals while highlighting with bright acrylics the glow-in-the-dark components of the model. In some instances, Bama\u2019s original gouache paintings were actually painted over<\/em> with acrylics\u2014no one present back in the day seems to know who might have been responsible for that sin, or perhaps nobody wants to say!\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In 1971, Aurora launched its controversial Monster Scenes line, featuring four character kits: Frankenstein, sexy comic book pin-up Vampirella, the sadistic Doctor Deadly, and a scantily-clad young woman dubbed simply \u201cThe Victim.\u201d At about 1\/13 scale, these simple, snap-together, toy-like figures were smaller and lacked the detail of their movie monster cousins. The concept, here, was to enable children to easily assemble and then play with the models. Each figure came with extra sets of movable arms and legs so that they could be assembled in different poses.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In addition to the character kits, four \u201cgrisly equipment\u201d kits with names like Gruesome Goodies and The Pain Parlour were available, together serving as a torture-chamber playset into which the figures could be placed. Aurora played up the lurid horror, violence, and sex, promoting its new line with the slogan \u201cRated \u2018X\u2019 for excitement!\u201d\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t long before concerned parents were petitioning Nabisco, owners of Aurora at the time, outraged at these \u201csick toys\u201d that make for a \u201csick society!\u201d Women\u2019s groups, too, admonished the company for promoting misogynistic cruelty, noting that the helpless \u201cVictim\u201d didn\u2019t even rate her own name!<\/p>\n

Nervous Nabisco quickly ordered a halt to the tooling on two new kits, a dungeon and an animal pit into which The Victim could be lowered, and announced that the Monster Scenes line was to be discontinued. Preliminary development on models of a second victim, an executioner, and more torture devices ceased. All remaining inventory, including three as yet unreleased kits\u2014Dracula, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and The Giant Insect\u2014were shipped to Canada, where The Victim was recast as Dr. Deadly\u2019s Daughter.<\/p>\n

The following year, Aurora recovered from this costly debacle, premiering its well-received Prehistoric Scenes line, which incorporated the same models-as-toys idea that had underpinned the short-lived Monster Scenes series.<\/p>\n

Aurora\u2019s swansong monster series was the 1\/12-scale Monsters of the Movies line. But by now the monster craze had passed and the last kit in this series was shipped in 1977. The company shut down its molding machines that same year.<\/p>\n

In a span of just 27 years, Aurora had progressed from humble beginnings to become one of the foremost and most innovative producers of scale-model kits in the industry, only to fall victim to a number of questionable marketing moves and product choices, as well as generally waning public interest in the hobby.<\/p>\n

Bill Silverstein remained focused on the business of marketing toys. His stint at Aurora led him to join comic actors Don \u201cMaxwell Smart\u201d Adams and Bill \u201cJos\u00e9 Jim\u00e9nez\u201d Dana in forming a small advertising agency, securing Aurora as a client, of course! In the early-\u201970s, he became a partner at Helfgott & Partners (later Helfgott, Towne & Silverstein), a high-profile New York agency that represented the Ideal Toy Company.<\/p>\n

After leaving Aurora, Bill Lemon went on to sculpt for major toy manufacturers like Remco and Marx and produced, over his decades-long career, everything from anatomical models for medical schools to Pez dispensers to a circa-1980s Michael Jackson doll.<\/p>\n

James Bama left New York in 1968 and moved to Wyoming, where he established himself as a painter specializing in Western themes. In recognition of his Aurora box art, he was inducted into the Monster Kid Hall of Fame in 2006.<\/p>\n

Rival model manufacturer Monogram (later merged with another rival, Revell) initially acquired many of Aurora\u2019s molds from parent company Nabisco and reissued a number of the kits under its own banner beginning in the late-\u201970s. In the mid-\u201990s and more recently, modern scale-model manufacturers like Polar Lights and Moebius Models have retooled, updated, and rereleased many of Aurora\u2019s most popular kits, occasioning a revival of Monster Mania for both aging Monster Kids and a new generation.<\/p>\n

ANSWERS TO…\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

And finally, here are the answers to the quiz we posted here earlier this afternoon:<\/p>\n

1) Halloween is the day before which holiday? – All Saints (Hallows) Day<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

2) The tradition of making Jack-o-Lanterns to ward off evil spirits is thousands of years old. Which vegetable were they originally made out of? – Turnips<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

3) According to superstition, if you stare into a mirror at midnight on Halloween, what will you see? – Your future husband or wife<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

4) From which region in the world do pumpkins originate? – Central America<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

5) Who wrote the novel Frankenstein<\/em>? – Mary Shelley<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

6) Transylvania is a region in which country? – Romania<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

7) Halloween has its origins in which ancient Celtic festival? – Samhain<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

8) Which actor played Dr. Frank-n-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show<\/em>? – Tim Curry<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

9) Is a pumpkin a fruit or vegetable? – Fruit<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

10) What is the significance of seeing a spider on Halloween? – It is thought to be the spirit of a loved one watching over the person who finds the spider.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

11) Which country celebrates the Day of the Dead starting at midnight on October 31? – Mexico<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

12) According to superstition, a person born on Halloween has what particular ability? – The ability to see and talk to spirits<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

13) Who directed The Nightmare Before Christmas<\/em>? – Henry Selick<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

14) Which vampire said, \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid. I\u2019m going to give you the choice I never had.\u201d? – Lestat (Interview with the Vampire)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

15) How many people were hanged during the Salem Witch Trials?\u00a0 \u00a0 – 19<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

16) Every Halloween, Charlie Brown helps his friend Linus wait for what character to appear? – The Great Pumpkin<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

17) What do people \u201cbob\u201d for on Halloween? – Apples<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

18) Who is said to haunt the White House Rose Garden? – First Lady Dolly Madison<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

19) Pumpkins can be orange, white, green, or what other colour?\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 – Blue<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

20) In the The Texas Chainsaw Massacre<\/em>, how many people are killed with a chainsaw? – One<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

21) What\u2019s the body-count in the film Halloween<\/em>? – Five people, one dog.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

22) In which year was the movie Freaks<\/em> made? – 1932<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

23) In the original Alien<\/em> film, how many alien eggs were made for the egg chamber inside the downed spacecraft? – 130<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

24) How many Oscar nominations did Psycho<\/em> receive? – Four, including Best Director (Alfred Hitchcock) and Best Supporting Actress (Janet Leigh); the film did not win in any of the categories for which it was nominated.\"\"<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

THANK YOU!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We hope you have enjoyed this afternoon\u2019s Halloween-themed posts. SF\/F fans are welcome and encouraged to join the fun, and join MonSFFA! If you have questions about the club, allow us to take you to our leader: president@monsffa.ca<\/a><\/p>\n

The club meets next on Saturday, November 8, 2025 from 1:00PM to 5:00PM at the Nouvel Hotel, 1740 Ren\u00e9-L\u00e9vesque Ouest, downtown.<\/p>\n

Until then, farewell, save some of those Halloween treats for the kids, and thrill to all the horror movies airing and streaming this month!\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is our closing post of the afternoon. At this moment, the club is wrapping up its annual Super Sci-Fi Book Sale at our downtown meeting locale. As such, there is no interactive ZOOM-chat component included with this month\u2019s MonSFFA event. But for our out-of-town club members and friends, we do offer today, here online, … Continue reading MonSFFA’s Halloween Special – Post 4 of 4<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":435,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33569","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monsffa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33569","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monsffa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monsffa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.monsffa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/435"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.monsffa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=33569"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.monsffa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33569\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33572,"href":"https:\/\/www.monsffa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33569\/revisions\/33572"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monsffa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=33569"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.monsffa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=33569"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.monsffa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=33569"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}