ULTRA RARE "HORRORSCOPE MOVIE VIEWER" UP FOR SALE

Promoted as “one of the most sought-after monster items of the 1960s”, the “Horrorscope Movie Viewer” is currently up for auction. With a current bid of $500, the ultra-rare, complete kit is expected to realize a final bid of $1,000 to $3,000. A photo of the projector was always depicted in ads during its heyday in the 1960s, but the box it came in is rarely seen.

The Horrorscope was first advertised for sale by mail order in FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND # 29 (July 1964). FM’s “Monster Mail Order” (products later to be sold under Captain Co.) began in the second issue, and a manual, hand-cranked movie projector and 8mm film of Lon Chaney’s PHANTOM OF THE OPERA was offered in issue #4 (August 1959). The “Magnajector”, a gadget that was placed over photos and projected the image on a wall or screen, appeared in FM #8 (September 1960).

The Horrorscope was another gizmo that used a series of flip cards, that, when the hand-crank was turned the cards gave the illusion of a moving film. Flip books and other “flip” media were popular during this period.

The Horrorscope seemed to sell well as it appeared in FM for many issues. And why not? At only $2.98 plus 50 cents shipping a Monster Kid could watch 4 of his favorite movie monsters in action as many times as he wanted!

Here is the seller’s description of the auction lot:

12x20x3-3/8" deep illustrated cardboard box contains 9" tall hard plastic viewer. Multiple Products Inc., 1960s. This is Canadian issue w/French text on box sides. Box shows scattered wear w/edge/corner creases including crease across Frankenstein's face and aged tape residue by Dracula's collar and across Creature's face w/some scattered surface paper lifting above. Colors remains bright and vibrant. Fine/VF. Viewer boasted "No Bulbs, No Batteries, Hand-Action Complete With 4 Full Edition Films" and comes w/the four issued films - Frankenstein and Dracula and Wolf Man and Creature from the Black Lagoon. "Dracula's Return" features images from "Dracula" w/Bela Lugosi and "Frankenstein's Revenge" features images from "Frankenstein" w/Boris Karloff. Each of the included double-sided film cards have two images from respective films on each side. Frankenstein/Dracula includes cards 1-128. "Death Of A Werewolf" features images of Oliver Reed from the 1961 Hammer film "The Curse Of The Werewolf" and "The Creature Strikes" features images from the 1954 film "The Creature From The Black Lagoon." Wolf Man/Creature includes cards 1-9, 13-16, 33-40, 61-84 and 95-96. Some of the Frankenstein/Dracula cards have been placed within the viewer as intended. Flip cards exhibit little wear and are VF-Exc. Viewer has some scattered wear in the form of rubs/melt marks to edges of crank handle w/some aging along center seam w/some melt marks. Back of viewer has 3" skipping streak of aging/melt marks and sticker on front is reproduction. Fine/VF overall. One of the most sought-after monster items of the 1960s.