Trouble Board Game

Trouble was developed by the Kohner Brothers and initially manufactured by Irwin Toy Ltd., later by Milton Bradley (now part of Hasbro). The game was launched in the United States in 1965. Players compete to be the first to send four pieces all the way around a board. Pieces are moved according to the roll of a die

The most notable feature of Trouble is the "Pop-o-matic" dice container. This device is a clear plastic hemisphere containing the die, placed over a flexible sheet. Players roll the die by pressing down quickly on the bubble, which flexes the sheet and causes the die to tumble upon its rebound. The Pop-o-matic container produces a popping sound when it is used, and prevents the die from being lost. The captive die allows for quick dice rolls, and players' turns can be performed in rapid succession.

70's Trouble Commercial

Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels

Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels was produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions and ran from 1977-1980.

The show centered on the mystery-solving adventures of the Teen Angels — Brenda, Dee Dee and Taffy — and their friend Captain Caveman (or Cavey for short), a prehistoric caveman whom the girls discovered and thawed from a block of ice.

Captain Caveman's powers include super-strength, a variety of useful objects hidden inside his fur, and a club that allows him to fly and from which pops out different tools he uses to fight crime. He speaks in stereotypical "caveman-talk", replacing subjective pronouns with their objective equivalents and dropping articles such as "the" (for example, "Me know where bad guys are hiding."), and often mumbles the nonsense phrase "unga bunga". He also has a bad habit of occasionally eating non-food objects (i.e. bicycles, TV sets, table lamps), and the Teen Angels occasionally have to stop him for eating potential clues that will help them to solve the mystery.

His trademark is his battle cry of "Captain CAAAAAAAVEMAAAAAAAAANNNN!!!!"

Donald Duck Stool

I don't know a lot about this stool but I had one just like it when I was a child. In doing a little research, I've found that it most likely dates from the late 1950's to the early 1960's. It had a padded top that was covered in vinyl. As you can see, the Donald Duck graphic was large and very colorful.

Please let me know if you have any additional information on it.

Diff'rent Strokes

Diff'rent Strokes ran from 1978-1986. The shows characters included two African-American children, Arnold and Willis Jackson, adopted by a rich white widower, Philip Drummond, after their mother passed away. Mr. Drummond moved the boys from their Harlem home to his penthouse on Park Avenue in New York City. Also part of the family were Drummond's beautiful daughter, 13-year-old Kimberly; and his current housekeeper, Edna Garrett.

Arnold's most popularized catch phrase was "Wha'choo talkin' 'bout, Willis?".

While most shows revolved around the typical lessons of growing up, some were quite serious (including a frightening encounter with a child molester and a memorable episode dealing with drug abuse guest starring First Lady Nancy Reagan).

1977 Almond Joy/Mounds Commercial

Here is a classic 1977 Almond Joy/Mounds Candy Bars commercial.

Because... Sometime you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't!

Time for Timer: Sunshine on a Stick

Time for Timer was the collective title for a short series of public service announcements broadcast on Saturday mornings on the ABC television network starting in the early 1970s. The animated spots featured Timer, a tiny (often ranging on microscopic) cartoon character who promoted healthy eating and personal hygiene for children, using clever songs and animation.

Sunshine on a Stick

227

227 ran from 1985-1990. Based on a play of the same name, this situation-comedy was set primarily around an apartment building (number 227) located in a racially-mixed neighborhood of Washington D. C.

Memorable characters include:

• Mary Jenkins, played by Marla Gibbs - a mother of one, juggling the numerous responsibilities of household, family and personal life with invariably humorous results.
• Lester Jenkins, played by Hal Williams - a father and small-time contractor struggling to stay on top of his own family and job responsibilities.
• Brenda Jenkins, played by Regina King - Mary and Lester's daughter - a studious, talented, and mostly well behaved young woman just beginning adolescence.
• Rose Hollaway, played by Alaina Reed- the landlady of building 227 who often sat with Mary on the front steps laughing and gossiping about various other residents.
• Sandra Clark, played by Jackee - the building's resident vamp who's whining voice and wiggling, tight-dressed body became staple features of 227
• Pearl Shay, played by Helen Martin - an older woman who often leaned out her front window to comment on Rose and Mary's discussions. Also the grandmother of young Calvin Dobbs, the love interest of Brenda Jenkins.
  

1982 ABC "Come On Along" Promo

"Come On Along" was the campaign ABC used for the 1982-1983 television season.

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Did you ever wonder where Santa Claus came from? Well, the delightful story of Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, released by Rankin-Bass in 1970, tells the tale.

S.D. (special delivery) Krueger, the mailman and narrator, answers some of the most common questions about Santa Claus.

He tells the story of a small baby named Kris who was left on the doorstep of the Kringle family. When Kris grew up, he wanted to deliver toys to the children in the nearby town of Sombertown. But the town's Burgermeister Meisterburger is too mean to let that happen. There is also a wizard named Winter Warlock who lived between the Kringle's home and Sombertown. But soon Kris melted the hearts of both and was allowed to deliver the toys. He also met the future Mrs. Claus, a schoolteacher named Jessica.

Lovable and memorable songs include: "The First Toymakers to the King"; "No More Toymakers to the King"; "If You Sit On My Lap Today"; "One Foot in Front of the Other"; "My World is Beginning Today"; "What Better Way To Tell You" and "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town"

70's Coca-Cola Christmas Commercial

Merry Christmas Eve!

Here is a Christmas version of the well-known "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" sung by the Hilltop singers.

Raggedy Ann & Holly Hobbie Colorforms

Colorforms, invented by Harry Kislevitz, were paper-thin, die-cut vinyl sheet images and shapes that could be applied to a slick cardboard background board. The images stuck to the background via static cling and could be repositioned to create new scenes. The original box sets began appearing in the 1950s and featured bright shapes and "modern" basic designs, expanding into cartoon character sets.

The Colorforms I had as a child were Raggedy Ann and Holly Hobbie!

1981 Commercial

Frisky Frog

Made by Fisher-Price, Frisky Frog was a green, plastic frog with a white chest, dark green spots on his back, big eyes and a red open smiling mouth. He made a croaking sound and jumped when I squeezed the yellow bulb attached to the end of a plastic cord. Frisky could make short jumps or long jumps, all depending on how hard the the bulb was squeezed.

Christmas with the Chipmunks

Christmas with the Chipmunks Record Album features Alvin, Simon, Theodore and David Seville.

Songs included...

Side One: Here Comes Santa Claus; Up On the Housetop; Silver Bells; Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer; Jingle Bells; Over the River and Through the Woods

Side Two: Santa Claus is Comin' to Town; It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas; Frosty the Snowman; White Christmas; The Chipmunk Song; We Wish You a Merry Christmas

The Night Before Christmas

"The Night Before Christmas" was a Big Golden Book by Clement C. Moore. I'm not sure of when this Big Golden Book version of it was released but we had it in our family for as long as I can remember.

1983 McDonald's Christmas Commercial

This McDonald's Christmas commercial was released in 1983. Possibly one of the best McDonald's commercials ever.

Rudolph the Red–Nosed Reindeer

Rudolph the Red–Nosed Reindeer is my all-time favorite Christmas special and I never miss watching it every year.

A long-running Christmas television special produced in 1964 by Rankin/Bass, it has been telecast every year since 1964, making it the longest running Christmas TV special.

Memorable and lovable characters:
Sam The Snowman; Hermey the Misfit Elf; Clarice the Doe; Yukon Cornelius; The Bumble (Abominable Snow Monster of the North)

Memorable and lovable characters on the Island of Misfit Toys:
King Moonracer; Charlie-In-The-Box; Spotted Elephant; Misfit Dolly; Bird Fish; Cowboy who rides an ostrich; Train with square wheels on its caboose; Boat that sinks rather than floats; Squirt gun that shoots grape jelly; Airplane that can't fly

Memorable and lovable songs:
"The Most Wonderful Day Of The Year", "Silver and Gold", "Holly Jolly Christmas", "Fame and Fortune", "We're A Couple Of Misfits" (see below), "There's Always Tomorrow", "We Are Santa's Elves"; "Rudolph the Red–Nosed Reindeer", "Jingle, Jingle, Jingle"

Here is a clip of Rudolph and Hermey singing "We're a Couple of Misfits"...

Gene Autry's Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer LP Album

The Original Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer and other children's Christmas Favorites, Gene Autry with guest star Rosemary Clooney LP album was released in the 1960's. This was another one of those records that I listened to all year long.

Side 1: (1) Santa Claus is Comin' To Town; (2) Here Comes Santa Claus; (3) He's A Chubby Little Fellow; (4) Santa, Santa, Santa; (5) Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

Side 2: (1) The Night Before Christmas; (2) I Wish My Mom Would Marry Santa; (3) When Santa Claus Gets Your Letter; (4) Frosty The Snowman; (5) Everyone's A Child At Christmas

80's Oreo Cookie Christmas Commercial

Who could forget all of the great Christmas commercials from the 70's and 80's?!?

Here is an 80's Oreo Cookie commercial for you to enjoy...

Frosty the Snowman Cartoon

Frosty the Snowman is a Christmas favorite of mine that I've watched every year as far back as I can remember. It first aired in 1969 and was produced for television by Rankin/Bass.

My favorite part of the show is when Frosty says, "Happy Birthday" when he is brought to life with the magic hat.

Here is a clip of Frosty coming to life for the first time...

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus LP Record Album

The I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus LP Record Album featured Christmas songs sung by The Shepherd's Children's Chorus. It was released by RCA Camden in 1971.

I have no idea how my parents came across this album but my sister and I listened to it constantly, even when it wasn't Christmas time!

My favorite song was Baby Brother (Santa Claus, Dear Santa Claus).

Other songs included...

Side 1: (1)I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus; (2)Baby Brother (Santa Claus, Dear Santa Claus); (3)I'll Borrow a Stocking From Mrs. Elephant (And Have a Big Christmas This Year); (4)Snow Bells; (5)The Christmas Tree; (6)Do You Hear What I Hear

Side 2: (1)Shake Me I Rattle (Squeeze Me I Cry); (2)I Wish I Had a Beard Like Santa Claus; (3)On the Santa Claus Express; (4)Elfie the Elf; (5)Ten Little Choir Boys

Jabberjaw Cartoon

Jabberjaw was a Saturday morning cartoon produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions from 1976-1978.

Jabberjaw is a great white shark who has the brain of a sardine and the courage of a guppy. He is also a drummer for The Neptunes, a rock group made up of four teenagers — Biff, Shelly, Bubbles and Clamhead — who live in an underwater civilization in the year 2076. Jabberjaw and The Neptunes travel to various underwater cities where they encounter and deal with diabolical villains who want to conquer the undersea world.

Laverne & Shirley

Laverne & Shirley was a situation comedy that ran on ABC from 1976 to 1983. It starred Penny Marshall as Laverne De Fazio and Cindy Williams as Shirley Feeney, roommates who, as the series began, worked in a Milwaukee brewery.

Most memorable characters include:

• Laverne De Fazio: Best remembered for her love of milk and Pepsi and the letter "L" monogrammed on her shirts and sweaters.
• Shirley Feeney: Best remembered for her most prized possession "Boo Boo Kitty", a large stuffed cat which sits next to her bed, and her favorite song "High Hopes", often used by one of the girls to cheer the other up.
• Lenny Kosnowski: Best remembered for being a lovable goof who pesters Laverne and Shirley along with his best friend and roommate Squiggy, who both live upstairs from Laverne and Shirley's basement apartment.
• Andrew "Squiggy" Squigman: Best remembered for making nearly every entrance with his trademark "Hello" said in a slightly whiney voice.
• Frank De Fazio: Best remembered for being Laverne's Italian-born father who runs the Pizza Bowl and then later Cowboy Bills.
• Carmine "The Big Ragu" Ragusa: Best remembered as Shirley's high school sweetheart and on-again, off-again romance, who is constantly working to make it big as a dancer and singer.
• Edna Babish DeFazio: Best remembered for being the landlady who eventually marries Laverne's father.

Little Professor

Little Professor was manufactured in 1976 by Texas Instruments.

A reverse calculator of sorts, Little Professor displayed basic arithmetic questions of varying difficulty which the user was to answer using the numeric keypad. A correct answer produced 'RIGHT!' and a new question on the single line LED, while an incorrect answer I think produced 'WRONG!' and the same question. There were 3-4 levels of difficulty in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Underdog Cartoon

Underdog was a beloved animated television series that ran from 1964 to 1973.

The premise was that Shoeshine Boy, a cartoon dog, was in truth the superhero Underdog. When villains threatened, Shoeshine Boy ducked into a telephone booth where he transformed into the caped and costumed hero, destroying the booth in the process when his super powers were activated. The villains almost always managed to capture Sweet Polly Purebred, a canine TV reporter, as part of their schemes; she was a helpless damsel in distress most of the time, and had a habit of saying, "Oh where, oh where has my Underdog gone?".

The show is also remembered for its theme song:

When criminals in this world appear,
And break the laws that they should fear,
And frighten all who see or hear,
The cry goes up both far and near for
Underdog! Underdog! Underdog! Underdog!
Speed of lightning! Roar of thunder!
Fighting all who rob or plunder!
Underdog! Underdog!

Spirograph

Spirograph, a geometric drawing toy, was introduced to the United States' market by Kenner, Inc. in 1966.

It consisted of a set of plastic gears and other shapes such as rings, triangles, or straight bars. There were several sizes of gears and shapes, and all edges had teeth to engage any other piece. For instance, smaller gears fit inside the larger rings, but also can engage the outside of the rings in such a fashion that they rotate around the inside or along the outside edge of the rings.

To use it, a sheet of paper was placed on a heavy cardboard backing, and one of the plastic pieces was pinned to the paper and cardboard. Another plastic piece was placed so that its teeth engage with those of the pinned piece. The point of a pen was then placed in one of the holes in the moving piece. As the moving part moved, the pen traced out a curve. The actual number of arrangements possible by combining different gears was very large.