I'm trying to think back to 1975 and think what the mainstream appeal of a classic comics Flash Gordon design would be. I read FG comics in the late 60s, early 70s, but they were the redesigned Dan Barry style. When the Filmation animated series came out in 79-81, Mattel had the license with an inflatable Zarkov's Rocket! This toy looks like a throwback or reissue of a 30s style Tootsietoy...
I've almost bought that large ship several times but keep saying "No" to myself because it's just bigger than anything I want in a spaceship. Maybe one day I'll catch myself saying "Yes"!
I think "Steampunk Victorian" is spot-on as a description, and this is the kind of goofy streamlined vehicle design which I love, largely due to first-generation Japanese Sci-Fi models having a lot of that influence. Much better than the boring "could be authentic" design of Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, et al, that came afterwards. The influence of pulp fiction magazine artists like Frank R. Paul is evident too - I love this style!
Other supporting characters including Prince Barin of Arboria Lord Vultan of Sky City Prince Thun lion warrior Queen Fria King Kala Queen Azura the witch and many more.
Flash Gordon 90 years of epic adventures created by Alex Raymond inspired from the novel becomes a live action adventure fantasy superhero science fiction melodrama film serialized in TV films comics animation and media worldwide.
Flash Gordon 90 years of epic adventures created by Alex Raymond inspired from the novel becomes a live action adventure fantasy superhero science fiction melodrama film serialized in TV films comics animation and media worldwide. waynemoises@gmail.com
The original Flash Gordon movie serials (1936, 1938, and 1940) were re-edited in to movies at one point. Many of the old movie serials were re-packaged for television in the 1950s and 1960s, and were shown on American TV. The only such series I can recall seeing in New Zealand were the Flash Gordon ones, which is how I came to know the character. There was also a West German TV series made in the 1950s. The Road Stars toys were made by L.J.N. Toys, and there was a group of film and TV related models - everything from the Flash Gordon spaceship to the family truck from The Waltons.
Flash Gordon 90 years of epic adventures created by Alex Raymond inspired from the novel becomes a live action adventure fantasy superhero science fiction melodrama film serialized in TV films comics animation and media worldwide.
I'm trying to think back to 1975 and think what the mainstream appeal of a classic comics Flash Gordon design would be. I read FG comics in the late 60s, early 70s, but they were the redesigned Dan Barry style. When the Filmation animated series came out in 79-81, Mattel had the license with an inflatable Zarkov's Rocket!
ReplyDeleteThis toy looks like a throwback or reissue of a 30s style Tootsietoy...
Here's the Mattel rocket..
Deletehttps://reflectionsonfilmandtelevision.blogspot.com/2012/09/collectibles-of-week-flash-gordon.html?m=1
I've almost bought that large ship several times but keep saying "No" to myself because it's just bigger than anything I want in a spaceship. Maybe one day I'll catch myself saying "Yes"!
DeleteIts almost steampunk isn't it, that Flash Gordon styling. Almost Victorian looking.
DeleteI think "Steampunk Victorian" is spot-on as a description, and this is the kind of goofy streamlined vehicle design which I love, largely due to first-generation Japanese Sci-Fi models having a lot of that influence. Much better than the boring "could be authentic" design of Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, et al, that came afterwards. The influence of pulp fiction magazine artists like Frank R. Paul is evident too - I love this style!
DeleteBuster Crabbe the original American superhero space warrior and freedom fighter of Planet Mongo in Flash Gordon anthology film series.
DeleteChris Hemsworth as Flash Gordon.
DeleteTessa Thompson as Dale Arden.
DeleteJeff Goldblum as Dr Ivan Zarkov
DeleteGeorge Takei as Ming the Merciless.
DeleteKaren Fukuhara as Princess Aura.
DeleteOther supporting characters including Prince Barin of Arboria Lord Vultan of Sky City Prince Thun lion warrior Queen Fria King Kala Queen Azura the witch and many more.
DeleteMongo a fictional.planet home of the nation state of Mongovia.
DeleteIt looks like a toddlers bath toy to me. A bit naff.
ReplyDeleteInflatable toys were always a risk. A bit like those all text stories in Annuals that I just skipped past!
DeleteFlash Gordon 90 years of epic adventures created by Alex Raymond inspired from the novel becomes a live action adventure fantasy superhero science fiction melodrama film serialized in TV films comics animation and media worldwide.
DeleteI am the fan of classic cartoons and comicbooks my name is Wayne Moises of California USA. waynemoises@gmail.com.
DeleteFlash Gordon 90 years of epic adventures created by Alex Raymond inspired from the novel becomes a live action adventure fantasy superhero science fiction melodrama film serialized in TV films comics animation and media worldwide. waynemoises@gmail.com
DeleteThe original Flash Gordon movie serials (1936, 1938, and 1940) were re-edited in to movies at one point.
ReplyDeleteMany of the old movie serials were re-packaged for television in the 1950s and 1960s, and were shown on American TV. The only such series I can recall seeing in New Zealand were the Flash Gordon ones, which is how I came to know the character.
There was also a West German TV series made in the 1950s.
The Road Stars toys were made by L.J.N. Toys, and there was a group of film and TV related models - everything from the Flash Gordon spaceship to the family truck from The Waltons.
Yep, Flash, along with Buck, are characters from the Golden Age and the collectables from their heydays are prolific and amazing.
DeleteI am the fan of classic cartoons and comicbooks in popular culture in TV films comics animation and media worldwide.
DeleteLovely design which brings to mind the Danish "Birdie" Hoptimist mobile.
ReplyDeleteIn 1976 LJN issued in their Road Stars series also three carded Space: 1999 diecast vehicles and a rare boxed tri-pack (scroll half-way down)
https://catacombs.space1999.net/main/merc/vmmbuggy.html
Just had a look Arto. What a cool three toy set that is!
DeleteFlash Gordon 90 years of epic adventures created by Alex Raymond inspired from the novel becomes a live action adventure fantasy superhero science fiction melodrama film serialized in TV films comics animation and media worldwide.
DeleteThanks for sharing the information.😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎
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