Remembering the 70s

A Simpler Time

Tag Archives: action figures

Action Jackson from 1972

I did a quick research on this and it doesn’t appear that Action Jackson was based on a real or mythical person. It looks to be Mego’s attempt to compete with Hasbro’s G.I. Joe.

Action Jackson from 1972

Action Jackson from 1972

(Check out those sideburns!)

I had a chuckle when I was reading the description of the Action Jackson figure. It says that the uniforms are flame resistant. Had this been a problem in the past? Hah!

The toy line has a remote control Jumping Jeep, but sadly the Jeep doesn’t jump. It only goes forwards and backwards. (How misleading!) There is also a Scramble Cycle with the same movements as the Jeep, and additional “flame resistant” uniforms.

Now the last thing I have to remark on is the helmet. It is obvious that there is so much weight on one side of the helmet that it sits lopsided on the kids head! Lol. I would have loved it anyway. :)

Star Wars Toys – Part 2

This time around I am bringing you a selection of Star Wars toys from the Wards 1978 Christmas catalog.

Star Wars Toy Ad from 1978 Wards Catalog

Star Wars Toy Ad from 1978 Wards Catalog

These Star Wars toys are the ones I remember the most from my childhood. I thought the Death Star would be cool to have but at the time I was using my Star Wars figures with the Matt Mason space station, which is probably why my parents didn’t get me the Death Star, but a friend of mine had one so I still got to play with it. I also had most of the figures in the upper left and the Landspeeder. (The Landspeeder is the toy that met its demise when I powered it up with a C6 model rocket engine.)

The model kit of Darth Vader’s head was a bit of a let down. When I started to put it together, I was sadly disappointed to find out the “rasping breathing sound” was made from brushes rubbing against plastic. They were putting AM radios into stuffed animals and this was the best they could do!?! (lol) It didn’t sound like Darth Vader at all. But his eyes did light up blue which was kind of cool.

Official Scout High Adventure Action Figures

When I first ran across this in the JCPenny’s 1974 Christmas catalog I thought it was G.I. Joe items.  Today, when I was skimming through the catalog looking for something interesting to post, the action figure caught my eye and I realized it wasn’t G.I. Joe at all.

These are approved action figures from the Boy Scouts. I do not remember these, but I was not a scout either so maybe they just never appealed to me as a child.

Official Scout High Adventure from 1974

Official Scout High Adventure from 1974

There are several sets listed here. The Scout Base Lookout Tower, action figures Bob Scout and Steve Scout, High Adventure Path Finder, Lost in the High Country Set (are Scouts supposed to get lost?), Avalanche at Blizzard Ridge with Steve Scout (sounds like an NBC movie of the week!), and finally Danger at Snake River.

As many times as I poured over the Christmas catalogs back in the 70s I am surprised that I do not recall this.

Anyone out there have these action figures?

Space 1999 Play Set

Remember the TV series Space 1999? Here is an action figure set based on the TV show.

Space 1999 Play Set from 1976

Space 1999 Play Set from 1976

The Eagle One Spaceship looks pretty cool and I think I would have had a blast playing with that, but Moon Base Alpha looks very cheap.  Any of you have any of these as a child?

Flash Gordon Play Set from 1977

Now this is a play set I would have loved as a child. I have made it no secret that “The New Adventures of Flash Gordon” was my favorite Saturday morning cartoon ever. This is the Flash Gordon Play Set from the Sears 1977 Wishbook.

Flash Gordon Play Set from 1977

Flash Gordon Play Set from 1977

Though I do think it should have come with other figures. Princess Aura, King Thun, Prince Barin, King Vultan, and most assuredly would need some of the metal men for villains. Oh and some of the spaceships!

The Bionic Women Action Figure

Bionic Women began airing in 1976 as a spin off show off the Six Million Dollar Man. It became the 5th most popular show for that season. As with most popular shows a toy line was soon to follow.

This time Kenner comes to the rescue with the Bionic Women 12″ doll.

The Bionic Women Action Figure from 1976

The Bionic Women Action Figure from 1976

Many of the accessories include the repair station, inflatable dome, wrist radio, and a few outfit changes.

Did you have the Bionic Women action figure? What were some of your memories?

Wizard of Oz Play Set

I don’t remember the Wizard of Oz play set. (That might have something to do with the fact it was mixed in with the doll section of the Sears Wishbook. I kind of skipped over that section when dreaming about toys.)

Wizard of Oz Play Set from 1975

Wizard of Oz Play Set from 1975

Plus, I never really got into Wizard of Oz either. I was more of a The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe when it came to kids fantasy books. I don’t think I even watched The Wizard of Oz movie until the 90s. Well I never admitted to being normal! :)

Comic Book Action Figures from the 70s

These are the classic superhero actions figures from my generation.  Batman, Robin, Spiderman, Superman, Shazam, Isis and the villain Joker. On the left is Batman’s Wayne Foundation Penthouse and the lower right is the ever popular Batmobile.

Super Hero Action Figures from the 70s

Super Hero Action Figures from the 70s

Our Saturday mornings where filled with commercials and cartoons featuring our favorite caped crusaders. One of my favorite superhero cartoons was “Superfriends” where the good guys formed the Justice League and they fought the villains who were part of the Legion of Doom.

Derry Daring from Ideal

As the popularity of Evel Knievel grew in the 70s, Ideal created a female counterpart  for the girl market called Derry Daring.

Derry Daring from Ideal 1976

Derry Daring from Ideal 1976

Derry Daring from 1974

Derry Daring from 1974

I searched to see if she was based on a real person but it doesn’t look like it. Do our female readers out there have any memories they would like to share on Derry Daring?