Disclaimer: The links are sponsored and also, some guy farted in here.

Welcome Back Kotter Guitar by Fleetwood Toys (sponsored link) 

Did the Sweathogs ever show any musical prowess? I watched the show a lot as a kid and only remember John Travolta’s singing. 

Hal Needham Stuntman Playset by Gabriel Toys (sponsored link)

This is a truly innovative toy concept from the mid-1970s, a doll based on the legendary stuntman Hal Needham. This allowed kids to do real stunt work. Obviously, this set saw some play, as Hal’s head came off, which is probably not something that happened to the real guy.

The Mighty Hercules Book and Record set from Japan (Sponsored Link) 

As a Canadian kid, I thrilled to the Adventures of the Mighty Hercules and his idiot sidekick, Newton, his idiot sidekick, Newton.  (if you get that joke you are cool) I am blown away that this show had any popularity in Japan but now this is all I can think of.

Spider-Man Super Klobbers by AHI (sponsored link)

I’m not surprised that AHI chose to rip off Socker Boppers; they sold a lot of inflatable toys and well, they had the Spider-Man license. What’s surprising is how rare these are, I guess they did not take off.

Big Jim Cipsa Kid Acero Lobomovil (sponsored link) 

This vehicle was known as “The Beast” in the USA and was the first vehicle available for the P.A.C.K toys, mainly because it’s a repainted Camper. In Mexico, they didn’t have the same characters so they drew over the (GLORIOUS!) Jack Kirby’s art and turned them into bad Guy Garfio and Good guy Hombe Bionico. I love this so much but this freaking thing is such a space killer. Ugh, this is going to bug me….

Oh God, I just realized Hombre Invisible was added! Agggghhhh I have no money!

Issue #13 of Toy-Ventures Magazine will feature the never-before-seen plans for the 1983 World’s Greatest Superheroes toy line and a cover featuring artwork specially commissioned for Mego’s catalogue, gloriously coloured by Robyn Adams, founder of the Mego Museum.

The Blood-A-Rama Shock Festival Pack

Toy-Ventures is our magazine; we’re an independent publisher trying to bring back print toy magazines; if you would like to support us, please check out the latest issue: https://plaidstallions.com/reboot/shop

Toy-Ventures Issue 12- Stretch Monster

Click Here for past installments of 5 Awesome Things on eBay this week

Join our weekly newsletter.

The Super Collector Newsletter combines all the news from Mego Museum and Plaid Stallions and a lot of other fun stuff across the Interwebs. It’s got customs, new action figures, vintage finds and a lot of pop culture. Sign Up Here!

We co-produced this amazing action figure with White Elephant Toyz; it’s an 8″ Mego Style Officially Licensed Tura Satana figure with a beautiful box by Joeseph Linsner! Get yours while supplies last.

Knock Offs; Totally Unauthorized Action Figures the book

Knock-Offs Totally Unauthorized Action figures is from the demented mind that brought you “Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings” and features hundreds of hilarious, charming, copyright infringing toys. Get a signed copy in our shop!

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The Mighty Hercules, Sweathogs, Rack Toys, Fleetwood, Book and Record, Japan, Spider-Man, AHI, Socker Boppers, Inflatables, Big Jim, Kid Acero, Cipsa, Big Jim PACK, Dr Steel, Jack Kirby,  Hal Needham, Gabriel Toys, Stunt man, 1970s toys, action figures, PlaidStallions, 5 Awesome Things on eBay, 5 Awesome eBay,

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The following article is from the June issue of Toys, Hobbies and Crafts and deals with toy retailer reaction to the cancellation of Battlestar Galactica’s television series on ABC.

NEW YORK – If the sales of licensed items carried as much  eight as ratings, “Battlestar Galactica” would return next fall. But that’s not the case, and ABC-TV will cancel the show after its summer re-runs.

However, Mattel and Monogram, who have capitalized on the show’s former success, are going ahead with plans to introduce and promote Battlestar Galactica merchandise. The two manufacturers are optimistic about the sales of their items this year because of a Battlestar Galactica theatrical release scheduled at presstime and the continued popularity-of the merchandise.

At press time, a Mattel spokesman told TH&C that a new merchandising program was being formulated for retailers, designed to spur buyers to continue carrying the Galactica product.

The program includes a provisional guarantee aimed at minimizing the retailers’ downside risk, said the company spokesman. Mattel is also planning to spend well over $1 million in advertising its Galactica products. The company also expects sales to be bolstered by an ABC-TV Galactica special in the fall as well as the movie, which, at presstime, was being shown in 400 U.S. theatres, the spokesman told TH&C.

But some retailers are less optimistic.

Mattel Battlestar Galactica Store Display in 1979 from the PlaidStallions Archives.

Several contacted by TH&C indicated that they were doubtful that Galactica merchandise would sell as well after the show’s cancellation and, as a result, are planning on cutting back their orders.

ABC made the decision to cut the show after ratings slipped this year.

Though the show has a 19. 9% ranking and a 30% share, and is rated 34th among regularly-scheduled prime-time shows, a spokesman for the network indicated that the high production costs of Battlestar Galactica were the main reasons for its cancellation. However, at this time there is an outside chance that NBC or CBS will buy the show. (Narrator: They didn’t)

Monogram introduced two new Galactica items at the Hobby Show and according to the company’s Jeff Jacobson it will go ahead with its production plans.”

“We look forward to the continued success of Battlestar Galactica merchandise through 1979,” he noted. “There are three basic reasons for this: “Our two 1978 Galactica items had phenomenal sales, and every kid who bought one of the items last year is a prime prospect this year. “

“The theatrical release was test marketed in the U.S. and Canada last summer and fall and had tremendous success. “And,” continued Jacobson, “just because a show like Battlestar Galactica is cancelled, it won’t stop the momentum of interest in the licensed products.”

Told of ABC’s decision, retailers were not convinced that the merchandise would be as successful as it was last year.

“Without the TV program, the Galactica merchandise may die,” said Bob Kuhns of Heck’s. “What will continue to sell it? I may have to cancel out on my orders of this line if no other network picked the show up in the near future.“

Dan Head of Target, however, was more optimistic. He sees Battlestar Galactica remaining a viable category in toys through the fall selling period.

Andy Anderson of Minneapolis based Toy King Distributors said that “the two Monogram models have done extremely well at retail. But I’m not sure about what will happen to them.”

“I have no choice but to cancel everything in the Galactica line with Mattel,” said Pamida’s Dale Thomas. “I haven’t been totally sold on the line anyway and have just been carrying the Mattel die-cast Galactica series. I have bought very little of the product and hope that I can sell through during the summer when re-runs continue.“

“I also believe this will make Star Wars merchandise more important. It will stand out more in the space category.” Said Gary Jackson of Sterling Stores, “We’ve seen dollars in Galactica toys, but if the show is cancelled, we’re going to very cautious. We’ve had good movement on it in the past. But it needs TV exposure every week.“

Here’s a UK article from the launch of BattleStar Galactica.

Issue #13 of Toy-Ventures Magazine will feature the never-before-seen plans for the 1983 World’s Greatest Superheroes toy line and a cover featuring artwork specially commissioned for Mego’s catalogue, gloriously coloured by Robyn Adams, founder of the Mego Museum.

The Blood-A-Rama Shock Festival Pack

Toy-Ventures is our magazine; we’re an independent publisher trying to bring back print toy magazines; if you would like to support us, please check out the latest issue: https://plaidstallions.com/reboot/shop

Toy-Ventures Issue 12- Stretch Monster

Click Here for past installments of 5 Awesome Things on eBay this week

Join our weekly newsletter.

The Super Collector Newsletter combines all the news from Mego Museum and Plaid Stallions and a lot of other fun stuff across the Interwebs. It’s got customs, new action figures, vintage finds and a lot of pop culture. Sign Up Here!

We co-produced this amazing action figure with White Elephant Toyz; it’s an 8″ Mego Style Officially Licensed Tura Satana figure with a beautiful box by Joeseph Linsner! Get yours while supplies last.

Knock Offs; Totally Unauthorized Action Figures the book

Knock-Offs Totally Unauthorized Action figures is from the demented mind that brought you “Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings” and features hundreds of hilarious, charming, copyright infringing toys. Get a signed copy in our shop!

Facebook Groups we enjoy

The official FB group for PlaidStallions, come for the conversation, stay for the chill vibe. Remember, you keep the glass

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Battlestar Galactica, Vintage toy article, Toy industry, Toy Retailers, June 1979, Mattel, Monogram, Plaidstallions, Cancelled Battlestar Galactica

The post Toy Industry Reacts to the cancellation of Battlestar Galactica appeared first on PS.

https://youtu.be/hZ-vxKwFrFU

Tonight’s Toy-Ventures is about a childhood toy woe and a deep appreciation for the “Man Vs Nature” action figure genre. It’s the Mattel Big Jim Devil River Trip!
#BigJim #Toyventures #Mattel

Issue #13 of Toy-Ventures Magazine will feature the never-before-seen plans for the 1983 World’s Greatest Superheroes toy line and a cover featuring artwork specially commissioned for Mego’s catalogue, gloriously coloured by Robyn Adams, founder of the Mego Museum.

The Blood-A-Rama Shock Festival Pack

Toy-Ventures is our magazine; we’re an independent publisher trying to bring back print toy magazines; if you would like to support us, please check out the latest issue: https://plaidstallions.com/reboot/shop

Toy-Ventures Issue 12- Stretch Monster

Click Here for past installments of 5 Awesome Things on eBay this week

Join our weekly newsletter.

The Super Collector Newsletter combines all the news from Mego Museum and Plaid Stallions and a lot of other fun stuff across the Interwebs. It’s got customs, new action figures, vintage finds and a lot of pop culture. Sign Up Here!

We co-produced this amazing action figure with White Elephant Toyz; it’s an 8″ Mego Style Officially Licensed Tura Satana figure with a beautiful box by Joeseph Linsner! Get yours while supplies last.

Knock Offs; Totally Unauthorized Action Figures the book

Knock-Offs Totally Unauthorized Action figures is from the demented mind that brought you “Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings” and features hundreds of hilarious, charming, copyright infringing toys. Get a signed copy in our shop!

Facebook Groups we enjoy

The official FB group for PlaidStallions, come for the conversation, stay for the chill vibe. Remember, you keep the glass

. 
Mattel, Big Jim, Toy-Ventures, GI Joe Adventure Team, GI Joe, Hasbro, Fisher Price Adventure People, Abominable Snowman, Big Jim Pack, Big Jim Devil River Trip, Cipsa, Congost, Canadian Toys, Swamp Patrol, Action Figures, Eaton’s, Devil of the Deep, Pygmy Gorilla, White Tiger, Sharks, Alligators, Imperial Toys,

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Mattel Mega Force Catalog

MegaForce was poised to be the action blockbuster of 1982. The 20 million dollar Chinese/American co-production had an impressive marketing budget which wisely targeted kids with it’s sci-fi military stunt show of a movie.

It also easily found licensors; on paper, this looked like a slam dunk.

The only problem was that people eventually saw “MegaForce” and found its campiness, lacklustre effects and weird thumb-kissing scenes very much bad.

There are rumours that Mattel had MegaForce action figures in the works, but for Toyfair in 1982, they wisely regulated the offering to Hot Wheels items. This way, they highlighted the film’s true stars, the vehicles. No offense to Michael Beck (Warriors rules!)

Mattel MegaForce Catalog

The Megaforce Desert Strike Stunt Set is a modified Hot Wheels set. 

Mattel MegaForce Catalog

The Verti-Bird is another item that Mattel has repurposed for several licenses including Space:1999 and Battlestar Galactica. 

Mattel MegaForce Catalog

The biggest investment Mattel seems to have put into Mega Force is tooling 3 new vehicles from the film and repurposing some stock cars into the line.

Deeds, Not Words Party People.

#megaforce #mattel #hotwheels
 

The Lincoln Monsters are here!

The Blood-A-Rama Shock Festival Pack

Toy-Ventures is our magazine; we’re an independent publisher trying to bring back print toy magazines; if you would like to support us, please check out the latest issue: https://plaidstallions.com/reboot/shop

Toy-Ventures Issue 12- Stretch Monster

Click Here for past installments of 5 Awesome Things on eBay this week

Join our weekly newsletter.

The Super Collector Newsletter combines all the news from Mego Museum and Plaid Stallions and a lot of other fun stuff across the Interwebs. It’s got customs, new action figures, vintage finds and a lot of pop culture. Sign Up Here!

We co-produced this amazing action figure with White Elephant Toyz; it’s an 8″ Mego Style Officially Licensed Tura Satana figure with a beautiful box by Joeseph Linsner! Get yours while supplies last.

Knock Offs; Totally Unauthorized Action Figures the book

Knock-Offs Totally Unauthorized Action figures is from the demented mind that brought you “Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings” and features hundreds of hilarious, charming, copyright infringing toys. Get a signed copy in our shop!

Facebook Groups we enjoy

The official FB group for PlaidStallions, come for the conversation, stay for the chill vibe. Remember, you keep the glass

. 

 
Megaforce, Mega Force, Mattel, 1982, Mattel Catalog, Hot Wheels, Hal Needham, Golden Harvest, toy catalog, Barry Bostwick, toy prototypes, movie toys, 80s toys,

The post Mattel MegaForce Toy Catalog from 1982 appeared first on PS.

Mattel a bad case of Worms