Toy-Ventures: Tarzan or Big Jim?

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Time for another Toy-Venture, this week we talk about the very underrated line of Tarzan toys produced by Mattel in 1978, actually we talk about the whole series of action figures produced that year using European Big Jim tooling. Grab a vine and join me, won't you? www.plaidstallions.com Facebook Group: Pod Stallions Instagram: Plaidstallions Twitter: @plaidstallions

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[Wee67]

I've heard the line referred to many, many times, but I've never seen the Tarzan figure itself. Or maybe I have and just assumed it was a Big Jim figure. Either way, thanks for this info. I especially love the info about what was going on outside my own ethnocentric view.

[TrekStar]

Could also be Jungle Jim?

[Falstaff13]

As always, I liked the video. I actually got a Grizzly Adams just a few years ago for my western collection. I basically focus on figures of (historical) western heroes, since my primary collection centers around Legends of the West. I got this one using the warped logic that there was actually an historic basis for Grizzly Adams, albeit fairly different from the show. (I used the same logic to get the Kit Carson from the Karl May line). But I got a great deal, and he's a pretty cool little figure to add into the mix.

[ScottA]

Very informative sir. Thank you.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I don't recall seeing any of these figures as a kid. In fact, I didn't know about them until I got Tomart's 1992 Action Figure Guide. It's kind of surprising Mattel didn't try to relaunch Big Jim in the states before MOTU hit.

Chris

[palitoy]

I don't recall seeing any of these figures as a kid. In fact, I didn't know about them until I got Tomart's 1992 Action Figure Guide. It's kind of surprising Mattel didn't try to relaunch Big Jim in the states before MOTU hit.

You know, when i look at the time lines, prior to MOTU Big Jim was mainly a mish mash of themes that they already tried like Sports, Spy and Western.

During MOTU is when they launched the spaceline and I guess they were selling so much MOTU that they didn't bother with Jim?

[Werewolf]

I also never saw the Mattel Tarzan toys in stores. Probably would have wanted them I really liked the cartoon and sets coming with animals would have been really appealing.

[EmergencyIan]

I’ve always loved this figured but have never owned it or ever seen it in person. I’d still love to have one. Maybe one day.

- Ian

[PNGwynne]

Great video, appreciate the content/context. I, too never saw these at retail--I'd have liked them, I loved that 'toon.

[MysteryWho]

Great video, that is something I'd love to own someday. Here's something interesting, another Mattel Tarzan artifact with Kirby art!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-MATTEL-TARZAN-CARD-GAME-SET-1971-JACK-KIRBY-ARTWORK-IN-PACKAGE/120858374496?hash=item1c23b87160:m:m2N2OKqwxZ24YWnWm3YE6Aw

[monitor_ep]

This figure is a blank to me. I remember seeing Big Jim and even had some of the clothes for my Megos (Mom sewed them to fit) but Tarzan and his animal partners I do not remember.

[Confessional]

Ah, this is great!… clearly these were the source material for the numerous Mexican bootlegs (in multiple scales) that are out there.