Christmas present

Jogo do foguetão, NeS, Portugal,
50's? 60's?

Got this bagatelle game for X-mas... very nice space design of the man from Mars (Marte in Portuguese...) The funny thing is, the same game existed in English also... check : http://danefield.com/alpha/forums/topic/11748-space-bagatelle-games-selcol-bell-and-marx-uk/

Who is your favorite Bounty Hunter ?

 When Star Wars came around, the new archetype of the bad guy went to Vader. But in his second movie, Lucas introduced us to another evil character - cold nerved and cool looking - meet Boba !

Boba Fett, Kenner USA
1978

Pink Rolls Royce

FAB 1 (Imai, Matchbox, Imai, JR21), Japan, China and HK

You have to admit... there is no car that drives like a Rolls... especially when it is a Rolls with 6 wheels, machineguns in the grille and all the other gadgets of a secret agent. Mr. Bond be carefull, lady P is in the House.

And just like she says during pursuits and other shootouts in Thunderbirds: "Oh Parker, I just hope they don't scratch the paint !"

Batmissile Batmobile - where is Pfeifer ?

Batmissile Batmobile, Kenner, Mexico, 1992

When Tim Burton directed this new movie with Michael Keaton in 1989, he said the following: "I will return if the sequel offers something new and exciting," "Otherwise it's a most-dumbfounded idea."


With the help of Bob Kane, amongst others he turned the movie much darker than the first one.


Michelle Pfeifer in her Catwoman outfit became instant icons for all of us geeks out there, and Dani de Vito played a very obscure role as the Penguin.

The Batmobile remained the same as the one designed for the first movie, but it had one big new feature: it could drop both wings of to turn itself into the Batmissile, and like this escape all the bad guys. Kenner toys of Cincinati made a very good (and huge) toy of this vehicle, with wings popping out at the touch of a button.

Catwoman, Applause, Philippines,
1992

Tom Corbet Space Cadet

It is 1955... and kids are in front of the tube to watch Tom Corbet. It's in black and white but who cares, so is the universe ! As soon as the show began to have success on American) TV, tons of SPACE CADET items arrived on the market: rayguns, puzzles etc. This pair of dolls also cashed in on the show (and the show cashed in on a lot of sponsoring, like Kellogs Cornflakes etc.) Note the original boots on Dr Joan Dale. All of these dolls had a sleeping-eye mechanism, and clothes stapled on them (hello toy safety !)

Tom Corbet and Dr. Joan Dale, Marcie Co,
USA, 1950's

Dr. Joan Dale, Marcie Co,
USA, 1950's

Tom Corbet, Marcie Co, USA, 1950's

Tom Corbet (detail), Marcie Co,
USA, 1950's

YOU WILL OBBEY ! EXTERMINATE ! EXTERMINATE !

Where's the Doctor when you need him ? Which Doctor ? Doctor Who.

Another classic Brittish icon, the DALEK is to Sci-Fi fans much more than a washing-machine type of robot... it is pure evil incarnated into a torture device ! (and don't ask me what these plumber type arms are supposed to do...)

(to the right:) DALEK, Product Enterprise Ltd., China
2004

Talking DALEK, Tomy, Hong Kong,
1970's

Behold the Santa Fe F7 warbonnet !

F7 GM Diesellock, Marklin, Germany,
1990's

One of my favorite locomotives, the "SANTA FE" has all the power it need to transport mile long trains from Vegas to L.A. or Frisco.

A classic from Marklin (has been in the catalogue for years) - comes with a central unit (no driving cabin) and a third unit that is not powered (not pictured). Classic 1950's streamlined "warbonnet" logo. Why don't they paint locs like this anymore ?

"V" - the Visitors

I know, I know... there has been a remake of this one. But the original series of rat-eating aliens and resistance has always been one of my favorites... and come on, Micheal Ironside played a good "bad" guy in the series...

"V" figurines and original header card, maker unknown, Spain,
1980's

Not a lot of toys were made of this series, even though in the show itself we see kids play with the "action" figures that later on would capture humans for food...
Yummy !

Captain Harlock vinyl set

Captain Harlock Set, Takatoku, Japan,
1970's

 In Japan, very popular TV shows got easily their toyline in the 70ies. Usually, there were diecast and expensive toys, but also very often cheaper toys that kids could buy with their pocket money. Since they were considered "cheap", paps and moms threw these away very quickly, so few survive. Even less in their original packaging. This set is made out of vinyl (like the Godzillas of that time and tons of other toys and robots). The figurines are crude, their look naive. But again, that's what makes them so charming for me.

Mini Spacewolf

One of the smallest ships in my collection - mini spacewolf of Captain Harlock.

Spacewolf, maker unknown, Japan,
1970's

Goldorak - Grendizer - Grandizer - Goldrake

Goldorak, Shogun Warriors,
Mattel (Popy) Japan, 1970's

Goldorak, Shogun Warriors,
Mattel (Popy) Japan, 1970's

Goldorak (detail), Shogun Warriors,
Mattel (Popy) Japan, 1970's

Some toys seem to travel with me wherever I go. This Goldorak from my childhood has spent some time in Funchal, Madeira.

Classic Plastic

Robot, unknown, Hong Kong,
1970's

He has the look of a Shogun Warrior, but the walking stance of a classic Bot. Who is he? Which galaxy does he come from?

Whistle when in danger !

Space Whistles, Pyro, USA,
1950's

For all space astronauts out there, here is the ultimate whistle for your earth missions. An exact replica of your spaceship - Pyrotomic propulsion !
When in danger, just blow and the cavalery will arrive !

Space Scout doll

 

Space Scout Doll, the House of Dolls, Chicago, USA,
1955

As a preliminary to the conquest of space, America did sell the concept of interplanetary travel through the new medias, radio (Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon in the 30ies and 40ies) and TV. In the baby boomer years, lots of space shows tickled the imagination of girls and boys from Alaska to Florida. As this toy shows, space was not only a boys play (even though the tons of rockets and robots and rayguns seem to prove otherwise). Also, even though you had to breathe in a plastic helmet - having fashionable hair was still really important.

Crayola Spacetank

Camouflage definitely not needed on moon. STOP.
Very nice way to paint a tank. STOP.
Give me box of crayons...

Jet and Rocket Tank, Peter Pan, England, 1950's

Robotic plastic

Mr. Jig, Artech, Hong Kong,
1970s

Spinning dishes on the head ? My name is Mr.Radar... what do you expect ?

Radar robot, KY, Japan,
1960s

Radar Robot, Yokota, Japan,
1970's

Hands up, it is a robot robbery .... or at least some classic toy-design. Love the rivets... a Robot needs to have rivets. It gives it some retro look.

Push robot, Imperial Toy corp.,
Hong Kong, 1950's