In the 1970s the US toy company Mego produced a range of toys based on The Waltons TV series (1972-81). This was an 8-inch doll line, with poseable figures, which had real clothes.
There was a large Waltons Farmhouse, which was a two-story dolls-house. This was made of fibreboard, with fully washable vinyl surfaces, and furniture. Assembled, it was 35 inches long, and 24 inches high.
The Waltons Country Store, another dolls-house, was released later. This seems to have been the final item in The Waltons Mego range.
There were six character dolls of the main characters: Grandma; Grandpa; Mom; Pop; Johnboy, who was the main character (his father was also named John, so to avoid mix-ups John Jr. was called Johnboy); and his sister Ellen. The other five children in the family were simply ignored.
The star item in the range has to be The Waltons Truck, based on the vehicle in the series, which was a 1929 Ford Model AA pick-up. This was described as a 1930s Ford in the catalogue. The box just said The Waltons Truck.
The doll-sized vehicle was 15 inches long. It was moulded in blue plastic (actually it should be green, with black mudguards). Some of the smaller parts are black plastic, including the wheels. The axles are metal.
The cab was glazed with clear plastic, and both doors opened. It could seat two of the 8 inch dolls.
Moulded beneath the cab are the words '© 1975 LORIMAR PRODUCTIONS INC. - MADE IN U.S.A. Beneath the truck bed is 'MEGO CORP., NEW YORK, N.Y. 10010 - NO.56012'.
The copyright date shown in an old Mego catalogue in this You Tube video, is 1974 Lorimar Productions Inc. That was the date seen on the boxes for the dolls, but the box for the truck is clearly dated 1975 Lorimar Productions Inc.
The end-opening box has a photograph of the model, with the Johnboy doll at the wheel. The rest of the family, and the Farmhouse, are seen in the background - Waltons Figures and Farmhouse Not Included.
The end of the box repeats the copyright notice, with the 1975 date, and says Mego Corp., New York, N.Y. 10010. The catalogue number of the truck is No.56012.
Apart from being moulded in the wrong colour, this was a nice looking toy.
Four photographs from Worthpoint.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
As big as 'The Waltons' was back in the day, I don't recall seeing this line of toys, but heck, I don't recall yesterday! LOL
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean Ed. I do vividly recall everyone saying goodnight tho.
DeleteThe pickup is quite a complex molding, way more detail than the batman stuff
ReplyDeleteYes, its funny what MEGO chose to make and release Marky isn't it.
DeleteHaving gone through the occasional bout of childhood poverty back in the '70s I never found "The Waltons" toys appealing. Life was hard enough, my toys had to be poor too?
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that Cap. I hope your nets are full these days mate.
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