Quatermass... but for kids!

To say that the 1979 production of 'Quatermass' hit TV screens with very little fanfare is a bit of an understatement. ITV had been off the air for eleven weeks giving 'Doctor Who' some of its highest ever ratings (16.1m for an episode of 'City of Death'). Suddenly it was back and 'Quatermass' was there on its first night along side Ted Rogers, the Muppets, 'Coronation Street' and 'George & Mildred'. As such, there was very little trailing for the new four-part drama. No build up. No warning. It was just suddenly there.

In the years to come, I'd wonder if its sudden appearance seriously affected its lack of success. Had the strike not occurred, would it have been different. Would the anticipation have resulted in more curiosity  - especially from the Star Wars generation of kids craving further sci-fi hits... There'd probably be a bit disappointed with the new Quatermass' lack of laser swords and space battles anyway.

But it's that magic word 'sci-fi' that would draw them in... And toy manufacturers would no doubt believe this and would want to cash-in on the new potentially successful TV drama. After all, they were on good terms with Thames Television and Euston films since they'd licences toys and games from their recent hit 'The Sweeney' - broadcast in a similar time slot to the new 'Quatermass'. Why not do the same again? Cops and robbers are so last year... it's sci-fi this time! 

Anyway, in the roundabout way this brings me to the point of this post... What if there WERE toys based on the 1979 Euston Films production of 'Quatermass'? (I knew I'd get there in the end.)

Of course, there would be the inevitable 'unofficial' stuff as well...

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Original 70s Special Edition Action Man - Brigadier from BBCtv's Dr Who

We all know that Doctor Who's man of action during the seventies wasn't the Doctor. Battling Yeti, Cybermen, Autons, Axons and Dinosaurs on the streets of the home counties, only one man stood in the way of alien invasions. It was Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge Stewart and his optional hyphen. 

Palitoy never had plans to add a special Brigadier figure to their very popular Action Man range and never approached the BBC with the idea. They never mocked up a sample to see how one would look or got the actor Nicholas Courtney to sign off on the figure's likeness. 

None of this was ever done. So these images don't actually exist.

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MYRKA! The Deadly Undersea Monster from BBCtv's Dr Who!!

The Myrka was one of the most memorable monsters to appear in 1980s Doctor Who. FACT.  

Those who witnessed its attack on a wobbly bulkhead door in the fifth Doctor tale 'Warriors of the Deep' cannot wipe it from their memory despite extensive therapy. 

And the sight of Hammer legend Ingrid Pitt attempting to floor the terrifying creature with a Kung Fu move straight out of the choreography for West Side Story is still burnt on the retina of many youngsters who were traumatised at the time. 

For these reasons a toy based on the pantomime lizard was never released...

The Other Denys Fisher Dr Who Action Figures From the 70s!

We all recall that Tom Baker action figure from 1970s and the (now debunked) story of how his head was actually that of Gareth Hunt's following an accident at the plastic factory where they were made. The manufacturer Denys Fisher also produced pretty good representations of K-9 and the Giant Robot and less acceptable ones of Leela and a nosey Cybermen.

But were there any others? Did we actually WANT any others given their variable quality. 

Let's find out... 

The Crown Court Action Playset!!

Originally released in the late 70s (despite the attire of the two youngsters on the cover.), this lovely piece of much sought-after merchandise from TV's Crown Court sold very badly on account of the fact that no action figures were released for it. 

Or something like that. 

It's late and I can't think of anything even vaguely amusing to write to accompany this effort. I'm tired and it's been a long day. 

Oh, and I had a lot of shit on Twitter about Brexit to contend with. I'm going to bed now. Night. x