Inspiration for the POTA mego line

[Cmonster]

Here's a question, which something I've often thought of and would like to get some member feedback;

The POTA line, which is my personal favorite, has always struck me as somewhat-- Inconsistent. Not only in the sculptural quality of the heads, but in the choice of costumes, colors, weapons and even the playsets.

It's obvious that some of the inspiration came from the TV series, with the character names, etc and certain accessories, but if you really break it down and study things about that line, you start to see inspiration from the animated series and even some of the later films. Take the tree house for example... To my knowledge, the only place you really saw apes living in a tree house was "Battle". But things like Urko's helmet and uniform color, I think came from the cartoon. I mean, it was never tan/orange in any of the movies or TV series. There are even inconsistencies within some of the figures themselves... Boots, guns?

Thoughts?

SC

[megoscott]

Mego was really flying by the seat of their pants then, it was still so early in their era. There's some creative re-use like AJ guns and boots, the Village playset. The treehouse is a re-use of a playset for both AJ and Dinah-Mite. They spent some good energy on some of the accessories, like the catapult and wagon. You are right, it's very inconsistent. The later playsets are laminated cardboard--the Fortress is unlike anything else they designed.

Plus, like you say, they could draw from multiple references--films, TV, cartoon. I imagine they were sent a pile of stuff and made choices on the fly. They moved very fast. If you look at the artwork on the playsets they look like they were done in an afternoon with markers. Probably a first draft that was sent right to the factory.

I personally love it. These were way before the age of fandom as we know it. The licensors and toy companies didn't have to worry about being scrutinized by fans the way they are now.

[Cmonster]

I personally love it. These were way before the age of fandom as we know it.

Dude... By all means, I love it too! Big time. I wasn't saying it all wasn't super groovy, I just wanted to gather some different opinions on why...

SC

[Spyweb007]

Isn't there a model kit with Urko wearing the Purple and Tan outfit on the cover? Seems like the reference material for that figure at least had to have come from the cartoon. He's actually my favorite Apes figure, regardless of accuracy. One of my favorite Mego lines, I remember playing with those for hours on end back then.

[mikeoz]

The Mego Dr. Zaius has a tan outfit just like the color of the one on the animated series. I also believe the Mego Star Trek line was heavily influenced by the animated Star Trek series. The Mego Klingon wears the same brown and maroon suit that the animated Klingons had. It's cool that Mego had so many sources to reference from.

[megoscott]

Dude... By all means, I love it too! Big time. I wasn't saying it all wasn't super groovy, I just wanted to gather some different opinions on why...

SC

Oh no, I wasn't suggesting otherwise.

[Raydeen1]

I've actually been thinking the same thing for many years. I think alot of it is based on the animated series much like the Klingon is based on the animated Trek.

I love the apes but I always wondered why the colors were screwy. Why does the Soldier ape not have the 3 toed boots? I mean, they could've updated them. Why are Burke and Verdon's clothes tand and brown? That always bugged me as a kid but I figured Mego didn't have the correct info. I didn't care too much though as I only got the first few apes. Zaius, Corny, Astronaut and Soldier Ape. I depseratley wanted Urko and Burke but never saw them in the stores. My friend had them or I never would've known they existed.

I figure it's different resources coupled with reusing parts like machine guns. Some of it was pretty spot on while some other stuff just seemed totally out there.

[palitoy]

Flying by the seat of their pants is totally accurate, Mego stole the license away from AHI and had little time to prepare. When I interviewed Vinny Baiera, the one thing I could get from him was that he was a really big apes fan. I kind of think it shows in the toys. I think Mike J can verify this but honestly I think the Addar kits influenced a lot of colours for these toys.

BTW nothing Mego made references the Apes cartoon, that show probably helped them sell old stock but they didn't produce items through to 1976. In Mexico, however, it really looks like CIPSA did reference the toon with the character colours and names.

[megoscott]

And one thing they almost never did was go back and correct a mistake. Captain America was in production for 10 years without making his sleeves accurate. Apes were only around for 2+ years--which makes the amount of toys the generated all the more impressive.

[palitoy]

They sold like crazy, why fix what ain't broken?

[Raydeen1]

Brian, are you saying no Apes were produced after '76? I find that hard to believe based on the tons they had at our local Zellers and Kresge stores well after Star Wars came out unless there was just that much stock. I know Kresge had more than Zellers but they both had tons of them. One local Zellers had some after Empire was released. I figure those were old stock though.

You're right about the cartoon though. Maybe it was the other way around and that's why the colors are similar.

Flying by the seat of their pants is totally accurate, Mego stole the license away from AHI and had little time to prepare. When I interviewed Vinny Baiera, the one thing I could get from him was that he was a really big apes fan. I kind of think it shows in the toys. I think Mike J can verify this but honestly I think the Addar kits influenced a lot of colours for these toys.

BTW nothing Mego made references the Apes cartoon, that show probably helped them sell old stock but they didn't produce items through to 1976. In Mexico, however, it really looks like CIPSA did reference the toon with the character colours and names.

[Raydeen1]

True. Odd, but true.

And one thing they almost never did was go back and correct a mistake. Captain America was in production for 10 years without making his sleeves accurate. Apes were only around for 2+ years--which makes the amount of toys the generated all the more impressive.

[Raydeen1]

This then begs the question: What was Addar thinking with those colors? And isn't the Addar Zaius in blue? When were they released originally? Anyone know?

Whole heartedly agreed on Cispa. They did Bill/Blue Eyes so that makes total sense.

Flying by the seat of their pants is totally accurate, Mego stole the license away from AHI and had little time to prepare. When I interviewed Vinny Baiera, the one thing I could get from him was that he was a really big apes fan. I kind of think it shows in the toys. I think Mike J can verify this but honestly I think the Addar kits influenced a lot of colours for these toys.

BTW nothing Mego made references the Apes cartoon, that show probably helped them sell old stock but they didn't produce items through to 1976. In Mexico, however, it really looks like CIPSA did reference the toon with the character colours and names.

[palitoy]

Brian, are you saying no Apes were produced after '76? I find that hard to believe based on the tons they had at our local Zellers and Kresge stores well after Star Wars came out unless there was just that much stock. I know Kresge had more than Zellers but they both had tons of them. One local Zellers had some after Empire was released. I figure those were old stock though.

It was old stock, trust me i know, Canada was riddled with it. My dad got the entire cancelled Sears Canada order for General Urko, he had him stacked high to the ceiling until at least 1979/80. We were putting them out with big red $0.99 stickers. I helped out because I hoped there was an Virdon and Burke in there. I had real trouble letting go of Planet of the Apes as a kid.

During that era if I got invited to a birthday party, you got a General Urko, an AJ and a suit, all thanks to my dad's inventory.

When I returned to Parkdale Novelty in the 80s, they still had apes and lots of them!

[Raydeen1]

Wow. I had no idea. I always assumed they continued at least until '77.

Damn. I desperately wanted Urko and Burke but could never find them. All the others were plentiful. Guess I should've lived near you.

It was old stock, trust me i know. My dad got the entire cancelled Sears Canada order for General Urko, he had him stacked high to the ceiling until at least 1979/80. We were putting them out with big red $0.99 stickers.

During that era if I got invited to a birthday party, you got a General Urko, an AJ and a suit, all thanks to my dad's inventory.