Saturday Morning Adventures

One of the things that made going back to the school in the fall more tolerable growing up was the promise of a new fall schedule of cartoons on Saturday mornings on the Big 3 networks.

Around August of every year while your parents were checking the back to school flyers, comic books began to give you and early taste of the type of programming that you could look forward to in the fall. I used to covet this and of course, plan my weekend entertainment in advance.

These were exciting times that I'm sad my kids can't really experience. I decided to create a gallery devoted to those special ads that still give me tingles when I read them:

1970s Saturday Morning Cartoon Ads Gallery

Plazman?

I've never seen or heard of "plazman" before, it looks like somebody's way of competing with the wonderful Micronauts line of toys. I figured somebody had this as a kid and it's been driving them crazy ever since, so here it is who ever you are...

Man Squad

They're on the hunt for Fembots...

More Metal Men

Just in case you're trying to get me something for Christmas this year, these would do...

All Smiles

"Hey, what's so funny guys?"

Colouring Book Theatre: Star Trek

‘Star Trek" by Saalfield (1975)
Bit of an milestone today, as we have not only the worst colouring book I have ever seen but the worst bit of Star Trek merchandise ever.

Yes, this publication with the nice shot of a slightly inebriated Mr Spock on the cover beats this item and even this item as the greatest example of Paramount's licensing departments complete lack of care.

The book has some rather palatable art by Robert Doremus but it's the story that is the true culprit. Either this is a) a sick joke or b) Saalfield hired my mom who decided to write a "nice" Star Trek story for a change (effectively removing the cool stuff like Phasers, Klingons and you know action)

If you want to experience the pain, check it out after the jump, there's a cool contest at the end, so at least you may be compensated:

Aquaman and his queen visit the surface world

Another wonderful contribution from Matt S, this time it's the King of the Sea himself Aquaman and his super sexy and under utilized wife Mera performing appropriate water ski stunts for the crowd at Sea World. When you think about it, this really should have been his show....

And if you have anything to add, I'd be your friend for life.

LJN Toys for 1975

Founded in 1970 by Jack Friedman, LJN was one of the 1970s more successful toy companies, offering a mix of nicely made licensed products and some lower cost "house brand" items.

1975 saw the company in full swing with hot TV licenses such as "The Rookies" and "Emergency!" as well as Petite, their attempt to capture the fashion doll market and "Mr. Action", their version of G.I. Joe.

Click Here for the 1975 LJN Catalog




More from LJN
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What that's smell?

That's confidence mixed with clearasil baby, a whole lot of clearasil...

Great Webs! It's Rush Hour

How the hell can he afford the parking in downtown Manhattan?

Captain Fancypants: The Early Years

More neckerchief action than should be allowed!

"Come on lads, let's check out the scene at the Singer sewing center!"

Marzon

I must admit, as goofy as Marzon is, I think he's really swell. I've seen more walking inflatables like the Hulk and Dracula, if anybody has photos please send them on down...

Colouring Book Theatre: Planet of the Apes Cut and Color Book

‘Planet of the Apes Cut and Color Book"
Any childrens publication that uses a nightmarish scene of slave apes gunning down their human tormentors from "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes" is ok in my book.

This isn't your typical colouring book inside either, it's more of a rainy day craft book filled with puzzles, games and stuff I find boring now but probably would have had my full attention in 1975.

This is another from Saalfield and while about half the pages are blank, it has some fun inside.Check it out after the jump:

Caught in Spidey's Web

Part two of Russ's great shots in the now-closed Century Plaza mall in Birmingham, AL circa 1979. This is a really great image, love the colours in the background, very striking!
Thanks so much for Russ sharing these great images!

Send me your mall appearance photos!

1982 Gabriel Legend of the Lone Ranger Catalog

The big budget film "Legend of the Lone Ranger" saw a triumphant return to the license by toy company Gabriel (who had made some pretty epic Long Ranger toys in the 1970s). While the movie was a big disappointment, Gabriel once again brought their "A Game" and made some kicking toys and action figures for the 3 3/4" set. Lone Ranger toys) picked up the license to the Filmation Zorro television series and worked their usual magic with a series of awesome 3 3/4" action figures.

In addition to having the catalog, we've got some promotional material for the Western Town Playset offer that Gabriel was doing in 1982, it's neat-o!

Click here to visit the 1982 Gabriel Legend of the Lone Ranger Catalog

And if you're still in a "Kemosabe" kind of mood, do check out our gallery devoted to the 1970s Lone Ranger Toy Line and these other western wonders:

Patches McGuilicutty

and she's brought a friend, Jenny Hikeemup. Together, they bring absolutely nothing to table.

Refreshment Time

It's hard to believe in this day and age of apple slices at McDonalds that there was a time when you give a child a cotton candy machine or even more interesting a Pie Maker as a gift. Mind you, I shouldn't be trusted with a pie maker as an adult either....

Mom hates you more!

"My jacket and pants match and yours don't!"

One Step Closer to Mantoothedness

From the "I wasn't kidding" department:  I should have probably mentioned that two months ago the packaging for the Brick Mantooth dolls arrived from China.

Around February I gave some money to this guy I know, after two months of no communication, more money was requested. This all seemed to be leading down the path of tears but in June I got two large boxes of Odeon Toys logo'd goodness.

 The art is by my good buddy and Mego Museum co-conspirator Scott Adams and seeing these slick little solid boxes in person is both awe inspiring and intimidating.

I'm pretty inspired that I had the wearwithall to actually take a crazy idea and see it through but I'll be plenty intimidated when I have a garage full of a plastic replica of that very same crazy idea in the coming months.

Like any sensible boy in this situation would, I've already begun plans on a villain.

Hulk HUG!

Russ sent in this KILLER shot of him with the Hulk (can't decide who looks more please, the Hulk or Russ) in what he believes is the late 1970s in the now-closed Century Plaza mall in Birmingham, AL.

"Now closed mall" always makes me sad to hear.

Thanks Russ!

Send me your mall appearance photos!

Retro Playgrounds Volume 5

Time to travel back in time and take a look and see what recreation drug use and what appears to be a complete lack of concern for child safety can produce with volume five of Retro Playground Equipment.

It's whacky, weird and I totally miss this stuff.

For more Playgrounds, check out these fabulous links:

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Bean Bag Creatures

There is something really appealing about these funky bean bag creatures that I like, although Myrtle Turtle looks like she's on a bad trip. Get her some orange slices, pronto.

I get to be Paul Lynde

While it's cool that this catalog page from Ideal shows not only Paul Lynde but Norman Fell himself, the home game loses marks for not having celebrity names. Unless I'm mistaken and there was an actor named "Tim Type" who was known for being outrageous.

Shazamas

Shazam, Scooby Doo, Star Trek and the Six Million Dollar Man, that's pretty much all the S words I knew at six.

These knots are impossible

A depressing look into the private life of John Oates...

Book Review: Star Trek 365

Earlier in the year I was asked to participate in a new publication coming out from Abrams books, something called "Star Trek 365". While I was happy to do to join in, I did kind of wonder  "another Star Trek book"?

 I am a huge fan of the original series and the folks at Abrams were so darn nice that I was honoured to be involved. Recently, I received an early review copy and while I'm not known for reviews (well, colouring books don't count) I thought this book deserved a better look.

First Impressions: When I opened the package my initial reaction was "this is huge" and it really is, were this one of my college text books I'd be intimidated by it. It is one heavy volume of the 23rd century people.

Layout: The book is a self described "visual celebration of Star Trek the original series" and the design team at Abrams really deserve kudos here, it is an explosion of colour (as was the original series itself) and the pages are filled with classic stills, behind the scenes photos, rare advertising even (ahem) not too shabby shots of some of the merchandise.

Content: Author Paula M Block has filled this book with anecdotes, trivia and of course episode synopses, it's easy reading style makes it hard to put down. Hardcore trek fans probably know a lot of this stuff by heart but i learned a few things in gleaming the pages and I'm sure I'm not alone in that.

Value: Amazon currently has Star Trek: 365 available for $19.99 although it's standard retail price is $29.99. At that price, it's an incredible value for such a nice product. Whether you are a casual fan or know the combination to Captain Kirk's safe, I heartily endorse this beautiful and fun volume to you or someone you know.

 I hope it's a success so I can look forward to more pop culture subjects in this wonderful style from Abrams. Dare I dream of "Planet of the Apes 365"? Yeah, I want a whole shelf of these books....

Look for Star Trek:365 in stores on September 1st.