Monday, June 15, 2026

Retro Toy Chest: See 'n' Say (1964)

 Inspired by the success of their Chatty Cathy figures, Mattel took things a step further, creating a learning tool for kids with See 'n' Say. A child could pick something with a pointer on the face of the toy, pull the string, and hear what he/she wants to hear.

For example, let's check this ad for The Farmer Says:


Mattel still makes these products even today.

Sunday, June 14, 2026

Animated World of DC Comics: Superman in The Underground World (1943)

 The title says it all, as Superman (Bud Collyer) discovers a race of Hawk-Men in "The Underground World":


Rating: A-.

Saturday, June 13, 2026

Daytime Heroes: Super Space Spies (Battle of The Planets, 1978)

 Another day, another Spectra attempt at conquering Earth, this time with "Super Space Spies". Not if G-Force has anything to say about it in this Battle of The Planets entry, which includes a pre-episode teaser narrated by Bill Woodson (Challenge of The Super Friends), who is also heard as one of Zoltar's soldiers.


In memory of Ronnie Schell (Jason), who has passed away at 94. Rest in peace.

Friday, June 12, 2026

From Primetime to Daytime: Hell hath no fury like Wilma Flintstone (The Flintstones, 1960)

 From season 1 of The Flintstones:

Barney (Mel Blanc) buys Betty (Bea Benaderet) an engagement ring (??), and has Fred (Alan Reed) hold it for safekeeping. Wilma (Jean VanderPyl) finds the ring, and assumes Fred bought it for her. Uh-oh!! Now, Fred, who doesn't have the money to buy a 2nd ring, talks Barney into an exhibition boxing match with the champ. The girls ask the champ's manager to let Barney win the fight, but Barney's clowning proves costly. Believing they've been double-crossed, welllllllll......


Notice how the boxing gloves were made from the same cloth as Fred's shirt. Hmmmmm.

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Game Time: An episode of Junior Partner Pyramid (1979)

 After we've previously screened two celebrity-centric episodes of Junior Partner Pyramid, let's serve up one with kids and their parents. This aired on a Friday, as at the end of the show (closing credits were partially edited), they plugged the Saturday night lineup.



Toonfomercial: Rory Raccoon for Post Toasties (1964?)

We all know Rory Raccoon was a supporting character who had one of the rotating features on Linus The Lionhearted. While Bob McFadden voiced Rory on the show, the commercials Rory did for Post Toasties have Mel Blanc subbing for McFadden.

Here, Rory thwarts Claudius Crow......


Blanc, of course, had been doing ads as various Looney Tunes characters for Post prior to the launch of Linus, so he was available when McFadden was not.

Monday, June 8, 2026

Coming Attractions: Meet Netflix's Scooby-Doo!

 Casting has been completed for Netflix's forthcoming Scooby-Doo: Origins, with Nick Robinson & McKenna Grace among the stars.

The final casting was for Scooby himself, and, well, here he is.....


Yep, they cast an actual dog, instead of using CGI or AI. Makes ya long for the days of Frank Inn training pets for television back in the 60's.

Stay tuned.