The Ghosts and the Teen Idols

What's cooler than the Partridge Family? The Partridge Family in a Haunted Hall, that's what! I can just picture those groovy Partridges running around like they were in a Scooby Doo episode, except Mrs. Partridge would never put up with that ghost nonsense.

A Tan Brady is a Happy Brady

I remember my Dad buying this book for me when I was sick. That was really cool of him. The thing I don't understand is why I felt compelled to not only rate their tans, but write it on the cover in ballpoint pen.

One More Childhood Dream Shattered...

What kid wouldn't want a bowl full of happiness? I always wanted sea monkeys, but never had any. I never met anyone who had them either. But I have heard distant grumblings from the many who bought them, and instantly burst into tears.

Another Fine Product

These used to be displayed next to the bubblegum cards. There were a total of 55 cards to collect. I think I only bought one or two packs, but I remember being fascinated with them, folding them over and over. Give me a break. I was ten years old.










There were two sides. You fold them to make wacky new ads, newspaper headlines or faces, depending on the card.










Here's just one of the nine wacky pictures you could make.










They must not have been very successful because I never did try to collect all 55, and I didn't see them for sale any other year.

Kristy! Jimmy! Music! Mayhem!...and lots of Satin

Please tell me you remember this 45. I have no idea why someone would give the McNichols a record contract - except that they thought they could make money. I guess they did. I bought the 45 and the album. I listened to the single constantly, and even chalked up twenty two listens in one day. After I returned from the sanitarium, I made sure to only play it on alternating weekdays.

Alfred Hitchcock's Terror Inducing Children's Mysteries

The Three Investigators books ruled! I loved reading about their spooky adventures and always wished I could investigate mysteries with my friends. But we ever saw anything like that green ghost, we'd run right up a tree in terror.

Goddamn Dog Stole My Head!

It almost looks like Scooby's shadow is a pile of dirt...where he's buried the guys head.

Severe Disappointment Straight Ahead

Wow! Daredevil stunts! Wild action! That little cycle is jumping more cars than Evel Knievel. And look, it can also do wheelies! Why am I skeptical?

I will give you $100 for the one bubblegum card I'm missing

I loved the 1974 Planet of the Apes tv series. When they came out with bubblegum cards, I was determined to get the whole set. Every time my mom went to the mall, I would beg to be taken to Woolworths. The candy counter was the only place that I knew of that carried these bubblegum cards. I would buy three or four packs each time.

I finally got to the point where I had all but one card, and I just couldn't get it. For weeks I dutifully bought packs of cards and I never got the one missing card. My brother's friend got it, but he wouldn't trade it to me - bastard! So finally in a fit of desperation, I saved up some money and bought 20 packs of cards. The candy counter girl looked at me like I was insane. But I got the card I needed. In fact, I got about five of them. I ended up with three complete sets of cards, plus a huge stack of extras.

William Shatner Live...at a college campus near you

Wow, I got this postcard in 1977, which prompts me to believe that at some point I must have written a fan letter to William Shatner. How else would they get my address? I would have purchased the album, except I always spent my allowance right away and the thought of sending off for a record and then waiting weeks for it to arrive was too much for me. But I certainly wish I bought it. I'm sure it's full of hilarity. It was recorded on... Shatners college tour?!?! The first lp has readings from Shakespeare, H.G. Wells, and an explanation of how scifi developed through the years. The second lp has "droll stories, humorous anecdotes, the fun and laughter of Bill's inside stories" about Star Trek. Woah, Shatner's droll stories and explanation of scifi... what more could I ask for?