Today we offer Cult Horror as today’s fancy dress theme as today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Charles Addams. The name may sound familiar to some, but not to others. If we were to mention he was the creator of the Addams’ Family would that make things clearer? The Addams’ started as a series of macabre cartoons in the New Yorker magazine but came to wider attention in the 1960s when they got their own TV series (and the family members finally all got names). Co-incidentally a rival TV company came up with ‘The Munsters’, based on a similar horror-family concept, almost simultaneously and there was some rivalry between the two shows. In the event, although the Munsters were the first to make it to the movie-screen (and in colour), the Addams’ have lasted the distance and are possibly the better remembered. Like a lot of popular programmes of yesteryear, there have been attempts to modernise the franchise, and even expand the ‘official costumes’ , we stock the entire range of Addams Family costumes including ‘sexy’ versions of Morticia and her daughter Wednesday, but in our opinion, the originals are still the best. Today’s the day to celebrate the original cool ghouls!
To broaden this out from just being an Addams’ family fancy dress theme, which, we think, would have been rather limiting, we have today’s theme of Cult Horror, this also brings the following cult horror costumes into the mix:
Following on in our Horror Film Fancy Dress theme is Scream. When this film first came out in 1996 it apparently spawned a whole series of people wanting Scream masks and robes (we say apparently, because propsnfrocks started trading two years later in 1998). However, one of our earliest Halloween memories was the rush to get suitable Scream Costumes & masks into our shop for Halloween 2000, the year Scary Movie came out and caused a deluge of requests for robes, suitable weapons and of course the Scream mask. The following year the masks had evolved from the tradtional ones, with some that glowed in the dark, changed colour or had blood pumping around the ‘face’. The traditional Scream masks can still be very effective and these and the ‘bleeding’ Scream we have in stock (at the moment!). It is also possible to purchase scream knives (with and without blood) to help you to complete your Halloween outfit.
But it’s not just the Scream mask you can find here at propsnfrocks. We sell a variety of Halloween masks, ranging from the more glamorous eyemasks, to the robotic style plain face mask, to the traditional concepts of Dracula, Frankenstein, Witches, Wizards, Werewolves and Cats. At the other end of the scale there is the more gruesome end of the market, some of which we have already featured, with more to come in forthcoming blogs.
One thing we should mention at this stage is the fact that due to health and hygiene reasons all our masks are only available for sale. Some, such as the eyemasks are suitable to wear whilst eating or drinking, but many of the latex masks are full overhead ones. Undoubtedly many of the masks may look good but things you might want to consider prior to purchasing a mask are:-
What type of effect are you aiming to achieve?
Can you achieve the same effect from make-up?
Would an eyemask be more suitable than a full overhead face mask?
Have you thought about the heat factor? Some masks, particularly full overhead latex or rubber ones can be quite close fitting.
Have you thought about visibility? Different types of masks offer different types of visibility. Some are more close fitting than others.
Where are you aiming to wear it? Full face masks and latex masks may be more suitable for trick or treating or an external event, rather than a party or indoor environment.
Will you be able to eat and drink in it?
If you have answered all these questions to your satisfaction and would still like to purchase one of our fantastic Halloween masks, we look forward to helping you out.
Yesterday, we were talking about Horror film Fancy Dress, so today we thought we would take a look at one of the more popular franchises of recent times and one where the last film Saw 3D came out in 2010
The Saw films (there have been seven since 2004) are arguably a leading example of what has been termed torture porn – you might think the Saw theme ride at Thorpe Park was scary, but these films are in a class of their own and not for the faint-hearted. Without giving too much away (because that would be cruel) the films were initially based on the hunt for a miscreant called the Jigsaw Killer – Jigsaw for short. Jigsaw delights in settling his ‘subjects’ various tests and puzzles by which in theory, they may redeem themselves of ‘crimes’ and wrongdoings in their past, but through lack of rational thought or terror of their situation, more usually end up mutilated or dead. He gains his nickname because he carves a jigsaw-shaped piece of flesh from his victims, although he would argue that he does not kill them, they choose to kill themselves. An additional factor is that the killer himself is terminally ill but he succeeds in gaining ‘accomplices’ (willing or otherwise) who will help continue his warped form of retribution.
This successful franchise has spawned two Saw costumes, both of which have proved popular in past Halloweens. The first is Billy the Puppet, a ventriloquist doll-type character in a suit and bow tie which Jigsaw uses, through electronics, as a mouthpiece to communicate with or taunt his victims.
The costume comes with a mask which, although undoubtedly effective, may be restrictive when it comes to eating, speaking etc. In theory, with a little effort and some derma wax (artificial skin/putty material) to build up the cheeks, it is possible to do a Billy Puppet face with make-up, but it depends upon your level of dedication to the character. It is also possible to purchase the Saw Mask
The other character is rather simpler, but again mask-based with no make-up alternative this time. This is Pig-Head, a character based on plain (or blood-splattered) black robe topped with a pig’s-head, the mask styled as being decaying, reflecting the disease and rot both of Jigsaw’s cancer and his attitude to his fellow humans. The outfit is used by Jigsaw’s accomplices in disguising themselves to help terrify their prey (amongst other reasons). It is also possible to purchase the Saw Pig mask
As the last film was subtitled ‘The Final Chapter’ the Saw series may have come to an end, but we think there is still plenty of scare value in these costumes.
Horror Films is today’s fancy dress theme as many times throughout the year we are asked what are your most popular fancy dress costumes? This is also true when it comes to Halloween.
Vampire Costumes – we stock a great range of vampire teeth, cloaks and other Vampire accessories
Werewolf costumes – we stock a large range of werewolf accessories
Physcho
Dracula
Frankenstein
The ‘fun’ thing when choosing props ‘n’ frocks’ selection of Halloween costumes and accessories is being able to second-guess what will be this year’s ‘big thing’. Some years we get this right, whilst other times we may be way off the mark. Films are quite often a good source of ideas for the general public, so keeping an eye on this area of activity is always very important. The problem is being able to identify what ‘looks’ will capture the imagination, and thus give us lots of requests, (and possibly last minute headaches) and which films will sink without trace. This is one area where sequels can be a good source of reference. Some of the films that can be included in this category can be old favourites such as ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’, ‘Halloween’, ‘Scream’, ‘Scary Movie’, ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ and ‘Friday the 13th’.
name may sound familiar to some, but not to others. If we were to mention he was the creator of the Addams’ Family would that make things clearer? The Addams’ started as a series of macabre cartoons in the New Yorker magazine but came to wider attention in the 1960s when they got their own TV series (and the family members finally all got names). Co-incidentally a rival TV company came up with ‘The Munsters’, based on a similar horror-family concept, almost simultaneously and there was some rivalry between the two shows. In the event, although the Munsters were the first to make it to the movie-screen (and in colour), the Addams’ have lasted the distance and are possibly the better remembered. Like a lot of popular programmes of yesteryear, there have been attempts to modernise the franchise, and even expand the ‘official costumes’ , we stock the entire range of Addams Family costumes including ‘sexy’ versions of Morticia and her daughter Wednesday, but in our opinion, the originals are still the best. Today’s the day to celebrate the original cool ghouls!
