Goldman Doll Readied

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Thursday, March 24.1977:
CINCINNATI (AP) - First, Kenner sold millions of the Six Million Dollar Man Then, there was a scramble for the Bionic Woman. Now, the nation's second-leading toy manufacturer is,about to unleash its- newest bionic spinoff—the Oscar Goldman doll.


Goldman is the character on both television series who watches over the two superheroes and worries about whether their wires are shorting or their bionic parts need replacing "He's a strong secondary character in both shows," a
Kenner official said, "and is unusual in getting that prime time exposure twice a week with the success we've had with the Man and the Woman, it was logical for us to bring out an Oscar Goldman figure.''


"The Man"—Steve Austin and "The Woman", the manufacturer's pet name for Jaime Sommers—are proof of the power of television over' the toy industry.


Kenner officials have long acknowledged that shows such as the Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman are highly marketable.




The Steve Austin doll sold more than two million copies in 1976, passing the record of its 1975 introductory year. The Jaime Sommers doll sold 1.5 million copies by the end of the past Christmas rush.


The company executive said the Oscar Goldman doll was a hit among Kenner's new 1977 lines at the Toy Fair held last month in New York among Kenner's other new toys is a followup to the successful Stretch Armstrong doll.




The 13-inch doll is a muscular wrestler who can be stretched as far as four feet,
twisted and contorted and then returned to his original shape. Kenner has now introduced an adversary called Stretch Monster The doll, scaly and green, will be marketed as a beast to Stretch Armstrong's beauty.





**I'm going to venture a guess that it was a very slow news day and I've never thought of Stretch Armstrong as a "Beauty" before. I will say though, that I got an Oscar Goldman that very Christmas and it was an exceptionally fun toy. For more Fashion Mockery and 70's toy love visit us at Plaid Stallions.com


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[kryptosmaster]

I had SMDM and a bunch of accessories plus Maskatron (gotta replace both of them someday!!) but never had Oscar.
I'd probably pick one up if I had a new Steve & Maskatron.
Always wanted to try out that exploding briefcase!

Rich

[starsky]

wow 2 million six million dollar man figures? every kid musta had one!

[shazam7208]

I remember having a couple of great Six Million Dollar Christmas's...opening up a new 6MDM, Oscar, Masketron, Bigfoot, Mission Control Center, Transport Repair Station, Mission Vehicle, Backpack Radio and 1 of the 3 outfits.

Those were great Christmas's getting that along with the Mego's...awesome!

[Earth 2 Chris]

Oscar's figure is somewhat infamous now thanks to The 40-Year Old Virgin. I never had him or Jaimie, but I'd have went for an Oscar to play the stories out. I was always hoping for more supporting characters in toylines (Alfred, Gordon, Perry White, Lois, etc.)

Chris

[ScottA]

I had Steve and the repair station. Would have liked to have gotten Oscar but just never did.

[Gorn Captain]

Once that briefcase exploded, I never did get it back together again properly.

[toys2cool]

I've had all 4 all thrift shop finds too

[HardyGirl]

As a kid I had Jaime Sommers and the Bionic Beauty Salon. I would love to get together w/ my younger cousin Dane and his SMDM and have adventures w/ his brothers GIJoes as the bad guys.

Nowadays I have 2 SMDM, 2 BW, Fembot, Maskatron, Bigfoot and 2 Oscars. (exploding briefcase is broken). My kids love these videos!

[vulcan2074]

I have an Oscar Goldman but his Briefcase has seen Better Days. I Love this Line. There So much fun with all there accessories and Playsets
Sammy

[The Toyroom]

Oscar was a great figure back in the day...loved his sports coat! I still have my original exploding briefcase....might have my brother's too. Funny, we had 2 Oscars but only one each of Steve Austin, Jamie Sommers, Bigfoot and Maskatron