It’s true folks! Artist extraordinaire, Daniel Horne has been granted the license from Chaney Enterprises to produce collectible masks of both Lon Chaney Sr. and Lon Chaney Jr., portraying their most famous horror roles!
Earlier today I had the opportunity to ask Dan about this exciting team up with Chaney Enterprises.
HMA: So Dan, tell us how the relationship between you and Chaney Enterprises began?
DH: Well I was set up at the Monster Bash con this past June.
I had heard that Ron Chaney and Family was going to attend the show as well and I just screwed up the nerve to present them with two sculpted busts that I did of Lon Jr as the wolfman and Lon jr. as the Frankenstein monster, they really loved them.
Ron and his family then came over to my tables and were checking out some of my monster prints and masks when Ron turned to me and said “we have to do something together, so what would you like to do?” MASKS I said and Ron’s eyes lit up!
That night after the show shut down, we all convened in the hotel lounge to talk more about the proposed mask line, when all of a sudden, beer and cures words came flying from the bar! So the mask deal was made while two drunk chics were fighting. The fur was certainly flying and it took two security guards to pull the girls apart! There’s never a dull moment in mask making!
That same weekend Ron was made up as the wolfman and I was wearing my Glenn Strange mask and costume in a skit we were doing with two guys that do a spot on Abbot and Costello routine. That was the best fun I have in a long time. Imaging being in a skit with the grandson of the WOLFMAN!
HMA: Even though you’ve only been in the mask making business for a little over a year, it seems that you’re already achieving a mask maker’s dream come true. Is this a dream come true for you and could you have ever imagined making THE OFFICIAL masks of Chaney Enterprises, years ago?
DH: Eric, I still can not believe it. When I got into mask making, I wanted to have my own mask company and make Halloween masks and collectors masks.
I love the whole process, from design, to sculpting, to mold making (well, mold making is “ok” ,) to casting and finishing.
I’ve always wanted to make these characters that I have loved since childhood and share them with other monster kids. I have since moved all the mask making into my garage . I will still sculpt the masks in my studio, but I needed to make a space for this new production.
Even though I have been making masks for a year, I have loved them all my life, it’s a full circle thing!
HMA: What are your plans regarding your new licensed masks of Lon Chaney Sr. and Lon Chaney Jr.? Will these be collector quality masks?
DH: Yes they will be “Don Post” size collector’s masks with hand laid hair, very extensive paint jobs and will be film accurate! Every mask will be hand cast, hand painted and hand wigged here in my studio. I’ve even hired a hair specialist along with a crew of several painters and casters. Every mask will be hand made here in the good old USA!
As an extra value to collectors, they mask will come boxed like the Don Post calender reissues ! The boxes will be taller, but not as wide as the reissue boxes. The boxes will also feature a window and have really cool graphics wrapping all around the them.
I want to harken back to the old school days of monster masks and bring all of that old school monster goodness to a new generation of mask lovers.
HMA: What characters should collectors be expecting to see in this new line of masks?
DH: Well, we’ll start out with two, one from Lon Sr. and one from Lon Jr..
THE WOLFMAN AND THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME!
Here is a partial list:
LON CHANEY JR.
ALL 5 WOLFMAN MAKEUPS
THE FRANKENSTEIN MONSTER
THE MUMMY
THE MAN MADE MONSTER
SON OF DRACULA
OF MICE AND MEN
LON CHANEY SR.
THE PHANTOM
THE HUNCHBACK
THE VAMPIRE FROM LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT
LAUGH CLOWN LAUGH
HE WHO GETS SLAPPED
THE PENALTY
MR. WU
A BLIND BARGAIN
HMA: When will your new line be making it’s debut?
DH: THE MONSTER SHOW CHANEY MASK LINE WILL DEBUT AT THE HMA MASK FEST 2010!
HMA: Do you have any plans on making officially licensed Chaney props or life sized figures?
Ron and I spoke at length about making full size figures but that is down the line a bit.
HMA: Thanks so much for giving us the scoop of this amazing sounding lineup, Dan! I can’t wait to hear more news as your project progresses and I’m sure I’m not alone!
Tags: halloween mask, lon chaney, lon chaney jr.
August 4th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Dan is my younger brother – I’m so proud of him. Not only is he a great artist, but a wonderful person. I lost my husband 9 months ago, and without his love, help and encouragement, I would be lost.
Deanna Koorsen