MOONBASE CENTRAL: 2025

Wednesday, 31 December 2025

It's Nearly Here!

It's alive! — Ayesha L. Rubio https://share.google/sZ5Co8CU1GeuqZvYy

I am afraid I do not know too much about this furry gentleman, who is about to tuck in to a pretty substantial looking fish dinner. Apart from the fact that it looks to be friction-powered, Made in Hong Kong, and was numbered No.417 on the underside.

There are two wheels under the red box, and a single wheel under the barrel. Bizarre, but cute.

Four photographs from Worthpoint.

Paul Adams from New Zealand

The rest of the Dining Cat photos. I have no idea what his real name is. Another toy I stumbled across while looking for something else.

Yours Sincerely,

Paul from NZ

Greetings from Reeth

It's nearly New Year in Reeth.

In Swaledale

In the Yorkshire Dale's

Where you can walk on water

In God's Own County!

Happy New Year's Eve readers!

Japanese SPV's

SPV's and then some!

Marx of the Gorilla

I saw this image while searching for the old horror flick Equinox.

I'm uncertain if it's actually from the film.

What is for certain is that the gorilla in the scene is this Marx toy complete with flimsy chain and shackles!

I'd have loved this King Kong as a kid.

Anyone have or got one?

Tuesday, 30 December 2025

JETGARRY! WOW!

Further Japanese brilliance!

Sheer genius!

Betamax Lives!

Being a fan of old film tech I was sorely tempted by this vintage Sony Betamax VCR I saw in Shipley.

Looking like something out of a space station it was huge too. The price of £100 was more than I could justify as well. I have very few Betamax tapes.

A gorgeous thing.

Do you like it? Have you any old tech like this?

Monday, 29 December 2025

S T A R C O N D O R

I've been browsing Japanese language toy sites. The sheer breadth of incredible vehicle design is staggering.

I'll post a few that caught my eye, like this fabulous thing with Skyship 1 wheels.

I think the name says Starcondor.

What do you think?

A World Before VHS - 8mm Movies

Hi Woodsy,

Here is a look at the world of 8mm home movies, from the days before videotape. Mostly silent, black and white, and heavily cut down.

It does mention the more risque side of the 8mm world, including the 'under the counter' titles. However, most are regular movies, shorts, and cartoons, in various lengths.

Often a single film would be cut up, and made in to several different 8mm releases, each under a different title. Lots of great old artwork from the box tops.

The prices are impressive – collecting these films was only for the dedicated. As I have said before, I did not even know this world existed in the 1960s and 1970s, and never saw any of these 8mm movies in New Zealand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DOpbDNOYgY

Paul Adams from New Zealand

Do you collect 8mm, Super 8 or Cinefilms readers?

Sunday, 28 December 2025

Elementary TV

I caught The Hound of the Baskerville's on TV last night. It's one of my favourite Victorian gothic tales and a stroke of genius by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

It's mix of science, moorland, tors, murk and the supernatural is simply fantastic and I watch at least one version every Christmas.

Last night's was the modernish Roxburgh Hart one from 2002 and second only to the Cushing Hammer horror version in my mind.

Having said that there are 20 odd versions of the Hound's tale on film and TV, most of which have eluded me, including the early Basil Rathbone film, which I've never seen either. That's something I need to sort out this new year.

For me, the Watson character, that Ian Hart plays in the 2002 flick, holds real allure. He's an unattached man of action - unlike me! - and will turn his hand to anything. He also wears fabulous Tweedy trousers and jackets, eats posh nosh constantly and carries all sorts of gear a bit like Batman! Telescope, binoculars and even a revolver, which is always unusual, seeing a British man with a gun! Yes, I can see myself being Watson in another life!

How about you? Holmes, Watson, Mortimer or Stapleton?

Checking the Radio Times I see that the Christopher Plummer Sherlock vehicle, Murder by Decree, is on tonight here in Blighty. 9pm Legend Xtra, sadly a channel, Freeview 69, which I cannot get, despite re-tuning the telly. Doh!

I'll see if it's on Prime.

Do you like Sherlock Holmes films readers?