The End of The Son of the Ghoul Goes West.

Well, okay.

It's not really the end.

Such things never end -- they take on a life and spirit all their own in our memories, photo albums, our hearts.

Plus I haven't run out of pictures or video.

I just want to get these posted because they are the most important, and then we can lay this to rest for a bit and move on to more projects and excitement for the rest of 2011.

And trust me, there's plenty on tap.

But that's for later.

For now, a few more moments from one of the highlight events of my year, every year.

First up, I had to post this.

I mean, how often do you get to see a gigantic Kong for sale?

Another set of Kong  joy:

Can you even believe how cool this is? A complete entertainment center and chairs! It was also on sale, and my heart wept at the cruelty of the world that we hadn't the means to get it home even if we'd had the money to buy it. Man!

Oh well, on to more treasures...

Handmade, one-of-a-kind figures from the incredible Cortlandt Hull and his Witch's Dungeon museum. Such a thrill to see these works every year. Look at the Dr. Phibes! And Professor Lampini with the skeleton of Count Dracula in his (real, steam-bent 19th century) toe-pincher coffin!

So beautiful.

And here are some exceptional paintings from L.J. Dopp, the painter of the works in the Vincent Price tribute section of the Museum.

Speaking of the Museum, I have a lot of kinda fuzzy pics because it's always dark in there and my camera and I both have difficulty focusing on anything anyway... but there were a few more things I wanted to show you.

A gremlin. From Gremlins. Too cool.

An incredible Dr. Pretorius (The Bride of Frankenstein,1935) from the incredible artist Daniel Horne. 

The crazy bulbs, tubes, bottles and so on were the perfect touch for this hilariously

sinister grandfather of cinematic mad scientists!

More beautiful pieces in the Museum.

Had to show you this. One of the absolute finest undead figures 

I have ever seen. Ever. Up close and in person, it is stunning. This is the thing

that crawls from the grave in the old pre-code horror comics, and in my childhood

nightmares. I never got the name of the artist, sadly.

Here, in a lights-on/prepping for Museum crowds moment, V is about to be demolished by the Eddie Quist

werewolf from The Howling (1980). I think the only way she would get close enough to this thing is if

all the lights were on.

More fun stuff...

Look at the size of that skull! Must be the one used to make...

... this incredible Frankenstein Monster 'bust' from Mike Hill. Mike brought

a lot of amazing pieces this year...

Henry Hull as Dr. Glendon in Universal's Werewolf of London (1935).

Oliver Reed in Hammer's 1961 Curse of the Werewolf, and

Charles Laughton as Quasimodo in the 1939 RKO

The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Karloff the Uncanny as the Frankenstein monster from

The Bride of Frankenstein (1935).

Casey Wong's wonderful tribute to our dear Uncle Forry, grand Pied Piper of Pandemonium

to all of us Monster Kids. The Wolfman cane 4E is holding was generously provided by

Ron Chaney and the Chaney Family (and one of these days I will have one, damnit!).

Here's a good moment to segue to a few friends -- the real treasures to be found at Monsterpalooza, and all the great Monster Kid celebrations around the world. 

L to R: V, me, Uncle Forry, Casey Wong and our friend, "Elder" Robert Taylor!

Another with Casey, this time goofing off in the Museum with Nevermore!

Casey's a great artist and a nice guy and it was great to spend a bit more time

with him this year.

The talented, funny and fun Cortlandt Hull (L) from the Witch's Dungeon in CT and the

wonderfully abby-normal Joe Moe, having a chat at Cortlandt's booth. Two perfectly

crazy guys, and I feel very lucky to count both among my friends.

And lastly, at least for now, a final bit of video from Nevermore in his Vincent Price masquerade... the last little bits of his routine...

There's always more to show off, but most of it is more personal, and we have other things to get to.

I know better than to think that any of this gives even a shred of an idea of what it feels like to attend Monsterpalooza, but I also know I'd be dying to see your pictures if you'd gone and I hadn't. I just wish I could take everyone with me every year... but this is the only way I know how to come close to doing anything like that.

On to more Hallowe'en goodness next time.

And a little note: I have removed, since Easter is over, the Godspell soundtrack that had been in the Hallowe'enith Radio over the weekend. The ol' console is now back to its Hallowe'eny tricks with two great old time radio programs. First is a 1943 classic from Lights Out, He Dug It Up. Since it's Spring and folks are getting back into their gardens, I thought this tale of a man planting a tree would be appropriate -- especially when he digs up something he should have left alone.

Then we have another great Jack Benny Hallowe'en special, this time from 1937, spending an evening at Andy Divine's place! Kinda noisy, but a lot of fun.

Hope you all enjoy.


Oh, and it's still April, so
DUMDUMSHREKPEEPS!