Wow, I never knew about this illustration of Lawrence Montaigne for the card art on back of this vintage Mego figure meant to depict his Romulan character Decius or at least a generalized Romulan character. I wonder if he ever knew about it. I doubt it. TV actors of his generation rarely ever saw any type of royalties for toys or merchandise using their likeness. And I agree with you that the sculptors likely used the appearance of Mark Lenard for the reasons you gave. The Romulan illustration on the back though is definitely of Lawrence. I recognized him right away in this video's thumbnail as I was searching Star Trek related RUclips videos, which is why I immediately clicked on it. Years ago, during the late 80's, I was fortunate enough to be in the stage production of To Kill a Mockingbird with Lawrence. He played the lead character Atticus Finch and I played Dill Harris the next door neighbor. It was quite a memorable experience working with him. We all rehearsed for a 2 to 3 months and then performed the play about 10 times before an audience. I remember afterwards he invited us all to his house for a cast party which was also memorable. He had expressed that during the early part of shooting the original Star Trek series, he was asked to possibly take over the role of Spock, because Leonard Nimoy was strongly considering the idea of leaving the show. Lawrence described one time when he was invited over to Leonard's house, possibly to discuss this transition, and said that Leonard was a bit moody and was being a bit anti-social that night. He explained his wife sort of came to the rescue and made him feel like a welcomed guest. But as fate would have it, Leonard decided to stay with the show to continue playing Spock. However, Lawrence would later get to reprise his Vulcan character Stonn in the 2008 film, Star Trek: Of Gods and Men. I was happily surprised to see that when I did. He also once called me on the phone, because I just happened to be auditioning for the same agent he had had for years. I didn't know that at the time. It was just a coincidence. He simply called to give me encouragement, which was really nice of him. May Lawrence rest in peace. He was an interesting man who played many roles in life.
To date, only the Talos figure, the original version of the Gorn, and the Neptunian have not been remade by any company. The retro remakes are in my collection.
I don't have a strong attachment to the Mego 8" line, despite the fact that I had about a half-dozen of them when I was a kid. I say this only to point out that your excellent videos, and your genuine enthusiasm for these toys, make me enjoy them through your eyes, if that makes sense. You do a great job sharing the Mego story -- and, more importantly, *your* Mego story -- and that's what keeps me coming back to your great channel. Thank you for all that you do!
I wondered why the original Mego Star Trek line disappeared so abruptly in 1977. I remember seeing a bunch of those second wave aliens at Kroger's grocery store, and I really dug the Andorian and the Romulan, but the aliens disappeared quickly and soon every other piece of merchandise did as well. I thought it was even odder when certain original series Mego merchandise reappeared in 1979, sort of. I have to admit, the mismatch between the card art and the face sculpt on the Romulan really bugged me as a kid. Both Mark Leonard and the actor who played Stonn have really, really distinctive faces; the illustration looked nothing like the figure.
Once again a really well researched and presented video. This toyline wasnt on my radar as a kid or even as an adult, but learning about and appreciating this toyline is such a joy when presented by you mate 👍😉😎
@@BrickMantooth does where you buy stuff influence how you feel about it? Say if you found it at a yard sale or an old timey store as opposed to eBay or a seller of that merchandise?
I never had any of these or even saw them that I can recall. But as always your enthusiasm for the toys and your making of these detailed videos to share your collection makes me feel as though I am also a collector of these. In a real sense you ARE a museum and function that way for us who have not invested the time and energy and money into collecting and housing all this stuff! Thank you!
I remember in a catalogue from a toy seller in the early 90’s seeing the original figures for sale. I never knew they made these aliens other than the Klingon. The prices for the “crew” were $20-$30 loose but the prices for the second wave aliens were much higher $200-$350 loose. They claimed these were rare due to a warehouse fire they said Mego set themselves. I ended up buying all the 12” TMP figures except Decker which was $150. I ended up picking him up later for $75 on EBay. Also I was able to get this second wave carded except the Romulan which I have loose.
I don't have a great deal of Star Trek stuff or 8" stuff but I did run across the early 2000s MC toys repros and picked them up. I have the blue guy with suction cup antenna and a ol skool klingon. It was early on in my restart of collecting.
Great video as always! There's a Star Trek Mego player commercial in a video I recently watched by the channel 'MoneMedia.' He takes cartoons, commercials and station bumpers to weave 2-3 hour "Saturday Morning" videos. He even tries to get the lineups/schedules exactly what they were when they were broadcast. He's got stuff from early early 70s clear up to mid and late 90s. Like I said though, one of the most recent posts had a Mego Star Trek playset commercial. Sorry I wrote such a long comment just to say that....
On the “I didn’t get paid for this” what was his tone in saying that? More ligit bitter, or more playful sarcasm? Thanks for the review. I have such great memories of the Enterprise playset with the transporter. Ahh memories.
It’s just like with the Star Wars actors. Unless something was inked in a contract for the actor’s likeness, they really have no say and certainly no compensation owed. Whomever owns the property franchise rights, owns the character rights. Mark was playing a character, and that’s what was being sold with the action figure. There were exceptions, as I do believe that Charleton Heston had a clause in his Apes contract for merchandising.
WOW!! FANTASTIC VIDEO ! I agree and wish they world recreate them on their original form ! JUST PROVES HOW INNOVATIVE & AHEAD OF ITS TIME MEGO WAS !! A GREAT AMERICAN COMPANY
That's a great set. I had a couple Star trek Megos as a kid, but don't remember ever seeing the wave 2 set. While I'm confused about the Mugatto wardrobe, I would have loved to get those, either as a kid or now. Maybe it was originally intended to have a gorilla body, but those were what was destroyed when that boat crashed into the warehouse and all Mego had left was a crate full of red slacks...?
The aliens from Talos! No matter how many times I've watched those episodes, the "heinie head" view from behind is always a surprise (I know the human brain has two hemispheres, but still!).
Mark Lenard is (was?) The only actor to play a Romulan, a Vulcan and a Klingon. He was the captain of the D7 squadron that fired at the V'ger cloud and was destroyed in the Motion picture. With all the newer Trek series around, I doubt he's still the only one who has played all 3
I don't know if Suzie Plakson ever played a Romulan, but she's played a Vulcan (Dr. Selar), a human/Klingon (Keylahr-sp?), a Q, and an Andorian (Shran's XO/SO in _Enterprise)._ I'm sure she's played others, but those are the ones I recall off the top of my head.
I never saw any of these as a kid and I did not know about them till I grew up. Talos like something from Lost in Space and I like Disco Mugato. Mugato( no horn or back spikes) was in of Here's Lucy Season 1, Episode 22, "Lucy's Safari".
I never saw the aliens line in stores here in Canada as I was growing up, I did get the whole set of the original figures, I even got Shatner, Nimoy and Nichols to sign their action figures.
Great video. Love how you went through each one and tried to figure out the design behind it. If New Mego makes these figures I would rather them take a NECA super detailed approach. I would be willing to pay more.
I reaiiy liked the star trek line especially the aliens I would love a screen accurate Mugato as well as have the original headsculpt on a numego figure
The Mugato alien with that costume looks more at home as a Mos Eisley Cantina patron than a Star Trek character. When I was a kid in the 70's, I always thought he was a Star Wars action figure that got misplaced on the Star Trek line of toys.
I really like these "clunk" and all heh. You better believe reference materials were sparse and random bitd Ie. "What they want photo reference for this stupid toy?". ^_^ Lol what an anecdote getting your autograph, man we live in litigious times where everybody wants to be payed for everything no matter how small. Perhaps I should go easier on Mego and face likeness when lawyers swarm like piranhas around licenses. ;) I always thought they could have done more Aliens, Monsters, and Creatures on their own without any particular license since original creations have no guideline ijs. Plus there was a lot of interesting unofficial product surrounding Star Wars in toys, films, TV shows that it would have been interesting to see Mego do a figure series in that vein.
I was lucky enough to find all the vintage Star Trek aliens, except I never could get my hands on an original romulan. I had to settle for the figures toy company repro. I bought them all around 10 years ago and I hate to think how much, or if you can even find them all now.
@@BrickMantooth The Quadrant breathlessly awaits his next line, Pakled Derelicte! It is a fashion, nay a way of life, inspired by the very scavengers, interstellar vagrants and those who look for things that make them go that make the wonderful Alpha Quadrant so unique!
To this day I have never seen an original Mego 70's Romulan ever at a convention and even in the mid 80's in Austin Texas which was a haven for extremely rare mego including Teen Titans ect. The others and love disco Mugato were available but no Romulans.
Rich Video: Well thought out & presented (🎤🎧"artistic license"🎵🎶). L-o-v-e those figure close-ups: Timelessly mesmerizing. Thanks for creating & editing this (& the fun features). 🏅Extremely tickled to see Paul's EMCE Mugato prototype photos. Drool.
Myths and Rumors ; Funny , the Aurora model kit from the 1960s Bride of Frankenstein was always "the rare one". RUMOR : it was because the molds were traveling on a train and it crashed ! LOL This was very much BELIEVED by fans and experts for decades.
@@Forest_Giant No it doesn't. That definition is incorrect. You're probably thinking of the term "Sapient being" which does mean self aware. Thank you.
Wow, I never knew about this illustration of Lawrence Montaigne for the card art on back of this vintage Mego figure meant to depict his Romulan character Decius or at least a generalized Romulan character. I wonder if he ever knew about it. I doubt it. TV actors of his generation rarely ever saw any type of royalties for toys or merchandise using their likeness. And I agree with you that the sculptors likely used the appearance of Mark Lenard for the reasons you gave. The Romulan illustration on the back though is definitely of Lawrence. I recognized him right away in this video's thumbnail as I was searching Star Trek related RUclips videos, which is why I immediately clicked on it. Years ago, during the late 80's, I was fortunate enough to be in the stage production of To Kill a Mockingbird with Lawrence. He played the lead character Atticus Finch and I played Dill Harris the next door neighbor. It was quite a memorable experience working with him. We all rehearsed for a 2 to 3 months and then performed the play about 10 times before an audience. I remember afterwards he invited us all to his house for a cast party which was also memorable. He had expressed that during the early part of shooting the original Star Trek series, he was asked to possibly take over the role of Spock, because Leonard Nimoy was strongly considering the idea of leaving the show. Lawrence described one time when he was invited over to Leonard's house, possibly to discuss this transition, and said that Leonard was a bit moody and was being a bit anti-social that night. He explained his wife sort of came to the rescue and made him feel like a welcomed guest. But as fate would have it, Leonard decided to stay with the show to continue playing Spock. However, Lawrence would later get to reprise his Vulcan character Stonn in the 2008 film, Star Trek: Of Gods and Men. I was happily surprised to see that when I did. He also once called me on the phone, because I just happened to be auditioning for the same agent he had had for years. I didn't know that at the time. It was just a coincidence. He simply called to give me encouragement, which was really nice of him. May Lawrence rest in peace. He was an interesting man who played many roles in life.
The sculps on these heads are amazing for a toy from that period
I agree.
The Mugato backstory makes this compulsive viewing alone; fascinating stuff! Just love all of these figures, pure Mego joy.
To date, only the Talos figure, the original version of the Gorn, and the Neptunian have not been remade by any company. The retro remakes are in my collection.
I don't have a strong attachment to the Mego 8" line, despite the fact that I had about a half-dozen of them when I was a kid. I say this only to point out that your excellent videos, and your genuine enthusiasm for these toys, make me enjoy them through your eyes, if that makes sense. You do a great job sharing the Mego story -- and, more importantly, *your* Mego story -- and that's what keeps me coming back to your great channel. Thank you for all that you do!
Man what great memories and feelings i get when I see something i forgot about long ago.
I wondered why the original Mego Star Trek line disappeared so abruptly in 1977. I remember seeing a bunch of those second wave aliens at Kroger's grocery store, and I really dug the Andorian and the Romulan, but the aliens disappeared quickly and soon every other piece of merchandise did as well. I thought it was even odder when certain original series Mego merchandise reappeared in 1979, sort of.
I have to admit, the mismatch between the card art and the face sculpt on the Romulan really bugged me as a kid. Both Mark Leonard and the actor who played Stonn have really, really distinctive faces; the illustration looked nothing like the figure.
Yeah, it's obvious that the artist used a still from the show and the sculptor obviously used another.
Awesome video! Love hearing all the background info on these classic Mego action figures!👍
The Trekulator would definitely be the centerpiece of any Trek collection.
I remember as a kid being at the department store and seeing the CHERON and thinking “Who wants that?” Well I do now.
I was like that with Talos.
Fun fact. On the episode featuring the Mugato , the creatures name was really Gumato. But De forest Kelley messed up a lot saying Mugato, so it stuck.
Talosian is in his vacation outfit, used for collecting beings from other planets for their zoo. The nightgown was his regular everyday outfit.
@@johnbockelie3899 he mispronounced a lot of things. Like in JOURNEY TO BABEL when Spock’s mother told him of the SAY-LOT and he asked SELL-IT?
Once again a really well researched and presented video. This toyline wasnt on my radar as a kid or even as an adult, but learning about and appreciating this toyline is such a joy when presented by you mate 👍😉😎
Also I was at a RITE AID into the 90s and they still had a MEGO LT UHURA. Man... I should have grabbed it.
I bought a lot of them in the 80s, the 90s, wow!
@@BrickMantooth so you saw them still in stores? I thought 1995 was a long time for a toy like that to be in a regular store.
I saw several in Ben Franklin stores in the late 80s.
@@BrickMantooth does where you buy stuff influence how you feel about it? Say if you found it at a yard sale or an old timey store as opposed to eBay or a seller of that merchandise?
I never had any of these or even saw them that I can recall. But as always your enthusiasm for the toys and your making of these detailed videos to share your collection makes me feel as though I am also a collector of these. In a real sense you ARE a museum and function that way for us who have not invested the time and energy and money into collecting and housing all this stuff! Thank you!
Incredibly nice of you to say, thank you!
@@BrickMantooth tis true. Thank you for what you do and the way you do it!
I wish I had these as a kid, I missed out on the 2nd series Ailens. I do remember seeing Talos and Mugato in stores But never able to bring one home
I would love Mego to release that version of the Mugato. I have all the originals, repros and the new releases, and I can't wait for me
Me either, the more TOS, the better.
I have all of these figures. They were a common buy in Canada. I remember I made Mr. Talos a silver suit, but I still have his yellow clown suit.
I remember in a catalogue from a toy seller in the early 90’s seeing the original figures for sale. I never knew they made these aliens other than the Klingon. The prices for the “crew” were $20-$30 loose but the prices for the second wave aliens were much higher $200-$350 loose. They claimed these were rare due to a warehouse fire they said Mego set themselves. I ended up buying all the 12” TMP figures except Decker which was $150. I ended up picking him up later for $75 on EBay. Also I was able to get this second wave carded except the Romulan which I have loose.
I don't have a great deal of Star Trek stuff or 8" stuff but I did run across the early 2000s MC toys repros and picked them up. I have the blue guy with suction cup antenna and a ol skool klingon. It was early on in my restart of collecting.
Great video as always! There's a Star Trek Mego player commercial in a video I recently watched by the channel 'MoneMedia.' He takes cartoons, commercials and station bumpers to weave 2-3 hour "Saturday Morning" videos. He even tries to get the lineups/schedules exactly what they were when they were broadcast. He's got stuff from early early 70s clear up to mid and late 90s. Like I said though, one of the most recent posts had a Mego Star Trek playset commercial. Sorry I wrote such a long comment just to say that....
Thanks for commenting, no apologies for long comments.
On the “I didn’t get paid for this” what was his tone in saying that? More ligit bitter, or more playful sarcasm?
Thanks for the review. I have such great memories of the Enterprise playset with the transporter. Ahh memories.
He wasn't happy, not shouting but he frowny.
It’s just like with the Star Wars actors. Unless something was inked in a contract for the actor’s likeness, they really have no say and certainly no compensation owed. Whomever owns the property franchise rights, owns the character rights. Mark was playing a character, and that’s what was being sold with the action figure. There were exceptions, as I do believe that Charleton Heston had a clause in his Apes contract for merchandising.
Definitely like the classic ones👽🖖
WOW!! FANTASTIC VIDEO ! I agree and wish they world recreate them on their original form ! JUST PROVES HOW INNOVATIVE & AHEAD OF ITS TIME MEGO WAS !! A GREAT AMERICAN COMPANY
WOW, I never knew the Mugato had bending ankles, another great video.
Thank You!
Glad you liked it!
That's a great set.
I had a couple Star trek Megos as a kid, but don't remember ever seeing the wave 2 set.
While I'm confused about the Mugatto wardrobe, I would have loved to get those, either as a kid or now.
Maybe it was originally intended to have a gorilla body, but those were what was destroyed when that boat crashed into the warehouse and all Mego had left was a crate full of red slacks...?
I love this channel. I wish y'all could do a new vid everyday (although I know that's not possible).
Thanks, I'll try to get a little more productive, want to amp up some things here.
The aliens from Talos! No matter how many times I've watched those episodes, the "heinie head" view from behind is always a surprise (I know the human brain has two hemispheres, but still!).
Yeah my friend calls them "bum heads"
Aliens are cool!!
Mark Lenard is (was?) The only actor to play a Romulan, a Vulcan and a Klingon. He was the captain of the D7 squadron that fired at the V'ger cloud and was destroyed in the Motion picture. With all the newer Trek series around, I doubt he's still the only one who has played all 3
Not sure but he is the only actor to get action figures in both Mego lines outside of the original crew.
I don't know if Suzie Plakson ever played a Romulan, but she's played a Vulcan (Dr. Selar), a human/Klingon (Keylahr-sp?), a Q, and an Andorian (Shran's XO/SO in _Enterprise)._
I'm sure she's played others, but those are the ones I recall off the top of my head.
Scenario 3:
A boat on fire crashed into a warehouse, also on fire 🔥 👌 😳
Yes, so much fire.
I never saw any of these as a kid and I did not know about them till I grew up. Talos like something from Lost in Space and I like Disco Mugato. Mugato( no horn or back spikes) was in of Here's Lucy Season 1, Episode 22, "Lucy's Safari".
Fantastic video
Appreciate the insight ✌️🇮🇪🙏
I have these still minty. Just love them. Hoping Mego reissues Talos
Interesting video about very cool 😎 action figures! Plus I saw 👀 your magazine in Forbidden Planet London 🤩
I never saw the aliens line in stores here in Canada as I was growing up, I did get the whole set of the original figures, I even got Shatner, Nimoy and Nichols to sign their action figures.
Great video. Love how you went through each one and tried to figure out the design behind it. If New Mego makes these figures I would rather them take a NECA super detailed approach. I would be willing to pay more.
Absolutely love these toys! Besides loose limbs due to hinge pins/ rivets. Easy fix though.
Very cool.
I want that screen accurate magottu.
Nuff said
I reaiiy liked the star trek line especially the aliens I would love a screen accurate Mugato as well as have the original headsculpt on a numego figure
Excellent review
Disco Mugato is the best version of the character - fight me :D.
Heh, i don't wanna.
@@BrickMantooth thank god! you'd totally kick my ass :D
I never saw these on local pegs . We tended to see the same figures year round
The Mugato alien with that costume looks more at home as a Mos Eisley Cantina patron than a Star Trek character. When I was a kid in the 70's, I always thought he was a Star Wars action figure that got misplaced on the Star Trek line of toys.
If my lottery numbers come up I look forward to being able to afford these figures.
fingers crossed.
I really like these "clunk" and all heh. You better believe reference materials were sparse and random bitd Ie. "What they want photo reference for this stupid toy?". ^_^
Lol what an anecdote getting your autograph, man we live in litigious times where everybody wants to be payed for everything no matter how small. Perhaps I should go easier on Mego and face likeness when lawyers swarm like piranhas around licenses. ;)
I always thought they could have done more Aliens, Monsters, and Creatures on their own without any particular license since original creations have no guideline ijs. Plus there was a lot of interesting unofficial product surrounding Star Wars in toys, films, TV shows that it would have been interesting to see Mego do a figure series in that vein.
Oh yeah, these days you need so many signatures although i still think Mego can make that Romulan without paying anybody.
i just joined have you done an Eagle Force video lately?
Planning on it.
The Romulan has a Federation phaser and communicator.
Yeah they reused the tooling.
When this video is re-released on blue ray, will the artist's renditions be done with 4K HD graphics?
Special edition is coming soon but I think Lucas will mess with my sketches.
I was lucky enough to find all the vintage Star Trek aliens, except I never could get my hands on an original romulan. I had to settle for the figures toy company repro. I bought them all around 10 years ago and I hate to think how much, or if you can even find them all now.
Mugato became a famous fashion designer. Hence the outfit.
Ah, yes, I forgot about the piano tie.
@@BrickMantooth The Quadrant breathlessly awaits his next line, Pakled Derelicte! It is a fashion, nay a way of life, inspired by the very scavengers, interstellar vagrants and those who look for things that make them go that make the wonderful Alpha Quadrant so unique!
To this day I have never seen an original Mego 70's Romulan ever at a convention and even in the mid 80's in Austin Texas which was a haven for extremely rare mego including Teen Titans ect. The others and love disco Mugato were available but no Romulans.
I lucked out and found one at a toy show 20 years back.
my first series was the cartoon...did we ever get the cat woman who worked on the bridge? if not, will we?
I had the Neptunian.
I wonder why they DIDN'T just slap a horn onto a Planet of the Apes head sculpt for the Mugato.
I guess the sculpts weren't that expensive.
Rich Video: Well thought out & presented (🎤🎧"artistic license"🎵🎶).
L-o-v-e those figure close-ups: Timelessly mesmerizing. Thanks for creating & editing this (& the fun features).
🏅Extremely tickled to see Paul's EMCE Mugato prototype photos. Drool.
thanks man, glad you dug it!
I didn’t have any of these aliens. I had Spock and Kirk.
I only ever had Klingon.
Myths and Rumors ; Funny , the Aurora model kit from the 1960s Bride of Frankenstein was always "the rare one". RUMOR : it was because the molds were traveling on a train and it crashed ! LOL This was very much BELIEVED by fans and experts for decades.
An Away team teamed up with Burk and Allen, vs the Planet of the Apes.
I need to win something.
I know that Mego turned down Star Wars but it would have been interesting if they hadn't. I wonder what the line would have looked like?
I think it would have been 8" to start just to get it in realy quick but they'd have played with every format after that.
Looks just like William mconnel. Who?! Talon is sexy on tooluni. In a universe next to lunacy. Which is in the middle east.😜
"The Mugatu wasn't a sentient being" *
I make doll videos.
@@BrickMantooth ....and you need to use the correct words while speaking English.
Sentient being also means self-aware. Brian was correct.
@@Forest_Giant No it doesn't. That definition is incorrect. You're probably thinking of the term "Sapient being" which does mean self aware. Thank you.
@@The_Cosmic_Yog-Sothoth LMAO. Kids. Hire them while they still know it all.
disco-licious
TURN DOWN FOR WHAT
The new MEGO figure boxes are so LAME!!! No artwork whatsoever.
Yeah Paramount is being really crappy about packaging now.