Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror

by Raymond Castile

Season 8

Rubber Gorilla Jigglers - Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror

This episode explores the world of rubber gorillas made by companies like Imperial, Steven Manufacturing (Gigantor), Azrak-Hamway International, Ben Cooper, Vic's and others. Before getting into the toys, I talk about Phil the Gorilla, a legendary resident of the St. Louis Zoo in the 1940s and 1950s that helped spark my childhood love of rubber gorillas. Notes: While talking about the big Gigantor gorillas with the open mouths, I should have noted that examples have been found wearing a pageant-style sash with the name "Gigantor" printed on it. That is one reason why, years ago, collectors closely associated the name "Gigantor" with these particular gorillas. Also, I mistakenly said that the tan version had plastic eyes. Both the tan and black versions have painted eyes. The tan gorilla's eyes are much more glossy and shiny, so I mistook them for plastic as I was shooting that segment. Look for one more regular episode to close out this season before we break for our summer hiatus. Continue the monster talk by joining the "Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror" Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/644618149275833 Just be sure to answer the two security questions or you will be denied membership! Almost no one bothers to answer the security questions, so very few people get into the group. We run a tight ship in the Basement of Horror.

S8 · E15

May 9, 2026

2:14:36

Hammer Horror Distinctive Dummies 8" action figures - Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror

From 2013 through 2020, the Bangkok-based boutique custom toy company Distinctive Dummies produced a definitive line of Mego-style, 8-inch action figures based on Hammer Studios horror characters. Though unlicensed, the line represented the first (and long overdue) serious attempt to produce an authoritative Hammer toy series. Product Enterprise had made a stand-alone Hammer Dracula 12" figure, and XoneX had made some knockoff Curse of the Werewolf items, but nothing as ambitious as the Distinctive Dummies 8" series. Among its very first offerings, Distinctive Dummies had made 12" figures of the main Hammer characters like Dracula, Frankenstein, etc. But in its subsequent Mego-style line, Distinctive Dummies systematically set out to produce an exhaustive lineup representing nearly every monster and villain in the history of Hammer horror films. Mego would later produce a licensed, factory-produced Hammer action figures series sold in mainstream stores, followed by 1/6th scale offerings from Trick or Treat Studios and Kaustik Plastik. Other custom toymakers, such as BrentzDolz, have made more recent Hammer figures. But the Distinctive Dummies series still stands as a landmark. For decades, collectors had clamored for Hammer action figures. But whether it was due to licensing complications or manufacturer disinterest, Hammer toys seemed an unattainable dream. Distinctive Dummies sliced through that Gordian Knot and gave collectors the Hammer figures they had long wanted. Continue the monster talk by joining the "Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror" Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/644618149275833 Just be sure to answer the two security questions or you will be denied membership! Very few people bother to answer the security questions, so very few people get into the group. We run a tight ship in the Basement of Horror.

S8 · E14

Apr 3, 2026

2:49:34

Imperial Universal Monsters Rubber Jigglers - Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror

In this episode, we look at pellet-filled stretchable rubber jigglers made by the Imperial toy company in the early 2000s. Imperial made two sets. The first was a generic monster series marketed for the Halloween season that included a vampire, werewolf, skeleton and witch. The second was a licensed Universal Monsters series with Frankenstein, Dracula, Wolf Man, Mummy, Bride of Frankenstein and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Continue the monster talk by joining the "Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror" Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/644618149275833 Just be sure to answer the two security questions or you will be denied membership! Very few people bother to answer the security questions, so very few people get into the group. We run a tight ship in the Basement of Horror.

S8 · E13

Mar 7, 2026

39:37

Burger King and Jack in the Box Universal Monsters - Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror

Before we talk about toys, we pause to reflect on the life of Bobby Beeman, a good friend, extraordinary human, excellent musician and influential toy collector who recently passed away. After commemorating Bobby, we examine the Universal Monsters fast food premiums from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Burger King offered a beautifully designed set of four monster action figures in 1997, probably the best licensed Universal Monsters action figures since the 1980 Remco series. The lineup included Dracula, Frankenstein, Wolf Man and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Frankenstein and Wolf Man had Karloff and Chaney estate licensing. A few years later, fast food rival Jack in the Box released two sets of Universal figures. The first included Frankenstein, Dracula, Wolf Man, Mummy, Creature and Phantom of the Opera. The second series, which featured all-new sculpts and designs, included the same characters but dropped the Creature and replaced him with the Bride of Frankenstein - the only Bride figure in all three sets. All three series touted fun action features, including lights, sound and windup movement. Hopefully, we will have a Part 2 followup fast food episode next year with the White Castle monsters and Taco Bell Creature Crypts series. But this episode is more than enough fast food fun for you to pig out on in the meantime.

S8 · E12

Feb 28, 2026

1:43:22

Mannix Monsters Maniacs knockoff monster wrestlers - Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror

Exploring the 1990s knockoff horror wrestling toys made by Mannix. Continue the monster talk by joining the "Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror" Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/644618149275833 Just be sure to answer the two security questions or you will be denied membership! Very few people bother to answer the security questions, so very few people get into the group. We run a tight ship in the Basement of Horror.

S8 · E11

Jan 31, 2026

51:48

Phantom of the Opera toys from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical - Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror

The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical production of The Phantom of the Opera has spawned a sea of kitschy tchotchkes, knickknacks and souvenirs, but not many actual toys. In this episode, we look at a few delightful ALW Phantom "toys" made by Enesco, a company known for gift store items and collector novelties. We also take a peek at some classic Phantom of the Opera toys from past decades. Continue the monster talk by joining the "Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror" Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/644618149275833 Just be sure to answer the two security questions or you will be denied membership! Very few people bother to answer the security questions, so very few people get into the group. We run a tight ship in the Basement of Horror.

S8 · E10

Jan 24, 2026

1:08:30

Funstuf Dracula and Frankenstein expanding monsters, plus Bob Burns tribute - Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror

This video features a look at the expanding Dracula and Frankenstein monster toys made by Funstuf in 1978, part of the company's Ani-forms line that included the Rage Cage Incredible Hulk and expanding Ben Grim The Thing. Before we talk about the Funstuf monsters, we spend time reminiscing about Bob Burns, a beloved Monster Kid pioneer who passed away Dec. 12, 2025, at age 90. Continue the monster talk by joining the "Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror" Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/644618149275833 Just be sure to answer the two security questions or you will be denied membership! Very few people bother to answer the security questions, so very few people get into the group. We run a tight ship in the Basement of Horror.

S8 · E9

Jan 17, 2026

1:01:09

Whistling Spooky Kooky Tree by Louis Marx battery operated monster toy - Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror

In this episode, we meet the Louis Marx battery operated Whistling Spooky Kooky Tree, an iconic and infamously frightening mechanical toy from the 1960s. Probably inspired by the haunted trees in the Wizard of Oz, the Marx Spooky Tree waves its arms, rolls its eyes, open and closes its mouth and "runs" around unpredictably as it emits an eerie whistle. But after years in storage, will this vintage toy work when I put batteries in it? Continue the monster talk by joining the "Raymond Castile's Basement of Horror" Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/644618149275833 Just be sure to answer the two security questions or you will be denied membership! Very few people bother to answer the security questions, so very few people get into the group. We run a tight ship in the Basement of Horror.

S8 · E8

Dec 26, 2025

50:04

Unboxing Monster Toy Christmas Gifts

My friend Matt Jaycox sent me a delightful gift box, full of wonderful wrapped Christmas presents! I don't receive many Christmas gifts, so this was quite a pleasure. In face, I'm not sure I've experienced anything quite like this since childhood. Matt's daughters, Shelley and Emily, picked out one of the gifts. They have been very excited to see this video, so I hope they enjoy it! Thank you Shelley and Emily! I hope you have a really fun Christmas! And thank you, Matt! I tend to spend Christmas antsy, isolated and disappointed. You have made me want to stick my head out the window and throw some money at a boy on the street so he can go buy a plump goose that's still hanging in a shop window. Regular viewers should be assured that there are plenty of things in these boxes to pique their interest. You will not want to miss some of these amazing items—things you would never see on this show if not for Matt. Continue the monster talk by joining the Basement of Horror Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/644618149275833 Just be sure to answer the two security questions or you will be denied membership! Very few people bother to answer the security questions, so very few people get into the group. We run a tight ship in the Basement of Horror.

S8 · E7

Dec 13, 2025

1:25:24

The Last Drive-In, Coffin Joe and Shane Morton

In the first half of this episode, I talk about my adventure flying to Atlanta to appear as a guest on The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs on the Shudder streaming network and AMC+. It was a great honor to be invited, and a thrill to be interviewed by Joe Bob Briggs and Darcy, and great fun to appear as Coffin Joe in a U.S. television show. In the second half of this episode, I interview the amazing Shane Morton, a special effects makeup genius who has worked on feature films and television shows, the creator of the Cheddar Goblin from Mandy, a long-time horror host, and one of the driving forces behind the scenes on The Last Drive-In. Shane and I discuss how an episode of The Last Drive-In comes together, what it's like working with Joe Bob and the crew, and spend time evangelizing about Coffin Joe. We also discuss Spook Shows, horror hosting and other creepy topics. The interview begins at 1:38:06 I hope you enjoy this special holiday weekend episode, and I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! Joe Bob Briggs https://joebobbriggs.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoobJDOtrM8o6evbvbczwIdLIr08aAglx_q2D9tifnbX1FCCaj4a&v=2ecd53e541df Shane Morton/Silver Scream Spook Show https://www.silverscreamfxlab.com Diary do Demonio (My diary of working with Coffin Joe in 2006 and 2008) https://www.stateofhorror.com/demonio.html

S8 · E6

Nov 28, 2025

2:56:23

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