BRADGATE'S LITTLE BIG MAN ON TV 1973

 

Remember this little guy?

Is he the same as Madelman?

Birthday Guest Post: Madelman and Me by Tony K

I remember the icy rain on a late Saturday afternoon in the mid-seventies. 

It was the day I discovered Madelman! My Kays Catalogue parka and the warm woolly hat that mum knitted, insulated me against the hostile February elements. Me, Les and Clanger were on our way home after checking out the town toy shops. The last check of the day was the huge window of a small post office we always passed. 

The window was well known for ambushing passing kids with Airfix and Action Man. This time a number of colourfully carded action figures with the unfamiliar brand name 'Madelman' grabbed our attention. 

I found myself locked into a staring contest with a tiny pair of hypnotic 'crystal eyes' that stared back through the glass. Curiosity shoved me through the door and I eagerly traded my pocket money for the Madelman Deep Sea Diver (Buzo)... the one that'd been eyeballing me through the window. I was hooked.

Released in 1968, Madelman became one of Spain's most popular toy lines until sometime between 1982 and 1983, when production ceased. 

Collectors say that the story started when Don Josep M. Arnau, of Madrid based Industrias Plasticas Madel, discovered GI Joe whilst visiting the United States. 

The success of Hasbro's moveable fighting man inspired him to produce an articulated action figure for the Spanish toy market. 

Madelman was developed as a 1/11 (17cm) pocket sized figure with a nylon skeleton featuring unique system of ball-shaped articulation. The innovative 'Atomium' design offered superior articulation and durability for toy that symbolized action and adventure.

Madelman nurtured imagination and embodied exciting themes that thrilled kids. These included; military, adventure, polar, safari, pirates, underwater, motor racing, wild west, soccer, space and Superman. 

From 1968-1983 two distinct versions of Madelman were created. First generation figures (Primera Generacion 1968-1976), featured a broad face and red/brown hard plastic hair.

They're easily identified by 'crystal eyes'. They didn't have feet, just moulded boots which simply pushed onto the lower leg pegs. White plastic was used for the torso to simulate shorts (and vests with earliest first generation figures). 

At this stage, only male Caucasian and African figures were produced.

Second generation Madelman (1976-1983), incorporated a new look, new themes, female characters and more ethnic diversity. The iconic crystal eyes were replaced with painted eyes. 

The new Caucasian figure had an angular face, narrow nose and slightly pointed chin. The original hard plastic hair was replaced by a dark brown, soft rubber sculpt. Faces could include painted beards and moustaches. 

 Leg pegs and the original moulded push-on boot were replaced with ankle-jointed feet, for bigger removable boots. Blue plastic gradually replaced white for the simulated shorts effect.

The new line up now incorporated a tribe of colourful Native Americans. Female characters also joined the adventure for the first time. A virtual ark of assorted animals added to the action. 

 Adventure required mobility... during Madelman's career he had a variety of mission-specific vehicles, including a range of helicopters and jeeps, as well as a beautifully realistic Covered Wagon for his escapades out West.

The Madelman carded figure range started with 'Equipo Individual'. This low cost set came with a single figure and two or three small accessories. The bigger 'Equipo Basico' also included a single figure and more items of equipment for increased play value. 

'Super Equipos' were the largest and most expensive of the carded sets. They were distinguished by two Madelman figures supported by an impressive compliment of equipment and accessories. Today, original examples of these vintage carded sets with their vivid side-card illustrations, are very difficult to find and command serious attention from collectors.

Perhaps most desirable of all Madelman merchandise was the two boxed 'Mision' playsets - 'Mision Safari' and 'Mision Campana' (1969-1971). Spanish artist, Raphael Cortiella (1931-2019), known for his pulp covers and comic book art, provided the illustrations for both 'Mision' boxes. 

These boxes were super sized to accommodate multiple figures (two for Safari and three for Campana) and an impressive wealth of often unique accessories. Added to this, the Safari set included a white jeep and trailer, whilst Campana included a military jeep and a shell-firing field gun. 

The imaginative selling point of these magnificent playsets was the illustrated inner box. Both Safari and Campana had stapled litho dioramas, providing a self-contained environment for kids to play out a battle scene or live out an African adventure. At the time, these short lived masterpieces were exclusive and very expensive. 

Few were made or sold. Fragile ephemeral materials and wonderful playability guaranteed rapid deterioration and imminent destruction. Few survive.

In the course of an incredible career, Madelman's popularity spread to the UK, thanks to 'exclusive UK distributors', Pedigree Toys. Madelman also sold in other parts of Europe and Mexico. 

 Anyone who pounded the gravel with Madelman as a kid will remember the substantial quality and attention to detail that went into those small-scale outfits and accessories. As a project Madelman was an astonishing accomplishment when viewed against the production technology of the day. 

This alone makes the old-timer worthy of a good mention in action figure mythology. In recognition of the fun he bought to countless kids, this pocket size hero marked his 50th birthday last year with exhibitions and celebrations in Madrid and Barcelona... and my house!

The small post office with the huge window, where I discovered Madelman all those years ago, has long since gone - along with Les, Clanger and my other childhood reference points. 

As someone who doesn't do change particularly well, there's something reassuring knowing Madelman's still hanging around here after all these years.

Tony K

Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBmW6HF9NMI

Recommended Madelman Reading:

'Madelman - The History of the Famous Spanish Articulated Figure', by Pedro Andrea - ISBN:978-84-96658-04-2

MADELMAN BLOG SHOW 2001 SPACE ODYSSEY

Check out this neat Spanish Madelman blog.

There's the Gemini Project figure and then there's this...

the 2001 Pan Am Stewardess!

What do you think?

https://juanmadelman.blogspot.com/2011/09/2001-space-odyssey-pan-am-stewardess.html

McCall's Men

Continuing the astronaut toy theme the 2001 Madelman reminded me of a astronaut previosly blogged, Operation Astronaut from Darth's collection as pictured here from the front and rear. 

What really interests me in both astronaut boxes featured is the use of Robert McCall's art. Operation Astronaut includes a collage of no less than parts of two McCall images pictured below: the astronaut to the left and the small Nuclear Ferry at depth.

LIFE

Look and Learn

You'll remember that two other pieces of McCall's work were also used for the box art of two SWORD toys: the Nuclear Ferry and the Cape Kennedy Set. 

It makes sense that his art would be replicated this way as the late Robert McCall was the foremost space artist of his generation and his works featured prominently during the mid-Sixties in US icon LIFE magazine and UK children's journal Look and Learn.

ARCTIC PLASTIC - On Thin Ice: Tales from the Haunted Toy Box by Tony K

With the threat, or thrill, of winter cold, I thought it would be cool to dig out the parka and check-in at Madelman's Polar Station... and take a few snaps of the boys out on snow patrol! Enjoy!

Tony K.