Halloween 06: Lego Studio Monster Sets

[WesternOutlaw]

Lego Studios offered us our first Lego versions of classic movie monsters:

1380 Werefolf Ambush

1381 Vampire's Crypt

1382 Scary Laboratory

1383 Curse of the Pharoh

I own 1380 and 1383 but never got around to buying the larger of the four-set collection. I particularly liked the two smaller sets, esp. the Werewolf Ambush. The car was set in old adventure style and the werewolf and tree, pretty neat.

But what happened with the popularity of movie monsters? Were these sets too classic for kids. Or was the combination of Studio and Movie Monsters too much (as in a bad combination). Or were the sets just too "jack-stone-like"?

What do you think? Did you buy these sets? Did you like them? Share your thoughts here.

[gylman]

I think they were duds at the beginning, because there was no specific target audience. I recall passing these by at the bargain bins a few years ago.... thinking "who would want these'?

But as time has passed they have become increasingly popular. Good figs, good parts, lots of fun uses. I now regret not buying much more than I did at the time.

[WesternOutlaw]

I agree with you. I found the two smaller sets in mass quantity in a clearance bin. And I noticed the cardboard walls in the Vampire's Crypt and was very dissapointed by Lego doing this. It caused me not to buy the set. Now as I look at these sets closer, I'm thinking that they weren't bad at all. The figs were great and the sets had some very useable pieces (esp. for Halloween).

[xwingyoda]

I simply LOVE those sets !!

Like I said a ot of times before, I was raised with scary movies !! My dad used to have independent movie theaters and I went some week ends to watch the horror movies he showed !! I remember seeing all the Christopher Lee/Peter Cushing classics hehe

So Lego releasing a theme like that was enough to make me buy the whole line ;-) Also, I was just out of my dark ages when I saw those sets in shops !!

Those sets had fantastic classic MFs + secondary MFs (my first and only ghost *wub* ) and great accessories and parts.

I quite didn't get the audience of those sets but I was sad that they did not issue a wave two with other classic monsters (creature of the black lagoon, vampirella *wub* , and other creatures taken from the fantastic tales from the crypt ;-) )

*yoda*

[Section8]

I bought all four sets on the secondary market for a decent markup and I don't regret it one bit. The Vampire minifig is my favorite minifig out of everything lego has made. The castle in 1382 is pretty cool, but the crypt in 1381 is nothing special. Still, there's enough in every set to warrant paying a small markup for. I wish I had gotten at least 2 of the Laboratory. There's so many great parts and figs, like the pumpkin head, brain in a jar, Frankenstein, etc. One of these days I'm going to combine all the sets into a large scary castle. I'd say that this was my favorite sub-theme.

[WesternOutlaw]

I quite didn't get the audience of those sets but I was sad that they did not issue a wave two with other classic monsters (creature of the black lagoon, vampirella *wub* , and other creatures taken from the fantastic tales from the crypt ;-) )

Definately agree with you Yoda. I think that Lego should have continued the line-up. Creature from the Black Lagoon, Phantom of the Opera, even the Headless Horseman would have been great additions. Perhaps Lego would have been smart to continue the collection. And I always thought monsters were big with kids.

One of these days I'm going to combine all the sets into a large scary castle. I'd say that this was my favorite sub-theme.

That would be neat to see. You should do it for this Halloween and post images of your MOC on this forum.

[Zane]

I got the Laboratory when it was reduced at S@H. I wasn't really in to System at that time, but got it anyways, and don't regret it. I wish I could have got the Mummy and Vampire ones...

[Brick Miner]

I own 1380 and 1383 but never got around to buying the larger of the four-set collection. I particularly liked the two smaller sets, esp. the Werewolf Ambush.

i agree... the two smaller sets are really good... i actually own the mummy set, and like the fig so much more than the Adventurer's Hotep.

i love the tree monster in the werewolf's ambush. it was the inspiration behind the cactus monster in my Ghost Town MOCs.

also, the Lady and the Gent make great Western figs :-D ;-)

and i love the glowing skeleton head in the mummy set... its the only place to get that piece in Glow-in-the-Dark.

--------------------------------------------------

i also agree that the cardboard backgrounds really take away from the larger sets... i guess LEGO felt justified using this techinque because its a "Studio" theme |-/

- BrickMiner

[WesternOutlaw]

also, the Lady and the Gent make great Western figs :-D ;-)

Never tried that. I'll have to look at these again.

[Brick Miner]

Never tried that. I'll have to look at these again.

i think switching the heads/headgear helps for both figs... it's really the torsos that work well. especially since LEGO never gave us any female westerners.... the Studio "Lady" is the closest i've found,... well, officially anyway ;-)

- BrickMiner

[Jipay]

I have them all. The figs are so great, and the sets contained so many cool accessories ! But still I doubt the line to be successfull because you had to be creative in using what was given to you. And we all know how kids are creative those days.

The mumy and the vampire are my favoryte figs.

[ghoulrealm]

I had to have them all. They some of my favorite sets and contain rather unique and rare parts. Athough the dracula set has my most hated piece of all time 'the garlic tile'.... HHISSSSSSSSS

Well the piece itself is ok because it is not real, but it represents the second most horrid of flavors/smells.

[WesternOutlaw]

I think the garlic is a neat piece. I like these stamped tiles much better than the use of stickers.

[Athos]

I really like these sets. I bought them all MSRP when they first came out. Then got a second laboratory for 50% off later. Passed on the vampire set for 30% off, which I regret a little now. I don't think they sold that well, but personally I thought it was a great line. I wish Lego would make more. Creature from the black lagoon, Invisible man, Bride of Frankenstein and the Blob, would be great.

Steve

[WesternOutlaw]

I wish Lego would make more. Creature from the black lagoon, Invisible man, Bride of Frankenstein and the Blob, would be great.

I agree. Even vignettes of some of these monsters would have made great sets -esp. Creature from the Black Lagoon.

[saturncoupe1999]

I own all four of these sets also, plus one each in reserve just in case something should happen to the originals. They are a part of the Halloween decorations in my house, proudly displayed on the mantle. I, for one, think they ROCK! It would have been a happy time for me if TLC would have continued the series.

I had a thought the other day, because of the SUPER mini-figs in these sets. Who, besides me, would think that a series of sets based on The Wizard of Oz would be excellent? Just think: Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Wicked Witch, Good Witch, Flying Monkeys, Dorothy, The Emerald City, etc., etc., etc.

Thoughts?

[WesternOutlaw]

I never considered the thought of Wizard of Oz, but not a bad idea. They're not Movie Monsters, but it would fit into the Studios Theme quite well.

Here's some shots of a W of Oz theme I found on Brickshelf:

The whole gallery of images: Wizard of Oz on Brickshelf

SC1999: Since you have all the sets, why don't you share an image review of the Scary laboratory. I don't have this set and would be very interested in seeing some close-up images.

[Section8]

That would be neat to see. You should do it for this Halloween and post images of your MOC on this forum.

Sadly, the factors of a heavy courseload and the sets not being at my current location have come together to make sure this won't happen soon. I also planned on putting it on the base from the new hospital, which I have yet to get. I have been toying around with a micromotor to motorize Dr. Frankenstein's machine, and I've bought some spares of parts in 1382 to go in the MOC, so some progress has been made.

I wish Lego would have made a Headless Horseman set (like my current avatar). Would non-Americans have recognized this as much as they do Frankenstein or Dracula?