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GI Joe
“G. I. Joe . . . A Real American Hero G. I. Joe is there”
The chronically American among you might be surprised to discover that we did not have GI Joe in the UK. Instead we had the vastly superior Action Man. Essentially they were exactly the same thing, but with different names. The reason for this is that GI isn’t a military term over here. In fact the only thing I can think of that uses that particular acronym is Gastro Intestinal which, on the whole, isn’t the best theme for a line of children’s toys.
I’ve a vague recollection of seeing the cartoon on the odd Saturday morning, but it never really glued itself to my consciousness. After it began airing over here Hasbro did bring out a range of 3 3/4 inch high American style action figures, but again I can’t really remember them being very popular.
Apparently there is GI Joe film being produced and scheduled for release in 2009. That’s all well and good, but when is the Visionaries vs Centurions movie that the public are clamoring for going to be produced??
on Dec 22nd, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Now that I think about it, what does GI stand for? Ground Infantry? Gorilla Infestation? Granola Insistence?
Avitable’s last blog post..Grazie
on Dec 23rd, 2007 at 12:04 am
NOW you’re talking my language. I had the deluxe GI Joe with actual fuzzy hair and beard AND a string you could pull out of his chest that played about 10 different (and scratchy) recordings such as “set up team headquarters here.”
I eventually lost it in a parachute jump gone bad and was devastated for years. I bet I went back 20 times to try to find it.
Oh geez, now I’m all depressed again. Thanks a lot Dan. Merry fricken Christmas.
Jeff’s last blog post..Hey wait, I know this one…
on Dec 23rd, 2007 at 1:11 am
I never had an Action Man and I’m still bitter. Dudelet was given one complete with a black faux leather coat, big black boots (in a miniature sort of way) and black meant-to-be-leather trousers. The overall effect was actually kind of butch, if you see what I mean. Not what I remember but a good solid blow for diversity in the toybox.
(un)relaxeddad’s last blog post..Miscellany - Baby, Kale, and ?Tired and Emotional?
on Dec 23rd, 2007 at 9:25 am
Action Man ruled the world, and not the “new” Action Man with hair and a beard either - I’m talking the real original Action Man with painted on hair - the sailor one came blond - his wrist elastic may have also have been deliberately slackened in the factory.
I may have written about it somewhere but we too lost a “Tommy Gunn” (cheap Action Man” in a tragic parachute accident one day - once the elastic snaps inside you find you have paraplegic Tommy Gunn and he gets an honourable discharge from HM Armed Forces.
The rest of our Action Men died in another tragedy when their troop carrier caught fire in the garden one day - try explaining that to your mother when she comes home, it seemed like such a good idea at the time too.
Gary’s last blog post..A Merry Christmas Message From Santa …
on Dec 23rd, 2007 at 10:29 pm
Now that I am north of 40, GI, as you mentioned, has taken on a whole new meaning for me. And with two girly girls, I doubt I’ll being buying them and military action figures.
God’s speed, Joe.
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on Dec 25th, 2007 at 12:27 am
Neil had a talking Action Man, can’t remember if it also had roving eyes or if that was a separate one.
He also had several Action Man figures that Nanny had drawn mustaches on to make them look more like my Dad, who was in the Army at the time.
on Dec 25th, 2007 at 7:08 am
Having the same ’strange upbringing’ as my big sis did not leave you disadvantaged when it came to toys from across the pond. I had both Action Man and GI Joe figures especially in the late 80’s early 90’s smaller figures. Don’t you just love the PX?
Can’t remember a talking Action Man but they all had to have mustaches courtesy of Nanny. Also learnt like Gary that being launched from a second floor window with a round parachute was never a guarantee you would be able to walk again after meeting the concrete patio.
An early lesson that I still hold close today. :)