MAIL-ORDER MASK OF THE GHOST RIDER

The proud owner of this mail-away Ghost Rider mask shares with us this nifty photo of his super-rare collectible. This version of Ghost Rider originated with a comics publisher called Magazine Enterprises but after the trademark lapsed Marvel put out their own version of the character which was eventually named Phantom Rider.

Here's the comic book ad which looks to be from the 1950s...


The actual product is simple yet cool looking (aside from the unavoidable KKK comparison). Plus it possesses that perfect, ever-endearing quality— it glows in the dark.

Unfortunately, it seems that I'll be mentally singing Ghost Riders in the Sky for the next week or so.

NEW HAUNTED HOME FOR PHANTASMAGORIA PROPS

Every time I think the story of my favorite defunct dark ride has come to an end it seems that a new chapter opens up. Recently I reported that several props from the Phantasmagoria were being sold off at the Vintage Tulsa antique show. Many fans came to the event just to see these pieces of Tulsa history one last time. However, I just got word that these spooks aren't dead yet, they're just moving.

About a half dozen gags from the "Phantaz" were purchased by Trimper's amusement park of Ocean City, MD to be installed in their historic Haunted House! Trimper's Haunted House is one of the most beloved dark rides of its kind and one of the last eight surviving attractions designed by spookhouse mastermind Bill Tracy who was also responsible for the Phantasmagoria.

Brandon Seidl, founder of Trimper’s Haunted House Online, tells me that the props which include the "skull cave" and the "coffin skeleton" are expected to be in place by Spring 2012. Trimper's is renowned for the pride they take in their history, and I can't think of a more appropriate location for this collection of scaries. I see a Maryland vacation in my future.

You can take a look at the classic haunted house in this photographic walkthrough or better yet, a video ride-though.

WORLD'S DEADLIEST TATTOO

An upstanding individual by the name of Jeremy has blown me away with his Count Dante: Deadliest Man Alive tattoo, based on the legendary ad...

Not only is the concept brilliant the artistry is excellent, I can't imagine a better translation from ad to arm. Check out his Flickr Feed for a closer look.

But that's not all, Jeremy has curated what is possibly the most appealing assembly of body art that I have witnessed. Lando Calrissian himself would have made for a fine subject, but this is Kenner action figure Lando!...


...and while you're still reeling from that, BAM! it's Vincent from The Black Hole!

Thank you Jeremy for brightening our day, one limb at a time.

THE HAUNTED MANSION STORY ANIMATED

Story and Song from the Hanted Mansion from David Witt.

H-A-LL-O-W-EE-N SPELLS HALLOWEEN

Jason Willis of the legendary Scar Stuff blog among other things, has bestowed on us another celebratory Halloween video inspired by the haunts of yesteryear. This is his stop motion interpretation of Kay Lande and Wade Denning's classic song "Halloween." It does a fantastic job of capturing what is so endearing about this time of year. Read all about his creative process here. And please, PLEASE don't forget to have a happy Halloween!

CSA FLAT FILE

If you savor the look of vintage ink printed on vintage paper, do yourself a favor and visit CSA Flat File. The site "features current projects from CSA Images, including the daily feature Paper Cuts, a full-bleed source of printed inspiration curated from the millions of images that make up the CSA archives. Paper Cuts span the history of design and preserve the legacy of ink on paper in the digital age"

KEVIN KIDNEY AND JODY DAILY

For years Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily have created a breathtaking assortment of artifacts for the Disney parks drawing inspiration from yesteryear's best Disney designs. Their body of work is truly phenomenal, placing them high among my personal creative heroes.

If you like to treat your eyes well then I recommend visiting this gallery of nearly all of their creations, as well as Kevin's Portfolio and Blog.
If you need further convincing I invite you to take a hard look at the following delights...

Ceramic replicas of vintage concession packaging...

Paper sculpture that cannot be fully appreciated unless enlarged

original illustrations by Kevin Kidney, Boy and Girl with Disneyland souvenirs

Tin Signs