Sea World Superheroes The Movie!

Oh my stars, I am happy man today thanks to the wonderful person who posted this video of his family's trip to Sea World in 1979. The resulting two minutes are both goofy and glorious as you get to see surreal images such as Aquaman and Mera gracefully waterskiing, Joker and Captain Cold performing magic tricks then getting away on a jet ski, a high dive into a pool of flames, more waterskiing and then Green Lantern's terrible run. I am a man fufilled today as the mystery is finally solved, bless you AVSEAL2012.

Check out our gallery and if you have anything to add, I'll be your friend for life.

Kenner Empire Strikes Back Toy Catalog

While it could be said that Kenner was caught with it's pants down when meeting demand for toys based on Star Wars in 1977, nobody would call them slouchs when it came to the sequel, the Emprie Strikes Back. They were more than prepared to meet the demand they created by offering mysterious new characters like "Boba Fett" and "Bossk". Seeing that I was 9 at the time this stuff came out, I can honestly remember the fever it caused.

Click on the images below to be transported again to the 1980 Kenner Star Wars offerings

1980 Kenner Empire Strikes Back Catalog

More Star Wars Toys

Cylon Swag

I thought I'd seen everything BSG related but I honestly have never seen that Calculator before. The radio is one of the more "on model" cylon pieces I've ever seen, a lot of this stuff just didn't really look right.

Man Mates Rise Again

It's been too long without an appearance by the JC Penney ManMates models, so with their fists clenched proudly, I bring you three confident men who truly know the words "coordinated"! May they someday rise again!

Christmas in the 1970's Book Update

We have new image up at the Christmas in the 1970's blog and it's a doozy, if you're a fan of '70s era toys. David had a Christmas that will likely make you a little jealous. If you have a story or a photo to share for our upcoming book Visit the Christmas in the 1970's Official Blog and tell us about it!

Never Tangle with the Brothers Superfine

They may be the smoothest ladies men on the planet but make no mistake gentlemen, you do not wish to make Julius angry.

Shameless Self Promotion Department

I will be on the Mancow Radio show tomorrow morning around 7 AM EST to chat about all things 70s and polyester. If you'd like to hear what I sound like early in the morning (and you're only human), this is your chance people.

http://www.mancow.com

Remco McDonaldland Characters

This 1976 Toy Trade ad for Remco's McDonaldland characters seems a little odd to me. While I was fond of the McDonald's commercials and had many birthdays at my local franchise, I clearly remember not understanding why there were action figures. Well made action figures at that.

However, some folks on the forums have told me these figures are very happy memories of these and honestly, that play set is pretty funky cool.

More McDonalds Toys:

Space:1999 Day!

Seeing as today is the ten year anniversary of the supposed date that the moon blew out of orbit in Gerry Anderson's 1975 television series "Space:1999" I thought it would be fun to look at some of the cool merchandise that came out during it's two year run.

Above is the trading card I made using the Mego/Palitoy Catalog, these figures were the thing that turned me into an ardent "toy collector" in 1985, so it goes without saying I'm fond of them.

Above is a page from the 1975 Mattel catalog, Mattel held the license in the US and while the dolls kind of suck, their Eagle playset they made more than makes up for it. It is so full of win, click the picture to explore the gallery.

This page from the 1976 Azrak Hamway catalog shows just some of the many items they made for 1999 including many rack toys and some higher brow electronic pieces like that hard to find commander Koenig walking doll.

Of all the rack toys made, my favourite had to be the water pistol version of this stun gun, I had one as a kid and it was the closest thing to an actual prop you'd own in 1976. Space:1999 AHI Rack Toys Gallery.

Amsco made this killer cardboard Moonbase Alpha, someday.....

Got a Space:1999 collection? I want to put it on the site! Drop me a line with your cool collections!

Space:1999 Pajamas because even Alphans need their sleep.

Toyfair:1976 A representative from Saalfields shows off their latest offering, based on the new sicence fiction series "Space:1999" to the buyer from Bradlees. I need to review that for colouring book theatre....

Superheroes on Stage!

David T sent in this interesting shot from "Bugs Bunny Meets the Superheroes", the terrific trio of Batman, Robin and Wonder Woman stand tall while the Looney Tunes characters frollick, it must have been some kind of show....

Thanks David, you rock!

Visit the Mall Appearance Gallery, if you have a contribution, drop us a line!

G.I. Joe Action Team Catalog

G.I. Joe in Europe experienced a massive change in 1975, when the ladies came over! That's right, German adventurers Hard Rock, Tom Stom and John Steel were now joined by Super Peggy and Super Sandy. There was no kitchen playset in the action team, these women were full fledged adventurers!

Other surprises this year included a series of Western outfits and a soldiers of the world series both of which didn't see release in the United States.

Check out the 1975 Action Team Catalog here

Other G.I. Joe Related Links

Scenes from Toyfair 1976

If there is a toy company that I would like to have a catalog from, it'd be Shindana, they made some neat-o toys in the mid seventies and their president had the world's greatest sideburns.

A shot of the 1976 Azrak Hamway booth shows the two different sizes of Mr. Spock Bop Bags. It's funny to read an article where the person has no idea what Star Trek is...

Bee Gees Fever ---Catch It!

I remember the Bee Gees were popular but wow, I don't remember this much (or frankly any) merchandise out there as a kid. Then again, I doubt I ventured from the Star Wars aisle at all past 1978.

The Perfect Outfits

Just the thing to attend this year's cookie jar collecting symposium together, hopefully you'll have time to catch the doll house show at the airport.

Six Million Dollar Man Models

I have a fond memory of these kits, there was a "Bionic Bust-Out" in my local variety store from the day they came out up until I graduated high school. I always planned on buying it but never did, I still sometimes go there to see if it's accidently buried on a shelf....



Here's Lee Majors at the FunDimensions Toy Fair booth in 1976, I can't believe how many pictures I have of Lee Majors doing this sort of thing....

Cool Collections: Ray Miller

It's been a while since I had a cool collection to feature and along comes this excellent collection of Aurora Prehistoric Scenes models from Ray Miller.

Ray's staggering collection doesn't just include regular items, there are true pieces of toy history in there including the original hard resin copy of the prehistoric bird kit and some concept art. Click on the image for a larger view or head on over to flickr to see more of Ray's collection.

Previous Cool Collection Features

Got a Cool Collection of 70s related items? Drop me a line, I'd love to feature it, especially Monster stuff this October.

Darth Vader Wants You!

JD sent in this classic shot from Lord Vaders visit to the Parmatown Mall in July of 1980, at the time Vader was looking to open an Ohio branch of the Empire.

Thanks JD!

Send us your Mall Appearance photos!

1980 Aladin Lunchbox Catalog

Few things say "Back to School" more than a shiny new lunch box, especially one from Aladin who made really striking items over the decades.

This catalog is the best of what the fall of 1980 had to offer, classic monsters, oodles of Superheroes, Good Robots, Bad Robots, Muppets and Men from the 25th Century!

Click the Thumbnails to visit or click here to see the 1980 Aladin Lunch Box Catalog.

The Fonz Pinball

This little bit of "Fonzie Mania" made a lot of sense, considering the show was set in the 1950s. It's amazing how much Fonz merchandise there really was, I still have my pillow case.

It's all about the hat

They should have named this ensemble the "credibility burglar".

Playing House with Doctor Zaius

I love this toy, the two times I've run into it on the collector market have been unhappy doses of realitiy for me as I'll never in my life have a place big enough to keep this set up.