I was fortunate enough to have worked at Spirit in what I consider Gemmy's life-size heyday. I remember the excitement of trying to guess what the "big" licensed item was going to be at Spirit each year and be exclusive to Spirit at that. I was there the years all the great licensed items were coming out each year. It was truly a great time to be a Halloween fan and collector. Every year we had customers coming that collected the licensed life-size items exclusively. Unfortunately, the good ole' days are over and I don't see Gemmy ever returning to its former glory. The biggest mistake I see is the fact that Gemmy and/or Spirit didn't capitalize on the insanely popular SAW franchise and push forward with either the standing Billy Jigsaw or the Billy riding the tricycle. The prototypes for those looked good so I'm not sure what happened there. Now a lot of people won't agree but the two items this year (so far) that give me the "classic" Gemmy vibe are the Lowe's Wednesday Addams and the Party City Art the clown. I could easily have seen those as the exclusive Gemmy things for Spirit back in the day.
How it must've been to be old enough to work in a Spirit store back in the day. I was only a kid and I didn't even get a chance to enjoy it like older kids did. I didn't even have my own money to buy something so big and so cool. I wish it was like that still. I definitely think you're right on all that you said. I think Wednesday is great and so is the Terrifier Art The Clown. I wouldn't say Art gives me classic Gemmy but the attention to detail definitely does. I appreciate you sharing and giving such a great story. I hope to one day see these classic slashers get the love and appreciation they deserve. Fingers crossed.
@@JackDaGreat Oh trust me, I already have seen and heard about it. My only hope is this new Michael that they are making will have the actual theme song and they won't cheap out. Even the Art from Spirit is insanely well made. I just don't understand how a character like Art gets such a good animatronic but all the old characters get all the garbage
A lot of it comes down to licensing issues... That's why a lot of the Michael Myers/Halloween has the H2, because it's cheaper. Tekky I thought did a good (not great) job with their Myers , but take a look at the Home Depot 2024 Frankenstein...The fluid motion, moving/blinking eyes, mouth movements....Home Depot needs to take a crack at all of them. They'd make a "killing", and my card would be maxed out.....
I completely agree! I think it also has something to do with who makes them as well. Also, which retailers want them. The Frankenstein is such a good example that shows these companies can make beautiful animatronics still but we just need the right ones to make them. Plus like you said the license I am sure cost a good penny to get a hold of as well
the party city michael was really good, the arm movement was fluid and looked realistic. he also just looked amazing. you could wish for more movement but you the only thing it’s really missing is the classic halloween theme
Definitely not saying that it was bad whatsoever. It's probably the most solid one we've had since the Gemmy one from the early 2000s. However like you said, it could use the actual theme or at least head turn.
honestly, tekky could take some notes from them, I’m not sure why they’ve become anti head movement lately especially SYNCHRONIZED head animation. I wanted to really like their michael but it was the gemmy one with a programmed mechanism instead of the cheap and uninspired gemmy party time reindeer motor, tekky and svi definitely take the cake for modern licensed props though, from what I’ve seen tekky could make the more known characters while svi makes more of the “niche” ones, and now that tekky is doing eye and possibly servo movement I’m excited to see if they’ll incorporate them into future props and licensed pieces
I completely agree! I am with you on the Michael Myers from Tekky. It's like I really wanted to like it, but I also didn't because it was practically a fancied up version of the Gemmy one. Why there is such a push against the extra movements I will have no idea. At least SVI is trying with the servos and now Tekky! I am extremely excited like you to see what else Tekky will bring now that they can do servos. They are definitely on top with SVI. Gemmy really should step it up
highly doubt they’ll make updated versions of their past licensed life sizes but I can only do wishful thinking of a remake michael that tilts his head to mimic his iconic head tilt and maybe reprogrammed so he stabs during sequences I don’t think it’s ever been exactly confirmed but I think they’ve cut back on multi animated props because they supposedly fried quicker, still can’t wait to see what tekky releases in the future since they’ve definitely upgraded on designing since michael, maybe we’ll finally get a proper modern ghost face and a freddy but who knows 🔮
@@spookylantern8897 We can only do hopeful and wishful thinking. I'm hoping that that's what we'll get here one day at some point because I for once just want these characters to get what they deserve.
To me a lot of it doesn't even fully come down to animation because when buying licesned animatronics I want something that's a good display piece, but unfortunately not only is the animation bad on the new Gemmy ones, but the appearances are pretty awful and as you said: cartoonish. I've noticed they all have a very boring stance and they don't have any character. They honestly look like homemade props made out of PVC just dressed up in a costume. I agree with you, I don't understand why the classic horror characters aren't getting much love, because they definetly would sell well. When an average person who isn't in the horror and Halloween community thinks of horror, the first thing they think of is Michael, Jason, Freddy, and Chucky, they are the face of horror. Therefore, even people who aren't super into the movies who are just looking for a very classic horror icon to use for Halloween would probably be interested in buying a classic character. I'm glad we've gotten other classics as of lately that are well done, like the Tekky Leatherface and even the YJ Regan, both very great looking animatronics of classic horror characters, but why stop there? I do appreciate also the more lesser known licesnsed things among the general public that are still getting animatronics such as the Killer Klowns or the Mars Attack Martian, I think diversity and originality is great, but I think we need at LEAST one good animatronic of all the classic slashers, and then delve into the more lesser known ones.
I really appreciate this comment man. You are absolutely right. Nowadays it is just like all we get are simply nothing but boring stances on these guys and terrible looking detail on them. "Cartoonish" is the best way to put it and unfortunately Gemmy has been the only company doing these characters. You are right, it's good to really take into consideration what else you could use the prop for besides just Halloween. The classic Gemmy models are perfect for such an occasion. We definitely just need ONE good animatronic. I just find it so upsetting that Art is the one who got the good one. It's not that I hate Art but he's not known like every other slasher that we all have grown to love as horror icons.
I agree 100%. I have a theory that Spirit will be releasing a Halloween II Michael Myers animatronic this year, but who knows if it’ll be good. But this Art the Clown animatronic gives me some hope.
I think it mainly gives me a huge hope that a company other than Gemmy will actually have a shot at making these licensed characters in better ways that Gemmy could never even begin to imagine making
I think outside of a select few, Gemmy may just need to stop with the animatronics and focus on their inflatables, tabletop tops, blow molds, and general decor. Their recent releases have really shown that they’re just nowhere up to par with other manufacturers in the industry animatronic wise.
It is a sad thing because they actually used to be so far ahead and they backtracked so terribly as well. I believe you're right. If somehow Gemmy were to get close to what they used to be one day then I'd say yes but I just don't see that light at the end of the tunnel anymore. It's like they ignore and refuse to show that they made such masterpieces back in the day and focus on what they make now. You're right. They need to stick to inflatables and tabletops.
I don't think the slasher remakes are going to get any better so I think finding new ones to make into animatronics and doing them well like what we see with Art is the way forward.
It's probably the sad but true reality that we all will have to accept as time goes on. I think I will be shocked if we were to receive an actual GOOD original slasher animatronic like this Art one
I think they ruin these props with the blood spatter. It’s too uniform and honestly too much. I wish they came blood free so I could add my own. Regardless I will still be buying Art.
The blood is definitely preference! Most people sadly don't know how to add their own blood so I can see why they come equipped with it. On the other hand I see what you mean in regards to no blood spatter because like you said, it helps you get creative
I’d rather have an Art the clown before any of those other ones you named. I got Leatherface of course from PC but the only one I want Gemmy to really bring back is a Hannibal Lector. If I never saw another Michael Myers animatronic again I’d be happy😂
I can't definitely see what you mean. I feel like Michael has been recreated so many times and at this point if they still haven't gotten him right they probably never will. The same probably goes with almost all of the others. I'd maybe wanna see a good Ghost face and like you said a good Hannibal Lector.
I agree what you said gemmybonez I had not seen a good slasher amotronic art the clown and the party city Leatherface are the only good ones even I don't know what's wrong with gemmy with there licensed characters now I agree with you gemmybonez great video I agree gemmy has not made good lisensed amotronic they dont have a lot of movement just one most of the time im dissapointed with gemmy with there licensed characters
You're absolutely correct. It's a shame that only Gemmy has had the power to create animatronics for these classic slashers. Meanwhile Art gets the perfect modern animatronic while the others get the back burner and get the most cheaply made props known to man kind. It's disappointing. I appreciate the kind words! 😎
Thank you! I could not figure out who made this guy to save my life. I low-key thought it was Tekky because they seem to produce a lot for Party City but it makes sense that it's SVI
I will always agree with you gemmybonez and the licensed characters now we seen from gemmy i feel like they been bashed over the head especially the slasher characters we seen exactaly what you said like micheal myers jason vorhees and freddy kreuger the new ones in 2022 i feel like with not a lot of movements just one movements for each of them i feel like gemmy hasint made a godd licensed amotronic and the new ones look like they been bashed over the head
They really haven't. I can't think of one good Gemmy animatronic that doesn't only have ONE movement. It's something I really wish they would for once change. It would make up for the lack of quality but I guess they can't even get that right.
@@gemmybonez459 yeah I feel like that's what they did with the Jason Vorhees from 2022 and he had that cheap plastic poles that could easily snap same with Freddy Kreuger and Svi that made art the clown for party city this year did a good job same with the pale girl from terrifier and even though I kind of complained about there clown emotronics which waving Wally was great probably the best from Svi and of all time but I and I also do like henry hustle as well
@@og1lorl865 There have definitely been some good animatronic clowns I can't deny that. But when it comes to a lot they are just generic or not scary at all. SVI did a phenomenal job with Art. I am impressed with them and really hope they can have a shot at making other licensed characters
@@gemmybonez459 yeah I think the clowns I like is waving Wally and silent and deadly I like the creepy clowns and I do like henry hustle and heckles but yeah and I did think that neon ice scream clown was good now looking back he was generic and I did like that Cosco clown from last year and I did like clown on stilts which was my favorite clown from last year
@@og1lorl865 Clown on stilts was good! I also like this year's one at Lowe's. It is creative and a different approach to a clown! I have to admit there are good ones but a lot are just generic unfortunately
I was fortunate enough to have worked at Spirit in what I consider Gemmy's life-size heyday. I remember the excitement of trying to guess what the "big" licensed item was going to be at Spirit each year and be exclusive to Spirit at that. I was there the years all the great licensed items were coming out each year. It was truly a great time to be a Halloween fan and collector. Every year we had customers coming that collected the licensed life-size items exclusively. Unfortunately, the good ole' days are over and I don't see Gemmy ever returning to its former glory. The biggest mistake I see is the fact that Gemmy and/or Spirit didn't capitalize on the insanely popular SAW franchise and push forward with either the standing Billy Jigsaw or the Billy riding the tricycle. The prototypes for those looked good so I'm not sure what happened there. Now a lot of people won't agree but the two items this year (so far) that give me the "classic" Gemmy vibe are the Lowe's Wednesday Addams and the Party City Art the clown. I could easily have seen those as the exclusive Gemmy things for Spirit back in the day.
How it must've been to be old enough to work in a Spirit store back in the day. I was only a kid and I didn't even get a chance to enjoy it like older kids did. I didn't even have my own money to buy something so big and so cool. I wish it was like that still. I definitely think you're right on all that you said. I think Wednesday is great and so is the Terrifier Art The Clown. I wouldn't say Art gives me classic Gemmy but the attention to detail definitely does. I appreciate you sharing and giving such a great story. I hope to one day see these classic slashers get the love and appreciation they deserve. Fingers crossed.
The props that give me classic gemmy vibes are lethal Lilly, THD 3000, heckles the clown, and most recently captain cuts and servo Frankenstein
@@SparkLizard99 I can 100 percent agree with that. What's even cooler is the fact that they have even more movements to them. Plus full head movements
Dude these companies are dumb for not making a new ghostface after we have gotten 2 new movies what’s the deal?.!!?
EXACTLY! And to this day I don't understand. We didn't even have new Chainsaw Massacre movies and we got a Leatherface. It really makes no sense.
You guys are going to freak out when you hear what spirit will have this year
@@JackDaGreat Oh trust me, I already have seen and heard about it. My only hope is this new Michael that they are making will have the actual theme song and they won't cheap out. Even the Art from Spirit is insanely well made. I just don't understand how a character like Art gets such a good animatronic but all the old characters get all the garbage
A lot of it comes down to licensing issues... That's why a lot of the Michael Myers/Halloween has the H2, because it's cheaper. Tekky I thought did a good (not great) job with their Myers , but take a look at the Home Depot 2024 Frankenstein...The fluid motion, moving/blinking eyes, mouth movements....Home Depot needs to take a crack at all of them. They'd make a "killing", and my card would be maxed out.....
I completely agree! I think it also has something to do with who makes them as well. Also, which retailers want them. The Frankenstein is such a good example that shows these companies can make beautiful animatronics still but we just need the right ones to make them. Plus like you said the license I am sure cost a good penny to get a hold of as well
WE NEED A JOKER ANIMATRONIC!!!
We almost did get one!! I think it was Morbid Enterprises who made a life size Joker animatronic but it never got mass produced!
the party city michael was really good, the arm movement was fluid and looked realistic. he also just looked amazing. you could wish for more movement but you the only thing it’s really missing is the classic halloween theme
Definitely not saying that it was bad whatsoever. It's probably the most solid one we've had since the Gemmy one from the early 2000s. However like you said, it could use the actual theme or at least head turn.
honestly, tekky could take some notes from them, I’m not sure why they’ve become anti head movement lately especially SYNCHRONIZED head animation. I wanted to really like their michael but it was the gemmy one with a programmed mechanism instead of the cheap and uninspired gemmy party time reindeer motor, tekky and svi definitely take the cake for modern licensed props though, from what I’ve seen tekky could make the more known characters while svi makes more of the “niche” ones, and now that tekky is doing eye and possibly servo movement I’m excited to see if they’ll incorporate them into future props and licensed pieces
I completely agree! I am with you on the Michael Myers from Tekky. It's like I really wanted to like it, but I also didn't because it was practically a fancied up version of the Gemmy one. Why there is such a push against the extra movements I will have no idea. At least SVI is trying with the servos and now Tekky! I am extremely excited like you to see what else Tekky will bring now that they can do servos. They are definitely on top with SVI. Gemmy really should step it up
highly doubt they’ll make updated versions of their past licensed life sizes but I can only do wishful thinking of a remake michael that tilts his head to mimic his iconic head tilt and maybe reprogrammed so he stabs during sequences
I don’t think it’s ever been exactly confirmed but I think they’ve cut back on multi animated props because they supposedly fried quicker, still can’t wait to see what tekky releases in the future since they’ve definitely upgraded on designing since michael, maybe we’ll finally get a proper modern ghost face and a freddy but who knows 🔮
@@spookylantern8897 We can only do hopeful and wishful thinking. I'm hoping that that's what we'll get here one day at some point because I for once just want these characters to get what they deserve.
To me a lot of it doesn't even fully come down to animation because when buying licesned animatronics I want something that's a good display piece, but unfortunately not only is the animation bad on the new Gemmy ones, but the appearances are pretty awful and as you said: cartoonish. I've noticed they all have a very boring stance and they don't have any character. They honestly look like homemade props made out of PVC just dressed up in a costume. I agree with you, I don't understand why the classic horror characters aren't getting much love, because they definetly would sell well. When an average person who isn't in the horror and Halloween community thinks of horror, the first thing they think of is Michael, Jason, Freddy, and Chucky, they are the face of horror. Therefore, even people who aren't super into the movies who are just looking for a very classic horror icon to use for Halloween would probably be interested in buying a classic character.
I'm glad we've gotten other classics as of lately that are well done, like the Tekky Leatherface and even the YJ Regan, both very great looking animatronics of classic horror characters, but why stop there? I do appreciate also the more lesser known licesnsed things among the general public that are still getting animatronics such as the Killer Klowns or the Mars Attack Martian, I think diversity and originality is great, but I think we need at LEAST one good animatronic of all the classic slashers, and then delve into the more lesser known ones.
I really appreciate this comment man. You are absolutely right. Nowadays it is just like all we get are simply nothing but boring stances on these guys and terrible looking detail on them. "Cartoonish" is the best way to put it and unfortunately Gemmy has been the only company doing these characters. You are right, it's good to really take into consideration what else you could use the prop for besides just Halloween. The classic Gemmy models are perfect for such an occasion. We definitely just need ONE good animatronic. I just find it so upsetting that Art is the one who got the good one. It's not that I hate Art but he's not known like every other slasher that we all have grown to love as horror icons.
I agree 100%. I have a theory that Spirit will be releasing a Halloween II Michael Myers animatronic this year, but who knows if it’ll be good. But this Art the Clown animatronic gives me some hope.
I think it mainly gives me a huge hope that a company other than Gemmy will actually have a shot at making these licensed characters in better ways that Gemmy could never even begin to imagine making
I think outside of a select few, Gemmy may just need to stop with the animatronics and focus on their inflatables, tabletop tops, blow molds, and general decor. Their recent releases have really shown that they’re just nowhere up to par with other manufacturers in the industry animatronic wise.
It is a sad thing because they actually used to be so far ahead and they backtracked so terribly as well. I believe you're right. If somehow Gemmy were to get close to what they used to be one day then I'd say yes but I just don't see that light at the end of the tunnel anymore. It's like they ignore and refuse to show that they made such masterpieces back in the day and focus on what they make now. You're right. They need to stick to inflatables and tabletops.
7:00 ☠️☠️☠️
That dang ringtone still haunts me to this day 🤣
I don't think the slasher remakes are going to get any better so I think finding new ones to make into animatronics and doing them well like what we see with Art is the way forward.
It's probably the sad but true reality that we all will have to accept as time goes on. I think I will be shocked if we were to receive an actual GOOD original slasher animatronic like this Art one
@@gemmybonez459 yeah
I think they ruin these props with the blood spatter. It’s too uniform and honestly too much. I wish they came blood free so I could add my own. Regardless I will still be buying Art.
The blood is definitely preference! Most people sadly don't know how to add their own blood so I can see why they come equipped with it. On the other hand I see what you mean in regards to no blood spatter because like you said, it helps you get creative
I’d rather have an Art the clown before any of those other ones you named. I got Leatherface of course from PC but the only one I want Gemmy to really bring back is a Hannibal Lector. If I never saw another Michael Myers animatronic again I’d be happy😂
I can't definitely see what you mean. I feel like Michael has been recreated so many times and at this point if they still haven't gotten him right they probably never will. The same probably goes with almost all of the others. I'd maybe wanna see a good Ghost face and like you said a good Hannibal Lector.
I agree what you said gemmybonez I had not seen a good slasher amotronic art the clown and the party city Leatherface are the only good ones even I don't know what's wrong with gemmy with there licensed characters now I agree with you gemmybonez great video I agree gemmy has not made good lisensed amotronic they dont have a lot of movement just one most of the time im dissapointed with gemmy with there licensed characters
You're absolutely correct. It's a shame that only Gemmy has had the power to create animatronics for these classic slashers. Meanwhile Art gets the perfect modern animatronic while the others get the back burner and get the most cheaply made props known to man kind. It's disappointing. I appreciate the kind words! 😎
Also art is SVI
Thank you! I could not figure out who made this guy to save my life. I low-key thought it was Tekky because they seem to produce a lot for Party City but it makes sense that it's SVI
I will always agree with you gemmybonez and the licensed characters now we seen from gemmy i feel like they been bashed over the head especially the slasher characters we seen exactaly what you said like micheal myers jason vorhees and freddy kreuger the new ones in 2022 i feel like with not a lot of movements just one movements for each of them i feel like gemmy hasint made a godd licensed amotronic and the new ones look like they been bashed over the head
They really haven't. I can't think of one good Gemmy animatronic that doesn't only have ONE movement. It's something I really wish they would for once change. It would make up for the lack of quality but I guess they can't even get that right.
@@gemmybonez459 yeah I feel like that's what they did with the Jason Vorhees from 2022 and he had that cheap plastic poles that could easily snap same with Freddy Kreuger and Svi that made art the clown for party city this year did a good job same with the pale girl from terrifier and even though I kind of complained about there clown emotronics which waving Wally was great probably the best from Svi and of all time but I and I also do like henry hustle as well
@@og1lorl865 There have definitely been some good animatronic clowns I can't deny that. But when it comes to a lot they are just generic or not scary at all. SVI did a phenomenal job with Art. I am impressed with them and really hope they can have a shot at making other licensed characters
@@gemmybonez459 yeah I think the clowns I like is waving Wally and silent and deadly I like the creepy clowns and I do like henry hustle and heckles but yeah and I did think that neon ice scream clown was good now looking back he was generic and I did like that Cosco clown from last year and I did like clown on stilts which was my favorite clown from last year
@@og1lorl865 Clown on stilts was good! I also like this year's one at Lowe's. It is creative and a different approach to a clown! I have to admit there are good ones but a lot are just generic unfortunately