"March MAD-ness" - Toy Box Break

I've been planning to dig into my toy trunks for a couple of weeks now, thanks to "Friend-of-This-Blog" KW's posting of his recent re-acquisition of his childhood "Johnny West" action figures (see here for that keen stuff). I haven't quite dug in that deep as yet, but with my current posts about the cartoonists of the original "Mad" comic book, I was also reminded of these..."Nutty Mads".


Turns out they have nothing to do with "Mad" the publication, I found some info about these toys I've carried around with me since childhood on Wikipedia here.

I have 4 of the figures copyright 1963, that were probably my brother Mike's at one time, but possession being 9/10's of the law and all, he's just sh*t out of luck now. I remember spending hours staring at the detail in these deceptively simple "monochromatic injection mold" statuettes and marveling at them. Every vein in their blood-shot eyes standing out and the full character of these Big Daddy Roth inspired figures coming through. I'm sure some of you remember them, sorry the detail doesn't photograph near as great as the figures themselves, but still a neat trip down memory lane for some of us.

Here's "All Heart Hogan", the policeman. The perp caught in his clutches is merely identified as "Bad Guy".

"Bull Pen Boo Boo". I love the tongue hanging out of his mouth and the bend in his upraised foot showing the effort and concentration going into this pitch.

"Smokey Sam" the fireman...

And the most impressive to look at, mainly because the blue plastic shows better than the red and green, "Waldo the Weight Lifter"...that there is a face only a mother could love.

I'm going to be digging into my toy box more in the next few weeks. I hope you'll see some cool stuff you either remember or completly forgot.

Hang in there KW. Johnny West is a comin'!

Talk to you soon.

Milton's Fruit Jars Full of Dirt and Vic's Handsome Heart-Shape Face!

Welcome to another OTR (OldTime Radio) Friday with radio's homefolks, "Vic & Sade. This is a really solid coupla episodes, let's jump right into them!

From April 15, 1940, Rush has what he feels is a solid money making opportunity. His friend Milton is collecting dirt from all (then 48) of the states in the union. Rush feels with a small bit of investment capital and the help of Vic's acquaintences in "The Sacred Stars of the Milky Way" and through his position in "Consolidated Kitchen Wares", he can fill out Milton's collection at a tidy profit. When Vic points out the holes in Rush's scheme, the show takes a twist and an unusual ending. One of my favorite episodes. Enjoy!

Our second episode today comes from just 2 days later on April 17, 1940. If there was ever a show about the jealous suppositions of a spouse or partner, this one hits it on the head. When Sade overhears a friend remark on Vic's looks, in particular on his "Heart-Shaped Face", she's sure it's all Vic's fault. These are very familiar feeling shoes...Paul Rhymer truly had his thumb on humanities pulse.



Finally, here's an issue of "Radio Guide" from October 29, 1938 which not only takes a look at the 3 cast memebers of "Vic & Sade" as well as creator/writer Paul Rhymer, but also has some neat artist renderings of what some of the unseen/unheard chaaracters of the show might look like. Fun stuff!

And don't miss this swell chance for a nice couple to make up to $60 a WEEK! I'm pretty sure the offer is still valid.

Talk to you soon.

Jack Davis - The Mad Cartoonists - part 4

By the time Harvey Kurtzman was writing the stories for "Mad" #4 in 1953, it seems he was finding his real voice. As evidenced here in "Flob was a Slob" drawn by Jack Davis, he was finding he could go beyond just lampooning the sci-fi and horror comics he was doing for EC's other comics, and even beyond satirizing other pop culture items as with yesterday's/last issue's "The Lone Stranger" for example.

He was finding he could do original little morality plays, like he'd always done, but with a humorous slant.

That's how Aesop started too.

Well, that's Jack Davis in the first 4 issues of "Mad" for you. Next week I'll be sharing the great humor work of Wally Wood.

Good stuff!

Talk to you soon.

Jack Davis - The Mad Cartoonists - part 3

1953 escorted in the 3rd issue of Harvey Kurtzman's "Mad" and with it brought Jack Davis' western sensibilities in a "humorous vein".

Spoofing the radio titan and by this time television titan as well, "The Lone Ranger", Kurtzman and Davis dig in for some good cartoony-satirical fun!

Talk to you soon.

Jack Davis - The Mad Catoonists - part 2

Part 2 of my 16 part "The Mad Cartoonists" series of posts. I'll be highlighting one of 4 cartoonists who were there at the onset of Harvey Kurtzman's humor comic that defined a generation. Hell, a few generations really.

I'll be posting these seminal stories from the first 4 issues of "Mad" (1952-3), Monday-Thursday for the next 4 weeks, with each week being focused on a different cartoonist. Wally Wood, John Severin, Bill Elder and this week Jack Davis.

For "Mad" issue 2, Jack Davis even got the cover spot. Sweet!


EC's own horror comics was again the fodder for Kurtzman and Davis. Such rich food, it's surprising this wasn't the only target. But there was soon much more to come.

Sink your teeth into "Hex", you'll be glad you did.

Talk to you soon.