Toy Ventures 19: Space Sword & Space Shield

Ok let me address the fact that for some reason I keep saying "Star Sword" despite what's on the label but please don't let that mar my celebration of two of my favourite childhood toys, Space Sword and Space Shield! These glow in the dark Star Wars inspired toys were the source of hours and hours of backyard play for me in the late 1970s and I actually like them better than officially licensed toys. So join me on another Toy-Venture in a galaxy far, far away. If you like this video please subscribe for more goodness ever week!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwYta3nz_7FAzPvP8FPSgpg

Movember Batman

Just When I thought the very talented Tim Baron (Any child of the 1970s/80s will want to check out his creations here) could surprise me no further, he pulls out the funniest Mall Appearance photo I've seen in years.

 Seriously, whose older brother is playing Batman here? 

Also,  I know it's a pen but I wouldn't bat an eye if it was a Virginia slim in his hand, it totally would fit. 

 This is the kind of thing I'm looking for in my next book "Mall of Justice". 

 How you can get involved: I'm looking for your photos and your recollections! 

Even if you've submitted them to the site before, I would likely need higher resolution and I'd want to talk to you. 

 What am i looking for: Appearances of costumed characters during the 1970s and 80s, be they from comic books (Batman, the Hulk) , cartoons (, toy lines (Masters of the Universe, GI Joe) or movies (Planet of the Apes, Star Wars) , a date and place and a description of how you felt meeting these iconic characters. Did you think they were real? Does it have to specifically be in a mall: HECK NO! Car shows, county fairs, grocery stores, heck I'd even accept birthday party shots. It's all fair game.

 Learn more here: http://plaidstallions.blogspot.ca/2016/04/new-book-project-mall-of-justice.html 

 Or simply send me an email at Kid70s*at*gmail.com (replace the at with an @, i just don't want tons of spam from publishing my email(

PlaidStallions Turns 13!

Today, 13 years ago, I had just put my (then tiny) daughter down for a nap and with the rest of the family out,  I was that dangerous combination of bored and lonely. 

So, I decided to start a blog that I had been planning for months. Not that I had a plan, it was basically me scanning my collection of old wishbooks and adding some humour. It was crude and I didn't know if anybody would care, also I told nobody.

It changed my life. 

Since that time, I've produced toys, found employment writing about the 70s, gone back to school to make this site better, thrown myself out of my comfort zone with podcasting and Youtube, written a book and made many close friends. 

I never intended to keep it going this long, five years was my original plan but I just never wanted to stop.

Through the years, I've lost family, jobs, friends and even my house for a brief time but one thing I looked forward to doing each day was this, it's been a rock to me, a true comfort.

I sincerely love and appreciate the feedback I get here, it brings me joy to read your comments, your captions (always better than mine) and your memories. Thank you for making this one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

I am very grateful.

Brian

PS-It's especially fitting I write this just before I drop off that same daughter at an all-night laser tag party. 

5 Awesome things on eBay this week

Mobile Action Command Rescue Van- I loved Matchbox's MAC as a kid and so did a lot of you judging from the "what were those toys called?" emails I get about these. I never had anything as deluxe as this rescue van but you really got a cool toy for under three bucks.

Conan the Barbarian Neck Tie from the 1970s- According to the auction this is a very rare test market piece, The Superhero neckties were featured in the Mighty Marvel Mail Order catalog but I wonder if "Conan" and "Neck Tie" are a fit?

Dungeon Master PVC Figure from the "Dungeons and Dragons" Cartoon- I remember liking this Saturday morning show a whole bunch and being confused that there was no accompanying toyline. I mean some of the characters in the toyline got cameos but yeah....Well, lucky kids in Spain got inaction figures of the cast and they're pricey now.

Spider-Man Appearance Poster from 1977- If I didn't already have one of these hanging on the wall behind me, this would be mine. Seriously, Mall Appearance stuff is just magical to me.

Model Kit of the Spaceship from Quark-  As a kid, I loved Quark but it was cancelled pretty darn quickly so there is no merchandise to speak of. This fan-made replica of the garbage truck the crew manned would dignify my office.

Pod Stallions 70: Anthology Shows

We're back with an all-new episode, we had some technical issues but we powered through and hopefully, you will too because we left them all in!

The topic is anthology shows but mainly ones in the science fiction and horror theme, we begin with some of the more familiar shows like "Twilight Zone" and "Outer Limits", a short stop into "Fantasy Island" (because....Brian) and get into the obscure and short-lived programs such as "Dark Room" or "Perversions of Science". 

We seriously cover a lot of ground with this one including memorable episodes, remakes and reboots and of course, merchandise.

The conversation rounds out with the renaissance the format is having currently with "Black Mirror" and the Rebooted "Twilight Zone" and we end in the only logical place, a discussion of Billy Crystals characters on "Saturday Night Live". 

We hope you enjoy.

Please  give us spirited debate in our new Facebook group.

  Download the Show Here

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PlaidStallions on the Creative Shift PodCast

Just in time for the site's 13th anniversary, I was honoured to be a guest on Dan Blank's Creative Shift Podcast recently, totally out of my comfort zone but also a really fun experience.

We talk about the history of the site, toy collecting, writing "Rack Toys" and blogging, it was a really enjoyable conversation.

I hope you'll give it a listen.

http://wegrowmedia.com/a-love-letter-to-the-1970s-my-interview-with-author-brian-heiler/?fbclid=IwAR0sKFStQL7YEunrI_mmMUQsHXFcZN_Lru-cGv4N69YtyTGl2G_JNgEjQRQ

Toy-Ventures 18: Parachuting Planet of the Apes

This week, we talk about one of my favorite subjects, cheap rack toys but even better, they're  planet of the apes rack toys. 

 We get into the history of licensed parachute toys, which are some of the most fun but also bizarre toys we could buy for under a buck. So we talk about RipCord, Star Trek, Batman, Space:1999, Sgt. Rock and the Mighty Crusaders as well. It's the most fun you ever had before you lost it in a tree.

 Please subscribe to our channel on YouTube, so you can get a weekly Toy-Venture: https://www.youtube.com/user/palitoy/featured

Two Tones with a BIG WIDE STRIPE!

Two tones and a wide stripe? You fools are tampering in God's domain! No good will come of this!

New Six Million Dollar Man Shirt in our Redbubble store!

Don't forget to join our new facebook group.

Get the expanded digital edition of Rack Toys here.

Systems Control Headquarters

I cannot get over the charm of generic playsets like this, lots of computer buttons to press, laboratory work to be done and of course, a lookout. This would have had my imagination going for hours.

New Six Million Dollar Man Shirt in our Redbubble store!

Don't forget to join our new facebook group.

Get the expanded digital edition of Rack Toys here.

Toy-Ventures 17: Mr. Rock from Lincoln International

The subject of this weeks Toy-Ventures is one of the most notorious and hilarious knock-off action figures from the 20th century, Mr. Rock the outer space adventurer from Lincoln International.

With his flare gun and pink transistor radio, Mr. Rock is set for his intergalactic mission of confusing parents and disappointing children across the galaxy. 

Please subscribe to our channel on YouTube so you can get a weekly Toy-Venture:
https://www.youtube.com/user/palitoy/featured



  New Six Million Dollar Man Shirt in our Redbubble store!

Don't forget to join our new facebook group.

Get the expanded digital edition of Rack Toys here.

Space Wars figures

With all the mishbegosh about Star Wars, I'd thought I'd end the week with these Space characters from the 1978 Vanity Fair catalog. I sure hope these got made because I love them.





  New Six Million Dollar Man Shirt in our Redbubble store!

Don't forget to join our new facebook group.

Get the expanded digital edition of Rack Toys here.

Maximillian Soap Figure

My buddy Dave sent me his latest mad pickup, a Maximillian from the black hole soap figure. It's something I didn't know about and I super want it, let's explore it after the jump!

Embroidered Elegance

I imagine that woman is gently whispering "Sir, could you please leave?"

New Six Million Dollar Man Shirt in our Redbubble store!

Don't forget to join our new facebook group.

Get the expanded digital edition of Rack Toys here.

Toy-Ventures 16: Metal Man by Zee Toys

The subject of this weeks Toy-Ventures is one of the coolest and most underrated action figure lines of the 1970s, the "Metal Man" series by Zee Toys (AKA Zylmex). 

The Metal Man line had no TV advertising, no print campaign but thanks to its excellent design and timing (arriving at the same time as the Micronauts and Star Wars) it ran well into the 1980s and never added a single figure. We discuss the line's charms and it's ongoing popularity with collectors and look at my meager collection. 

If you're so inclined, we've included an eBay link so you can window shop: https://tinyurl.com/y6b8wc2a 

Please subscribe to our channel on YouTube, so you can get a weekly Toy-Venture: https://www.youtube.com/user/palitoy/featured

Mr. Mentor's Autograph

After watching the Shazam! movie last night (It's a lot of fun), I was reminded of how obsessed I was with the Filmation series as a kid/adult. 

One of my favourite pieces I've found is this Mr. Mentor promotional "autograph" from the series. Seeing as Les is no longer with us, it's the best I'll ever get.

New Six Million Dollar Man Shirt in our Redbubble store!

Don't forget to join our new facebook group.

Get the expanded digital edition of Rack Toys here.

Black Hole: The Palomino

This is one of my greatest "wish this toy was made" events of my childhood. You see, I was the kid that preferred "The Black Hole" to Star Wars, call it hipsterism if you will but I was in that minority.

Don't get me wrong, I loved Star Wars but I didn't stop caring about the Black Hole after Empire Strikes Back, I caught the movie two more times (once in my grade school gym) and followed the adventures of the crew in the "Beyond the Black Hole" comic. 

I also completely expected a sequel.

When I first saw this Palomino ship in a Mego Catalog in my teens, i remember thinking "AW COME ON!". I would have played with this for the entirety of 1980....

Parachuting Martin Landau

I'd like to pretend that the fact that I have these toys on season one cards is enough for me but honestly, I want these season 2 versions pretty badly. Oh Martin Landau, you have cast a spell on me...

New Six Million Dollar Man Shirt in our Redbubble store!

Don't forget to join our new facebook group.

Get the expanded digital edition of Rack Toys here.

Toy-Ventures 15: Astro Apes

This week's toy-ventures is all about Planet of the Apes, well not officially licensed mind you, nope we're talking about the weird knock offs called the Astro Apes. Astro Apes are cheap, blatant and totally charming rip-offs of our favourite Ape characters. So come meet Artemus, Myra and Dr. Zorma! Collection pics courtesy of William, really grateful for his help.