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Seriously, there were Manimal toys

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    Museum Robot
    • May 9, 2007
    • 5788

    Seriously, there were Manimal toys




    I don’t think this would be headline news anywhere else but here. If you recall NBC’s “Manimal”, the TV show that kind of made a laughing stock of the network for a period in the 1980s. The show revolved around a crime fighter who just happened to be able to turn into animals.


    So it was a lot like that video Yes did for “Owner of a lonely heart” but slightly longer. Each week, our hero would save the day by turning into a snake, panther or eagle. He could turn into other animals but the budget only let you see the aforementioned snake, panther or eagle transformations, which were well done but I digress.



    The series got crushed in the ratings and only aired 8 episodes, so merchandise was out of the question, or so I’d thought. I’d heard rumors that a toy company did have the license but only recently came across them in person


    More after the jump.




    The biggest problem with merchandising Manimal other than it was quickly removed from airwaves wasthat the premise isn’t very “Toyetic”. He’s a guy and then he turns into an animal. So you’d either have to make a figure of a guy or a toy of a snake. Children could likely reenact the show just by reaching into their toy box and using their (dreaded by toymakers) imagination.




    However rack toy legend Fleetwood Toys didn't let cancellation deter them and came up with a novel concept.






    Make figures of him in mid transformation! Before you ask, this really is officially licensed stuff, that's the series logo and the packaging bears the 20th Century Fox copyright.


    Of course, that's just a scan of a catalog, did the toys actually get released?Feast your eyes below:



    It's my first Manimal inaction figure! I'm sure in the past I've seen these loose at toy shows and completely ignored them, not realizing their inherent greatness.


    There is two reasons this brings me joy, 1) it's something that if I'd found out about after my Rack Toys book was published would have upset me and 2) after six years I finally have a "Manimal" tag for the blog. I'm sure to use that plenty.




    For more Fashion Mockery and 70's toy love visit us at Plaid Stallions.com


    More...
  • starsky
    veteran member
    • Aug 26, 2007
    • 6200

    #2
    i woulda settled for a melody anderson doll.

    Comment

    • HardyGirl
      Mego Museum's Poster Girl
      • Apr 3, 2007
      • 13933

      #3
      I loved that show and was really mad when it was cancelled. Those rack toys are pretty lame, but I thought Simon MacCorkindale was a doll.
      Last edited by HardyGirl; Jul 13, '12, 12:28 AM.
      "Do you believe, you believe in magic?
      'Cos I believe, I believe that I do,
      Yes, I can see I believe that it's magic
      If your mission is magic your love will shine true."

      Comment

      • bobws
        Permanent Member
        • Feb 13, 2008
        • 3462

        #4
        Hey, Manimal customs would only need 2 figure The star and didn't he have a girlfriend?
        "Hang on Lady... We go for a RIDE!" - Shorty to Willie Scott.Best movie line from Indiana Jones & the Temple Of Doom

        Comment

        • cjefferys
          Duke of Gloat
          • Apr 23, 2006
          • 10180

          #5
          Wow, I'm just at a loss for words right now.....

          Comment

          • Earth 2 Chris
            Verbose Member
            • Mar 7, 2004
            • 32498

            #6
            Those are actually kind of disturbing. They fit in with the animal-hybrid characters from MOTU and other fantasty-themed series which were hot at the time.

            Only 8 episodes, huh? I seem to remember it lasting for at least a season, but then I also liked it! I haven't seen it in 30 years. I'm guessing it won't hold up to well.

            Chirs
            sigpic

            Comment

            • babycyclops
              Career Member
              • Jul 9, 2010
              • 823

              #7
              This is like if Napoleon Dynamite designed a range of action figures...... frikkin sweet!!

              Comment

              • samurainoir
                Eloquent Member
                • Dec 26, 2006
                • 18758

                #8
                With the wolf headed figure holding an axe, I really wonder if these were repurposed Fantasy/dungeons and dragons knockoff figures.



                Last edited by samurainoir; Jul 13, '12, 10:41 AM.
                My store in the MEGO MALL!

                BUY THE CAPTAIN CANUCK ACTION FIGURE HERE!

                Comment

                • megoscott
                  Founding Partner
                  • Nov 17, 2006
                  • 8710

                  #9
                  So creepy
                  This profile is no longer active.

                  Comment

                  • Godzilla
                    Permanent Member
                    • Nov 3, 2002
                    • 3008

                    #10
                    That is incredible! I have to admit to loving the show.
                    Mortui Vivos Docent
                    The Dead Teach the Living

                    Comment

                    • palitoy
                      live. laugh. lisa needs braces
                      • Jun 16, 2001
                      • 59200

                      #11
                      Originally posted by samurainoir
                      With the wolf headed figure holding an axe, I really wonder if these were repurposed Fantasy/dungeons and dragons knockoff figures.
                      Very likely, Fleetwood's other license for the 1983 was "Sword and the Sorcerer".



                      The Sword and the Sorcerer by Barbeque Socks, on Flickr
                      Places to find PlaidStallions online: https://linktr.ee/Plaidstallions

                      Buy Toy-Ventures Magazine here:
                      http://www.plaidstallions.com/reboot/shop

                      Comment

                      • GaryPlaysWithDolls
                        Mighty Man/Monster Maker
                        • Aug 14, 2007
                        • 2347

                        #12
                        I loved Manimal. Automan, too.

                        Mina is the world's first Paranormal Petsitter in the new middle-grade book series by Gary Buettner, MONSTER PETS, coming in FALL 2014 from EMBY KIDS. Spooky adventure that's perfect reading for kids 8-12
                        https://www.facebook.com/monsterpetsbooks?ref=hl

                        Comment

                        • ScottA
                          Original Member
                          • Jun 25, 2001
                          • 12264

                          #13
                          Pretty darn cool. I remember watching the show.
                          sigpic WANTED: Boxed, Carded and Kresge Carded WGSH

                          Comment

                          • samurainoir
                            Eloquent Member
                            • Dec 26, 2006
                            • 18758

                            #14
                            okay, that's awesome. i didn't know those existed either!






                            Originally posted by palitoy
                            Very likely, Fleetwood's other license for the 1983 was "Sword and the Sorcerer".



                            The Sword and the Sorcerer by Barbeque Socks, on Flickr
                            Last edited by samurainoir; Jul 13, '12, 1:59 PM.
                            My store in the MEGO MALL!

                            BUY THE CAPTAIN CANUCK ACTION FIGURE HERE!

                            Comment

                            • samurainoir
                              Eloquent Member
                              • Dec 26, 2006
                              • 18758

                              #15
                              Originally posted by GaryPlaysWithDolls
                              I loved Manimal. Automan, too.







                              I don't think they made all the guys in suits
                              Last edited by samurainoir; Jul 13, '12, 2:08 PM.
                              My store in the MEGO MALL!

                              BUY THE CAPTAIN CANUCK ACTION FIGURE HERE!

                              Comment

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