When I rule the world and according to my schedule that will be soon, Gold Lamme sashes will not be a choice, they will be mandatory! You'll all be happier, trust me, I know what I'm doing.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Frankenstein: 1979
Adam submitted ANOTHER great shot of him at Universal Studios circa 1979. Thank you Adam! I don't get enough Universal Monsters appearances here and being a huge Frankenstein fan this one brings me joy.
Friday, March 28, 2014
PodStallions #15: Rod Serling
This month's show is a celebration of Television icon Rod Serling and is exploration of his career and legacy. Even though he passed away in the mid 1970s, he had an impact on pop culture that is still strongly felt today.
Episode 15 talks about his life, the Twilight Zone and his career after that including Planet of the Apes, the Zero Hour, Night Gallery, Phantom of the Paradise and something called Fantasy Park.
Episode 15 talks about his life, the Twilight Zone and his career after that including Planet of the Apes, the Zero Hour, Night Gallery, Phantom of the Paradise and something called Fantasy Park.
Show Links:
- This website has a demo reel for Fantasy park, the simulated rock concert series hosted by Serling.
- The Gold Key Twilight Zone comics Brian discussed ran for 17 years!
- Rod Serling's intro to Phantom of the Paradise is haunting and effective.
- Jason's company Bif Bang Pow! has created an amazing array of Twilight Zone merchandise.
- Serling's contribution to the Planet of the Apes script is possibly one of the most memorable scenes in SF cinema.
- Paul Williams is doing quite well these days.
- When syndicated, episodes of Night Gallery were mingled with this unrelated series starring Gary Collins to increase the offering to 100 episodes.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Cryotron
Click for a larger view.
Cryotron is a spacey action figure case offered by Sears Canada in their epic 1980 catalog. I'm not sure who made it and I never had one but I remember it mostly because I stared at the page it was on for a LONG time as a kid.
It's one of those oddball items snuck onto catalog pages that is meant to catch the heat of Star Wars without ever passing Lucas's desk, I love stuff like it.
I was surprised to find out it's fairly hard to get but doesn't command a terribly high price either, funny how that works sometimes.
After literally 30 years of toy shows, I saw my first one this past December with a child's name scrawled across it in magic marker. I'm surprised I didn't go home with it.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Tarzan in the Valley of the Dinosaurs
Given my unhealthy obsession for all things Tarzan combined with my love of Rack Toys, it should be of no surprise to anyone that I flipped out when I saw this.
It's so great I'll forgive the fact that Tarzan is clearly a giant!
It's so great I'll forgive the fact that Tarzan is clearly a giant!
Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings is a limited edition 144 page book from the creator of Plaid Stallions. Order from us and get three free promotional post cards.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Friday, March 21, 2014
The Six Greatest Bionic Man Knock Off Toys
I gave up writing a weekly list for Topless Robot, in order to finish writing Rack Toys. I will admit to missing it from time to time, so I’m going to keep fresh by churning out the odd one for PlaidStallions.
The Kenner Six Million Dollar Man toy line is one of the most memorable and successful toy lines of the 1970s.
With the bright light of big sales, you attract a few bugs. A lot of competitors come and try to "cut your grass" as a former boss of mine would say, as the list goes on we'll see it gets more and more blatant.
6: PULSAR (MATTEL)
When faced with the overwhelming popularity of Steve Austin, Mattel decided not to play in the Cyborg sandbox at all but went sideways and made an all organic superhero.
That's pretty clever, combating steak with a vegan alternative, as a bonus, Pulsar was super gross to look at which is a bonus for young boys.
Mattel sold the character for two years and didn't pay anybody a dime in licensing.
More Top Ten Fun
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Not the Han Solo I remember
I recently got a Denys Fisher catalog from the UK, they seemed to only carry the 12" Star Wars line and I couldn't help but notice something was different about Han.
''Gaaah! It's Topher Grace! Run!
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Sonic Woman
I am pleased to reveal the latest update to our Tomland galleries, the copyright infringing superheroine herself, the Sonic Woman!
Tomland was more well known for their Star Raiders and Famous of Monsters of Legend action figures, which both demonstrate how little they thought of paying for licenses.
I've known about these particular figures for a few years but never knew their actual names, below are a set of loose "Sonic People" featured here earlier. They were also shown in Rack Toys. It wasn't until a kind soul contacted me about this figure did I finally have a clue.
The arrival of the carded Sonic Woman clears the name mystery, thanks internet!
As obvious as this "fully jointed woman from the future" is she's not the most blatant Bionic knockoff by a mile, that will be revealed in a new list this Friday. Please check it out.
Also, please check Ebay as I'm selling a loose Sonic Woman right now. This is the only loose one I've ever seen, so if you're into this like I am, this is your chance.
I'm always buying Tomland Monsters, click here to email me.
More Tomland Galleries:
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Isis knows what time it is
Another item in my mad obsession with Filmation's "Tarzan and the Super 7" merchandise, which 99% rack toy based.
I've had this boy's watch for a while but this is my first girl's version. This picture from the catalog suggests I've got more to track down. Come on Super Stretch!
I've had this boy's watch for a while but this is my first girl's version. This picture from the catalog suggests I've got more to track down. Come on Super Stretch!
Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings is a limited edition 144 page book from the creator of Plaid Stallions and it's full of stuff just like this. Order from us and get three free promotional post cards.
Monday, March 17, 2014
A Green Celebration
Alternative title "Kiss me I'm 25% Irish". I thought with it being St Patrick's Day, we'd look back at some of the greenest outfits of the 1970s. Yep, it's a clip show and I'm most likely hung over already, so let me catch a nap and you check out more after the jump:
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Ultra Seven crashes into a toy store
Oh my goodness, where to begin? One, this is not only a mall appearance of one of my favourite characters but it's in a 70s toy store setting.
On top of that it's in a 70s JAPANESE toy store. Adding to this frenzy is one of my holy grails just sitting on a shelf, the Popy Godzilla.
Come to Brian, you look so lonely....
I need to go lie down.
On top of that it's in a 70s JAPANESE toy store. Adding to this frenzy is one of my holy grails just sitting on a shelf, the Popy Godzilla.
I need to go lie down.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Star. Team Day
I found this great promotional piece for Ideal's Star Team relaunch in the 1970s, I really haven't written much about these in years so I think they deserve some fanfare.
While Kenner was running around selling empty boxes and promises to kids for Christmas, Ideal resurrected an old brand used to market roll play space toys in the late 60s, dusted off some old molds and viola, they rushed some space toys to market.
They even released their own promotional marvel comic as mentioned above, I've scanned the book if you'd like to see it here.
The prototype Star Team cast.
Of course, the famous story is Lucasfilm sued Ideal but lost because all of the Star Team stuff was made prior to Star Wars. The Zeroids was a toy line from the late 1960s, Knight of Darkness utilized a Captain Action body and other parts, it's a rich tapestry.
While Ideal won, Star Team had a brief two year run before Kenner unleashed so much Star Wars goodness on us, our kids were born knowing who Chewbacca was....
Thursday, March 13, 2014
More Comic 3 Packs
I can't believe it's been over a year since I last raved about my mild obsession with Whitman comic poly bagged 3 packs of my youth. I guess that's because I haven't across many deals and actually let some awesome ones slip through my fingers.
Above is Shogun Warriors, while I never had any of the toys, I was really into this comic as a kid. Between this book, Star Wars, Godzilla or Micronauts usually got my pocket money.
That is, unless Hellcat or Batgirl was on the cover of something, then I felt oddly compelled to buy that book.
This three pack of Gold Key Star Trek reprints is another personal best for me, while it has been opened, that just means I can enjoy the off model adventures of the Enterprise crew.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Bright future in sales
Either one of these gentlemen can easily explain why a quadraphonic sound system is right for you.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Super Scissors
Another one of those products where, once you detach them from the card, they have no real connection to the characters after.
I do love the Batman card though, it looks like Robin is fed up with Batman's need to run with them.
I do love the Batman card though, it looks like Robin is fed up with Batman's need to run with them.
Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings is a limited edition 144 page book from the creator of Plaid Stallions and it's full of stuff just like this. Order from us and get three free promotional post cards.
Monday, March 10, 2014
The Horrors of Mesh
The brief fad of dad's wearing this monstrosity around the house has kept the therapy business alive since 1977.
Friday, March 07, 2014
Carnival Toys 1979
Carnival was the premier maker of toy musical instruments in the late 1970s. Their main focus was toy guitars and licensing, making sure they slapped the hottest acs of the time on their guitars (even when they primarily known for disco tunes).
So join KISS, the Village People, Hulk and Spider-man (!), the Bee Gees, Shaun Cassidy on a mystical, musical adventure.
1979 Carnival Toys Catalog
Thursday, March 06, 2014
Swimming Senses Tingling!
Spidey used to be cool before he sold out man.
Rarely discussed here but Rack Toy manufacturer AHI had a second life as a manufacturer of pool related novelties, one of these days I'll pull up one of the catalogs.
Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings is a limited edition 144 page book from the creator of Plaid Stallions and it's full of stuff just like this. Order from us and get three free promotional post cards.
Rarely discussed here but Rack Toy manufacturer AHI had a second life as a manufacturer of pool related novelties, one of these days I'll pull up one of the catalogs.
Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings is a limited edition 144 page book from the creator of Plaid Stallions and it's full of stuff just like this. Order from us and get three free promotional post cards.