Marx 1975 Johnny West/ Best of the West Catalog
Like G.I. Joe, Johnny West was one of the few hold over action figure lines from the 1960’s. This durable (hell indestructable) cowboy figure line was looking a little strange on a shelf now populated by Superheroes, Aliens and talking apes but he managed to kick around for at least one more year.
The line was bulging with characters this year and the figures now had “Quick Draw Action” which was pretty neat. Someone still needs to explain how they got a jeep back in the old west…..
Nothing like an atmospheric gun fight shot to start your catalog, the child to the right is illustrated by the great Jack Davis, he did a few Marx Catalogs.
Johnny’s cast of characters had really grown in 1975.
Get Toy-Ventures Issue 2 now!
Someone explain the Jeep to me, I thought this was the old west?
These store displays are amazing, the only thing I remember seeing on a shelf was the carry case..
These weird Water Pistols remind me of something put out by AHI. If you use coca cola instead of water, it’ll look like they’re spitting chewin’ tabbacky!
PlaidStallions Toy-Ventures Magazine #2 is now available and it’s been called “not only an entertaining read, but it’s also an impeccable work of reference” by PopCult.
I think the Jeep was aiming to draw similarities to Pat Brady and his jeep “NellyBelle” on the Roy Rogers TV Show which was in heavy syndication at the time. It doesn’t fit the old west timeline, but the Rogers show had stagecoaches and fought off cattle rustlers anachronisticly, also. I didn’t have the JW jeep but my GI Joe jeep served the same purpose.
I had a Gen. Custer and my brother had the Capt. Maddox. These “action” figures had a weight and quality to them that no other of that era had, even the G.I. Joe. I’d give a lot of money to have mine back…..They were pretty scratched up but still playable when I put them down. All in all one of my favorite toys from childhood.
who was the guy dressed in white in the johnny west series can anyone tell me thanks for your time Mike