Series: Vintage Toyshop Mysteries
Author: Barbara Early
Hank McCall here.
Some of the items that fly off the shelves of Well Played, our vintage toyshop, are toys, games, and action figures inspired by TV and movie characters--and other aspects of popular culture. What was pop culture at the time now inspires a dramatic sense of nostalgia, making these original toys a favorite with collectors--or even non-collectors who recall them with delight.
I thought I'd share a few favorites.
Gumby is a perpetual favorite. In this shot he's being photobombed by ET, Annie, and the Abominable Snowman from Rudolph. Dolls, figurines, and action figures exist for almost every popular movie and television show. Often the popular characters were produced in greater number, and are easier finds--and less expensive than their rarer counterparts.
Vehicles are also popular. Who remembers Evel Knievel?
And if that's put you in a musical mood, why not belt out a song with Donny and Marie on your own disco amplifier?
Giveaway:
Did you have a favorite toy related to a pop culture franchise? Or what television show, movie, or musical group do you think should have a related toy?
Comment below, including your email address in a spam-safe format [Myname (at) provider (dot) com], and one person will win their choice of a Death of a Toy Soldier (in their choice of format) OR an advance paperback copy of Murder on the Toy Town Express. This contest runs until September 5th.
Death of a Toy Soldier is currently available in hardcover or as an e-book. The paperback version releases September 12th.
Murder on the Toy Town Express releases October 10th.
Posts
I used to like The Monkees toys.
Replydebby236 at gmail dot com
I watch Partridge Family re-runs every afternoon, lol. shows were so much better back then.
ReplyI watch Partridge Family re-runs every afternoon, lol. shows were so much better back then. [email protected]
ReplyMickey mouse toys from the mickey mouse club! [email protected]
ReplyThis is very interesting since some of these toys I was unaware of and many were when I was young during the 1950's. I pine for those days. I never had these but love the vintage aspect. Lassie toys. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyA Charlie's Angels toy would have been wonderful. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyI had a few Star Wars toys and a Strawberry Shortcake lunch box. I used to play with an Adaams Family board game left over from my aunt and uncle at my grandparents' house. Thank you for the chance to win. Dmskrug3(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyWhen I was little, Winky Dink was very popular. You could order the special film to put over your TV screen and a special crayon to write on it! bobwiesmann at gmail dot com.
ReplyI think lunch boxes were my tribute to the pop culture -- a Disney school bus carrying all the characters, Barbie, Scooby Doo, etc... Although I think my favorite one was a U.S. Mailbox lunch box! We also went the Gumby and Pokey route -- I liked Gumby the best because he bent a lot better than Pokey. Thank you so much for the opportunity to win a copy of Death of a Toy Soldier! bobandcelia at sbcglobal dot net ~
ReplyGreat memories here! My 3rd cousin did the casting for "The Partridge Family" along with other classics from the'60's through the '80's, so I am a bit biased. Would love to get Murder On The Toy Town Express - loved Toy [email protected]
Replycjreynolds52(at)comcast(dot)net
ReplyDeath of A Toy Soldier
Each year there was a new must have lunch box.
Replylibbydodd at comcast dot net
I would love to have some of the vintage lunch boxes with the Partridge Family, and Roy Rogers etc. just fun to look at...thank you for the contest.
ReplyMarilyn [email protected]
I had a Rudolph the red nosed reindeer toy when I was quite young.It had small nubs for antlers like young male deer. My older cousin thought I'd hurt myself and broke them off. patwalkerp(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyStar Wars toys
Replyjtcgc at yahoo dot com
I had a Snoopy lunchbox as a kid. Thanks for the giveaway! aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyI still fondly remember my Scooby Doo lunch box!!! I was still using it in sixth grade, although most of my peers were brown-bagging. lbowser333 at gmail dot com
ReplySeinfeld is my favorite show. Don't know what kind of toys would fit in there tho. turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyWhat a trip down memory lane! I was always thrilled to get a lunch box with some popular show character on it.
Replysallycootie(at)gmail(dot)com
I really liked the Flintstones. Still have a Flintstones lunch box. Really enjoyed "Death of a Toy Soldier", looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Replydiannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I really liked the Flintstones. Still have a Flintstones lunch box. Really enjoyed "Death of a Toy Soldier", looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Replydiannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I loved my Dark Shadows Barnabas Collins game! It even came with fake fangs! Thank you for the giveaway! barbie17(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyPS: My book choice would be Murder on the Toy Town Express, thank you barbie17(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyWe didn't have TV until I was in high school and then they didn't have tie-ins. I want a Lt. Kenda t-shirt!
ReplyI would have to say that my pop culture toy loves were my new kids on the block dolls and my dads Six Million dollar man action figure. I used to make them date Barbie. Ken was so jealous. Murder on the Toy Town Express would be my pick. Utaker555 (at)gmail (dot) com
ReplyI don't really have a favorite pop culture toy, but I remember the old lunchboxes. I think I had a Strawberry Shortcake one and a Scooby Doo one at different points. mbradeen (at) yahoo (dot) com
ReplyI had a Gumby, and I had a Josie and the Pussycats lunchbox (that I hated, and it was already used when I got it). I liked my Gumby, but I never really knew what to do with it. A later lunchbox was better--a Snoopy lunchbox shaped like a rounded yellow Snoopy house. So very, very cool!
Replyjsmith[delete brackets]3may[delete brackets]2011
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I'm not sure if there were Brady Bunch toys, probably were, but that would have been groovy.
Replymarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I was gifted a Mary Kay BARBIE doll. I didn't actually own any pop culture toys but I always loved Charlie Brown's Gang including Snoopy. When I got older and had a Christmas tree, I bought Charlie Brown ornaments and I also had a figurine that had the whole gang on it including the sparse Christmas tree.
Replygheruska44(at)gmail(dot)com (Ginger Heruska)
Enjoyed the first book and would like to win Murder on the Toy Town Express!
Replyrebarger(at)bellsouth(dot)net
We had lunch boxes with The Flintstones & the Batman TV show characters. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyI had snoopy windup musical stuffed toy loved it and still have it. Thanks for the chance. Maceoindo (at)yahoo (dot) com
ReplyI had more pop culture books - Mod Squad, Partridge family, than books. cheers (at) marjimManor (dot) com
ReplyI can't think of anything that I have or would like to have that has to do with pop culture. I did like the Flintstones and Jetsons and still do. bookaunt at outlook dot com
ReplyI have an original Mickey Mouse watch. Although it doesn't run, I figure it's got to be worth something. I have an Annie doll, too. Not sure how old it is since I rescued it. I love all the older items relating to the television shows I watched as a child. They bring back great memories. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyI liked the jelly glasses from cartoons ( I know it's not a toy). But I enjoyed drinking my milk from them.
Replykckendler at gmail dot com
I was a big fan of Mod Squad, I'm not sure if there were toys though.
ReplyKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
I have barbie's. Had an original only with black hair but she was stolen from a display I had set up to sell crocheted barbie clothes.My mom knitted a dress for her with pick up sticks. Still have some nice memories and some of the clothes. I make fancier type clothes for them now but not so often. jluebke(at)frontier(dot)com
ReplyI had things related to The Man from Uncle! Now - how about Twin Peaks?
Replyteabird17 (at) yahoo ** dot ** com
I have several of the Charlie Brown ornaments and a few Maxine (Crabby Lady) items, such as ornaments, a mug and a couple other things. dbahn(at)iw.net
ReplyI loved Mrs.Beasley from Family Affair. I also had the dolls from the Sound of Music. I remember those jelly glasses! I was always begging my mom for them. Haha. A lot of fun memories here. cristinaalaska(@)gmail(dot)com
ReplyI always wanted a toy from Lassie or one of the other tv shows that i heard about but I lived in a abusive foster home and tv was not allowed. [email protected]
ReplyLong time ago Gumbo had a show on tv. I remember watching with my brother and sister. I love to win anything! [email protected]. Veronica
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