On the same day I found a Ben Cooper Hairy & Scary Were Wolf box (unfortunately empty), I also found a crazy looking hippy hag mask with real hair. So yeah, I cheated and put that funny, flower-power lookin' Phyllis Diller face inside the Hairy & Scary monster box, until someday when I find the appropriate H&S wolf man mask to replace her. Actually, any of the masks from this super 70's Halloween costume series would be great to have, as you can see from all of the wild illustration examples featured on the lid and sides of the box below. A friend of mine asked if those were actually unlicensed KISS masks, haha and now I can't see 'em any other way.
Then! the day after finding all of this cool stuff, I stumbled upon a way overpriced 60's Collegeville Hobo costume in a sadly destroyed box. As a kid, I never understood why anyone would want to be a hobo for Halloween when you could be Ultraman or the Creature from the Black Lagoon, but looking at the face now with much older eyes I can honestly say I love that design. Even better though are all of the dynamite details on the box lid: bats, witches, pitchforked devil, and an astronaut with a Misfits devilock (or would that technically be referred to as an Astro Zombie?) But possibly the greatest part of this Collegeville kit was finding the original Ben Franklin store receipt still in the box, revealing that this medium sized HOBO (with DERBY) was purchased on October 27th, 1965. Who else misses the old Ben Franklin stores?
That hobo has to be one of the more complicated Collegeville costumes -- it's got 3 pieces of molded plastic! I love the dot printing for stubble -- that's a really good mask!
ReplyDeleteI also like the printing on the hippie chick; I like the splotchy red cheeks and nose and I love how the bottom set of teeth are pushed in. All really fine molding and painting work.
Eh, ninety-six percent of the time the Ben Cooper werewolf was a normal, fun-loving flower child. I buy it. It's actually pretty rare that there's a full moon on Halloween night.
ReplyDeleteI, too, love that complex Hobo outfit. I've never seen a box costume that was more than just a mask and and a frock before. It's a shame they didn't take the last step and provide a rubber cigar. I'm impressed that the frock is an actual costume, not just a onesie with the product name. Altogether quite a nice package. All except for the package, poor thing.
I really miss Ben Franklin, particularly at Halloween. And given your proximity to me, probably the same one (in Franvue Plaza).
ReplyDeleteTaking a second look at the box made me think of KISS turned into vampires and werewolves, just the thing for October.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't have Ben Franklin Stores in PA, we had our own version called Kresge's.
>probably the same one (in Franvue Plaza).
ReplyDeleteFranview was indeed my Ben Franklin as a kid! I lived in Jefferson Barracks until I was about 5, then we moved up Telegraph to Lin Tel Manor for a few years, ultimately settling off Milburn in Oakville until I was 16. Those areas are where all of my favorite Halloween memories still happily wander forever as well.