Marxism Takes Over The World

In the 1930s, Popeye was one of the first major toy hits to be licensed from cartoons or comic strips. Marx released a ton of cool tin toys based on the Sailor Man

At his peak popularity, Popeye sold more toys than any other character, even Mickey Mouse

Popeye’s face could sell anything

Marx did let Mickey get inon the act, thoo

Smokey Stover was a hot commodity back in the 1940s

The 1950s and 1960s were pretty cool, too

More classics from the Depression era

As we move to later eras, you see plastic replacing metal on kid’s toys

I know, I’ve posted photos of The Great Garloo in this blog many times before…

…but have you ever seen THE BOX?

Likewise, every chance I get, I post a photo of Big Loo…

…but I never thought I’d see the box he came in. That thing is HUGE!

We can’t leave out one of Marx’s biggest successes, Rock ‘Em, Sock “Em Robots, designed by Marvin Glass Associates

Marx sold some pretty nifty vehicles, too

Y’know, not all toys are made for kids. The semi-nude “Bathing Beauties” were given out by Louis Marx to his buddies, not sold to the public

You will see more of the legendary Marx Playsets in part three

During WWII, the Marx factories shut down their toy production to make munitions, like this big honkin’ shell

Firemen hold a very special place in toyland

Marx also sold scientific and educational toys, like this  kit

Meanwhile on the licensing front, it’s Dick Tracy to the rescue

Dinosaurs and popguns…two great tastes that taste great together

Back in the Prototype Room, we find literally hundreds of hand-carved original figures

I’m not entirely sure what all this is, but it sure looks cool

Another shot of the science toys

Yeah, it’s Chief Cherokee, Thunderbolt, and Johnny West, but you still have to wait until part five to see more

One of the riding toys that carried Marx Toys through the 1970s

This was the one that really took off…The Big Wheel