Hi Woodsy, in answer to your question about the century 21 Tommy buster gun, I bought it nearly 40 years ago at the toy fair in Cuffley. It came with this photocopy of the TV 21 advert for it.
This post makes me think back towards the 60s Children's gun culture. It seemed normal to have toys like the Mattel M16 carbine, spy guns inside transistor radios and the massive Johnny Seven One Man Army! I was thinking we've left that peculiar mindset behind and then I realised it's just as common these days with Nerf guns and super water pistols. The only thing that has really changed is the emphasis on realism has given way to fantasy styling and bright toy like colours. If the 60s guns were a reflection of the Vietnam war and James Bomd movies, what are the 2020 toys telling us about our present culture?
Interesting Looey. Modern toyshops are full of the toy guns you describe. Cheapo shops are full of toy guns and weapons. Loads of them. Very little is TV related though. No programmes seem to be made for Kids that have guns in them now I dont think. Little kids watch Hey Duggee and bigger kids watch gamers on You Tube. Toy guns are generic and brand driven like Nerf. Not TV driven now. My theory anyway.
This post makes me think back towards the 60s Children's gun culture. It seemed normal to have toys like the Mattel M16 carbine, spy guns inside transistor radios and the massive Johnny Seven One Man Army!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking we've left that peculiar mindset behind and then I realised it's just as common these days with Nerf guns and super water pistols. The only thing that has really changed is the emphasis on realism has given way to fantasy styling and bright toy like colours.
If the 60s guns were a reflection of the Vietnam war and James Bomd movies, what are the 2020 toys telling us about our present culture?
Interesting Looey. Modern toyshops are full of the toy guns you describe. Cheapo shops are full of toy guns and weapons. Loads of them. Very little is TV related though. No programmes seem to be made for Kids that have guns in them now I dont think. Little kids watch Hey Duggee and bigger kids watch gamers on You Tube. Toy guns are generic and brand driven like Nerf. Not TV driven now. My theory anyway.
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