“Scary” Toys 2
January 2nd, 2010 by John WolfeI had a such a great time digging through all the “scary” retro toy commercials on YT for my December 24th post that I decided to do a follow-up entry. This time around, I’m focusing purely on spooky toy goodness from the 1970s.
First up is another installment of Creepy Crawlers called “Thingmaker II.” If you listen closely to the voice-over, you’ll notice it’s “Uncle Fester” from The Addams Family television series.
Up next, I’ve included two toys that were my prize possessions during the 70s: “Stretch Monsters” of the Stretch Armstrong line. Actually, I should clarify that. They were my prize possessions, right up until the point our dog urinated all over one of them (in the car) during a long road trip! After that, I couldn’t look at “Stretch X-RAY” in the same way anymore. 
Source for “Scary” Toy vids: YT user, palitoy
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January 2nd, 2010 at 7:03 pm
My goodness, now you KNOW how much this took me back in time. My brother had the stretch man though not the monster and we relished the idea of seeing just how far he would stretch. Gotta say, we were never able to stretch him out into pieces and that toy did take a beating. You know what this got me thinking of though; toys nowadays! Most all of the toys I’ve seen, or surrounded with, are all electronic or digital in some way. Most of my nephews toys light up, make sounds and so forth but he doesn’t have anything that’s more touchy feely like this. I guess the only touchy toy that has survived countless of generations is Play-Doh. You can still find it at the toy store today but good ‘ol toys like this seem are to come by anymore. All has been tossed out the window to make room for the digital age it seems.
LoL, upon going through my baby book I couldn’t help but to giggle over the stroller my Mom had for me when I was a baby. It was made of metal, had a seat that would not adjust, no cup holders or cell phone pockets and the built in toy for the stroller were 4 large colored beads in the front. John, LoL, there wasn’t even any seat belts or lap straps. Oh and remember when we used to ride our bikes or skateboards HELMET FREE!!!! Nowadays parents make their children wear helmets even riding a Hot Wheel. How nuts is that…………my how time has changed.
January 3rd, 2010 at 8:10 pm
I never broke my “Stretch” men either, but I definitely caused some stress cracks on their skin from the constant pulling and stretching — usually under the armpits. Those things were a lot like Timex watches: they took a lickin’ and kept on tickin’. Speaking of which, I saw a comment on You Tube yesterday pertaining to that. I’m not sure if the person was serious or not, but they said they had got a “Stretch” man apart and ate the filling! Yuck. They said it tasted like jam or jelly.
You’re absolutely right about toys being far more technologically oriented than they ever used to be. I love technology, but I’m also appreciative I had an opportunity to experience my childhood in a somewhat simpler time as well.
I do wish I had been wearing a helmet when I hit that fire hydrant with my head. Remember that story — the one where I was sledding downhill using a saucer sled? But yeah, we never wore anything like that while riding Big Wheels or anything else for that matter.
January 15th, 2010 at 4:40 am
This predates me too much for me to have any stories. I recall a rerelease of Creepy Crawlers that my younger cousin had and we would play with that a lot. I think we took it apart to see how it worked after we ran out of goo to make bugs and monsters with.
January 15th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Ethan,
Now you’ve done it — you’ve gone and made me feel old… just kidding.