I've always loved the look, feel and atmosphere of Space:1999 (1975 - 1977).
When I was a kid, I was certain that this was exactly what the future would look like. I'm disappointed to this day that it hasn't been the case.
My admiration for the Space: 1999 vibe extends to the series' inventive and futuristic props, such as the comm-lock and the staple-gun-styled stun gun used by The Alphans. Accordingly, as a child, one of my most prized possessions was indeed an "official" Space:1999 stun gun, a toy produced by Remco.
Featuring "realistic space sound" and "3 function actuator," this stun gun toy was actually little more than a flashlight, I suppose you could say. But when you de-pressed the trigger (located above the handle), you could "fire" a "lazer beam," "project a light target" on a wall (like an Eagle, for instance...) or enjoy the "sequential color lights."
If memory serves, Remco also produced a Star Trek phaser very much like this toy, with similar light and sound effects, and the same capability to project images on the wall. I'm pretty sure I had that one too, though I no longer own one today.
Recommended for children over five, the Remco stun gun operated on 2 "C" batteries, and proved a critical part of many interplanetary adventures...in my own backyard, of course.
I had both the Space:1999 gun and the Star Trek phaser. My biggest problem with them was their clunky size. Far bigger than the actual props and definitely too big for a child's hand. As a result, these usually stayed in the closet while I used my phaser from the AMT model kit and an ordinary staple gun for the Space:1999 stun gun. I'm sure my parents loved that.
ReplyDeleteFor those kids who couldn't get a store bought stun gun, they could have headed to the tool box and gotten a staple gun. Imagination...but not as fun as the real thing. Come to think of it, lasers in real life never look as fun as those in sci-fi movies and tv.
ReplyDeleteLoved this toy. Wish I still had mine!
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