Shock Monster - Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror
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- čas přidán 19. 01. 2024
- The Shock Monster is one of the most iconic rubber Halloween masks ever made. Designed by Keith Ward and produced by Topstone, the mask was originally called "Horror" when it was introduced in 1954. Publisher James Warren dubbed it the Shock Monster a few years later when it was advertised in Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine, evolving into FM's unofficial mascot. The Shock Monster is now more of a character than a mask. Its visage has adorned countless products and been re-interpreted by numerous mask makers. In this video, we look at some of the masks inspired by Keith Ward's amazingly resilient character, working our way backward to the original Topstone-produced plastic and latex masks. This video is not a definitive history of the Shock Monster character, the Topstone company or Keith Ward. It is an off-the-cuff show and tell for anyone who enjoys looking at different variations on this one-eyed, slack-jawed, EC Comics-styled zombie. For a more authoritative history, see the Tomb of the Topstones video series on this channel.
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Can't wait! SHOCK MONSTER!!!
It's great to see all of the different version of the mask that has been done over the years. You have some real gems in your collection.
Thank you!
Amazing work,,,i love the color detail on those,,the gray with lime green wash,,i want those,😮
Thank you!
Wow..to speak about this one mask concept for 1.5 hour is impressive actually... It really shows this mans passion . ill subscribe
Thank you! I cut 20 minutes out of it. I can rattle on about something that interests me.
Couldn't be more excited for this video!
Yesterday, this video was recommended to me for some reason (there is a band I listened to here on YT that has the shock monster b&w art on one of their cassette covers. That's the only time I've ever seen the Shocky face before.) I'm enjoying this video and look forward to exploring more of your uploads. Do you also discuss memorable/favorite movies, too? I enjoy classic horror comics and movies of old, but never got into masks, costumes, statues, etc. Cool masks, Raymond. Edit: 1:21:00 - the plaque is gorgeous!
I'm glad you found my channel! Do I discuss movies? No, not really. Only within the context of discussing collectibles based on those films.
I love these video/Docs you make! Absolutely love them. Thank you!
Thank you!
What a great Shock Monster collection! Loved seeing all of the variants, especially the Topstone vacuform mask, that looked great! My favorite Shock Monster in my collection is a miniature latex mask that was made by an artist named Frankenpine, I'll post a picture on the Facebook group!
I saw the little mask. It was cute!
I just bought a Shock Monster action figure, it's best thing up on my shelf ! I once had a really really rad SM mask I wish I never sold. Glad I still have pics of it. Great video, thanks for making it !
Who made the Shock figure you have? I have one by Cast-a-way Toys and another by Nick Williams.
I knew nothing of these coming into the video but it's fascinating! Great stuff, thanks for sharing!
Thank you!
Great video! I had no ideal they made so many versions of the Shock Monster
Thank you!
I had a Shock Monster blue-hair mask in 1975! It smelled wonderful. What a wonderful Halloween mask. Sweet video. 💜
Thank you! That's a great memory!
How absolutely awesome. Such incredible works of art.
Cool! I have a vintage Topstone mask. These are awesome.
Thank you! Do you have a vintage Shock Monster? What character do you have?
@@RaymondCastile I do not have a Shock Monster. They are really cool though! Mine is from the 80’s and it’s a guy with a big rat on his head and brown hair. Pretty creepy looking though.
@@joedavis376 I have a couple that are part of that “animal on the head” series. I don’t know if I have that exact same one.
Hello! I wanted to be in the live chat for this but screwed up and arrived at the end (as you displayed that gorgeous wall plaque), and even now I’ve only seen the first few minutes, but I want you to know I’m loving it and I’ll be seeing the rest ASAP. Stay shocked! Thanks.
Thank you!
Thanks for showing all these great Shock Monster masks! Inspired to own them and wear one next Halloween season. Appreciate all you do and share. Thank you! 🧟
Thank you!
I found a shock monster mask at one of those goodwill outlet throwaway stores, it was in terrible condition. It was at the bottom of one of those bins, flattened and almost fully split in half.
The latex was rotting towards the front of it, it was truly a sad sight to see.
A Shock is special enough that it would have been worth trying to restore. Lately, I don't feel like bothering with restoring masks that have seen better days unless they are really something special.
the big schlock monster mask is incredible, looks like the illustration brought to life
I have a new appreciation for it after making this video.
Wonderful video! The blue haired Shock Monster from the 70’s is my favorite out of the different versions. I have a modern Trick or Treat Studios one since it was easily obtainable and affordable. It’s cool, but I agree that it’s definitely a little too real-looking and “adult” while lacking some of the fun factor and delightfully pure weirdness of the classic ones. Thanks for showing all of these. It was so much fun to watch!
EDIT: Just saw the ToTS catalog image of the classic-style Shock Monster and other masks. I’m definitely planning to get that one to replace the one I currently have.
Thank you, Penny! I like how all of these Shocks represent unique interpretations of the character. Each one has different goals, motivations and influences. It is an interesting coincidence that TOTS released images of their new Shock right after my video premiered! I figured they would have a new Shock this year, but I didn't think it would be unveiled until closer to the fall.
That Dynamic Design/ Shock Monster mask is definitely the copy I own and purchased in the early 2000s. As I mentioned on Instagram, previously. Sans the talcum power look. Great collection, Ray.🤘🏻
Thank you!
Fun video, Raymond! Another "realistic" one to consider is by Death Studios. I have it, and the sculpt is terrific.
Thank you! There are several Shocks I don't own. I stopped collecting most non-Topstone Shocks several years ago, and many have been made since then.
Great to see all those different versions of Shock Monster. And glad to hear the Topstone catalog may make a reappearance of sorts through the new owners. I'm guessing they are going to be high-end masks though. I'd love to see the original cheap, thin latex versions reproduced again.
I'd like to see dirt cheap Topstone masks sold in dollar stores, but I don't think that is in the cards. Of course, that is what made Topstone beloved by Gen Xrs like me. We saw them in the junk aisle, at Ben Franklin, or they arrived in a paper envelope through mail order. They were made for kids. I'd love to see kids running around in Topstone masks again.
great video, and congrats for having your short film included in the Coffin Joe box set.
Thank you!
Here's a potential Basement of Horror dream project for you... The Shock Monster of Blood Island!
I do kind of associate Shock Monster with Blood Island. He looks like the kind of thing that you would find shambling around on Blood Island. The Chlorophyll Monster is sort of a Shock Monster come to life on the screen.
Great video, Ray. I have the #1 copy of Darrell's 2nd run of Shocks (after the deluxe run) and it has paint and hair based on your blue haired original. I love the crazy hair colors that Topstone used. I want to get a recent pull (or maybe even one of Justin's) Shock done with the white hair and beard. I've admired that mask in your collection for a long time.
Thank you! Has VXX-FX ever done a white haired Shock? Seems like something he would do.
@@RaymondCastile Surprisingly, I don't believe he has. He's done over a dozen versions of the Shock Monster, including several based on vintage copies (and even one with antennae) but not a white haired, bearded version (that I know of).
Happy Saturday Ray
Thank you! Same to you!
Mezco is making a figure called Aleister Gangreene and the teases for it look kinda like the shock monster . I think its releasing this halloween. I loved kreature Kids statue he made of it
It looks more like a Haunted Mansion character to me, if I'm looking at the right toy on their site.
@RaymondCastile you are looking at theodore the one im mentioned has only been teased in a comic from one of the variants of that figure
that big mask was awesome
That particular mask seems to have struck a chord with several people.
Woo! Shock! I only have Justin Mabry/Trick-or-Treat's version of it, but it would be interesting if they did a straight reproduction. I am looking forward to the Shock Monster action figure that they showed off at the New York toy fair last year.
1:01:01 Cursed Ronald McDonald
I'm looking forward to that figure, too.
HOW would i find and buy a new pull from an old mold? i see none on Ebay... is there another place i need to look?
I see a Shock on eBay now.
Question ,the face in “I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN 1958” looks very similar to the Shock Monster. Lol so what’s ur thoughts
Shock Monster mask was released three years before the movie I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN.