When Ridley Scott’s ground-breaking sci-fi horror movie Alien first opened way back in 1979, toy maker Kenner - fresh from the unprecedented success of its Star Wars action figures - was perhaps the obvious choice to create a line of tie-in merchandising. Not surprisingly, however, given the adult film certificate on the original movie, Kenner’s initial attempt at creating an Alien toy in the shape of a not-so-cuddly and fearsomely huge 18-inch Alien “doll” didn’t go down too well with parents … [Read more...]
Who you gonna call this Christmas!?
Ghostbusters saw the 30th anniversary of its original release this past year. Sadly, the world also lost Harold Ramis, who played Egon Spengler and was one of the creators of this iconic movie, so this seems like a very good year to remember Ghostbusters at Christmas. In 2010 Toys R Us sold this exclusive set of 6-inch action figures by Mattel, based on a short scene in the sequel Ghostbusters II, where the team ran through the streets of New York wearing Santa hats. … [Read more...]
Happy Halloween! NECA Cult Classics Eric Draven from The Crow
With Halloween very nearly upon us I thought this would be an excellent moment to showcase this recent flea market find. Admittedly it will be quite a few years before this 2005 NECA figure celebrating The Crow movie character Eric Draven can properly be described as “vintage”, but he is such a stunning figure I couldn’t resist adding him to my collection.The tragic and untimely death of Brandon Lee in an on-set firearms accident during filming of the final scenes of the 1994-released movie … [Read more...]
Sam Cobra – The Renegade Bad Man by Marx!
When toy maker Louis Marx & Co. launched its response to industry rival Hasbro's G. I. Joe (or Action Man, as he was known in the UK ) it was in the form of a 12 inch articulated cowboy “doll for boys” called Johnny West. First appearing in 1965, Johnny West marked the first character in the hugely collectible Best of the West action figure line, with clan leader Johnny quickly joined by other West family members over the years that followed – Jane, Jay, Josie, Jamie, Janice, Jimmie, and … [Read more...]
Remembering Bruce Lee
On this day back in 1973 Bruce Lee, the greatest martial arts icon of them all, died at the shockingly young age of 32. Tragically, after a string of Hong Kong movies - Lo Wei's The Big Boss in 1971, my personal favourite, Fist of Fury the following year, and his self-written and directed Way of the Dragon (also 1972) - at the time of his death he was on the edge of finally enjoying global super-stardom with the Warner Brothers' produced Enter the Dragon, the last movie he would complete in his … [Read more...]
Legendary Source, Mystic Force! Blue Power Ranger with sound effects by Bandai
TV shows from the Power Rangers franchise are popular the world over. Certainly, they often seem to turn up on thrift stalls or markets here in Rome, Italy where I live. I don't buy many figures issued this side of the millennium, although if I find a figure with a particularly interesting feature I'll occasionally break my own rule. After all, today's figures are tomorrow's vintage! And this Mystic Force action figure grabbed my attention even before I'd set eyes on it. Rummaging in the bottom … [Read more...]
Roz from Monsters, Inc. by McDonald’s
This summer sees the return to the big screen of some of the characters from the hugely popular 2001 Pixar animated movie Monsters, Inc. in a 3D prequel Monsters University. Monsters, Inc. received the 3D treatment itself last year and that version will finally be hitting screens in Italy where I live next month, so I thought it might be fun to take a look at a collectible figure from the time of the first film's original release – the gravel voiced Monsters, Inc. secretary, and undercover boss … [Read more...]
Jane West the Movable Cowgirl by Marx!
The secret behind the success of the 1960s and 70s Best of the West action figures was surely the loving attention to detail which toy makers Louis Marx & Co. lavished upon its flagship line. Cast in solid poly-plastic with vinyl accessories, the most striking thing about these figures today is the exquisite molding – every last fold and crease, shirt cuff, trim and button, is faithfully reproduced, with each figure issued with, quite literally, dozens of individual pieces of equipment and … [Read more...]