Archives

In a Minute Cake Maker?

The Ideal “In a Minute’ cake maker concept confuses me, mostly because there’s no baking involved in the baking. So many questions.  So why do you need an oven at all, why wasn’t this set simply a bowl, a cake pan and an egg timer? What the heck was the “cake” made of? Was it […]

Meet the Astro Apes

Now that I’ve introduced you to AHI‘s Action Apeman line, it seems only fitting to  get you acquainted with Warrior, Artemus, Myra and Dr Zorma, otherwise known as the Astro Apes. If the Action Apemen were blatant ripoffs (and they were) then the Astro Apes would need to go down as the “Most Blantantest Rippyoffiest Ever”. […]

Jigglers of the Apes

Mixing my fondness for Jigglers with my Ape Mania is a dangerous cocktail. These Jigglers made by Ben Cooper (surprisingly not AHI) are a happy childhood memory for me and I was excited when my pal Mike J sent me a shot of one in a baggie, something I had not seen before. More on […]

Planet of the Incredibly Silly Merchandise

This wonderful piece made by Larami is a prime example of licensing run amuck, other than the clever title it has no connection whatsoever to the Planet of the Apes franchise. In fact, once you take it out of the box, it’s just two flimsy boomarangs. And then there’s this, the pellet shooting walkie talkie, […]

1977 Marx Ready Gang Catalog

In 1977, Marx Toys launched the Ready Gang a beautiful line of 9″ action figures from the old west with little to no back story (seriously are these guys outlaws for good guys?) and it quietly flopped in the market place. It’s a shame as the figures are not only attractive but well made, nowadays I […]

Mickey Mouse Light Up Drawing Desk

I still totally have my Mickey Mouse light up drawing desk and you can still see where I drew on the actual surface in pen (I was never classified as “gifted” as a child). Despite losing the majority of the sheets (I may still have the Robin Hood ones) this set was of great value […]

70s Captain America Merchandise Tribute Gallery

Growing up, one of my favourite Superheroes of all time was Marvel Comic’s Sentinel of Lberty, Captain America! Which is totally weird because I’m Canadian, but I digress. As a child, the good Captain adorned a ton of merchandise that I do not own. Fortunately, I know one of Cap’s biggest fans Tim A (Marvelmania on the […]

Plush Obscurity

OK Benji I’ve heard of but I’m surprised to see merchandising for Joe Camp’s other funny animal film “Hawmps!” which I’ve never seen but probably should since it contains both Denver Pyle and Slim Pickens. That’s an powerhouse combination of Southern Stereotypes for one movie.

1978 Mattel Tarzan and Friends Catalog

Big Jim may have been long gone but his body got a lot work in 1978 when Mattel launched a series of action figures based on TV properties like Tarzan, How the West was Won and Grizzly Adams. Many of these items were made utilitzing items from the European Big Jim offerings at the time […]