Mego of the Day: Franz Beckenbauer

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Mego of the Day for Monday is Soccer Legend Franz Beckenbauer, a German exclusive most of us didn't know existed until we picked up John Bonavita's landmark publication Mego Action Figure Toys. Franz shares the same scale as Mego's other well known sports celebrity Muhamad Ali. Obviously not a lot of us had a Franz Beckenbauer doll as a kid but there is still lots to discuss. Is this the first time you've heard mention of it? Is it on your wantlist? Does it interest you?
Tuesday's MOTD: Chopper from Starsky and Hutch

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[david_b]

I first heard of him a year or so back on this site. Nice hair..

[censy]

Never heard of the figure, or the athlete he is modeled after. Maybe I need to get John Bonavita's book. I do think its interesting that he is wearing an adidas jersey. I wonder if they paid anything to be part of it, or if Franz insisted on it. Seems like a significant bit of marketing.

As an aside, I do really like the band Franz Ferdinand : )

Chris

[palitoy]

I have a totally embarrassing moment based on this figure. I'd never heard of this guy until John's book.

Around 2000 I was having a business meeting with a German publisher, looking to see if we could carry any of his products for North America, translating and republishing was my gig for a long time. One of the products he made was some sort of Soccer book with Beckenbauer on the cover, I saw it and squeaked out "Hey! Franz Beckenbauer!" and then realised that it said it really loudly.

The Germans sort of nodded and everyone in the room gave me a look that suggested "Shut up Beavis" and I was pretty quiet for a while.

[ScottA]

I certainly never had ole Franz and didn't know of it until John's book. But I would get him if the opportunity ever presented itself. It just hasn't in the 20 years I've been collecting.

Can you imagine if Mego had branched out into other sporting figures? They already had boxing and soccer. What if they had added baseball, basketball, football and hockey? We'd all have pucks, bats and footballs on our want lists.

[AUSSIE-Rebooted-AMM]

I have a totally embarrassing moment based on this figure. I'd never heard of this guy until John's book.

Around 2000 I was having a business meeting with a German publisher, looking to see if we could carry any of his products for North America, translating and republishing was my gig for a long time. One of the products he made was some sort of Soccer book with Beckenbauer on the cover, I saw it and squeaked out "Hey! Franz Beckenbauer!" and then realised that it said it really loudly.

The Germans sort of nodded and everyone in the room gave me a look that suggested "Shut up Beavis" and I was pretty quiet for a while.

LOL - WHAT. . .Germans with NO SENSE OF HUMOUR?????? Funny stuff Brian!

Never heard or seen this charachter before either. How many such exclusives were made - like this one and JJ of course. . . .just incredible!

[monkey tennis]

He looks like he has Fonzies boots on.
And does he have a fist fighting action ?
Because his waist looks twisted...or maybe he's just pleased to see me.

He's not really on my want's list.
But I do need to get a replacement Muhamed Ali figure.

[Mikey]

To me, he looks more like TV's Logan than the real Mego Logan figure.

[SlipperyLilSuckers]

I didn't know who he was when I found a table of them on sale as a kid. But I remember thinking how cool the outfit was and also that he could kick the ball he had with him. Sadly I had no money, but it's funny how that memory stands out when I have forgotten so much of my childhood.

[palitoy]

To me, he looks more like TV's Logan than the real Mego Logan figure.

I thought that too, it's the hair. I made a TV Logan custom using Franz many moons ago...

[toys2cool]

never heard of him either,but the figures really cool.

anyone know what the value is?

[palitoy]

I'm imagaining you can get a loose one for under $50 nowadays, if you keep your eyes on ebay.de

It's been a long time since I looked however, after John's book came out he was pretty in demand but a lot of that has cooled since then.

[jwyblejr]

Didn't know about the guy until I read an article in Toyfare.

[vulcan2074]

Franz Beckenbauer was an Amazing player. He definately Deserved the MEGO Treatment. I'd Really like to Have One.
V~2074

[goldenryan]

i was showing somebody john's book and he was less than impressed with wgsh, trek, knights, but then he said "they made franz beckenbauer, that's kinda cool" like many people here i've never heard of him but he does have his fans.