General Mills Monster Cereals (w/ Anthony and CM Chuck)

What’s up, dudes? It’s a fun, light hearted episode today with special guests Anthony Caruso from ‘Tis the Podcast and CM Chuck from Just Another Friday Night! That’s right! We’re talking the General Mills monster cereals! Officially created in 1928, General Mills traces its history back to the 1860’s.

Introduced in March of 1971, Count Chocula is a chocolate loving vampire designed by George Karn. His cereal, as his name suggests, was made of delicious whole grain corn chocolate flavor frosted cereal and marshmallow bits. His Bela Lugosi-inspired voice was provided by Larry Kenney for the commercials. In the 1980’s Count Chocula character was re-vamped (pun intended) with a more svelte physique, a slender nose, and added shading on his clothes. New boxes were introduced, even including a set where Lugosi’s Dracula chased a terrified Count Chocula.

Franken Berry followed soon after in October of ‘71, also a Karn design. He is a slightly rotund pink version of Frankenstein’s creature with sweet strawberry cereal and marshmallows. Voiced by Bob McFadden, he was given a Boris Karloff-style voice.

Boo Berry, the blueberry flavored cereal ghost mascot, was released in 1973. His Peter Lorre-tinged voice was provided by Christmas special voice acting legend Paul Frees. Boo Berry is a blue ghost with a red bow-tie and red and yellow hat.

Rounding out the cast is Frute Brute, a werewolf introduced in ‘74 and retired in ‘82, and Fruity Yummy Mummy, released in ‘88 and retired in ‘92. Both are fruit flavored cereals. In ‘85 the cereal pieces became ghost shaped, and in ‘89 bat shaped marshmallows were introduced.

Hanna-Barbera vibe? Check. Classic Universal Studios Monster pastiches? Uh huh. Loads and loads of sugar? Definitely! So grab a spoon, put on your chocolate cloak, and pour out a big bowl full of this episode on monster cereals!

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