Many kids of the late Sixties knew that Coloufirms Outer Space Men alien action figures [top pic] fitted superbly with Mattel's Major Matt Mason, his buddy Captain Lazer and fellow aliens Callisto and Scorpio [above bottom]. They were all rubberised and played well together without too much green blood loss!
I'm not sure who designed Mattel's two aliens [anyone? and was there a third alien called Orr?] but the creator of the Colorforms gang was Mel Birnkrant. Mel is still going strong and has the definitive website on the Outer Space Men, which is well worth a look at.
Coming full circle and inspired by the opening of PROMETHEUS today in the UK, I wondered what more modern alien action figure might have gone well with the Colourforms and Mattel space folk? My own suggestion would be the HR Giger- designed ALIEN figure. I never owned any ALIEN toys back in 1979 [I was 18 and busy growing my hair long] but if I had I'd have wanted the gargantuan KENNER ALIEN with it's clear domed brainpan pictured above. Probably the wrong scale for most Mattel or Colourforms but Captain Lazer would have had a worthy 12 inch foe if they'd met! I wonder of Birnkrant and Giger have ever met for that matter? They're both still around!
What would be your favourite additions to the Mattel and Colourforms aliens lines?
3 comments:
The kenner Alien didnt last long as it scared the bejeezus out of the kids. Like hens teeth to get hold of as well. The Capt Laser based Galactica figures of the Colonial Warrior - looked like he should be selling the Watchtower door to door and the black Cylon were rubbish. Moon McDare and Johnny Apollo needed some alien counterparts too. My favourite figures of the late seventies were the Denys Fisher Cyborg line. Fabulous
Outer Space Men (and the amazing photography/packaging) evoke the original feeling of 'toy awe' in me. Glyos recently did a remake line of these (in smaller, non-bendy action figure format)...just beautiful. I played with Major Matt Mason and 'knew of' the Outer Space Men...but alas never had them together. I think that Callisto and Scorpio fit well among their ranks and envy the child who had all of these.
I remember our local Zellers store (Canada) having a full wall of these Kenner Aliens on blowout sale...hind sight. The silver teeth and pop-out mouth/tongue feature was brilliant.
Oh, and apologies, but I cannot let an Outer Space Men article pass by without mentioning Orbitron: the man from Uranus.
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