1 post tagged “toys”
One of the things that was great about my father was that when it came to Christmas, he loved buying us toys. We'd go downtown to Jimmy McKay's Hobby Shop, which was downstairs in the basement of another store. You'd enter it like a person going into a prohibition era speakeasy. For us it was like entering the holy of holies, Bond's equipment manager "Q's" workshop, Fort Knox, and Santa's workshop all rolled into one.
Since tonight is Christmas Eve, I got to thinking about some of my favorite toys. So here they are.
For years I would sing the jingle for this toy to the boys and they would look at me like I was nuts. Well guys, here it is - Odd Og.
Odd Og, Odd Og, half turtle and half frog.
Odd Og, Odd Og, half turtle and half frog.
Today you can play any of a variety of PC games that are incredibly realistic. Well, we had the equivalent of a stick and dirt clod - the vibrating football game. Basically, you placed little plastic figures on the top of it, lining them up in formations like regular teams. Then you turned it on and they vibrated down the field - you hoped. There is no way to emphasize how lame this was.
Now we are getting warmed up. This was one of the greatest toys we ever had - the Mattel Thingmaker Creepy Crawlers variation. Now get this you people worried about your kids getting hurt. This kit actually cured plastic in molds over a heater! That's right, we had HEAT! But it could make the coolest stuff. I think Bruce had one that made skeltons - a Thingmaker II
In the world that was, you had to be armed. There was no telling when the boy across the street might attack. This sawed off weapon was always ready to mow them down. I mean how much cooler can you get than Steve McQueen?
You could be so cool that you lived in San Francisco, wearing suits and shirts with ruffles at the end of the sleeves. You could have a Chinese valet at your beck and call, a personal box at the opera, and yet can use a 45 revolver like you invented it. Now that you mention it...
Paladin. Richard Boone. Nuff said.
But I save the best for last. With this toy, you ruled the battlefield no matter where you are. The Johnny 7 One Man Army Gun was the best toy I ever owned. It shot plastic bullets, missiles, grenades - two kinds, fired caps and had a bayonet.
A few years ago, the boys looked into getting me one - it was on eBay for $150. Wow! I think I played with it until it fell apart.
I hope your kids have half as much fun as I did.
May all of you have a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
In the world that was, you had to be armed. There was no telling when the boy across the street might attack. This sawed off weapon was always ready to mow them down. I mean how much cooler can you get than Steve McQueen?
You could be so cool that you lived in San Francisco, wearing suits and shirts with ruffles at the end of the sleeves. You could have a Chinese valet at your beck and call, a personal box at the opera, and yet can use a 45 revolver like you invented it. Now that you mention it...
Paladin. Richard Boone. Nuff said.
But I save the best for last. With this toy, you ruled the battlefield no matter where you are. The Johnny 7 One Man Army Gun was the best toy I ever owned. It shot plastic bullets, missiles, grenades - two kinds, fired caps and had a bayonet.
A few years ago, the boys looked into getting me one - it was on eBay for $150. Wow! I think I played with it until it fell apart.
I hope your kids have half as much fun as I did.
May all of you have a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
