Including books, crafts, movies, TV, music, stationary and toys. All kinds of fun stuff! Below are the brands and products in this category.
“A fresh contrast of melodic strings and swinging vocal patterns.” This weeks Sunday Lounge Listening is “The Sweet and the Swingin'” by Paul Weston, released in 1960.
Big Band Standards With An Oriental Flavour This weeks Sunday lounge listening is “Accent on Bamboo” by Tak Shindo, 1960.
I just found these four 1953 adverts for Ideal/Bakelite dolls. The ventriloquist dummies are simply fearful, and the bear’s not much better!
“Barbie’s $136 wardrobe from nurse to nightclubber.” I found this article about Barbie in Life magazine, published in August 1963.
“Step out in style in a snug comfortable badge!” These ad for Better Badges punk pin badges date from 1979-82.
I came across this fearful 1970’s styling head recently. I love the packaging with the housewife-to-hooker before and after effect. Produced by Amsco (Milton Bradley) in 1971, it was just one of the many merchandising products released for the US TV show “Family Affair” in which Buffy was one of the characters.
With Halloween just a few days away, I thought it would be fun to look up some 1980’s & 1990’s TV, toy and movie based fancy dress sewing patterns. They range from fun to the down right bizarre!
“Costumes galore!” Wondering what to dress up for Halloween this year? Look no further!
“All-time favourites with a solid beat.” This weeks Sunday Lounge Listening is “Cocktails Anyone?” by Bob Creash Quintet, 1958.
“New laminating process gives you quality where it counts – on the surface!” These ads for various recording from Columbia Records “Masterworks” collection date from 1942-43.
“The world’s great music…so real…so true!” These ads for various recording from Columbia Records “Masterworks” collection date from 1943-45.
Whilst I was scanning through my collection of 1960’s catalogues for a Powder Monki post featuring Lurid Lounge Wear, I also came across a selection of lurid coloured toys too. I’m now on the look out for the pink goose bank!
Like any normal human being, I have a healthy hatred of clowns. One stood on my foot once, and then there was Poltergeist. That said, here is a collection of clowns from various catalogues dating from 1962 to 1989. My favourite clowns are the ones being punched by small boys.
This is a starter guide to dating Ladybird books from the 1960’s and 1970’s, which shall be updated as I gather more information.
Today’s musical delights are brought to you by Dick Schory and The Percussive Art Ensemble with Re-Percussion from 1957. It’s everything the cover implies it is!
“The wedding of pairs of songs.” This weeks Sunday Lounge Listening is “Double Exposures” by Manny Albam & His Orchestra, 1960.
“Create your own masterpiece in just 3 seconds!” Here’s a selection of Easter egg decorating kits from the 1980’s, featuring the likes of Rainbow Brite, Hugga Bunch, Care Bears and more!
“When they named a game after me, it had to be built!” Elvira And The Party Monsters pinball machine was produced in 1989.
I was quite a fan of Stock, Aitken & Waterman (SAW) back in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, and am happy to admit I still am! An old school friend won some tickets on the radio to one of their live road shows in Bristol (1989 or 1990 I think). I know Sonia performed, but for the life of me can’t remember who else did!
“Martin Denny presents the enticing voice of Ethel Azama.” This weeks Sunday Lounge Listening is “Exotic Dreams” by Ethel Azama, with arrangement by Paul Conrad from 1959.
“Your fist becomes a real face.” I came across this little game yesterday. Produced by Remco in 1966, the box consisted of very little: four plastic nose-eye combos, a bit of fur, an old rag and a pen – “for hours of play and fun”. Well, it’s better than a punch in the face, I guess.
“Cards – Stickers – Bubblegum” Here’s a selection of horror movie themed trading card wrappers by Topps from the 1980’s.
“A fitness programme for today’s young girl.” During the mid to late 1980’s, Hasbro produced a line of fitness sets aimed at young girls.
The back of Boys’ Live magazine advertised everything from an ALF fan club membership and Nintendo strategy play book, to garlic bubble gum and windshield wiper glasses. You could also buy your own official nickname, a fetching pair of leather fingerless gloves, and a ventriloquists dummy which looks a bit like Sloth from Goonies.
“Cheap thrills at HMV!” This style of black and white ad for HMV chart music ran from 1981-83.
“For people who appreciate music…and money.” This style of black and white ad for John Menzies chart music ran from 1983-86.
“You’re on the road with Journey, one of the world’s hottest rock groups. A spectacular performance has just ended. Now it’s up to you to guide each Journey Band Member past hordes of Love-Crazed Groupies, Sneaky Photographers, and Shifty-Eyed Promoters to the safety of the Journey Escape Vehicle in time to make the next concert. Your mighty manager and loyal roadies are there to help, but the escape is up to you!”
“The beautiful hairstyling doll.” These Kenya doll adverts by Tyco are from 1992-95.
“A new art for today’s homemaker” If having bold coloured toilet paper only in your bathroom wasn’t enough, Kleenex published a 36 page booklet in 1971 full of crazy crafts to spread around the home too.
Giant Glow-Up Costume KitsThese crazy Halloween costumes were produced in 1979/1980 by Spearhead Industries.
As random toy finds go, this tickled all the right spots (a-hem)! Bum Bum Gang was a Russian Roulette balloon game by Giochi Preziosi, made in the late 1980s in Italy.
On looking into Labyrinth movie posters, I found there were several designs produced world-wide for its cinematic release in 1986. The Japanese versions are very sci-fi, and I love the Polish version featuring Ludo.
There were 27 titles in the original series “Well Loved Tales” (6O6D, Easy Reading), which were produced between 1964 to 1974 with a hardback matt cover. In 1979 Ladybird began to completely redesigned the series with new illustrations throughout and adding several new stories.
I’m a massive fan of exotica and lounge music and enjoy nothing better than scouring the charity shops for a new gem to add to my LP collection! Les Baxter is one my favourites, so I’ve collected together images of some of his LP covers, which are as weird and wonderful as his music.
Here’s a wonderful six page spread from Mattel I found in a LIFE magazine dated November 24th 1967. Shame it’s forty eight years too late to enter!
“Dance movements so simple you can actually perform some of them in your sleep!” This weeks Sunday Lounge Listening is something a little different, with Miss Piggy’s Aerobique, from 1982. With routines such as “Snackcercise” and “Sit Down”, this is a form of exercise I could get into. Tre excellent!
“The wonder picture of all time!” These magazine ads for movies are all from 1940.
“More than a musical…It’s marvellous!” These magazine ads for movies are all from 1942.
“”Here’s a thrill, new and gay! It’s a dance filled holiday!” These magazine ads for movies are all from 1943.
“A lady of fire and ice… A rogue of steel and gallantry.” These magazine ads for movies are all from 1945.
“So neat! So sweet! So-o-o indescreet!” These magazine ads for movies are all from 1946.
“It’s a wonderful laugh, it’s a wonderful love!” These magazine ads for movies are all from 1947.
In 1955, record company Columbia released a set of five LP’s featuring the instrumental stylings of Peter Barclay and his Orchestra. The technicolour cover photographs encapsulate the ideal American family in a wonderfully cheesy/creepy way, and the back covers were full of helpful hints and even recipes to help make every occasion perfect.
“Get in on the swinging sound!” Here’s a selection of images featuring children playing musical instruments from various catalogues dating from 1970-90’s.
I stumbled across this delightful selection of boardgames in the 1976 Argos catalogue, which I was browsing (as you do). I was immediately captivated by Brucie’s little smiling face and had to learn more!
“Kids! This Halloween you can be the creatures you really are!” PAAS Halloween make-up kits were produced from 1984, and there were six different sets made at first.
This weeks Sunday lounge listening is “Pink Champagne for Dancing” (vol.2) by Lloyd Mumm and His Starlight Roof Orchestra [1962]. Enjoy!
“A flight into new areas of sonic and musical experience.” This weeks Sunday Lounge Listening is “Provocative Percussion” by Terry Snyder and the All Stars from 1959.
“Have fun with things occult.” Here is a selection of scary boardgames from various catalogues ranging from the 1960’s-70’s.
“Things to make for pleasure and profit.”
Various sewing patterns clipped from 1970’s magazines.
“This Halloween don’t be just another face in the crowd.” These makeup kits were aimed at adults and came with glitter and metallic colours. They were produced by Plough in 1985 and 1987.
“It’s you – to the last curve!” These ads for Singer Form dressmaking body moulds date from 1941-43.
“And you’ll love how much it didn’t cost!” These ads for Singer Sewing Centres date from 1947-48.
Twinkle was one of my favourite girls comics when I was little, I even named one my two childhood cats after her (the other cat was named “Tammy” after my other favourite comic). Here are all the annual covers from 1970 to 2003. I love the early cover designs best with the plain coloured backgrounds, white circle behind Twinkle and black text.
“An exciting offer for earthlings!” Here are some spectacular b&w adverts for the Star Wars Fan Club I found in Boys’ Life magazine (1977, 78 & 80). I also found two belt buckle ads, a patch ad and a flying model rocket ad.
“A galactic collection to knit and sew!” The Doctor Who Pattern Book by Joy Gammon was published in 1984 and featured all kinds of weird and wonderful things to knit and sew.
“Recycle old pantyhose into dolls, wall hangings, musical boxes, holiday decorations, and much more!” The Great Pantyhose Crafts Book by Ed & Stevie Baldwin was published in 1982, followed by it’s eagerly awaited sequel, More Great Pantyhose Crafts, in 1985.
Ahh, Halloween. That time of year when you dig out the old flame retardant vinyl costumes and creepy, creepy face masks of your favourite childhood toys…
“She’ll wash clothes, run water, turn knobs! Busy, busy in her Frigidaire kitchen! It’s all pink… and just her size!”From mothers little helpers to mini gourmet chefs, here’s a collection of toy kitchen sets from 1962 to 1989.
“Crank out and paint these plastic uglies.” Here is a selection of different types of monsters from various catalogues ranging from the 1960’s-70’s.
“All kinds of robots are on the move.” Here is a selection of toy robots from various catalogues ranging from the 1960’s-70’s.
This large full page ad for Woolworths toys is from the Daily Express, Friday November 20th 1959.
“This is the story of Tron. You can read along with me in your book. You will know it is time to turn the page when you hear the computer sound like this…”
“Woolworth Record Blitz” These adverts for Woolworths are all from 1982.
