What were the earliest TV shows based on a toy?
January 3, 2011 9:22 AM Subscribe
What were the earliest TV shows based on a toy?
(Like Transformers or GI Joe, for example.)
(Like Transformers or GI Joe, for example.)
Howdy Doody was the show first, then the toy.
It seems to me like the "Noddy in Toyland" shows in 1950s UK were probably the earliest, but those aren't quite the same as the GI Joe TV cartoon--Noddy comes from a book, and though he interacts with toys available in stores (most infamously the Golliwogg), there wasn't as far as I know any commercial relationship between the folks making the TV show and the folks manufacturing the toys.
posted by Sidhedevil at 9:30 AM on January 3, 2011
It seems to me like the "Noddy in Toyland" shows in 1950s UK were probably the earliest, but those aren't quite the same as the GI Joe TV cartoon--Noddy comes from a book, and though he interacts with toys available in stores (most infamously the Golliwogg), there wasn't as far as I know any commercial relationship between the folks making the TV show and the folks manufacturing the toys.
posted by Sidhedevil at 9:30 AM on January 3, 2011
Magilla Gorilla, 1963?
WP: "As pointed out on the Rhino Records' CD liner notes for their collection of Hanna-Barbera theme tunes, part of Magilla's purpose was to sell likenesses of himself. The show was sponsored by Ideal Toys, which produced a Magilla stuffed toy."
posted by Gridlock Joe at 9:34 AM on January 3, 2011
WP: "As pointed out on the Rhino Records' CD liner notes for their collection of Hanna-Barbera theme tunes, part of Magilla's purpose was to sell likenesses of himself. The show was sponsored by Ideal Toys, which produced a Magilla stuffed toy."
posted by Gridlock Joe at 9:34 AM on January 3, 2011
Here's a guess: "Winky Dink and You" (1953-1957) integrated the show with the toy "needed" to view it. My mother has fond memories of this show, which is why I know anything about it. Pretty cool concept, honestly.
posted by Dr. Wu at 9:43 AM on January 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Dr. Wu at 9:43 AM on January 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
Raggedy Ann was a book first, then a doll, finally a movie and other properties.
posted by Miko at 11:39 AM on January 3, 2011
posted by Miko at 11:39 AM on January 3, 2011
The first experimental television broadcasts back in 1928 were of a Felix the Cat doll...not a "show" per se, but a cool piece of TV trivia.
posted by agatha_magatha at 12:36 PM on January 3, 2011
posted by agatha_magatha at 12:36 PM on January 3, 2011
I was going to mention Winky Dink and You, also. While others have named earlier shows, one interesting aspect of Winky Dink and You was that it didn't just have a toy tie-in; you actually needed the special screen kit to take advantage of the interactive features of the show. Many kids did not have the special screen and colored directly on the television screen which, I think, caused damage to the set.
posted by Mael Oui at 10:05 PM on January 3, 2011
posted by Mael Oui at 10:05 PM on January 3, 2011
Response by poster: Just stumbled across another answer on Wikipedia, and thought I'd post it here in case anyone comes across this question in the future:
"Hot Wheels: The first known television series to be produced to promote a toyline, these toys were featured in a 1969 animated series conceived by Mattel exec Bernard Loomis that led to new FCC rules on Saturday morning cartoons."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyetic
posted by pete_22 at 12:53 AM on October 6, 2011
"Hot Wheels: The first known television series to be produced to promote a toyline, these toys were featured in a 1969 animated series conceived by Mattel exec Bernard Loomis that led to new FCC rules on Saturday morning cartoons."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyetic
posted by pete_22 at 12:53 AM on October 6, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by edgeways at 9:24 AM on January 3, 2011