Archive Page 31

Remco’s Universal Mini Monster Action Figures (1980)

Published July 21, 2015 Remco Toys , Universal Monsters 5 Comments

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I’m not sure what convinced Remco that Universal Monsters were going to compete in 1980, when a little movie called The Empire Strikes Back came out and the horror genre was dominated by ultraviolent slashers and demons from hell, but I’m glad they did: regardless of how much money was lost, the Mini Monsters are some of the coolest action figures ever made. The cards are beautiful too. I love the glow in the dark graphic surrounding Frank and the Phantom on the versions seen here. The figures were first released in non-glow versions (the Creature was dark green).

Azrak-Hamway International (AHI), which acquired Remco in 1974, produced 8-inch Universal Monster figures from 1974-1976. The later Remco line (1980-1981) also included a series of 9-inch figures (hence the “mini monster” designation for the 3 3/4-inch figures), a nifty vinyl Play Case, the awesome Monsterizer, and hand puppets, as well as ancillary items like makeup kits. As always, I’m including some prices below.

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Mattel’s Clash of the Titans Action Figures (1981)

Published July 20, 2015 Clash of the Titans , Mattel Toys 4 Comments

COTT Perseus

COTT Calibos

COTT Charon

COTT Thallo

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Mattel was the “primary target” for MGM’s massive, and very successful, marketing campaign for Clash of the Titans. The film was panned by critics, but ended up the 11th highest grossing feature of 1981. Here’s a snippet from the Schenectady Gazette (August 30, 1980) describing the merchandising, apparently the “most extensive… ever accorded an MGM motion picture.” (There’s also an interesting December 1982 article here about the dangerous business of toy licensing: Mattel’s Clash line is noted as one of the “bargain-basement items.”)

Clash 1980

Clash 1980-2

Mattel’s effort on the toys was less than impressive. A second wave may have been planned, but too many major characters were left out initially, and only two creatures were produced (Pegasus and the Kraken—neither was convincing) for what was essentially a creature feature. How did we not get Medusa, who represents the climactic moment of the movie and is arguably Harryhausen‘s magnum opus?

Having said that, whoever designed the packaging belongs in the toy hall of fame. I can still remember those cards hanging on the hooks in toy stores. The unforgettable look did not go unnoticed by Hasbro, whose G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero packages would fashion the bold mix of deep red, orange, and yellow into an explosion surrounding each figure and vehicle.

I’m adding some price tags below, from highest found to lowest found. 25¢ apiece on clearance! The rest of the Clash toys are here.

COTT Calibos 1980-2

COTT Thallo 1980-2

Calibos Price 1980

COTT Charon 1980-4

COTT Calibos 1980-4

7 Up `United We Stand’ Commemorative Cans, 1976

Published July 4, 2015 '70s Decor/Design/Fashion , Food/Drink Leave a Comment

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A can for each state. Stack up all the cans in a pyramid and you get a picture of Uncle Sam. See a cool six-part series on the set at BevReview, where I got the photos.

German Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Toy Catalog, 1983

Published July 1, 2015 Catalogs , D&D , D&D Non-Gaming Merchandise , D&D Toys 1 Comment

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You’ll have to buy it if you want better scans. I’m broke.

Related to the above: I’ll be on vacation for a couple of weeks starting tomorrow. Happy 4th!

Summer Sci-Fi Movie Previews, 1982

Published July 1, 2015 '80s Movies/TV , Sci-Fi Movies/TV 8 Comments

Just watch. It’s incredible.

Cosmic Cowboy by Barry McGuire (Sparrow Records, 1978)

Published June 30, 2015 '70s Music , Records (LPs) and Cassettes 1 Comment

Cosmic 1978

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Here’s the beginning of the title track:

I met a Cosmic Cowboy

Ridin’ a starry range

He’s a supernatural Plowboy

And he’s dressed up kinda strange

And at first I didn’t see ‘im

Bein’ out there on the run

Yeah, but that old hat that he’s wearin’

It’s shinin’ brighter than the sun.

Get it? The Cosmic Cowboy is Jesus! The album is on Spotify. At least listen to the title track.

Album cover art, which was also available on a t-shirt(!), is by John Lykes, who did an interesting cover for Sun Ra’s Atlantis (1973).

Queens of Space by Akka B (Goody Music, 1978)

Published June 30, 2015 '70s Music , Records (LPs) and Cassettes , Space Disco 1 Comment

Queens 1978

I here present the Italian release of a French space disco single (sung in English) representing the entire musical output of one Akka B, which is really not all that surprising, though still kind of a shame. With lyrics or without?

Cover artist is Francis Bergèse.

V Trading Cards and Stickers (Fleer, 1984)

Published June 29, 2015 '80s Movies/TV , Trading Cards , V (TV Series) 1 Comment

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Is anyone else super amused by the word “Peel” on the featured sticker?

Boston College High School Cafeteria, 1974 – 1987

Published June 29, 2015 '70s Decor/Design/Fashion , '80s Decor/Design/Fashion , High School Leave a Comment

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BC-1977

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BC-1981

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BC-1987

Tempus fugit.

(Photos via BC High Archives)

The Art of Earl Norem: The Silver Surfer: The Ultimate Cosmic Experience (Marvel Fireside Books, 1978)

Published June 26, 2015 Comic Books , Earl Norem , Jack "King" Kirby , Make Mine Marvel , Marvel Fireside Books , Stan "The Man" Leave a Comment

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You know you’re good when you get asked to redo a Jack Kirby cover. All but one of the Fireside books were color reprints of classic (i.e. pre-1970) Marvel titles and storylines. This one was the exception—an all new graphic novel by Lee and Kirby, and a damn good one that I remember reading and still have. The “Origins” books were a particularly hot commodity at my elementary school, and the Surfer was way up there too. Probably my first exposure to Norem’s work.

Check out ‘Tain’t the Meat for more on the Surfer issue and the Fireside Books series.

(Images via It’s Dan’s World, Dial B for Blog, and `Tain’t the Meat)

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