Out of the Toybox (62): The October People

There was a period from the 1950’s through the 1970’s that spawned the classic phenomenon of ‘The Monster Kid’. The Monster Kid watched every TV re-run of every monster movie that he could, especially the Universal films. He read black-and-white magazines about these creatures (especially Famous Monsters of Filmland, produced by the presiding genius of ‘Uncle Forrie’, Forrest J. Ackerman), dreamed of creating their own special effects and make-ups, and put together the Aurora Monster models (or tried to). We saw just such a display of models when we were kids, put together by Mike’s friend Terry’s older brother, that was even displayed in our local college. Among us John was the Monster Kid par excellence, but I could not help but be drawn into it, almost by osmosis.

Horror is, after all, simply a branch of Fantasy, which I consider my métier. Its main themes are the fear and horror of the alien, whether supernatural or super-scientific (both encountering it or becoming it) and the isolation of the outcast, the sort of power that such strangeness can bring over enemies, and a fascination with finding a mate that will accept you. Often, the monster is the one who hates his monstrosity most of all. Sometimes by leaning into his flaws and strange powers, he can triumph, if only for a moment.

Of course, it was that generation of Monster Kids, grown up, who produced the movies and the lines of monster toys that perpetuated their fascinations. In 1997-1998 Todd McFarlane produced McFarlane’s Monsters, playsets featuring two figures apiece, plainly modeled on the classic horror films but distinct enough not to have to pay royalties and to be more intense. Silent Screamers (2000) by Aztech (later Mezco) had their own take on silent film classics like Nosferatu, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Metropolis, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide, and Edison’s Frankenstein (seeing such films was rare in the old days, but through published movie stills and memories were held in high esteem as Fabled Legacy). Even the 2001 She Creature, Queen of the Lair (shown here with Captain Nemo by Mezco, also from 2001) was part of a line by Stan Winston Creature Features that did homage to types of the old film monsters.

Included in the first McFarlane Monsters are other McFarlane figures, including a small demon with a large axe, a Twisted Munchkin, and Mr. Beefy from Little Nicky. My figure of Nosferatu is Somewhere Else in the Toy Hoard, as is the mummy that goes in the McFarlane Monsters. I find out (most fittingly) that John has the rest of the 3 ¾ Nemco Universal Monsters, and now I feel the impulse to dig out the Mummy and Wolfman from the bins and get them to him to re-unite the set. How they became separated I cannot imagine.

Found! on 10/20/23. Nosferatu from Silent Screamers.