THE COBWEBBED ROOM

'Count Dracula's Deadly Secret' full page ad.

2012-01-08T22:35:00.001Z

'Late Night Horror' Titles (1968)

2012-01-07T23:08:00.002Z

Creepy titles from a now lost TV horror show from 1968.

'EAGLE HALLOWEEN GAME POSTER'

2012-01-07T22:31:00.005Z

Even though the Halloween game poster came free with Eagle #238 (11th October 1986), it will be of interest to those familiar with IPC's 'Scream' comic from 1984. After Scream's last issue #15, the comic then merged with 'Eagle' for a number of issues.'Scream' readers will probally recognise artwork from the Halloween poster here which came from issues of Scream. Those that I can make out include images from The Thirteenth Floor [Grim Reaper],Library of death ['At death's door','Spiders can't scream' and 'Ghost Dance'],Monster [house from isssue 6 and Zombies from issue 7], The Nightcomers [Issue 9], Cover of issue 9 [Skeleton Bride], The Dracula File and last but not least Ghastly McNasty. The cover of Eagle #238 uses images from the back cover of Scream #9. The next 4 issues of Eagle would contain free cards [2 of which are featured below] that can be used with the Halloween game poster and for another 2 games.

'Monster Heads' Toys.

2011-12-19T23:06:00.003Z

This ad came from an issue of 2000ad (prog 498 29th November 1986), its the first time I have come across these before, certainly can't remember seeing them in the shops back then. They look great and more than likely influenced by the big major toy range of the 1980's TRANSFORMERS, although these Monster Heads look very basic in their transformation, but I think still quite cool and also remind me a little of the wonderful Mighty Max mini playset monster heads. As you can see from the above ad there are 4 monster heads in the set,these being Dracula, Frankenstein, Skull and Gorilla and all are friction powered too. Monster Head Metamorphs made by Matsushiro.

'SCREAM' Comic - Full page ad.

2011-12-19T23:00:00.002Z

I have put a few comic book ads for the 80's 'Scream' comic but I came across this full page ad for #1 in an issue of 2000 ad [Prog 361 24th March 84]. Hope you like it.

'Horror Gripper free with Whoopee comic'

2011-11-15T22:58:00.003Z

The times I have bought a load of British comics that I found in charity shops over the years hoping for at least one page advertising Smiths Horror Bags and being kind of disapointed that I never saw any, I know that issues of Buster and Whoopee have had adverts in them from various scans I have seen but its knowing what issues these came from. My search still continues. Anyway I mention all this because I came across a issue recently of 'Whoopee' (3rd April 1976) which is the same comic that had the free gift of a Horror Gripper from Smiths Horror Bags, I had never seen any of the Horror Grippers before and I was quite surprised how big they were, would love to come across the other 2 sometime. Also in this issue is the ad you see above, yes another Horror Bags ad,for the set of 3 Horror Grippers. Love the graphics on this one. Anyway I'll keep looking for any other different advertisements for Horror Bags and hopefully show you here.If anyone knows of any other ones then please do let us know or photos of other promotional items from the Horror Bag range, we would be most grateful.

'Frankenstein Monster' Greeting cards

2011-11-09T00:12:00.002Z

2 nice cards featuring the Frankenstein Monster, both of which resemble Boris Karloff's frankenstein Monster. I really like the idea of the first card in which you can write whatever you like in the speech bubbles, the card is blank inside and is made by 'Courtier fine art limited'.The second card I really like a lot,just love the artwork on this and the monster licking his lips.This is 'Birthday Beauty' by Scott Wilson and is a card from the 'Athena' chain of card/gift shops. Also blank inside card.

Funny horror birthday cards

2011-11-08T23:50:00.002Z

There seems to be a lack of greeting cards these days that feature images from horror films/monsters, spooky stuff etc.Even Halloween the shops don't seem to stock these sort of cards anymore, well there may be some but I haven't seen any. The 4 cards you see here I bought back in the 1980's from one of the 'Gift Tree' card shops, they were only 30p each. I really like these cards with their still from a classic horror movie and funny caption, they kind of remind me of what were in issues of the American spoof magazine 'For Monsters Only'. Inside of the Phantom of the Opera card it reads "After all those teeth probably cost you plenty!", the second card featuring a still from 'The Cat and the Canary'(1920) inside says "Goodbye Sincerity", The third card featuring 'The Devil Doll'(1936) inside reads "Make love to an Elephant" and the final card with a still from the silent classic 'The Lost World'(1925) inside reads "...particularly when they remind you about your age!". The cards are 4 from a series called 'Movie Mania' I wonder what other cards were featured too.

'FRANKENSTEIN' Iron-on transfer 1970's

2011-10-19T22:38:00.002Z

This wonderful Frankenstein Iron-on transfer is from the 1970's and is possibly one of 4 designs that could also be bought already printed on a T-shirt. The pictures below show the front and back of the transfer and a advertisement from 'Legend Horror Classics'#2 (1974) showing 3 other designs [Dracula,Werewolf and King Kong] already printed on T-shirts that could be bought.

'SKELETON IN COFFIN' Novelty

2011-10-19T22:28:00.002Z

I bought this back in the late 70's maybe early 80's from a local joke shop. The box and coffin are about 3 inches across, the coffin and skeleton are made of plastic and inside the coffin is a magnet, the skelton goes on top of the coffin and when you tap the coffin the skeleton turns over.For some strange reason mine doesn't work anymore but with such a cool box and the actual item it still makes a nice little display peice. I scanned the coffin and skeleton because I couldn't get a decent photo of them both.

'Crawling SPOOKIES'

2011-09-30T22:24:00.002Z

I have had this Spookies insect and packaging for many many years, I have no idea what year but I would guess sometime during the 1980's. The Centipede isn't as flexible as it was originaly but it still glows in the dark. According to the packaging it says that when the spookies becomes less sticky you can wash it in warm soapy water, will have to try that.. Apart from the one you see here and the 2 pictures on the card of a skeleton hand and skeleton, I don't know if there were any other Crawling Spookies. Instructions state that you throw the Spookies against a window or other shiny surface and then the spookie will crawl down the surface. I just love what it says on the packaging - 'UNBELIEVABLE! Hold under a electric light for 15 seconds,switch off the light then throw against a wall and frighten your freinds'/Night toy for kids and adults/Must be seen to be believed. Would love to hear from you if you have any of these crawling Spookies especially any that haven't been mentioned here.

'DRAC'S BACK' - Novelty Record

2011-09-21T23:29:00.003Z

I love a good novelty monster/horror tune, something to lift the spirits, raise the dead or just for a little ghoulish fun. Most of these type of records were made in the USA but here in the land of Cushing and Lee, we have 4 copies of the hit single 'Drac's Back', first by Andy Forray, then Red Lipstique, and last but not least The Bollock Brothers, really like the covers on these. I'll do some more digging for more tunes from the British Tomb.

SPOOKY SKULLS

2011-08-16T23:10:00.004Z

I have had these for quite some time, either bought during the late 70's or early 80's. I think they were most likely for sale during Halloween or for sale at all times in joke shops. Can't remember where I got them now, all I know is that I really like them and that they make a nice decoration for that spooky tomb. They are made of hard rubber/vinyl [Something like that] and have a peice of elastic for them to be hung up. The second photo of the 3 light colour ones are glow-in-the-dark. Not sure who made these, used to see alot of this sort of thing back in the 1970's/80's as well as rubber skeletons, bats, figures such as Witches, Devils etc [These are known as Jigglers in America and made by a company called Ben Cooper known for their range of Halloween costumes for kids].

'FEINDISH FEET' Pots

2011-07-04T22:30:00.002Z

I was talking a freind of mine the other day and looking through some comics he had from the 1980's and I came across one of the adverts for 'Feindish feet' Yogurts, I asked him if he remembered them and he said that he thought he had some of the pots in his green house. Anyway a few days later I went to see him and sure enough he had some, must of been in his greenhouse since the 80's, the pots were a little faded and covered in dirt and dead woodlice inside some of them. He used to have them for his kids to plant plants in, anyway I cleaned them up and here they are.

'BUBBLEBATH WOBBLERS'

2011-06-21T22:02:00.002Z

These little retro looking bubble bath figural containers are just so cool and great fun with their wobbly heads. Consisting of BONEHEAD, VAMPIRE and WEREWOLF and made by Napa Products Ltd of South Cave. I think these were available at the time from 'Boots' chemists, sometime during the 1990's.

'FOAMY FIENDS' - Bubblebath containers

2011-06-21T21:54:00.002Z

The 'Foamy Fiends' Frankenstein's Monster and Mummy were also made during the 1990's, not sure what particular year though. These were produced for Super Drug Stores. The 'Foamy Fiends' were made of quite thin plastic but I think look rather bubble-ly.

'HORRORBUBBLES' - Bubble Bath Bottle/containers

2011-06-21T21:45:00.003Z

I really like to see all the different novelty bubble bath containers that come out each year, great fun and look nice displayed. Of course I like them even better when I come across a monster one like the examples I will be listing here.

The 2 'HORRORBUBBLES' that you see here of Frankenstein's Monster and Dracula were made in 1994 by Jackel International Ltd of Northumberland. I think the figures are quite cute although they do both have rather sinister eyes.

VAMPIRE 'SPOOKY DOOR KNOCKER'

2011-06-14T21:43:00.002Z

Sometimes the coolest Halloween things can be found in places that every Halloween normally have cheap and tacky ghoulish goods, I am talking mainly of the Pound shops, but I guess you get what you pay for, but it's nice when you do see something that catches your eye. Something a little unusual or as nice graphics or nice design. I don't have anything against tacky items as such but sometimes they can have a bit of tacky class to them. Anyway one such item as you see pictured here is this fantastic looking Vampire spooky door knocker which I got a few years ago from a 99p shop. I wish I bought a few of these now as they are just wonderfully sculpted and a little sinister. Although it is only made of plastic, I think it would look great on an old spooky door all the time or just for Halloween. The 'Spooky Door knocker' was part of the Horror Zone range at 99p stores, this particular item was made by Rayland, not sure if they made all the Horror zone range. Hope to see more of this type of Halloween product at 99p and Pound shops.

'HORRORS 'N' HEROES' figures etc.

2011-05-07T21:04:00.003Z

I have already shown pictures of the 'Horror Bags' Lucky bags that came out around 1997 but I wanted to mention them again because at one point during their run you could collect small plastic figures that came in the lucky bag, along with game cards [similar to Top Trumps], puzzle sheets and Battlefield game board. These were all part of 'Horrors 'N' Heroes', in which you had to try and collect the 16 plastic 2 inch figures which are all based on monsters and heroes of legend such as Minotaur, Hercules, Gorgon etc. In each of the Horror Bags you also got one of the cards and puzzle sheets plus small peices of card with Horror 'N' Heroes written on one side, these were for the figures to be glued onto to form a stable base for them to stand on. The Battlefield game board parts came in the giant sized Horror Bags [Never got any part of the game myself]. The only picture I have seen of the gameboard is from the advert you see in the photo. The advert was featured on the back of one of the horror themed colouring books you sometimes got too, these coluring books featured drawings of some of the Monsters and heroes from the game as well as other spooky images [will do a post on these sometime]. There were 8 puzzles to collect of which I managed to get 5 of them, as a bonus if you collected all 8 and then completed the puzzles you could send away for the Battlefield game board, although on the first puzzle it says you could send for a mystery gift.

I managed to collect 11 of the 16 figures which you can see above, would love to know what the other 5 figures were. Anyway I'll tell what the figures are that I have: Ist photo from left to right - Echidine, Neptune???, Boreas, not sure what this one is, and Cyclops. 2nd photo: Chimera, Heracles, and Scylla. 3rd photo: Gorgon, Minotaur, and Hydra. As you can see these are quite nicely detailed figures. Can anyone else remember these figures or even have any of the other 5 figures? Would also like to see a photo of the Battlefield gameboard too if anyone has one.

'GHOST STORIES' - Duke of York theatre, London.

2011-05-04T16:45:00.004Z

Saturday just gone I went to London to see Andy Nyman's and Jeremy Dyson's 'Ghost Stories' at The Duke of York theatre. I love a good spooky play at the theatre and this one certainly is a top peice of theatre of fright. I won't go into the actual plot and story of 'Ghost Stories' [It seems a tradition that audience members don't reveal any of the plot]. I will say that if you enjoy theatre productions of plays like Susan Hill's classic 'The Woman in Black', you will love 'Ghost Stories' for its spookiness, eerieness, and creepyness, but you will also experiance the intense, the monstrous and also have a few laughs along the way. The production has amazing atmosphere and special effects that are Incredible, that sometimes makes you think "How the Hell was that done?". Andy Nyman's and Jeremy Dyson's love and understanding of all things ghostly and horrific certainly comes through this production with plenty of thrills and chills that will make many people jump, scream, or get the pulse pumping a little faster.

Ever since 'Ghost Stories' opened in Liverpool at the Liverpool Playhouse and at The Lyric Hammersmith, over 130,000 audience members have been thrilled and chilled. And now playing in the West end to still packed shows. So please don't just take my word for it, if you have the nerves and are 15years old and over then do see this wonderful creepy play which ends this year on June 19th.

Thanks Andy.

GHOST STORIES

'Horror Bag' stickers???

2011-04-26T21:38:00.002Z

These stickers, I understand came free with a comic, not sure when or which comic. These stickers seem to me to be one of Horror Bags many promotional items, the only clue really is that some of the stickers have the titles of some of the horror bag range, those featured here are Bones, Claws, and Bats, which because of Bats being the last of the range must date these stickers from the late 70's/early 80's. Anyone know anymore about these?

'ESCAPE FROM FRANKENSTEIN' board game Ad.

2011-04-26T21:34:00.002Z

Came across this cool advert from a comic which is advertising Waddington's 'Escape from Frankenstein' board game. I love the idea of the comicstrip and the wonderful artwork. I will at some point do a post on the 'Escape from Frankenstein game.

'The Palladium Cellars' - Recent figure photos

2011-03-06T23:14:00.003Z

Ever wondered what happened to the figures from the Palladium Cellars? Well I certainly did, from what I heard last about them is that some of the figures were bought by a collector and then stored away, other figures went to other similar waxwork type exhibits. Well it looks like they were bought by a private collector but not here in the UK because the photos you see here were sent to me via email, there are a photos of a number of figures but I have picked out ones relevant to the Cobwebbed Room. It was so nice to see that the figures are still around even though they are looking a little worse for wear in parts. I wonder if the animatronics on these still work? Would love to see them all up and running again and the Palladium Cellars or similiar exhibit opened again with these original figures.

The photos show an original sign from the cellars, the back of The Phantom of the Opera, and 2 of The Curse of the Werewolf figure. I wonder what happended to the other horror/monster figures such as Dracula, Dr.Frankenstein and Monster, Jekyll and Hyde etc?

Palladium Cellars, London clip.

2011-02-26T03:16:00.000Z

'CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN' Socks

2011-02-16T22:42:00.002Z

Managed to find some of the 'Curse of Frankenstein' Hammer socks that I mentioned in my other post about the 'Hammer' Dracula socks. These are from 'Asdas' also.

'SCREECH' - game

2011-02-16T22:06:00.003Z

A game that is played in the dark, how cool and spooky. 'Screech' is a great simple game that consists of a plastic owl which is battery operated, a number of cards that have glow-in-the-dark pictures on them, a number of rubber feely creatures and a feely sack for the creatures [This is beginning to sound quite rude, I'm just saying what they called from the box]. The object of the game is straight forward enough: The cards are layed face down and the feely creatures put into the sack. One player is chosen to start first, you turn the owl on by the switch at the back which lights up the owl's eyes. On top of the owl is a crest which you spin round and when it stops a pair of spooky creatures is lit up in the owl's eyes, the player then takes one of the cards face down and slides it into the slot just under the owl's head, the card is held there for 3 to 4 seconds and when taken out the image on the card will glow revealing which creature you have, if it is the same has those in the Owl's eyes then you take a feely creature from the sack, then its the next players turn. The first to win 3 feely creatures is the winner. However there are 2 cards that have a different meaning, if you get one with a foot on it then that player has another go and if you get a card with a Goblin on it then you have to return one of your feely creatures to the sack. I think it would add to the atmosphere of playing in the dark by playing some eerie music or playing nighttime sound effects such has owl's hooting and screeching, trees blowing in the wind, etc. Not sure when this game is from, looks to be sometime during the 1970's, although the game is made in America by 'Parker', it says on the box that Parker games is a division of 'Palitoy Ltd', Coalville, Leicester, England, so I would imagine the game was distributed in the UK too. Love the artwork on this box especially the pointing skeleton.

Appointment With Fear - 1990s intro

2011-02-13T18:59:00.000Z

Wall's Dracula Advert (1981)

2011-02-13T18:49:00.000Z

'YOU MAKE ME SCREAM' award

2011-01-10T21:09:00.005Z

Just been awarded the 'You make me scream' blogger award from Cyberschizoid, which I am very pleased, Thank you Cyberschizoid. The 'You make me scream' award was created by Jenny of Memoirs of a scream queen.

The rules for receiving the award are that you have to thank the person who awarded you the 'You make me scream' with a link to their blog, then give this award to 10 other blogs that really make you scream with joy, scream with excitment everytime they update their blog and of course because you think their blog is most excellent.

I would like to award the 'You make me scream' award to the following fangtastic blogs:

Cyberschizoid

Secret Fun Spot

Drunken Severed Head

The Manchester Morgue

Wonderful Wonderblog

Plaid Stallions

The Haunted Gardens

Monster Magazine World

The Horrors of it all

Groovy Age of Horror

'MONSTER MAG' - Top Sellars Ltd

2011-01-07T22:03:00.004Z

Now what teenage horror film fan could'nt resist a poster magazine containing gruesome and blood curdling photos, articles on horror films, stars, and real life horrors such as torture etc and of course a large full colour poster of a fiendish monster to put on their bedroom wall or to take to school and show their mates? That is if the newsagent would sell you one or an adult would buy you a copy, after all issues of 'Monster Mag' were For adults only, as it is written on the cover. This is forbidden fruit for the youngsters as is the girlie mags on the top shelf but this also makes it all the more reason for some of them to want to check them out, you know just for curiosity's sake. I should Imagine some of them that did manage to get copies of Monster Mag maybe weren't allowed to put their posters on the wall, not that they were too gruesome or gory but for the 1970's these were the sort of thing not usually covered in any of the genre magazines of the time, especially in full colour. 'Monster Mag' was possibly the first of its kind, many years before America's gory 'Fangoria' magazine came out during 1979. Now 'Monster Mag' is pretty tame to what we have these days, but during the 70's they were the horror/monster fans mag to have.

'Monster Mag' was published by Top Sellars Ltd of London between 1973 and 1976, a total of 17 issues were published. The first few issues were printed in Italy which brings me to issue #2 which has become the issue most talked about, why? Well because the issues were printed in Italy and shipped to the UK, they of course had to go through customs and checked, Issue 1 got through ok but for some reason #2 never made it and all issues were destroyed, although there are german and french editions of the first 4 issues that can on occasions still be found on places like ebay. So really the only way to see that 2nd issue is by buying one of the german or french issues, not much use if you can't read their language but who cares about that the language when you have the gory pictures to look at. Still its a shame that #2 never made it to these shores for us British fans to enjoy and to make our own minds up. Mind you I have heard that the issue in questions may see a reprint. Would be nice to see 'Monster Mag' return again with all new issues starting with that 2nd issue and then publishing the Double X issue which was due after #17, I guess many fans were waiting in anticipation for that issue, me included. I think eventually 'Monster Mag' was printed in the UK probally from issue 5 at a guess, as there are no german or french editions afterwards, and maybe Top Sellars thought it would be a lot easier to get it printed here rather than risk loseing issues through customs. Editor of the first 4 issues was Roger Cook, then from #5 to #14 editorial would be taken over by Rodgers wife Jan Cook. From issue 15 which became Vol.2#1, editorial duties were taken over by Dez Skinn, whom would bring a touch of ghoulish humour to his editorial. Dez would later on publish 'House of Hammer' magazine as well as many many more genre magazines, comics etc. A small advert hinting at the new 'House of Hammer' magazine was printed on the editorial page and a another issue featured the cover of the first issue in black and white on the back of 'Monster Mag'. To end I thought, well still do that 'Monster Mag' was a great publication with its interesting articles, stunning photos and surperb posters especially for Hammer horror fans as most of these posters were from some of the great Hammer films such as 'Curse of Frankenstein', 'Twins of Evil', 'Frankenstein and the monster from hell', 'Vampire Circus' etc. There was a nice one of the poster artwork from Amicus film's 'From beyond the grave' too. In issue Vol.2#2 the poster featured the 1958 Hammer 'Dracula' poster artwork and the other 2 issues had posters featuring 2 seperate photos split into the one poster. For those of you who would like to get your claws onto issues of 'Monster Mag' then like I say do check out Ebay, although it can be difficult at times to find a perfect issue of one as many do have pin holes or cellotape marks where they were obviously put on the wall. Or there is also a disc that is sometimes on ebay which has all pages, including posters of each issue nicely photographed and in PDF format, which also Includes issue #2 and a photocopy of a feature about issue #2 which was first published in a fanzine called 'Magazine of the movies'. Please check out the wonderful and Informative website of Dez Skinn where you can read about his other publications and enjoy rare pictures and artwork from 'House of Hammer' magazine etc.

http://dezskinn.com/

'GHOST CASTLE' - Board Game 1980s

2010-12-29T22:30:00.003Z

With a title change, new graphics and playing peices. Ghost Castle is basically the same game as the previous Haunted House games I have already featured. I quite like the almost photographic graphics on the castle walls, although I still prefer the more cartoon style of the older games. There is another newer version of 'Ghost Castle' which has been out a few years, will put a picture up when I find one.

'MERRY XMAS 2010'

2010-12-24T15:31:00.002Z

I would just like you wish you all a very Merry Xmas from the Cobwebbed Room, hope you all have a wonderful time and have a very happy new year.

'HAMMER HOUSE OF SOCKS'

2010-12-20T23:02:00.003Z

Be the envy of your horror film fan freinds with these Hammer Dracula official socks available from Asda here in the UK featuring images from 'Dracula Prince of darkness' and 'Taste the blood of Dracula'. Would be nice to see more of this type of thing including underwear featuring such films has 'Lust for a Vampire', 'The Vampire Lovers', 'The Gorgon', 'The Reptile'...

'THE BLACK BOX CLUB' has risen from the tomb

2010-12-19T22:56:00.004Z

For those that read my previous posts on the Black Box Club will know a little about what the club was about, anyway here is the 2 links to those previous posts:

http://cobwebbedroom.blogspot.com/2007/04/black-box-club-audio-magazine.html
http://cobwebbedroom.blogspot.com/search?q=Black+box+clubine.html

Well its fantastic news that The Black Box Club will be re-launched as a website which will also have it's own live radio show, as well as wonderful unseen and heard Interviews, photos, bits and bobs that I am sure will delight lovers of especially British Horror films from Hammer and Amicus. The website will be launched on January 1st 2011 and I think its going to be a great place to talk, have a laugh and share those monster memories of classic British Horror films and its stars. The site is free to join. Please do sign up with them, I'm sure you won't be disapointed:

http://www.theblackboxclub.com/#

'CHUNKYS JELLY CANDY FRANKENSTEINS'

2010-12-18T22:15:00.002Z

Frankenstein monster shaped jelly candy made in Spain for Candyland of Middlesex, UK. These were around during the 1990's, haven't seen any since, although there are a number of these sort of Jelly sweets around especially during Halloween time. Quite like the cartoon Frankenstein Monsters on the label, not sure what they are supposed to be doing though.

'SPOOKY PUFFS' - Halloween Limited edition 2010

2010-12-13T23:01:00.003Z

Made me laugh when I saw this in the supermarket around Halloween, the familiar 'Sugar Puffs' cereal getting in on the Halloween spirit by changing the name a little to 'Spooky Puffs' and adding to the normal sugar puffs cereal fruit flavour ghost shapes. I quite like the taste, they both went well together.

Spooky posters

2010-12-13T22:49:00.003Z

Here is a small selection of posters for various events/occasions. Hope you like them. All of these are from the 1980's. I really love the fun graphics on these especially the 'Monster Sale' one which is very striking. The 'Prices Slashed' poster is from a sale that 'Our Price' record shop had one year. The Dracula one is a Abbey National building society promotion.

DENYS FISHER 'HAUNTED HOUSE' - Another version 1970's

2010-11-30T21:53:00.003Z

As far as I am aware there have been several versions of this classic Haunted House game from Denys Fisher. At one point it was released as 'Which Witch?' with the same artwork you see on the previous post for the game. Then there is this version we have here, which I think as much better artwork, reminds me of the artwork on the 'Ghost Train' and 'Scream Inn' board games. During the 1980's the Haunted House game became known as 'Ghost Castle' and was re-vamped a little with different graphics on the board and box. The game was then re-released again with the same title but re-vamped again.

DENYS FISHER HAUNTED HOUSE board game 1970's

2010-11-21T23:03:00.003Z

Just the images for the time being, just untill I get some text together.

HORROR BAGS PACKETS - Puppet,Game and Clutchers offers

2010-10-26T21:06:00.005Z

I spotted these on another site [well just the fronts of them] and asked their owner if he wouldn't mind sending me pics of the backs of them too, which as you can see he kindly did. Thanks Darren. Nice to see these packets with offers for the Dracula hand puppet, Serpents and Stairs game and Creepy Clutchers. Still haven't come across the Dracula Puppet or even seen a photo of one, still curious to what they are made of.

See more of Darren's fantastic crisp packets from the 1970's here:

http://facebook.com/group.php?gid=134674699909705

'CADBURY'S CURLY WURLY CREEPY WURLY GHOST MOBILE'

2010-10-18T22:41:00.002Z

I used to love Curly Wurly's when I was child but to my knowledge I don't remember seeing this promotion for a 'Creepy Wurly Ghost Mobile', I wish I did though. I had seen a photo of the wrapper awhile ago on ebay and was hoping to put a bid in or if I did I was outbid. Anyway here is another [better] photo like the one I saw before and here is the actual Ghost Mobile that you could send away for. This is so much better than what I imagined it to be like, the graphics are fantastic and should imagine it would of looked spookily stunning when made up, especially if it glowed in the dark too. There have been some really nice spooky promotional items from the 60's and 70's and I think this is up there with the best of them.

I'd just like to thank Jason who kindly let me use these images here. Please take a look at his wonderful collection of packaging from around the world. Follow this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonliebigstuff/sets/

'DOCTOR DEATH'S CHEWS'

2010-09-03T23:51:00.002Z

I am not sure if I remember these or not but the box art on 'Doctor Death's Black Bat Chew' and 'Doctor Death's Midnight Chew' is certainly very nice, make a great display piece. The advertisment was featured in 'Eagle' comic from 1982, this and a wrapper from the Black Bat Chew were both featured on the excellent nostalgic 'Do You remember' forum - http://forums.doyouremember.co.uk/forum.php

'MORE SCRAPBBOK CONTRIBUTIONS'

2010-09-03T23:40:00.002Z

Nice mixture of pages this time. Like the dripping blood cutouts on some of the listings and the 'Dracula's Deadly Secret' Ice-Lolly page. Notice the yellow coffin shaped sticker which came free with 'Whoopee' comic.

Thanks Steve.

'SCRAPBOOK PAGES CONTRIBUTION'

2010-09-03T23:32:00.002Z

Here we have a few more scrapbook pages contibuted by Steve C. Love the way these have been put together, especially the clippings from 'Monster Fun' comic.

More 'SCREAM' comic advertisements

2010-08-16T22:45:00.001Z

'SCREAM' Comic advertisements

2010-08-16T22:39:00.002Z

Here is the first 5 advertisements all from the 1980's comic 'Eagle' in which 'Scream' merged with soon after the last issue in 1984. Another 4 ads coming shortly.

Vincent Price talks about The Monster Club (1982)

2010-08-08T21:31:00.000Z

Monster Club (1980) - trailer

2010-08-08T21:30:00.000Z

The Wicker Man - Trailer

2010-08-08T21:29:00.000Z

MORE SAMPLE SCRAPBOOK PAGES

2010-08-07T22:00:00.002Z

MONSTER MASK FROM ICE CREAM VAN

2010-08-07T21:50:00.004Z

I remember getting the above cardboard mask from an Ice cream van back in the 1970's. Not sure what I had to buy to get one unless the Ice Cream seller gave them out to what ever Ice cream or Ice lolly you bought; I recall buying either Fab Lollies, Screwballs, 99s, or possible Dracula's deadly secret Lollies. Anyone else remember getting one of these masks?

'Pages from some of my scrapbooks'

2010-07-28T21:51:00.003Z

I began putting together scrapbooks way back in the late 70's/early 80's of all things connected with horror films, TV series, ghosts, vampires etc etc. Anything I could find connected with the genre I cut out and pasted in my scrapbooks. I still have many more clippings that are loose and need to be sorted out. I don't do it so much these days, probally because I don't seem to see many decent articles etc in non-genre publications such as sunday supplements as I used to do. Anyway hope you see something on these few pages that interest you, I tried to choose clippings that are more relevant to The Cobwebbed Room.

HORROR DOUBLE BILLS/HORROR SEASONS ON TV Contd.

2010-07-18T22:03:00.003Z

Continuing from the previous post here are some more photos that Greg sent in from his scrapbooks. This time from BBC's 'Master of Terror', ATV's 'A Date with the Devil', Channel 4's 'Monster Horrors', ATV's 'Creature Features', and ATV's 'Prince of Menace'.

HORROR DOUBLE BILLS/HORROR FILM SEASONS ON TV

2010-07-17T21:47:00.003Z

Remember the time when TV stations would put on a horror double bill or have a season of classic horror films on late at night? These were quite a regular thing during the 1970's and 1980's especially BBC 2 and ITV stations such as Anglia [ATV], I mention Anglia because out of all the ITV channels this region seemed to put on quite a lot of the horror double bills/horror seasons and according to Greg whom sent me the photos you see above really did a great job in presenting these classics of the macabre. Remember when ITV had interval captions that popped up before and after the advert breaks which gave the title of what was on and were usually nicely illustrated/designed?, the horror double bills were the highlight of a usually friday night for most horror film fans, myself included; and if you were one of those that were really too young to watch these films or had to go to bed early, then it was either creeping downstairs while Mum and Dad were asleep and putting the TV on and tuning the sound down very low so you wouldn't wake your parents, or hopefully persuading them to let you watch them anyway [after all there was no school the day after]. Anyone else also tried to tune in the TV to other ITV regions? If you did then you know what it was like you see in the TV Times that another channel that you don't get in your area are showing a horror film that you really want to see and so you try and tune the TV in to hopefully get that channel, more than likely when you do it is either a very poor snowy picture, poor sound or both. This didn't deter you though, no matter how bad the picture or sound was just having that channel on with the film you wanted to see was good enough, as you know this was before video recorders [or they were too expensive to buy]. It was more of a thrill back then because you never knew when these films would be on again, if at all. The above photos that Greg kindly sent are pages that he put together in several scrapbooks of clippings from various horror double bills and horror film seasons during the 1970's/80's [The ones above from BBC 2's Horror Double Bill] fantastic that he kept a record of these memorable TV highlights. Should hopefully have a few more to put on soon too. If there is anyone else that kept a scrapbook or 2 of clippings, pictures, articles etc about horror films/TV/fiction etc and are willing to share here then please do feel free to send some pictures, I'll get some of mine scanned or photographed too and post them here in this dusty old cobwebbed room.

'DRACULA LOLLIES'

2010-07-10T21:38:00.002Z

Anyone that fondly remembers the 'Dracula's Deadly Secret' Ice Lollie back in the 1970's [See my post on these] will be pleasantly surprised that they are back again but it seems only from the freezer shop 'Iceland' and 6 Lollies for £1 they are a bargain. The only difference that I can make out compared to the original Deadly Secret Ice Lollies is that the blood red gooey stuff in the middle is now only strawberry ice but everything else is the same, the black cola ice and ice-cream at the bottom and they taste very nice. The only gripes I have is that I don't think that the Dracula illustration is as good as the original and that the Lollies don't have illustrated wrappers just clear plastic. There are a couple of nice touches on the box - 'Produced in Darkest Netherlands' and 'If you have any complaints or comments then please contact the Count at Castle Belfield...' In Spain they have been making the Dracula lollies for a number of years and they come in a nice illustrated wrapper. So put in your non-sensitive fangs and get down to Iceland for a nostalgic treat.

'SCARE BEARS MONSTER PARTY BOOK'

2010-07-10T20:59:00.003Z

Following on from the previous post here we have a beautifully illustrated Scare Bears book published in 1988 by Cartoon Aid. I haven't read the actual story yet but the bits I have read do seem to be quite funny and ghoulish at times. There are 60+ pages of story and illustrations. Each 2 pages has the story on the left and picture opposite. The pictures has you can see above are really nicely illustrated by Mike Gibas and Caspar Williams, these are wonderful to look at as there are so many different things going on in the pictures, not sure what the age this book is aimed at but some of the illustrations are quite grisly; It does say on the back cover 'Not Suitable for Adults!', which I think is a nice comical addition to the book as well as having comments on the back from such creatures & Macabre know-alls as Christopher Flea [like it], Graverobber's Quarterly, Doctor Inthahaus, Werewolf World, etc. 'The Scare Bears Monster Party Book' is devised by Graham Cooke and words by Leslie Kett.

'THE SCARE BEARS' Sticker book

2010-07-06T21:49:00.004Z

Anyone remember these bears in the form of classic movie monsters like Frankenstein's Monster, Dracula, The Mummy, The Wolfman, Quasimodo etc? Not sure of the actual names of the Scare Bears apart from Frankie Bear [See above]. The pictures you see here were kindly sent by a visitor to the Cobwebbed Room, thanks Pete. This sticker book came out during 1985/1986 and was available from 'Zodiac' toy shops, not sure if they were also avalible from newsagents as well. The stickers of which over a hundred had to be collected were available on the counter at the Zodiac toy shops for 24p a packet; also included with the Scare Bears stickers were stickers of the Zodiac bears which could be stuck in reverse side of the sticker book, the Zodiac bears were the signs of the Zodiac but apparently the artwork wasn't has good as the Scare Bears ones. I think it does now seem likely that the stickers were only available from Zodiac toy shops giving the subject matter of the other bear stickers. I think that the illustrations in the sticker album are nicely done, like the werewolf one [Wear Bear?] and the Skeleton with the bear ears. Would be nice to see what the stickers were like if anyone has any then please do let us know. I am guessing that the album and stickers may be difficult to come across if they were originally only available through 'Zodiac'

When I manage to get my scanner working I will scan some pages from another Scare Bears related item, a book called 'The Scare Bears Monster Party Book' which was published in 1988 which is nicely illustrated in colour of the Scare Bears and guest appearances of the real movie monsters [well in cartoon form]. Anyone know of any other Scare Bears Wares?

The House That Dripped Blood (1971) Trailer

2010-07-04T22:29:00.000Z

Dr.Terror's House Of Horrors(1965) trailer

2010-07-04T22:24:00.000Z

FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE - 1973 - TRAILER

2010-07-04T22:22:00.000Z

VAULT OF HORROR - 1973 - TRAILER

2010-07-04T22:21:00.000Z

Tales From The Crypt 1972 trailer

2010-07-04T22:19:00.000Z

'SPOOKS' A spooky 'Snap' card game

2010-06-20T20:58:00.003Z

Waddington's 'SPOOKS' spine chilling card game [as it says on the box] is a nice take on the classic card game 'SNAP' in which the players have a share of cards that are face down, the players each take a turn and place a card on the table face up and continue to untill another card with the same picture is revealed on the pile, the first player to shout "SNAP' wins those cards and then the game continues again untill a player wins all cards or no matches can be made. Anyway I'm sure a lot of you knew that already. 'SPOOKS' is basically the same game except that the game has a spooky theme of a fold out board with Vampire with bat wings and creepy castle in the background for the cards to be placed upon, and the wonderful spooky cards featuring cartoon monsters - Mr.Ghost, Mr.Hyde, Mrs.Vampire, Mrs.Gorgon, Mrs.Witch, Wolfman, Mr.Vampire, The Mummy, King Kong, Mr.Frankenstein, and Dr.Jekyll. Instead of the winning players shouting "SNAP" in this game they blow a whistle which I think is more fun. Nice game with ghoul...I mean cool graphics.

'HORROR BAGS SCARY TALES' #2 Flyer

2010-06-01T21:43:00.003Z

Here is an interesting and unusual peice of Horror Bags memorabilia, it is a A5 peice of paper of which as you can see below:one side is a short comicstrip entitled 'The Uninvited Guests' and on the reverse is an offer for a 'Horrible' Horror Bags T-shirt. The 'Scary Tale' comicstrip #2 is basically a promotion for 'Fangs' in the horror bag range, there is no date on this promotional flyer but going by the new Fangs snacks [2nd in the range] it must be round about 74/75. Love to see what the first 'Scary tale' was like and if there were also any more. The Horror Bags Dracula T-shirt offer looks wonderful, for 4 empty packs of Bones or Fangs and 69 pence you could send for this stunning and Scary T-shirt of Horror Bags token vampire going "AAARRRAGH!" Boy I would love one of these. As far as I'm aware the promotional flyer were slipped into particular comics such as Fleetway's 'Buster', 'Whoopee' etc.

Sorry for the lack of posts

2010-05-18T21:00:00.002Z

I thought I should say that for those that have been re-visiting the Cobwebbed Room in the last few months and not seeing any new posts for quite some time, please except my apologies. I am planning to begin some more new posts soon with hopefully somethings that I hope interests some if not all. I have a few ideas of things I would like to post about but also would be interested in any ideas of of yours too such as British horror books, toys, TV series, magazines, sweet and crisps etc that you remember from the 1970's and 80's.
Please do keep visiting this old cobwebbed room, you are most welcome and I shall hopefully posting very soon.
Best wishes.

'THE BLACK BOX CLUB' -Network video magazine article

2010-02-09T23:48:00.002Z

I did a post sometime ago regarding the audio cassette magazine 'The Black Box Club' of which I still have been unable to find anywhere that as any copies of the tapes that were made during the 1980's, there also doesn't seem to be anywhere on the net that has anything about this either. Surely there must be someone who remembers the Black Box Club besides myself. Anyway here is a short article that appeared in the newspaper style publication 'Network Video' that came out during the late 1980's/early 1990's regarding the Black Box Club.

'HOUSE OF HORROR' [Bassetts] Mail away poster

2010-01-21T23:33:00.002Z

Here we have the mail away poster that you could send away for from Bassetts for sticking the 50 card set of 'House of Horror' cards on to. I don't think I would of wanted to stick the cards to it but I am sure they would of looked really good on it. Really love the artwork on this. I suppose it makes a nice change having a poster rather than an album to stick them into and at least you can see all the cards in their glory on your wall.

'WEETABIX SCARY STICKERS' Ad

2010-01-21T23:28:00.002Z

I did a post of the Scary stickers that you could collect from boxes of Weetabix a while ago but this is the first time I have seen an actual comic ad for them.

Thanks to Peter for this.

'CREATURES OF LEGEND' - PG Tips cards & Album

2010-01-13T22:46:00.003Z

I used to really like it when my Mum many years ago now used to buy PG Tips[Brooke Bond] tea bags and the simple reason was because of the cards they had in which you could collect and also send for an album to stick them in. The bigger the box of tea bags or tea the more cards would be inside [usually 1 to 3 cards]. There have been a large variety of card sets that could be collected; but for the benifit of this blog here we have a set called 'Creatures of Legend'. The set was introduced in about 1993/94 and there were 24 cards to collect. All were illustrated by Mark Longworth. These wonderful cards covered all manner of classic creatures of legend, mainly from Greek legends but as you see from the 3 cards above the set included 3 of the classic movie monsters Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, and King Kong, all beautifully illustrated. On the backs of each card you could read about the creatures/monsters. Missing from the cards above are the following:

#1 Pegasus

#2 Centaurs

#4 Scylla

#11 Cyclops

#12 Ogres

#13 Trolls

#14 Fairies

#21 The Yeti

#24 The Loch Ness Monster

Also you can see a picture of the album cover also beautifully illustrated.

I wonder why PG Tips stopped including cards in their boxes of tea bags/tea? Its such a shame, the same can be said for cereals too. There just is no fun in buying food products no more, especially for the kids.

'HORROR BAGS - CREEPY CLUTCHERS' - Contributed photo

2010-01-09T17:39:00.002Z

Here is a photo of a few very well worn and played with Creepy Clutchers. In a way it is nice to see that these were not just stored away and forgotten about, these were certainly played with as they were intended...well to a certain degree.

Thanks Daz, very much appriciated.

'WICKED' - Marvel Comic 1989

2009-12-28T23:01:00.003Z

First of all I would just like to apologise for the lack of posts recently, especially for those of you who keep checking back here. I really must try and get more regular posts written for the Cobwebbed Room. If there are any of you that has something to contribute in the way of a post or picture then please don't hesitate. Anyway hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas and will have a wonderful new year.

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First Published in 1989 Marvel's 'Wicked' comic was as far as I am aware had only a very short run, the issues you see here are the only ones that I have and I certainly don't remember seeing anymore after the 6th issue, I somehow missed the 5th issue too. 'Wicked's stories and artwork were very similar to those published in Fleetway's comiclines especially spooky and funny themed comics such as 'Monster Fun' and 'Shiver and Shake'. The stories featured regulary in the short run were as follows:

'SLIMER' [based on the 'Ghostbusters' character]

'GORDON GREMLIN'

'GHOSTMAN BAT AND HIS BLACK AND WHITE RAT' [A spoof on 'Postman Pat']

'BEST OF FIENDS'

'DUNSTABLE D.DRAGON'

'WINNIE THE WITCH DOCTOR'

'CLARE VOYANT'

'MUMMY's BOY' [Not the one featured in Fleetway's comics]

'GHOUL SCHOOL'

'TOAD IN THE HOLE'

'GHOSTHUNTERS'

'INSPECTOR SPECTRE'

The first 3 issues as shown below featured a free gift, the first issue were a pair of green plastic fangs, 2nd issue 4 removeable tattoos, and the 3rd issue a slimey'Real Ghostbusters' jelly sweet. Would love to know if anyone knows if there were any other issues after #6 or they have a picture of the 5th issue.

'MORE HORROR/HALLOWEEN LUCKY BAGS'

2009-10-07T22:44:00.002Z

Here is another 4 pictures. The 2nd and 3rd ones are the front and back of the same bag. I love the artwork on the bottom picture.

'HORROR/HALLOWEEN LUCKY BAGS'

2009-10-07T22:14:00.002Z

What I like about lucky bags is you just never know what you are going to find in these mix bags of surprise. Sometimes you get some really cool stuff, but there are times when you think "What the hell is this trash?' and you wonder will it be worth buying another just to see if the other contains anything more interesting. I know its really aimed at children but when I see a lucky bag which has a horror or Halloween them then I have to buy one and see what monster goodies are inside, besides some of the artwork on these lucky bags are quite cool too. The first 4 you see here are the front and backs of 2 themed ones I bought sometime during the 90's. These did have some really nice monster toys, cards etc. The first one also later on came in a much bigger packaging too. What I hate about some of these lucky bags is when you feel like you have been cheated when they pad the bag out with too many sweets. I like sweets but you want something that you probally can't buy as easy in any newsagents etc. Also some of these so called Horror/Halloween lucky bags are just full of crap that has no connection with horror or Halloween. I know its all kids stuff but I don't care really, I just enjoy the joy of coming across a monster themed toy or gift that is great to look at and something that you don't always come across normally. I have put up these first 5 images of 3 of the horror lucky bags and will be adding some more soon. All of them are from the 1990's/2000's. If anyone has any others especially earlier ones would love to hear about them.

'FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND FESTIVAL' - Scala Cinema 1991

2009-09-04T23:02:00.008Z

I first learned of Forrest J Ackerman through reading a softcover book that I had seen in a local comic book sometime in the early to mid-1980's. The title was 'Mr.Monster's Movie Gold' by Forrest Ackerman, as well as rare horror, science fiction and fantasy stills all of which came from Ackerman's collection, there were also photos of himself and his vast collection at the Ackermansion in Hollywood. I was fascinated by this man whom had for decades been such a big fan and collector, who was a literary agent for some of the top science fiction authors, had cameos in many genre films, termed the word Sci-Fi, invented Vampirella, was Friends with Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Ray Harryhausen, Ray Bradbury, John Landis, Joe Dante etc and edited the first ever monster film magazine Famous Monsters of filmland;these are just touching on the surface of the achievements of Forrest Ackerman. The photos in Mr.Monster's Movie gold inspired me to become more of a genre fan especially a horror fan, the photos of Forry's collection also made me want to become a collector myself, although of course I knew I would never have anything like the incredible things that he had collected. I should think that most fans had heard about Forry from reading 'Famous Monsters' which he edited for 190 issues from 1958 to 1983. I was aware of the magazine and probably had at the time a few of the later issues, but I didn't really know anything much about it's editor until that book I saw in the comic shop. After buying and reading the book I was determined to try and find out more about Forry and the Ackermansion, mainly through genre books and magazines. Years later I wrote to Forry, just to basically tell him what an inspiration he has been on my interest in horror, science fiction films, books etc. I forget how long it took for me to get a reply but when I did I was over the [full] moon. I think it was sometime during 1990 that I got a reply back. The letter basically stated that he was coming to the UK and will be appearing at the Scala cinema in London, and also would be hoping to visit the final resting places of Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, H.G.Wells etc. He even mentioned what hotel he would be staying at in London. This was fantastic news, I would now have the opportunity to meet the great man himself. As the letter was a little sketchy I had to ring the Scala up for more information regarding the event. A good friend of mine agreed to accompany me to London, we both excited and so looking forward to 'The Famous Monsters of filmland festival'. I had never been to anything like this before, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. Anyway to cut a long story short, the day had arrived and we turned up at the Scala cinema in King's Cross. The Scala is known for showings of all manner of cult and sleazy classics, as well as Exploitation, horror/sci-fi classics, Hong Kong cinema, grindhouse etc.

Although a Little rough around the edges the cinema was an impressive place and quite large, the roughness kind of added to its charm. Upon entering you climb some stairs that led to a large open lobby adorned with film posters of all kinds. Here in the lobby were a number of stalls selling an assortment of videos, books, magazines etc and on one of the walls were some of the original 'Famous Monsters' cover posters that could be sent for from Famous Monsters mail order company 'Captain Company' the only one I can remember was the Vincent Price 'Madhouse' cover or was it Dr.Phibes? I forget now. The doors opened at 12.30pm and at 12.45 the first of the 5 films was shown, it says in the programme [see above] that 'Return of the Apeman' would be shown in place of 'Bride of Frankenstein', this was not the case in the end as a copy of 'Bride' was shown which really pleased me as it was a firm favorite of mine and to see it on the big screen was amazing. Following this at 2.15pm was 'I was a teenage Frankenstein' and then at 3.45 'The Tomb of Liega' which my friend and I never got to see all of. My friend agreed to loan me some money so that I could buy a copy of the video 'Hooray for Horrorwood' which was on sale in the lobby by Forry's associate and publisher at the time Ray Ferry [For those that don't know Ray Ferry would take over as publisher on the new revived issues of Famous Monsters beginning with issue #200 and Forry was back as editor, unfortunately big disagreements and a bust up ensued between Forry and Ferry and it all ended up in a court battle - read online for the whole story]. Anyway we had to find a cash machine and when we did eventually find one there was scaffolding on the banks wall and tape in front of the cash machine, my friend risked it and went under the tape and lost his card in the machine, so that was that. What a downer and on top of that my camera decided not to work. At 5.15pm 'How to make a monster' was shown followed by a Ray Harryhausen Showreel and at 7.15pm Forry and Ray appeared on stage to a captive audience, I forget what they both spoke about but they basically both spoke of how they both became long time friends and about their interest and careers within the genre.At 8.15pm the Last film of the night was a film that Harryhausen's dynamation effects could be seen to great effect, 'Mysterious Island'. At 10pm Forry and Ray appeared in the cinema's lobby to meet fans and sign what ever fans wanted signing. I didn't realise that it was so late in the day that fans got to meet the two of them until I re-looked at the souvenir programme [as seen above]. Anyway Forry was sat at a table and behind him was a TV showing the 'Horray for Horrorwood' video and next to that was Forry's award from the 'Horror Hall of Fame' that he was presented with that year. While queueing up to meet the great man the chap in front of me was talking to Forry and asking him if he could look at Lugosi's Dracula ring and Karloff's Mummy ring, so I got a chance to see these 2 fantastic iconic items. I never thought to ask myself to see them, so thank goodness someone did. When it was my turn Forry smiled and we shook hands, I placed the things on the table for him to sign which were about 4 books written by Forry as well as the biographical 'Amazing Forries'. He responded by saying "Arrgghh you have all the best books". I forget what else was said to each other but he signed by books and handed me a keyring that said upon it "Remember me with every key...4E 4E 4E 4E 4E" and a badge of Forry's face made up like Dracula. I thanked him and went to meet and get Ray Harryhausen's autograph, for some reason I never said anything really to him [I think I wanted to ask him something different instead of what he probably gets asked alot, but I couldn't think of anything] Ray signed the back of my souvenir programme and for some reason my friend asked him to sign a couple of 'King Kong' comics??? Later before the end of the festival I got to speak with Forry for a little longer and I let him look at a few photos of my tiny horror collection and photos of Bram Stoker's urn at Golder's Green Crematorium, London. I said that if he wanted any of the photos he was quite welcome to them, he just chose one which was of myself taken during the early 1980's. A year or so later I was surprised to discover that Forry had printed my picture on the page 'Wanted more readers like...' in the second issue of 'Monsterama' boy was I pleased. So that was my sketchy memories of 'The Famous Monsters of Filmland festival' in London on march 16th 1991, it was such a memorable experience to me that I shall always look back on it with great fondness. One of my biggest regrets was never getting the opportunity [money more like] to go to Hollywood and see Forry and his collection, still I feel very honoured to have met him.

Contents of the souvenir brochure as seen above are as follows:

Itinerary of the day.

Introduction.'Famous Monsters of filmland story' - re-printed from 'Pure Images' #1vol.2 by Greg Theakson [This is only part of what was a much longer article with more photos and text.

Ray Harryhausen interview - re-printed from 'Imaginator' by Ken Miller.

'The House that Ack built' by Greg Theakson

Adverts for The Festival of Fantastic Films and Psychomania Videos, London.

Picture of Forrest Ackerman and Rayharryhausen [back page]

Later that night, not long after the Famous Monsters festival had finished an all night B-movie Marathon was held at the Scala and hosted by Johnny Legend [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Legend Also www.myspace.com/rockabillyjohnnylegend The event was named 'Johnny Legend's Rock & Roll Outerspace Delinquents All Night Show' Films shown during the night were:

'The Corpsegrinders' (1971)

'I Drink your Blood' (1971)

'Brides of Blood' (1968)

'Monster of the Peidras Blancas' (1959)

'Teenagers from Outer Space' (1959)

Plus rare trailers and surprises

I forget what trailers and surprises there were, but I do remember Johnny Legend on stage with I think the manager of the Scala cinema at some point doing a B-movie quiz, I answered a question about 'The Beast of Yucca Flats' and won a signed photo of Johnny's cameo appearance in 'Re-animator 2' and a 45 single of Johnny singing a song called 'House of Frankenstein' and on the B side was his rendition of a song featured on Hershall Gordon Lewis's '2000 Maniacs' All in all the whole day was fantastic, I just wish I knew some others who also went to the events and took some photos which I could share here.

'LITERARY HOUSES' - Rosalind Ashe - DRACULA

2009-08-26T22:57:00.003Z

Here we have a non-genre book that is worth mentioning because of particular chapters on the genre. 'Literary Houses' by Rosalind Ashe is a beautiful illustrated book that describes 10 famous houses in fiction, describing a particular house and its interior from a classic novel and illustrated beautifully in colour. Some of these I will be including here in the Cobwebbed Room either because it is appropriate or because of the atmospheric illustration. Here as you can see above are the illustrations from the chapter on Dracula.These were illustrated by John Rose and I think really capture the creepy and sinister atmosphere as described in Bram Stoker's novel. The other books covered in 'Literary Houses' are 'Rebecca', 'Great Expectations', 'The Picture of Dorian Grey', 'The House of the seven gables', 'The Great Gatsby', 'Northanger Abby', 'Jane Eyre', 'Howards End', and 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'. I shall only cover 'Hound of the Baskervilles' and 'Great Expectations' [Only because of the cobwebbed shrewn Miss.Haversham's house]. 'Literary Houses' was published in 1982 by Paper Tiger. As far as I am aware there was 2nd book of Literary Houses too, not sure what novels were covered in this edition.

'THE SPINECHILLER COLLECTION'

2009-08-23T22:16:00.006Z

Throughout the years here in England, there have been hundreds of weekly or fortnightly magazines known as Partworks on any given subject. Of interest to readers of The Cobwebbed Room there have been a few with a supernatural/horror theme such as 'The Unexplained', 'Man, Myth and Magic', 'Fate and Fortune', 'The X Factor', and 'The Horror Collection'? 'The Spinechiller Collection' was another supernatural/horror themed publication which was aimed at a younger reading group. Published by Eaglemoss in 1998/1999. The first issue as with most partworks was sold for an introductory price of 75p, all issues thereafter would be priced at 1 pound 50 per issue. With the first issue which came in a card folder also contained a pack of 3 Spooky pop-ups [There were 30 of these pop-ups all in all to collect throughout the magazines run, these were intended to be used to play a game called 'Zap the Spook']. Issue 2 came with a free binder which would hold 15 issues and another spooky pop-up, other free gifts apart from the pop-ups were a skull hologram sticker with issue #5, a card Dracula bookmark with issue #6, and a small sheet of spooky tattoos in issue #11.

The Spinechiller Collection's contents were illustrated with artwork and photographs, and written work consisting short stories, supernatural factual accounts and Unexplained phenomena. Contents of each issue consisted of a Scary Story which were originally published in one of the following short story collection books:

'Super Scary stories for sleepovers' (1995)

'More Scary stories for sleepovers' (1992)

'Even more Scary stories for sleepovers' (1994)

'Mega Scary Stories for sleepovers' (1996)

'More Super Scary stories for sleepovers #6' (1995)

'Even more Super Scary stories for sleepovers #6' (1995)

'Still more Scary stories for sleepovers' (1993)

'Scary stories for sleepovers #8' (1997)

'Mega Scary stories for sleepovers #7' (1996)

'Bone chilling tales of fright' (1994)

'Still more Bone chilling tales of fright' (1995)

'More Scary stories for when you're home alone' (1996)

'Scary stories for stormy nights' (1995)

'Even more Scary stories for stormy nights' (1997)

'Scary stories from 1313 Wicked Way' (1996)

'Darkness Creeping' (1995)

'Our Haunted World' covered stange and spooky stories from around the world, I am not really sure what the next part was called but it contained a 2 page story in comicstrip format that were the sort of stories passed from a friend of a friend kind of like Urban Myths, 'Strange but True' covered case documents about srange phenominia, events etc, then we have the 'Creepy Puzzles', a 'Classic Serial' featured a condensed version of a classic horror or ghost story which each story ran over 2 to 3 issues, here are those stories that were featured:

'Phantom of the Opera' - Gaston Leroux

'The Portrait Painter' - Charles Dickens

'Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde' - Robert Louis Stevenson

'Squire Toby's Will' - Sheridan Le Fanu

'The Old Nurse's Story' - Elizabeth Gaskell

'The Real and the Conterfeit' - Mrs.Alfred Baldwin

'The Shadow' - E.Nesbit

'Croul's Ghost' - Sheridan La Fanu

'Wolverdon Tower' - Grant Allen

'The Ghost Chamber' - Charles Dickens

'The Dead Sexton' - Sheridan La Fanu

'Dracula's Guest' - Bram Stoker

'The Signal Man' - Charles Dickens

'The middle toe of the right foot' - Ambrose Bierce

'The Open Door' - Charlotte Riddell

'The Pit and the Pendulum' - Edgar Allan Poe

'The Canterville Ghost' - Oscar Wilde

'Frankenstein' - Mary Shelley

'A Christmas Carol' - Charles Dickens

'Dracula' - Bram Stoker

'The Violet Car' - E.Nesbit

'The Spectre of Doom' - Bram Stoker

'The Stranger' - Ambrose Bierce

Finally 'The Unexplained' looks into bizarre unsolved mysteries. Throughout the 60 issues of The Spinechiller Collection, a number of artists worked the covers, contents and free gifts. I would say that all the illustrations are stunning and often very creepy throughout. Here is a complete list of those artists:

Simoni Boni

Kev Walker

G.Coppola

Darren Pattenden

Lee Gibbons

Will Simpson

John Higgins

Tony Smith

Paul Johnson

Una Fricker

David Millgate

Leo Hartas

Jerry Paris

David Burtchum

Steve White

Ian Atchinson

David Wyatt

Christyan Fox

Kev Hopgood

Carol Kemp

Robin Smith

Baz Rowell

Christine Hock

Justin Wyatt

Garry Leach

Harvey Parker

John Lupton

Luis Rey

Douglas Carrel

Ken Stott

Luigi Galante

Julian Gibson

Andrew Wheatcroft

Barry Jones

Alwyn Talbot

Al Davison

Stephen Player

Bob Harvey

The last issue contained an index covering all issues, there were no puzzles or 'The Unexplained' in this issue. A subscription would include a free Spinechiller Collection T-Shirt.

'HELIX HORROR STATIONARY RANGE' - Mid 1980's?

2009-08-03T23:18:00.004Z

My other post which featured horror themed Helix pencil cases, 3 of which were in the range of pencil cases known as 'Horror Bag',the vinyl coffin shaped pencil case and the plastic coffin shaped pencil case which I have added here again in this post, because this is where it should of gone being part of the Horror vampire range by Helix. Another of Helix's horror themed stationary which came out sometime during the 1980's featured a green faced vampire on the products [see above] and the word Horror and what that particular item was, here as you can see is the Horror Case [Vinyl pencil case], and the Horror exercise book which also came with ruler, pencil sharpener and rubber. The black spider was also part of the Horror range released by Helix at the same time. This plastic spider had a number of functions; the spiny back was a pencils/pens holder, the eyes a rubber, and the mouth doubled as a pencil sharpener. I don't remember if there were other products in the Horror range, but as far as I am aware these 4 were the only ones, unless anyone else knows of anything else in this Helix range.

'HORROR MAKE-UP KIT' - Dekker Toys

2009-07-26T21:57:00.004Z

Dekker Toys 'Horror Make-up kit first came out during the 1970's and was created by world renown make-up artist Dick Smith who created the make-up for 'The Exorcist', 'Little Big Man', 'The Hunger' etc. This wondeful kit was perfect for those wanting to turn themselves into grisley creations for Halloween, amateur horror films or just for freaking out people with bloody gashes, cuts and scars. The kit came with Flex Flesh which is a powered substance you mixed with water and poured into any of the several moulds contained within, these were of cuts, gashes, swollen eye sockets and noses etc. The Flex Flesh when set was supposed to turn into a flexible latex wound etc. A lot of the time I tried it my flex flesh just went too hard to be able to use as a flexible wound to stick onto the skin, it was like trying to stick un-cooked pasta to yourself, not sure what went wrong with the mixture. If it did turn out ok you could then stick it on to yourself or any willing person, and then blend in the grease paint stick to give it a more realistic colour, and of course adding blood to the wound etc. I never got round to creating a full make-up with the kit, just the odd scars, cuts or gashes which if did right could look quite realistic. The Instruction manual illustrated a number of creations that could be tried out on yourself or on another person. As well as the moulds, blood, Flex Flesh and glue, the kit also had several different size spoons for measuring the flex flesh, some plastic teeth and I think some false hair too. I don't have everything that was in the kit as I think I may of got it secondhand. I did get the smaller later version of the kit which was called 'Scary Faces' [see pic above] new, but this kit is now un-complete.

I would love to hear of your experiances with the Horror Make-Up kit and especially to see any photos of your efforts.

'GHOST TRAIN' Denys Fisher game

2009-07-16T21:58:00.003Z

The 1970's was I think a great decade for spooky board games, especially for the box art of a lot of them; 'Ghost Train' is no exception. I really love the graphics, the box art is second to none and what is great is that the box art matches the actual game too really well. It is this kind of creepy artwork that used to grace some of the best horror comics of the 50's, 60's, & 70's and even some horror film posters of the time. The box art is really atmospheric and certainly more atmospheric than any actual Ghost Train rides, although some of these Ghost Trains have some really amazing graphics and spooky effects. The game itself as you can see from the above picture also is decorated with nice creepy artwork even around the sides of the raised gameboard. There are some really nice touches such has the waiting room on the back wall of 3 skeletons sat down, the Ghosts, Skeleton and Bat attached to some of the turning wheels of the board, the big green spider hanging over one of the entrances/exits. I love that domed skull headed ghoul looking over the top of the building, whom also appears on the reverse of the back wall [See above]. I won't go into how the Ghost Train game is played [Maybe at a later date] but I just thought it was more special to show the actual images of the game.

Few more JUNE BOOK OF STRANGE STORIES scans

2009-07-09T22:45:00.003Z

Hope you like these Ross.

'GHOST SPECIAL' - No.2

2009-07-01T21:16:00.005Z

If anyone can shed any light on this book I would really appreciate it, I would especially like to know whether it was a spin off of a comic or suchlike and know if there were any other editions after No.2. I have never seen 'Ghost Special' No.1, so that would be really great to see if anyone has a copy they would like to share a few pics from it or even just some information about it would be ok too.

This slightly larger size annual 'Ghost Special' No.2 is a real mixbag of spooky content, containing comicstrips, short stories, crossword, jokes, film reviews, quiz, true stories, game, and spooky reports. The comicstrips are aimed at the younger readers especially the funny ghost strips which are similar to the ones that were featured in many Fleetway comics. The jokes are pictures with the joke underneath, film reviews cover such films as 'The Amazing Mr.Blunden', 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks' etc, the true story features include The Grey Lady of St.Thomas, Borley Rectory, The Spirits of Windsor etc. All in all Ghost Special No.2 is a nicely put together book. The inside front cover has a nice illustration of a spooky carriage and horses. As regards to the date of the book I am not sure because there is no date, the only clue is one of the spooky reports is dated 1974, so I would guess 1975/76.

Contents:

CS = Comicstrip

Jimmy's Genie [CS]

The Regimental Ghost

Aladdan's Wonderful Lamp

Ghost Crossword

Spoofer the Spineless Ghost [CS]

House on Moonlight Hill

Ghostly Giggles

Sammy Spook [CS]

The Amazing Mr.Blunden

Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Now you see him, Now you don't

That's the Spirit

The Grey Lady of St.Thomas

Ben Macdhui - The Haunted Mountain

Some Mysterious Worlds

{Note: A comicstrip is here but seems to no title}

The spirits of Windsor

Ghostly Giggles

The spookiest House in England [Borley Rectory]

The remains of Borley Rectory

Game

Ghostly Guardians [CS]

Witches, Wizards and warlocks

The Civilisation which became a ghostly legend...

Grubby the Greedy Ghoul [CS]

Flying Saucers - Fact or Fiction

Spooky Reports

Ghostly Giggles

Spoofer the Spineless Spook [CS]

Ghosts of the road

Grubby the Greedy Ghoul [CS]

Ghostly Giggles

The Ghost Light

Ghostly Giggles

What would you do if..?

The Ghost who returned

Published by Panda Publishing

'THE VALIANT BOOK OF MYSTERY AND MAGIC' (1976)

2009-07-01T20:15:00.005Z

Here is another annual special this time from Valiant comic. The cover pictured above features the main charactor Sylvester [aka The Spellbinder] an alchemist from centuries ago. Sylvester is featured in most of the comicstrips in the book. Besides the comicstrips there are short stories, a monster movie quiz [see above], a feature on Dracula and his guises, weird facts from around the world told in a comicstrip type format, feature on Houdini, Chung Ling Soo, Lafayette, etc, I really like some of the atmospheric illustrations featured throughout the book, especially the one featured above by Geoff Campion, other ones by Joe Colquhoun, Eric Bradbury are equally as nice and atmospheric. I have never really seen any issues of Valiant so I am not sure if any of the characters such as The Spellbinder were one of the regular characters featured in the comic.

Contents:

CS = Comicstrip

SB = Spellbinder

The Hand of Tuthoon [CS SB]

This Evil Place

The Great movie Monster Quiz

The Final Victim [CS]

The Dracula Dynasty

Creature from Nowhere [CS SB]

The Red House

It's a Weird World

The Spellbinder [Part 1] [CS SB]

Screaming Skulls

The Magic Spectacles [SB]

The Horrors of Turville Hall [CS SB]

Stranger than Fiction

The Passing of Gallantyne Gox [CS]

The Spellbinder [Part 2] [CS SB]

Nightmare

The Fugitive from the Future [SB]

The Terror in the Fog [CS]

The Laughter from Beyond

The Night of the Gargoyle [CS SB]

They Mystified Millions

The Man on the Road [CS]

The Spellbinder [Part 3] [CS SB]

"Of Thee She'll Sing..."

The Strange Old House by the Churchyard [CS]

Published by Fleetway

'JUNE BOOK OF STRANGE STORIES' 1972

2009-06-27T21:19:00.003Z

The majority of the comicstrips which form most of this annual are hosted by a suave man known simply has the storyteller whom travels the world seeking strange tales [see above]. Short stories, a game, true mysteries, a creepy quiz, and a poem by Walter La Mare. Most of the comicstrips as you would imagine for a annual aimed at female readers usually is a young female as the hero/heroine. I really like the cover of this annual which contains the typical iconic images of a spooky setting, The Creepy castle, bats, Witch and in the foreground a scared looking girl reading an old book by candlelight and of course the black cat. I wonder if The June book of Strange Stories was an inspiration to the later supernatural themed girls comic 'Misty'?

Here is the contents:

[CS = Comicstrip]

'The Prince of Lightning' [CS]

'Doomsday for St.Denny's' [Short story]

'Legend of the Bell' [CS]

'Aztec Gold' [CS]

'To save sammy' [CS]

'The Gay Dolphin' [CS]

'Mirage in the Desert' [CS]

'The Ghostly Guide' [CS]

'Escape from the Haunted House' [Maze game]

'The swing of the Pendulum' [Short Story]

'The Magic Violin' [CS]

'Mysteries of time and space' [True mysteries]

'Creepy Quiz'

'The Haunted Museum' [CS]

'Song without words' [CS]

'The Farmyard Judges' [CS]

'Rogue Elephant' [CS]

'The Siamese Cat mystery' [CS]

'Where did they come from...and go to?' [True Mysteries]

'The Rain Goblins' [CS]

'The Friendly Ghost' [CS]

'The Magic Spectacles' [CS]

'The Listeners' by Walter De La Mare [Poem]

'Who was she really?' [CS]

'At the Rainbow's end...' [CS]

'Fantastic but true' [True Mystery]

'The Green Rose' [CS]

'Loom of fate' [CS]

'The Doomed Classroom' [CS]

Published by IPC Magazines Ltd.

'HORROR BAGS GHASTLY GIFTS OFFER'

2009-05-18T21:39:00.003Z

Just look at these wonderful Horror Bags gifts that could be ordered for free, well apart from sending so many empty packets, not bad at all eh? 3 of these gifts have already been featured here in The Cobwebbed Room, Creepy Clutchers, Serpents and Stairs game and the Fungames pack. Still yet to see the Dracula hand puppet. I wonder if these offers came out during the end of the Horror Bag range? Its almost as though Smiths were having a clear out of their remaining stock of promotional items so therefore offering them for as little has a few empty packets.

'HORROR BAGS' - Fungames pack

2009-04-29T20:16:00.003Z

When I first became interested in promotional items from Smith's Horror Bags, I was amazed at how many horror themed items that were released from the crisp/snack company back in the 1970's. For so many years I was only aware of the duffel/swimming bag that you could send away for with so many empty packs of Horror Bags. Now the past few years several items have come to light that I of course never knew about and the latest in this line is what you see here - The Horror Bags Fungames pack. In side this wonderful colourful illustrated pack is a selection of monster themed games, a glow-in-the -dark haunted castle poster, a spooky mobile, and 2 card masks of the Horror Bags Vampire and the Frankenstein Monster. All items are printed on either thin card or paper. The Haunted Castle poster is in 2 sections, the castle picture goes over a picture of various monsters etc and when they are together the doors and windows of the castle can be opened up to reveal the monsters underneath. The games consist of puzzle games, counting games, counting quizzes and the like. The mobile consists of a Bat, Witch, and a Ghost. The 2 masks are printed on thin card and I am guessing that the Vampire mask is not the same that could be sent for from promotional packs, it just seems too flimsy for something that you would post off for. Now I wonder what other promotional items will come to light, I just wish there were some kind of Smith's archive that contained all of the promotional items that were released and press information, adverts, empty packs and boxes etc. I am sure there must be some form of archive as I would imagine that most highly established companies would keep a record of previous products. Its an important part of our cultural heritage surely.

'COUNT THE CASH' - Scratch Card

2009-04-08T21:48:00.002Z

This was nice to see last year or was it the year before?, a nice change amoung all the usual scratch cards that you see in the shops. Although there are a number of themed cards that come out especially when a new film comes out, but certainly not many horror themed cards apart from the ones that usually come out about Halloween time. The 'Count the Cash' card's image used in the design is from the main image of the poster from Hammer's 'Taste the Blood of Dracula', shame that they didn't design some other Hammer Horror themed cards like 'Mummy Money', 'Frankenstein Fortune' etc.

'MONSTER MUNCH' - Classic design re-launch

2009-04-08T20:51:00.005Z

First of all for those that have been visiting The Cobwebbed Room, I am really sorry for the lack of posts lately, I was off the internet for about 3 weeks due to a change of modem that wouldn't let me on the net, anyway its ok now. So hopefully I will try and start to get more regular posts up here now. Please continue to visit this cobwebbed strewn room.

I have been meaning to put this post up since last year when the new re-launched Monster Munch classic designs first came out. I think it was a wise move getting rid of those awful boring designs of the more modern Monster Munch range, and I am sure you will agree that the old designs are much more pleasing. Some of the differences between the new and old packs is now the new packs are bigger hence the 'Mega' above Monster Munch and the flavor Flamin Hot. As well as the 3 new packs that you see here, the 3 Monster Munch toys were available free from a number of shops after buying 3 packs of Monster Munch, 3 packs for each toy. These are about 2 inches tall.

Another 'Creepy Sleepy Tale'

2009-03-01T23:04:00.003Z

This one is from 'Cheeky' #3.

Thanks to John again.

'CREEPY SLEEPY TALES'

2009-02-28T23:18:00.008Z

In a similar vein to Badtime Bedtime Stories that appeared in issues of 'Monster Fun', the Creepy Sleepy Stories' from 'Cheeky' comic were a little more creepy than those featured in Badtime Bedtime Stories. These 2 page sinister takes on nursery rhymes were nicely produced peices of Macabre Humour. The 2 seen here are from 'Cheeky' #1 (22nd October 1977) and #2 (29th October 1977).

Thanks to John for the scans.

Premio Dardos Regognition Blogger award

2009-02-26T22:42:00.005Z

First of all thank you so much Max the Drunkened Severed Head for voting for me, you clearly have a good head on your shoulders, do you have shoulders? Or are you just kept on the mantel piece?

I am sure that all Bloggers and writers of websites would be grateful of some sort of regognition for the contribution they bring to their readers, well the Blogging world has the Premio dardos award which is given for excellence in the Blogging field. It is a way of showing that readers of your blog have some respect and think that your blog is worthy of such a accolade. It works in a similiar way to a chain letter - you have to pick 5 blogs that you think deserve a pat on the back for their excellence, these are emailed and then they have to do the same.

Anyway here is my 5 blogs that I think deserve regognition:

Drunken Severed Head - Wonderful entertaining, funny, and monsteriffic site that is always great to visit.

Zombo's Closet - Nice cosy blog about Monsters and Horror, entertaining, informative and fun.

Hammer and Beyond - Anyone who enjoys the Hammer Horror films will love this blog, keeps up with any new Hammer Film news.

Groovy Age of Horror - This is a surperb site that showcases those wonderful paperback horror, Erotica etc books with their great and sometimes strange cover art/photos, also on the site is many European Horror comic art [For the Broadminded], entertaining and informative.

Crosseyed Cyclops - Surperb blog that has many Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy magazines and comics to download [These are full issue scans] also has quite a few public domain films etc.

Many of the magazine and comic scans are from the 60's and 70's, great for those magazines and comics that are hard to come by or too expensive.

HORROR/MONSTER THEMED COMIC ADS

2009-02-02T22:59:00.002Z

All of the above adverts were featured in issues of 'Whizzer and Chips' comic. First up we have an advert for 'The Palladium Cellars' in London which I have featured else where in The Cobwebbed Room. The ad has you can see has a special token for readers of 'Jackpot', 'Whizzer and Chips' and 'Buster & Whoopee' for half price admission for 2 people into the Palladium Cellars. The ad is also illustrated with 2 photos of 2 of the exhibits Werewolf and Yul Brynner. [Featured in 18th July 1981 issue]. Next up is a section from a Walls Ice cream ad, here featuring the 'Magic Monster' lolly. Now this looks so cool or cold for that matter, I don't remember these myself but if anyone does or better still has empty wrappers that they could share here then I would be very grateful. The 'Magic' part of the lolly is when the lolly is taken out of the wrapper that a monster image suddenley appears. Here we see Frankenstein's Monster, anyone know what other monsters were also used? [Featured in 12th July 1980 and also 23rd August 1980 issues]. The 3rd ad shows the loveable Honey Monster that were shown on TV alongside Henry Magee for 'Sugar puffs' cereal. Here in this promotion is that in special boxes of Sugar puffs you can collect stick on badges of the Honey Monster. 'Tell them about the honey Mummy' [Featured in 30th August 1980 issue]. Last up is a promotion from Heinz Spaghetti Hoops and Noodle Doodles for a Dinosaur wall chart which measured 491/2 cm by 149cm and up to 5 soft plastic 12" dinosaur models by collecting labels from Spaghetti Hoops and/or Noodle Doodles. [Featured in 19th July 1980 issue].

'CHAMBER OF HORRORS' cards

2009-01-21T00:07:00.003Z

I remember buying these but just can't remember when, I think it may of been late 80's or early 90's. Anyway these cards came in a pack of 3 along with the flat piece of chewing gum. There were 18 cards in the set to collect. I quite like these fun and spooky characters. I also have 2 small jigsaw puzzles that came with other spooky things in a horror themed lucky bag, these 2 images were basically a larger copy of 2 of the characters that were featured in the Chamber of Horrors set of cards, I know I have The Phantom of the Opera, forget which other I have, I'll try and dig them out.

Sorry about the pictures been in the wrong order, there wasn't when I up loaded them.

FORREST J ACKERMAN - 1916-2008

2008-12-09T22:59:00.006Z

On December 4th of this year Horror, Science Fiction, and Fantasy fans have lost the most influential person within the genre, Forrest J Ackerman. Also known as Uncle Forry, Mr.Sci-Fi, Mr.Monster, 4E, FJA, Dr.Acula, etc. For those not familiar with the name [shame on you] Forrest Ackerman had been a life long fan, editor, writer, agent, archivist, actor, collector, etc, etc of all things horror, science fiction and fantasy. He saw is first fantasy film 'One Glorious Day' when he was 6 year old and began collecting fantastic memorabilia soon after which he continued untill the end. Through out his incredible life he has seen just about every genre film including the now lost Lon Chaney snr film 'London after Midnight' [Forry also had the Beaver hat and the teeth that Chaney wore in the film, as well has owning Chaney's make-up kit]. Forry discovered Ray Bradbury, was friends with Lon Chaney, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, Angus Scrimm, Robert Bloch, Peter Jackson, Steven Speilberg, Joe Dante, Ray Harryhausen, Tobe Hooper, Ed Wood jnr, Elsa Lanchester the list goes on and on. Many of these famous actors, directers, make-up people were inspired to become what they are by reading a monster magazine that came out in 1958. This the first of it's kind was called 'Famous Monsters of Filmland' and was edited by Forrest Ackerman and published by James Warren. The magazine in its original run lasted for 191 issues of which Forry edited 190 issues. The magazine was aimed at the 11 to 13 age group and the magazine was full of fasinating articles and photos from the great monster films, most of the stills seen in Famous Monsters were from Forry's collection. Forry's freindly approach to the magazine with his puns, humour was a hit with the kids, but the magazine also had its serious side too with wonderful features on wonderful horror/monster films as well as on the actors, directers, make-up men, writers, etc. A section called The Graveyard Examiner would feature horror/monster fans writing about their collections, monster make-ups, or super 8 film making. Forry made monsters fun, interesting and made fans of the genre realise that there is no harm in liking monsters. As well has editing Famous Monsters, Forry also edited 'Monster World', 'Spacemen', 'Monsterland', 'Wonderama', etc. He invented the Vampirella comic character also published by Jim Warren, coined the term 'Sci-Fi', appeared in films such as 'Amazon Women on the Moon, Schlock, Innocent Blood, Brain Dead, Return of the Living Dead pt2, Michael Jackson's Thriller, Beverley Hills cop 3, Mausoleum, Dracula vs Frankenstein etc, etc.

Forry's vast collection of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Monster memorabilia was housed in his 17 room 3 garage residence which was termed The Ackermansion. The incredible collection included over 50,000 books, tens of thousand stills, one of Bela Lugosi's Dracula capes, Lugosi's dracula ring, Boris Karloff's Mummy ring, Dinosaur models made by Ray Harryhausen, Original head of The Creature from the Black Lagoon, Don Post masks, thousands of pulp magazines, over 250 different editions of Dracula and Frankenstein, model kits, autographs from the likes of Lugosi, Karloff, Chaney, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, Vincent Price, in fact probally all of those involved within the genre of Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy, original props, models etc from films and Television such as King Kong, Gremlins, Frankenstein, War of the Worlds, Picture of Dorian Gray, The Outer Limits, Forbidden Planet, etc etc. Then there are original paintings by Bok, Virgil Finley, Basil Gogos and many others, I could go on and on. Anyway you can probally understand why Forrest Ackerman was and is still a very important man for what he did for the genre in so many ways as well has being a wonderful, kind, funny, inteligent man. R.I.P.

The first and only time I met Forrest Ackerman was March 1991 at the Scala Cinema in London, he was guest at a small event called 'The Famous Monsters of Filmland Festival', also there that day were Ray Harryhausen and Johnny Legend. I was in total awe of Forry, I at last was meeting the man I read so much about and read so much about his collection, He was very likable, who shook your hand, smiled and signed any books, issues of Famous Monsters etc. He always had so much time for fans and enjoyed talking about the genre and had so many interesting stories to tell about his life, the people he met, the films he appeared in, his collection etc. Forry was wearing the famous Bela Lugosi Dracula ring and the Boris Karloff Mummy ring and behind him was sat the Horror Hall of Fame Grim Reaper statue that he was presented with. I chatted with Forry and showed him some photos of my collection of Horror memorabilia and photos of Bram Stoker's urn at Golders Green in London, I said that he could have any of the photos to keep if he wanted and he chose one of me when I was much younger holding a copy of House Of Hammer magazine and rubber bats hanging from my ears, a year or 2 later my picture was included in 'Wanted more readers like...' in 'Monsterama' no.2. I feel so honoured to have met such an amazing person, my regret was that I never got to see the Ackermansion in Hollywood. Thank goodness there are many photos and footage of the Ackermansion and Forry to enjoy.

'JAWS 3D SCENES' - Weetabix 1983ish

2008-11-26T23:04:00.002Z

A good freind of mine let me borrow these 2 'Jaws 3-d' scenes from the backs of Weetabix to put here in The Cobwebbed Room'. I can't actually remember seeing these when they came out but I do remember seeing the film at the cinema, not a great plot but I always enjoy watching a 3-D film. The first one I saw was 'Friday the 13th 3-D', I then later saw 'Amityville 3' and 'Spacehunter'. I really like all these opitical type pictures, films etc such as Viewmaster slides, Holograms, 3-D images etc. The 2 images you see here were 2 of 4 that could be collected from Weetabix packets, 2 were featured on the 18 biscuit packs and 2 on the 27 packs. Would love to see the other 2 if anyone has them and would like to share them here it would be much appricated.

'Palladium Cellars' - screen captures from Norwegian film

2008-11-11T23:52:00.003Z

Well I never thought I would actually see any footage of 'The Palladium Cellars' but thanks to Henrick from Norway who told me about a film from his homeland that featured the cellars, I must admit I did have my doubts, well you wouldn't expect it from any film let alone one from Norway, but it was true and I am so pleased that he let me know. Now because I had never visited the Palladium Cellars this was the next best thing to see this wonderful place that a few people had told me about and which is now long gone. The pictures you see here are from the film and shows the entrance with pictures and posters from the cellars, next we have screen captures of some of the actual exhibits featured in the film, here are Christina from The Phantom of the Opera, Dr. Frankenstein and Monster, and Dracula with victim. Wonderful stuff but unfortunatly not long enough, I was hoping to see the Curse of the Werewolf exhibit too, but beggars can't be choosers, the footage I have seen has been fantastic. Other exhibits featured in the short scene include, Keystone Cops, Bogart, John Wayne, Lee Van Cleef, and part of the Saturn 3 set. The films title 'Olsenbanden Gir Seg Aldri' is 1 of a series of comedy films featuring 2 of Norwegians top comedy actors. Great film by the way.

Thanks to Henrick.

'SCREAM COMIC'S' GHASTLEY McNASTY's Face

2008-11-01T01:52:00.003Z

Anybody that read 'Scream' comic (1984) will know that the editor Ghastly McNasty's face was never revealed. Each week you could send in your drawings of what you thought Ghastly's face looked like. It wasn't untill Scream Holiday Special in 1986 that Ghastly's face was revealed and here it is for those who never saw it. Is it has horrible as you thought?

HORROR BAGS 'CLAWS' packet - Horror Grippers offer

2008-11-01T00:40:00.004Z

Well here at last is a couple of scans of the 'CLAWS' Horror Bags packet that featured the Horror Grippers offer, as you can see there were 3 to collect Claws, Bones, and Mr.Horror Bags himself. Nice little set these, still have yet to find any or anyone who has a set or at least one of them would be nice to see. Still looking for the Dracula hand puppet and any other interesting pictures connected to the Horror Bag range.

Thanks to Darren

'MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES' & 'HORROR COSTUMES AND DISGUISES' - Carousel Books

2008-09-28T21:32:00.003Z

These 2 books by Carousel with their similiar looking covers are great for the younger readers looking for brief descriptions to some of the famous monsters seen on the silver screeen[Monsters of the movies] or for wanting to turn into a monster for Halloween etc [Horror costumes and disguises]. Both volumes are a little larger than the average paperback but are slim volumes with a page count of just over 100 pages. 'Monsters of the Movies' by Denis Gifford was first published in 1977, the book's contents basically are a whos who of some of the famous and not so famous movie monsters, each monster has a page which tells the reader about that monster in the form of a introduction based on the film in which the monster appears in. The monster introductions are illustrated by a black and white photo of them from the film. There are the more familiar screen monsters here such as The Bride of Frankenstein, Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde, Dracula, Frankenstein, King Kong etc, then there are unusual ones such as The Blood Beast terror, The Electric Man from 'Man made Monster', The Manster, The Raven [Boris Karloff as Bateman from 'The Raven' (1935), Zaroff etc. All in all 46 monsters are covered.

"Making Horror costumes and Disguises' with words and pictures by Malcolm Carrick was first published in 1978 is a fun guide for the child who wants to scare their freinds, neighbours etc with their ghoulish make-up and costume creations. The book simply explains what is needed for your costume or disguise and how to make or create it by easy to understand text and drawings. There are some interesting ideas that can be done by using just ordianary things found in the home. Here the book shows you how to make a false head, wigs, noses, teeth, blood, wrinkles etc, sounds like a do it yourself Dr.Frankenstein guide doesn't it? Character costumes and make-up include Dracula, Skeleton, Freakystein, Ghoul, Mummy, Werewolf, Nasty Gnome, Headless ghost, Rasputin, Zombie etc. Here's a good one... what about Mad Mushroom. Yes the book has it all. There are 2 other books in this Carousel series - Science Experiments and Making Magic both by Malcolm Carrick.

'GHOUL' magazine 1976 - New English Library

2008-09-14T22:02:00.003Z

The dissapointing thing about 'Ghoul' magazine was that there was only the first issue published, which is such a shame as it could of been something really great. It reminds me somewhat of the other 1970's horror magazine 'World of Horror', both have a similar feel and style.

As well has the usual horror film features and reviews, 'Ghoul' would have a lighter side with the section Ghoul Gazette which was in the style of a newspaper which contained funny ghoulish stories, adverts and pictures. The cover of the magazine is a close-up of Dracula from the New English Library novel 'Dracula Returns' by Robert Lory and inside is a centre spread of the full picture which was the wraparound painting on the novel, the poster here printed minus the wording. Contents of 'Ghoul' are as follows:

'Beyond Terror' - Staff members telling what phobias, fears, nightmares they have.

'I meet the great Indestructible - Exclusive interview with Count Dracula' by Hans Clutcher - Spoof interview with the Count.

'Things aren't what they used to be!' by Denis Gifford - Horror films of the 1940's

'Horror-Scope' - Monster horoscopes with the birthsigns Suckdritus the Vampire, Fangus the Werewolf, Gnawus the Slime-Beast, and Crushem the Golen.

Christopher Lee - brief description about the actor illustrated with film stills

'Ghoul at Large' by R.Chetwynd-Hayes - Short story by the horror writer

'On the Prowl' - Chilling news from the scream scene.

'Kiss me quick' - funny captions to monsters kissing in films stills.

'Ghoul Gazette' - Spoof 2 page newspaper.

'Masters of Horror - 1.Edgar Alan Poe' by Walter Gillings - Profile of the master horror writer.

'Some new pleasures prove' - by Charles Birkin - Short story

'Celluloid Screams' - Gallery of 4 horror film posters

'Preymate of the month' - in which the readers were invited to send in their ghoulish monster creations, the one featured in this issue was called Octopus Man.

Also featured in this 1st issue were adverts for 'Science Fiction Monthly' magazine and 'The Monster Club' by R.Chetwynd-Hayes and also a competion to win a Mettoy Vampire kite. The back cover as shown above is an advertisement for a number of New English Library Horror titles.

'SCREAM' Comic

2008-08-27T21:39:00.004Z

Before the release of 'Scream' comic in 1984, horror/monster fans hadn't had a children's comic [in the Fleetway style format] that catered for their macabre tastes. There were 2 similiar themed comics aimed at the female readers 'Misty' and 'Spellbound'. There were also the 2 funny horror/monster themed comics 'Monster Fun' and 'Shiver and Shake', but none of these would give the horror fan the serious and sometimes grisly stories and artwork that 'Scream' would provide. Issue 1 of 'Scream' came out on monday 24th march 1984 and with this first issue came a free gift of a pair of plastic fangs, the 2nd issue came with a free plastic spider. Issue 2 also saw the start of a 6 part poster with each section of poster featured on the back of the issue. 'Scream was edited by a sinister cowled figure called Ghastly McNasty whos face was hidden by a hood, a competition was held with a 50 pounds prize for anyone that could draw what they thought Ghastly's face may look like. A number of these attempts were printed in the procceding run of the comic. It wasn't untill the 'Scream Holiday special' in 1986 that Ghastly's face was revealed.

The editorial had 2 fun sections in which the reader could say who they would like to see as Dracula[Dracula Spectacular], which was basically a photo of whom ever they chose with added fangs and widow's peak and the other section was who the reader would like to see chained up in a dungeon [The London Dungeon] this time the person's face and cartoon body in dungeon.

Stories in the first issue were as follows and artists name in brackets : 'The Dracula File' [Eric Bradbury], 'Monster' [Heinzl, Redondo from 2 +], 'The Thirtheenth Floor' [Ortiz], 'Tales from the Grave' [Jim Watson], 'A Ghastly Tale' [artist ?], 'Fiends and Neighbours' which first appeared in?????????, 'Library of Death' [several artists during the comics run - Casanovas, M.Capaldi, Mike Dorey, Steve Dillion, B.McCarthy, J.Cooper, Cam Kennedy, Ron Smith, Vivas, T.Coleman, S.Parkhouse, and Boluda], 'The Terror of the Cats' [Gonzalez, J.Richardson]which finished with issue 6 and was replaced by 'The Nightcomers' [J.Richardson] from issue 7.

'Scream' unfortunatly would end after only 15 issues and would then merge with 'Eagle' comic on monday 1st September 1984 issue 128, this merger was also short lived. Only 2 stories from 'Scream' would be featured 'Monster' and 'The Thirteenth Floor'. Then in 1985 a Scream holiday special was published which would feature familar stories from the comics run such as 'The Dracula File', 'A Ghastly Tale', 'Fiends and Neighbours', 'The Thirteenth Floor' and Library of Death'. as well as the comicstrips there were photo features on Madam Tussards Chamber of Horrors and the London Dungeon, the holiday special also featured a quiz, jokes, Ghastly McNasty gallery, and a game 'Ghastly's House of Horrors'. The following year 1986 another holiday special was published. Some of the familiar stories were featured as well as new ones such as 'Castle of Death', 'The Scream Show', 'Demon of the Deep' etc. 2 more photo features covering Alton Tower's Doom & Sons Haunted House and Disney's Haunted Mansion. Revealed in this issue was the cover of the proposed issue 18 of 'Scream' [what happened to 16 and 17?]. 'Ghastly's Holiday Ghost Hunt was the featured game. One of the original stories 'Monster' would now be published in a story format rather than as a comicstrip. 1987's holiday special had some original and some new strips again, as well as photo features on Thorpe Park - Phantom Fantasia, and The York Dungeon. The game in this issue was called "The Great Escape'. The 'Scream holiday special' for 1988 as the usual mix of old and new comicstrips, no features this time, only a quiz and another game 'Hunt for Dracula'. In 1989 the Scream holiday special came under a different guise as 'Spinechillers Holiday Special', the Scream logo seen above title in small letters. This particular special issue was slimmer than usual and no original stories from Scream were featured, the 7 new stories were all hosted by a character called Ghoul, stories were kind of a similar format to Scream's 'A Ghastly Tale' hosted by Ghastly McNasty in the original comic. Also in this special issue was a photo feature on 'The London Dungeon'. This would be the last of anything more from the creators of this wonderful iconic and cult macabre comic. A dying shame.

Anyone remember the original television adverts for 'Scream'? I remember 1 of them which was quite good although its a bit vague, it shows a boy and girl [I think] sat on a sofa reading the comic and looking over their shoulder from behind are a few ghoulish characters, and spooky music or thunder and lightning are heard and the usual sinister voice over.

Take a look at this wonderful site all about 'Scream' - http://www.backfromthedepths.co.uk/