Dark Shadows and its dinosaurs

[Roselaar]

I just returned from watching Tim Burton's latest film, Dark Shadows (BTW, an adequate film, but a bit standard and offers few surprises). In this film, there's a boy playing with some fairly large dinosaur figures (a Styracosaurus, an Apatosaurus and a Theropod of sorts). If anyone who has seen the film recognizes these dinosaurs, can you tell me more about them, please? They looked deliciously retro, almost like Harryhausen models, but I've never seen them before and I would like to know more about them and the company that made them.
If the prop designers did their research well, these figures are from 1972 or older, though they could also be made as props specifically for this film (though I doubt they went to such lengths).

[tyrantqueen]

I haven't seen the movie, but I googled it and this is what came up



I'm pretty sure those were Revell (most definitely the Pteranodon) or Aurora model kits. You can still find them on eBay actually.

Here is the theropod (allosaurus)

[Takama]

someone outa make theread dedicated to dinosaur toys popping up in films and TV.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Yeah the original versions of those kits are Aurora Prehistoric scenes pieces...they were re-released by Revell too. I also spy some Marx figures in there as well !

I know I've seen that Spino before..maybe..Tsukuda..feels like an older Japanese figure.

[Roselaar]

Yeah, that's the right Theropod! Too bad the Apatosaurus and Styracosaurus aren't in that pic, but thanks for posting anyway. And thanks for identifying these, guys.

BTW, I don't recall that picture from the film. Is this some behind-the-scenes footage, or possibly a deleted scene?

[DinoFan45]

They mostly were when the little kid,( who's name currently escapes me) is playing with them quietly. If I wasn't mistaken, I saw at one point what looked like a stuffed JP triceratops. But that might just have been me.

[Gryphoceratops]

Thats actually REALLY cool how they took the time to get time appropriate dinosaur toys for a movie set in the 70s! 

[Roselaar]

They mostly were when the little kid,( who's name currently escapes me) is playing with them quietly. If I wasn't mistaken, I saw at one point what looked like a stuffed JP triceratops. But that might just have been me.

The stuffed Triceratops can be seen next to Depp in the pic above, though largely out of frame. I'm not sure it's an actual JP piece, but its style is certainly very reminiscent to that of the JP stuffed releases.

[CityRaptor]

Is this just me or does the toy between the Allosaurus, Spinosaurus and Pteranodon look like like a giant Version of the Marx Sphenacodon?

[amargasaurus cazaui]

Is this just me or does the toy between the Allosaurus, Spinosaurus and Pteranodon look like like a giant Version of the Marx Sphenacodon?

That would be the proper time frame for my being a kid, and I seem to remember a model Komodo dragon and I think either Revell, or Aurora did it. From the part I can see , there is a chance that might be it. Just a guess....but the spine down the back to me looks familiar. I could be wrong but ...it seems possible

[CityRaptor]

The spine ofcourse also fits the Sphenacodon, as seen here:
http://www.dinosaur-toys-collectors-guide.com/images/Marx-Sphenacodon-Dinosaur-Toys-1.jpg

Also checked for the Revell Komodo Dragon. Nope, that is not it.

[amargasaurus cazaui]

The spine ofcourse also fits the Sphenacodon, as seen here:
http://www.dinosaur-toys-collectors-guide.com/images/Marx-Sphenacodon-Dinosaur-Toys-1.jpg

Also checked for the Revell Komodo Dragon. Nope, that is not it.

The sphenacodon was that large? I never saw a marx piece that size like that, wow.

[amargasaurus cazaui]

I also thought to mention, while I am unsure of the animal itself is the Komodo, the base pictured with the Styracosaurus base IS from the komodo dragon kit for CERTAIN. That is what set me thinking.....

[CityRaptor]

The sphenacodon was that large? I never saw a marx piece that size like that, wow.

No, it is not that large. While not owning one, I know that it is far smaller. That is why I said that it looks like a giant version.