Mego and Filmation, soulmates?

[mego73]

Mego and Filmation seem alike in many ways

Both made stuff aimed at kids of the 1970's

Both handled Star Trek, Flash Gordon, Tarzan and Superheroes

Both have stuff that is cheesy, corny and cheap but also have aspects of innovation, cutting edge and quality. Both had aspects that made thier stuff a bit more desirable then the competing stuff.

Both have a current goto guru that represents the companies in spirit, Marty Abrams and Lou Schiemer.

Both went out of business in the 1980's after lots of success in the 70's.

I bet more of these can be thought of.

[garagesale]

This is a great observation! It is almost so obvious that many of us may have taken it as a given without really considering it on a conscious level. I know that, as images of Mego figures flash in my mind (esp. ST, POTA, and WGSH), most of the time I also get Filmation versions of those characters coming thorugh. Part of it is the fact that my mind is dipping into some kind of nostalgia, but part of it is that there may, indeed have been a link.

I hope to read more discussion on this... perhaps someone who has met Mr. Abrams can tell us something.

JamesD

[mego73]

Well, I know Marty has said that he meant the Trek figures to be based on the live action show. I believe him but I bet the artistic people that made the figures looked more often than not to the animated show for inspiration.

Now, just for clarification, the Apes cartoon was done not by Filmation but by the people that did The Pink Panther.

But your general point, that the Mego figures evoke the animated, kid friendly versions more than live action is how I always felt.

I always think of Star Trek and Planet Of The Apes figures as tied into the animated shows, even though that is not necessarily the truth.

[filmation batman fan]

I have another connection between the two. Look at the head of the Mego Tarzan figure. It reminds me an awful lot of the Filmation Tarzan, only I wish I could paint his flesh color to resemble the cartoon better.

Also, Mego was the toy company that produced the Isis figure. No one else. Plus, whenever I see the cartoons of Batman (both versions), Tarzan, Superman, Aquaman, and both the live and animated Shazam, the Megos come to my mind.

I recall when I first saw the Aquaman cartoons on the Super Powers VHS collection, I longed to have a Mego Aquaman loose, mint, and complete. Now I have one and it feels great.

I wish Mego could have made Hercules, Astrea, and Mercury, the
Space Sentinels.
For some odd reason, action and Super Heroes shows by Filmation bring Megos to my mind.

Cheers.

[hawkmike]

i like both,i collect books on both and use my filmation and hanna barbera books for refenrce.

[palitoy]

Mego had the license for Ark 2 and actually complete head sculpts for the cast.

[garagesale]

Whoa... Ark II... I'd love to see those... do they exist? Were they planning 8-inch, 9-inch, or 12-inch?

JamesD

[HardyGirl]

Now, just for clarification, the Apes cartoon was done not by Filmation but by the people that did The Pink Panther.

That would DePatte/Freleng.


Y'know, I've never made that connection, and it's true. Too bad Mego didn't do Mission: Magic! But I've also noticed the connection w/ Mego and Power/PeterPan records; POTA, Star Trek, SuperHeroes.