Tag: #SomethingElseSunday

R3-A2 on Vacation Part 5 (Rancho Obi-Wan)

Recommended music: Ella Fitzgerald – Winter Wonderland

We’re staying up late this #SomethingElseSunday and still looking back at some photos from my California trip a few months ago. On that trip, I brought my Star Wars Legacy Collection R3-A2 along for the adventure!

I snapped about a thousand photos that weekend, for the remainder of the evening in Petaluma, R3 remained in my pocket at my main stop: Rancho Obi-Wan! Steve Sansweet established this nonprofit museum, which Guinness World Records recognizes as housing the world’s most extensive collection of Star Wars memorabilia. The museum and its storage facilities together contain approximately half a million distinct Star Wars items.

I won’t be able to comment on every detail in the photos, since the night was such a fun blur of Star Wars excitement. Honestly, I’ve already forgotten more Star Wars things than I can remember from that night.

This first photo shows a fully pneumatic, musical Cantina Band animatronic from a store display. There’s also an original banner with an early logo and font used to promote the first film at San Diego Comic-Con in 1976.

This bike was created by writer and Lucasfilm publicist Pete Vilmur. The basic bike was one used for years at Skywalker Ranch to take visitors and employees from building to building. Then Vilmur acquired the bike and gave it a Star Wars makeover with a touch of Pee Wee’s Big Adventure before auctioning it off for charity.

Rancho has a fantastic collection of fan-made items, such as this Chewbacca mask and a Bantha craft.

This unique centerpiece has 112 vintage Kenner Star Wars figures. It’s surrounded by 575 Hasbro Stormtroopers, making for an amazing sight right when you walk into the main room.

Props to these… props!

There’s a friendly group of plush porgs filling the space between display cases.

Here are additional screen-used props, such as droid hands and 4-LOM’s crotch piece.

That’s quite a crotch piece!

There’s a big piece of the Sarlaac Pit set here, along with other props.

The giveaway at Collector Stage panels for several Star Wars Celebrations has been these little Star Tots collectibles. They’re not the rarest items, but it’s fun to see so many of them on display in one place.

I don’t have a banana for scale (since no food is allowed in the museum), but those dolls on the ends are Barbie-sized. That gives you an idea of how large the prop figures from Robot Chicken are in real life.

Vintage model kits.

Candy, trading cards, and other miscellaneous items.

There’s a very complete-looking collection of merchandise from George Lucas’ Super Live Adventure stage show, which toured Japan in 1993.

A nice collection of Star Tours theme park merchandise, both new and old.

I’m really going to try and wrap this up by the end of the year. 😄
More to come…

@ranchoobiwan
#ActionFigurePhotography
#StarWars
#ToyPhotography

New Leaders

Recommended music: Kim Wilde – Kids in America

It’s #SomethingElseSunday, and we’re back with another Masters of the Universe collaboration alongside Eternian Epic Imagery. Our theme this week is “New Leaders.”

Masters of the Universe has seen many reboots and new takes on its story over the past 40 years. From the Filmation cartoons to The New Adventures of He-Man, DC comics, and the latest Netflix series, the story has never really ended. It’s fun to imagine what happens next, especially who might lead after our current heroes step down. This week, I envisioned Dare, the son of King He-Man and Teela, ruling Eternia with Andra as his queen. I also imagined a new threat: the return of the Snake Men. The rest of the group shared some fantastic photos too, so make sure to check them out.

…

Kings and queens change as new leaders step up to take their place.

Sometimes leaders step down or are replaced. In the worlds of Masters of the Universe and Princess of Power, there are always characters eager for power, and we might even see some unexpected new leaders soon.

Has the Eternian Epic Imagery team caught a glimpse of this new order? Take a look at this week’s photos to find out:

@takemoretoyphotos
@emerald_knight_photos
@b.a.dtoyphotos
@glare_foe
@botfaceguynoir
@kidult_1983
@raoof7136
@dalestoys
@cob_web_collector
@raw_photoygraphy

#ActionFigurePhotography
#EternianEpicImagery
#He-Man
#MastersOfTheUniverse
#MOTU
#ToyPhotography

From the Archives: Pops

Recommended music: The Format – Does Your Cat Have A Mustache?

On this final #SomethingElseSunday post from the archives, we’re still celebrating 70 years of the Muppets! From the Palisades Toys Muppets line, it’s Pops!

Pops is the mustachioed senior doorman who showed up in the final season of The Muppet Show. A few years later, he had a bigger part as the owner and manager of the Happiness Hotel in The Great Muppet Caper.

Pops made his action figure in the ninth and final wave of Palisades Toys’ Muppets line, which came out in fall 2004. By then, retailers weren’t as interested in the line or other Palisades Toys products. Although several exclusive Muppet figures were released to customers over the following year, the company filed for bankruptcy and announced its subsequent sale. This Pops figure is an excellent likeness of the character. While the budget didn’t allow for him to come with his trademark backstage desk from The Muppet Show, he came with his Happiness Hotel desk (a repaint of the Muppet Newsman desk), a basic stand, and new accessories like a bell, a check-in book, a desk lamp, a fly swatter, and Gaffer the Cat.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TheMuppets70
#ToyPhotography

Dr. Finkelstein

Recommended music: Christina Aguilera feat. Dr. John – Merry Christmas, Baby (Live)

For this #WhateverWednesday, we’re checking out more action figures that are perfect for the time between Halloween and Christmas. Today’s pick from the Super7 ReAction The Nightmare Before Christmas line is Dr. Finkelstein!

In the movie, Dr. Finkelstein is voiced by the late William Hickey, an Academy Award nominee who you would certainly recognize as Uncle Lewis in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. His performance makes the character especially creepy. Dr. Finkelstein, credited as “Evil Scientist,” is the wheelchair-bound mad scientist of Halloween Town. He helps Jack Skellington with the plan to take over Christmas by reanimating reindeer skeletons, but I’ve always seen him as a secondary villain because of how he treats Sally, the living ragdoll he created.

Funko excluded Dr. Finkelstein from their Nightmare Before Christmas ReAction line, and Super7 also skipped him when they rebooted the line in 2020. Luckily, he finally appeared in the last wave of NBC ReAction figures in 2022. In addition to the five traditional points of articulation: a ball neck, shoulders, and swivel legs, the doctor’s head also has a hinge to reveal his brain as seen on screen. Although he is sculpted in a sitting position, the figure includes his signature motorized wheelchair. He also comes with a skull for use in his next creation, Jewel, a wife for himself, using part of his own brain. The paint and sculpt are simple and match the line’s style, and the painted details on the chair make this figure a better value than some others in the ReAction series.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TheNightmareBeforeChristmas
#ToyPhotography

Sam the Eagle

Recommended music: Sam Eagle – Chairman of the Board [Never filmed, but included on The Muppet Christmas Carol Soundtrack]

It’s #SomethingElseSunday, and we’re still celebrating 70 years of the Muppets! Today, from the Palisades Toys Muppets line, it’s Sam the Eagle!

Sam first appeared in the 1975 pilot, The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence. He returned later that year for the first Muppet Meeting Films, which were created to add some laughs to long, dull meetings. Sam made his official Muppet Show debut in the third episode of season one and went on to be included in the opening theme for the last four seasons of the show, and 46 of the series’s 120 episodes. Thankfully, the physical Sam puppet got an update for season two, with less wild eyebrows and matching blue on his head and body, a look he’s kept for most of the past 50 years.

On The Muppet Show, Sam acted as the self-appointed censor and often introduced or moderated skits. As an American eagle, he sees it as his job to stand up for American morals and values. Often written to mock political ideals, Sam always plays the straight man and is usually shocked by the silly things that count as entertainment. Basically, he’s always appalled by classic Muppets humor. 😜

Following The Muppet Show, Sam Eagle has appeared in every Muppet film to date, as well as in many Muppet books, TV shows, and video games. Frank Oz played Sam Eagle until 2000. After Oz, Kevin Clash and Drew Massey took on the role for a few productions, and then Eric Jacobson became Sam in 2005 and still plays him today.

Sam first appeared in wave four of the Palisades Toys line as Sam Arrow from Muppet Treasure Island. The regular Sam Eagle figure was added in wave eight about a year later. The figure is well-detailed and has eleven points of articulation, though there is minimal wrist movement and no tail joint. Sam comes with a book on Standards and Practices, a copy of the U.S. Constitution, a lectern, and three different seal options for the front.

A “shifty-eyed” variant of the figure was also released with left-looking eyes. It included four alternative lectern seals and a different book. Overall, it’s a great release and a must-have for longtime Muppet fans.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TheMuppets70
#ToyPhotography

From the Archives: Tecmo Super Bowl 2024

On this #SomethingElseSunday post from the archives, we’re playing some Tecmo Super Bowl 2024

When I originally posted this after last season’s Super Bowl, there was, sadly, no NFL football for the first time in about 24 weeks. Thankfully, I had a fun time playing the 1990s NES classic Tecmo Super Bowl with updated 2024 NFL team rosters all season long and ended up simulating some games for an interesting result.

I also made a custom marquee and bezel for my home arcade. It helps bring this classic football game into the present while keeping its retro vibe.

Thanks to sblueman.com for updating the game every year!

#NFL
#Football

Shock

Recommended music: The Jacksons, Mick Jagger – State of Shock

For this #WhateverWednesday, we’re still focusing on action figures that fit well between Halloween and Christmas. Today’s pick from the Funko ReAction The Nightmare Before Christmas line is Shock!

In the film, Shock is convincingly voiced by Catherine O’Hara and is one of Oogie Boogie’s three mischievous henchmen, alongside Lock and Barrel. This seven-year-old trick-or-treater, dressed as a witch, demonstrates her cunning by helping to “kidnap the Sandy Claws” due to Jack Skellington’s request.

Funko released Shock in the second wave of their Nightmare Before Christmas ReAction line in 2016. The figure has five points of articulation: a ball neck, swivel hips, and shoulders. Her hands are too small to hold her accessories: her signature mask, a bone slingshot, and a cat-in-a-box. I didn’t include these in the photo, but it’s a generous set for a ReAction figure, especially since later henchkids came with fewer extras. I do wish she came with a broom, but I am happy the face is accurate, and the mask stays in place when needed. The paint and sculpt are simple and fit the line’s style. There are larger, more detailed versions available, but this one complements the rest of the ReAction series.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TheNightmareBeforeChristmas
#ToyPhotography

Winter Chills

Recommended music: Tom Walker – Play Dead (Avelino x Raf Riley Remix)

On this #SomethingElseSunday, we’ve got another Masters of the Universe collaboration with Eternian Epic Imagery. This week’s theme is “Winter Chills.”

Sorry for the late post—it’s probably Monday by the time you see this! I just got back from a wild weekend in Las Vegas and finally had time to update the blog. Last week, we got our first taste of winter weather, which gave me the chance to take some snowy outdoor photos and recreate a scene from He-Man & She-Ra: A Christmas Special, a longtime favorite in our house. The rest of the group also shared some amazing shots this week, so be sure to check them out.

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Winter Chills
A favorite memory on Eternia is the Royal twins’ Birthday, which was also the first time Christmas was introduced. There have been other chilly episodes too, like Black Snow and the well-known quests in the 200X series. We’ve seen the Ice Armour He-Man from that show, along with popular characters like Icer and Frosta.

Let’s see how our Eternian Epic Imagery community captured winter moments in this week’s collaboration.

#eternianepicimagery

@cob_web_collector
@backyardeternia
@takemoretoyphotos
@dalestoys
@the_thanoscopter
@b.a.dtoyphotos
@glare_foe
@81_eternal
@astral_motu_gallery
@raw_photoygraphy
@kidult_1983
@raoof7136
@opt975

#ActionFigurePhotography
#EternianEpicImagery
#He-Man
#MastersOfTheUniverse
#MOTU
#ToyPhotography

From the Archives: Lew Zealand

Recommended music: Lou Reed – Walk on the Wild Side

On this #SomethingElseSunday post from the archives, we’re celebrating 70 years of the Muppets and taking a look at the Palisades Toys Muppets Lew Zealand!

Lew Zealand first appeared in 1978, in episode 310 of The Muppet Show. In that episode, his wild boomerang fish-throwing act stopped Kermit from accidentally marrying Miss Piggy during her planned wedding sketch. Although originally intended for a single episode, the character’s popularity grew rapidly, leading to appearances in over two dozen subsequent episodes of The Muppet Show. Lew has remained a recurring character, frequently appearing in minor roles or cameos in nearly every Muppet film and project released since.

Palisades Toys released this ruffle-collared Lew Zealand figure in the third wave of their Muppet toy line. This was the final wave to focus solely on The Muppet Show, as the line soon ventured into covering other Muppet productions, such as films and Muppets Tonight. For accessories, Lew comes with his signature boomerang fish, a minnow bucket, a small-mouth bass, and a swordfish – just right for recreating the famous act from his season three debut.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TheMuppets70
#ToyPhotography

Lock

Recommended music: Flowdan – Original Ragamuffin (feat. Wiley)

For this #WhateverWednesday, we are still highlighting action figures that are particularly suitable for the period between Halloween and Christmas. Our selection for today, from the Super7 ReAction The Nightmare Before Christmas line, is Lock!

Along with Shock and Barrel, Lock is one of Oogie Boogie’s three raggamuffin henchmen. This trick-or-treating six-year-old is dressed like a little devil and definitely lives up to that look with his actions against Santa Claus. He also sounds older than he is, since Paul Reubens voices him in the film.

Although Funko included Shock and Barrel in their Nightmare Before Christmas ReAction line, they did not initially release the leader of the trio. Lock appeared in Funko’s Dorbz and Pop Vinyl lines, as well as in Nightmare Before Christmas collections from Applause, Diamond Select, Jun Planning, and NECA, but not in the 3.75-inch scale. Super7 also omitted Lock from the first wave when relaunching the line in 2020. However, he was finally included in the last wave of NBC ReAction figures in 2022.

The figure features the standard five points of articulation and includes one accessory: his mask, as depicted in several scenes from the film. While the paint and sculpt are relatively simple, they are consistent with this line’s aesthetic and accurate right down to the little devil tail. Although larger and more articulated versions exist, this figure integrates well with the ReAction series.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TheNightmareBeforeChristmas
#ToyPhotography

R3-A2 on Vacation Part 4 (Rancho Obi-Wan)

Recommended music: Chase & Status And Blossoms – This Moment

For this #SomethingElseSunday, I’m taking another look at photos from my trip to California a couple of months ago. On that trip, I brought along a Star Wars Legacy Collection R3-A2!

Over the weekend, I took about 1,000 photos, but for the rest of this day in Petaluma, R3 stayed safe in my pocket because I had finally reached my destination: Rancho Obi-Wan!

Steve Sansweet founded this nonprofit museum, which holds the world’s largest collection of Star Wars memorabilia, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The 9,000-square-foot building and off-site storage now hold about half a million different Star Wars items.

I forgot to get a photo of the main gate and a simple sign in the neighborhood when I arrived at Rancho, but I started taking pictures right away. Along with rare, official Star Wars merchandise, I was excited to spot random items with Star Wars themes, like R2-BQ shown here.

If seeing poultry seems strange, they actually fit right in because Rancho was originally a farm. The main building once housed chickens instead of collectibles.

There were plenty of open doors and things to see, but some areas at Rancho Obi-Wan are off limits to day guests like me. ROW is also the real-life home of Sansweet, museum President and CEO Anne Neumann, and others.

When you enter the main building, almost every space is decorated. Even the staircase is lined with Star Wars-themed license plates from all over the country.

The theming even extends to the restroom, which features dozens of household items collected over the years, including vintage Star Wars toiletries and fan-made pieces.

It looks like you can fit at least four Star Wars fans in the restroom at once to check out the memorabilia. 😄

After leaving the restroom, I passed through a smaller hallway lined with display cases of loose vintage figures, including some rare ones.

Next on the self-guided tour is the library, which has countless publications starting with this original Star Wars promotional piece. Released a year before the first film, the logo seen here with a pointy W was later redesigned before we ever saw it on the big screen.

In the library, I enjoyed browsing style guides for various Star Wars projects.

There were also many international versions of publications. Some looked familiar, but all were translated into other languages.

The library had plenty of other decorations besides books, which made it feel more like home.

Not wanting to spend all night in the library, I headed back into a hallway lined with Original Trilogy film posters before making my way to the main room. More to come…

#ActionFigurePhotography
#StarWars
#ToyPhotography

From the Archives: John Erwin

Recommended music: GODSOwn DJ – Masters of the Universe

On this #SomethingElseSunday post from the archives, we’re celebrating the life of voice actor John Erwin. News of his recent passing [at the time of the original post] became known this past week, and wow, what a loss!

John’s big break into the pop culture zeitgeist was a recurring role as Teddy on the television series Rawhide. By the mid-1960s, he transitioned into being a voice actor portraying Reggie Mantle on the animated Archie Show. This character role continued in several future Archie series, including the animated Sabrina the Teenage Witch show. The voice acting continued with regular roles in television and films into the 1990s. Some of these were main characters, and many more were incidental background characters.

Remember the scene in Back to the Future Part II when Biff hears the football announcer detail the comeback, mirroring the Sports Almanac, and changes his future? That was John Erwin’s voice. Likewise, the witty tone of Morris the Cat in 9 Lives Cat Food commercials came before Garfield’s similar style. That, too, was John Erwin.

Although these roles define an accomplished career, it is one character who has permanently linked John Erwin’s voice in my memory for over forty years: John Erwin was He-Man.

My earliest television memory is likely the Filmation He-Man and the Masters of the Universe animated series. John’s voice as both Prince Adam and He-Man was present from the opening sequence and featured prominently throughout each 22-minute episode. Erwin’s resonant, commanding voice assured viewers that the hero on screen would “have the power” and act with integrity.

Besides our main heroes, Erwin portrayed dozens of other characters on both the He-Man and She-Ra animated series. I have pictured some of my favorites here. Despite this significant involvement with the popular franchise, Erwin avoided the spotlight. He never wanted a young He-Man fan picturing himself as the hero rather than the animated, larger-than-life personas he saw on screen, and he declined all convention appearances. That means I never actually met the man or saw him give an interview. I only have the positive comments from those who collaborated with him back in the 1980s to tell me that he was a special person, just one who continued to avoid any public appearances despite the demand from a generation of fans.

The lessons and morals of the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe animated series have stuck with me my entire life, and the cartoon was in heavy rotation during my children’s younger years as I hoped to instill those same values in them. So, thank you, Mr. Erwin, for that memorable voice that helped guide the animated wisdom into my mind, and keep it there ever since. Rest in peace.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#MastersOfTheUniverse
#MOTU
#ToyPhotography

Vampire

Recommended music: Johnny Marsh – Vampire Christmas

This #WhateverWednesday, we’re checking out action figures that are just right for the time between Halloween and Christmas—though not for Thanksgiving. Today’s pick from the Super7 ReAction The Nightmare Before Christmas line is Vampire!

In The Nightmare Before Christmas, four vampire brothers appear among the citizens of Halloween Town, and a fifth shows up playing hockey near the end. The tall vampire helps search for Jack Skellington, saying, “I peeked behind the Cyclops’ eye.” When the town is “Making Christmas,” the vampires are shown making toys to place under the Christmas tree, including a fanged wooden duck pull toy.

Diamond Select and other companies have made vampire action figures before, including a set of all four by Japanese maker Jun Planning, but Funko never added a Vampire to their Nightmare Before Christmas ReAction line. Super7, however, released this one in the first year after relaunching the line in 2020. The figure has the usual five points of articulation, and its legs look a lot like the bell-bottom pants on old Kenner Star Wars figures. Instead of the black umbrella often seen with the vampires, this figure comes with the fanged toy duck, which is a fun touch. Though simple, the sculpt and paint match the film well enough. There are larger and more articulated versions out there, but this Vampire fits right in with the ReAction line.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TheNightmareBeforeChristmas
#ToyPhotography

Scooter

Recommended music: Brooks & Dunn – Boot Scootin’ Boogie

On this #SomethingElseSunday, we’re still celebrating 70 years of the Muppets! From the Palisades Toys Muppets line, it’s Scooter!

Scooter first appeared in 1976, just a few minutes into the very first episode of The Muppet Show. He sometimes joined the regular skits on stage, but his main role was as the stage manager or “gofer.” For example, he’d say, “I’ll go fer coffee; I’ll go fer sandwiches; I’ll go for anything you need, etc…” In the first season, there was a running joke about Scooter’s uncle owning the Muppet Theatre, but Scooter stuck around long after that joke ended, showing up in every episode during the show’s five seasons. Most episodes included a behind-the-scenes moment where Scooter would tell the guest star, “15 seconds to curtain.”

Like Kermit and Miss Piggy, it is hard to picture any Muppets production from the past 50 years without Scooter. He has been an active part of dozens of Muppets films, television shows, and other appearances in the decades since The Muppet Show. Richard Hunt performed the character from the beginning up through Muppet*Vision 3D in 1991. Following Hunt’s passing the following year, Scooter did actually go through an eight-year absence before returning for Muppets in Space. Several performers stepped in to provide the voice or puppetry for Scooter over the next decade, before David Rudman fully took on the role of performing from 2008 onward.

Scooter’s importance to the brand was reflected in the Palisades Toys line, which featured three unique releases and a few variants. The first figure of Scooter was included in the third wave in the line while the packaging (and Scooter’s jacket) were still celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Muppet Show. While a headset and stage door were considered to be packed in with Scooter, later released with Rizzo and the actual Backstage Playset, Scooter did still come with a good amount of accessories. These include: a base, a box of Chinese food, a clipboard, a cupholder (with two to-go cups), a megaphone, a radio, and a skateboard. The figure looks great and is a must-have for fans of the character and his part in The Muppet Show.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#TheMuppets70
#ToyPhotography

Tier Two Heroes & Villains

Recommended music: Yann Tiersen – La Valse d’Amelie (Orchestra Version)

On this #SomethingElseSunday, we’ve got another Masters of the Universe collaboration with Eternian Epic Imagery. This week’s theme is “Tier Two Heroes & Villains.”

This week, our objective was to highlight a lesser-known character from the Masters of the Universe franchise. Given the franchise’s extensive history spanning over four decades and numerous toy lines, the selection process offered considerable variety. Our group discussed the definition of a “tier two” character, and I ultimately decided to exclude characters from the first three waves of the vintage line to focus on those introduced later in the franchise.

I selected Optikk, who was introduced in the 1990s animated series The New Adventures of He-Man, and Dekker, who first appeared in the 2003 Mike Young Productions episode ‘The Island’ of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Although these characters might be considered below second tier, their inclusion in the Masters of the Universe Classics action figure line demonstrates their significance within the franchise. Additionally, I found the contrast between these one-eyed characters particularly compelling.
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Tier Two Heroes & Villains

Back in the 80s and 90s, many toy lines and cartoons added lots of secondary characters to boost sales and keep the series going. That’s exactly what’s happening with the Masters of the Universe toy line these days, too!

MOTU has never had so many different lines and variants since it first started. With all these new characters, each one builds its own fan base, and it makes you wonder what would happen if some of them became the main stars.

Eternian Epic Imagery has taken on this challenge and brought it to life with their amazing photography. See their own pages for full images:

@b.a.dtoyphotos
@the_thanoscopter
@shadowfigurephotography
@kidult_1983
@emerald_knight_photos
@botfacedudeguy
@raw_photoygraphy
@cob_web_collector
@raoof7136
@dalestoys
@glare_foe
@opt975
@81_eternal

#ActionFigurePhotography
#EternianEpicImagery
#He-Man
#MastersOfTheUniverse
#MOTU
#ToyPhotography