Italian for Stretch Monster

The word "Stretch" I assume doesn't translate well in Italy. Coincidently "Mister Monstro" was also my wrestling name that one, magical summer in Tijuana....

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Stretch Monster and Hutch

This is the coolest crossover that never was, ABC really missed making some event television. Hutch and Steve Austin could have complimented themselves on terrible mustache decisions...



New Six Million Dollar Man Shirt in our Redbubble store!

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Toy-Ventures: My Mego Meet Haul

I've just returned from my favourite toy convention of all time, Mego Meet and please excuse the sleepy voice but I haven't had much sleep!

Thought it would be fun to go over the various items I picked up at this weekend's festivities, stuff from Planet of the apes, the Monster Squad, Stretch Armstrong, Godzilla, Kolchak the Night Stalker and hey I even bought a Mego figure from Buck Rogers.

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Circus World Toy Sale!

All i want for Christmas is a MIB Stretch Monster......and some Mego Superheroes.....and a Blip....covered in Shogun Warriors.

The Stretch Monster Kid Returns!

A wonderful thing happened today in the Facebook Vintage Toys group I manage with some friends. We got a visit from Mike, who is Mike you ask? He's the kid on the Stretch Monster box! Mike's gurning on that package is easily one of the most iconic 70s toy images out there. In fact, he was the subject of the very first PlaidStallions trading card nearly a decade ago.




Here's Mike 40 years later posing with his now very collectible packaging. How did he get the gig, Mike explained:

"My dad's design studio did all of the Kenner Toys packaging in the 70s and 80s. I was on a few toy boxes, but this is the most famous. I got paid $60 for the shoot, which was a ton of money for a 70s first-grader. But more importantly, I had access to KENNER. Dad would take me to the factory. I owned dozens of Stretch Monsters, Stretch Armstrongs, Stretch Octopi, and some other prototypes that never made it to market (I can only imagine what they would be worth if I still had them!)."

He had to mention the prototype word but wait, it gets even more interesting:

"And of course, Star Wars came out the next year. My little brother and I had EVERYTHING. Dad would bring home bags of spare guns. Kenner gave us the "mistakes" as well—figures incorrectly painted—that again, would be worth a lot today if we hadn't blown them up with firecrackers.

I can remember being at the design studio as a child when they were working on the Star Wars toys, but before the movie had actually come out. An illustrator named John Ham showed me a prototype figure he was painting for a package. They simply called him "Gold Man." It was, of course, C3PO."

But other than the iconic box, did Mike keep anything from those days? Just one thing:

He still has the original shirt but as one would imagine, it no longer fits.

Thanks Mike for making our day with this awesome story of what sounds like a fun childhood!

You know what they call a Stretch Armstrong in France?

A Royal with Ch....no wait, it's Elastic Man. There, you learned something today.

More Stretch Armstrong:

Meanwhile on the coolest planet ever...

Here is the coolest pic you will see all day, make it your happy place.

Introducing Satin Monster

Presenting the latest release by Odeon Toys, Satin Monster, one of our mascots,  is a limited edition 8 inch action figure in the 70s Mego style. He comes complete with genuine vintage threads (real thrift store clothing was murdered to create each figure) and packed with more manliness than is allowed in the state of Tennessee. 



Every one of the ten action figures comes on this clamshell card, so he can be displayed MOC or..




To be life of all your man-doll parties. Warning, all your other action figures will be jealous or possibly pregnant.

Special thanks to Steve M for the fabric, David Lee for the head work and the amazing Theressa for the sew magic!

Limited to ten units, Satin Monster will be available on the Ebay and at the Mego Museum mall. Once they're gone, they're gone!

Coming in January:

Kenner Stretch Armstrong Archive Debuts

Stretch Armstrong is one of the most recognizable and succesful toy concepts of the 1970s. Launched by Kenner toys in 1977, Stretch Armstrong would become a household name for generation X kids everywhere. The unique concept of making an action figure out of latex and corn syrup would create a buzz and see many a Christmas wishlist.

Subsequent figures such as Stretch Monster would prove equally succesful and move the brand into pop culture history. The line would eventually end after many successful years in 1981, where fatigue combined with increasing copycat imitators would see the line end.

The corn syrup laden hero was sold world wide and thanks to PS pal and benefactor Bill Frost, I'm finally able to showcase the many forms of Stretch and his friends on the site.



Click here to see the PlaidStallions Stretch Armstrong Index

Please do not ask me if I have these for sale, I sadly do not own a single stretch figure but do email me if you have stuff you'd like to contribute!

Hulk vs Stretch Monster

Well, not really but this shot of Lou with a Kenner Stretch Monster customized to look like him as the Incredible Hulk is likely the coolest picture you will see today.

Stretch Monster Is NOT Indestructable

I recently parted with my vintage Stretch Monster box, realizing that I am somehow cursed to never own the figure itself. While packing it up I never noticed that I owned the original instructions and there is no better time to look at a Monster's instructions than October, more after the jump:

Mom Vs Monster

Muppet John sent in some toy love with this classic shot of his mom grappling with his Stretch Monster on what looks like Christmas morn. Stretch Monster should know better than to mess with Mom, no toy can defeat her!

Thanks John!

Colouring Book Theatre :Stretch Armstrong and Stretch Monster

‘Stretch Armstrong and Stretch Monster" by Resource Publishers

I think every child of the 1970s at least remembers Stretch Armstrong. I've relayed my own childhood experience with the big guy several times here. Also, Stretch Monster is the vintage toy I just seem unable to own, I've tried for like 20 years to get my hands on one.
I was kind of excited to get this book because I thought maybe it would have some sort of grand backstory and adventure for the Stretch couple which is what you'd get from Whitman or Rand McNally.

Although, the Cincinatti based "Resource Publishers" (which sounds like a subsidary of Kenner) would introduce me to one of the strangest books I've seen in a long time 
:

More after the jump.

Stretch Monster is $9.44 at K-Mart

Here's a close up at that funky Stretch Monster Art:

Other Toy Flyers and Circulars from the 70s

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Back in the day shots

Recently I ran a contest/open invitation for Plaidstallions Trading Cards and asked folks for vintage photos. I am overwhelmed by the amount of feedback I got so I'll be showcasing these for the next couple of weekends. Above is an entry from Nate, where he is playing with his getting his corn syrup on with both Stretch Armstrong and Stretch Monster. I'm jealous of a 30 year old picture, that's probably not healthy.

My pal T.J.sent me this awesome shot of he and his brother rocking some dress a like plaid leisure wear, it should be noted that TJ appears is crying in this shot. No doubt tears of joy to be wearing matching outfits with your brother.

Chad sent in this shot of him playing with his Kenner Death Star Playset, check out that rug, that would have so doubled as lava.

Chadagain, now with some Marx Johnny West goodness, I can't believe I haven't featured Johnny on the site yet.

More Vintage shots next week, submissions always welcome!

ToY Fair 1977 : Stretch Monster Joins Kenner Clan

Lack of Stretch Monster still haunts me to this day.....

Original Stretch Monster Commercial

Related Links

1978 Stretch Armstong Catalog

1976 Six Million Dollar Man/Bionic Woman Catalog

Stretch Armstrong Day!

It's a double shot of Corn Syrup today as we take a look at the 1978 Kenner Stretch Armstrong Catalog, which features such memorable sights as Stretch Monster and Octopus

If that wasn't enough, we have the world wide web premiere of the original Stretch Monster Commercial from 1978 as well.

What a perfect way to start a long weekend, have a great one!

1977 True Value Toy Catalog

Today, we go back 30 years (!) to the 1977 True Value Toy Catalog to look at some of the hot items of the day, it was a banner year for toys with memorable items such as Telestar, Stretch Monster, Fuzzy Pumper Barber shop, The Sunshine Family, Pulsar, Charlies Angels and so much more.......

Previous True Value Toy Catlogs on Plaidstallions:

1974 1976 1978

Kenner Stretch X Ray Commercial

This commercial is predictably from the DVD I made last month and is possibly one of my favourites. I don't remember Stretch X Ray as a kid but as an adult collector, I must have had five of these. I couldn't pass him up! Stretch Monster on the other hand, is the one that always got away.....

One more day until the World's Greatest Mego Convention.

Good Morning!

Try waking up to these! Actually the woman on the right looks pretty good even today, the one on the left looks like my aunt after a clown threw up on her.

In toy related news, I've made a DVD of the 16mm commercials in my collection and to cover the costs I am selling extras for a brief time. It features Stretch Monster, Six Million Dollar Man, Mego Superheroes, Star Trek and a lot more, Check it out here.