Ben Cooper, Inc.

Last updated
Ben Cooper, Inc.
Type Privately held
Founded1937
FounderBen Cooper, Sr.
Defunct1992
Headquarters
Brooklyn, New York (1937-1991); Greensboro, North Carolina (1991-1992)
Area served
 United States
Products Halloween costumes, Toys

Ben Cooper, Inc. was a privately held American corporation founded in 1937 which primarily manufactured Halloween costumes from the late 1930s to the late 1980s. It was one of the three largest Halloween costume manufacturers in the U.S. from the 1950s through the mid-1980s. [1] The company's inexpensive plastic masks and vinyl smocks were an iconic American symbol of Halloween from the 1950s to the 1970s, [2] for which Cooper has been called the "Halston of Halloween" [3] and the "High Priest" of Halloween. [4]

Contents

Corporate history

A translucent Halloween mummy mask sold by Ben Cooper, Inc. in the 1960s. Ben Cooper - translucent mummy mask - early 1960s.jpg
A translucent Halloween mummy mask sold by Ben Cooper, Inc. in the 1960s.

Founder Ben Cooper was born on the Lower East Side of New York City in 1906. [3] He studied accounting and briefly sought a career as a songwriter before founding a theatrical costume business in 1927. [5] Cooper designed costumes and sets for the legendary Cotton Club in Harlem and several editions of the Ziegfeld Follies. [3] [5]

With live theatre becoming rarer in the 1930s due to the Great Depression and Halloween becoming a more popular holiday, Cooper established Ben Cooper, Inc., in Brooklyn, New York, in 1937. [3] [5] The firm assumed control of A.S. Fishbach, Inc.—which had a license to produce costumes based on characters owned by The Walt Disney Company such as Donald Duck and Snow White—in 1937 and began selling Disney costumes under Fishbach's Spotlight brand. [5] [6] The two companies formally merged and incorporated as Ben Cooper, Inc., on December 8, 1942. [7]

By the late 1940s, Ben Cooper, Inc. was one of the largest and most prominent Halloween costume manufacturers in the United States. [8] Its costumes were generally very thin fabric with a silk-screened image on the front that sold for less than $3. [9] The company began selling its costumes through large retailers such as J. C. Penney, Sears, Woolworth's, and five-and-dime stores. [8] Costumes often sold for $1.25 ($15 in 2021 dollars). [8] At the time, the most popular costumes were traditional Halloween figures such as devils, ghosts, skeletons, and witches. [8] In the 1950s, television characters such as Davy Crockett, Superman, and Zorro were more popular. [3] As parents became more concerned about safety in the 1950s, the company responded by creating its "Glitter Glo" costumes, dresses, and jumpsuits with large amounts of blue glitter glued to the front (which would reflect the headlights of oncoming automobiles). [1] The company banked heavily on the popularity of President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy, but had to destroy thousands of masks after Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963. [3]

A 1977 Ben Cooper costume and mask manufactured of the character C-3PO from the Star Wars films Ben Cooper - Empire Strikes Back boxed costume C-3PO - 1977.jpg
A 1977 Ben Cooper costume and mask manufactured of the character C-3PO from the Star Wars films

In the 1960s and 1970s, Ben Cooper, Inc., was one of the "big three" Halloween costume companies, along with Collegeville and the H. Halpern Company (Halco). [10] [11] The company became known for licensing popular film and television characters and getting their images onto store shelves quickly. [11] [12] For example, it licensed Spider-Man, a virtually unknown character at the time, in 1963. [13] The company also licensed the Batman character in 1964. [14]

The company produced a very popular Richard Nixon mask in the late 1960s, which sold as equally well as its Ronald Reagan mask even in the late 1980s. [15] The company produced a George H. W. Bush mask in 1987, anticipating Bush's election as president by a year. [15] In 1979, Ben Cooper, Inc., was still the largest Halloween costume company in the U.S. [3] That same year, the firm issued its first costume based on a character in an R-rated motion picture, the creature from the film Alien . [3]

The company suffered heavy financial losses in the early and mid-1980s. Beginning on September 29, 1982, seven people died after taking the painkiller Tylenol. Investigators discovered that someone had tampered with the product, lacing it with potassium cyanide. Terrified parents nationwide refused to allow their children to celebrate Halloween the following month, and sales of costumes plummeted and did not recover for several years. [15] Ben Cooper, Inc. formed the Halloween Celebration Committee along with eight other manufacturers of Halloween costumes, masks, makeup, and accessories and (in cooperation with the Toy Manufacturers of America) published the booklet "13 Great Ways to Celebrate Halloween" in order to reassure parents and help stimulate interest in the holiday again. [16] Despite this setback, in 1984 the firm was still the largest supplier of Halloween costumes in the United States. [17] The company recovered around 1987, as total sales of accessories, costumes, and makeup rose at an annual rate of 20 percent a year. [15] [18]

Toys

Apart from Halloween costumes, Ben Cooper's other major venture was toys, primarily of the rack toy variety. In 1974, they made Planet of the Apes jigglers, sold loose in a counter box. [19] In 1975, they made Shark!, a rubber shark with a rubber man clearly inspired by the popularity of Jaws , for which Imperial Toy Corporation had the actual license. [20] In 1980, they produced a set of "Marvel Super Heroes Action Figures," which were also flexible, non-articulated "jigglers," depicting Spider-Man, The Thing, Doctor Strange, and the evil Red Skull, the latter two possibly appearing as toys for the first time. They were sold loose from a counter display box. [21]

Bankruptcies and sale

The increasing sales in the late 1980s were not enough to stave off bankruptcy, however. Ben Cooper, Inc.'s financial problems became so severe in 1988 that many customers left the firm and diverted licenses and business to its biggest competitor, Collegeville. [22] The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 13, 1988. [23] As a privately held company, little financial data was available on its profit margins. However, one press report estimated the firm's profit margin below 10 percent in 1989. [15] On January 6, 1989, the company's facility in Georgia burned to the ground, destroying (the company said) $2 million to $3 million in inventory ($4 million to $7 million in 2021 dollars). [24] [25] [26] Cooper's two insurance companies canceled coverage of the firm and refused to pay, citing inaccuracies in the insurance policy. [27] The bankruptcy court refused to consider Cooper's claims against the insurance companies. Cooper appealed the court's ruling. [27]

Ben Cooper, Inc. emerged from bankruptcy in April 1989 after paying all its creditors in full. [25]

The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit determined in February 1990 that the issue of the insurance coverage was "core" and thus should be heard by the bankruptcy court. [26] [28] One of the insurance companies appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States. [25] In a per curiam decision, the Supreme Court held that a serious jurisdictional issue had been brought to the court's attention by legal briefs, forcing it to vacate the appellate court's decision, remanding the case back to the appellate court, and asking the appellate court to consider the jurisdictional issue. [26] [29] The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals considered the jurisdictional issue, found in Cooper's favor, and reinstated its original ruling in January 1991. [30]

Just days after the appellate court's second ruling, executives of Ben Cooper, Inc. announced they were moving the company to Greensboro, North Carolina. [31] The company said at this time that it had 35 permanent employees, and manufactured and supplied more than 4 million costumes in the previous year. [31] [32] It said it controlled 70 to 80 percent of the licensed costume character costume business, and was partnered with companies such as Children's Television Workshop (producers of Sesame Street), DC Comics, Mattel, and Walt Disney Studios. [31] It said the reason for the move was to be closer to Southern textile factories and cutting shops, so that it could move away from the environmentally harmful vinyl costumes it had obtained from Asia and toward more acceptable natural fabrics. [31] The company hoped to invest $6 million ($11,936,966) in building its new Greensboro facility, and said it would apply for a $600,000 Community Development Block Grant to help defray costs and provide jobs to low-income workers in the area. [31]

Rubie's Costume Co Rubies Costume banner 1115 Bwy jeh.jpg
Rubie's Costume Co

On October 30, 1991, Ben Cooper, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy yet again. [32] The company's chief executive officer said the cause of the second bankruptcy was due to relocation expenses, the early 1990s recession, and delays in obtaining bank loans. [32] The company was not able to survive as an independent firm, however, and was bought by Rubie's Costume Co. in 1992. [12]

Collectibility

Products made by Ben Cooper, Inc. remain highly collectible. Collectors prize the boxed costumes with mask the most. [33] In 2002, photographer Phyllis Galembo published Dressed for Thrills: 100 Years of Halloween Costumes & Masquerade, a book of text and photography which features some of the costumes produced by Ben Cooper, Inc. [34]

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 Rinker, "Halloween Costumes Worth Scaring Up By Collectors," The Morning Call, November 10, 1996.
  2. ↑ Sandstrom, "Frightfully Collectible," The Plain Dealer, October 28, 1994.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Shapiro, "Trick and Treat! Ben Cooper Bags Millions as the Halston of Halloween," Archived 2013-01-31 at archive.today People, October 29, 1979.
  4. ↑ "Ghoul Gear," The Village Voice, October 25–31, 1973.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Halloween Costume," in Encyclopedia of Clothing and Fashion, 2004, p. 167.
  6. ↑ ""Snow White Costumes By Fishbach," Playthings, June 1938, p. 47" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  7. ↑ "Ben Cooper, Inc." Entity Information. Division of Corporations. New York State Department of State. June 25, 2003. Accessed 2010-09-20.[ dead link ]
  8. 1 2 3 4 Fendelman, "Vintage Halloween Costumes," Country Living, October 1, 2007.
  9. ↑ Rosenkrantz, "Chills and Thrills Have Long History," San Diego Union-Tribune, October 20, 2002.
  10. ↑ Moody, "Television Land Outside Your Door," The Hartford Courant, October 30, 1960.
  11. 1 2 Rinker, "Unmasking the Value of Old Halloween Costumes," The Morning Call, October 23, 2007.
  12. 1 2 Szadkowski, "New Superheroes Suit Up With Halloween Standards," The Washington Times, October 11, 2003; Everhart, "Halloween: A Family Business," Selling Halloween, February 2007. Archived 2010-08-07 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ↑ Petty, p. 737.
  14. ↑ McLaughlin, "Costumes' Popularity Is Absolutely Batty," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 26, 1989.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 Kleinfeld, "The Weird, the Bad and the Scary," New York Times, October 15, 1989.
  16. ↑ Lesem, "Booklet Aims to Make '83 Halloween Trick-or-Treat Both Scary and Safe," United Press International, October 4, 1983.
  17. ↑ Kita, "Just Needle and Thread Create Stuff of Dreams — and Nightmares," The Morning Call, October 25, 1984.
  18. ↑ DeCaro, "Grown-Up Goblins: Halloween Fantasies Let the Ghoul Times Roll for Stressed Out Baby Boomers," Chicago Tribune, October 25, 1987.
  19. ↑ Heiler, Brian. Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings. PlaidStallions, 2012, 66. ISBN   9780991692200
  20. ↑ Heiler, 132.
  21. ↑ Heiler, 32.
  22. ↑ Fricker, "Raisins Are Sweet for Costume Maker," The Morning Call, October 26, 1988.
  23. ↑ "Ben Cooper Files to Reorganize in Chapter 11," Daily News Record, March 14, 1988; "Cooper Agrees to Pay Unsecured Creditors 100%," Daily News Record, October 26, 1988.
  24. ↑ In re Ben Cooper, Inc., 896 F.2d 1394, 1396 (2d Cir. 1990).
  25. 1 2 3 Scism, "Court Lets Costume Firm Seek Jury Trial On Claim," Greensboro News-Record, May 16, 1991.
  26. 1 2 3 "Major Bankruptcy Ruling Stands," Business Insurance, June 3, 1991.
  27. 1 2 In re Ben Cooper, Inc., 896 F.2d 1394, 1396-1397.
  28. ↑ In re Ben Cooper, Inc., 896 F.2d 1394, 1404.
  29. ↑ Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania v. Ben Cooper, Inc., 498 U.S. 964 (1990).
  30. ↑ In re Ben Cooper, Inc., 924 F.2d 36 (2d Cir. 1991).
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 Scism, "Greensboro Gains New Jobs As Costume Maker Relocates," Greensboro News-Record, January 8, 1991.
  32. 1 2 3 Scism, "Bankruptcy Repeat No Treat for Costume Manufacturer," Greensboro News-Record, October 31, 1991.
  33. ↑ Yvaska, "Spirited Noisemakers," San Jose Mercury News, October 29, 2005.
  34. ↑ Miller, "Mask Oriented," Salon.com, October 30, 2002; see also, generally: Galembo, Dressed for Thrills: 100 Years of Halloween Costumes and Masquerade, 2002.

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halloween</span> Annual celebration held on 31 October

Halloween or Hallowe'en is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Saints' Day. It begins the observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trick-or-treating</span> Halloween tradition

Trick-or-treating is a traditional Halloween custom for children and adults in some countries. During the evening of Halloween, on October 31, people in costumes travel from house to house, asking for treats with the phrase "trick or treat". The "treat" is some form of confectionery, usually candy/sweets, although in some cultures money is given instead. The "trick" refers to a threat, usually idle, to perform mischief on the resident(s) or their property if no treat is given. Some people signal that they are willing to hand out treats by putting up Halloween decorations outside their doors; houses may also leave their porch lights on as a universal indicator that they have candy; some simply leave treats available on their porches for the children to take freely, on the honor system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halloween costume</span> Costumes worn on or around Halloween

Halloween costumes are costumes worn on Halloween, a festival which falls on October 31. An early reference to wearing costumes at Halloween comes from Scotland in 1585, but they may pre-date this. There are many references to the custom during the 18th and 19th centuries in the Celtic countries of Scotland, Ireland, Mann and Wales. It has been suggested that the custom comes from the Celtic festivals of Samhain and Calan Gaeaf, or from the practise of "souling" during the Christian observance of Allhallowtide. The Christian tradition of acknowledging the danse macabre is also suggested as the origin of dressing up on Halloween Dressing up is not strictly restricted to Halloween among Christians, with similar practices being observed on holidays like Christmas. Halloween costumes are traditionally based on frightening supernatural or folkloric beings. However, by the 1930s costumes based on characters in mass media such as film, literature, and radio were popular. Halloween costumes have tended to be worn mainly by young people, but since the mid-20th century they have been increasingly worn by adults also.

CCM Hockey is a Canadian manufacturer of ice hockey equipment. CCM was formerly an initialism for Canada Cycle & Motor Co. Ltd., a bicycle manufacturer that began producing hockey as a secondary business. The original company went bankrupt in 1983, though both product lines were continued under new, separate ownership.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spencer Gifts</span> American retail chain

Spencer Gifts LLC, doing business as Spencer's, is a North American mall retailer with over 600 stores in the United States and Canada. Its stores specialize in novelty and gag gifts, and also sell clothing, band merchandise, sex toys, room decor, collectible figures, fashion and body jewelry, fantasy and horror items. The company also owns and operates a pop-up seasonal retailer, Spirit Halloween.

Toys "R" Us is an American toy, clothing, and baby product retailer owned by Tru Kids and various others. The company was founded in 1957; its first store was built in April 1948, with its headquarters located in Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey, in the New York metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Party City</span> American corporation

Party City Holdco Inc. is an American publicly traded retail chain of party stores founded in 1986 by Steve Mandell in East Hanover, New Jersey. Party City's parent company is Party City Holdings Inc. Based in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, the company is the largest retailer of party goods in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, operating over 750 company-owned and franchise outlets under the Party City, Halloween City, Toy City, and Factory Card & Party Outlet brands.

<i>Garfields Halloween Adventure</i> American TV series or program

Garfield's Halloween Adventure is a 1985 American animated television special based on the Garfield comic strip. It is directed by Phil Roman and written by Garfield creator Jim Davis, and features the voices of Lorenzo Music, Thom Huge, Gregg Berger and C. Lindsay Workman. It originally aired on CBS on October 30, 1985.

Assurant, Inc. is a global provider of risk management products and services with headquarters in New York City. Its businesses provide a diverse set of specialty, niche-market insurance products in the property, casualty, extended device protection, and preneed insurance sectors. The company’s main operating segments are Global Housing and Global Lifestyle.

Braniff International Airlines, Inc. was a low-fare airline formed in 1991 from the assets of two earlier airlines that used the Braniff name. It was headquartered in the Dallas, Texas, area and owned by BNAir, Inc., a subsidiary of BIA-COR Holdings Inc., a Philadelphia investment group, formed by Paine Weber Group, and subsequent airline holding company. The airline is popularly identified as Braniff III to differentiate it from its predecessors.

Halloween Adventure Stores is a retail store chain specializing in Halloween-related merchandise, they are one of the world's largest costuming companies and arguably the largest chain store specializing in Halloween in the United States. The company was founded in 1981 by brothers Bruce and Darron Goldman in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has locations in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Florida, and California. In 2006 there were over 120 "seasonal stores", using temporary locations in shopping malls that were vacated for seasonal short-term rentals.

This is a bibliography of works about Halloween or in which Halloween is a prominent theme.

Douglas M. Steenland is an American former corporate attorney and former airline executive. He had a 17-year career at Northwest Airlines, where he held numerous executive roles, including as president from 2001 through 2008, and president and CEO of Northwest from October 2004 until its merger with Delta Air Lines in October 2008. Since then he has served on a number of boards of directors, and as an advisor to the Blackstone Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toy Biz</span> American toy company

Toy Biz, was a toy company which later became a subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment and was renamed to Marvel Toys. It was best known for producing action figures and toys and holding the Marvel Comics license from 1990 to 2006.

Morphsuits is a company in Edinburgh, Scotland that distributes branded spandex costumes, based on the existing skin-tight garments, which cover the entire body. The company offers over 80 different designs. The company was founded by brothers Ali and Fraser Smeaton, and their flatmate Gregor Lawson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hen House Restaurants</span> Defunct restaurant

Hen House Interstate, Inc. was a Chesterfield, Missouri-based company that owned and operated a chain of restaurants that at one time had up to 40 locations on the American Interstate highway system throughout Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Kansas. The chain was known for its open menu concept, which allowed patrons to order any kind of food at any time of the day, such as eggs and pancakes at dinnertime and hamburgers and fried chicken in the morning, and for the distinctive design of its buildings, the exteriors of which resembled hay barns.

Phyllis Galembo is an American photographer living in New York City.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.