Friday, August 28, 2009

The 1974 Mego Planet of the Apes Show Room

A rather epic addition today to our Planet of the Apes Galleries, the first (but hopefully not last) known shot of the 1974 Mego Toyfair showroom featuring the Planet of the Apes action figures and Doctor Cornelius himself (obviously one of the store appearance suits) click on the image for a larger view.


Thirsty for more Explore the Mego Museum Planet of the Apes Galleries!

Discuss at the Mego Forums

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Wednesday, August 12, 2009

A Triple shot of Mego Planet of the Apes


A beautiful new addition to the Mego Museum Planet of the Apes Galleries courtesy of Mike D'Aloia. Three stunning window boxed Mego General Ursus figures each with an outfit variation, click on the picture to visit the gallery and see larger shots.

Watch for more "Ape Updates" this month.

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Friday, June 12, 2009

Meet Spider-Man, the Wicked Witch and Cornelius the Ape at Gold Circle!


There is just so much to love about this vintage Mego store appearance ad, like the word Shaboom and the use of Aquaman and Tarzan in the toy ad. Below are some of the pieces of paper you would get from such an appearance.

Spidey would hand these little fliers to kids, fortunately kids saved them!

Lucky Apes kids would get this, a signed picture of Caesar acting as Cornelius, a McDowell is a McDowell to mego....

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Friday, May 22, 2009

Best Wishes, Cornelius or Planet of the Apes Day!


Neat piece added to the Mego Museum Planet of the Apes gallery today. It's an autographed handout from a store appearance made by Cornelius, although any fan worth his salt could tell you that it's Caesar in the photo. Those toy company execs can't tell their McDowell's apart. Mego did a great deal of promotion for Apes, here are some wonderful back in the day photos.



The infamous Apes Macy parade float, some new photos have come out thanks to the generosity of the Abrams family, check out this thread for more.


A Long Island store appearance for Planet of the Apes, dig the minty rack of action figures....



A colour shot of a similiar appearance.


Discuss Planet of the Apes at the Mego Forum

Visit the MegoMuseum Planet of the Apes Gallery

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Mego Apes Selling Well in Miami


This report is from March 1975

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Monday, March 09, 2009

Planet of the Apes Store Appearance 1975


Scott W sent in this amazing shot of him at a Long Island Planet of the Apes appearance at a toy store. Check out the stacks of Mego Treehouse playsets behind Cornelius.

Thanks to Scott for sharing this truly amazing memory!

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Thursday, February 26, 2009

Mego of the Day: Allan Verdon

Thursday's Mego spotlight goes to Astronaut on the run, Allan Verdon. Many 70s kids fondly remember actor Ron Harper for other his other big genre role in the 1970s, Uncle Jack on Land of the Lost...

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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Mego of the Day: Forbidden Zone Trap

Mego of the Day is the Planet of the Apes Forbidden Zone Trap playset, what a time we lived in when our folks let us have a post nuclear city environment....

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Friday, January 30, 2009

The Mego Doctor Zaius Prototype


We end our week of never before seen shots of the original hand made Mego production prototypes of the Planet of the Apes figures with the big guy himself, Dr. Zaius. Thanks for reading!

Click Here to see the original Prototype Dr. Zaius figure by Mego.

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Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The 1974 Mego Cornelius Prototype


As promised, we kick off a week of never before seen shots of the original hand made Mego production prototypes of the Planet of the Apes Characters.

These original samples have been rumoured to exist for years and now we finally have beautiful full colour shots of the very first Mego Planet of the Apes characters.

Just like Zira yesterday, Cornelius proves to be another wonderfully detailed figure.

Click Here to see the original Prototype Cornelius figure by Mego.

Also, don't forget to register for this year's Megomeet convention, which is being held this June 5 & 6th in Wheeling WV. Admission is $20 and a dealer table (which includes admission) is $32. It's the only all Mego event of it's kind. Click here to register.

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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

The Original 1974 Mego Zira Prototype


As promised, we kick off a week of never before seen shots of the original hand made Mego production prototypes of the Planet of the Apes Characters.

These original samples have been rumoured to exist for years and now we finally have beautiful full colour shots of the very first Mego Planet of the Apes characters.

Click Here to see the original Prototype Zira figure by Mego.

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Sunday, December 21, 2008

Small Doll Bonanza!

Come on, just try and take on Peter Burke and Kor, I dare you!

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Friday, November 28, 2008

Toy maker grows into a giant on Hollywood, comic motifs


"He is now bringing out toy figures based on the popular TV series "The Waltons." He expects they will do as well as the "Planet of the Apes" line, which had $10 million in sales "

Hey, you can't win them all....

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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

We Don't Monkey Around!

"Giantway" is the coolest name for a store ever. This ad makes me giddy.

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Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Planet of the Apes! As Seen on TV!


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Monday, November 24, 2008

Television Shows Spawn Long Life For Merchandise



June 22nd 1975 -
For "many TV shows, the report of their merchandising divisions is almost as important as the latest rating. The sale of merchandise built around the show can be a big plus to its credit rating.

I visited Barbara Atlas in heroffice, to talk about the show she and Doug Momary created and produce. That would be the syndicated children's show, Tlie New Zoo Revue. It is currently one of the most successful shows for children — both in ratings and ih merchandising. Her office is unlike the average TV producer's digs. It is more like a toy showroom, shelves line all the walls and they, are crammed with samples of the toys and other items built around The New Zoo Revue's characters.


Before she got into the TV business. Barbara Atlas was a free-lance toy designer. Her husband is a toy retailer. So this end of show business was familiar to her. more familiar than the other end. The New Zoo Revue is now shown in 128 markets, and they have 196 half-hour episodes showing. They are anxious to; keep up the good work in that department, but they are equally anxious to sell merchandise. The designing, licensing and merchandising of toys' featuring the-show's stars Freddie Frog, Henrietta Hippo, and Charlie Owl' is big business.


"In some cases." Atlas says, "the money from the merchandising exceeds the profits from the show itself. That hasn't yet happened to us, but I still have hopes." They have products ranging in price from 29 cents — an eraser — to $150 — huge stuffed animals. There is everything from bikini underpants to cigarette lighters, clothing, pillows, games, dolls, jewelry.


"Dolls are a big item these days." she says. "And dolls are currently as important in boys' toys as they are in girls'. Boys begin playing with dolls at an early age, and they are masculine in character; but still dolls." The ability to create a line of items that sells is important in today's TV programming.



Sometimes, though, the failure of a show leaves toy manufacturers holding the bag. That happened this past network season. Barbara Atlas says, with Planet of the Apes. "It got off to a tremendous start," she says, "and they licensed all kinds of toys and gadgets, but the show's flop
caused retailers and distributors to get stuck with a lot of it.'They just hope that the continued success of the Apes movies'will result in some sales yet.


"On the" other hand. Star Trek merchandise is still selling well, even though the show has been off the network for some years.: But it is still doing well in syndication." . The Federal Communications Commission keeps a watchful eye on the merchandising area, Atlas says. They frown on having any of the merchandise shown on the air, although can be used in.the background.

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Friday, November 21, 2008

The Mego Apes are at Mammoth Mart

$2.69? I can get them for a $1.99 at Kiddie City!

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Thursday, November 20, 2008

A Mego Planet of the Apes Coupon

Sadly this Kiddie City coupon expired 34 years ago but one can dream......

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Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Apes and Christmas Trees

Mego Apes on sale in an ad for Kings Department Store Portsmouth New Hampshire (October 1975)



Friday Nov 22, 1974:

As a TV series, "Planet of the Apes" has been a major disappointment to Fred Silverman, Program VP at CBS, but it has been a big hit in the eyes of Marty Abrams, president of Mego International. Mego is the company which manufactures those Ape toys, and so far they have made $8 million in retail sales! But how does Mego feel about the possibility of CBS cancelling "Planet of
the Apes"? "We'll get by," says Marty Abrams, "so long as they don't cancel before the Christmas toy season."

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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

The Apes Are Coming!


Coming soon to MegoMuseum.com: Mike Jimenez has created a complete revisal of the Mego Planet of the Apes Galleries with every page containg new information and photography.

In the spirit of all things Apes, we'll let a few jaw dropping twists escape that we have hiding beneath the Museum archives. While it will be quite a battle, you won't want to miss the ape conquest of the Mego Museum.
I'm sorry about the puns.

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Wednesday, September 03, 2008

MOTD: Mexican Galen

Mego of the Day for Wednesday is the Mego Galen Figure produced by Cipsa of Mexico, this version is famous for having boots but no pants. It's a very liberal planet, this Planet of the Apes.....

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Friday, August 22, 2008

MOTD: Planet of the Apes Astronaut


Mego of the Day for Friday is the mutton chopped Taylor replacement, the Astronaut from the Planet of the Apes. He was no Heston but as a kid, who gave a crap? My God, that wonderful hair.....

Did you have the Astronaut as a kid? Is this the first time you've heard mention of it? Is it on your wantlist? Does it even interest you?

Monday's MOTD: I'll have to get back to you

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Friday, June 13, 2008

Wes's Mego Memories


mego robin and soldier ape

Wes shares with us this happy moment from Christmas of 1974 where he received not only a World's Greatest Superheroes Robin figure but a Planet of the Apes Soldier Ape as well. Nice stuff Wes!


Enjoy previous Mego Memories at the Megomuseum, Part 1 and Part 2 are full of vintage coolness. Got a pic to donate? Send it on down!



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Saturday, March 22, 2008

Mego Planet of the Apes Store Appearance!

mego Planet of the Apes Store Appearance

An awesome submission from a great Mego fan today, a rare colour shot of a Mego Planet of the Apes Store Appearance. That wall of minty Treehouses is hypnotic...


mego Planet of the Apes Store Appearance

Here is another view from the Megomuseum Ad Archive.

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Thursday, March 20, 2008

Mego Action Figures In Full Force in 1976 Sears Catalog

mego superheroes and star trek

This interesting catalog spread from the 1976 Sears (Canada) Catalog prominently features the Mego World's Greatest Superheroes being sold with their "official outfits" (which are of course, closed out Action Jackson uniforms. Star Trek was still riding high while Planet of the Apes were going into deep discount, they would appear in Sears Canada catalogs until 1978, note the exclusive Horse, Wagon and Catapult set pictured.


For More Retro Christmas Catalogs check out the Mego Museum Catalog Archive

Discuss your favourite Mego figures or do some buying and selling at the Mego Forum.

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Friday, January 18, 2008

Childworld Apes Ad plus New Trading Cards!



Perhaps my favourite of the entire lot of Child World Ad art, this ad for the Mego Planet of the Apes line is just too pretty for words.
For more about Mego Reproduction Art, visit the Museum Gallery Here.




Scott surprised everybody(including me) by unveiling two new Megomuseum trading cards, this time for the American West Line, Davey Crocket never looked so good.

Hot Threads on the Mego Museum Message Boards:

New Poll: Who is Best in the Mego American West?

Check out this Awesome Lone Ranger Custom

10 Things I needed to know (from reading World's Greatest Toys)

EMCE toys Spock and Andorian Figures have Arrived

Check out the Amazing Mego Goodies at a toyshow this past Sunday

Check out all the Submissions for the 1978 : REimagined Project

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Monday, January 14, 2008

Lost Treasures of the 1974 Mego Showroom

superfoes display box

The Mego find of the decade sounds a bit like a dream a lot of collectors have had, a young Mego employee asks to keep the items from the 1974 Toy Fair showroom and then stores them in a climate controlled closet for 34 years. That's exactly what toy collector/dealer Bruce Zalkin encountered recently when he unearthed rare store displays, prototype figures and never before seen items. Read Lost Treasures of the Mego Showroom, it's one you won't want to miss!



If that weren't enough, all of these items will be available for sale through Ebay this month in no reserve auctions! Details are in the article, happy bidding!

Also, be sure to pick up this month's Lee's Toy Review for an article on this find.

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Thursday, December 06, 2007

1975 Simpsons Catalog featuring Trek and Apes


Great addition to the department store catalog archive for the holiday season, The is rare page from long gone Canadian retailer Simpsons features Mego Star Trek and Planet of the Apes but nothing from their most popular line World's Greatest Superheroes. Interesting to note that chair pictured is the same one that Scott Adams noted in his article about the evolution of the Mego Enterprise.

Want to see the other side of this two page spread? Check out the Plaidstallions blog.

PS Congrats to Johnnycmego, winner of a copy of "World's Greatest Toys", look for another fun contest this month.

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Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Mego Hulk Visits Egypt


Bill has sent back some trippy pics of his Mego Hulk in Egypt, check it out here



Customizer of the month is the very talented Anthony Durso, check out the interview with pictures of his cool packaged creations.



V Man created this very nice Planet of the Apes Doctor Zaius and it's this week's custom spotlight.



Just in time for Halloween, we've added a Monster Movie/Horror Forum
and we're welcoming horror fans whether you're preference is Jason, Lugosi or El Hombre Lobo.

Coming soon: Spooky Monster Gallery Updates you won't want to miss!

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Friday, September 21, 2007

Planet of the Apes Treehouse



A completely revised gallery page for the Planet of the Apes treehouse today including all known boxed variations and the releases for both Canada and Mexico. This is possibly the best known POTA toy other than the figures, it's easy to see why.

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Thursday, September 20, 2007

Mego Trono Simio



The Planet of the Apes throne is another fun illogical piece from Mego, was there ever a throne in anything Planet of the Apes related? Above is the Mexican version of the packaging, I especially love the way General Urko is drawn here.

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Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Mego Jaula Simia


Ape updates continue with this pic of the Cipsa Apes Jail box. Love that artwork!

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Tuesday, September 18, 2007

The Planet of the Apes Ram

mego corp planet of the apes battering ram from Mexico

Thanks to Mike D'Aloia we have shots of the Mexican Released Planet of the Apes battering Ram with some lovely artwork. Thanks Mike!

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Monday, September 17, 2007

Mego Planet of the Apes Checklist


We've shown the checklist earlier but not the back, which is cool in itself.


Many thanks to Chad Gordy aka Noelani72 for sponsoring this great card. The "Ape Updates" will continue shortly.

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