I think I'm in love with the Star Maidens Guard doll.
Here's one I saw on Ebay.
In particular I'm transfixed by her headgear.
I'm pretty sure its a blue American football helmet!
Here's another angle of another doll where you can see the side hole.
Both the face guard and the side hole are typical of American football helmets.
So is this what was worn in the Actual TV show?
Looking at this still I found online it would appear not. The real helmet had a transparent red eye visor all the way round.
So why did the toy makers not go for this?
Maybe it was cost? Maybe there was a supply of cheap blue miniature American football helmets that would do in a hurry?
I hunkered down like a quarterback and set to work.
There have been a few American action figures that came with a football helmet.
Probably the earliest was Johnny Hero in the 1960's, a favourite of toy guru John Marshall. Johnny was available with many different coloured kits and helmets like this one.
Gumball NFL helmets were also popular like these in the 70's but I assume these were tiny?
In the 80's loads of miniatures were available to collect too. Collector Joe Blitman lists 1:6 scale helmets on his site including this blue one, which looks a lot like the Star Maidens'.
But the 80's is too late. For the Star Maidens it would have to have been around in the early to mid 70's.
So how about Mattel's Big Jim from the early 70's?
We know its about the right size for a doll.
Its close but the Star Maidens' helmet was clearly shorter.
Maybe they did use a smaller Gumball NFL helmet?
Or maybe they just made their own from scratch?
What do you think readers?
Nice piece of research, Woodsy, on a toy range I knew nothing about. I don't know how I missed it, but I was also totally unaware of the TV series? Odd, because I was a sci fi kid and drawn to any telly which was space and aliens related ? Was it broadcast on UK TV? I'd imagine the actual dolls are very difficult to find these days? :)
ReplyDeleteI never saw it either Tone. First I knew abiut it was an Annual I found at a car boot sale about 15 years ago. Then Arto showed me his dolls and I was intrigued. What do you think about the helmet theory?
DeleteLooking at the pics for comparison, I'd guess they used a smaller gumball helmet for the Star Maiden Guard. Seems there were various versions about, as you've shown in the pics, Woodsy :)
DeleteI agree, a small gumball helmet Tone. I'd love to find one on Ebay!
DeleteStar Maidens was one of those shows that different ITV regions put on at odd times. Maybe some regions didn't show it? It was awful but did have a very Space:1999 look to it.
ReplyDeleteI quite like the red helmet they used in the show in the still above Kev. With the red perspex visor. Sort of reminds me of that Blakes 7 visor you made on that helmet on the Jonny Ross show. The helmet itself could be a small motorbike helmet maybe?
DeleteCould be. My B7 helmet was based on a climbing helmet, so it could be that.
ReplyDeletea climbing helmet. Yes!
DeleteI think you have nailed it, Woodsy. Excellent research! Very obvious really if you just come to think of it. Perhaps it is the hair, but the helmet on the Guard looks like more bulbous than your average helmet.
ReplyDeleteI recall that the production of the TV series used Space: 1999 sets between filming of its two seasons. The series is available on DVD in all its campy glory.
There is a wonderful website on the Star Maidens dolls
http://www.animus-web.demon.co.uk/maidens/dolls.htm
Thanks Arto. All down to you for sharing your mUseum pics years ago. It was fun to research. I bet we could find the actual gumball US football helmet on Ebay if we kept looking! Ta for the dolls link. An amazing page. There are FIVE dolls! I'm flabbergasted! Have you seen all 5?
DeleteI think the idea of a supply of cheap american football helmets is on the dot. One thing I remember from childhood is that often what was merchandised was just the helmet brandishing the colors and logo of a specific team. It might have been a matter of the toys maker to simply find one available of the right size if they didn't already have the mold for one. Given my memory of sports merchandising in the 70s helmets could have been generated from anything such as action figures, sports figures, fast food tie-ins, or trinket vending machines.
ReplyDeleteThanks Zubie. Its reassuring that readers agree with my mad ideas! I do love those little gumball helmets, They look great. Nothing like that in the UK except on a Star Maiden's head! ha ha
DeleteStar Maidens, as has been said, was made between seasons of Space 1999 and used a number of its props, sound FX and crew, most notably Keith Wilson, who designed both shows.
ReplyDeleteStar Maidens, as has been said, was made between seasons of Space 1999 and used a number of its props, sound FX and crew, most notably Keith Wilson, who designed both shows.
ReplyDelete