Clash of the Titans was released in 1981 to Big
Screens across America. After the success of the movie, a toy line had to be
produced ! Mattel was chosen to produce the Action Figure recreations of the
characters of the movie. While the toy line was nice, for the era, I can only
lament what would have happened with this line if it was produced by a better
toymaker.
THALLO. The name rings fear in the hearts of ..... um ... someone. Maybe Giant Scorpions. Calibos's pitchfork ...
The figure is a decent likeness of Tom Pigott-Smith and it's fairly well detailed considering it was produced in '81.
Thallo came with
a Sword and Shield. Unfortunately, they were not movie accurate, but that's not a big complaint. The
sword is sculpted nicely with a good bit of detail. The shield incorporates two
clamps on the back to attach to his arm and is sculpted well too. The eagle
design is pretty intricate for a 3 3/4 scale figure of that era. Mattel could have included his Whip/Fly Swatter, but you cant have everything.
I have to admit, I like Thallo a lot. I used him the most out of all the Clash figures and I had all the action figures of this line. I
incorporated him into Dungeons and Dragons play pretty easily. Of course I wanted the Kraken ...... I usually used Thallo as a God that takes human form to fight alongside the mortals while dungeon delving. I know, Perseus was there, but I liked Thallo's Roman look.
One problem I have is the line should have been
produced by a better toymaker. There are so many more figures and accessories
that could have been incorporated. An Ammon with Bubo, the Stygian Witches and
Medusa come to mind. A "Gods" set and maybe Calibos's lair.....
What could have been ..... None the less, Thallo is a nice figure. I do take into consideration that in 1981 there wasn't
much emphasis on action figure quality so when looked at through that
perspective, Thallo and the line as a whole really stands out.
Like this ? Click this Link to read what I wrote about Perseus from the Clash line:
LOVED these- particularly fond of this one- you can see pics of the Kraken at my blog
ReplyDeleteThoroughly jealous of the Kraken ! I never managed to get one as a kid, I'd have to pay a pretty penny to get one now !!
DeleteWhat I don't get and I may have said it last time about Perseus....Is WHY a toymaker hasn't remade these today? But only in the 3 inch scale mind you...
ReplyDeleteIDK ! I would guess its because there is no cartoon or movie tie in for one. The last 2 movies werent exactly great either .....
DeleteGreat figures! Never run across them in the wild but I do keep my eyes out for them when am at the Fleas and Thrifts.
ReplyDeleteFIND A KRAKEN !!!!!! I had a lot of fun with these figures as a kid and, I guess, still am !!
DeleteYeah I would be hard press to pass on a Kraken if I found one but the price would have to be just right(Am on a budget you know lol).
DeleteBudget, smudget, so long as your buying toys !!! If I see a Kraken out there cheap, I'll snap some pictures to post here and send the figure to you !!
DeleteA Kalibos lair playset was shown in Mattel's catalog. It was never made. No huge loss, it was either vinyl covered printed backgrounds (Like old Mego playsets) or cardboard.
ReplyDeleteThanks ! I just looked that up, just a cardboard backdrop. So, that would have sucked ... I do wonder about that set ... I would love to know how they accomodated Calibos's tail on the Throne ... or did they just assume it fell off ? :)
DeleteI love that collection.
ReplyDeleteNow I want to punch myself for not buying Thallo when I saw him for $3 at the ToyCon....
3 bux !! You cant pass up a Vintage Figure for 3 bux !!
ReplyDeleteIt's Tim P-S not Tom
ReplyDelete