Witch's Castle/Knights Castle

[megoscott]

Flynne mentioned the Witch's Castle in the playset thread and how perfect it is for the Knights. I've always thought it's too perfect---that it actually IS the Knights castle repurposed for WOZ after the Knights didn't sell. After all, the decoration on the castle is completely European and Christian...there are no flying monkeys or any WOZ related imagery.



I've always heard the the Witch's castle was a catalog exclusive. We don't have whatever catalog that was in in the Library. Does anyone have any more information about who offered it, or better yet, a scan of the catalog?

[palitoy]

It's there, just hidden.

[Flynne]

I agree, Scott - other than the brooms hanging on the walls there is no imagery to tie this to WoZ anymore than the Knights, and could very well be the Knight's Castle repurposed for a better selling line. I love the flowing pennants that hang from the Knight's Castle in the 1975 catalog, and I really lament that these are not included in the final product:


It is a beuatiful piece, and one I have resolved to pick up now that I have completed my Type 2 set of Knights.

[megoscott]

Oh, man, I am sorry I missed that page, Brian. That's so cool.

[palitoy]

Oh no, you misunderstand, it's missing from the archive. I don't know if it got deleted or I never added it. I think I have to do a complete check of that page.

[megoscott]

http://megomuseum.com/legend/knights...astleLarge.jpg

I fixed the link to the enlarged catalog page of the Jousting Horse and Castle. I like the more interesting central tower with the parapet platform on this one, but the rest of it is essentially the same, isn't it? This looks like it was originally a die-cut printed board/vinyl set (like the batcave or Enterprise) and they went with this printed opaque vinyl.

That broom looks like the biggest afterthought in the world. Get an intern to draw a broom and send it to the factory.

I think too much about playsets.

[Meule]

That central tower with the parapet on the Knight's Castle is so cool, was it ever produced like that?
And on the Witch's Castle what is that groove above the door and that black hole at the top? That black hole looks like it could hold a flag.

[ramsey37]

The groove above the door is where the inner ledge is located. There's no hole at the top, that's the spot where the wheel that controls the portcullis is located. If you go back and look at the first couple of pics, you can kinda see how it all fits together.
George

[Flynne]

That broom looks like the biggest afterthought in the world. Get an intern to draw a broom and send it to the factory.

Oh, no most castellans hung their broadswords and battleaxe trophies among their exquisite collections of fine imported brooms. That's how in the 12th Century Henry of Anjou's family became known as the Plantagenets, which means "broom feather" in French.

I've always wondered why they didn't pencil in a flying monkey or two. "OK, toss in a couple of brooms and you're done!". Still in all, it's a beautiful piece.

[megoscott]

A quickie trace of the Witch's box insert would have done the trick.

Still, that cauldron and staff are top-notch cool props. Although...did she have a cauldron in the movie or is that just a witch cliche?

[Flynne]

Although...did she have a cauldron in the movie or is that just a witch cliche?

It's been so long since I've seen the movie, but didn't the Wicked Witch use a Caulrdron to show her images of Dorothy and the gang as they moved through Oz?

[ramsey37]

Nope, there was no cauldron. She monitored Dorothy and friends with a crystal ball. I assume that Mego just thought a caudron would be cool.
George

[SUP-Ronin]

I think that castle is cool. The broom looks ridiculously out of place. And that there is no question that this was intended for the knights. Castle Tintagel, or Camelot or whatever it's called.

Nice piece of forensics on the part of the "MPSI" Mego Playset Invest... oh heck, you get it.

[Flynne]

I think that castle is cool. The broom looks ridiculously out of place. And that there is no question that this was intended for the knights. Castle Tintagel, or Camelot or whatever it's called.

There was a Hill Fort at Tintagel during that century, and the site has a water cut rocky formation known as "Merlin's Cave". But most modern Arthurian Scholars point to either South Cadbury for Camelot, or more likely Glastonbury as the site for the legend of the "Isle of Avalon", since Glastonbury was marshland at that period, and Glastonbury Tor would have stood out of the water like an island... *ahem*

Sorry about that, but your post tripped a geek alert in me - my degree is in Ancient and Medieval History emphasing in Dark Ages Britian, and one of my minors was English Literature with an emphasis in Arthurian themed works. It's also why I think the Legends Knights and Robin Hood figures are among the best that Mego ever produced. I was half way through typing this note when I remember which board I was on.