TDmonthly Video Goes Inside Dark Delicacies, Burbank, Calif.

Why Zombies and Vampires Keep Gals Coming Back

By Alison Marek
May 2009

Del Howison and his wife, Sue, founded Dark Delicacies in Burbank, Calif., almost 15 years ago with $5,000 and their own horror collection. When documentarian Cecily Gambrell joined the TDmonthly Magazine video crew to pay Del a visit last month, he shared some of his favorite toys (scroll down to see them all!), plus a tale or two of how he and Sue have managed to keep going for a decade and a half. (Read more about Del, Sue and Dark Delicacies.)

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Located amid movie studios and production houses, Dark Delicacies' prime customers are not the 18-to-35-year-old guys you might expect, but young women with a yen for the macabre, including vampires. The latter are back again, Del told TDmonthly, thanks to "Twilight" and other tween and teen fare. Vampires had been briefly usurped by zombies, thanks to post- 9/11images of ash-covered men and women, stunned with grief, wandering the streets of New York and New Jersey, he said.

Trauma and hard times are good for horror stores, Del claims. Though sales are down by about 10 percent over last year, he said, they're going strong compared to surrounding non-horror businesses.

Watch TDmonthly's video interview with Del (above) and then watch another short video (below) to find out how he uses local goods and craftspeople to get unique items for his store. Plus, watch videos of some of his best toys and merchandise, also below.
^{Dinosaur "microphone handle" by Safari Ltd.: Carnegie Dinosaur Collectibles - Gigantosaurus}

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Following are toys for Halloween and horror fans, from babies on up:

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Zombie Brain Gelatin Mold by ACCOUTREMENTS

Zombie Brain Gelatin Mold by ACCOUTREMENTS Follow the simple instructions on the back of the box and you will be rewarded with a lifelike brain gelatin dessert. The mold is 9" x 7" x 4" (22.7 cm x 17.8 cm x 10.2 cm) and made of non-toxic green plastic. It comes in an illustrated window box.
— Mary Porter Green, owner of Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly in a December 2013 survey brain molds are one of their best-selling Halloween toys. ( Watch Video) 4/22/2009

Cthulhu - Chibithulhu by STEVE JACKSON GAMES

Cthulhu - Chibithulhu by STEVE JACKSON GAMES This Cthulhu, based on the H.P. Lovecraft character, stands approximately 10” tall and is made of super soft plush fabric. Chibithulhu is available in green, pink and white versions. Each plush eatures the trademark Cthulhu tentacles, big puppy dog eyes, white wings and a heart on its chest. Note: The heart does not beat! ( Watch Video) 4/22/2009 (MSRP: $19.95; Age: All Ages)

Minor Misfits - Gaston Le Boo by BLEEDING EDGE

The skulls that freckle Gast Le Boo actually glow in the dark. This plush toy likes going through walls, white noise, para-psychologists, haunting San Quentin, vinegar chips & root beer floats. He dislikes hostbusters, demons, worms, chains and infomercial psychics.
( Watch Video) 4/22/2009 (MSRP: $12.99; Age: 12 and Up)

Begoths - Olivia O'Lantern - Series 7 by BLEEDING EDGE

12" Olivia likes Peter Pumpkin Eater (Daddy), playing pranks, samhain, hide and seek, The Pixies, “A Mid Summers Night’s Dream,” carving pumpkins, candy corn, pumpkin seeds, Allegra (it helps with allergies) Pixie Stix, pumpkin pie cheesecake, Myth Busters, Wikipedia, Ding Dong Ditch. She dislikes: Stingy Jack, cold iron, wearing clothes inside out, running water, bells, Goat Weed, stale bread and Lucky Charms cereal. Limited edition. ( Watch Video) 4/22/2009 (MSRP: $34.99; Age: 12 and Up)

"Nightmare Before Christmas" Lunch Box by LOUNGEFLY INC.

This "Nightmare Before Christmas" Lunch Box features printed and embossed graphics. ( Watch Video) 4/22/2009 (MSRP: $13.00; Age: 8 and Up)

"Nightmare Before Christmas" Coin Bag by LOUNGEFLY INC.

This PVC "Nightmare Before Christmas" coin bag features PVC applique and foil printing. It measures 5.5" x 4.25" Not recommended for children under 12 years. ( Watch Video) 4/22/2009 (MSRP: $20.00; Age: 12 and Up)

"Nightmare Before Christmas" Wallet by LOUNGEFLY INC.

This "Nightmare Before Christmas" canvas checkbook/wallet features PVC appliques and foil printing. There's a clear ID window and credit card slots inside. This product is not recommended for children under 12 years. ( Watch Video) 4/22/2009 (MSRP: $35.00; Age: 12 and Up)

Saw - Billy the Puppet by NECA

Saw - Billy the Puppet by NECA This 10" plush figure represents Billy the Puppet from the Saw series. Launch date: June 2007. ( Watch Video) 4/22/2009

Jigsaw Doll by SIDESHOW COLLECTIBLES

Jigsaw Doll by SIDESHOW COLLECTIBLES In the films Saw, Saw 2, and Saw 3, audiences were horrified as the villain crafted elaborate puzzles and 'games' for his victims. To communicate with his victims, the jigsaw killer would often communicate through a very eerie puppet, with dark eyes and vivid red markings on its pale white face. The Saw Puppet is now available in 'cute' plush form, perfect for any Saw fan. ( Watch Video) 4/22/2009 (MSRP: $19.99)

Saw - Jigsaw Puppet Statue by HOLLYWOOD COLLECTIBLES GROUP

Saw - Jigsaw Puppet Statue by HOLLYWOOD COLLECTIBLES GROUP To celebrate the release of SAW 4, Hollywood Collectibles Group created this statue of Billy, Jigsaw's puppet. This is a large heavyweight piece - 12" tall in his seated position.Each statue is cast from solid heavyweight polystone and individually hand painted to exacting standards. The crate is also a separate piece, allowing collectors to seat Billy anywhere - on a desk or a shelf. ( Watch Video) 4/22/2009 (MSRP: $59.95; )

Aunt Madeline by HAUNTED MEMORIES CHANGING PORTRAITS

Aunt Madeline by HAUNTED MEMORIES CHANGING PORTRAITS Aunt Madeline's sweet exterior masked a rather venomous personality... ( Watch Video) 8/10/2007

Vincent Price - The Pit and the Pendulum by AMOK TIME INC.

From the second Roger-Corman directed, Edgar Allen Poe-based film, comes this deluxe collectors statue. Vincent Price as Don Nicholas Medina comes with: torture dungeon base, cauldron (cauldron has hidden battery activated light in it to make it look like the fires are glowing) and poker. Size of statue with base is 12" tall. ( Watch Video) 4/22/2009 (MSRP: $149.99; Age: 18 and Up)

Creature From the Black Lagoon Diorama by SIDESHOW COLLECTIBLES

This expertly crafted diorama captures the classic scene when the monstrous creature captures a terrified but beautiful victim — an epic moment in Universal Monster cinema and another testimony to the beauty and the beast theme. Each diorama is cast in high-quality polystone, hand finished and hand painted to exacting standards. Released in a limited edition of 500, The Creature From the Black Lagoon Diorama is sold out. ( Watch Video) 4/22/2009 (MSRP: $159.99; Age: 18 and Up)

Cinema of Fear series 2 Plush Freddy Krueger by MEZCO TOYZ

MEZCO Toyz joined forces with Warner Bros. Studios to breathe life into some otherwise very dead characters. A Nightmare on Elm Street Deluxe Plush characters combine highly detailed roto-cast heads, hands and feet with a plush body and removable fabric outfit. Following the breakout success of COF Roto Plush Series 1, Mezco revisits these horror icons’s softer side. Freddy Krueger as seen in A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors sporting a dapper tuxedo. He stands approximately 13" tall. ( Watch Video) 4/22/2009 (MSRP: $30.00; Age: 12 and Up)

Cinema of Fear Plush - Series 2 - Leatherface by MEZCO TOYZ

MEZCO Toyz joined forces with New Line Cinema's House of Horrors, the licensing division for "Friday the 13th," "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "A Nightmare on Elm Street," to breathe life into some otherwise very dead characters. Under their horror brand, CINEMA OF FEAR, MEZCO has released the second COF series of Deluxe Plush characters from House of Horrors ,combining highly detailed roto-cast heads, hands and feet with a plush body and removable fabric outfit. Following the breakout success of COF Roto Plush Series 1, Mezco revisits these horror icon’s softer side; *Leatherface from Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 features the new mask worn in the second TCM movie. Leatherface also has a completely new outfit and his trusty oversized chainsaw accessory. He stands approximately 13" tall. ( Watch Video) 4/22/2009 (MSRP: $30.00; Age: 18 and Up)

Cinema of Fear Plush - Series 2 - Jason Voorhees by MEZCO TOYZ

Cinema of Fear Plush - Series 2 - Jason Voorhees by MEZCO TOYZ MEZCO Toyz joined forces with Warner Bros. Studios to breathe life into some otherwise very dead characters. MEZCO released the second Cinema of Fear series of Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street Deluxe Plush characters combining highly detailed roto-cast heads, hands and feet with a plush body and removable fabric outfit. Jason Voorhees from "Friday the 13th Part 2" features the “sack mask” look he experimented with before settling on his hockey mask and includes pick axe accessory. Each stands approximately 13" tall. ( Watch Video) 4/22/2009 (MSRP: $30.00; Age: 18 and Up)

Shaun - Shaun of the Dead by SIDESHOW COLLECTIBLES

Shaun - Shaun of the Dead by SIDESHOW COLLECTIBLES The Shaun 12" Figure features an authentic likeness of Simon Pegg as Shaun in cult horror/comedy pic "Shaun of the Dead." His body features 30-points of articulation. In addition to his shirt, tie, pants, socks, shoes, and belt, he has a nametag, two vinyl records with sleeves, a cricket bat, pool cue and two sets of interchangeable hands. The Figure Display Base features a "Shaun of the Dead" logo. Limited edition of 750 pieces.
( Watch Video) 4/22/2009 (MSRP: $59.99; Age: 12 and Up)

Skull Baby Tee by TOO FAST CLOTHING

Skull Baby Tee by TOO FAST CLOTHING These little skull tees come in pink or black for any trendy tot. ( Watch Video) 4/22/2009 (MSRP: $18.00; Age: 0 to 2)

Frankenstein Tee by SOURPUSS CLOTHING

Frankenstein Tee by SOURPUSS CLOTHING Parents can pass on their passion for horror with this mini tee for kids featuring the Frankenstein monster. ( Watch Video) 4/22/2009 (MSRP: $25.00; Age: 1 to 4)

Living Dead Dolls, Series 16 - Squeak by MEZCO TOYZ

Squeak? You'd squeal like a pig if this ghoulish Halloween child got a hold of you on a dark starless night. She comes dressed in an eerie swine costume, but what's underneath her mask is even more frightening. ( Watch Video) 5/20/2009 (Age: 12 and Up)

Carnegie Dinosaur Collectibles Gigantosaurus by SAFARI LTD.®

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History dinosaurs are the world's premier line of collectible, scaled dinosaur replicas. These dinosaurs have been researched and authenticated by the paleontologists of the museum. Their scale is either 1:20 or 1:40. Finely hand painted, phthalate free and safety tested, each comes with an educational hang tag in five languages. Size: 11" L x 6" H. 1/16/2008 (MSRP: $11.00; Age: 3 and Up)

Videography by Alison Marek. Edited by Trevin Matcek.