Things I Own: Hugo Man of a Thousand Faces.
I can’t remember when I first found out about Hugo The Man of a Thousand Faces, but Hugo was definitely before my time. Produced by Kenner in 1975, Hugo has to be one of the weirdest toys that I own.
Hugo is basically this half doll/half puppet that comes with a lot of weird accessories such as: scars, wigs, appendages, and other growths to turn him into Hugo, Man of a Thousand Faces.
One thing I do know about Hugo is that he’s really difficult to find complete in a box, and if found, he isn’t going to be cheap. I have seen Hugos go over $200 on eBay, but I was lucky enough to score this guy elsewhere.
While in college, I would frequent a particular Orlando Goodwill. It was a huge store that even had a Goodwill discount center next to it. I know, weird right? A discount portion of Goodwill?! Anyway, I found Hugo sitting on this shelf there one day for just 50 cents! I even kept the price tag on it for all of these years as proof. Haha.
I think you are supposed to use spirit gum or something to attach all the scars and such, but I used a bit of sticky tact. Spooky!
I think my favorite part of the box is the examples of Hugo’s many faces. Each one making him look like a creepier serial killer.
Fun Hugo Fact: Hugo was used as a prop on the Pee-Wee Herman show. Which is funny considering that the Hugo’s disuise in the top right corner of the packaging looks a lot like Mickey’s disguise from Pee-Wee’s big adventure. The color of the shirt and everything! Am I right?!
- Twerps!
August 30th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Man, I love this doll. You ever see the Venture Brothers episode where they play with it?
August 30th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Dude, Hugo is such a hipster!
August 30th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
My brother and I had these when we were young. He’s a great artist, I was a great drug user.
Tell Ron Morelli he still owes me a Mishka Girl calendar from you winter holiday sale god damn it!
August 30th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I used to have one sans box that I found in my buddy Matt’s house. I sent him on a vacation to IL and still hasn’t returned.
Nice Pee Wee connection BTW.
August 30th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
I don’t think I would’ve been able to handle Hugo as a kid. He just looks like nightmares to me.
September 1st, 2009 at 10:07 am
I had one of these, but had no recollection of it until reading this today. I gave myself a rash on my chin sticking the warty chin piece onto myself.
February 11th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
What’s odd about you bringing up the pee wee clip, is that in his original hbo special pee wee used the body from Hugo as a hypnosis doll. I just watched it tonight and i was like wtf was that from, i totally remember it…