Thursday, August 22, 2013

Lone Ranger figures I've found

At Universal Stop I have been compiling lists of the licensed merchandise that I've found. The information is sporadic--there is nothing comprehensive. Below is a compilation of the various action figures I've read about.

There are six Lego playsets for The Lone Ranger, with a photo of Armie Hammer in his costume on the boxes. I've seen them at Toys R Us and a Legos store.
1. Cavalry, 16.99, with John and three cavalry officers.
2. Comanche Camp, 24.99, with John, Tonto and Red Knee, plus a tepee, canoe and huge scorpions. Never mind that no one used a canoe in the movie.
3. Stagecoach, 37.99, with John, Tonto, Red, Jesús and Barret. Never mind that there wasn't a stagecoach in the movie.
4. Colby City Showdown, 59.99, with John, Tonto, Dan, Frank and Ray, with the bank. Never mind that Dan was long dead at this point. Frank wears his men's clothing and hat. I would have preferred the mantilla and parasol, but, well, never mind....
5. Silver Mine Shootout, 84.99, with John, Tonto, Big Bear, Butch and Kyle.
6. Constitution Train Chase, 119.99, with John, Tonto, Danny, Rebecca, Butch, Latham and Capt. Fuller.
Since I am not a Legos person, I was more interested in the little figures than the buildings. All the figures resemble the actors who played them, except for John Reid himself! I'm assuming that the playsets were based on an earlier version of the script, hence the giant black scorpions being shot from a catapult.

These are the three sets of dolls (okay, I said it, DOLLS!, for those of you who HAVE to call them action figures) I've acquired. I've seen others on ebay and I am hoping that I may be able to purchase some of them at the Barbie show this fall in Cincinnati or the doll and toy show in Dayton this fall. They are sold out from the Disney store. My main complaint from the ones I've seen so far is that the John Reid figures do not look like Armie Hammer. The ones for Tonto look like Johnny Depp and I suspect that is because Disney already has the rights to use his likeness because of the Pirates movies. I keep hoping that there will be figures eventually made that look like Armie.

1.  The Vinylmation figures are at the Disney store, original price $29.95, half price $12.99.
2.  The Infinity figures are at Toys R Us and are NOT cheap--$35.99! I learned today that there are a number of these little toys based upon contemporary Disney characters. This John figure not only does not resemble Armie, I think he looks like Bob Parr, Craig T. Nelson's character from The Incredibles!

 

Looking through ebay, these are the other action figures I have found:
1. Neca/Reel Toys, Series 1, 7 inches tall, Tonto with tomahawk (does NOT look like Johnny) and John with mask and guns (does NOT look like Armie). Not available in stores, only through ebay.
2. Neca/Reel Toys, Series 2, 7 inches tall, Tonto (looks like Johnny) with birdcage, John (does NOT look like Armie) with white hat but no mask. Not available in stores, only through ebay.
3. Neca/Reel Toys, 18 inches tall, Tonto (looks like a very grumpy Johnny) and John (kinda looks like Armie). Not available in stores, only through ebay. Kinda scary looking! (And what the devil would you do with an 18-inch tall doll? I have some of the SuperSize Barbie dolls, same size, and they are hard to handle and display.)
4. Neca/Reel Toys, 7 inches tall, Tonto bobblehead (looks like Johnny) and John (does NOT look like Armie). Not in stores and only available through ebay.
5. Disney, 12 inches tall, Tonto (looks like a younger, almost effeminate, Johnny). John (eyes look like Armie’s, but NOT the face). Beautiful clothing. Sold out from the Disney stores and can be found on ebay. The local Disney store did have the horse Silver for half-price, and I bought him. I've not yet photographed him, though. My Barbies want to ride him......
6. Heroclix 2 figure Mini Game, John and Tonto and a game board. These just started appearing on ebay. No information on the figures’ heights.

Amazon seems to be mostly media-related merchandise.  I also read about a company called Hot Toys making figures from the movie, but these are not found on ebay.  Neca's website--which I think is for dealers wanting to resell--has other types of merchandise such as wigs and hats and accessories. The local Disney store also had some other "stuff" such as costumes for small children (who shouldn't be seeing the movie to begin with!).  I've acquired some of it.

I've also purchased the two books and the Hans Zimmer score/soundtrack. Out of all of the merchandise, these three items are the best because they are beautiful!

Oh, and I am officially obsessed. Last night I saw the movie for the ninth time. I'm entering into Rocky Horror/Star Wars/Titanic/Gone with the Wind/Sound of Music territory....

Monday, August 19, 2013

Skipper's sundresses

I mentioned that Skipper doesn’t have a lot of comfortable shorts outfits to wear on hot summer days. But she sure has plenty of sundresses! 1964 #1901 Red Sensation, 1965 #1036 Cut N Button, 1965 #1910 Sunny Pastels, 1966 #1924 Tea Party, 1966 #1933 Country Picnic, 1971 pack Skimmer N Scarf, 1974 #7848 Beachy Bits for Sunny Fun, 1975 #9021 Games in the Garden, 1978 Best Buy #2235, 1979 Fashion Collectible #2806, 1980 Fashion Collectible #1383, 1981 Fashion Collectible #1942, 1989 #2593 Dance Fever, 1993 Trendy Teen sundress with pink knit top and white skirt, 1999 Teen Scene lime green sundress

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Skipper's summer shorts outfits

Here are Skipper’s shorts outfits, up through 1999, for hot summer days. There are other shorts outfits, but they are made of heavier cloth and are really meant for spring or autumn. Surprisingly, there aren’t as many as you think there should be. 1967 #1947 Lolapaloozas, 1969 #1966 Jeepers Creepers, 1969 #1975 Sunny Suity (although I personally think this is a pajama set), 1970 #1513 Young Ideas, 1970 #1733 Rik Rak Rah (although this is actually a cheerleading outfit), 1970 #1738 Fancy Pants (the earlier versions of this outfit had a separate pair of blue cotton shorts, but later versions did not include them), 1971 pack Sporty Shorty, 1974 #7848 Beachy Bits for Sunny Fun, 1975 Growing Up #9023, 1977 #9706 Jeans Style, 1983 #5810 Smooth Sailing, 1985 #7978 Skipper Saves the Day, 1989 #2579 Bahamas, 1990 Trendy Teen bicycling outfit, 1992 Trendy Teen yellow and black outfit, 1993 Trendy Teen purple print outfit that matches Stacie’s, 1993 Trendy Teen orange outfit with peplum, 1993 Trendy Teen black and pink bicycling outfit

Thursday, August 15, 2013

liking the lone ranger

I have fallen in love with the new Lone Ranger movie. I am trying to start some discusison about the movie with its fans. You can find the discussion here: http://www.universalstop.com/hubs/forum/filmmaking/topic/positive-discussion-about-the-lone-ranger If you hated the movie, or all you want to talk about it is its box office, you are not welcome there. This is only for people who have become addicted to it, as I have.

Monday, August 12, 2013

fashion starters

In 1990, Walgreens (yes, Walgreens) had a series of Barbie and Skipper outfits that were only sold at the drugstore.  Michael Augustyniak's books do not mention this series, called Fashion Starters, with packaging dated for 1989.  The outfits were:


Barbie Fashion Starters
721-1 lavendar swimsuit, striped towel, yellow binoculars
721-2 white halter top, red print shorts, red gym shoes
721-3 white T-shirt, lavendar skirt and socks, white gym shoes (same as 717-1 Sporting Life Tennis, Anyone?, which is in blue and has more accessories; or All-Stars 2488 with a white T-shirt and pink skirt)
721-4 pink Camp Barbie T-shirt, denim shorts, pink gym shoes (same as Sporting Life 717-3, but with fewer accessories; or All-Stars 2496 with a dark blue denim top and shorts)

Skipper Fashion Starters
721-5 blue bikini, yellow binoculars (variation of Trendy Teen 714-1 which is pink)
721-6 pink nightshirt, blue plastic teddy bear (variation of Trendy Teen 714-2 which is blue)

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Barbie's Sweet 16 article from 1974

I found this article through the Cincinnati Public library's research pages.  It was originally published in The Chicago Tribune in 1974.  I had to retype the article as I could neither set a link to it nor could I copy and paste it.
Margaret Carroll, the writer, must have done some research at the store before writing the article, for which she is to be commended.  It's a very good article about Barbie's world in 1974.  It also has some horrible puns and a few inside jokes!


She’s Sweet 16/Barbie: More than a doll to 80 million
by Margaret Carroll
Chicago Tribune, Dec. 4, 1974


She’s not getting older.  She’s just getting better.
She has come a long way, this baby...er, Barbie.
The brunette in the leopard print bathing suit, her namesake ancestor, never could have been mistaken for Sweet 16, but that’s how old the doll named Barbie is this year, and her Darwinian evolution has prepared her to look the part.
Waiting for the elevator of her three-story, six-room townhouse (about $15) one day, Barbie recalled for a visitor the Spartan days of her early adolescence.
“It’s peculiar, isn’t it, how some of us mature so early and age so slowly,” Barbie began.  “I’ll admit I was a pretty hard-looking dolly when I was a teen-ager in 1958.  But clothes were a problem in those days.  I certainly didn’t enjoy the wardrobe selection I’ve built up since then, and I couldn’t do a thing with my hair.
“Fortunately, I can afford to keep my appearance up to the minute now, and I have curlers and other cosmetic aids to keep my hair and makeup impeccable.  Oh, and I’ve traveled all over the world.  You’ll find me most anywhere these days.  Maybe I’ll climb the North Pole one day.
“But California’s still home, of course.  You know I was born in Hawthorne, Cal., named for the daughter of my creator, Ruth Handler.  Ruth and her husband, Elliott, have done very well in the business world, you know.  You can tell they’re co-chairmen of the board of Mattel; they’re swell.  Oh, business has had its ups and downs, but so do I--every day--in this very elevator.  You don’t mind if I put you on, do you?”

Just then Barbie’s steady, Ken (steady since 1961, that is), came along and told her to hurry because the gang was waiting for them down at the Beach Bus (about $10).
Barbie’s little sister, Skipper, finally let the elevator down; and Barbie rode upstairs to change into her beach outfit ($1).
“Oh, Barbie has changed so much since we met,” said Ken.  “But haven’t we all?  I’m not the crew cut, straight arrow I once was.  Oh, no, now I have this dynamite beard and mustache (about $5 for mod Ken) that goes with my new clothes.  But Barbie seems younger and sweeter to me now than she did the first time I asked her for a date.
“She has the same distinctive figure she’s always had, of course.  I guess that she just gazed rather coldly at the world in those days.  She still has a somewhat distant look in her eyes, if you’ll notice.”

Ken felt a tug on his towel just then and looked down to see Skipper standing there in her two-piece bathing suit.
“May I go along to the beach with you, Ken, please?” Skipper pleaded.
“Wellll, yes, I guess so, Skipper.  It’s a surprise party for Barbie’s 16th birthday, tho.  Not a word, promise?”
Barbie stepped down from the elevator, and they headed for the Breezy Buggy (about $10).
“Oh, this is super, Barbie,” said Skipper.  “I see you’ve unhitched the Tent Trailer.  But now I don’t have any place to ride because the Breezy Buggy’s only a two-seater.”
“Sorry, Skipper,” Barbie apologized.  “I know, why don’t you take my 10-Speeder bike (about $4)?  Perhaps you could take our visitor along with you--on the handlebars.”
The visitor allowed as how she might block Skipper’s vision, and suggested that she might steer the bike along for the little doll.
“Oh, super,” said Barbie.  “That is exactly what any of the 80 million Barbie doll owners in the world would do.”

Barbie and Ken gave Skipper a head start to the beach, while they briefly made plans for the following day, Sunday.
“Well, if it’s a nice day and we feel like doing something active, we can go over to the club for a game of tennis,” said Ken.
“Oh, and I can wear my tennis outfit (about $3),” said Barbie.
“Oh, and I can wear my tennis outfit (about $3),” said Ken.
“Tonight,” said Barbie, “You’ll have to wear your tuxedo with the blue brocade jacket (about $3), and I’ll wear an evening gown (about $2). We have a wedding to go to.”
“Say, Barbie,” said Ken, “I’ve been meaning to ask you about that wedding gown you buy every year....”
“Oh, Ken, not now.  We’d better hurry to the beach.  Skipper can’t go near the water until we get there.  Besides, I have a headache.”

“Surprise!” yelled the gang as Ken parked the Breezy Buggy and Barbie controlled the emotion within her.
“Oh, you wonderful friends.  Kelley, I’ll bet you planned this.  And Francie.  How could you keep such a secret from me?  And Christie, my black-is-beautiful friend, how good to see you.  Is Brad, your black-is-beautiful friend, here too?
“Oh, I’ve had so many wonderful friends through the years.  Remember Midge and Stacey?  Say, is that P.J. over there?  You’re all just priceless (well, not more than a few dollars apiece, anyway.)”
“Ken and I have a surprise for you,” said Kelley.  And she presented Barbie with a pink and white checked, long-skirted dress and a jeans cutoff and yellow tank top outfit (about $6, including the doll).”
“Oh, Ken!” Barbie cried.  “Now we can go on a picnic tomorrow!”
“Whatever you say, Barbie. It’s your birthday and thanks to you, our friends at Mattel are the largest manufacturer of ‘women’s’ clothing in the world--20 million outfits a year.”
“Thank you, dear, dear Ken.  And I don’t have to remind you that our wonderful licensee friends--those who make Barbie wristwatches, and Barbie Country Camper Cook N Serve Sets, and coloring books and paper dolls--have helped to make me famous, too.  It’s kind of funny about the paper dolls, isn’t it?  I mean Mrs. Handler thought of me first as a three-dimensional ‘paper doll.’  I guess I’ve come full circle.”

“You know, Barbie,” said Ken, “I was talking to Dan Buckey in Chicago not long ago.  He’s Mattel’s marketing manager in that area.  And he said you’re not really a doll, but a toy through which little girls can be what they want to be when they grow up.
“But I was thinking, Barbie, that maybe you should include a switchboard operator outfit and a typist outfit and a waitress outfit and a salesperson outfit, because, let’s be realistic, Barbie:  It’s lovely to be a ballerina and a nurse and a doctor and an explorer.  But those are careers that take years of training, and your little ‘image projectors’ across the country are going to have to get part-time jobs to keep you in the fashionable style to which you have become accustomed.  And you know they wouldn’t do anything you wouldn’t do.”
“Well, Ken, let me put on my thinking cap (only a figure of speech, kids) and get to work on that.”
And to the visitor she said:  “That might make an interesting series--Barbie in her job applicant’s outfit, and Barbie in her waitress outfit (with a precious little order pad and food-laded tray made in Taiwan), and Barbie in her steno pool (as opposed to my Pool Party Pool, which I am in as often as possible).  Such fun.  You don’t mind if I put you on, do you?”
“No, Sweet 16 Barbie,” said the visitor.  “Put-ons.  I don’t mind at all.  It’s ripoffs I’m not crazy about.”
Barbie’s eyes grew wide with wonder, then softened with understanding.’
“I know what you mean,” she said.  “I handle my outfits very carefully.”



My comments:

One mistake
Barbie wore a zebra stripe swimsuit in 1959, not a leopard print in 1958.

Doll references
The Barbie doll being interviewed is Sweet 16 Barbie from 1974.  The yellow tank top and jeans short are for her.  The pink-and-white checked dress is for the 1973 Quick Curl Barbie doll.
The Ken doll in the article is Mod Hair Ken from 1973.  Ken was first sold in 1961.
The other dolls in the article are Malibu Skipper from 1971, Quick Kelley from 1973, Quick Curl Francie from 1973, Malibu Christie from 1972, Malibu PJ from 1972; and three dolls that were no longer on the market in 1974:  Brad (sold in 1969 and 1970), Midge (1963 to 1966), and Stacey (1968 to 1970).

Other references
Barbie’s ballerina outfit (#7701 Graceful Costumes for a Ballerina, from 1973)
Barbie’s doctor outfit (#7700 A Barbie Doctor’s Professional Attire, from 1973)
Barbie’s explorer outfit (#7702 Bright Gear for Camping Out, from 1973)
Barbie’s nurse outfit (Barbie had one in 1961, but none since then)
Barbie’s tennis outft (#7842 Neatest Tennis Set at the Net, from 1974)
Beach Bus (the blue version of the Country Camper, sold in 1972)
Breezy Buggy and Tent Trailer (sold in 1974)
Country Camper (first sold in 1971)
Country Camper Cook N Serve Sets (first sold in 1972, #693.  I’ve never heard of this before!  Was this a Mattel product or made by somebody else?)
Ken’s blue tuxedo (#7836 Suited for a Handsome Groom, from 1974)
Ken’s tennis outfit (#7837 Tennis Gear Set to Score, from 1974)
Pool Party (sold in 1974)
10-speeder bicycle (sold in 1974)
Three-story Townhouse (sold in 1974)
Wristwatches, coloring books and paper dolls (sold by Whitman and other companies since the 1960s)