Toys, Books, and Stuff
In 1998, Kenner added new product to their POWER OF THE FORCE line, and for this year, figures included a slide. The slides could be stored in a mail-order booklet. There was also a mail-away slide viewer. Many of the previous figures from 1995-97 were repackaged with these slides. The slides were the same image … Continue reading Star Wars 3.75-Inch Figures Part 6 (1998)
One of the most exciting sequences from RETURN OF THE JEDI is the Speeder Bike chase. I have a memory, prior to JEDI's release, of sitting in a theater with my family, watching ads, waiting for a show to begin. I don't remember what movie we were there for. (Checking a list of films that … Continue reading Kenner’s Speeder Bike (1983)
In the mid 90s, an all-new line of STAR WARS toys reached dizzying heights of popularity. And yet, just a few years earlier, the franchise was all but dead. 1986 thru 1994. Nine consecutive years without the release of any new STAR WARS 3.75-inch figures. Except for one. According to Stephen Sansweet's excellent guidebook, Vlix … Continue reading Star Wars 3.75-Inch Figures Part 4 (1995-1996)
By 1979, Kenner had conquered the toy world with their hot new STAR WARS line, but this was only the beginning. 1980 As 1980 began, anticipation was in full swing for THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK which would be released in May. The cardbacks were updated with the EMPIRE logo and an offer to receive a … Continue reading Star Wars 3.75-Inch Figures Part 2 (1980-1982)
Kenner revolutionized the toy industry with the introduction of their 3.75-inch STAR WARS "mini-figures." Before then, most action figures were much larger. With STAR WARS having so many spaceships, vehicles, and locations, Kenner saw the potential of making toy versions of these vehicles and locations that would be compatible with action figures. It wasn't practical … Continue reading Star Wars 3.75-Inch Figures Part 1 (1977-1979)
Okay. It's been over two years since I've been in the blogging world. I wanted more time to spend on my novels, so I stepped away from it for a while. But now I'm feeling it again. Let's begin this new round of posts with a look at the oldest Star Wars item I have. … Continue reading 1977 Topps Star Wars Cards
Today I'd like to take a look at some Star Wars Lunchbox classics. To start off, here's a Hallmark 1999 recreation of the original 1977 STAR WARS lunchbox: Next up: We have a vintage EMPIRE STRIKES BACK lunchbox, complete with the thermos! Next, we have a vintage RETURN OF THE JEDI lunchbox, though the thermos … Continue reading STAR WARS Lunchboxes
Today's post takes us back to 1997 when Parker Brothers released a limited edition of MONOPOLY: STAR WARS to coincide with the 20th anniversary of STAR WARS. It came with eight pewter SW character game-pieces. The Darth Vader and Boba Fett ones are my favorites! And check out the super cool currency (Imperial credits) that … Continue reading 1997 Star Wars Monopoly
THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980). The debut of Star Wars superstars Lando, Yoda, the Emperor, and Boba Fett. This is me, towards the end of April 1980, less than a month before the original release of EMPIRE: I was well aware that "Star Wars 2" was on the way, and had already sent four cut-out … Continue reading THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK – some thoughts and memories
#2 on the list? STAR WARS (1977). I first remember becoming aware of STAR WARS by looking through a book my older brother had. I didn't know how to read at the time, but there were a ton of cool pictures that I spent a lot of time looking at. Anything that had robots and … Continue reading Ranking the Star Wars and Indiana Jones Movies #2