Jaws Goodies

Jaws Goodies

I think one of the scariest things in the 1970s had to be the notion of a giant shark eating you. I’m slightly ashamed to admit this kept me out of lakes and occasionally pools as a pup. It’s kind of hard to merchandise a shark seeing as he doesn’t have any cool accessories or a vehicle of any sort but Imperial toys came up with a pretty neat selection for 1976.

Of course, even Imperial could resist the odd generic rubber animal and why not? To a kid, all sharks were Jaws!

Here is the Imperial Toys booth at th 1975 Toyfair, as you can see Jaws was a pretty big deal.

About The Author

Mantooth
AKA Brian Heiler author of "Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings" and co-editor of "Toy-Ventures Magazine". Co-Host of the "Pod Stallions" podcast. Host of the Brick Mantooth Youtube channel, painter, designer, writer, mental health advocate, toy collector, Mego, and Mego Knock-Off enthusiast. I have large feet, ADHD and I live in Canada. Talk toys, not others.

5 Comments

  • Meatball on October 5, 2010

    Oh! Oh! I had that inflatable shark! I remember desperately trying to get it to swim just below the surface of the water, but the laws of physics were against me.

  • Wings on October 5, 2010

    Freakin' sweet!

  • ben on October 5, 2010

    Wow, "booth babes" have come a long way since the '70's!

  • Fiona on October 5, 2010

    Love the inflatable fins. What a wonderful touch of sick humour.

  • John III on October 7, 2010

    I'm with you Brian. When JAWS merchandise was coming out I was only two or three and wanted nothing to do with it.

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