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13 vintage 'Happy Days' toys from the 1970s
Happy Days was a show nostalgic for the 1950s — and it lasted longer than the 1950s decade itself. For an incredible 11 seasons, the sitcom was a cultural phenomenon. It spawned Laverne & Shirley and Joanie Loves Chachi and Mork & Mindy and Saturday morning cartoons. It gave us Robin Williams and "jumping the shark." The Fonz's leather jacket is in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.
At the peak of its popularity in the mid- to late-1970s, Happy Days ignited a merchandising craze. If kids wanted something with Fonzie on it, they could find it. Here are some of our favorite items from the era.
1. Action figures
A little lever on Fonzie's back gave him thumbs-up action. The Meco company even manufactured action figures for Mr. and Mrs. C.
2. Bed sheets
You could sit on it right where it said "Sit on it!"
3. Toy motorcycles
Copywriters of the time knew: six As and eight Ys for the official Fonzie "aaaaaayyyyyyyy!"
4. Trading cards
Kids could not get enough of Tom Bosley.
5. Toy cameras
This tied in with the Fonz and the Happy Days Gang cartoon, which featured time travel and a dog named Mr. Cool.
6. Fonzie's garage play sets
A place for all your action figures to chill and listen to some Bill Haley.
7. Nehi cans
We always knew Mr. C was sweet.
8. Lunch boxes
While not mysterious, these were all over cafeterias.
9. Paper dolls
It wasn't just jeans and jacket for the Fonz.
10. Stuffed Fonzies
For cuddling at night in your Happy Days bed, of course.
11. Halloween costumes
The unsold stock was possibly rebranded as Ronald Reagan masks.
12. Video games
We wonder if Henry Winkler had to put in a quarter of if he could just whack it to start it up.
13. Novels
What is the truth about Fonzie?
The Goonies Playing Cards
$11.99
Svengoolie® T-Shirt
$19.95
I Love Lucy - Lucy Lines
$19.95
Svengoolie® Squares T-Shirt
$19.95
Women's Svengoolie® T-Shirt
$19.95
Svengoolie® Squares T-Shirt
$19.95
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1 Comments
I may be the only one, but I just got so sick and tired of hearing "aaaaaayyyyyyy" everywhere back then.