Funstuf Frankenstein, originally uploaded by TCM Hitchhiker.

Frankenstein, Ani-Forms toy by Funstuf, 1978

Features: Frankenstein is loaded with features. He has a small slit in his mouth which opens when you squeeze his cheeks. You then push his arms down which releases the air in his body. Let go of his cheeks, the slit closes, and he stays compressed. You then fasten him to the lab table with the Velcro straps. He comes with a pump that is attached to a hose, which attaches to his back. Squeeze the pump, it fills him with air, and he bursts out of his straps.

His laboratory table has it's own awesome feature. When you turn the crank, it spins wheels on each side of the table, which hold lighter flints. These rub against sandpaper discs, causing massive sparks. The table also moves up and down.

Add to all that, Frank also glows-in-the-dark!

This is easily one of the greatest Frankenstein toys ever made. They sure don't make toys like the used to!

~ Jason

Funstuf Dracula, originally uploaded by TCM Hitchhiker.

Dracula, Ani-Forms toy by Funstuf, 1978

Features: Dracula has a small slit in his mouth which opens when you squeeze his cheeks. You then squeeze the air out of his body. Let go of his cheeks and the slit closes, keeping him compressed. put him in his coffin and attach the coffin lid. He comes with a pump that is attached to a hose, which attaches to his back. Squeeze the pump, it fills him with air, and he bursts out of the coffin.

Dracula also glows-in-the-dark.

For the whole month of October, I will be shooting nothing but monster and Halloween inspired toy photos. Most of the subjects will be toys that I have never shot before. I have some great shots planned, some of which I have been wanting to shoot for a very long time.

~ Jason

Some true monster toy classics, the Universal Monsters were produced by Marx in the 1960's. Each is solid plastic and stands about 6" tall.

I was a bit worried that the shots I had planned for these creeps would give me a lot of trouble. Figures of this type, shiny plastic, unpainted, can be tricky. Sometimes the detail can get washed out, and glare is always an issue. In the end though it was a pretty smooth shoot, and I was pretty happy with some of the shots.

I really dig shooting old beat up, worn out, broken toys like the one armed Mummy above. They have a certain charm to them, adds some character. Not so nice for one's collection, but can make for brilliant photo subjects.

- Jason