Once upon a time, there was a toy company named Aztech Toyz, and their premiere action figure product line was Silent Screamers, based on classic silent movies. For various reasons known only to the parties involved, Aztech split into two companies, one of which (Mezco Toyz) continued the Silent Screamers line with a second series, called Silent Screamers: Reel Masters.

The Series 2 figures, released by Mezco Toyz had three 6" scale figures, and the deluxe Golem figure. The figures and the movies upon which they are based are:

• Golem - Der Golem, 1915
• Maria - Metropolis, 1926
• Jekyll & Hyde - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, 1920
• The Monster - Edison's Frankenstein, 1910

The Silent Screamers action figures can be found at most large toy retailers such as Toys'R'Us and KB, and they retail for about $9.99 to $14.99 USD. The Golem was a "deluxe" box set rather than a carded figure, and carries a bigger price tag, ranging from $14.99 to $29.99 USD.

The film Der Golem is based on the Jewish legend of the Golem, a creature brought to life from clay in Prague by a Rabbi in the Middle Ages. Created to be a protector, the Golem turns on those he was to protect. (Learn more about the film and about the legend of the Golem. More background on the Golem legend.) Prague still has a statue of the Golem near the entrance to the former "Jewish area" - thus the importance of the door to this figure.

The Golem action figure set consists of the figure, a book, and a door with stone base. It is unfortunate that the door is obscured in the packaging as it is beautiful, and many collectors may buy the set for the door alone.

The Golem stands at about 11" tall, and has very limited articulation: neck, waist, boots, hands, and the right elbow. None of these points are actual joints but cuts to allow circular movement, or horizontal movement in the case of the right elbow. The book accessory is a large book of Jewish mysticism. The book is a little larger than the one which comes with the Sideshow Toy Buffy The Vampire Slayer figure.

The Door is about 12.5" wide and 19.5" tall. It consists of a stone-texture base, and the door itself. The display assembles and disassembles very easily into 5 pieces: two for the stone base, two for the door, and one for the point on the very top of the door. The pieces only assemble one way. This is good as there were no instructions in the box. The door is detailed on both sides, but do not open.

The door is useful for displaying figures other than the Golem; it works as a backdrop for Frankenstein, or any gothic monster. The only drawback is the rose which is on the base (which could be easily hid if it distracted from the display).

Words and pictures by Jim McCaslin.