When you discussing rubber masks (and I do frequently) you are obligated to acknowledge Don Post Studios as the crème de la crème of the mask world (with everything but Yul Brynner!). In fact, he's known as The Godfather of Halloween.
This Don Post "Nostrum" mask dates from 1983 and is essentially, just a giant nose with eyes and ears.
Don Post Studios was created by Don Post (of course) in 1938, but they really gained popularity in the 1960's under his son's, Don Post Jr.'s, watch when he acquired the license to the Universal monsters and began producing rubber masks of Frankenstein's Monster, Dracula and The Wolfman. They also had the Star Wars license in the 1970's which further expanded their market. By the late 1990's, they were in financial straits and eventually declared bankruptcy in 2001. Trick or Treat Studios acquired the rights to use the name "Don Post" and continues producing masks today.
Oh, and my little nod to "One Night in Bangkok" above? Apparently, it's not true. Don Post DID make a Yul Brynner mask.
I remember seeing a lot of Don Post masks in an issue of Fangoria I found in a book shop when I was a kid, and wishing I could find some over here going cheap. Still haven't ever found any, but I have some similarly cool rubber masks by others!
ReplyDeleteThat is a funny mask - it almost looks like one of those optical illusions you can turn upside down to reveal another face.
ReplyDelete