Mud Man vs. The Bermuda Depths '78

These highlights from the January 1978 issue of TV Guide (Vol. 26, No. 3 / Issue #1295) create a crystal ball glimpse into my life that week as a 10 year old horror freak. It was the week that Tom Tryon's eerie epic "The Dark Secret of Harvest Home" 2-part mini series aired, as well as the memorable World Premiere battle of the network monsters that Friday night with "The World Beyond" (aka: "The Mud Man Movie pilot") on CBS taking on "The Bermuda Depths" (aka: that one movie about the giant sea turtle and the ghost girl in a bikini) on ABC. If you were alive that week and old enough to remember any of these made-for-TV gems, then you know the reason for this post. I've rounded it all out with a few other bits of tube coolness from that week as well...

Terror in the Wax Museum

Before it burned down in the late 80's (?), The American Heritage Wax Museum in Scottsdale, AZ contained the usual assortment of not so life-like Presidents, composers, authors, inventors, etc. Yes, wandering these dim halls one could view recreated scenes from keypoint moments in American history: like the horrific scalping of white settlers at the brutal hands of indians, The bloody Custer Massacre, Honest Abe getting his brain ventilated, and Lee Harvey Oswald filling up with lead. Jeezo! Which way to the more kid-friendly Gallery of Horrors / Torture Chamber?!!

(Highlights from 1960's postcard booklet, photos by Bob Petley)

S.L.U.G. Zombies

We're shambling closer to the May 22nd release date of ZOMBIES, the book that Craig Yoe and I co-edited for IDW (click HERE for more info) ...in the meantime, those of you needing to satiate your ravenous zombie hunger should be on the look-out for the new S.L.U.G. Zombies Series 1 figures in stores now from Jakk's Pacific. There are 8 different "Scary Little Ugly Guys" (one's actually a girl), nicely designed and reminiscent of the old MPC figures of the 60's, each comes in their own mystery packed coffin. Collect them all-- or lose your brain trying!

Mad Monsters '61

I'm always on the hunt for anything Vampira related to add to my collection, and recently finding this battered issue of Charlton's Mad Monsters #2 (1961) at a local comic shop for only $5.00 definitely fit the bill! A brief, but incredible 3-page article called "Hollywood's House of Horrors" shows a truly remarkable rental statue of Vampira on display in LA with the usual assortment of Silver Scream legends. The rest of the issue ain't so bad either, featuring one very hilarious 3-page Little Red Riding Hood comic spoof, tons of creepy b/w stills, and a side splitting peek at one of my favorite old B-flicks-- The Thing that Couldn't Die!

More Cartoons (Part 2) NAVY + Male Box

Male Box was another great, very funny 60's Crest-Craft creation, a set of 6 military cartoon jokes on stationary, beautifully packaged in a sturdy blue box with wonderful illustrations on all sides. Also as promised, 12 more from the Crest-Craft Cartoon Post Card line, this time ribbing the Navy. If you enjoyed the last post, you'll probably notice some of the gags were just too good not to get recycled a second time here with slightly modified art!