Pod Stallions 80: British Annuals

It's just Jason and Brian this time around and our topic this week was inspired by some posts in our Facebook group.

British Annuals are hardback books that go back to the 1940s and over the decades they have made a staggering amount of different licenses and properties.

We start by talking about Doctor Who (a lot of people's introduction to the annual) but discuss Holmes and Yo-Yo, V, The Avengers, Adam Adamant,  Kenny Everett, The Beano, Thunderbirds, Look-In, Abba, Space:1999, UFO, Kung Fu, Star Trek, Tomorrow People, Gold Key Comics, Brian's childhood fears about England and finish off just talking about Buck Rogers for no good reason.

As a side bonus, we will be sharing our collection of UK annuals in our facebook group, join us!

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We're publishing a Toy-Ventures Magazine this Summer, here's a link on how to be kept in the loop: https://plaidstallions.com/reboot/magazine/ 

Like Mego Knock-Offs? Join our Facebook group dedicated today, it's an intimate group that focuses just on vintage toys: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Megoknockoff/

Pod Stallions 79: Dalek Grab Bag

For this week's episode, we're joined by our special guest actor/writer/comedian Matt Weinhold (@mattweinhold) who is also 1/4 of the awesome Monster Party Podcast.

We titled this episode "Dalek Grab Bag" because we set out to talk about the Peter Cushing Dalek movies of the mid-1960s (and that is the running theme) but we're all over the map talking about obscure UK SF shows we like,  Doug McClure, one-man plays, tripods, Dalek merchandise, triffids, 16mm prints, Tom Baker and dream casting a new Doctor Who movie.

 We still think it's a fun, solid two hours but just wanted to be honest about the title. Also, some NSFW language.

Pod Stallions FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2226244254053126/

Please  give us spirited debate in our new Facebook group.

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5 Awesome Things on eBay this week

Colin Baker Doctor Who Potato Chip Bags I've never heard of this promotion before, a series of Potato chips (or crisps) promoting the sixth Doctor's adventures. Who doesn't want a used Cheesy Corn Puff bag with Colin Baker on it? 

Bootleg Mexican Mego Thor- I used to collect this stuff and honestly remember getting really pissed off at losing one of these. I think that's when I realized I was pursuing madness because I stopped after that. Yeah, they're terrible and crudely made but there is some sort of charm there that once had me...

Remco Creature and Phantom Makeup- I know it's just a box of makeup but that's the box art from the 9" Remco monsters and that's well...dreamy...

Captain Action Knock Off Figure- I love these knock off Superheroes wearing discarded clothes from Mego or Captain Action or in this case a fashion doll's leotard.

Planet of the Apes Sleeping Bag-  I'm a sucker for stuff like this but I don't know how to display them and I rarely get invited to slumber parties anymore.

Pod Stallions Mini: Terrance Dicks

The passing of legendary Doctor Who writer Terrance Dicks could not go unnoticed by us, not only did he create many, many of the surrounds that embody the show that we love but he also was the freaking ambassador of the series through the multitude of novelizations he wrote.

11 year old Jason and Brian were forever changed in their nerdy little hearts by the writings of this man and it would IMPOSSIBLE for us not to give him a proper salute. We love you Terrance and I hope this shows.


Please Enjoy and we have a new PodStallions Facebook group, please join us.

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5 Awesome things on Ebay this week

Steve Austin's Belt Buckle- Ok so it's not the exact one but it's the same one the Six Million Dollar man wore. Anything that gets me closer to looking like Lee Majors is a good thing, also I imagine he smells really good.

70s Star Wars rip off parachute guy from Spain- This hits an incredible amount of buttons for me, if it's already sold it's because I caved and bought this.

Captain America Movie Viewer Catridge- How weird is it that Cap was marketed under the Walt Disney Brand 40 years before that happened? Also, I just know this is clips of those weirdly animated Krantz cartoons, so i want it more.

Berwick Dalek Playsuit from 1965- Even though this came out many years before I did, I love Doctor Who and the Daleks. Also, I find the wonderful simplicity of this toy very appealing.

Ideal J,J Armes Mobile Investigation Unit- I remember seeing this commercial as a kid and wanting it for that entire Saturday and then moving onto something else I guess, childhood is funny like that. 

While Armes himself is a real PI with different mechanical hands, he never had a cool ride like this, I totally checked.

Pod Stallions 63: Convention Stories

The last PodStallions we did was so much fun, we rushed back to do another, look at us being proactive! This week’s show is all about conventions and toy shows.

We explore our humble first conventions (which were mind blowing to us then) and eventually get all the way to modern tales of San Diego comic con.

Along the way we talk about celebrity encounters, being a dealer, terrible conventions, John Colicos, Colin Baker, Jon Pertwee, spending all our money, getting drunk and renting adult videos? How did we even? Nevermind.

Please join us on the Pod Stallions Facebook page and let us know what you think!

  give us spirited debate on our facebook wall.

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Pod Stallions 57: Amicus Films

It's our October double shot!

Episode 57 is all about the films by England's other horror studio (even though it was run by two Americans) Amicus!

We get into every film they make touching on their classic horror anthologies, Doctor Who movies and their amazing adventures with Doug McClure. We even discuss later films such as "The Monster Club"

Have a Happy Halloween and tell us your favourite Amicus production on our facebook wall.

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Pod Stallions 54: Movies of 1982

For our 54th show, we start with a brief (well for us) discussion about our thoughts on the newest actor to take the mantle of Doctor Who. 

Then we dig deep into the movies released the summer of 1982. Some call it the greatest summer for movies and hey, a lot of these movies went from flops to being revered, so it's worth discussing.

Topics include spirited debate on Blade Runner, Poltergeist, Beast Master, The Wrath of Khan, Tron, Dark Crystal, The Thing, Conan the Barbarian, Swamp Thing among others.

As always we get sidetracked into talking about merchandise, carnivals, Harrison Ford, Marvel comics, Brian's love for the work of Jim Wynorski and how freaking expensive it was to buy VHS movies back in the day.....

Join us won't you and as always we want to you to tell us your opinion on our facebook page.

SDCC Attendees- Please stop by booth 2343 and say hi to Jason!

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Pod Stallions Minisode 3: Records!

We're back this week with another mini-sode and we're talking about one of our favourite subjects, haunting record shops and collecting, of course.

Mini-Sode was inspired by last weekend's Record Store Day festivities where we talk about experiences, vinyl, collecting philosophies, soundtracks, Doctor Who. Fawlty Towers, Power Records, The Ramones, Wild in the Streets,  GI Joe, Rusty Warren, mix tapes and overdue library items.

As always, we urge you to support your local record store and for gosh's sake, buy some physical media.


Hit us up on our facebook page with your feedback.

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Show Notes:

on the PodStallions Facebook page!

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Pod S

Pod Stallions 52: Tom Baker

Episode 52 is a unique turn on our usual tribute shows as the subject we're speaking about is still alive and well.

We salute veteran actor Tom Baker in this month's show and celebrate not only his tenure as Doctor Who, where he cemented the character into pop culture but also his amazing turns in other films and television productions.

Some of the subjects we touch upon are Sinbad movies, Amicus horror, the mutations, action figures, Cluedo, Remington Steel, Dungeons and Dragons and George Segall as Robin Hood?

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Palitoy Talking Dalek Speaks

I was rather excited to reunite with a working Palitoy talking Dalek this past month.

This toy was my first "Big boy collector mail order purchase" at the yonge age of 13, I innocently sent $25 (US!) to a classifed ad in the back of Starlog.

The next three months of waiting were nerve wracking as I largely assumed it would never come but three months later, it did arrive and was glorious.

While I did sell that one for food money in college, it sparked a life long love of collecting and getting packages.

Below is a video I've thrown together to hear him speak and as a bonus, I threw in the original commercial.

Welcome home old friend.

Pod Stallions 50: Listener Request Show

For our 50th show we put it to you, our wonderful audience and boy did you have some good ideas, seriously you gave us a year's worth of topics, Jason and I don't have to do any thinking in 2017 and we thank you because we hate thinking.

But for this show we chose these three themes:

• Who we are in the real world?
• What are our holy grails in collecting? 
• Charo?

OK, Charo isn't a question, we just discuss Charo.

It's one of our more interesting episodes and we have all of you to thank. Enjoy and look for many of your suggestions

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Show notes:

• This is the worst thing ever. Seriously, click on it at your own risk. This was on TV, it was one of three choices you would have had on a Friday night. You'll never decry having too much choice again.

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Pod Stallions 42: Don't Panic!

It's episode 42, we're both entirely too nerdy not to do an episode devoted to Douglas Adam's seminal "Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series.

Jason and Brian talk up the books, radio dramas, the BBC TV series and of course, the big budget movie from 2005.

Along the way we veer off into Doctor Who, Time Bandits and ...Threads. So, grab your towel and join us!


Hit us up on our facebook page with your feedback.

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Pod Stallions 41 : Robots!

For our 41st episode (and 3rd of 2016 if you're keeping count) we're joined by Famous Monsters of Filmland Editor David Weiner (@tikiambassador) for a discussion of all things robotic.

We each pick and discuss our personal three favourite and least favourite mechanical men from film and television over the decades and discuss why. Along the way, we talk about toys, comics and even radio drama.

We open the show with some words about the influence David Bowie and the crummy news that January delivered.

Topics Discussed: Black Hole, Doctor Who, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Phantom Creeps, Millennium, Lost in Space, Buck Rogers, Logan's Run, Filmation, Space Academy.


Hit us up on our facebook page with your top three best and worst!

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Show notes:

• David's Famous Monster's Pod Cast can be found here.

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Pod Stallions 40: The Micronauts

For our 40th episode we are joined by actor/comedian Chris Tallman (@MrChristallman on twitter) for a celebration of the Interchangeable World of the Micronauts, the classic toy line from Mego that is about to get a major motion picture and new comic book series this year.

The discussion begins with the toy line's Japanese origins, it's halcyon Mego days, the influential Marvel comic book, our childhood impressions, later incarnations and then we pick out favourite toys from the line.

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Show notes:

• Micronauts Emperor from Italy as discussed on the show.
• The artwork of Ken Kelly.
• Innerspace online is one of the most comprehensive Micronauts websites.
• .Mego Meet is June 17 this year in Skokie Ill.
• A great Microman site that's in English.
• A brief look into the Micronauts Marvel Comic.

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Pod Stallions 34: Disappointing Merchandise

This month's topic is some of the  disappointing toy lines that have stemmed from our more beloved properties over the years.

It's totally done out of love (as we both freely admit we bought and still own a lot of this stuff) but we talk about toys for Men in Black, the Phantom, Star Trek 4 and 5, Space:1999, Superman the movie, Doctor Who and much, much more.

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Pod Stallions Episode 26: The Retro Awards

We're back and we're launching our first episode of 2015 resurrecting the Retro Awards.

For those not familiar with the Retro Awards, it's a celebration of things that came out in the last year (for this show we've slid into 2013 a l'il bit) that we feel rocked a 70s vibe.

Of course along the way we get terribly sidetracked and discuss the Hudson brothers, Planet of the Apes, Doctor Who annuals, Herve Villechez and Tim Burton's Batman. Surprising we're still better at hosting awards shows than James Franco...

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Awards Run Down:


Best Films of 2014:

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (Brian)
Guardians of the Galaxy (Jason )

Runner up:
Captain America: Winter Soldier (Jason and Brian)


Best Blur-Ray, DVD or Download of 2014

Batman 1966 (Jason)
Phantom of the Paradise (Brian)


Runners up:
The Guy from Harlem Rifftrax (Brian)
Doctor Shockers Vault of Horror (also Brian)

Best Book
Planet of the Apes Evolution of a Legend (Brian)
Doctor Who Annual 2015 (Jason)

Runners up:
Mail Order Mysteries  (Brian)

Best Magazines
Empire (Jason)
Shock Cinema (Brian)

Best Record or CD
The Small Faces: Here comes the nice (Jason)

Best Toys 

Neca Taylor (Brian)
Kane in Spacesuit (Jason)


Runners up
Bif Bang Pow Dalek
Anchor Man 12" Figure with Scotch Vision
Lucifer from Battlestar Galactica

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Pod Stallions Episode 24: Starlog

Our November podcast has Jason and Brian waxing nostalgic (which technically is our job) about the glory days of Starlog magazine.

Starlog magazine was how both of us first cut our nerdy teeth, a wonderful window into the world of SF and fantasy that gave us that connection. It's safe to say, this podcast owes a lot to this publication. Even if we often times asked for a brown paper bag so as to not get beat up on the way home.

We review landmark issues and of course, talk about the wonderful ads that appeared over the decades.

Along the way we discuss SF of the 70s and 80s, Mego toys, Blade Runner, model kits, Flash Gordon, Shatner, Jim Sterenko and most importantly Harlan Ellison's hat.

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Show Links:

• The Official Starlog website is operational again.
• The majority of issues are available for viewing at this website.
• Photos of the Starlog stores in Japan in the late 1970s.
• A great Huffington Post article about some of the movie rumours that were found in the magazine over the years.
• The Harlan Ellison trucker hat is calling to you, don't resist, YOU MUST BUY IT NOW!

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Weekend News-A-Rama

Been kind of sidetracked lately and whenever that happens, the world moves on and does neat stuff, so I'll try and play catch up.

1) Outer Space Men 

The very cool Outer Space Men line of toys has a new limited edition set called "Cosmic Creators" that are signed by the legendary Mel Birnkrant, creator of the line.

Mel is one of my favourite people on the internet, a storied toy designer and artist who shares absolutely everything with his fans.

Check them out and pre-order here.

2) Doctor Who 

In celebration of the show's 50th Anniversary Royal Mail is issuing a series of Doctor Who stamps. I'm not a stamp collector as such but I have to admit I want these. It feels like a giant nerd victory.

More info here

3) Alien

For those of us who can't attend Wondercon, Michael has been kind enough to give us not only a look at the Alien catalog that Super 7 is handing out but they're awesome booth display. I can't wait to get these:

Take a gander at Michael's Flickr photo stream here

Pod-Stallions Episode one: Growing up Who

I'm very happy to unveil Pod-Stallions, our new monthly podcast series which will be dedicated to discussing such important matters as Planet of the Apes week or long reminisces about ToyShop magazine.

Joining me each show will be my pal and co chair Jason Lenzi, who people might know from the great "Geek Shall Inherit" show. 

We hope each month to pick a topic and relate how it felt to us in the day, including cringe inducing tales. All that and schoolyard rumors, action figures and more trivia than we should probably know.

That leads us to Episode one: Growing up...Who.

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Listen or download episode one here

Jason and I are both crazy, obsessive Doctor Who nerds from childhood, but I watched it in Canada while he was in Minnesota, how did the experience differ? What was the catalyst for us to stop watching?  Were we public about our obsession? Did visiting the dirty magazine store make a man out of Jason? All answers revealed in this double sized pilot episode.

Show Guide:

• Snippets of our Intro music were sampled from this kid's show, if you watch the credits, you'll notice a familiar face.
• Brian mentions that early Doctor Who shows in Canada were hosted, first by Dr. Dator a real scientist who discussed the show's themes during the Pertwee years and then later by author Judith Merril, who seemed to dislike the character, so she called herself The UnDoctor.
• Jason admits to having a low level obsession with the Tardis Tuner, an item made popular by this comic strip ad.
• The guys both enjoy the Pinnacle Doctor Who book covers and talk about the colourful Harlan Ellison Intro in each one.
• Jason mentioned how this Doctor Who Easter Egg box seems to feature a pretty excited fifth Doctor.

This is the commercial for the Palitoy talking Dalek, the same one Brian got out of the back of Starlog in 1984.