Toy-Ventures: Space:1999 Moonbase Alpha Playset by Mattel

[@andrewmclachlan4242]

Space 1999 was my fave Gerry Anderson show as a kid, I really loved the gritty & serious tone of the 1st series and I instantly fell in love with the design of the Eagle Transporter or MTU which is still my favourite space ship of all time with the Enterprise refit a close second!☺😊 I had most of the palitoy figures with exception of Alan Carter which was always a bugger to find and rarer than rocking horse s**t as we say in the UK!😂 I also had both Dinky Toys in various colours as well as the Airfix Eagle & Hawk models, We never got the Mattel playsets in the UK😞😢 My older brother was and still is a huge Gerry Anderson fan and had loads of Toys & Collectables he had some original Thunderbirds puppets, Tin Tin & Lady Penelope and models from Space 1999 including one of the derilct space ships from Dragons Domain and a damaged section of Moonbase Alpha, I still love Space 1999 but UFO is now my fave!😉👍

[@scottydogheaven8606]

I'm from the Uk and loved watching Space 1999 as a child, it was, as you stated very cinematic! I did have the Dinky Eagle which battled my Dinky Enterprise a lot before I got my hands on the die cast Star Wars ships. I never had many Mego figures except Captain Kirk (12 inch), the large Hulk and Batman but I would have loved the moon base Alpha.

[@BrickMantooth]

Yeah I wish I had found this set as a kid.

[@Redfern42]

Forgive the 4 month delay of my post. I never had any of the Space: 1999 items discussed here, though knew about them and a childhood friend had the Eagle playset. But when you showed the entire display, I looked and thought, "Hey! Isn't that freestanding computer station from...?" and Moments later you confirmed my suspicions, Major Matt Mason! Now THAT was my favorite toy line of the latter 60s as i was what some might call a "space race baby", being born in 1962. Yep, Matt Mason, his team and accessories as well as the Remco brand "Lost in Space" Robot were my most cherished items of that era. Anyway, that was a clever reuse of those molds because they did blend so well with the Moonbase Alpha design aesthetic! Now, I realize Major Matt Mason deviates from your focus, being from Mattel instead of Mego, 6 inches tall rather than 8 and rubber castins covering wire "skeleton" instead of rigid plastic parts linked by either pivot or ball-in-socket joints, but...do any of your existing videos discuss that line? I'd love to hear your thoughts about that "tie in" to the actual space race.

[@diggingattycho7908]

I really enjoyed your production Brian. Space 1999 was one of my favorite shows, the production design really made it pure escapism. I wish sci-fi could be as weird and wonderful as it was in those days, BSW(Before Star Wars).

[@BrickMantooth]

Totally agree.

[@willrbsnb9]

What a joy watching this! Especially with your spectacular opening teaser! It really captures such a great, pre-Star Wars period of time. This playset always reminds me of the series' first episode opening scenes set : that of the Nuclear Monitoring Station which introduces Dr. Russell and Prof. Bergman. I suspect it was the inspiration. GREAT video!

[@BrickMantooth]

Thanks so much, I had a lot of fun putting it together.

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

Cool set. Do you think it will ever get a reprint?

[@chrishight6598]

Brilliant video!!! Luv that you went back and found where the supercomputer came from. I didn't own the playset but remember it in stores and always wanting it. I don't think kids had money back in the 1970s.

[@megofan5734]

I had this playset may years ago. Only the table survived. A few years ago, I bought another Moonbase Alpha playset, complete with the box, on Ebay. The Mattel and Mego/Palitoy figures do look nice in the playset.

[@BrickMantooth]

Yeah, they were meant to be there.

[@georgecostanza8927]

The head sculpts look great. I can clearly see Barbara Bain and Martin Landau in those faces. F.Y.I. - Martin and Barbara were also in the classic tv show “Mission: Impossible”.

[@BrickMantooth]

Yeah, Roland Hand the master of disguise.

[@michiganmegomaniacs211]

You really have a knack for this- very well done.

[@ismaelrodriguez6420]

I never had this playlet, but did get the Eagle 1 and the tree figures separate for Christmas. Loved toys from this era!

[@BrickMantooth]

Nice, that Eagle is amazing.

[@paulaburrows8660]

My most treasured toy growing up in the UK was the green Dinky Eagle. It took a lot of punishment but it was an incredibly sturdy thing. My mum also surprised the hell out of me when she got me the light up stun gun. Happy days indeed. I have recently spent more than I care to admit getting the more modern versions of these from Sweet Sixteen.

[@goblinoidfilms7119]

I'm digging this Moonbase!

[@kieronball8962]

Excellent review video, for the awesome Space 1999 toys and playset from Mattel. I never even knew a Moonbase Alpha playset existed, until this video, so many thanks to Brian. Of course, a handful of new Space 1999 figures, in the Mego style, were released just a few years ago and although not as popular as the vintage versions, they do now command high prices, due to their rarity.

[@TheNightBadger]

The die-cast Dinky Eagle was a staple of kids toy collections throughout the late 70's / early 80's. I have no memories of the show other than young me found whatever episodes he saw slightly traumatising...

[@MasterJediDude]

This video was great from start to finish. I just love that you updated the light with a multicolor LED. I just wish that Mego had the line here in the U.S., because those Palitoy figures were great (as were the reissues). It’s sad that the Mattel figures had no grip, but that Sunshine Family “karate chop” hand sculpt (also, the Battlestar Galactica figures had no grip; crazy company 🙄). I had the Space 1999 figures, but didn’t play with them much after I got my Eagle 1 ship. But this was a solid review and yes, we had it good. Such a magical time in our youth.

[@BrickMantooth]

Yeah, I agree Mego would have done a better job on the figures themselves.

[@trevorrandom]

I'm in the UK and I've never seen this play set before wish I had it as a kid!

[@BrickMantooth]

Me too!

[@macorourke2222]

Very Cool Brother. I don't remember this show. Thanks for sharing Your passion and adventures 😀 👍 ♥️ 🇨🇦 🇺🇸🇬🇧🌎♥️💯💯

[@philliplozano7587]

I begged my mom for the Eagle - I was 8 years old when it first appeared - and was denied. Years later, during an adolescent fit of disowning the show, I turned my nose up at a complete Moonbase Alpha with the three figures (sticker box) for a very reasonable price. Still kicking myself to this day.

[@BrickMantooth]

Oh man, been there.

[@gochuckyourself-yf2rz]

When I was a kid I worked a paper route and I bought the space 1999 moonbase alpha and I had two eagle shuttles in my imagination was wild I played with it for years .

[@BrickMantooth]

that sounds awesome.

[@Skraboing649]

Great use of some vintage Tangerine Dream in that TV ad!

[@dwitefry4157]

always nice to see a big of Gerry Anderson

[@BrickMantooth]

Couldn't agree more

[@brotherkellymatthewbarnes8882]

Major Matt Mason "..now that's a name I haven't heard of in a long time, a long time" -That Old Wizard.

[@YAMISOOLD2009]

That was a cool teaser to your regular video Brian. Extra work and well done! Even as a kid I found the score and incidental music for Space 1999 to be haunting and special. You nailed it with your selection. I unfortunately never had this playset but I am sure I had it on my wish list. I do have all three figures on my shelf minus their comlocks and stun guns. I think those might often be missing from these figures? Do you know anyone who fabricates them on a 3D printer? Anyway a great video on a wonderful toy!

[@brotherkellymatthewbarnes8882]

That opening Masterfully has the flavor of Gerry & Sylvia's Space 1999 ITC Television program.

[@travishiltz4750]

That's a great playlet. Plus, it could easily stand in for the Tardis Console room if you had some Doctor Who figures. Liked Space:1999 as a kid: it was sorta like Star Trek, but had a compelling weirdness to it. Rewatching it now, I appreciate more what it was trying to do. It's still weird though.

[@BrickMantooth]

It does make a cool tardis, you're right.

[@megofan5734]

I've done that with my Doctor Who figures.

[@travishiltz4750]

@@megofan5734 not having any Who figures, I had to improvise with whatever stuff and figures we had. part of some generic space station set my brother had was my console room and I made a K-9 out of legos.

[@Retnoob]

OMG I had that set, I still have pieces of it. I actually (gasp) did work around the house to get it.

[@mightyeroc7284]

I had this, and loved it.

[@BrickMantooth]

It's a great toy.

[@Sano1970]

Awesome video, Brian. I surely had the playset, sans the figures. In fact, I wasn’t even a huge fan of Space 1999. So I’m going to have to assume I got the playset from a family member or friend as I was a known Star Wars fan. This gift must have been a “close enough” back in 78.

[@BrickMantooth]

I got a few 1999 items well after the show was gone, probably clearance aisle toys.

[@jameswhitney8497]

I had the Mego/ Palitoy version of the Space 1999 dolls--it was later in 2012 i found out that Mattel made this other Space 1999 dolls. Got them all today and the Zython doll to + the big jim version made in Mexico call Nocton same hands as big jim. Can see that the one in this video is not the original one but they look the same but its the body and some diffence in the clothes. Are trying to get my hands on the Space 1999 Playset but there not may for sell. Loved the series space 1999 and have the DVD collection. When i see this playset i had the Star Trek one. it was some good playtimes back in the 1970 and 80 with this toys.

[@elcowabungahe-man6156]

Nice review Space 1999 love the show i am more trekie but the show and toys were great and great that sunshine family photo with the omen sound it creep me out my chair here at work

[@BrickMantooth]

The sunshine family has creeped me out for 47 years.

[@elcowabungahe-man6156]

@@BrickMantooth 😅😂🤣👍

[@TheMovieDawgs]

It's been a long time since I had seen this show, I hope that one day MEGO will do a few figures from the show. Once again Brian I said over and over again amazing amazing work.

[@Retnoob]

They did, in the UK when the show came out.

[@kevingnewikow3926]

Great video! This one of our favorite toys being huge Space:1999 fans. I cut a piece of plexiglass (Perspex) for the play mat so it flattens the creases and forces it to the full extension. What is the blinking, color-changing LED product you used in the console? I tried an LED 1.5 V flashlight battery, but didn’t have a lot of success. That LED is way better! Love the channel!

[@BrickMantooth]

Hey glad you liked the video. I just found an LED pumpkin light at the dollar Store. Halloween is the best time to find cool lights for toys.

[@mickeythompson9537]

Music from Tangerine Dream's Rubycon... fantastic!

[@RogueTwo]

I don't recall at the time being particularly aware of the Space 1999 toy line beyond the Eagle, which really caught my eye. But even there, I was disappointed that it wasn't the right scale to interact with my Megos. But, as you say, it would have been prohibitively expensive to make for 8" figures. And had it still been on the shelf at the time the Star Wars line had come out, I'd have been all over it. But back to the Mattel line, yeah, those bodies were pretty stiff compared to Mego, as they were also used for the Welcome Back Kotter line. But they look nice. I too approve of taking liberties with the colors. Just like when Mego did the same with 3 3/4" Star Trek movie line. They really look a lot nicer with a splash of color instead of the rather bland first season uniforms. They could have been "close enough" to Mego scale to me. The playset is really nice. Simply, as was the way of the time, but effective, and versatile. I imagine that kids could have used it as a stand in for any kind of science fiction command center, or secret headquarters, or a spaceship bridge. But even if I did want it, I probably couldn't have gotten it. I was lucky I had the Batcave. Like Marty said, you can't have everything. I imagine finding one of the with a working Star Flash Computer is tricky. Great review Brian. Thanks!

[@originaluddite]

Despite having (re)watched the series in recent years, I had to double-check that the alien never featured in the show itself.

[@scottstalcup6980]

I should know by now: When Brian mentions The Sunshine Family, STOP DRINKING. That pop WILL (not MIGHT, but WILL) come out my nose from laughter. I didn't. It did. My own danged fault.

[@BrickMantooth]

That may be my favourite gag.

[@Merylstreep1949]

Never had these but knew someone who had that Eagle...yeah might try to get these as they look cool especially the Helen Russell one Too bad they never used them to make Mission Impossible figures

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

How about the opening theme music to this show. Absolutely fantastic. This one, SWAT, The six million dollar man, Battlestar Galactica these were the best of the best. 😝👍

[@bobastu]

I tried watching this show as a child and i don't remember it capturing my imagination like Star Trek or Batman. My friends had the Eagle and it didn't match the size of Adventure People or Star Wars. My friends dad was huge Mattel big child. He had Matt Mason and Space 1999 toys with his Big Jim toys. His son had the Eagle and small size (3"??) action figures. His dad taught us about handling toys and comic books. My dad taught us about trains, slot cars, GI Joe, and models.

[@mathieu4204]

A backdrop filled with art, a simple mat as a floor and a few plastic pieces. Why can't they still use that formula today?

[@BrickMantooth]

I don't know, I wish they did.

[@richardlee2120]

The ultra rare 4th Space: 1999 figure, the Zython!

[@VintageToyTheatre]

Didn't Mattel also recycle the Sunshine Fam bodies on their Welcome Back Kotter 9 in toy line?

[@BrickMantooth]

Indeed they did, Mork and Mindy too.

[@Glitch969]

I consider this video history highly DeLuxe. 👍

[@BrickMantooth]

Thank you.

[@BanthaPooDoo64]

I hav a lot of the Mattel Space 1999 toys and the Bif Bang Pow Mego type figures

[@marineboy1964]

I love the start ,, when is episode 2 And can you make it about 30 minutes long please

[@BrickMantooth]

I want to make more stuff like this, it's really fun.

[@Silver-rx1mh]

I had a few of these figures. Mainly the aliens. lol

[@KasumiKenshirou]

I've never seen Space: 1999, but that ship looks really familiar. Did it ever get reused elsewhere?

[@brunobillion3435]

I adore my Space 1999 playset. Love the figures too, but the Palitoy ones are far better

[@CantosHype]

How does one sign up for your paid subscription you have advertised? I love retro toys and still collects them and reading about them.

[@loganjorgensen]

Mattel has always been an odd company for articulation since over the years they've been all over the place with their dolls, no articulation, some articulation, full articulation, midriffs with skin, they must have quite the backlog of injection molds heh. I do see the Space 1999 figures can get that opposing material chemical melt at the shoulders unfortunately much like Mego Farrah. I guess at the very least The Sunshine Family connection is a source for spare parts. I think there's a tendency to go monochrome in sci-fi art design a lot, even Red Dwarf had the same issue of drab colors like Ocean/Military grey giving way to more primary or vibrant colors after the first season. I like vinyl, wipes away dirt easily like a good kitchen countertop. ;) That central console piece is impressive even if it's retooled MMM parts, that's creative reuse. That's pretty cool how you can change the lightbulb and enhance the toy.

[@Bucky749]

I wonder how many adventures of space 1999 adventures kids would play . Involved them running in to the cast of the black hole or have adventures in the Star Trek universe.

[@jjdigitalvideosolutionsllc5343]

Space 1999 was the follow-up to UFO. Not quite a direct sequel.

[@countofdownable]

Really wish Mego would do a few new Space 1999 and UFO figures. Another company did new Space 1999 figures but they were crap. The plastic was super cheap and cracked.

[@robertgriffiths1724]

No wonder star trek the motion picture uniforms look like that

[@BrickMantooth]

Yeah, it's really a drab period for space uniforms.

[@TheChadTI]

More believeable than NASA.

[@dannyd464]

you can smell the 70s. I remember watching the reruns of the show in the 80s........Happy days

[@BrickMantooth]

Yeah I was glued to it in the 80s.

[@donaldwiller9238]

So sad 😞 not much of a action figure