Terrific non-TV Toys: "Wizard of Oz" Megos Part 2, Witches

The June episode of Terrific non-TV Toys began a miniseries on the "Wizard of Oz" Mego dolls / figures of the 1970s, wherein you saw this author's Dorothy doll from childhood, almost purloined from the local store (it's a long story -- you've gotta watch it). For July and the second of this four-part series, we're turning to the other two females of this Mego line -- Glinda, the Good Witch, and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Just look at that pink sparkly dress ... Did you know it wasn't pink in L. Frank Baum's original book?

Another trip to Cooter's Place means some more fun "Dukes" stuff

Happy Friday the 13th! And it's now happy hour -- congrats, you made it through the workweek. BRBTV's roving reporter Jason loves to stop by Cooter's Place whenever he's in the area, whether it's Gatlinburg or Nashville or the newer store in Luray, to behold the cool "Dukes of Hazzard" merchandise. This author was delighted when he snapped this photo of "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!" on display -- thanks very much to Cooter's for carrying our "Dukes" reference guide.

Jason also captured this new display item on his trip there this week. Hazzard Bridge ... hmmm, could that be what they've called Kingi Bridge, in honor of "Dukes" stuntman Henry Kingi, Jason wondered?

 

And finally, we're going to throw in a couple more photos from Jason, because this will give you a clue what you'll see on the August episode of the Terrific TV Toys web series ...

Photos by Jason G.; please do not copy without permission.

Announcing a new Kindle edition of "Dynasty High" to include the CW's reboot series!

The CW releases a reboot of our beloved "Dynasty" series, and this author's keyboard is clicking away, gathering all the details. A younger Blake? A sassier Fallon (as if that were possible)? A male Sammy Jo???? A blond Alexis? It was quite an interesting ride, wasn't it, this first season of the reboot. And now all the details, the continuity differences, the episode synopses, for the CW's "Dynasty" are captured in the latest Kindle edition of the reference guide "Dynasty High." It adds quite a bit of heft to this e-book.

While we were at it, we added in a good long look at the collections of two diehard "Dynasty" fans, who have both been profiled on this very blog: Bjørn and the owner of the Nolan Miller Collector Blog. LOTS of lush color photos of their amazing original "Dynasty" wardrobe pieces have been added to this fourth Kindle edition.

Check it out on Amazon! And thanks, as always, for sharing the love of this great show.

Terrific TV Toys: Mary Marvel original animation cel

Original animation cels are a real treat for collectors, a slice of the old days where production of a cartoon is concerned. Who can imagine the patience and diligence it requires to create and photograph all of the cels that come together to portray the action in a half-hour animated series, let alone an hourlong show or even a two-hour movie feature?

The latest episode of Terrific TV Toys shows you a tiny bit of the action of the "Shazam" segment of the 1981-82 Saturday-morning cartoon "Kids Super Power Hour." This is an original production cel used to depict the action for the Mary Marvel character in a scene -- though we have no idea what scene or episode it was, so if you know, comment below! This particular Filmation cartoon only lasted a season, 12 episodes, so it's a little more obscure, and it's only the second time we've ventured into Shazam / Captain Marvel territory for T3.

Bjørn shows us some more "Dynasty" delights

Here are some wonderful "Dynasty" collectibles you may have never seen: dishware, a beautiful pillow of our divas Dominique and Alexis ... and some original art by Bjørn, whose amazing wardrobe pieces from the classic TV soap you have seen on this blog before.

Images courtesy of Bjørn; please do not copy without permission.

Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Con delivers up "WKRP" and "Hart to Hart" stars and lots more

This author has really enjoyed the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Con for the past few years, planning one of my usual trips out to D.C. to coincide with it so I can take a couple trains and a bus or two up to Hunt Valley, Maryland, to see fabulous stars from classic TV shows so beloved.

Well, this year the show, happening September 13-15, 2018, is offering it up big-time: Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers from "Hart to Hart," Howard Hesseman, Loni Anderson and Tim Reid from "WKRP," Diahann Carroll of our beloved "Dynasty," Barbara Eden of "I Dream of Jeannie" but whom we loved on original "Dallas," so much more ... Kristy McNichol, wow ... All these great stars are coming out of the woodwork to ride the wave of popularity of shows like this in recent years. And the trend doesn't really show any signs of slowing down, so yea -- we'll go with that!

Spotted: Barbara Stanwyck and Lloyd Bochner

Hey, "Dynasty" fans, what's more outrageous than a love scene between a young Constance Colby and ... a young Cecil Colby? Wow, yea, ewwww. But it happened, long before they took on their sibling roles on "Dynasty" and spinoff "The Colbys." Granted, they never shared any scenes on our beloved TV shows, since Cecil was deceased quite a while before Connie came along. But the movie we're talking is "The Night Walker," airing on "Svengoolie" on MeTV last night.

The year was 1964 for this one, and the movie is actually a lot of fun. Black and white and creepy with all the requisite 1960s aura, it actually feels like Hitchcock, which makes sense since it was penned by "Psycho" alum Robert Bloch. Barbara Stanwyck is married to a wealthy guy, but she's visited in her dreams by a mysterious, handsome, younger man, later shown to be Lloyd Bochner. Then her blind husband (yea, literally blind) dies, and there's a sinister plot afoot. Check it out yourself!

The latest from the Six Feet Under blog: Rod Serling

Six Feet Under: Rod Serling: Six Feet Under: Interlaken, New York is a quiet farming community cut off from the modern world.  The Amish call it home, as evidenced by the horse-drawn bu...

Check out the latest blog post from our friend Brian, chronicling the final resting place for "Twilight Zone" mastermind Rod Serling. Can you believe the creative mementos left at his grave?

Terrific non-TV Toys: "Wizard of Oz" Megos Part 1, Dorothy

We're not in Kansas anymore -- we're in the wonderful land of Oz, with this sixth episode of the Terrific non-TV Toys web series. Here we begin a four-part series on Mego's amazing Oz dolls and playsets of the 1970s. There are several we will look at in the BRBTV headquarters, beginning with the young lady that L. Frank Baum's story centered around, Dorothy Gale of Kansas, as played by Judy Garland in the 1939 classic film ...



Next month: Are you a good witch or a bad witch?????

As we move through Season 5 of Terrific TV Toys, let's recap what we covered in Season 4

In our December 17, 2015 and December 16, 2016 posts, we presented episode guides to the T3 series, listing out what fab toys were covered in Seasons 1-3 of the show. We have been a bit remiss, but alas, here is your Season 4 episode listing.

90. Batgirl statue by Diamond Select Toys
91. Mystery Machine bank by FAB NY / Starpoint
92. Some "Lion King" goodies
93. Batgirl figure by Vinyl Sugar
94. "Dukes of Hazzard" card game by IGI
95. Michael Jackson doll by LJN Toys
96. Batgirl bendy by NJ Croce -- '60s version
97. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman toys by Kraft Foods
98. "Green Hornet" View-Master set
99. Batgirl bendy by NJ Croce -- '90s version
100. Scooby-Doo gang microfigures by Character Building
101. "Three's Company" trading cards by Topps
102. Batgirl figure by Mattel
103. "Dukes of Hazzard" models
104. Isis figure by Mego, 1970s
105. Batgirl doll by Hasbro, 1998
106. A dazzling "Dukes of Hazzard" room!
107. "Price is Right" games and memorabilia
108. Batgirl Barbie by Mattel
109. Daphne of "Scooby-Doo" by Figures Toy Co.
110. Some more "Alf" goodies
111. Wind Blitz Batgirl and Sonic Stun Batgirl figures
112. "Dukes of Hazzard" cup by Deka
113. More goodies from "The Lion King"
114. Batgirl figure from "B:TAS" by DC Collectibles
115. "Batman: The Animated Series" talking alarm clock
116. "B:TAS" yoyo and frisbee
117. Batgirl 1960s figure by Funko
118. "Star Trek" claw-game plush, part 1
119. "Star Trek" claw-game plush, part 2
120. Batgirl figures by Mattel
121. "Charlie's Angels" doll fashion tote by Hasbro
122. Christmas episode, part 1 -- Snoopy Hallmark ornament
123. Batgirl figures from "The Batman" by Mattel
124. Christmas episode, part 2 -- Snoopy UNO card set
125. "Green Hornet" spoon, 1966

A little TV scene-stealing fun: From the amazing Angels to the Duke boys

It's a trip to Townsend Agency, where the vehicles of Jill, Sabrina and Kelly are parked outside as the girls listen to their next assignment. There's an extra non-screen vehicle thrown, but it's one we just know "Charlie's Angels" would have loved to drive!

Gotta love this scene, and thanks to Mike (who is BRBTV's honorary procurement chief, you know if you watch the Terrific TV Toys web series) for sending it to us. This is from a Metro Detroit collection, one that also includes a rather life-size replica of Farrah's Cobra, which we featured in an earlier blog post. If you want to recreate this yourself, you can nab the backdrop from this eBay seller.

Meanwhile ... in Hazzard County ... here's another scene from that same collection ...

Terrific TV Toys: Batman Ken and Catwoman Barbie dolls by Mattel

We made it to Friday once again. Woot-woot! And it's time for another episode of Terrific TV Toys, this time venturing back into "Batman" '66 territory. This is a special set of Barbie and Ken dolls by Mattel, released a few years back.

These two classic dolls are playing dress-up, Barbie donning a sleek black catsuit and Ken a cape and cowl. Yes, it's the purrfectly glamorous Catwoman and her upright adversary and not-so-secret crush, Batman! Mattel takes a nostalgic approach to bringing these two TV characters to life, with distinctly '60s molds. So fun!

John Schneider plans Country for a Cause and much more in the coming months

Thanks to Phyllis for passing along the latest appearance schedule for John ("Bo Duke") Schneider of "The Dukes of Hazzard," covering the rest of 2018 and beyond! Our Duke boy is pretty busy.
..............................

June 6 - Country for a Cause show benefiting Children's Miracle Network Hospitals at Third and Lindsley in Nashville, TN

June 22-24 - Fandemic Tour in Sacramento, CA  

https://www.fandemictour.com/sacramento/

June 29 - Concert at the Franklin Theatre in Franklin, TN  

https://www.franklintheatre.com

July 4 - Meeting fans and a concert at the Fourth of July Music Festival at Harris Park in Dunlap, TN

July 5 - Concert at the Smith County Fair in Lebanon, TN  

http://www.1041theranch.net

July 27-29 - Meeting fans at the London Film and Comic Con in Olympia, London, England https://www.londonfilmandcomiccon.com/

August 10-12 - Meeting fans at the Steel City Con in Monroeville, PA  

http://www.steelcitycon.com

August 18 - Concert at the Nashville Palace in Nashville, TN 
https://www.nashville-palace.com

September 2 - Meet and greet and concert at the Winchester City Park in Winchester, TN; donations to the Multi County Cancer Support Network, 931-691-9715

September 14-16 - Meeting fans at Fandemic in Houston, TX  

https://www.fandemictour.com/houston/

September 22 - Concert at the Nashville Palace in Nashville, TN  

https://www.nashville-palace.com

October 13 - Concert at the Nashville Palace in Nashville, TN  

https://www.nashville-palace.com

October 26-28 - Meeting fans at the Big Red Con in Lincoln, NE

November 17 - Concert at the Nashville Palace in Nashville, TN   

https://www.nashville-palace.com

December 1 - Christmas Bozaar event at John Schneider Studios in Holden, LA 

https://johnschneiderstudiostore.myshopify.com/products/bos-christmas-bozaar-buy-2-get-4-special-the-perfect-christmas-gift

December 15 - Concert at the Nashville Palace in Nashville, TN  

https://www.nashville-palace.com

2019

April 6-7 - Bo's Extravaganza event at John Schneider Studios in Holden, LA

TGIF: A trip to Hazzard County! Sorta!

Our roving reporter Jason finds all kinds of things "Dukes of Hazzard" when he's driving across the country for his work. This time, though, he got quite literal in his hot pursuit of Hazzard County. Well, if you take away one "z" he did ...

 

So what do ya suppose ya learn at the Hazard Community and Technical College? The schematics for building a moonshine still? How to hot-wire a sheriff's deputy car? Hmmm ... we can only wonder ...

Happy Friday, Y'all!!! And a safe and pleasant Memorial Day weekend!

Photo by Jason G.; please do not copy without permission.

A follow-up to the "Dynasty" dollhouse -- how about some Carringtons to go inside?

In our October 25, 2014 post and May 20, 2017 post, we showed you the handmade scale replica of the Carrington mansion from "Dynasty" that was commissioned by "Dynasty" superfan Bjørn. Now, Bjørn has this wonderful photographic update ... some figures of the Carrington clan to go inside!

These poseable resin dolls are 1:12 scale, and they're also handmade.

"Blake and Alexis was finished early this year," Bjørn says. "Krystle is a slightly different scale, so a new one in same scale is ordered." He adds, "Alexis' dress is stunning." Yea. We're obliged to agree ...

 

 

Photos courtesy of Bjørn Erik; please do not copy without permission.

Terrific non-TV Toys: Batgirl of Burnside figure by Jada Toys

Jada Toys sure has served up the female superheroes in this plentiful set of diecast figures. There are Supergirls, Wonder Women, Harley Quinns and even Catwomen of varying styles and sizes. There are also some wonderful Batgirls, one of which we see in this month's episode of Terrific non-TV Toys.

Barbara Gordon is young and savvy in this Burnside incarnation, featured in DC Comics' "New 52" series in recent years. She's not Oracle -- she's back in the streets fighting crime the traditional way. She's tech-savvy, posting to social media and reading her own press. And her costuming is tweaked -- a blueish-purple suit with seams and a more complicated utility belt, plus some very practical (flat-soled!) laced-up workboots to kick the tails of the criminals. Check out her style in fine detail, from the pages of the current comic series to this diecast figure, up-close and personal ....



(And speaking of Oracle, by the way, that will be the next Batgirl figure we look at on this web series, in a few months! So stay tuned!)

Terrific TV Toys: Scooby-Doo jigsaw puzzles by Pressman

It's Friday, and we've got a lot to celebrate. We're upright and breathing, after all, right? And even if we're just breathing, we're still celebrating! Some days in this thing they call life, that's saying a lot! So let's have some fun and work a jigsaw puzzle -- maybe two!

These two beauties come from Pressman, and they're dated 1999 and 2000. They depict our favorite cartoon canine, Scooby-Doo. One of them is a floor puzzle with extra-big pieces. The other is a regular tabletop puzzle that also features Scooby's pal Shaggy. It evidently has glow-in-the-dark pieces? Hmmm. It also has a (gasp!) missing piece!!!! Oh no! Still wonderful TV toys that were Christmas gifts from a wonderful friend.



(And whew -- that second one was harder than you think!!! It was one of those puzzles where the pieces seem to fit into more than one spot, or more than one piece fits into a particular spot, or whatever! You know what we mean ...)

Lyle Waggoner makes New Jersey appearance

Our friend Brian Lombard comes through again ... The often-elusive Lyle Waggoner, whom we remember so fondly as Steve Trevor on the original "Wonder Woman" 1970s TV series, is out and about, doing cons now, evidently. He's making an appearance right now, this weekend, in New Jersey at a venue that shall remain nameless, for the bad experience we had there several years ago (an fried notebook, among other things -- don't ask). But Brian sends us this fun, fresh photo of himself and Mr. Waggoner, who did, indeed, compliment Brian's shirt ...

Photo courtesy of Brian Lombard; please do not copy without permission.

Terrific non-TV Toys: Pretty Changes Barbie by Mattel

Accessorizing is everything, you know, when you're a girl who loves fashion! And the latest episode of the Terrific non-TV Toys web series indulges your love of fashion choices. In 1979, Mattel released the Pretty Changes Barbie, which offered an array of looks in one lovely package. See her and (almost) every one of her pieces and parts, from BRB's childhood collection ...

According to Mattel's website, Pretty Changes Barbie came in two variations, one with a bottle of perfume, below, and yellow nylon jumpsuit, and one that came without the perfume but in a satin jumpsuit, above. It's the one above you'll see in this episode of Terrific non-TV Toys.

Photos from Barbie.Mattel.com and Collector Books.

 

"Dukes of Hazzard" stars have appearances lined up for May and beyond

Thanks to Phyllis, Cooter's Place and our friend Brian for the latest appearances and happenin's for the "Dukes of Hazzard" cast members ...

May 5
Come see Ben “Cooter” Jones playing music from 1 to 3 p.m. and then meeting fans after from 3 to 4 p.m.! (Free concert, free autographs)
Cooter’s in Luray, Virginia
4768 U.S. Highway 211 West
Luray, VA 22835
540-843-2515

May 12
Dukes of Hazzard Fan Get-Together at Cooter’s Place in Luray, VA
Cooter’s Place, Ben and Alma, and DukesCollector invite everyone who loves "The Dukes of Hazzard" to an old-fashioned Fan Get-Together at Cooter’s In The Valley in Luray on May 12. Just like the Old-Time Ridgerunners reunion in the "Dukes" episode “Days of Shine and Roses,” we welcome all fans to meet up, share "Dukes" stories, show off their "Dukes" cars and collectibles, meet fellow fans, and have a good ol’ "Dukes" time. Featuring music by Cooter’s Garage Band, "Dukes of Hazzard" trivia, Lego Master Cody from C3Brix, and Dave’s travelling "Dukes of Hazzard" Museum. Bring your scale model General Lee, your life-size General Lee, your favorite collectible, your favorite "Dukes of Hazzard" fan, your most cherished story, your most cherished autograph ... and the whole family!
Cooter’s in Luray, Virginia
4768 U.S. Highway 211 West
Luray, VA 22835
540-843-2515

John ("Bo Duke") Schneider will be in concert at the Twisted J - Bar, Backyard and Live Music Venue in Stephenville, Texas, on May 12. Get your tickets.

August 10-12
The Big Three of the "Dukes" -- John Schneider, Tom Wopat, Catherine Bach -- will be at the Steel City Con near Pittsburgh on August 10-12. Visit the site to learn more.

December 1-2
After the success of last weekend's Bo's Extravaganza event, Schneider has decided to have another event at John Schneider Studios. This event is called Bo's Christmas "Bozaar" and will be on December 1-2 at John Schneider Studios! Tickets are on sale now and prices will go up later so buy your tickets today! Get more information and tickets.

"Six Feet Under" Blog profiles where our beloved departed "Dukes" stars are laid to rest

Our friend Brian Lombard is at it again, this time turning to Hazzard County in his "Six Feet Under Hollywood" blog. In this morning's post, he shows us where the cast members of "The Dukes of Hazzard" who have gone on to their great reward have been laid to rest. Sorrell Booke, Denver Pyle, Waylon Jennings, Peggy Rea, Christopher Mayer, James Best, Parley Baer ... you know the list if you're a "Dukes" fan. Take a little Hazzard history lesson and a road trip on the Six Feet Under blog ...

 

Terrific TV Toys: Miss Piggy plush doll by Fisher-Price

What an interesting premise for a TV show -- a bunch of puppets running their own TV show. That was "The Muppet Show," an outgrowth of a series everyone grew up with, "Sesame Street." Jim Henson's Muppets aired in the evening, though, capturing also a wide adult audience in its original run from 1976 to 1981. And one of the stars of that show, voiced and operated by Frank Oz, was the unstoppable, French-speaking, lavender-wearing, karate-chopping Miss Piggy.

Fisher-Price Toys released a couple "dress-up" dolls in 1980, one of Kermit the Frog and the one starring in this month's episode of Terrific TV Toys, Miss Piggy. She's all divine diva, as you will see ...

"Dynasty" fan adds to his screen-used clothing collection

We know Elizabeth Taylor never appeared on "Dynasty," but she sure could have. She did guest-star on daytime soap "General Hospital" back in the '80s, after all, in all her '80s-trademark beauty. So perhaps it seems fitting that a certain hard-core "Dynasty" fan, whose collection of gowns from the series we have profiled on this blog before, has branched out in his collecting. His latest acquisition is the lavender gown Ms. Taylor wore in the marketing campaign for her Passion perfume, shown below.

 

We had to ask how he acquired this magnificent piece. "The owner of it reached out to me three years ago through my blog," he says. "Three years later I finally got it! Was a long wait."

 

He also tells BRBTV: "I have a Linda Evans negligee on the horizon, too. Besides the Linda piece, this is my full collection minus sketches and smaller items."

 

 

 

How does he store or display these wonderful treasures? "I keep them in archival acid-free boxes and tissue paper. Put them on a mannequin for taking photos for my blog." He adds, "Not sure what I’m going to do for photographing the Elizabeth gown as she was MUCH shorter and curvier than the standard mannequin I have." 

 

He offers us this glimpse of the gown worn by Diahann Carroll above, along with photos of her in the gown for "Dynasty" / "The Colbys" ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then there's this masterpiece ... This author remembers Joan Collins wearing this landmark outfit on the series. Red on red on red on red ... the ultimate in feminine power, right down to the red gloves and purse. Just love this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

This collector enjoys his privacy, but he does have a blog that showcases more of his collection:

https://nolanmillercollector.blogspot.com/

 

Do you have any costumes or sketches from "Dynasty"? Share your collection! Email BRBTV at brb@brbtv.com, or this collector at NolanMillerCouture@yahoo.com.

 

 

 

Photos courtesy of the Nolan Miller Collector blog; please do not copy without permission.

 

TGIF: How about some action figure joy???

Here we are -- we made it to Friday. And some weeks, that's a bigger task than others! Especially when you're wrestling with an earth-shattering bug of some kind you caught last week ...

Anyway, Will Rodgers, author of "The Ultimate Super Friends Companion," offers us some action figure fun to lift our spirits and get us in the mood for the weekend. These photos of some figs from his collection were posted in the DC Comics Classic Animation: The Saturday Morning Era Fan Page on Facebook. They are from the recent DC comics blockbuster big-screen outings ...

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Will Rodgers; please do not copy without permission.

 

 

Terrific non-TV Toys: Archie Comics plush dolls by Mattel, Applause, Kelly Toys

If you've been watching the CW's "Riverdale," then you have a fresh, modern take on the characters of Archie Comics. We invite you to explore Archie's roots on the printed page in the March episode of the new "Terrific non-TV Toys" web series.

Inspired by the comics that began in the 1940s, these three plush dolls from three different eras are lively and fun. Take the 1977 Mattel Archie doll, part of a larger series the company released at that time, many of which can be snagged on eBay right now. Then there's the 1987 series by Applause / Presents, big and robust at 18-19" high. We complete the plush doll study with a Betty from the claw games at the mall or grocery store. She's from 2005 or so and also part of a larger set, all adorable in her jeans and shirt.