Captain Kangaroo Keeps Play-Doh in Pouch

Is it me or does it look like the Captain is getting kind of steamed here? I wouldn't mess with a former marine. On the left is Bernard Loomis, President of Kenner, most of the pictures I post of him seem to involve Lee Majors somehow...

The Save Frightenstein Contest

Yesterday Critical Mass releasing issued a statement over at Frightenstein.com saying that the show's broadcast rights are set to expire Dec 31 2009 and so far, no one has picked them up for 2010, meaning the show would go off the air completely.

Being a fan of this Canadian institution, I don't want to live in a Frightenstein-less 2010. Critical Mass is calling to fans to help by contacting any of the following stations and expressing how you want to see Frightenstein remain on the air:

Stations you can direct e-mails to are:

CHCH -TV (where it all started) feedback@chchnews.ca

Teletoon Retro info@teletoon.com

CBC ( go to their contact page to fill out and send located at) www.cbc.ca/contact/

CTV (Specialty stations Space, TV LAnd, MTV) programming@ctv.ca

Corus (YTV and the new owners of Drive In Classics ) info@ytv.com

I wrote emails to CHCH (because it was created there) and ctv to please keep the Count, Igor and Brucie on TV. I

f you're willing to help out, I'm holding a special contest. Every person who writes at least one email to one station about Frightenstein can send me an email and next Sunday I'll do a drawing, first prize winner gets a copy of the latest DVD "Hilarious House of Frightenstein: Bats, Bones and Creepy Poems starring Vincent Price".

Two other folks will recieve prize packs filled with PlaidStallions goodies. So please, please, please help me keep a classic series on the air! Thanks for reading!

--Brian

Spider-Man crashes the party

David Smith sent in these rocking shots from his birthday party circa '77 or '78ish.

David is wearing a very cool Spider-Man T Shirt BTW.

Here you see Spider-Man signing autographs, (back when celebrities signed everything for free) note the back of Dave's awesome shirt.

Spidey crouchs down for a shot with David's 85 year old Grandmother, he mentioned that whoever was in the suit had a great sense of humour, which totally fits.

David's folks pose with the weird wall crawler. These pictures are really cool and special, what a fantastic birthday this must have been. Thanks David!

Send me your mall appearance photos!

1974 HG Toys Puzzle Catalog

HG Toys was one of the bigger producers of licensed products in the 1970s and this great puzzle catalog from 1974 proves this. Almost every popular television show or character from that time is present, including Evel Knievel, Star Trek, the Marvel Superheroes, Planet of the Apes, Happy Days and much more.

Check out the 1974 HG Toys Puzzle Catalog

Also, if you haven't already check out the previously posted 1979 HG Toys Catalog for Godzilla, Alien, Superheroes, Barbapappas, Vegas, Love Boat and a lot more:

12 Superheroes Who Should Be On '70s Vans

Ever wonder what Superheroes would look best splashed on a "Shaggin' Wagon"? Well wonder no further cause Jesse sent me this funny piece from Maxim today that answers that nagging question once and for all.

Check out the 12 Superheroes Who Should be on '70s Vans

Here is my personal favourite:

Mike Grell's Warlord, I could so totally see this parked at Wal-Mart somewhere....

RC Super Heroes

Captain America never gets enough toy love IMO. These RC cars were an uncharacteristicly higher price point item from AHI and while the Spider-Man car was around for a couple of years, I can only find evidence of Cap being offered in 1980 thus far. I've never seen a boxed Captain America Car either.

Picture Socks

Dammit, even socks weren't safe. I'm not sure why you need an image of a couple enjoying a romantic "love walk" on your inner thigh but apparently somebody assumed the public was screaming for this.

The socks in #2 look like those funky skies in those late 60s Rocket Robin Hood/Spider-man cartoons, totally freaky.

Merchants of Space Death

The influence of Star Wars is incredibly obvious in any Christmas Catalog from 1978 to about 1982. Space Toys were pretty much in the minority prior to 1978, then all of a sudden cool, crazy stuff like these helmets and pistols started popping up. "Space Swords" were my favourite, awesome "nudge, nudge, don't sue us!" stuff like this is the best.

Dress Alikes With Soul

The perfect matching outfit if you plan on dancing by Don Cornelius anytime soon....

Star Bird Trading Card

Card #27 is Milton Bradley's Star Bird Avenger, this card wasn't decided by me or the factor of what I had as a kid, to be honest I was never aware of this toy back in '79. I held a contest at the Mego Museum Trading Card Forum (where you can trade PS cards) and this was the winner. From everyone I've talked to about this, Starbird was an awesome toy full of the electronic "bells and whistles" that the Kenner Star Wars vehicles weren't.

I'll be holding a contest for more cards this month, if you live in the Toronto area check out the Toronto Toy Show November 22nd as they'll be readily available there as well.

More Superheroes at Sea World

I got a nice email from Tony who works for the Florida memory department about the website he works on called Florida Memory which catalogs photos from the state of Florida. I have a lot of fond childhood memories of visiting Florida so I've accrued a few hours surfing through this incredible site. Here are a couple of low res samples but I encourage you to visit the site and explore for yourself. The Terrific Trio, I admit it, I have a Batgirl fetish.
This billboard gives me chills, although it does seem to have some scale issues.
Aquaman is tall!

Thanks Tony and for more awesome images like these, visit FloridaMemories.com

The 1975 Mattel Toys Show Room

Thanks to some tremendously thoughtful efforts from a good friend, I have a bit of toy history to unveil today. It's one of those things I've always wanted to see but never thought possible.

But these rare shots featuring both the massive Big Jim and Barbie displays for that year have finally been unearthed. While they look primitive compared to the paegentry thrown at current toy fairs, it's still a wonderful look at how some of our childhood friends are marketed.

Click Here to see the 1975 Mattel Toyfair Show Room

Another Morning on Bachelour Island

Someday these well dressed cast aways will be rescued but for now they'll drown their sorrows in another tall mug of Chicory...

Rubber Snakes, Alligators and Poopatroopers

It's amazing how much stuff like rubber snakes and alligators are part of childhood, we just seem drawn to these kinds of items when we're kids. Imperial Toys seemed to have a great handle on this and seeing as how they're still in business to this day, this stuff sells. I'm pretty sure I had an Alfie Alligator.
Poopatroopers, ten cents well spent...

I Just Go Beserk!

Billy Jack Wear for men, anti violence rants and hapkido lessons (for resulting violence) not included.

Break Up of the Brothers Superfine

With Julius getting transferred to Dallas, Barry searched desperately for a new wing man for his conquests. Maurice was eager enough but Barry soon found that his underlying creepiness kept people away like an open sewer.

Frankenstein Meets The Mummy!

At my house anyway, every year my neighbour puts on a display with Jason, Freddy and Leatherface, while cool it isn`t my idea of Halloween. So I decided to spend some time in the garage and make these two, both of them are about seven feet tall.

I modeled the mummy after the Lincoln International Action figure, even has the elongated fingers, I toned down the blood a bit though.

Reaction has been swell, parents love them although it is somewhat weird to have a kid point to Frankenstein and ask who it is.......

Happy Halloween People!

The Halloween Spirit

James sent me in this awesome shot of himself still wearing his Ben Cooper Superman costume well past October 31st as what can be evidenced by what is in the background.

I say, Bravo to you James. I find the sight of Halloween decorations being replaced by Santa on October 31st somewhat bothersome.

Halloween Costumes: 1980

I went for Halloween 1980 in that Ben Cooper Yoda set, as an adult I'd rather have those cool Remco Dracula and Frankenstein Make Up Sets.

Halloween Costumes: Best Selection in Town!

Love, love, love this ad from '79, all the faves are here, Mork, Remco KISS your face, Imagineering's "The Face" but the big standout on this piece would be the "Incredible Melting Man" makeup kit by Imagineering. Based on the movie of the same name (which is also a great episode of Mystery Science Theatre 3000) the melting man kit was short lived and now quite desirable to collectors.

More Halloween stuff all day!