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!

[Download Side A]

[Download Side B]

View Zorcom Insert

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