Hobbies And Interests
"Star Wars" Toys
Released in 1977, "Star Wars" inspired a plethora of popular space toys in the late 1970s. According to Brian Semling, a "Star Wars" toy expert, the film set new standards for manufacturing action toys. Chief among the "Star Wars" toys were the action figures based on the film's characters and creatures. Kenner made small action figures, originally only 3 3/4 inches high, to accompany its "Star Wars" play sets. Action figures of Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader, all equipped with telescoping light sabers, are now prized as collectibles, bringing as much as $600 unpackaged and $7,000 packaged.
"Space 1999"
"Space 1999," a 1970s science-fiction television show, spawned a number of space toys including action figures depicting parachutists and the series' principle characters. All were designed for use with the Moon Base Alpha deluxe play set. Marx Toys issued a communicator device: a red plastic box with an "ultrasonic space gun" that shot small pellets and had a retractable aerial. Another manufacturer released a "Space 1999" megaphone powered by a 9-volt battery. Perhaps the oddest "Space 1999" toy was the Chest Pack Radio, a plastic box that a child could wear on his chest. It consisted of a solid-state transistor radio, a microphone, a Morse code button, volume control and earplugs.
"Buck" and "Battlestar"
Two other 1970s television series that also spawned space-themed toys were "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" and the original "Battlestar Galactica." Not nearly as popular as "Star Wars," the "Buck Rogers" toys made by Mego included nine 3 3/4-inch action figures, six 12-inch dolls, a play set and four vehicles. First released by Mattel in 1978, "Battlestar Galactica" action toys included six action figures but were not as well crafted as the "Star Wars" figures.