Let's hear it for Silent Screamers

[Poe Ghostal]

Recently I've gone back and collected many of the figures of this forgotten, underrated toy line. All the figures are excellent, and some of them--particularly Graf Orlok, Edison's Frankenstein, and the Golem--are masterpieces of toy design and production.

I opened my Golem only a week ago, but already he's one of my favorite pieces. For one thing, he's huge--I haven't had such large figures since I was a kid (my favorite was Mattel's "Krusher," but that's a different story). It's actually quite fun to have such a big toy again.

Then there's the sculpting. As anyone who's seen Der Golem can attest, the figure is a great likeness of the character from the film--even with the exaggerated features. The facial expression captures Paul Wegener's angry expression in almost eerie fashion.

Then there is the stone-like texture; each crack is perfectly sculpted.

The paint applications: The Golem appears to be made from stone--perhaps smooth granite, or marble. The ropes are a bit too cartoony for my taste, but this is a minor flaw that is forgotten amongst the figures better qualities.

After all the wonderful attributes of this toy, we have yet to reach the accessories. The Golem comes with a door--loosely based on the massive door in the film--that stands 14" high. The sculpting on this door is, again, excellent. I have nothing to add, really--it's a very well-sculpted door. The door in the film is far taller and more narrow, but making a film-accurate (or even film-exaggerated) door would have been cost-prohibitive.

There's also a large book marked with a Jewish star--no doubt a Kabbalistic text detailing how to create a Golem. And let's not forget the beautiful rose sculpted into the floor of the display--and the mezuzah on the doorframe.

The Golem is probably one of my favorite acquisitions in the past year. And aside from its intended use, the display base can be used for all sorts of other purposes...

http://www.biggerboat.net/images/hbg.jpg
"I don't know about you, Abe, but I don't want to know what's on the other side of this door."

"Don't be a baby. Didn't you see the mezuzah? I'm sure it's fine..."

[The Ripper]

I have to agree, Golem rocks!!

[Roger]

I love The Golem's base and backdrop. I use it to display some of my 12" Universal Monsters from Sideshow. It comes apart cleanly in 5 pieces, and stores nicely. The price I originally paid for my Golem figure was under $20, brand new from my local comic shop. It is still one of my favorite Mezco items. I'd pay that much for just a piece of scenery to display figures in.

[Poe Ghostal]

Has anyone actually seen The Golem? It's a great film, and even better considering it's a silent film from almost a hundred years ago. And some of the effects are astounding--particularly when Rabbi Loew summons the demon Astaroth, and when the rabbi gives a show for the Emperor's court, displaying scenes from Exodus along the wall, like a giant movie screen.

There's a great edition out by Kino DVD at the moment. The score is particularly good (considering how iffy the scores added to silent movies tend to be).

[The Ripper]

Has anyone actually seen The Golem? It's a great film, and even better considering it's a silent film from almost a hundred years ago. And some of the effects are astounding--particularly when Rabbi Loew summons the demon Astaroth, and when the rabbi gives a show for the Emperor's court, displaying scenes from Exodus along the wall, like a giant movie screen.

There's a great edition out by Kino DVD at the moment. The score is particularly good (considering how iffy the scores added to silent movies tend to be).
I have. By the way, your pic reminded me of good times, its now my wallpaper.

[Prince Henry Stout]

Silent Screamers was a very cool line. You gotta love the Alex Ross package art.

[Joranthalus]

one of my fave series ever. They will never come off the display shelf...

[The Ripper]

They will never come out of their packages.

[Joranthalus]

They will never come out of their packages.

?!?!?!

You're missing out.... that's why i bought two sets.... :D

[Xequals10]

By the time I realized that the Graf Orlock was based on one of the original promo posters for the movie it was too late. :confused: They were all gone. :( I could kick myself... seriously. Nosferatu is one of my all time favorite horror movies. Did they make a black and white version Knock Renfield or just the Count?

[Xequals10]

Did they make a black and white version Knock Renfield or just the Count?

Does anyone know?

[MadMatt]

I can't remember. I thought I had more of these but I only have Dr. Caligari (color) from series one and Maria from series two.

More intrigue...does anyone recall the history of series one made by Art Asylum & Aztech Toyz then continued by Mezco for series two?

[Krissthm]

I think there was a black and white version of Knock Renfield.

I just recently got the the colored version at Toys R US for $5.00 and I got Frankenstein and Maria over the winter for 1.77 each with a SideShow Metaluna

Monster for the same price. I just saw a Dr. Calagari for $5.00 too and am wondering if I should pick it up?

[Xequals10]

If anyone has the black and white versions of Knock Renfield and Count Orlock please post pictures if possible. Thanks.

[Krissthm]

Actually, if anyone has a whole set of their Silent Screamers, please post. It really was a great line of figures.

[Poe Ghostal]

Damn, this is an old post.

[The Ripper]

Yea, I'm pretty sure it is. I believe I have B & W versions. I'll get the camera and see.

[Sly Snape]

Cesare the Sleepwalker is my favorite from the line. Love that bastid! :D

Silent Screamers Series 1: (http://www.toymania.com/news/aztechsilentscreamers/index.shtml)
* Cesare the Sleepwalker
* Dr. Caligari
* Graf Orlok
* Knock Renfield

Don't know for a fact they all ended up hitting the street in both versions, but at the 2000 ToyFair they were all presented (http://www.toymania.com/toyfair2000/aztech/showroom2.shtml) as coming in both full colorized and sepia (b&w): "Aztech Toyz had their debut line of Silent Screamers on display. There were two paint schemes on display for each figure: one in sepia tones (to give the figures that aged look) and the other full color."


Silent Screamers Series 2: (http://www.toymania.com/news/aztech_ss2preview.shtml)
* Golem
* Maria
* Jekyll & Hyde
* Edison's Frankenstein (The Monster)

ToyFair 2001 display photos. (http://action-figure.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=167)

Mad Matt - Series 2 was originally also going to include the "Death of Graf Orlok" figure from Nosferatu, which was to have had as an accessory a "Damsel action figure, bed and bedroom diorama".

Xequals10 - Last time I checked Titantoys (http://www.titantoys.com/) still had colorized Graf Orlok available (use the search feature). :)

[Joranthalus]

i think there's still some on Amazon too (plus CoF2 and Jack the Ripper for $6.00...)

And yes, the first series was available in both color and sepia...

[The Ripper]

Sweet..

[Krissthm]

Hey SLy,

Thanks for the tip about Graf Orlok. Got one on the way from Titantoys.com. My Knock Renfield was getting lonely in that cell all by himself :(

[Sly Snape]

Hey SLy,

Thanks for the tip about Graf Orlok. Got one on the way from Titantoys.com. My Knock Renfield was getting lonely in that cell all by himself :(
No problem! One thing you don't want, and that's a lonely Knock Renfield!! :D

Oh, and I see you are relatively new to the board, so http://anthonyheald.com/smileys/welcome.gif

[Joranthalus]

I used to be in a band called "Lonely Knock Renfield"...

[Krissthm]

In the "Lonely Knock Renfields", Jor, did you have hair done in the extreme Alex Ross wing style that KR has?

Thanks for the welcome, Sly.

I also have Dr. Calagari coming too. Wish I had bought Dr. Jeckel/Mr. Hyde when I saw him for $1.77 that day too :mad:

[Joranthalus]

as a matter of fact, i did, except i wasn't bald on top, so we had kind of a Flock of Seagulls thing going on... Except this was before Flock of Seagulls and they stole it from me.... yeah... ;)

[Sly Snape]

"And Jor ran, he ran so far away. Jor just ran, he ran all night and day.... Jor couldn't get away!"

http://homepage.mac.com/apulrang/artwork/a_flock_of_seagulls/platinum_gold_collection_a_.jpg

[Joranthalus]

http://www.twnonline.org/Archive_TWN/040101/Queer%20Eye%20cast.jpg

it's uncanny... :eek:

[Sly Snape]

My gawd! :eek: You're really onto something there!! :D

[Human_Animal]

Silent Screamers was a great line. Nosferatu is my favorite!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y2/Human_Animal/nosferatu3.jpg

[Sly Snape]

http://anthonyheald.com/smileys/welcome.gif to the board Human_Animal. :)

[Joranthalus]

red X... would that happen to be a pic of something rude? :D

[Sly Snape]

No, the server that hosts my stuff is a little f'ed up (<== that's rude!) at the moment.... it'll straighten out. In fact, it's working as I post this! :p

[Joranthalus]

damn :(

[chaserfan]

Orlock is still one of my favorite figures of all time. both versions are awesome and I love the skin burning action when you take him out in the sun

[Joranthalus]

on your or him? :D

[chaserfan]

well both of us of course!

[Joranthalus]

and all this time i've been putting sunblock on him ;)

[chaserfan]

nah, he loves the sun!

[The Ripper]

right...

[Sly Snape]

and all this time i've been putting sunblock on him ;)
Orlock or Chaser? :p

[Joranthalus]

either one :)

[Sly Snape]

Just as well... Chaser does tend to get very pink when exposed to sun/heat - if the BBQ picts are any indication that is! ;)

[Joranthalus]

i find your lack of not having knowledge of chaser's propensity for sun-burns disturbing.

:D

[chaserfan]

yeah, some of the meds make me sun sensitive

[Sly Snape]

i find your lack of not having knowledge of chaser's propensity for sun-burns disturbing.
http://anthonyheald.com/smileys/blush1.gif I shall endeavor to do better.



yeah, some of the meds make me sun sensitive
I remember the BBQ picts.... I just wanted to jump into them and put a hat on you and a cold cloth on your neck. You looked sooo worn out (in some of them). :(

[chaserfan]

yeah, with the heart problems, that happens pretty easily. then its compounded by chronic pain and tons of meds

[Johnny Feldman]

chaserfan's ailments make me sad.

I have all of silent screamers series 1 and 2 including both regular and sepia toned figures. Some of the best horror figures to ever come out IMO.
It also makes me sad that there has been no silent screamers series 3. I remember drawing charchol sketches of figures I'd like to see, like lon chaney and his puppet from "the unholy three" and the 'morlock guys' from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World"

[Xequals10]

chaserfan's ailments make me sad.

I have all of silent screamers series 1 and 2 including both regular and sepia toned figures. Some of the best horror figures to ever come out IMO.
It also makes me sad that there has been no silent screamers series 3. I remember drawing charchol sketches of figures I'd like to see, like lon chaney and his puppet from "the unholy three" and the 'morlock guys' from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World"

Any chance you could post pictures of the sepia toned Graf Orlock and Knock Renfield? Thanks.

[Joranthalus]

Yeah, i'd love to see some Chaney characters done...

[Krissthm]

I'm only short 3 now. Cesare the Sleepwalker, Dr. Jeckell, and the Golem and I'll have a whole set. I'd love Mezo to resurect this line too with some new sculps.

[BBManik]

I had Maria and Jekyll & Hyde from Series 2.Brilliant figures,brilliant accesories & brilliant base. Very underated & if there was ever a third series I would be first on line on the day of release:D

[chaserfan]

I have her also and it is a very nice figure and base

[Johnny Feldman]

Any chance you could post pictures of the sepia toned Graf Orlock and Knock Renfield? Thanks.
as of right now, no, sorry. I am between digicams.:o

[The Wraith]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/Wraith666/61673eab.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/Wraith666/61925e92.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/Wraith666/62b6fa11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/Wraith666/1be02bc0.jpg

[MadMatt]

The Golem is available at www.toyzz.com (http://www.toyzz.com) for $14.99
Hurry while supplies last

[Krissthm]

Hey, Nice tips on the Golem Matt. I got one on the way from tozz.com. Now I just need Cesare and Dr. Jeckell to complete my SS collection.

[chaserfan]

why didnt the line keep going?

[MadMatt]

The Golem is available at www.toyzz.com (http://www.toyzz.com/) for $14.99
Hurry while supplies last

I got my Golem today. I was not prepared for how freakin' huge this thing is.

[Joranthalus]

It is indeed a large fig. and the backdrop is insalely tall!

[Krissthm]

The same thing happened to mine. It came Tuesday, I took it out and was like uh oh. I may mix Golem with the rest of the SS crew and use the backdrop on the top of the shelf and make a Hellboy set up with like Poe did.