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{{Short description|Museum in Connecticut, USA}}
{{Infobox Museum {{Infobox Museum
|name = Witch's Dungeon Classic Movie Museum |name = Witch's Dungeon Classic Movie Museum
|image = |image = Witchs Dungeon Classic Movie Museum, Plainville CT.jpg
|imagesize = 200
|map_type = |map_type =
|latitude = |latitude =
|longitude = |longitude =
|established = 1966 |established = 1966
|location = 90 Battle Street, |location = 103 East Main St Plainvile , CT 06062
]
|type = Movie Memorabilia |type = Movie Memorabilia
|visitors = |visitors =
|director = |director =
|curator = Cortlandt Hull |curator = Cortlandt Hull
|website = |website =
}} }}
The '''Witch's Dungeon Classic Movie Museum''' in ], USA, is a collection of figures of classic movie monsters.
Located in a residential area in ], the '''Witch's Dungeon Classic Movie Museum''' seems to be nothing more than an old tool shed on someone's front lawn, but in reality it is a tribute to classic movie monsters that has been in existance for over 40 years. Since its founding, it has been a Halloween staple in Connecticut that is visited by people from all over the country. The museum is owned by Bristol-native Cortlandt Hull. Since he was a young boy, he had always been interested in art and film. Due to a rare blood condition, he was ill most of his younger years, and this heightened his interest in the arts. Having a love of cartooning, at one point Hull considered a career in animation. As young as six, he begged to stay up late to watch ] in "]" on TV - without realizing it, that changed everything! Shortly afterward, he became interested in wax museums, as Cortlandt put it - "I was a weird little kid!" Then he started to build and paint the Aurora model kits of the classic monsters. Hull always seemed fascinated by the make-up and effects in fantasy and horror films. Even at a young age, he viewed it as a form of art. Thanks to co-operative parents, he began collecting lobby cards, photos, and magazines such as "]", "]" and "Fantastic Monsters". Soon, the Aurora model kits were not big enough. By thirteen, Hull wanted to build life-size figures of his favorite actors, in make-up based on their films. Wax museums of the time had only torture devices and famous murderers in their "Chamber of Horrors". Amusement parks had "dark rides" with generic vampires or monsters, mechanically jumping out at you - the "Boo" tactic! Hull's concept, even from the beginning, was a tribute to the actors and make-up artists that gave us those memorable monsters and characters we love. So in 1966, Cortlandt's dad helped him build the swiss chalet-style building to house the museum. Cortlandt built life-size figures of classic movie monsters that were made of wax, fine wire mesh, papier-mache and polymers. As Cortlandt got older, and as his artistic ability got better, the figures were replaced with more accurate ones that would arguably rival wax figurines at ]. <br>
<br>
Over the years, ] took notice of the small Connecticut museum. They were glad to see that someone was keeping interest in their classic monsters alive. Even several actors, make-up artists, and relatives of classic horror actors took notice and got involved. Over the years, several people in the film industry became honorary board members of the museum, including: ] (] on "]"), Bob Burns (film historian and collector of movie memorabilia), ] (grandson of actor ], and great-grandson of actor ]), ] (voice actress), ] (] of "]" fame), Sara Karloff (daughter of actor ]), Béla Lugosi Jr. (son of actor ]), ] (film historian/critic), Victoria Price (daughter of actor ]), and ] (Oscar-winning make-up artist). Some other members who have since passed away are ] (horror actor), ] (] in the "]" films) and legendary horror actor ]. <br>
<br>
The museum is only open on weekend evenings during the month of October, but each night it attracts lines of people who may have to wait for up to three hours. Since the museum is so small, only groups of three are allowed in at a time. It takes approximately 7 minutes to walk through the 40 by 17 foot structure. You are first greeted by an animatronic grim reaper who is voiced by none other than ] himself, who recorded the voice track before his death in 1993. Afterwards, the visitors will make their way through a narrow passageway with partitioned dioramas for each movie monster on either side. Lights go on one exhibit at a time, accompanied by a brief recording. The heads of many of the figurines have been based on life-casts of the actual actors who portrayed them. Background sets and clothing are authentic to the era, with some costumes or props actually used in the original films. Characters represented in the museum are:<br>
<br>
⚫ ] (portrayed by ])<br>
⚫ ] (portrayed by ])<br>
⚫ Zenobia, The Gypsy Witch (an original character voiced by ])<br>
⚫ ] (portrayed by ])<br>
⚫ ] (portrayed by ])<br>
⚫ ] (portrayed by ])<br>
⚫ ]<br>
⚫ ] (portrayed by ])<br>
⚫ Professor Henry Jarrod, from "]" (portrayed by ])<br>
⚫ ] (portrayed by ])<br>
] (portrayed by ])<br>
⚫ ] (portrayed by ])<br>
⚫ ], from "]" (portrayed by ]) <br>
<br>
A recent addition to the musuem is a figurine of ] (portrayed by ]). The late actor Henry Hull was Cortlandt's great uncle. "]" (1935) was ] first attempt at a werewolf movie, but it failed to catch on and it was more or less forgotten after the success of ] in "]" (1941) and its subsequent sequels. Cortlandt feels that it is very important to preserve the memory of his uncle and his portrayal of the cinema's first werewolf. <br>
<br>
Cortlandt Hull is currently trying to raise money to start the Silver Screen Movie Museum and Archive. Hull owns several old movie props, posters, and other pieces of memorabilia that are not on display. Hull's dream is to open a museum that will be open year-round, so that he may display his entire collection of film history. The Witch's Dungeon will be a separate section of the new museum. Hull also hopes to host seminars for film students, featuring special guests from the movie industry. A 40th-Anniversary DVD about the Museum has recently been released, the profits of which are being put toward funding for the new museum. Thanks to broadcasts of classic horror films on networks like ] and ] during the Halloween season, new interest in the museum is being born. The expansion of the museum will preserve the legacy of all classic movie genres, for generations to come. <br>


The museum is owned by the Bristol-native Cortlandt Hull. Cortlandt is the great nephew of film actor ]. ], well known for her role in the classic film and stage play '']'', is also a relative. In 1966, Cortlandt's father helped him build the Swiss chalet-style building to house the museum. Cortlandt built life-size figures of classic movie monsters that were made of wax, fine wire mesh, papier-mache and polymers. The figures were later replaced with more accurate ones.
⚫ == See Also ==

* ]
The museum is open year round, weekend evenings. The new location for "The Witch's Dungeon Classic Movie Museum" is 103 East Main St in Plainville , CT 06062. The greatly expanded format allows for each figure to have its own backdrop and props. Additionally the museum features professional level lighting by Emmy award winning ].

The heads of many of the figurines have been based on life-casts of the actual actors who portrayed them. Background sets and clothing are authentic to the era, with some costumes or props actually used in the original films. Characters represented in the museum are:
⚫ * ] (portrayed by ])
⚫ * ] (portrayed by ])
⚫ * Zenobia, The Gypsy Witch (an original character voiced by ])
⚫ * ] (portrayed by ])
⚫ * ] (portrayed by ])
⚫ * ] (portrayed by ])
⚫ * ]
⚫ * ] (portrayed by ])
⚫ * Professor Henry Jarrod (scarred and unscarred versions), from '']'' (portrayed by ]) (one wears the original suit worn by ] in the film)
⚫ * ] (portrayed by ])
⚫ * ] (portrayed by ])
⚫ * ], from '']'' (portrayed by ])
* Dr. Niemann (with Dracula's skeleton), from '']'' (portrayed by ])
* The Beast from '']'' (portrayed by ])
* Maleficent, from ]
* ] (portrayed by ])

⚫ == See also ==
* ] * ]


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| first = | first =
| authorlink = | authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title = Autumn in Connecticut: Things To Do | title = Autumn in Connecticut: Things To Do
⚫ | work =
| publisher = CNN | publisher = CNN
| date = 2007 | year = 2007
| url = http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20070827/ap_tr_ge/travel_trip_connecticut_autumn | url = https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20070827/ap_tr_ge/travel_trip_connecticut_autumn
| format = | format =
| doi = | doi =
Line 61: Line 57:
| first = | first =
| authorlink = | authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title = Classic movie monsters don't die; They go to the Witch's Dungeon in Bristol | title = Classic movie monsters don't die; They go to the Witch's Dungeon in Bristol
⚫ | work =
| publisher = New Haven Register | publisher = New Haven Register
| date = 2002 | year = 2002
| url = http://www.nhregister.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=5776691&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=517515&rfi=8 | format = | url = http://www.nhregister.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=5776691&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=517515&rfi=8 | format =
| doi = | doi =
| accessdate = 2002-10-21}} | accessdate = 2002-10-21}}
* {{cite web
| last = Yosafi
⚫ | first = Sam
| authorlink =
| title = Movie museum offers artsy horror
| publisher = The Tattoo teen newspaper
| date = 2001-10-15
| url = http://home.comcast.net/~majerus-collins/dungeon3.htm
⚫ | doi =
| accessdate = 2010-06-29}}


==External links== == External links ==

* (official website) * (official website)


{{coord|41.6974|-72.9700|region:US-CT|display=title}}
⚫ ]

]
] ]
] ]
⚫ ]

Latest revision as of 03:35, 15 December 2024

Museum in Connecticut, USA
Witch's Dungeon Classic Movie Museum
Established1966
Location103 East Main St Plainvile , CT 06062
TypeMovie Memorabilia
CuratorCortlandt Hull
WebsiteWitch's Dungeon Classic Movie Museum

The Witch's Dungeon Classic Movie Museum in Plainville, Connecticut, USA, is a collection of figures of classic movie monsters.

The museum is owned by the Bristol-native Cortlandt Hull. Cortlandt is the great nephew of film actor Henry Hull. Josephine Hull, well known for her role in the classic film and stage play Arsenic and Old Lace, is also a relative. In 1966, Cortlandt's father helped him build the Swiss chalet-style building to house the museum. Cortlandt built life-size figures of classic movie monsters that were made of wax, fine wire mesh, papier-mache and polymers. The figures were later replaced with more accurate ones.

The museum is open year round, weekend evenings. The new location for "The Witch's Dungeon Classic Movie Museum" is 103 East Main St in Plainville , CT 06062. The greatly expanded format allows for each figure to have its own backdrop and props. Additionally the museum features professional level lighting by Emmy award winning Bill Diamond.

The heads of many of the figurines have been based on life-casts of the actual actors who portrayed them. Background sets and clothing are authentic to the era, with some costumes or props actually used in the original films. Characters represented in the museum are:

See also

References

External links

41°41′51″N 72°58′12″W / 41.6974°N 72.9700°W / 41.6974; -72.9700

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