5 Must-Have Toys from this 1981 Christmas Catalog | Toy-Ventures

5 Must-Have Toys from this 1981 Christmas Catalog | Toy-Ventures
Toy-Ventures digs deep into the 1981 Hudson's Bay Toy Flyer, and as an extra challenge, we pick five things we'd ask for. Everything from Smurfs to Star Wars to Strawberry Shortcake, this show is seriously a timewarp.
#toyventures #starwars #80stoys
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Topics Discussed: Strawberry Shortcakes, MacBath, Fisher Price Adventure People, Mighty Men and Monster Maker, Kenner Star Wars, Ideal Team America, Smokey and the Bandit, 1981, 80s Toys, Smurfs, Mego, Dukes of Hazzard, Fisher Price Little People, Big Wheels, AFX cars, Merlin, Dungeons and Dragons, Snoopy, Fashion Plates, Yoda, Kenner, Muppets, Lego, Space Lego, Hudson's Bay, The Bay, Le Bai, General Lee

[@macsarcule]

Oh how I lusted for the Falcon and finally got one for Xmas in 1983, that was one of the best Christmases ever. I was probably getting a little too old for Star Wars by that age, but I stuck to my guns and like you said, 100s of hours of play time. Such happy memories.

[@captlazer5509]

Got Super Simon a few months ago for $20 at a used book store that was complete down to the Milton Bradley warranty card. I remember Vincent Price did the commercial and I wanted it!! This Christmas putting batteries in it for a Xmas 1981 experience!

[@BrickMantooth]

Awesome idea!

[@scottm2828]

Ah, the Fisher Price Alpha probe! I still have mine. One of the most versatile toys I had. Piloted by Star Wars and Gi Joe figures over the years!

[@zogsquid]

I picked up a mostly complete Millenium Falcon at a second hand shop in 1990. Man that feels so long ago now! Over the years I picked up all the pieces which ended up costing an arm and a leg as you would expect. Way too expensive at the time for my parents, but we got there in the end. Easy to forget just how much theses things cost in the day. Thanks for the memories Brian!

[@jakecamp12]

My youngest brother had a lot of the Adventure People sets. They were really well done and I remember him playing with them for hours. Kids today could really use a line like that.

[@jasonluttrull5953]

I actually did get the Millennium Falcon Christmas of 1981. Such a great memory.

[@BrickMantooth]

I think I got it that year too? It was so fun.

[@kevinschmith9379]

That fisher price adventure people parachute was fire. That thing was so much fun when I was a kid we hook it up to a fishing pole and climb up on the roof and throw it off the reel it back up.

[@BrickMantooth]

It was so well engineered.

[@chrishight6598]

That video was a delight!!! Agreed. The Millennium Falcon is the keeper. I still have my original and 2 from POTF2 boxed.

[@theedxqboi]

I remember these toys very well! I was in first grade. The Smurfs, Snoopy, Star Wars, and the various Dukes of Hazzard

[@richconroy5559]

Those Lego sets were right in my wheelhouse from when I was buying them. I sold most of them when I was unemployed back in the 2010s but I kept that Starfleet Voyager

[@mattskustomkreations]

I loved FP Adventure People - I had the motocross plus sidecar and the skydiver shown. But the COOLEST was the TV Van. It had a camera that slid out, a control panel that swung out, scaffolding that could be built. The best feature was you could actually look through, frame the shot and mechanically focus the camera!

[@murphiverse]

Such great memories!!! I had a few of these! I never had the sea monster bath toy but I destinctly remember commercials for it. I love the hockey jerseys modeled by the kid with hockey hair, hilarious! My 5 would be 1. Blue Key Car (had) 2. Snow Speeder (had) 3. Monster Maker (had the hero maker) 4. Adventure People Alpha Space ship (had) 5, Smurf Village. Thanks for posting such a cool catalog!

[@lipranditoys]

That's a glorious catalog! I believe my 5 picks would've been (in no particular order): - Kenner's Millenium Falcon - The cardboard Smurf Village (I MUST find out what that is!) - Fisher Price's Adventure People - Mego's General with Bo and Luke - Legoland Space

[@impr3ssion]

I picked up a Dungeons & Dragons Computer Labyrinth Game in the mid-2000s, and I think it will live up to your expectations. It's crazy crazy challenging to find the treasure and escape that dragon, and the tactile process of marking the maze walls feels really satisfying. Thanks for the great content as always.

[@monsterforge884]

SO MUCH FUN!!! My list: 5: the Dukes of Hazzard General Lee with Bo and Luke Duke 4: Snoopy Snow Cone Maker 3: the Monster Maker 2: Slave 1 1: The Millennium Falcon

[@BrickMantooth]

Excellent choices!

[@dirkjewitt5037]

I had Team America as a kid! I totally forgot about them. I loved that toy.

[@MuseionArt]

This may have been the Xmas I got the Monster Maker too. Loved it! I was a Star Wars head and received the Snow speeder and Chicken walker and Tauntaun. The Adventure People TV van. The Guns of Navarone army man playset, which was my "big ask" from Santa. I also got the full line of Mego 3.75" Super heroes. Eight years old was the perfect age to be in '81!

[@BrickMantooth]

Wow all the pocket heroes? Jealous.

[@herbcraven7146]

I love when I see something that brings back a lost memory for me, and the camping set at @3:36 made a memory of a couple of toys I got when I was maybe four or five came back in full. I think it was called "Little Campers" and my brother and I each got a toy pup tent along with a version of the utility belt and similar accessories shown here, including the canteen and whistle. On mine, the belt buckle had a snap on top, so you could undo it and tilt it forward to reveal a compass. Thanks for this Christmas memory, and Happy Holidays to you and yours, Brian!

[@BrickMantooth]

All the best sir! Happy Christmas!

[@josephmelnyk9988]

I had the monster sketch toy, it was awesome, I had a few of those space lego sets, I had those star wars items except the playdoh and the paiting statues. Had tons of adventure people growing up.

[@bobbyhulll8737]

Adventure people and vehicles worked for all the3/4” stuff and that was awesome ..

[@richardbutton1179]

Stretch Armstrong and Monster, Mighty men monster maker, Millenium Falcon, Snoopy snow cone maker yep had those. I miss those days.

[@Diabolik771]

I got a Millenium Falcon and Alpha Probe around this time for Christmas. I had trouble with the Alpha Probe interacting with my other Adventure People because it had nothing to do with Jeeps, camping, boats, dirt bikes and the like. I couldn't get it to work with Star Wars either as it was too "Earthlike" I guess. I over thank my sessions.

[@Pimsleurable]

I was just a rascal that Christmas; but I fondly remember the Hot Wheels playset and Fisher Price. But what really mattered to me was wanting Star Wars action figures.

[@dwaynec7542]

My list is nearly identical to yours; Millennium Falcon (still have mine), Space LEGO (still have some, but no complete sets), Monster Maker, Adventure People Space series, and the Dukes of Hazzard 3.75” figures/car. That last is one I would not choose today, but 11-year-old me did have it back in the day.

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

Dude, I totally had the hero version of the Monster Maker. Oh man does that hit me in the nostalgia. I had the Millennium Falcon but sadly lost it when I moved from Ohio to Vermont 🙁

[@96632777]

I played the electronic Dungeons and Dragons game all the time as a kid. And I still bring it out and play it form time to time.

[@BrickMantooth]

Oh cool, so it's fun?

[@96632777]

Yes It's a fun game. I like Looking for the dragon. Searching the rooms for them. You only know were he is when he attacks you.@@BrickMantooth

[@knuthamsun6106]

I recently got myself another men & monster maker too. I wasn’t surprised that it was a Tomy product. For a Moment at the beginning of the video you showed the girl’s version my sister had that has different fashion outfits to put together. I also obtained in recent years a NIB adventure people parachute like the one in the commercial. I completely forgot about those plaster Star Wars statues. I don’t remember which one I had but I did a terrible job painting it

[@mczilla8628]

Monster Maker was so much fun. I had the fisher price shark and boat Jaws was still really big at the time so you had to get the shark the boat kind of looks like the orca from jaws plus i thought they did a nice job on the shark. The 5 things i would pick def the shark boat, the general lee w/ bo and luke figures, a snowspeeder, the monster maker for sure, and a strawberry shortcake for my wife she had those as a kid.

[@gothamcitycomics6981]

Dave Stevens drew the plates on that Monster Maker.

[@BrickMantooth]

Yeah I knew that but forgot to mention it.

[@jerseyhurricane9085]

As always, great video Buddy !!! Thanks !!!

[@BrickMantooth]

Thanks my friend! Merry Christmas!

[@hpyle5592]

Seeing it all in French made it more interesting to me, somehow -- like a foggier memory.

[@alphawlff]

I remember a lot of these toys. Thank you for this.

[@dgenergene4418]

I had the spiral set maker and the monster maker they were glorious

[@katenunyabizness9221]

The electronic Dungeons and Dragons game is fun. I paid far less than that price for mine from KB Toys. Mine is still in its box with the storage drawer packed full of figures and the red plastic wall bits to map out the dungeon.

[@briangriesbach730]

I was 7 in '81, but because I had a brother two years older than me, I got into D&D that year. I have that electronic D&D game, but it's in storage. I do know we had adventure people motorcycle and rider, Star Wars figures (as pretty much everyone did), the Dukes of Hazzard car and figures and those key racecars. However, asking-wise: 1. Slave 1 (never had it but wanted it) 2.Hoth playset 3. Lego Castle 4. All that Adventure People stuff 5. Snoopy figurines

[@Ecto_Eric]

Thanks for sharing these memories, great video Brian 👏👏👏

[@mattskustomkreations]

I would be all over the Star Wars stuff & the Space Lego. I still have mine from the period (about 3 kits worth)- I do original lego designs on my channel, and I incorporate the old pieces when I can. We’re about the same age.

[@Scotty-Z70]

i had that Electronic Dungeons & Dragons set. Got for $1 at a yard sale. Sadly, sold it later. i never played with, but it fulfilled my childhood wish.

[@dgenergene4418]

Man I remember all this stuff as a kid the Star Wars action figures the adventure people playsets handheld games wow I am old

[@originaluddite]

In no particular order, the five I saw in there that I'd like, even just to play with once, are... - There looks like a card-paper pop-up Smurf village that seems so sweet. - Is there an Adventure People space shuttle in there? Looks fun. - The Lego Space All Terrain Vehicle (in which the two separate modules represent the older and newer colour schemes they were transitioning at that time). Wonderful set. If you only had one toy from that line I'd suggest that. - Does it count if I still have it? My Millenium Falcon is beaten and has many missing parts (including the cardpaper wall that I removed to reveal more space for figures) but I'm keeping it. - If you get that D&D thing and show us how it works, we can tell you how much better proper D&D is, despite whatever rotten experience you may have had. Hope nobody summoned a creature from the Upside Down. :)

[@BrickMantooth]

My experience with D&D is it conflicted with my ADHD ;) Glad you still have your Falcon, wish I did.

[@originaluddite]

Yeah, I think a lot of it gets down to the vibe created by the referee and fellow players, and I can totally see it not working, especially if it involved adolescents. :)

[@jambogeordie]

Happy Holidays Brian. Great episode-i moved to Canada (from Edinburgh) in Feb 1981 so this strikes a chord. I'd go with the Dukes 3 wheel Bike for my brother, the Space Lego (any set, they were all great), the Dukes car with Bo and Luke (which we also had) and Millenium Falcon/ Slave 1 for my top 2...a great toy era. Love these flyer reviews, keep up the great work 👍. All the best for 2024 and beyond.

[@jamespero6803]

My 81 was definitely a Duke Boys Christmas. That's when I got my dukes big wheel

[@paulwalsh2344]

From what I saw in that catalogue, the Kenner Star Wars FX-7, Snow Trooper and Yoda ( I DID have Yoda back in the day), one of those Space LEGO sets and Tri-Ominos,

[@Theasworld1984]

I never realized how many of these toys were from 1981 me and my grandmother had so many things I couldn't even list them all here.

[@mattskustomkreations]

10:30. That Team America stuff is just re-purposed Evel Kneivel stuff after his name was mudd after seriously beating that writer. I recognize the design of the chopper.

[@sneakyskunk1]

I was lucky enough to receive the Alpha Probe. I am unsure if it was a Christmas or birthday gift. As is so often the case, parts of the ship were misplaced. In time I owned only the shuttle craft and the male astronaut. Then they too became lost. Probably my favorite childhood gift, if I think about it. The Adventure People were a wonderful line. I love these catalogue retrospectives. They always rekindle such warm memories. Thank you Plaid Stallions!

[@BrickMantooth]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed!

[@sneakyskunk1]

@@BrickMantooth Thank you for all the great content. Also, I paused just to see if the Smurfs were going to be called Schtroumpfs(because the flyer was in French). I was not disappointed.

[@RaymondCastile]

I might have to get that Loch Ness toy.

[@BrickMantooth]

This should come as no shock but I thought of you when I saw it.

[@travishiltz4750]

My list: Adventure people! With me the answer is always going to be FP adventure people sets. Simon: had it as a kid. Was awful at it, but still loved playing it. Kenner Falcon: My local comic shop has one and I have to stop and admire it every week. Star wars figures Only have four. So make it two FP adventure people sets!

[@paulknappcollections]

Star Wars always first, Just like you I was slightly too old for fisher price adventure people. I watched Dukes of Hazard but never had any of the toys. Great review, hope you have a Merry Christmas.

[@BrickMantooth]

Same to you, hope it's great!

[@vakdog1]

Hey there! Another great video! Do you happen to have any knowledge of a plastic train set for toddlers? It had animals on it that moved when the train moved. The only character I kind of remember is a female bear or groundhog or something that swept with a broom.

[@DJLSW101]

I always wanted but never got an electronic chess board. The idea of playing chess vs a computer was living in the future to me!

[@BrickMantooth]

My dad had "Omar Sharif's Computer Backgammon" it was a lot of work.

[@ScottnotBob]

List: All the Star Wars figure crap, the Fisher Price Shuttle, all the Lego, the electronic games, and Farrah Fawcett. She wasn’t in the catalogue but…🤣🤣🤣✌️🤘🇨🇦

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

It was Xmas 81 or 82 when my sister got the Smurf father Abraham record .

[@MadisonCarter]

For some reason, one completely unrelated toy in this video reminded me of something I had as a kid that I have never been able to identify - it was either a board game or activity kit/playset based around performing magician's tricks. The ONLY thing I can distinctly remember from it was a red plastic box that you could put the "assistant" into and saw in half. This would have been at least pre-1983. Any ideas?

[@macsarcule]

I sadly don’t have the name of the toy, but I do remember what you are talking about and thought that would be super fun too! I think it was a playset that had a number of tricks in it.

[@user-sj8ze4qu6g]

Hi Brian! I love this stuff so much. I get the theme song stuck in my head all the time and want to listen to the full thing. What's the song called and who's it by? Thanks for reviving so many memories!

[@TheNightBadger]

5 things?! That's _too much_ like being a kid again! (although that would probably be more like 2 things). No sir, as an adult I refuse to play those kind of mind games, there's no point getting old if you can't say "I'll take ALL of them!" Who am I kidding... it would have been Star Wars... all five... Although, the greatest, most heart-warming Christmas gift of all, would surely be the definitely-promised, much anticipated 'Battle of the Network Stars Pod Stallions super-special'! Now _that_ truly could bring peace on earth and goodwill to all mankind...

[@timothybolton5111]

I had the electronic D&D game and the Monster Maker and the Team America but it was Evil Kneivel

[@TheBlindDyslexic]

Had the Monster Maker.

[@schristy3637]

Like the show. But first have to clear something UP!! Mego Mystery Solved! No,No,No.... NO!! I AM SKY-GUY. I don;t know who that dude(spells the name wrong) is,but I have always been SKY-GUY and my side kick was Rip-Cord Ralph(as in puke). He never had the stomach for it. Poor guy. 😜😛🤪😀 I was 15 in 81. I would have picked the slot car set. Had one as a kid and loved it. Saw a lot of Smurfs stuff..Guessing because the Smurfs TV cartoon came out that year. Always Enjoy Watching!!!

[@Scotty-Z70]

my 5: 1-Dukes of Hazard car & 1:18 scale Bo and Luke Duke 2-That UGLY Yellow Lego Castle. My cousin Chris had it on the dining room table when i would go stay&play, and i hated that it was YELLOW...but now i can just pretend it was made from the yellow sands of the nearby beach. 3-The Star Wars Vinyl Carry case for action figures. I had the 24 carry case, and still have the bases/trays. 4-FP Adv. Ppl. FIRESTAR space ship & X-Ray many astronaut. I had it in 5th grade, but lost the ship (idk where) ...i just BIN one on eBay... 5-The Strawberry Shortcake kiosk with hammocks. love SBSC also all of the SBSC dolls at 5:30 ....i guess if you want them to appeal to boys, put guns in their hands, and make them smell like STEAK

[@anthonywhitehead5576]

I would have asked for anything star wars, fisher price adventure people, team america, smurfs and Dukes of Hazzard. I did have a monster maker and a monchichi. 5. Monster maker 4. Dukes of Hazzard general lee 3. Team America any dirt bike with figure 2. Team America Marauder 1. Star wars anything and everything

[@TheRetroMachineTV]

Aaaaahhhh going way too fast!😂

[@toysbackzen]

Hi Brian, Wow! Lots of toy memories. I have the D&D game with the box. Contact me if you’re interested. Cheers!

[@ThePancakeJedi]

I get overly nostalgic about the 80's because my childhood was stolen from me and now I'm a grown man with a bottomless hole inside.

[@RWhettstone]

What are all these French people doing with my childhood?

[@chadwalters8569]

I was 5 and remember having quite a few of these. All the Star Wars, except the figure case. The Yoda puppet is on a shelf next to me. That Space Shuttle set

[@brotherkellymatthewbarnes8882]

I had the 🦸‍♂️🦸‍♂️and 👺s Maker, it was fun for about 4 or 6 months and then I gave it away 🎉🎉🎉 so someone else a girl younger than me could enjoy it . And she enjoyed it for more than a year 🎉🎉🎉🎉 pretty cool huh?

[@theedxqboi]

I remember these toys very well! I was in first grade. The Smurfs, Snoopy, Star Wars, and the various Dukes of Hazzard