Recommended music: Paddy and the Rats – The Captain’s Dead
It’s time for another #WhateverWednesday post from the archives. This week, we’re checking out yet another figure from the Disney Parks Pirates of the Caribbean line: The First Mate!
Also known as “Old Bill,” this character was introduced in the 1973 Magic Kingdom version of the Pirates of the Caribbean (POTC) ride and was subsequently incorporated into the Disneyland version. Old Bill is characterised by his fondness for rum and his attempts to persuade a group of cats to join him.
The action figure captures Bill’s likeness and includes a pair of weapons, a pair of cats, a cup (for his rum, of course), and a lantern to complement the barrel-and-brick display. In addition to the cats, Bill has a unique peg-leg accessory for some reason (unlike the animatronic) that you can swap in for his right foot. Unfortunately, despite hip and knee articulation, he cannot properly sit down.😄
“Here kitty, kitty, kitty. Have a little tot of rum with Old Bill, aye? Come on now, be a nice little pussy cat. Oh, you be a feisty one, you be.” – Old Bill to a cat
It’s time for another #WhateverWednesday post from the archives. This week, we’re checking out another figure from the Disney Parks Pirates of the Caribbean line: “The Scalawag!”
Also known as “the Pirate With Pigs”, this mischievous guy is still seen on all versions of the POTC ride sleeping (passed out) with a few pigs just before the guests’ boats reach the prison scene with the dog.
The action figure closely replicates the character’s appearance and is accompanied by several accessories, including weapons, bottles, a mud-and-brick display, and two muddy porcine companions.
“Oink oink oink oink” – Pigs [In the tune of Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)]
Recommended music: Tiffany – I Think We’re Alone Now
It’s time for another #WhateverWednesday post from the archives. This week, we’re checking out another figure from the Disney Parks Pirates of the Caribbean line: “The Buccaneer.”
This character, also called the “Pooped Pirate,” was first voiced by Paul Frees and is now voiced by Corey Burton. Until the mid-1990s, the Magic Kingdom version showed him trying to catch a young woman, holding a piece of her clothing while she hid in a barrel.
The toy looks just like the original animatronic and comes with several weapons, some bottles, and a fun pop-up barrel feature. In 1994, the ride changed so the pirate held a treasure map and a magnifying glass. Disneyland swapped him out in 1997 for the Gluttonous Pirate, who was shown eating a big meal with a pig. Updates to all four versions of the ride between 2006 and 2017 added a Captain Jack Sparrow animatronic spying on the pirate.
“Oh she be a lively lassie she were. Oh I tell you true. It’s alright to hoist me colours on the likes of that shy little wench! Favor, keep a weathered eye open, mateys. I be willing to share I be!”- Pooped Pirate
Welcome to another #WhateverWednesday post from the archives. Today, we’re taking a look at another figure from the Disney Parks Pirates of the Caribbean line, “The Red Head.”
As this toyline showcases the characters that populated the ride for 40+ years, this is the original red haired wench desired by drunken pirate animatronics after being captured by a pirate auctioneer, and not the character “Scarlett” from the POTC live-action films, or “Redd” as the character was changed to in all Disney Parks by 2018 who dons a gun and joins the auctioneer to sell off household goods and not people. 😛
The figure has nice sculpting and paint, and comes with a unique backdrop, guns, a knife, a rope, a rose, and a coin purse. It’s a good value and a fun addition to the collection. Too bad the auctioneer hasn’t been made into a figure yet.
“We wants the redhead!” – Drunk pirates
“Shift yer cargo, dearie. Show ’em your larboard side.” – The Auctioneer
This #WhateverWednesday from the archives, we’re setting sail with the Disney Parks Pirates of the Caribbean “The Captain.”
Since this Disney Parks exclusive toyline showcases the animatronic characters that populated the ride before Pirates Of The Caribbean became a major film franchise, the pirate captain seen here is from 2006 or earlier and is not Captain Barbossa, as portrayed by Geoffrey Rush.
This character has been removed from the park attraction in California, Florida, and Tokyo. Despite this, the pirate captain is still hoisting the colors in Disneyland Paris. For more than four decades, the captain could be found midway through the ride, giving orders to his crew of the Wicked Wench ship while they attack a fort with cannonballs (while also searching for treasure). The action figure plays heavily into Blackbeard the pirate’s look and includes part of the ship, a cannon (and assorted balls), guns, swords, a telescope, and a mug of pirate ale, grog, or something.
Yes, I do realize the ship deck diorama piece is 180 degrees backward in my picture, but I thought it looked cooler with the pirate ship in the background instead of overlooking a small boat of theme park guests. 😄
“Strike your colors, ya bloomin’ cockroaches! … Fire at will!”
Recommended music: The Beatles – Strawberry Fields Forever
For this #WhateverWednesday, we’re checking out a toy that is more fun than scary. It’s the Jada Toys Frankenberry!
Nearly 20 years after Kellogg’s debuted Tony the Tiger as a cereal mascot, General Mills decided to create a pair of cereal spokesmen for its upcoming brands. Realizing the cereal market was untapped for chocolate and strawberry-flavored cereals, they created Count Chocula and Franken Berry with fun mascots in the spotlight. After hitting store shelves in 1971, these unique flavors, for the time, along with the addition of marshmallow bits, soon became a hit with cereal fans.
By the following year, Franken Berry cereal caused a bit of controversy after reports that children’s stools were turning pink, a symptom sometimes referred to as “Franken Berry stool”. This was due to the inclusion of an indigestible pigment in the corn-based cereal, and the Franken Berry recipe was quickly reformulated to remove this pigment. The cereal was updated again in the mid-1980s, changing from round corn puffs to a ghost-like design.
The cereal’s mascot is an electric-pink creature inspired by Frankenstein’s monster, but with a much friendlier appearance. Bob McFadden provided the original voice for the character, imitating Boris Karloff’s portrayal of Frankenstein’s monster. McFadden played him for most of the 1970s and 80s, as well as many other animated characters, such as Snarf on ThunderCats.
Though the brand was only available in the fall starting in 2010, General Mills looked to capitalize on the 50th anniversary of the monster cereals in 2021, getting Jada Toys to release this 1/12-scale action figure.
In addition to the bright, colorful paint, the figure has decent articulation and a very accurate likeness to the character seen on cereal boxes for the past five decades, right down to the chains and strawberry fingernails. Franken Berry also comes with a small box of cereal and an alternate head to replace the smiling head with a fun open-mouth look. The head can be difficult to swap, so I recommend applying some heat to loosen it up. Don’t worry if you pop out the double-jointed neck piece; it will reattach just like the legs that detach way too easily.
Though the joints are generally too loose for my liking and I wish Jada had included alternate hands and a cereal bowl, this was their first foray into the food mascot action figure market. This figure is still guaranteed to stand out in your display.
Recommended music: The Disneylanders – Yo Ho Yo Ho Pirates Life For Me
This #WhateverWednesday from the archives, we’ve got the Disney Parks Pirates of the Caribbean “The Pillager.”
This Disney Parks exclusive toyline predates Pirates Of The Caribbean being a major film franchise and is solely based on likenesses of pirates and other animatronics from the first forty-some years of the park attraction.
The skeleton pillager appears in Dead Man’s Cove near the beginning of the ride and is impaled on a rock near a beach. As park guests’ boats pass by, a seagull squawks while perched on the pillager’s hat.
This fully articulated action figure recreates most of that with a “Dead men tell no tales” sign, a shovel, and treasure from the beach. He also comes with a handful of weapons, but most importantly, he can be stabbed straight through the chest, keeping him attached to a plastic rock with a sword. 😄
Recommended music: Neil Young – Heart of Gold (Live)
For this #WhateverWednesday post from the archives, we’re in the home stretch, sharing The Daily Toy posts from the beginning of 2025! Today, we’re taking a look at the Lone Coconut Plunderlings Cursed Idol!
This is one of the few pieces that I didn’t hold onto from the initial Kickstarter release, but I’m so glad I’ve got one in the collection again. Lone Coconut conducted their own little scavenger hunt, CoinQuest, last year, and this fun, shiny golden figure was the prize at the end!
The Cursed Idol comes with a unique gold staff, crown, and chalice, as he is definitely one who loves his treasure.
For this post from the archives, we’re diving ahead with my list of top 10 action figures from 2024. At #6, it’s the NECA Ultimate Prince Vultan!
What else can I say about this excellent figure that I didn’t already cover a few weeks ago? The paint apps, detail, accessories, and inclusion of a fourth head/expressive Brian Blessed face put this one over the top.
Honorable mention to the other NECA Ultimate figures. Flash Gordon and Ming the Merciless from the 1980 film show up here as well.
For this post from the archives, we’re continuing with my list of top 10 action figures from 2024. Wasting away at #8, Mattel Jurassic World Hammond Collection Bubbles Up Jimmy Buffett!
Mattel really went beyond expectations with this SDCC/Mattel Creations shared exclusive release. It’s not just a figure based on Jimmy Buffett’s cameo in Jurassic World. In the scene, an unknown parkgoer in island apparel and flip-flops rescues two margaritas from a swarm of flying dinosaurs. This figure actually stands on a margarita-style platform on top of a tiki hut with three flying dimorphodons on clear stands all surrounding him.
Besides including the drinks and a “lost shaker of salt”, the whole thing lights up and plays music when you rotate the base. There was an even larger packaging that looked like a margarita blender that I already tossed out. Otherwise, this guy would have taken up even more shelf space.
Recommended music: String Player Gamer – Luigi’s Mansion Professor E. Gadd’s Laboratory Acapella
For this post from the archives, we’re continuing with my list of top 10 action figures from 2024. At #9, it’s the NECA Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze Professor Jordon Perry in Lab Coat!
NECA went above and beyond with the detail on the Professor figure, including skin texture and five o’clock shadow. The inclusion of a good amount of science lab accessories really including test tubes and a clipboard, really put it over the top.
Honorable mention to the NECA Professor Jordon Perry in Hazmat Jumpsuit, as well as the big foot soldier and Keno from the Foot Training 2-pack.
For this post from the archives, we’re kicking off the 2024 list of top 10 action figures. At #10, it’s the Fresh Monkey Fiction Naughty or Nice Collection Great Northern Santa!
I think this is a fun figure that has a cool look year-round and really stands out with its included accessories during the holiday season.
Honorable mention to the Naughty or Nice Collection: Tommy the Elf. Yes, that is the same figure featured a few days ago.
Recommended music: Videocraft Chorus – We Are Santa’s Elves
For this #WhateverWednesday post from the archives, we’re sharing something from the collection that fits the upcoming season. It’s the Fresh Monkey Fiction Naughty or Nice Collection, Tommy the Elf!
This BigBadToyStore exclusive is an excellent 1/12th scale elf. It comes with three different head sculpts and two hats. It also includes a candy cane, a wrapped present, and a stand. My biggest gripe is that, unlike Santa, the elf figure is limited to seven points of articulation. I would really appreciate elbow and knee joints for this little helper.
For this #WhateverWednesday post from the archives, we’re sharing something from the collection that fits the upcoming season. It’s the Fresh Monkey Fiction Naughty or Nice Collection Great Northern Santa!
This BigBadToyStore exclusive figure is like the brawny lumberjack Santa you never knew you wanted. The Naughty or Nice Collection is a fun line of 1/12th scale action figure Christmas characters. It includes multiple versions of Santa Claus, Elves, Gremlins, Krampus, and Nutcrackers. Each figure comes with a good amount of Christmas accessories like cookies, gifts, and stockings. This guy came with a coffee mug, flapjacks, and maple syrup, but he’ll have to get to those later as he just got done using his axe, and now it’s time for a pipe. 😁
Recommended music: Queen – Ming’s Theme (In the Court of Ming the Merciless)
For this #SomethingElseSunday post from the archives, we’re back in 1980 with the NECA Toys Ming the Merciless!
This ‘Military Suit’ version of Ming is based on the 1980 Flash Gordon film, and NECA has finally produced a version that actually looks like actor Max von Sydow. While it’s not his most famous costume from earlier in the film, the military suit is what Ming chose to wear to his wedding, and he wore it until his death near the end of the film.
The figure comes with two alternate sets of heads and hands (most have his ring), and his sword. With 28 points of articulation, he’s poseable enough to pose walking and talking… but also could take on Flash, I suppose.
“Klytus, I’m bored. What plaything can you offer me today?”
Dale's Toys 