Down For The Count - Chocula That Is

COUNT CHOCULA How 'bout a monster for breakfast today!
Perhaps the most beloved breakfast cereal pop icon of the last thirty years is the one and only Count Chocula. In late 1971 General Mills began production of the Count, along with his pal FrankenBerry , to compete with other character -Monster Cereals were a hit, combining a very tastey cereal with in-box prizes and a dominating character presence on both tv and in the aisle. The following year Boo Berry was introduced, completing the unholy circle.
If you somehow missed a childhood full of sugar and television; Count Chocula is a vampire into chocolate rather than blood. Both his design and voice reflect Bela Lugosi. Likewise with Frankenberry and Boo Berry to Boris Karloff's Frankenstein and a ghost like Peter Lorre, respectively. The Monsters dominated the cereal aisle and continued to offer fabulous in-box premiums throughout the 1970s. In 1975, Fruit Brute, a wolf character wearing psychedelic overalls, was added to the horde of evil. In the late 70s, Monster Cereal items, primarily school supplies, were available at toy stores nationally. To keep things rolling, new boxes were desgined in 1979, now featuring a wider, more animated picture with the Count pouring milk into a huge bowl of cereal. Soon other variations with the Count holding a spoon soon followed. The cereal also underwent changes with larger marshmallow bits.
The 1980s brought hard times upon the Monster gang. Fruit Brute's sales were the first to slip, and in 1983 it was discontinued. No new box variations were given, and fewer prizes were offered. By 1987, sales had dropped to an all time low, and no prizes were available at all. But in 1988, a new set of boxes appeared with a sizable promotional budget to rekindle interest in the brand. More than just mere box changes, the entire character was restylized with larger eyes and a more exaggerated appearance. The push continued with television and print ads as well as coupons and in-store appearances by the monsters themselves. In-box prizes, too. More great boxes followed, particularly a set where Chocula is running in fright from a realistic Count Dracula.
Controversy erupted when Jewish groups complained to Big G that Dracula's medallion resembles a star of David. After some news coverage, the medallion was removed. While the medallion box is collectible, the redesigned Dracula box is more valuable and rare. More new box designs continued, most notable was the "flicker eye" boxes featuring close-ups of all the characters faces, with those vinyl-ribbed flicker faux-holigram glued onto the box. After eye theft was reported by markets nationwide, the boxes were wraped in plastic. The eyes seemed to follow you down the cereal aisle. Quite a terror-ific experience likely to result in a purchase! Soon, new marshmallow designs were introduced. 1993 brought great changes to Count Chocula, another character overhaul transformed the Count into a mosquito-like characature of his former self. His ears got huge, his nose long, thin and pointy, his fingers thin and long as well. From then on out, General Mills has focused what little promotional energy they have on the Count. While new Frankenberry and Boo Berry designs did appear in 1995, the Count has been given the best promotions and the widest distrobution. Beautiful boxes featuring glossy wax coatings, full foil moonscapes (such as the howling wolf pictured left), glitter and prism imprints, and many art variations to promote new marshmallow shapes. A plethora of box variations featureing movie and television tie-ins also promote new marshmallow shapes; such as Scooby-Doo and Casper. More wonderful Chocula boxes have giant spiders, Chocula and a ghost screaming at each other, and Choc in a tower with lightning all around. The most recent box (as of Summer 2001) features the Count wearing cut-out glittery glasses. Simply breathtaking.
At this time another fuity monster cereal emerged, doomed from the start. Fruity Yummmy Mummy was tested regionally in 88 and introduced formally in 1989. Things lasted well enough until about 1992, when Big G, facing stiff competition from Ralston's character cereals (Ghostbusters, C-3P0s, Mr. T cereal, etc.), dropped Yummy Mummy completely. But something is missing. Where are the prizes? It has been over a decade since a Monster cereal premium has been offered, in-box or mail-in! And how about a little bit of distrobution in the West Coast? If you live in California, you probably have noticed a lack of the horror element from you breakfast table. But not to fear, General Mills has made ordering Count Chocula (and Frankenberry and Boo Berry) via postal service a breeze. A four pack of 12oz. boxes costs about 20 bucks online at www.generalmills.com. And while your logged-on, send Big G an email saying how disgusted you art at their mistreatment of a national icon of fun and nutrition. Monster cereals are recognized and adored but most young adults and their sucker parents who bought it for them. They have been featured in movies like Pulp Fiction and tv shows like the Simpsons. Just think of how popular vintage box re-issues would be. I have to get my boxes sent from Connecticut by my mom! He has 8 vitimans and nutrients for Pete's sake! I think I speak for everyone, everywhere when I say that Count Chocula doesn't remind me of Bela Lugosi.... Bela Lugosi reminds me of Count Chocula! So, this summer order a case of Chocula (or Frankenberry if that's your thing) and then on Halloween, celebrate the 30 Anniversary of Count Chocula properly.	Thanks to Ronnie R. Salinas Jr. and his article in Freaky Magnet magazine. Thanks to Mom for keeping my supply filled. You can buy a vintage Count Chocula cereal box for about 10 bucks on eBay. Original 1971 Monster Cereal boxes have sold for more than 500 dollars! Order the Count, BooBerry, and FrankenBerry direct from General Mills! ChocTrack2004 - Count Chocula is available at the Telegraph Quality Markey at Telegraph Ave and 24th St. in Oakland. Rumors abound that he can be found in other ghetto markets throughout the East Bay!
reprinted from Mr. Nice Guy #16 article written by Pete Glover