A Trip to McDonaldland

After posting about McDonaldland a few days ago, and seeing this playset, I just had to have one. Well here it is, a complete Remco McDonaldland playset with all seven of the McDonaldland characters! The play surface and backdrop are in relatively good condition, the Locomotive works like a top, and the Apple Pie Tree is complete with all its branches, leaves, and swing. The restaurant is intact and the roof sign isn't broken.

Magician Daryl Easton accidentally hanged himself

Renowned magician Daryl Easton accidentally hanged himself in a dressing room at Hollywood’s Magic Castle on Friday night — right before he was due to take the stage at the famed magicians’ clubhouse.
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R.I.P. Don Driver

I was saddened to learn today that Don Driver passed away at the age of 72 on February 19, 2017. Most people won't know who Don is. Don was a magician, escape artist, sideshow performer, and pitchman. But to me he was a teacher.

Premiere Date Announced for Mystery Science Theater 3000 Revival on Netflix!

It has officially been announced that Mystery Science Theater 3000 returns to screens in April 14 exclusively on Netflix.

Batman Stop Motion Intro- 1966 Theme

Video credit: Kyle Roberts

Check it out, Kyle Roberts has recreated the Opening Theme to Batman in stop motion with action figures!

Batman Just Can't Get Rid of a Bomb

In one of the signature moments in the 1966 Batman movie, Batman frantically dashes around the pier trying to get rid of a comically oversized bomb. With the fuse burning dangerously low and after dodging nuns, a mom pushing a baby carriage, and the Salvation Army band, Batman finally reaches the end of the pier only to find a family of cute baby ducklings in the way. Batman turns and states with exasperation, "Some days, you just can’t get rid of a bomb!"

To the Batcycle!

This is the Hot Wheels Elite 1966 Batcycle. I picked this little item up on Ebay recently for a bargan, as such it was a loose item with a couple of issues -- such as the rear reflector broken off and a missing footpeg with shifter lever. The foot peg was easily replaced with a toothpick. Otherwise, it is complete and displays nicely. This is not a plastic toy, therefore it contains all the fine details expected of a collectible diecast motorcycle.

Batman Classic TV Series Batmobile

For me, the George Barris designed Batmobile from the 1966 TV series starring Adam West and Burt Ward is the Batmobile. In August 1965, the Batman TV show producers approached car customizer Dean Jeffries to build a Batmobile for their new show. Jeffries was going to use a 1959 Cadillac, but ultimately he turned down the project because he felt he wouldn’t have enough time to complete the car.

Batman Classic TV Series Action Figures

Mattel finally got the license to create action figures of the 1960s, live-action adventures of the Caped Crusader with its Batman Classic TV Series collection in 2013. Batgirl and a Batcave accessories set followed in 2015. These 6-inch-tall action figures tap into the days when kids, and many an adult, were glued to their televisions watching the landmark ABC television show “Batman,” starring a collection of veteran actors. I saw it in afternoon reruns when I was a kid in the 70's.

Batcave Set

Here is my version of the Classic Batman TV Series Batcave! Yes, the trophies weren't on the TV show, but whats a Batcave without them? You can glimpse them in Batman: The Return of the Caped Crusaders cartoon movie that was released recently though. The T-Rex is from an adventure on Dinosaur Island, the giant penny is from Batman's encounter with the Penny Plunderer. And of course the giant Joker playing card is from one of The Joker's many appearances.

McDonaldland Playground

The McDonaldland playground equipment was an extension of the company's highly effective national children's television advertising campaign in which the world of McDonaldland had been created.

The Rise And Fall Of McDonaldland

Video credit: Daniel Brenneman

A brief look at the history of McDonaldland and the man himself, Ronald McDonald. The lawsuit. The magic. The hamburgers.

McDonaldland Virtual Tour

Lets travel back to early '70's for look at the magical land that is home to that hap-hap-happiest of hamburger clowns, Ronald McDonald. McDonaldland, with Triple Thick Milkshake Volcanoes, Hamburger Patches, French Fry Fields, Apple Pie Trees, & a Fillet O' Fish Lake, was home not only to Ronald Mcdonald, but also to such diverse personalities as Mayor McCheese, Officer Big Mac, The Grimace, Captain Crook, Hamburgler, and The Mad Professor. There they all have exciting adventures which mainly consist of enticing kids to get their parents to take them out to eat at McDonalds.