ROLL ON: THE SECRET SAM CAMERA'S SECRET FILM TYPE REVEALED!

Following on from my recent Secret Sam post about the camera, Bill's comment about the actual film format got me thinking about the inside of the toy camera. I don't have one any more so I can't post a picture. I seem to recall a metal spool inside.

Anyways, here's a picture of the camera spool dial courtesy of one for sale on Etsy:

Bill's thinking is that the film spool was a 127 film like this - courtesy of Wiki [Smial]. The 127 roll film with empty reel is in the centre, a miniature cartridge 135 (left) and a 120 roll to the right for comparison:

Looking for answers I went to the  funny papers  paperwork that came with the Secret Sam toy from Topper Toys [my own collection]:

With the camera prominent on these toy papers, especially the case sleeve above, which even shows an example of a photograph, the camera film IS mentioned and it is indeed a 127 roll! Way to go Bill our resident camera expert!

BERBERIAN SOUND STUDIO: THE FILM

Berberian Sound Studio: a modern film starring Toby Jones. I caught this movie a few weeks back after renting it from the Library.

What can I say. Its unusual. Its set in a film studio, where they are making a horror film. Its in Italy. There's a lot of screaming. Its got nothing to do with Conan.

Most of the action takes place on a large table, where cabbages and fruit are chopped up to create sound effects for the movie being shot.

More of a soundscape than a film, if you have the BBC: Sound Effects of Death and Horror LP from the 1970's then you basically have Berberian Sound Studio.

Anyone else seen it?

IMAI ZERO-X TV ADVERT

Ever since we posted this for the first time on MC I thought ot was ace - an original Japanese TV advert for Imai's Zero X kit.

Can you think of any more Zero X TV adverts readers?

MARX GUNG HO COMMANDER OUTFIT

I would have loved this set as a nipper in the Sixties!

Not sure we had it in the UK. 

Any of our American readers remember it?

Gung Ho!

[clip: You Tube]

A FEW FANDERSON TEASER PICS

Some preview phone photos  from The Future is Fantastic.

Brian Johnson and Mike Trim being interviewed; Some original TV21 artwork from Frank Hampson; David Sisson's Stingray; An original Hawk.

EISKONFEKT

Having Europeans in the family has brought me into contact with some things I never came across as a kid in Britain.

In fact there's loads of stuff: TV shows, food, drinks, household items, types of entertainment and toys.

Here are just two:

Eiskonfekt or Ice Confectionary: 

basically these were small cups of chocolate wrapped in a coloured foil cup that were then put in the freezer to freeze. The chocolate itself reminds me of cooking chocolate but creamier. These 'sweets' came in a cellophane bag, which looked  like an icing piping bag in shape. An acquired taste but certainly different. Apart from choc ices, I had never had frozen chocolate before this.

Indoor Fireworks: 

these were boxes of fireworks for lighting indoors! Smaller than their outdoor cousins, there were snowstorms and roman candles for on the table top! Alas, to this day I have never actually seen any working, just heard about them.

You ever come across either of these readers?

LARGE PLASTIC TOY VERSIONS OF THE CORGI PADDLE WAGON AND CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG FROM SPAIN

I loved my die-cast Corgi Popeye Paddle Wagon when I was a wee laddie in the Sixties. So it was with astonishment that I saw this huge replica plastic toy online. Its by Nacoral of Spain and looks sailor man - tastic!

Just as awesome is this equally large plastic copy of the die-cast Corgi Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. By Molto of Spain too, who also did their own versions of the JR21 Thunderbirds toys, it looks truly scrumptious!

Anyone got either of these?

pics; todocollecion

THE SECRET SAM CAMERA: WHAT SORT OF FILM DID IT TAKE?

I absolutely adored my Secret Sam Attache Case by Topper as a kid in the Sixties. It was the number one spy toy that year and a must-have for a budding agent.

I've bought several cases over the years and repaired a few of the items. I even acquired a decent photocopy of the paper sleeve, which came round it in the shops.

One thing I can't recall is whether I actually took pictures with the camera. It was a real camera and did take photographs., as this old advert clip proves [You Tube]. A roll of film wasn't included with the set, which I thought was an error by Topper.

What sort of film would it have taken readers and did any of you take any Secret Sam camera snaps?