So, in 1966, Cortlandt's dad, ROBERT HULL, helped him build a swiss chalet-style building to house Cortlandt's life-size versions of his favorite monsters, which became "The Witch's Dungeon". Being a painter and decorating contractor, Hull's dad also helped him build all the background sets. Hull's mom, DOROTHEA HULL, was a costume designer, she re-created many of the more elaborate costumes & capes. Hull's uncle, LOUIS GAGNON, became the electrical engineer and helped him wire elaborate laboratory gadgets for the sets. Being only thirteen, Cortlandt's early sculptures were a bit crude - but it was a start, and a unique concept. At the time, there were no Halloween attractions, except for neighborhood costume parties. Other early supporters of the museum were master mask maker, DON POST SR. & "Famous Monsters" magazine editor, FORREST J. ACKERMAN.
 

 

It all began with a 13 year old, CORTLANDT HULL. Being ill most of his life, he occupied some of his time, by building the Aurora monster model kits, inspired by the vivid color artwork of James Bama on the box covers. Cortlandt was fascinated with the art of movie makeup, and how an actor could be transformed into a fearsome creature. After visiting several wax museums, he was disappointed by their "Chamber Of Horrors" lacking the classic movie monsters. Suddenly, Hull's 8" monster models were not enough! He began creating his own life-size character, "ZENOBIA THE GYPSY WITCH", to host this tribute to the classic chillers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f25VKnXUCyo
As Hull's artistic abilities developed through college and his career in art, so did his accuracy in re-creating the life-size figures for "The Witch's Dungeon Classic Movie Museum". Thanks to Oscar-winning makeup artists, JOHN CHAMBERS ("Planet Of The Apes") and DICK SMITH ("The Exorcist"), Hull learned some of their techniques and due to their generosity, acquired life casts of many of the actors to work from.
By the 1970's and into the 1980's, the museum had doubled it's size, and began to achieve national attention, due to articles in "THE NEW YORK TIMES", "NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC", "RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT!" and even "PLAYBOY". Network TV shows such as "TO TELL THE TRUTH", "KIDS ARE PEOPLE TOO", "ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT" and several others, featured the museum. Actors, VINCENT PRICE, JOHN AGAR & MARK HAMILL all provided special recordings for the museum tour. The leading voice actress for many Warner Bros. & Disney cartoons, JUNE FORAY, became the voice of "ZENOBIA THE GYPSY WITCH", the official hostess of "The Witch's Dungeon".
Visitors to the museum, beginning in the 1990's, were greeted by very special hosts, such as SARA KARLOFF (actor Boris Karloff's daughter), BELA LUGOSI JR. (son of actor Bela Lugosi), RON CHANEY (grandson of Lon Chaney Jr.), Oscar & Emmy award winning makeup artist, DICK SMITH, and several others from the film community, who donated their time. As Cortlandt's dad, Robert, said ... "Who would believe, when you were a boy, and we began the "Dungeon", that 30 years later, it would become so popular, and have the actor's families here to host it, with people visiting from all over the country!" Cortlandt's dad passed away shortly after the museum's 30th anniversary in 1996.
In the years that followed, the museum became involved with the U.S. Postal Service and promoting their "Classic Movie Monster Stamps" featuring portraits of Karloff, Chaney & Lugosi. The museum figures were displayed at several post offices in the New England area. Plus a special screening of Lon Chaney Sr's "Phantom Of The Opera", with a live orchestra playing the original 1925 music score, hosted by Ron Chaney - co-sponsored by "The Witch's Dungeon" and the U.S. Postal Service. The life-size monsters began to travel, as many major film conventions requested displays of the museum figures and props, at shows from Ohio to Virginia. Locally, the renown "HARTFORD STAGE COMPANY" requested a major lobby display in connection with their production of "The Mystery Of Irma Vep". And more recently, the CT. State Tourism Commission has invited "The Witch's Dungeon" to have a major museum display in the Connecticut Building at "The Big E", Springfield MA. during the fall.
Shortly after Hull's mom, Dorothea, passed away in 2004, it was decided we should honor everyone involved with the museum, as the actors and makeup artists, which had inspired "The Witch's Dungeon". Since the 40th anniversary was approaching in 2006. A very visual two hour documentary - "THE WITCH'S DUNGEON 40 YEARS OF CHILLS" was produced. This film is not merely about the creation of the museum, but a history of classic horror, told directly by those that were involved in creating these films, with exclusive interviews. The documentary has been acclaimed by critics and fans alike, and shown theatrically in the U.S. Canada, England and Australia. Our special thanks to all involved for volunteering their work on this project.
Due to the success of "The Witch's Dungeon", and the accuracy of the life-size figures, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA commissioned Hull to create a figure of Lon Chaney Jr. as "The Wolf Man" for their "Classic Monsters Cafe", in Orlando. The project was a combined effort, involving two of Cortlandt's talented collegues, PAUL CLEMENS and DANTE RENTA.
The original "WITCH'S DUNGEON CLASSIC MOVIE MUSEUM" opened in Bristol, Connecticut in 1966, a tribute to the actors and effects artists who have given us the classic fantasy films. The Witch's Dungeon features highly accurate life size figures based on the classic films of Lon Chaney, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi and others from the golden age of horror & sci-fi cinema. The museum is considered the longest running exhibit of its kind in the country (as stated by "ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT").
Hull always had respect for the movie making arts, which was the inspiration for the creation of the museum. Many people he knew in the film industry had given him original props or makeup appliances from various films, which he has preserved. These pieces are not only a part of movie history, but are fine art, and American cinema icons. Like the film itself, it is important to preserve them in a new museum for future generations. The not-for-profit museum hopes to expand into a much larger venue, “THE SILVER SCREEN MOVIE MUSEUM” & ARCHIVE". “The Witch's Dungeon” would also be greatly expanded, as a portion of this new museum. written by John Bartucca (please see our “Silver Screen Movie Museum & Archive” page)
ROBERT HULL
MARK HAMILL & CORTLANDT
BELA LUGOSI JR. & DRACULA FIGURE
RON CHANEY & “DUNGEON” “WOLF MAN”
JOHN CHAMBERS & CORTLANDT
CORTLANDT HULL 1966
ZENOBIA, THE GYPSY WITCH (click photo for video clip)
Witch’s Dungeon History - since 1966 The longest running Halloween attraction in the country
Our “Ghost Host” in “The Witch’s Dungeon Graveyard of Classic Ghouls”
RE-CREATION OF LON CHANEY’S RED DEATH
THE WITCH’S DUNGEON CLASSIC MOVIE MUSEUM 90 battle street - bristol, CT. 06010 no advance reserve tickets - no special group showings not recommended for children under 7 years old e-mail: witchsdungeon@sbcglobal.net mailto:witchsdungeon@sbcglobal.net?subject=Dungeon%20Datesshapeimage_21_link_0

All web pages, photos content

copyright 2011 - Cortlandt Hull/Witch’s Dungeon

all photos: © 2011 Cortlandt Hull/“Witch’s Dungeon” Collection


"THEWITCH'S DUNGEON" is a registered trade mark

"ZENOBIA THE GYPSY WITCH"

name, image & logos - copyright/tm: 2011 Cortlandt Hull

"CLASSIC MOVIE MONSTERS" - copyright/tm 2011 Universal Studios

Karloff Enterprises,  Chaney Entertainment,  Lugosi Enterprises

“Oscar” statuette - copyright AMPAS

“THE WITCH’S dungeon classic movie museum” Since 1966, a tribute to the classic horror films of vincent price, boris karloff, lon chaney, & bela lugosi - accurate life-size figures in 13 scenes, based on the vintage chillers. Voice tracks guide you through the 6 MIN. tour, with special recordings by: Vincent Price, June Foray, John Agar & Mark Hamill.
PLUS A DISPLAY OF ORIGINAL MOVIE PROPS AND (WEATHER PERMITTING) SHOWINGS OF SILENT HORROR CLASSICS ON AN OUTDOOR SCREEN these showings are solely to entertain visitors while waiting in line to enter the museum - there is no specific schedule of titles Be sure to dress warm - there may be a wait in line
WITCH’S DUNGEON TOUR (click photo)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyJXoqOdecA
WITCH’S DUNGEON HISTORY (click photo)
DIRECTIONS TO THE WITCH’S DUNGEON (click photo)http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&saddr=90+Battle+Street,Bristol,CT&daddr=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=43.528905,67.587891&layer=&ie=UTF8&om=1&z=16&iwloc=addr
“IT ALL BEGAN WITH A WITCH, NAMED - ZENOBIA” For years, there has been a bit of controversy over the origin of the name, “ZENOBIA THE GYPSY WITCH”, our hostess of “THE WITCH’S DUNGEON” - Our old “crystal ball gazer” thought it was time this was cleared up! She was designed & sculpted by Cortlandt, at just 12 years old, in 1965, only a year before the museum first opened. The dear girl looked a bit crude, in her early years, as did some of the other figures. But as Cortlandt’s artistic ability improved through his college years, and his association with makeup artists, JOHN CHAMBERS & DICK SMITH, “Zenobia” and the other figures greatly improved. She was named “Zenobia The Gypsy Witch”, from the very beginning, this is docu- mented by a “Bristol Press” article in the mid 1960’s. The name had originated from a former obnoxious classmate of Cortlandt’s Mom, as she felt the name fit for a witch! The controversy has come from fans of the classic film by Ray Harryhausen, “Sinbad & The Eye Of The Tiger” (1977), which involved a witch named “Zenobia”. Since this film came 12 years after the creation of our “Zenobia”, it had no relation to our witch. Her voice was originally to be done by MAE QUESTEL, best known as the voice of “Betty Boop”, she was also the voice of the “Sea Hag” in the “Popeye” cartoons. But, Mae believed her friend, JUNE FORAY did a far better “witch voice”, as June had done it for Disney, Warner Bros, and other cartoon studios. June has been highly supportive of the museum ever since, and a great friend. June, as “Zenobia” will be heard inter-acting with “ZACHERLEY” in the new opening segments for “LEGENDS OF FILM AND FANTASY”. The name, “THE WITCH’S DUNGEON” has also been a victim of rumors, as to it’s origin. Like “Zenobia” herself, the title of the museum, began with it’s creation in 1966, by Cortlandt Hull. It has been documented in several newspapers of the time, as well as in “Famous Monsters Of Filmland” magazine. Many years later, in the 1980’s Salem, Massachusetts opened a museum on the Salem witch trials and called it “The Witch Dungeon”. This attraction has no relation to our original “Witch’s Dungeon Classic Movie Museum” “The Witch’s Dungeon” is a registered trade mark, and has always been non- profit, since it began in 1966. For the first few years it was free, then in the 1970’s it was 25 cents, in the 1980’s - 50 cents, and from the mid 1990’s it has been $1.00 - until 2010. The intention was never a money-making venture, but to create a loving tribute to the classic fantasy films. In 1992, with the help of Vincent Price & Mark Hamill we were granted the rights from Universal Studios, which owns most of the classic movie monsters, to keep “The Witch’s Dungeon” open. Cortlandt funds both the museum & documentaries. “The Witch’s Dungeon” funds are kept for expansion of the museum. We also hope to attain a corporate sponsor. Proceeds from the documentaries, and “The Witch’s Dungeon” events go toward the museum fund. We are fortunate to have many volunteers that assist with “The Witch’s Dungeon Classic Movie Museum”. written by John Elton Floyd - New dates for fall 2011 -
“The Witch’s Dungeon” featured in “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” - 1987
“ZENOBIA THE GYPSY WITCH”
The unpredictable JOHN ZACHERLE ( and the hands of Cheryl LeBeau )
"ZENOBIA THE GYPSY WITCH" - copyright/tm 2011 Cortlandt Hull
Makeup wizard- DICK SMITH with Cortlandt Hull
actress, JUNE FORAY, the voice of “Zenobia The Gypsy Witch”
KEVIN McCARTHY with “Witch’s Dungeon” display
SINCE 1966 - CELEBRATING OUR 45th season this fall 2011 THE LONGEST RUNNING HALLOWEEN ATTRACTION IN THE COUNTRY New dates for 2011 - our 45th season - sept. 30 to Oct. 2, oct. 7 to 9 Oct. 14 to 16, Oct. 21 to 23 Oct. 28 to 31 evenings only - 7:00p.m. to 10:00p.m. donatioN all ages: $2.00 (sorry, we are not handicapped accessible) Tel. (860) 583-8306
please go to our “Dates” page for full details on 2011 event dates