The 1978 AHI Toy Catalog

The undisputed king of the "Rack Toy" in the 1970s was Azrak-Hamway International or "AHI" for short.

They were riding high with past hits like Batman, Spider-Man, Star Trek, Space 1999 but 1978 saw them add James Bond 007, Farrah Fawcette, Donnie and Marie, the Walt Disney characters and their answer to Star Wars, Star Fleet!

It's a real blast down the pharmacy toy aisle, check it out here:
1978 Azrak Hamway Toy Catalog on PlaidStallions.


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Donnie and Marie Country Rock Band

Oh yeah, cause when I think Country, I think Trumpets!

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Vintage Toy Store Photos Volume 17

Yes! A new installment of  one of my favorites, vintage toy store photos. A journey back to the days of oddly named department stores and independent mall toy stores and chains that are fondly remembered but sadly mostly gone.



Vintage Toy Store Photos Volume 17 covers the US and Canada this time and features appearances by Big Jim, Kenner Bionic Woman,  Barbie, Shogun Warriors, Mego Star Trek, Space:1999,  Ideal Star Team, Mattel Donnie and Marie and Kenner Star Wars.

I hope this edition brings back some powerful memories like it did for me.

And hey, check out volumes 1 through 16 when you're done.

Osmond Crafts

I'm assuming you're given a double helping of purple in all the kits....

Vintage Toy Store Photos Volume 16

In an effort to combat the end of summer blues, I've dig deep to the days of Pegboard and regional toy stores to bring the 16th edition of our vintage toy stores feature.

Installment 16 features old favorites such as the Bionic Woman and Six Million Dollar Man, Barbie, the Osmonds, Atari, Fisher Price, Mego Diana Ross and much more.

We explore such long forgotten chains such as Bambergers, Two Guys as well as local toy emporiums such as The Toy Shoppes and Youngtown.

Check out Vintage Toy Store Photos Volume 16 here.

Osmond Mania!

I'm finally coming to grips with the actual amount of time I probably spent watching the Donny and Marie show, sure the choice to watch it was made by my older sister, who at five years my senior could totally take me. 
However, I will attest to kind of enjoying the experience. I watched a lot of variety shows as a kid, they were just part of our culture and the fact that we only got like 9 channels, one of them French, growing up.
I don't think I've ever noticed the Donny and Marie van before, the 1970s "Vans to Action figure lines" ratio is looking about 75% right now. Things are right with the world.

Donny and Marie meet Donny and Marie.

This shot from 1977 pictures Donny and Marie inspecting their toy namesakes at a Mattel Expo where they were guests of honour.

Other notable displays at this show involved Mattel's new line of Shogun Warriors, Slime, Pulsar and Welcome Back Kotter toys. Sadly, the article only mentions those and this is the best picture I have from it.

Mattel Osmond Catalog for 1978

1978 saw Mattel expand their popular "Donny and Marie" line with a new member of the Osmond family, too cute for his own good l'il brother Jimmy!

The 1978 Donny and Marie Catalog also showcases such items as Hollywood Home playset and a pile of outfits for older brother and sis. NO OUTFITS FOR YOU JIMMY!

This was the last year for this popular line, with their variety show cancelled in 1979 Mattel dropped the duo like a hot rock.

Get Happy with the 1978 Mattel Donny and Marie Catalog
 

Other Mattel Related Links

Mattel Donny and Marie Catalog

Donny and Marie were TV superstars in 1977 thanks to their Sid and Marty Krofft (yes, the Land of the Lost guys) produced variety show which I watched an awful lot as a kid.

Girls loved Donny and looked up to Marie so it only made sense when Mattel Toys snapped up the merchandising rights to this squeaky clean pop duo.

The results are a little bit Barbie, a little bit Rock and Roll....

Check out the 1977 Mattel Donny and Marie Catalog

An Osmond Confession

I admit it, I had a Donny Osmond doll. Even worse was that I chose him during the annual family March break shopping trip to the Scarborough Town Center, passing over the Mego Human Torch doll i had coveted for so long.

All of this was done to impress my older sister who remarked how cool the Osmond toys were. The reality kicked in during the ride home when I realised I was now the proud owner of a Donny Osmond doll. I'd like to go back in time and stop myself.

It got worse when one of my friends found it in my room....