Major Matt Mason 1971 Catalog

Major Matt Mason 1971 Catalog


Mattel’s man in space “Major Matt Mason” had an successful run during the 1960s space race until about 1969 when man actually walked on the moon and didn’t find an alien civilization.

While this did sound the death knell for space toys in general, Mattel marketed the Major until the 1970s and made new items for him.

By 1971 the MMM line was a shadow of it’s former self, gone were the many moon vehicles and astronaut pals, all that was left was the good Major and his new alien pal Scorpio. By 1972, Mattel would have a new action figure concept called “Big Jim” and the Major would be all but a fond memory.

 

More Mattel Action Figures:

big jim pack comic big jim pack comic mexican cipsa big jim
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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.

4 Comments

  • plasticfetish on November 26, 2010

    Such a great toy line. I remember playing with MMM toys in the mid '70s as a kid–at a relatives house–and had no idea what they were.

    I've always considered them to be a kind of precursor to Micronauts… brilliant stuff.

  • DVC on November 26, 2010

    My older brother had several figures and vehicles from this line, and I still love the heck out of 'em — I even liked 'em better than Billy Blastoff!

    As for 'the death knell for space toys' well, I'm not so sure. Super Joe was kinda spacey, and then with Star Wars and wave of Sci-Fi that followed, it was all pretty spacey, too : )

    P.S. Have ya heard about the Major Matt Mason Movie, huh? Supposed to star Tom Hanks. Just sometimes I wish the big brains of Hollywood would quit playing havoc with my early childhood toy memories @_@

  • John III on November 27, 2010

    Of course Star Wars didn't come out until the end of the 70's decade, so space stuff was pretty sparce until then. And boy did it explode after Star Wars. Everyone wanted in on the action after that!

  • Plaidstallions on November 29, 2010

    Most folks I've talked to in the toy industry told me after the moon landing "Space" was a dirty word.

    The two things that really brought space toys back into the marketplace were Star Trek and Star Wars.

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