California Raisins Collection & History (Episode 97 - ReeYees Retro Toys)

[@popsandblades]

This was an amazing video. I was born in 1980 & I remember distinctly watching the California Raisins & playing with the figures. Never knew there was a sandwich stage. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

Thanks for tuning in buddy! I’m a 1980 baby too, so this was right in the forefront of our childhood memories.

[@deadfishparty]

Really enjoyed this trip. My kids have grown up with the claymation Christmas as it was part of my childhood and now theirs. I didn’t know they had a Christmas album, but thanks to your video and ebay it’s now on its way! Also a big Turtles fan. Thanks for the memories.

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

I love hearing this! We watch the Christmas special multiple times during the holiday. I hope you enjoy the Christmas album! Such a fun time to be a kid.

[@The_Mattcade]

You have got to be KIDDING ME!! I first started following you because of the TMNT tour... the other toy I collect since childhood? RAISINS. AND HERE'S THE VIDEO. BEST DAY EVER

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

Hahaha! That’s crazy! I’m glad I’m not alone in collecting all things CA Raisin and having the nostalgia for them. Right on!

[@The_Mattcade]

@ReeYees Retro Toys not at all. I didn't know about the Jimi Hendrix one, grabbed one off ebay during the video 😅😅 thanks again!!!!

[@tylertheretophiliac]

You definitely kill this part of your vlog! It’s always special see i atleast a glimpse of you’re gameroom!!! And your new one 👍👍👍👍 California raisins were huge back then absolutely 💯

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

Thank you! I’ll be posting a video of my new set up soon.

[@tylertheretophiliac]

@@ReeYeesRetroToys dude I can’t wait 😀

[@ryanhudgins9004]

This was a really cool video ! It brought back a lot of memories. I was young when the raisins were a big deal so I never really knew any of the history behind them. I remember having a dozen or so pvc figures , a wind up and the bank ! I love videos like this where you learn the history of different toy lines or advertising and get to see a killer collection like you have ! Keep up the great work !!

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

Thanks so much for the kind words and support; much appreciated!

[@residentvania7733]

Nice been watching your older vids like crazy. I think every kid from the 80s remembers that time period.

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

Definitely! They permeated pop culture for quite a few years. I just have such fond memories of them I had to do a video.

[@residentvania7733]

@ReeYeesRetroToys Agree 👍 awesome stuff man.

[@nope5657]

They were a bit before my time, but they were always something I knew of and had seen around. Pop culture - before the internet age allowed for extreme compartmentalization of interests - had a way of trickling down and permeating to generations that weren't just the generations of the era. That's why it's always bugged me when older people would say "You know about blank! You're too young to know about blank!" As if the interests of their time are just frozen forever in that time...like younger people aren't exposed to different eras of music, film, TV, books, comics, etc through their parents and grandparents and just general cultural osmosis. I always loved stop motion animation and "claymation" as a kid so I was always really charmed by the California Raisins. And I don't have a massive collection or anything, but if I see one of the little PVC figures floating around a thrift store of vintage store I pick 'em up because they're just such a window into American culture. And the "band" itself is a really good cover band of classic tunes. I'll legit listen to their albums utterly unironically for good renditions of great songs.

[@SoCalShaolin]

That’s a raisin vineyard in that bin!!! I love the California Raisins. I remember that first commercial with the construction workers the most and so vividly. They definitely have their place in pop culture history. I think you should do more of these kinds of videos. It’s something I would like to do also but don’t have the time to do at the moment. Amazing collection and I love the way you set everything up. Say, whatcha doing with them doubles lol Great video Matt!

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

Thanks so much buddy! I figured I’d try out one of these vids since I had to set the collection up anyway. I really enjoyed the project. Hit me up about those doubles!

[@travisneston9648]

That is a nice collection there. The raisins are one of the most iconic advertising campaigns ever. They are up there with Spuds MacKenzie

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@79tazman]

The California Raisins were awesome I loved all the commercials and I still have a bunch of figurines

[@fluxburner1636]

Awesome video Matt! I love to hear the history of a toy line as it pertains to you personally. Not just reading a Wiki line for line but how you experienced it. Keep up the good work!

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

Thanks so much buddy! Glad you enjoyed the different type of video rather than the standard toy hunt.

[@79tazman]

I use to have the first cassette of the raisins Sing the hit songs. there is so much I have forgot about them but I remember how I loved them

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

I still play that cassette! Great tunes on that one.

[@SentriTMC]

I had so many of the pvc raisins as a kid!! Totally obsessed with these and nerfuls lol. Great vid man!

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

Thanks man! I figure you absolutely have to include the Raisins in the echelon of 80’s pop culture. Glad I’m not alone!

[@justinhubbard8355]

Matt, Great video. Honestly I'm not a raisins fan but your passion and informative approach made me want to watch it. Just finished binging all of your videos and truly enjoyed them. You bring a ton of joy and enthusiasm to the info you provide which to me, makes your vids the best i've found so far. Really hoping to run into you one day to thank you personally for hours of content and watching enjoyment, heck, I've even learned quite a bit as well. Chad sounds great as well and would love to meet him. Tentatively planning on visiting Xenia in October (fingers crossed) with a buddy of mine and maybe I'll run across you! Best of hunting and please keep the videos coming.

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

Thank you so much for the kind words and support; I truly appreciate it! I look at it this way, toys are supposed to be about fun and recapturing that feeling of being a kid. Why be negative and critical all the time when that’s what we’re surrounded by on a daily basis? I hope to meet you as well, but am unsure if I can make it to Xenia. Maybe another time though!

[@kennethmontgomery1867]

Awesome 👏

[@TheJasonsvideos]

I still have the 2 vhs films of "Meet the Raisins" and "Raisins Sold Out". Since I was little, born in 1990.

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

Amazing! I love both of those specials, especially “Meet the Raisins.”

[@susanfit47]

I'm a lifelong California Raisins fan!

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

Same! Such an iconic advertising mascot!

[@dwingsworld2581]

Great vid and really great info. These woild be a good series

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

Thank you! I definitely hope to do more in the future.

[@dwingsworld2581]

@ReeYeesRetroToys fyi you are not alone I still have the Christmas special on VHS along with little clowns, my pet monster, pound puppies.

[@destructarr]

Hey, I didn't know you liked the California Raisins. I wasn't ever really into them very much, but I did have a few over the years. I think of them like Smurfs. You should look into collecting Fistful of Aliens or Fistful of Power. They're cool figures. I like this type of video. I hope you make more in the future about different collections.

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

Thank you buddy! I definitely hope to make more of these soon.

[@DiscardedToys]

Great video! I was wondering.... It seems the same figures were released through Hardee's & Raisin Bran - are they exactly the same or are there any differences between them? I keep my fast food toys and cereal toys on different shelves 😁

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

Glad you enjoyed the video buddy! As far as I know the Raisin Bran raisins are the slightly larger ones and Hardee’s are the smaller. I have one still in box from Raisin Bran and it’s what I described. But let me see if I can find a definitive answer for you.

[@DiscardedToys]

@@ReeYeesRetroToys thank you! Keep these videos coming!

[@79tazman]

I live in Canada and the Rasins were big here too then Max Headroom the Garbage pail kids cards were cool to since I had a sister that collected Cabbage Patch dolls I loved the Garbage Pail Kids and Fraggle Rock and The Muppet Show. I loved growing up in the 80's it was the best and all the awesome movies of the 80's like The Goonies, Never ending Story, E.T and Mac and Me there was just so most awesomeness of the 80's that was the best

[@brianrecinos3914]

Everytime I see a California Raisins toy product, I'm reminded about the quality of McDonald's toys from the 90's. I think McDonald's did push out Raisins toys in their Happy Meals.

[@stevenbrickafol3928]

As a European , this is kinda like The Smurfs here. Late 80ies, they were Everywhere ! Same type of toyline too.

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

Absolutely!

[@shaunandthepack]

Does anyone actually know how many there were in the full collection I have been wondering that for years

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

That’s a really good question! Unfortunately I have no idea of the answer and now I’m intrigued as well.

[@ENERO33]

SAME HERE.!! ☝🏼

[@jeffreyharrop6161]

Man at my last toy show it seemed like every vendor had raisins

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

They’re definitely readily available at most shows. There are some rarer ones though, for sure.

[@johnniet.7820]

Matt You look like you have gotten a tan since I saw you last. How could that be if you were inside playing with your collections? Just wondering. HA. 😄😄😄

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

Haha! We had just come back from Disney World so I must have soaked up a few Florida rays.

[@gordonshumway2974]

I really like this chanell

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

Why thank you! Glad you are enjoying the content.

[@johnniet.7820]

Wonderful collection of the CA raisins. I have a similar collection of the Garbage Pail Kids--cards, toys, etc. which I am willing to sell for $800 if you know of anybody interested. Having pretty much completed a collection, it is time to move on and start another.

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

I’m sure someone would definitely be interested in that!

[@justinconn1214]

1 raisen looks stoned lol

[@ReeYeesRetroToys]

Well they are musicians.