This photo was sent to me by Kirk Demaris who runs the wonderful kitsch and nostalgia Web site www.secretfunspot.com. It's linked in my blogroll so check it out. I'm copying some correspondence I had with Kirk into the comments below, so if you are curious about the how the Monster Lab Game came to be my most current post, follow the thread.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
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Here's my first letter to Kirk, after discovering his great site (www.secretfunspot.com):
Kirk,
I love your site. Beautifully done and tres evocative.
You probably get quite a few questions like this, but looking at some of the retro plastic toys on your site reminded me of one toy that was a real object lesson for me growing up.
It was called Monster Lab or Monster Gallery (not sure anymore), but the "game" consisted of a big Frankenstein-type monster (10-12 inches tall) with a mask covering his face who moved back and forth on a track between the two player (kids dressed as mad scientists on the box). The players each had a knob at their ends of the track with which to control the monster. The point was to turn the monster toward the other player often enough that he would complete the trip to the opponent's end of the track. He would then raise his arms, growl, and his mask would flip off revealing his horrible monster face to the loser.
The game seemed so cool to me that I begged and begged until I finally got it for a birthday. When I deboxed it and tried it out, however, I learned the control knobs actually were just for show. You could twist them frantically and not adjust the progress of the monster one bit. He'd just weave back and forth on his track until, I suppose by chance, he'd end up at one side or the other. It was like a very elaborate coin flip. Quite a disappointment, but it did look very cool on my dresser.
This was an early lesson in bemused cynicism for me.
Have you ever heard of this toy? No one else I've described it to has any recollection of it.
-Rick
Here's Kirk's (very prompt) reply to my letter:
Hey Rick,
I'm glad you enjoyed the Secret Fun Spot!
I do indeed know of the Monster Lab. It was made by Ideal in 1964, and because of it's rarity, and it's coolness, it's considered a "holy grail" collectible for Monster toy collectors.
I see them on ebay from time to time, but they're always at least several hundred dollars. There's one on ebay right now, but they're asking $995 which is probably too much. You can see it here ...
http://tinyurl.com/7kspt
That's funny, I never knew there was no skill involved. It's also interesting that you mention it now because just Monday I was talking to a friend who was about to inquire about the original mold for this game. He knows a man who once owned almost all the molds for Ideal, Remco and Transogram. I don't know what my friend found out about the mold, but I sure think it would be neat if someone made a reproduction of Monster Lab since I doubt I'll ever own the original!
Thanks,
Kirk
And here's my reply to Kirk:
Kirk,
I feel like I've finally been vindicated in wanting Monster Lab. For much of my childhood it seemed like one of my many mistakes. After all, I had to burn up a lot of familial "capital" to talk my folks into getting it for me, and then not only was I disappointed, they knew I was disappointed, so they felt affirmed in their view that I was prone to irrational and expensive demands. Now it seems that, if I'd had the wisdom to hang on to the game and it's original box it would be the toy equivalent of Microsoft stock.
Take that! skeptical parents everywhere.
Life takes such twisty turns. At least I managed to keep a lot of my comic book collection, though my 19-year-old son has made it clear that he expects them as part of his inheritance, so it's not like I can cash them in.
With your permission, I may use your note and the Monster Lab photo on my blog with a link to your site (I've already blogrolled your site).
Nice corresponding with you. I think I can deduce from your work that you are Christian. If so, then you represent a very curious blend of interests and devotions, but I can completely relate.
-Rick
Then Kirk wrote back:
Hey Rick,
Ha! It's amazing how values change. The disappointment factor of the Monster Lab may be the very reason it's so sought after today. It may be that back in the day, everyone trashed the thing after being so let down, to the point that now it's in short supply.
>With your permission, I may use your note and the Monster Lab photo on my blog with a link to your site..
You bet!
>I think I can deduce from your work that you are Christian. If so, then you represent a very curious blend of interests and devotions, but I can completely relate.
Hey, I'm glad that you can tell! It's been neat because the Fun Spot has actually connected me with a number of believers who are into the same kooky and/or spooky stuff. It is indeed a unique combo of interests, but I've learned that there are more of us out there than you'd think. Imagine if we all started a church together... what would that place look like? : )
take care,
Kirk
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