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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AHI Monster Jigglers :Toy-Ventures

Toy-Ventures this week is all about the PVC rubbery goodness of the Azrak-Hamway 'World Famous Super Monster PVC Wigglies" or we call them Jigglers.

We'll get into their history and why they smell so much like childhood

For More information visit:
www.azrakhamway.com

Hosted and edited by Brian Heiler (@plaidstallions)

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Twitter: @plaidstallions

Halloween 1974

I know for sure as a kid I'd be torn between Planet of the Apes or Batman but Kwai Chang Caine would totally be my bronze that year.

New Six Million Dollar Man Shirt in our Redbubble store!

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Get the expanded digital edition of Rack Toys here.

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)

Small Wonder Indeed

This morning I discovered that there is a chance that a handful of children went out for Halloween as V.I.C.I from Small Wonder, which is also known as TV's most laughless sitcom.

Picture the Scenario:

Adult: "Oh, who are you supposed to be?"

Child: "The Homunculus from TV's lowest point, trick or treat!"

We should track these people down and make sure they're ok. 

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Get the expanded digital edition of Rack Toys here.

My Fantasy Island Collection

Inspired by the new movie "My Dinner with Hervé" (Dinklage is pretty amazing in it BTW) I thought it would be fun to showcase the nick nacks (pun intended) that I've collected from the TV series "Fantasy Island".

Growing up I rarely missed the show on Saturday nights, it's mix of fantasy, comedy and horror were pretty intoxicating to my younger self and I've been an unironic lifelong fan. There isn't a lot of merch and while not expensive, it's elusive.

So my guests, welcome to Fantasy Island and join me after the jump!

Shark! by Ben Cooper

When Jaws hit pop culture like a runaway train, licensors lined up to cash in. The only problem? Any toy company can make a shark toy and boy howdy did they.

This particular one by Ben Cooper just goes above and beyond by including a victim, a scared victim!

Man, I know that face, I make it at least once a week.  I wish I owned this toy but it was kindly submitted by a collector to include in Rack Toys. 

We have a PodCast! It's fun, please listen.

Check out our Instagram for more stuff like this blog.

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.

Da Grail! Da Grail!

I managed to track down a major Halloween costume grail this past weekend and while it's certainly not the most expensive or most desired suit on my want list, it sure is a personal  favourite. More on this after the jump!

A Halloween Force

Star Wars pretty much dominated my Halloween experiences from '78 to '82, I can't be alone on this. Vader, Storm Trooper, Boba Fett and Yoda were my choices as a kid.

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!

1986 Ben Cooper Costume Catalog

It wouldn't be Halloween without at least one costume catalog on PlaidStallions and I'm thrilled to be showcasing this rarity from 1986.

It's pretty hard to find an 80s property that isn't represented here, I mean seriously this thing is chock full of cartoon and toy characters.



Check out the 1986 Ben Cooper Catalog here!

More Halloween at PlaidStallions

   

It's a Trap!

I honestly don't remember anything about this era as it was my last Halloween, while Star Wars had been my go-to costume from 1978-1981, this year was my last Halloween and  I think I went as Sid Vicious. 

Ben Cooper Frankenstein Wiggler

I never ran into a Frankenstein, I didn't like and this past summer at Mego Meet I found one that I didn't have.


I AND I love him! he's got a magical "Dracula Vs Frankenstein" quality about it. There's something so special about a generic Frankenstein.
 

Friend Good! I think it's funny that he's specifically called a "Wiggler", it just didn't catch on.

Halloween Department 1980

THIS is my happy place today.

All those wonderful costumes on display are from the 1980 Ben Cooper catalog BTW.

Cousin Eerie Halloween Costume

Well here is something I've never seen before, thanks to my buddy Matt for sharing. This is a Ben Cooper Cousin Eerie Halloween costume based of course on the mascot for the Warren magazine Eerie.that ran for nearly 20 years.




And it's a great costume too! Nice mask and smock action here.


According to Matt, there is a costume for "Uncle Creepy" as well but it must be rare as he doesn't own one. 

   

Ben Cooper Star Wars

While Kenner was scrambling to make Star Wars action figures, Ben Cooper got Star Wars costumes out for 1977. 

Two weeks after Halloween, I doubt it mattered.....

Pod Stallions Epsiode 27b: The Krofft Super Show (Part 2)

Seeing as we were unceremoniously cut off from finishing last month's show, Jason and myself decided to cut a "mini-sode" in addition to our regular show (which debuts next Friday) to finish what we started.

We pick up on "Pink Lady and Jeff" talk about the Bay City Rollers, briefly touch on DC Follies and the 1991 Land of the Lost Remake ending on the new Electra Woman and Dyna girl announcement. It's short and sweet but it's jam packed!


Download the Show Here

Listen here





Fun Links:

• Krofft Lost Island Episode featuring many Krofft characters.
• The Living Island Electra Woman Action Figure Brian mentioned
• Action figures from the 1991 Land of the Lost Reboot

Plenty more content on the PodStallions Facebook page!






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Krofft Week: Land of the Lost

Probably my most favourite of all Krofft shows would be Land of the Lost, I never missed it and it often scared the hell out of me.

It was also one of the most heavily merchandised Krofft shows ever made, above is the Safari Shooter one of the many rack toys made.

Speaking of Rack Toys, it's a personal goal to get this bad boy one day.

 

This Sleestak Jiggler produced by Ben Cooper is among my favourite toy possessions. I have no idea why there haven't been more Sleestak toys.

Speaking of Sleestaks, the Ben Cooper Halloween costume is another item I do hope to track down some day.

No greater evidence of the show's popularity than the fact that viewmaster released two sets of reels for the show, one of the first season and a second for the "Uncle Jack" year.