W I L D W O O D

HI Woodsy.I have taken my annual visit to Wildwood NJ.The boardwalk ,which is usually not crowded in early August,was even less crowded,probably because of Covid concerns.

The amusement piers are open,with cleaning crews keeping things clean and safe.While I did walk out on the piers,I wasn't so much interested in the rides.My goal was some early Christmas shopping.

The little shops along the boardwalk are famous for unusual items and most are having end of season sales.I also wanted to indulge in a slice of boardwalk pizza.

My choice was an unusual one.Pizza with grilled chicken, barbecue sauce and white cheddar cheese.Surprisingly good! 

I took some pics of the gaudy glitz that best defines the Wildwoods

BrianF 
NJ USA

THE MIGRATING BEAUTY

A digression from vintage playthings I admit but Honey West aka Anne Francis's beauty spot has caught my attention. 

I'm perplexed by the allure of such dark spots but they do add a special something or other wouldn't you say?

Anyway, Miss. Francis reminded me that my teenage heartthrob Linsey De Paul had her own beauty spot, albeit located above her upper lip rather than the lower. Migrating beauty spots aside, Lindsey was what was called a dreamboat back in the early Seventies. Yes, she was my dreamboat and I adored Linsey.

Although most famous for her song Sugar Me, the high point of my own adulation was later when she appeared on Top of the Pops singing Won't Somebody Dance with Me circa 1973. I was 12 and in love and yes I would have danced with you Linsey!

In an odd quirk of serendipity I had the chance to sort of tell Linsey around 1985. Despite being 24 and already a Dad, when my friend told me, as we walked through London, that the flat above where we were strolling was that of one Miss. De Paul. In an inexplicable fit of nostalgia I began to loudly sing Won't Somebody Dance With Me below the flat's balcony Romeo style!

I'm pleased to say that it garnered zero response from anyone inside and I'm thankful its all in the past! I certainly wouldn't do anything so impulsive or downright intrusive now!

Described as a renaissance woman, Linsey was a huge pop star in her time and influenced many other artists. Coming full circle back to spies, she was romantically linked to both Mr. Sean Connery Bond and Mr. James In Like Flint Coburn!

Sadly Linsey de Paul died suddenly aged just 66 in 2014. RIP Linsey.

Did you have any teen idols as a teen and did you ever get the chance to tell them readers?

BARBARA'S BAZOOKA JOE!

Hi Woodsy

I have just spotted your blog and thought I would send you a couple of photos....because I still have my Bazooka Joe ring!!! 

Yes, that whizzy sound is so unforgettable....and it still works :D I couldn't find a single picture of one on the internet, only the metal version (which I think maybe is the one they had in the USA?). I wonder how many still exist?? I was looking on ebay and even the certificates seem to be a rarity. 

Kind regards,

Barbara

Anyone else got one?

'EARTHBOUND' DELUXE EAGLE SET ARRIVAL IMMINENT

 Sixteen 12 have updated collectors of the imminent arrival of their latest 12" Eagle Deluxe set featuring the Rescue Eagle and the Kaldorian spacecraft.

Delivery is expected at their distribution unit on Monday, and then the small team at Sixteen 12 will begin the job of packing them up and sending them out to customers. 

Here's a photo taken by Sixteen 12 showing stacks of outer packaging, waiting to be filled.

This set has already proved popular with collectors, with very limited stock left out of the limited run of 1500. 

It's not hard to see why. I was lucky enough to take photos of the prototype models, and I can honestly say I found it very impressive, especially the Kaldorian spacecraft.

I took a couple of shots showing a kind of 'behind the scenes' look. Obviously, it's a fairly basic set up; a space backdrop and a moonscape using dried fine sand, mixed with cement dust, and a few small rocks.

Here's a link to the Sixteen 12 Earthbound set for any one wanting further info:  https://www.sixteen12.com/shop/this-episode-earthbound-deluxe-set/

BAZOOKA JOE JUNIOR

Moonbase Junior has a few jokes in his toy box.

When I saw these two together it brought back a memory of my own.

The water-squirter ring, a classic prank, reminded me of a ring I had/ saw when I was a nipper, the Bazooka Joe Secret Club ring.

It sort of looked like this joke ring a bit although I can't swear to the colour. I recall it had a plastic meshed circular cap over a whistling mechanism.

The red whistling lips Junior has make almost exactly the same noise I remember the Bazooka Joe Ring making!

Sound memory!

Here's me blowing Junior's plastic lips. That's Bazooka Joe's whistling ring!

Did you have a Bazooka Joe siren ring?

ANNE FRANCIS: FROM ALTAIR IV TO HONEY WEST

Not wanting to close the case file on Honey West but rather add to Paul A's research [see comments today] I was drawn into Anne Francis's obituary, which appeared in the Los Angeles Times in January 2011 when she died aged 80.

https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-anne-francis-20110103-story.html

Anne Francis played Honey West in the TV show in the Sixties. Its only when you look into her life that you realise just how many films and TV shows she was in and how far back she goes.

Its only now that its clicked properly. She played Altaira in Forbidden Planet, the droid-like daughter of the despot scientist Morbius. What an amazing thing to have been in and reading her orbituary its clear that she and none of the cast knew how big it would later become, the Granddaddy of Sci-Fi moviedom. In that sense it reminds me a lot of the original Star Wars flicks and how the young cast had no idea what a monster they were in.

Its strange how Honey West was pulled after 30 episodes on TV but Anne provides the answer in the obituary. The Avengers. Ironically Honor Blackman had turned down the role of Honey. She was first choice. I must admit its hard to compete with Cathy Gale/ Emma Peel and Steed especially if the networks bought the British show for a good price. Having said that I'm sure Honey West will be viewed in the same light as these more famous agents as forming an important part of that vanguard of powerful leading ladies on Sixties TV.

Her TV partner John Ericson died this Spring aged 93.

I read somewhere that a Honey West movie was once considered and one Reece Witherspoon would play Honey. Here's ABC News' take on the story https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=103629&page=1. Oddly they call the original authors of the novels Firling. I thought it was Fickling. Hmmm.

I don't think Witherspoon's Honey ever left the hive but she does have an uncanny resemblance to Anne Francis seen here on the left. Reece that is!

Have you any memories to share of Anne Francis or Forbidden Planet or anything else she starred in readers?

THE NAME'S GILBERT. GILBERT ACTION DOLLS.

Woodsy

I enjoyed your Gilbert action figures piece and have attached pics of some of the 1/6 figures I've had come and go over the years. They're always good trade stock even if you don't collect them yourself. 

My fave is Moon McDare who has stayed with the collection.

You're welcome to post them on the blog and share them with the readers if you wish.

Tony K

UK

SIXTEEN 12 UFO DISPLAY STAND

The Product Enterprise UFO, a fine model which I enjoy photographing in various dioramas.

My dioramas are only  temporary of course,simply created on the day for my photos. When not being used the UFO model sits inconspicuously in my display cabinet. 

So I was quite pleased to read that  Sixteen 12 Collectables have now revealed their new UFO display stand , to accompany their UFO Interceptor Launch Crater.

This companion piece features their previously released Product Enterprise UFO Saucer which originally  came out as a two-part set with a UFO Interceptor not too long before Product Enterprise ceased trading, making them a little hard to get hold of.

Both the launch crater and the UFO display have had an update to their manufacturing process using cold cast polystone which removes the need for 'no undercuts' in the sculpting. Both displays have now been completely re- sculptured with better detailing.

The UFO was scheduled to be part of the new SHADO Mobile 2 diorama, however it looks like Sixteen 12 will be having a re-think on that as SHADO 2 has been temporally removed from their website.

 The UFO and display are limited to 1500 units and will retail for £49.99

Further info here: https://www.sixteen12.com/shop/ufo-saucer-with-lunar-display-base/