MOONRAKER-THE MEGO ACTION FIGURES
------------------------------
In order to partly offset the immense budget of MOONRAKER as many merchandising licences as possible were granted by Eon Productions in 1979. As with all of the previous 007 spectaculars purveyors of merchandise largely aimed at children climbed aboard what was always likely to be a satisfyingly profitable bandwagon. Lone Star produced a MOONRAKER 'Space Gun' whilst Topps sold their ever popular gum and cards. Corgi Toys offered aspiring secret agents a collection of die-cast vehicles and of course Mego provided children with the opportunity to recreate 007's exploits with a series of 12 Inch action figures. Surprisingly, and despite each of 007's cinematic outings proving incredibly popular with audiences, Mego were the first toy company since A.C.Gilbert in 1965 to produce officially licensed movie-specific 'James Bond' action figures. Although many of the most revered names in the industry have flirted with the action figure licence for Ian Fleming's legendary creation, amongst them Hasbro, Mattel and most currently Sideshow, none exhibit the pulling power amongst collectors as that of the original ground breaking Gilbert toys or Mego's MOONRAKER line. By 1979 Mego were concentrating extensively on figures of a larger scale than that which they had used to establish their name within the industry and the hearts of children around the globe. Following the meteoric rise to popularity of STAR WARS on cinema screens and in toy shops most all of MOONRAKER's Mego contemporaries were of a similar theme and size. Incredible figures based on STAR TREK THE MOTION PICTURE, THE BLACK HOLE and BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25th CENTURY flanked the 007 line but none would make a major impact on young consumers despite each selling respectably in both 12 Inch and 3 and 3/4 Inch scale.
Each of the MOONRAKER figures released officially in the US were sold in packaging of the 'window box with flap' variety common to many Mego lines of the period. Sumptuous Dan Gouzee artwork, showing Roger Moore 'in orbit', graced the flap to the left hand side of the thin box holding each figure. Sporting a cellophane covered cutaway window these boxes allowed the buyer a glimpse of the character within whilst still attached to its yellow backing card. The reverse of the box showed colour publicity photographs of the actors recreated in miniature to form Mego's MOONRAKER line. The key figure in the series was obviously "James Bond The World's Greatest Secret Agent..., Legendary Commander 007" as Mego's copy would have you well remember. Bearing a 1979 Eon Productions copyright on the back of neck the figure itself was a convincing interpretation of the character as portrayed by Roger Moore. The blue eyes and neatly barbered hair are all in evidence as is his trademark facial 'mole'. Now that is attention to detail! The costume is similarly representative of the outfit worn by Moore in poster artwork and publicity photographs for MOONRAKER although in the film itself he would not wear such a costume. The original screenplay however does include a sequence where 007 undertakes a perilous space-walk. As many licensed pieces of merchandise are developed whilst a given property is still in production it is entirely possible that this scene was to have appeared in MOONRAKER's final edit hence Mego's eagerness to dress the figure in such a manner. The one piece silver-grey outfit exhibits a suitably metallic sheen for one to believe it is indeed environmentally supportive. Elaborate stitching and felt squares, representing utility pockets at the knee, enhance greatly what could otherwise have been a very simplistic costume. The same cannot be said however for the pink 'socks' attached to the bottom of each leg. Although of use whilst dressing the figure perhaps another hue may have proven more appropriate to the stylish British agent! Hiding the socks are a pair of silver coloured plastic boots. White plastic 'cuff-lets' and a pair of white biceps shields add the finishing touches to a figure for which no small boy could have held disappointment.
Michael Lonsdale's likeness is captured almost without fault in Mego's MOONRAKER range. Another triumph for those commissioned by the company to sculpt for them. The Drax figure, using the standard 12 Inch 1977 Mego body, wears a facsimile of the costume worn by the French actor upon his first meeting with James Bond at his sprawling home in California during MOONRAKER's establishing scenes. A black collared jacket buttoned to the neck, standard 'Bond villain' attire, and dark grey trousers comprise the outfit with white footwear a little at odds to that which one might expect of the sartorially elegant criminal genius. A very minor fault in what is a classic Mego figure.
Holly Goodhead, or 'Holly' as she was more politely named by Mego, is perhaps the most lacklustre figure in the MOONRAKER line. Bearing little resemblance to the beautiful Lois Chiles and wearing a costume with only the most remote likeness to anything worn by the actress in the film itself it is hardly surprising that small boys generally ignored the figure back in 1979. When 007 first meets the gorgeous CIA operative at Drax's research centre in California she is wearing a functional beige dress. The rust-red outfit, in which Mego chose to clothe their figure, is of only of the most vague likeness to Holly's laboratory attire if indeed it is this costume that they were intending to duplicate in miniature. Publicity photographs show Lois Chiles wearing a costume of a similar colour but the style of Mego's dress is totally different to the genuine gown's beautiful design. However the dress is nicely made with a pocket, belt and buttons. A pair of white calf-length boots complete Holly's ensemble proving once more that Mego extended no small effort to the production of the outfit. The figure's body is that which was used for many of Mego's female figures of this period lacking much of the articulation of their male counterparts. She does however have a navel which is something of a surprise considering the issue many people still had with this particular piece of human anatomy even in 1979!
The final character in the series, the mercenary giant Jaws, would not see the distribution in the US enjoyed by the trio of figures which preceded him. Instead Italian company Ceppi Ratti sold the figure as part of their own release of the Mego MOONRAKER line. Mego's interpretation of Richard Kiel's most famous character was rather more diminutive than some may have hoped. What the figure lacked in height was countered in width boasting the 'Herculean' super-hero torso featured on many of Mego's comic-book based creations. The head sculpt is of a larger-than-life scale appropriate to the actor's proportions. A novel, although not entirely authentic, addition was the small magnetic plate in place of Jaws' memorable steel teeth. Clearly an appealing character to younger 007 enthusiasts Jaws would have certainly proven the most popular, alongside James Bond, had he been distributed with the earlier figures. Given their limited, largely European, release the figures now commands a high price when occasionally they appear for sale in mint and boxed condition. Although not dressed in clothes exhibiting an authentic colour scheme the blue shirt and trousers, with braces, and brown shoes are completely acceptable as those worn by Jaws in MOONRAKER.
Perhaps the finest single piece ever created by Mego is the deluxe 007 figure. Wearing the costume of the standard release figure the Ceppi Ratti exclusive version also enjoys the luxury of equipment used by US Space Marines in MOONRAKER. A four-piece helmet, including blast-shield, a chest pack with harness and a propulsion unit with hand controls clip together to create an incredible action figure. Along with appropriate oxygen and power cables and a beautifully crafted replica laser weapon there can be little doubt that this figure is indeed one of Mego's most highly sought. Breathtaking! Displayed in its unique window box this figure is much prized by Mego collectors and 007 enthusiast around the World. A shining star in Mego's firmament. As the poster artwork screamed "MOONRAKER IS OUT OF THIS WORLD". |
