Mini Monster Play Case (Remco, 1980)

 

Let's wrap up our look at the Remco Universal Mini Monsters line with the playset that they made, of which the full title is: "Universal City Studio's Mini Monster Play Case" with the subtitle of "No. 879."

You've probably noticed that throughout this line, it's spelled out fully that the monsters belong to "Universal City Studio," as it was then known, rather than just "Universal." If you went there that year and took the famous Studio Tour, you would have had the opportunity to attend a stage show called "Castle Dracula" (this post has a mug from the attraction, which we looked at years ago).  This stage show portrayed all of the monsters hanging out together in Dracula's castle, in an attempt to bring several of the classic monsters together...sort of like what Universal was trying to do with HOUSE OF DRACULA, right as the Golden Age of Horror movies unfortunately came to an end. 

Page from Universal Studio Tour souvenir book

This playset depicts a "monster mansion" instead of Dracula's castle, but the idea was still there that birds of a feather would flock together.

Also, let's expose the dirty secret of this item right here and now:  this is a terrible carrying case, but a super-cool playset.  

With that in mind, here are the features of the playset (by the way, the "Glow-In-The-Dark Features" mentioned on the front are merely a few small stickers that can be added by the owner):

1) Opening door (this feature isn't as cool as you'd think, because it compromises the "carrying case" ability further, as things can fall out.  Also, it really doesn't add much play value...perhaps if it was a better made, plastic door that shut properly.  Also, its weird position created the need for a literal bridge that is included in the punch-out cardstock accessories.

2) Cage (for the Creature From The Black Lagoon).  This is a cardstock grill that encloses a pit in the body of the playset.  Like your dog, the Creature has to get into his crate every night to sleep.

3) Laboratory Table - This is another cardstock item that rotates, with a plastic straw for an axle.  When flipped over, it reveals that it's actually the table for Frankenstein's Monster! Unfortunately, this is accomplished with a rubber band (which over time, deteriorates, no matter what you do).

4) Sarcophagus for The Mummy - Like the Creature's cage, this covers a recessed area  where the Mummy sleeps.

So where do the other three figures go, for transporting? A glaring omission, of course, is a coffin for Dracula, but this still leaves two others.  There is a weird-shaped channel in the floor, which allows necessary room for figures stand (and sit), and you can try to cram them there, but it really doesn't work.

All in all, though, this playset is awesome. It has vintage charm and style in its design, and makes a great display piece.  The materials used are a bit on the cheap side, the argument there being that it was made to be played with, and not saved for decades as a collectible...which is true, of course, but the collector has to be sure of what they are getting, as the plastic-covered cardboard tends to shrink and warp over time, and of course the black molded plastic is rather thin and prone to damage.  And then there are the cardstock accessories. By the way, here are the cards they are punched out of: