Older collectors little doubt keep in mind the Land of the Misplaced TV collection that ran from 1974-76 and youthful collectors are in all probability conscious of the 2009 movie adaptation of the present, starring Will Ferrell, however in-between the 2 there was a reboot of the present that solely 90’s children in all probability keep in mind. Additionally titled Land of the Misplaced, the present was created by Sid and Marty Krofft, who produced the unique collection. The present ran for 2 seasons on ABC, from 1991-92. Reruns had been later aired on Nickelodeon.
I watched Land of the Misplaced as a child and keep in mind it nicely…I do not forget that it was fairly terrible. The dinosaurs had been its solely redeeming high quality. They had been made with cease movement and puppets and seemed first rate for a 90’s child’s present, however additionally they didn’t get a lot display screen time. Lately, I noticed the present being talked about on social media and realized that it had its personal toy line. As a veteran dinosaur collector, I don’t know the way it escaped my discover. My curiosity piqued, I instantly set off to eBay to see what was on the market and found that they’d a T. rex! Most of them had been priced fairly excessive however there was one inside my price range and after some hemming and hawing I made a decision to buy it. Figuring out that I might evaluation it right here additionally motivated me.
This toy is of Scarface, the Tyrannosaurus rex that always threatened the present’s protagonists. Scarface was principally a reboot of Grumpy, the Tyrannosaurus from the unique present (and later film). Scarface is blind in his proper eye and has a large scar working down it. Together with his white eye, scar, and menacing toothy grin, Scarface was a memorable character. Scarface wasn’t a tail dragger, however he stood at an angle, someplace between a taildragger and the horizontal T. rex that wasn’t as prevalent in popular culture in 1991 as it might be two years later.
The Scarface toy was made in 1992 by Tiger Toys. He stands about 7.5” (19.05 cm) tall and a change on the again makes his eyes glow crimson and repeatedly roar a Godzilla-esq roar. His arms transfer up and down, and his head turns left and proper. My daughter says that it’s creepy and “demonic” regardless of a shelf in my room overflowing with dinosaur motion figures. It makes for a neat little animatronic, however the roar shortly will get annoying. It’s form of odd that each the eyes glow when considered one of them is meant to be blind nevertheless it’s greatest to not overthink these items.
To be truthful, my daughter’s evaluation of the toy is just not solely unwarranted. The toy has a considerably unsettling visage, with a large toothy grin, and enormous soulless eyes which are made creepier by the glowing impact. Scarface appears to be like like he needs to trigger hurt and would get pleasure from doing it. The snout is brief, and the top is rounded with the eyes perched excessive atop the top, like a frog.
The toy is retro in look, as it is best to anticipate from a 33-year-old toy, nevertheless it appears to be like even older than that. Prefer it’s from the 1950’s. It brings to thoughts different retro rexes, just like the Sinclair Dinoland Tyrannosaurus, the T. rex sculpture in Cabazon California (made well-known in Pee-wee’s Large Journey), and the T. rex from Carnosaur, amongst different previous dinosaur flicks. Followers of classic dinosaurs ought to discover so much to understand right here.
Scarface is vast within the hips because of the battery compartment, and the wide-legged stance additionally makes him secure. The legs can lock into place at varied factors and might rotate nearly all the way in which round, however the arms stop them from doing an entire 360. You may make him stand tall, sit down, or bend down for a snack.
Scarface is usually detailed with giant polygonal scales that appear to be dry cracked earth. His underside is detailed with wrinkles, as are his legs and arms under the knees. He has outstanding bony bosses over his eyes, and his proper eye has a wrinkled gash working down it. A ridge of scutes runs down the middle of his head, neck, and again. Scarface is painted darkish grey with a pale grey underside. His scar, enamel, and claws are all white.
Sadly, Scarface does have 5 seen screw holes alongside his again. I additionally suppose that it’s form of lame that his mouth can not open. Certain, it’s cool that his arms waggle round, however I believe children would have had extra enjoyable with him if his mouth wasn’t sculpted shut. These are my solely unfavorable criticisms in regards to the toy and contemplating its age they’re simple to dismiss.
This toy is simple to seek out on eBay for about $40-60 however I used to be capable of get mine (in working situation) for $20. It’s value staying vigilant for a cut price. Boxed specimens appear to go for a whole bunch of {dollars}, however the retro type field artwork is completely improbable and could be value pursuing for diehard followers of the present.
Scarface is a neat old style motion determine from a long-forgotten toy line and TV present. Whether or not you’re a fan of the 90’s Land of the Misplaced or not, this Tyrannosaurus ought to attraction to collectors of classic and distinctive dinosaur toys. Sadly, Scarface is actually the one first rate dinosaur that the toy line needed to supply. Different dinosaurs within the line embody a “pterodactyl” (Pteranodon) glider with a 29” wingspan, and a Triceratops and Muttaburrasaurus which are actually simply tweaked Undoubtedly Dinosaurs Playskool toys. The present additionally featured a Stegosaurus and broken-horned Triceratops and it’s a disgrace that enjoyable motion figures weren’t manufactured from these characters. I’ve little interest in accumulating extra Land of the Misplaced toys, however Scarface will look fairly at dwelling chilling with my Tyco dinosaurs.
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