TURTLE HOUSE AT ELVIRA’S ROOST, MT OLIVE SHORES, POLK CITY, FLORIDA

Monday Memories

First Published August 2019

World’s Largest Toy Museum Complex – Part 2

Time now to get ourselves back to the Toy Museum.  Yesterday we covered cars and trucks, and all things related to them.  Let’s look at some of the other toys that were there.

We’ll start with Beanie Babies.  Introduced in 1993 they rose to an obsessive level of popularity during the late 1990’s.  Though generally inexpensive several special editions were offered from time to time.  Some of the rate items can fetch up to $2,000 today.

Anyone remember Betty Boop?  She was a cultural icon in the 1930’s.  A symbol of the bygone roaring 20’s she was a hit first with adults and then later children.  She was outspoken about the old values asserted by her parents and the previous generation.  What real life woman inspired her.  No one knows for sure.

Here we have the Cabbage Patch Dolls.  In 1976 Xavier Roberts was paying his way through art school when he designed a doll with an unusual head.  They were first called Little People dolls.   After a 1980 TV appearance on the show Real People their popularity spiked sending kids into a Gimmie frenzy for the next several years.  It is said that parents fearful of disappointing their children on Christmas of 1983 camped outside of toy stores for hours.  By New Year’s Eve over 3 million had been sold.

Here we have the California Rasins.  The concept was originally created for a 1986 Sun-Maid commercial when one of the writers, Seth Werner came up with an idea for the new raisin commercial, saying, We have tried everything but dancing raisins singing I Heard It Through the Grapevine.  To his surprise, the commercial became wildly popular, paving the way for several future commercials and opportunities through other media.

Need a thirst quencher?  They say that Coke is the Real Thing.

From a bygone day we have Blushing Willie (left) and Down the Hatch (right).

As the sign said We all had them!   Fisher Price.

In 1998 the newest electronic toy craze hit the market – Furby.  Though it spoke Furbish it could be taught to speak English and to shower you with endearments.  They sold 1.8 million in 1998 and a staggering 14 million in 1999.  It’s signature phrase was I love you and it stole the hearts of kids and adults all over the U.S.  We had one for the longest time in the RV but some how, some time it disappeared.

Can you recall the blockbuster movie Gone With The Wind?  Here to help you remember are these dolls.

We had a stable of these Little Ponies throughout our house for years when the girls were growing up.  Introduced in 1982 by Hasbro they were extremely popular with girls of all ages.

I found this fact absolutely amazing.  But then again when you stop to think about it, I can definitely see how it can be true.

While here I learned something new about Mickey Mouse.  

The most recognized cartoon characters the world over – Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the whole gang.

My all time favorite and a guy I have on the top of my bedroom dresser even today.

This sweetheart by the name of Strawberry Shortcake was introduced by Kenner Products in 1979.  She was originally designed like a typical rag doll with freckles, a mop of red hair and a bonnet with strawberry prints.

How about a collection of outlandish but lovable dolls called the Trolls.

We can’t forget Warner Brothers Cartoons.  One of the most successful animation studios in America Media history.  They were primarily responsible for Loonie Tunes and Merry Melodies.  The characters featured in these series included Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Speedy Gonzales, Sylvester and Tweety,  Willy E. Coyote and the Road Runner.  The studio shut its doors for good in 1969.

Still popular today.  And why not!

Did you own one of these?  I did and really enjoyed it.

There was an exhibit on Ventriloquism.  Did you know that it began in the ancient temples of Delphi, Greece?  Jump forward to modern times and we find it was viewed as a way for performers to showcase their talents.  The most successful ventriloquist from 1903 to 1978 was Edgar Bergen and his side kick Charlie McCarthy.  Today my hands down favorite would be Jeff Dunham. (sorry I messed up the picture)

Remember when these rides were in front of just about every store in America?  I can remember pleading with my mom, Can I please have a quarter for just one ride?

We’ve almost made it through building number one.  But we’ll call it a night for now and pick up again tomorrow.  Wait until you see The Christmas Carol set from days long ago.  It’s a true work of art.  We also have Boyd Bears.  Star Wars and Star Trek.  And so much more,  Stay tuned.

Thanks for joining us again today.  We always appreciate your company and your comments.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s two human soul mates.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

See you on down the road!