Toy-Ventures: Halloween Costume Countdown

Toy-Ventures this week is a look at five classic Halloween costumes from my collection, some are weird, none are scary but they're all infused in some magical 1970s pop culture goodness. 

Happy Halloween from PlaidStallions, check out every episode of Toy_Ventures here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0Y8qhZtGdGEoqxu544ENnkiWa0w_NBNQ

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The Shadow Halloween Poncho

I'm giving the reigns to my pal Matt today, for years, Matt has stepped in during the month of October and given us a peek at some of the more amazing things in this collection, so i leave you in gifted hands-Brain

This is a continuation of the previous post I had done in which I showed the multiple variations of Halloween costumes released by Collegeville for The Shadow!

This version I have here may be my favorite of the lot. It is the Shadow poncho costume.

Here is a shot of him in the box. Although the box does not mention that it is a poncho on the outside, it does say "one size fits all" which is consistent. It also mentions that it has "reflective spots". I wonder if they are still included in the box?

As I open up the box, it becomes clear that this costume has never been removed. It is still sealed inside the bag.

The mask is still the same children's mask, intended for a smaller head, in which the red scarf is molded into the actual sculpture of the mask-- this is in contrast to the adult size masks in which the scarf was a separate piece of either rayon or vinyl.

I have carefully unfolded the poncho here so you can see the marvelous artwork. This red, black, and gold coloring is just so striking, and perfect for this character.

Look at the fury in that angry shadow face.

The artwork for this poncho is obviously taken from the famous coloring book, and was featured on multiple items of the Shadow in the 1970s, including the bagatelle game, and the box art for some of the smaller vehicles.

Poncho costumes were a good option for kids who unfortunately had to experience the letdown of a rainy Halloween night.

Oh, and look! The reflective circular stickers are still here.

Happy Halloween. Expect some more Shadow Merchandise in this blog soon 😊

More Shadow Fun! (Also by Matt)

1986 Collegeville Halloween Costume Catalog

Collegeville was one of the leading Halloween costume manufacturers of the late twentieth century. 

 This extensive 1968 catalog really demonstrates the powerhouse licenses they were rocking in the 60s, including Labyrinth, The Transformers and the Go-Bots, WWF Wrasslers, Wuzzles, Rainbow Bright and the Peanuts, it's a good group and some solid 1980s nostalgia.

1986 Collegeville Halloween Costume Catalog

Scratch and Sniff Costumes

AKA the most 1980s thing ever! These are weird and probably wrong but I'm grateful they didn't release a "Clown" or "Hobo" version.

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Get the expanded digital edition of Rack Toys here.

Vintage Halloween Pics Round up

At the beginning of October I put out the call for your vintage Halloween costume photos and brother, did you respond with your wood paneled goodness like this photo from Jason above.

To be honest, putting them all together became a daunting task, however, that's a good problem to have. An incredible vintage costume explosion awaits after the jump.

Collegeville's TV assortment

I love this assortment from 1969, the majority of these characters would end up on costumes for decades. Promotion for these was done on TV spots but not in the usual manner but through participation with the myriad of local kid's shows that peppered the landscape at the time. 

Here are a couple of photos:

We need to bring back cartoon show hosts...

Collegeville Mask-o-rama

I honestly don't ever remember seeing a display like this as a kid and I'd like to think I'd remember it. 

Seeking Vintage Halloween Photos!

Ah, It's my favourite time of year again and like always I'd like to put out the call for your vintage Halloween photos, show me me your store bought and home made costumes from the times of orange and brown.

Send them on in to Kid70s*at*gmail.com (replace the at with an @ of course) or load them to our facebook wall! I'll feature them on the blog this October!

Monster Squad Dracula Costumes

No better time than Halloween than to discuss costumes and my love of the 1976 Monster Squad Television series.

Collegeville had the license to the series and while they didn't make a Frank Costume, they sure went to town with Dracula.

Below are all the variations I've found thus far of his store bought costumes. Above is the standard kid version and the one most commonly found.

It's refreshing to see a suit like this and not just a picture of the character.



This is an "Adult" cape and mask set. It's a bit threadbare but I guess if in a pinch, an adult would wear this.





And this is my latest find, the Monster Squad Poncho and mask combo. Collegeville sold this right up until 1979, two years after the show left the air waves.

Want more Monster Squad goodies, check out our gallery. If you have something I don't, PLEASE contact me!

Sid & Marty Krofft Halloween Costumes Gallery

One of the biggest influences of my childhood were the Saturday morning programs created by the famed Canadian brothers Sid and Marty Krofft. I don't think I was alone judging by the amazing variety of Halloween costumes available almost every year of my childhood.


Thanks to my pal Dave McKroffterson for sharing his

amazing and often times obscure collection of

Sid and Marty Krofft costumes and prototypes for 


this amazing gallery.

From Electra Woman to Dr Shrinker and more 

Witchie Poo than you can shake a stick at it's all in

the Sid and Marty Krofft Halloween Costume Gallery!

   

Costume Spotlight: Goldar from Space Giants

There is nothing I love more than Halloween Costumes based on obscure properties and brother does this fit the bill. Space Giants was a 60's Japanese TV series that ran in syndication until the late 70s. This outfit was actually produced towards in the tail end most likely due to a renewed interest in science fiction due to Star Wars.

This is the first costume I've seen where the character has to explain who he is.

If you have the costume for the series villain Rodak please contact me as I know a very interested party.

Headquarters for Collegeville Costumes

One of the prize pieces from my pal Matt's collection is this awesome vintage vacuform sign and I totally understand why. What a trigger of happy memories this thing is, having this over your desk can only bring happy memories.

Atari Halloween

For some reason I didn't add this page to the 1983 Collegeville Catalog when i did it and it only took me 7 years to figure that out. I can't imagine the conversations when the designers were told tha they had to develop a costume for Asteroids but in the end, I can't say I could do better...

BTW i was true blood atari fan, I got in fist fights with Intellivision kids, I still hate George Plimpton...

Pod Stallions 22: Store Bought Costumes

As the title suggests, episode 22 delves into the wonderful world of Halloween costumes but none of that "Home made with your mom's love" kinda junk, this talks about the good old "smock and mask" stuff you got at places like Woolco or Kresge's.

In what is probably our most visual episode, Jason and Brian go through the many catalogs on Plaidstallions from companies such as Collegeville, Ben Cooper and Kusan.

From deep discussions about Grizzly Adams, The Village People, Hee-Haw, Tattoo from Fantasy Island and of course, Flash Gordon. This one doesn't leave many 70s stones unturned. Look for cameos by your favourite Star Wars characters Yada, Darth Vadar and Baba Fett.

Download the Show Here

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Show Links:

• 1974 Collegeville Catalog
• 1978 Collegeville Catalog
• 1979 Collegeville Catalog
• 1983 Collegeville Catalog
• 1980 Ben Cooper Catalog
• The Ad for Village People Costumes
• Denys Fisher Cyborg toys based on Henshin Cyborg.

Plenty more content on the PodStallions Facebook page!

We'll be adding Halloween Costume photos to Facebook.



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Hairy, Scary Monsters from Collegeville

1982 saw the Universal monsters depart Ben Cooper and move over to Collegeville for a glorious rebranding. The monster were all given weaves, gorgeous new packaging and Collegeville even added the Metaluna Mutant to the mix.

This Friday's Pod Stallions is all about Store Bought Costumes of yore, hope you'll check it out.

For more on the Collegeville Universal Monsters, check out the 1983 Collegeville Catalog here.

1974 Kusan Halloween Catalog

Kusan may not be as well known as Ben Cooper or Collegeville for Halloween  and they certainly didn't get the "A" licenses but they sure knew how to create some innovative and highly creative costumes.

From ideas like combining a kazoo into a Halloween mask to

Licensing teen heartthrobs like David Cassidy,  this is not just a fun trip but it's also one of the prettiest and well designed toy catalogs I've ever seen.

Check out the 1974 Kusan Halloween Costume here.


More Costume Goodies