TFF Vault Launched

Greetings Everyone.

I am back from dormancy and have decided to replace this blog with The Fun Factory Vault which is a direct download folder I created on SendSpace.

Though I love sharing nostalgia, it’s very time-consuming to run this blog and that’s what prompted my decision. Sharing a folder containing all of the nostalgia I can stuff into it is much easier and quicker for all of us. Download links should be permanent on this server because I have an account and I also plan on becoming a Premium member.

“Zorcom” appears to be my most popular share because a number of you have asked me to re-upload it after the link was broken, so fortunately I relocated the audio files on a memory stick and they’re now available for download at the Vault! “Peter And The Werewolf” is also ready to go and more files are yet to come, so check the Vault periodically for updates!

Also, if you would like to share your own files in the Vault, just let me know. I’m sure many retro-surfers would appreciate it. Meanwhile, be sure to visit the Power Records group on Yahoo! for tons of strolls down memory lane. I do make announcements there periodically.

See you all at my new online time capsule – The Fun Factory Vault!

- “Joy Buzzer” Joe

Click here to enter The Fun Factory Vault.

Johnson Smith

 

  These are from the pages of an early 80′s Johnson Smith Novelty Company catalog (when they were still located in Michigan). I especially remember Archie The Dummy when he arrived in the mail. I was let down considerably at first, discovering Archie was only composed of cheap cloth attached to a plastic head, but he was quite a hit when I took him to school the next day. I even put on a ventrilloquist show for the class!

  Also memorable was the Portable Radio Reciever And Transmitter. This item I was not disappointed with because it really did broadcast over the AM band (with a little static). The only drawback was the fact JSNC sent it to you without a case. That’s right, it was an open circuit board! But I was careful after hooking it up through my AC adapter and what a joy it was to broadcast my own radio shows, even if the signal only reached 30 feet.

  Another item I found interesting, but never ordered, was the Whiskey Sandwich Flask. Just imagine what a kid could pull off with this gem during lunch time, yowsa!

  These are only a few items JSNC sold (click on thumbnails to enlarge). I plan to add more scans later. Meanwhile, double check that toilet seat before you sit on it.

             

View a full JSNC page.

Digging SciFi

  Recently I pulled out an LP titled “Theme From Star Wars“ by Wonderland Records. It contains scores from various sci-fi movies and TV shows, only with a 70′s flair! I thought it was quite cheesy when I used to play it as a kid. But now I realize, though cheesy, these songs are rare and worth preserving. I’ve uploaded only the most interesting tracks (compressed in a RAR file) that will give you mental images of Darth Vader wearing bell-bottom jeans and sporting an Afro. Groovie!

[Download RAR File]

Track Listing :

1. Theme From Star Wars
2. Theme From The Six Million Dollar Man
3. Beyond The Outer Limits
4. Theme From Star Trek
5. Space Race*
6. Theme From Superman

*Grooviest track.

Early Fridays

My friends and I were crazy about “Friday The 13th” movies. When part three came out in 3-D, I knew I had to see it even though I was only 11 at the time. So one of my friends knew a guy who looked over 17 and said he could get us into the theater. He sure did and we were in 3-D paradise! My favorite effect was seeing a man (“Rick”) getting his head smashed in by Jason and his eyeball flying out at the audience. What a day at the movies it was. Afterwards, my father eventually figured out we didn’t see “Bambi”, hee!

I still have the glasses they handed out at the theater (see image link). Not sure if they hold any value, but they do hold plenty of fond memories. I also watched “House Of Wax” and “Parasite” in 3-D.

Yes, we loved Jason movies, but personally I only like the first four installments as later ones were unscary, even turning Jason into a comedian of all things. Harry Manfredini composed the scores and what a fine job he did on them, so I’ve decided to include a portion of it here.

Che Che Che Che, Ha Ha Ha Ha

[ 3-D Spear Glasses Angle One ] [ 3-D Spear Glasses Angle Two ]

[Download "Friday The 13th" Music]

Zorcom – SoundTrek

I mail-ordered this cassette out of a comic book in the early 80′s. Believe it or not, the tape was free, but I don’t remember if I paid anything for postage(!)  There is plenty of weird music and weird voices to stimulate your imagination. I only have Volume 1, so if you have later volumes in this series, please share them!

UPDATE

You can download these audio files in The Fun Factory Vault!

Peter and the Werewolf

 

  I picked up this cassette at my local Osco Drug Store back in the 90′s around Halloween time. No inserts came with it, only a cardboard backing I threw out. However, the tape itself has some interesting art on the label (see image).

Side 1 – “Spooky Sounds” contains horror sound effects.

Side 2 – “Peter and the Werewolf“ is a Halloween tale about a boy named Peter who thinks his neighbor not only lives in a haunted house but also moonlights as a werewolf! Even the local mailman gets nervous about dropping by. There is also a humorous Halloween safety intro.

[Download Side 1]

[Download Side 2]

View Cassette Image