Toys, Games, and Action Figure Collectibles of the 1970s: Volume II Grizzly Adams to Play-Doh: Toys, Games, and Action Figure Collectibles of the 1970s, #2

By Jonathon Jones

With over 550 pictures and over 75 categories that cover boy and girl toys both, this is the second book in a series that will help to define what 70s playtime was all about. From action figures to general toys to games, this guidebook will give visual examples as well as a checklist on a wide variety of items that were produced during this fantastic decade. Whether you're a collector or someone who wants to walk down memory lane, this is the book series that you've been waiting for. 

Some of the many toys that are covered within this volume are: Mego's Happy Days, Hardy Boys, Holly Hobbie, Hot Wheels Cars, I Dream of Jeannie, Mego's KISS Figures, Kites, Kojak, Krofft Toys and Games (Sid and Marty), Laverne and Shirley, Legos, Lincoln International Monsters, Little People Playsets by Fisher Price, Lone Ranger, Lord of the Rings, Mad Monster Series by Mego, Magic Slates, Matchbox Cars, McDonald's McDonaldland Characters, Mego 12 Inch Superheroes, Micronauts, Mr. Rogers, Muppet Show, Nerf, Pelham Marionettes, Planet of the Apes, and MANY more!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jonathon Jones
• Release date: Apr 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386469360

Jonathon Jones

Born and raised in a small town in central Illinois, Jonathon Jones has spent most of his life involved in academic pursuits.   He received a Bachelor's degree in Art History at the University of South Florida. In addition, he also received a Master's degree in Library Science at that same University. He is also a member of the Society for Collegiate Scholars as well as the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Some of his many research projects have involved nutrition, philosophy, art, antiques, history, and human relations. His personal interests are movies, trivia games, visiting historic sites, and museums. For many years of his life he has been an avid researcher and collector of antiques and collectibles, and since 2000 has been a seller as well, primarily via online auction sites such as Ebay. He has also collaborated with and sent textual and visual submissions (Using his alternate name--Jonathon Jones is a pen name) to Ted Hake, writer of the Hake's Character Collectibles Guides, and some of his former collection pieces have been pictured within the pages of those books. His most recent dream is to write informative manuals as well as short stories via the E-book format, and with the love and support of his family and friends, he hopes this dream will become a reality. He currently resides in Florida near his family, whom he would like to thank wholeheartedly for giving him the hope and inspiration that he needs to make all of his dreams come true.

Book preview

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Toys, Games, and Action Figure Collectibles of the 1970s: Volume II Grizzly Adams to Play-Doh

by

Jonathon Jones

Copyright 2016 by Jonathon Jones

License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.

All Ebook Editions:

All characters, brand names, trademarks, products, television shows, movies, cartoons, and manufacturers shown or listed on the cover and inside of this book that are still in existence and/or are being used today are © 2016 and beyond for their respective copyright holders.  All rights reserved.

Author Note:

The opinions on all items contained within this ebook are solely based on manufactured items that were produced in the 1970s.  These opinions in no way should be interpreted as being directed towards anything except remnants of the past that were produced during that time frame.

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Grizzly Adams

Groovie Goolies Figures

Happy Days

Hardy Boys

Heroes of the American Revolution

Holly Hobbie

Honey Hill Bunch

Hoppity Hops

Hot Cycles

Hot Wheels Cars

How the West was Won

Hugo, Man of 1,000 Faces

I Dream of Jeannie

Inchworm

Jack-in-the-Box Music Boxes

Jarts (Lawn Darts)

Jaws (Chemtoy)

Jaws Game

Jet Jungle

Jewel Magic

J.J. Armes

Karate Men

King Kong

KISS

Kitchen Sets

Kites

Kojak

Krofft (Sid and Marty) Related Toys

Krusher

Lassie

Laverne and Shirley

Legends of the West

Legos

Lincoln International Monsters

Lincoln Logs

Lite-Brite

Little People Playsets

Little Professor Calculator Game

Lone Ranger Rides Again

Lord of the Rings

Mad Monster Series

Magic Slates

Martian Chronicles

Marx Plastic Superheroes

Marx and Marx-like Playsets

M*A*S*H Action Figures

Matchbox Cars & Other Vehicles

McDonaldland Characters

McDonald's Restaurant

Mego 12 Inch Super Heroes

Metal-Man

Mickey Mouse Talking Phone

Micronauts

Mighty Crusaders

Mighty Mightor

Military Legends

Moonraker

Mork and Mindy Mork with Talking Backpack

Mr. Machine

Mr. Potato Head

Mr. Rogers

Muhammad Ali

Muppet Show

Nerf

NFL Action Team Mates

Official Scout High Adventure

Official World Famous Super Monsters

Official World Famous Super Monster Bend'ems

One Million B.C.

Our Gang

Paddle Balls

Pedal Cars

Pelham Marionettes

Pillsbury Dough Boy

Pinball and Shooter Toys (Hand-held)

Pizza Hut

Planet of the Apes

Play-Doh

Introduction

In the same tradition as the first book in the series, this volume will cover a wide variety of toys, action figures, and games that were produced during the 1970s, with accompanying sample pictures for certain items in each line.  From Grizzly Adams to Play-Doh, the goal of this book is to reconnect those who lived through the era with their childhood memories, and for collectors to have a comprehensive guide to these wonderful remnants of the past.

Grizzly Adams – Groovie Goolies

Grizzly Adams

There’s nothing more normal than an extremely burly, bearded man with a soft-spoken voice who lives in the remote woods with his pet Grizzly Bear.  I'm being sarcastic, of course.  This action figure series was based on the television series of the same name and was produced by Mattel in 1978.  The figures had a movable arm feature that could be activated by pressing a button on their backs.

One would think that since Ben the bear was one of the primary selling points of the show, that he would've been widely produced by Mattel.  Sadly, I don’t think that was the case.  As a matter of fact, since I’ve yet to see a picture of one outside a catalog shot, I have a distinct feeling he wasn’t even produced.

-Grizzly Adams (#2372)

-Grizzly Adams/Ben the Bear Combo pack (Unknown if this was produced)

-Nakoma the Indian (#2381)

Grizzly Adams

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Ben the Bear (With Grizzly Adams)

(Catalog shot.  Unknown if this set was actually produced)

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Nakoma

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Groovie Goolies Figures

The Groovie Goolies was a popular animated television show that was aired from approximately 1970-2.  The characters themselves were hip monsters based on many Universal Monster characters, but with a comedic twist, and they all generally sang some kind of pop song during each episode.

It has such a cult following due to monster aficionados and those who remember the show that any related merchandise found is often grabbed up quickly.  The primary vintage toys that collectors eagerly seek consist of nine different PVC figures.  It's very difficult to locate a complete set.

Note: These were sold loose in counter display boxes as well as carded.  Carded versions are extremely difficult to find.

-Batso

-Bella Laghostley

-Drac

-Frankie

-Hagatha

-Hauntleroy

-Mummy

-Ratso

-Wolfie

The Whole Gang

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Wolfie

(Carded)

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Happy Days – Hugo, Man of 1,000 Faces

Happy Days

Who can forget the famous Aaaaaaaay of Fonzie (Henry Winkler) with those upright thumbs of his, or the fact that the character Richie (Ron Howard) was actually Opie from the Andy Griffith show, or the fact that he later grew up to be a famous director and producer?  Not many.  Actually, this show's pop-culture impact on America didn't just happen after the show was cancelled and in syndication.

Happy Days actually had such a fan base during the day that even the famous Mego Corporation decided to try and cash in on it.  Released in 1978, this action figure line featured rather realistic head sculpts and clothing, and Fonzie's thumbs could even be placed upright in order to have a selling point based on his famous trademark move.

The figures are commonly found carded, but some of the items, like Fonzie's motorcycle, jalopy, and garage, are extremely difficult to find.

Figures:

-Fonzie (Boxed or Carded)

-Potsy

-Ralph

-Richie

Fonzie

(Boxed)

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Fonzie

(Carded)

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Potsy, Richie, and Ralph

(Carded)

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Accessories and Playsets:

-Fonzie's Garage

-Fonzie's Jalopy

-Fonzie's Motorcycle

Fonzie's Garage

(Boxed)

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Fonzie's Motorcycle

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Fonzie's Jalopy

(Loose)

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This next item is not related to the Mego line of toys, but it is still cool so I had to include it.  It was made by Larami, and the graphics on the card are based off of the short-lived Fonz and the Happy Days Gang cartoon.

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Hardy Boys

The Hardy Boys was a popular television show based on the classic book series that launched the careers of both Parker Stevenson and Shaun Cassidy into orbit.  Especially Shaun, whose picture was plastered all over teen magazines well into the early eighties.

As a funny side note, after accidentally coming across a shirtless picture of Shaun during my Google searches when doing research for this toy line, I have come to a conclusion about something extremely important.

I am 100% certain that if the super skinny body type of Shaun Cassidy was still popular in today's society, I would be able to get a heck of a lot more dates.  To paraphrase a line I once heard on That 70s Show, "That guy wasn't just skinny, he was Mick Jagger skinny."

All humor aside, these two action figure celebrity dolls, released by Kenner in 1979, are often found in their original boxes and still paired together.