Richard PattersonWe know kids love two things: cartoons to watch and toys to play with. These aspects of many people’s childhoods have worked hand in hand to build brands and franchises. Many franchises marketed to young/older kids’ media have a toy-line or other forms of merchandise. We thought it would be a fun time to look back in the day at a few of these childhood classics and ask a silly question. Which franchises are based on the toys and what were based on the shows?
When did it start?
This started as far back as the 1960s when The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) set several rules for children’s programs. One of the main rules was that toy commercials could only be about 16 minutes or shorter. This led to many toys at the time not having full narratives or being merchandise for a movie/show. However, in 1981, President Reagan changed TV regulations on children’s programming allowing more cartoons to market toys. This led to many toy companies to produce comics, commercials, and full-length cartoons based on their toy lines.
Plastic before the show
Many franchises were toy brands before shows, but we can focus on two powerhouse brands from Hasbro and Mattel! In 1964 the G.I. Joe started out as the first action figure before the Real American Hero series in 1982. Barbie started as a fashion doll brand in 1959 long before getting 1987 TV Movie Barbie and the Rockers: Out of This World. In the same year, the He-man and The Masters of the Universe toy-line was created which was followed by the cartoon a year later. Finally, in 1982, the toys that would become known as the transformers were hitting shelves before the 1984 series hit screens.
The 1980s was basically the golden age of narrative-based toy-line franchises. Many of them have become part of pop culture while some have become obscura. Although it is still common for cartoons to be made to advertise toys, it’s definitely calmed down over the years.
Show before the plastic
Shows and Movies getting a toy-line is a common practice for popular or profitable franchises. It goes as far back as the 1970s when the toy company Kenner produced tie-in toy-lines with films like Alien and Star Wars. Around the 1980s, many blockbusters had their signature toys and merchandise, including some R-rated films. Even now some franchises including horror and mature action would license toy companies to produce toys. Well, I guess to quote a Mel Brooks character “Merchandising, merchandising, where the real money from the movie is made!”
Closing thoughts
It was interesting but fun to look through the other side of the entertainment industry and its impact today. Lots of franchises were made for entertainment while others were made for profit, nevertheless, they are part of someone’s childhood. So which part of your favorite franchise do you remember, the shows or the toys?
Read More From The Able Show Contributors.
https://theableshow.com/what-came-first-the-plastic-or-the-show
https://www.awn.com/animationworld/dr-toon-when-reagan-met-optimus-prime