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Oct 5, 2023·edited Oct 5, 2023Liked by Dan Epstein

Brilliant list! It's also dredged up some memories for me. My dad adored monster movies, and had assembled a glow-in-the-dark model of the creature from the black lagoon. It stood on a cedar chest near my parents' bed ... a very effective deterrent for me from disturbing their slumber.

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Oct 5, 2023·edited Oct 5, 2023Author

I had that model, as well — and a Godzilla one from the same series!

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I didn't know it was part of a series! It was the only model I'd ever seen my dad build. I've no idea why that movie and/or monster appealed to him so much.

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Hi Jackie..........I had what I think was the entire Aurora line, seen here (I was 10 in '65, about the time I'd have built them): (https://www.mymoviemonsters.com/store.php/mymoviemonsters/pd361616/revell_universal_monsters_set_of_5_model_kits)

Apparently, Revell has picked up the line, and is making them available again. I don't recall any of mine glowing in the dark, so we either had different makers of The Creature, or I missed the mention of "Glow-in-the-dark" on the box!

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Thank you for the link, Brad. Wow, that takes me back.

It could be that my dad opted for a glow-in-the-dark paint, or my memories are faulty. He died 20+ years ago, so I can't ask him.

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Well, that could be! Those would actually be artifacts from my youth I wouldn't mind still having and displaying! I wonder if model glue still works after 6 decades!

Thanks for subscribing, Jackie! Much appreciated!😁👍

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Can't say I want my dad's model in my house even after all these years, but I will be asking my brother about it this evening.

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The models I had gave you the option of glow-in-the-dark head and hand pieces (and in the case of Godzilla, his dorsal plates) or standard, non-glowing ones that were easier to paint.

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I wonder if the models available in the early- and mid-'60s (when I was a builder!) were not quite as "souped-up" as they may have been a little later (I think you're a decade or so after me)!

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Yeah, I'm definitely talking about the '70s versions!

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founding

Monster column. Monster!🦖

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Spook-tacular piece, Dan! Inspired me to look into Bobby Pickett a bit more and learned he is from Somerville, Mass., where I resided for the first 61 months of my life. Deep, personal trivia, with Leon Russell playing piano another nice touch on that trivia front.

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I'd forgotten that Leon played on it — but of course, the Gary Paxton connection!

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Amazing collection of tuneage, Dan! I think I know which songs I'll be playing in the background while I write today! I can't write while drinking, of course, so I'll be happy to "settle" for THIS ten-pack of "boo"s! Cheers!🥂

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Right on, Brad. Enjoy!

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When “Monster Mash” was re-released in 1973, it delighted my 13-year old self and I bought a copy. I still have it and I will spin it this month for sure. Thanks for sharing that wacky video of Bobby Pickett on American Bandstand; I’d never seen it before. Really great stuff here.

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Thanks, Mark! I’d never seen it myself until this past week!

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I love I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE. So simple to sing along with, and touchingly romantic.

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