Be Kind Rewind - 1982 Montgomery Wards Christmas Catalog
In this installment of Be Kind Rewind we will try to be kind as we look again at another vintage Christmas catalog. Here we will explore the 1982 Montgomery Ward Catalog. To give you an idea of what living in 1982 was like, here are some facts from pop culture. In the movie theaters ET delighted and frightened children along with movies like The Secret of Nihm, Annie, and Rankin and Bass' The Last Unicorn. On the small screen, broadcast television was in its heyday with offerings like Cheers, Family Ties, Silver Spoons, Pac Man Cartoon, Smurfs, and Knight Rider. For the adults and night owls, David Letterman's Late Night with David Letterman would debut. On the radio, you heard dynamic tunes like Micheal Jackson's Thriller from the monumental album of the same title, as well as hits like Rosanna by Toto, Only the Lonely by The Motels, and Don't you want Me? by Human League just to name a few. Epcot (experimental community of tomorrow) Center opens in Disney. The average new car price was less than $8000.00, average rent was $320.00 and at the pump gas was only 91 cents per gallon.
Smurfs were a hot commodity in 1982. first created as comic book charterers in 1958 by Belgian artist Pierre Culliford know commonly as Peyo. Most Americans (especially children) became aware of the Smurfs in 1981 when Hanna Barbera developed the property into a massively successful Saturday Morning cartoon series. It's original run lasted till 1989 and till 1990 on reruns. Here we see an entire page devoted to Smurf licensed products. Most notably to this observer is the Smurf Power Cycle (similar to Big Wheels) which only cost $19.99.
Little Orphan Annie was a comic strip that debuted in 1924. Between 1930 and 1942 it was adapted into a popular radio drama,as immortalized in the holiday classic "A Christmas Story" which took place in the 40's. It took a 1982 very popular 1982 movie starring Carol Burnett for Annie to return into the spotlight. On these pages we see everything from dolls to dress up, to records players baring Annie's licensed likeness along with her trusty dog Sandy.
1979 to 1985
Another property that was massively popular was the Dukes of Hazard. A simple, kid friendly show about two well meaning but brazen good ol' boys who always manage to drive their muscle car right into (or over) entaglements with the comically inept Hazard police whom exist under the foot of the villainous hazard county commissioner Boss Hogg. One of several car-centric shows in the early eighties it was the low tech back woods alternative to the futuristic slick Knight Rider show which would debut in 1982. In 2015 the show was all but erased because of the use of the confederate flag on the hero vehicle. It is now available to stream.
Another property that was massively popular was the Dukes of Hazard. A simple, kid friendly show about two well meaning but brazen good ol' boys who always manage to drive their muscle car right into (or over) entaglements with the comically inept Hazard police whom exist under the foot of the villainous hazard county commissioner Boss Hogg. One of several car-centric shows in the early eighties it was the low tech back woods alternative to the futuristic slick Knight Rider show which would debut in 1982. In 2015 the show was all but erased because of the use of the confederate flag on the hero vehicle. It is now available to stream.
This Dukes of Hazard garage play tent prominantly features the general lee, a 1969 dodge charger one of the most beautifull car designs in american automotive history.
Mash was a television drama-commedy anbout a military hospital during the korean war. hardfly what you would expect for kids liscnceing but here we have sleepwear.
The pepermint people.
Giant puffy coats were manditory for 80's moms. this lady knew how to rock hers, however her pose only seems to exagerate the sheer size of the garment.
Garfield, still somwhat popular today was quite apopular charecter in 1982. after all the comic had only bagun national sindication in 1976, so still a reltatively fresh franchise.
Fake trees in a simulated forest embellished with taxidermy animals.
I will check to see if I can find these 12 days of Christmas glasses on ebay.
Bright brass home decor was a thing in the eighties.
These terribly frightening faces would spit water on you.Charming.
I have always wanted this globe with hidden bar inside.
This clock apparently told time with coins.
Class exemplified with these toilet seat clocks.
Bean bag chairs were very popular in the eighties. Here we see extensive color choices in cold as hell vinyl.
Some novelty lighting including a giant light bulb which is actually kinda cool.
Licensed Star Wars and Incredible Hulk watches along with a generic football themed watch.
Here we see several licensed sleeping bags including Garfield Pepsi G.I. Joe and Sesame Street.
Before cell phones and smart watches we had clock radios at our bedside to wake us in the morning.
The 110 film format was introduced in 1972 by Kodak. These "bone" shaped film cartridges required no rewinding because the film simply moved from one side to the other. The design yielded a different camera shape that was in some respect more compact than traditional 35mm cameras.
One of many Polaroid instant camera sold during the eighties, this Amigo 600 Land camera is finished in a unique tan color.
A gift for someone who has everything, a pen with a digital clock embedded.
This Pac Man watch featured a playable version of the popular video game.
Given the popularity of Pac Man and Mrs. Pac Man, its not surprising that some plush novelties would be sold. Its just too bad they look the way they do. Sheesh.
First created in 1974 Monchhichi dolls were monkey like creatures designed so suck their thumbs. They reached their height of popularity in the US in the early eighties. They are however still around including new toys and a digitally animated series.
These licensed stuffed characters could speak they included Yogi Bear, Big Bird, Tweety Bird and Sylvester the cat.
Here we have the Muppets characters along with Curious George dressed for a jog. Which begs the question when and why did we stop using the word jogging in favor or running?
This Gabriel show ant tell device was produced by Gabriel am maker of child guidance toys (whatever that means) it showed still images on a color screen accompanied by audio provided by a phonograph.
Based on the popular television comedy WKRP the toy DJ control panel featured a record player and microphone. Oddly enough, the show, which began in 1978 would be on its last season in 1982, the time of this toys release.
Some kid friendly record offerings.
Here are some license guitars, an acoustic style featuring Willie Nelson and an electric style showcasing John Schneider, whom was best know for acting The Dukes of Hazard but was also a popular country singer. He would achieve a #1 country song in 1984 with a tune called "Ive been around enough to know".
Quite a variety of snow conquering fun conveyances. We have the snow-nut inner tube, an inflatable Crayola crayon box (bent at the front), a Pac Man saucer, a plastic molded steerable "snow machine" and a duck face pull sled for the younger ones.
These ride on toys... see page
Although not licensed, this Highway Patrol tricycle was probably inspired by the popularity of the C.H.I.P.s television show which aired from 1977 to 1983.
With a very memorable commercials to promote it this racing playset added a new dimension as the cars could climb the wall. cliff hangers by Tyco.
Here's something you don't see every day, A toy based on a Buick. these Buick Regal stock cars were molded very much like the street going Regals that cruised the streets of suburbia. Although they were sold separately, I presume they were offered in different frequencies so they could race each other.
Some GI joe vehicles including the jeep like vamp. tthese toys alwayd had a hign quality of sculpting combining reall life military vehicles with some fantasical designs.
Various novelty totes including garfiel ziggy and miss piggy.
This large scale camaro model needed to be assembled and painted.
Im pretty sure I wanted this blue and yellow bmx bike when i was a kid.
The Brook shields doll was a thing in 1982.
Chips playset includes a teo motorcycle figures, mustang patrol car and helicopter. Its safe to say these were likely repurposed toys with chips branding thrown on them.
Excellent detailing and scaling on this Pontiac firebird trans am ride on.
Just a few board games that were inspired by video games of the day.
Another idea that seems to have run its course, these portable home spas worked two ways. One was a foot bath and the other turned ordinary baths into a jetted tub.some even submersible had mats that allowed you to bath on a bed of air bubbles.
Like the before mentioned 110 the Kodak disc was another alternative to the 35mm cameras that made for a slimmer more compact camera.The discs shown only yielded 15 exposures.
At the same time that you could get a Le Gag you could also get a Le Car. the Le Car was a micro city car built by Renault and briefly sold in the united states and canada from 1976 through 1983.
My pretty pony was the precurser to my little pony. just one character the pony was larger and its hair could be brushed. laster the various designs colors and personality badges would be added to a smaller version with several characters and a phononomon would be born.
Nice molded detailing on this scale corvette radio control car.
Novelty radios including one for the bathroom, to be used presumably before hands are washed.
Novelty radios in the form of a classic luxury car and a cheeseburger.
This depiction of a Lancia Stratus a mid engine sports car that excelled in rally racing. This car was also the vehicle used as Wheeljack the first generation Transformer character in 1984.
Early adoption of the rerchargable batteries.
Clever to include a ring sizer right on the page.
This cute santa bear plays christmas songs. my gramma bought one like this for me and my cousins one year it was very similar but had an iluminated heat on its cheast.
Sauna suits were a vissual touchstone in the eighties often used to porttray someone who was over obsessed with working out. of course thier shiny baked potoaot look didnt help. Intended to increase your body temperature during a workout, and with several promised but unproven benifits use of these suits can actually cause hyperthermia and dehydration.
This magnifying screen was sold in order to increase the size of television screens.
Toys inspired by the Smokey and the bandit movies. The first movie was in 1977 and the second in 1980 but its was still apparently a draw for children's toys. These toys are tied two the second movie in which they transport an elephant. A third movie would come out later in 1983.
The popular Texas Instruments electronic educational toys got a boost in 1982 by its inclusion in the immensely popular E.T, movie.
This plane made by tonka was fairly large scale it was made of plastic and could house a 3"figure. At the bottom was a pistol grip that controlled the spinning propellers.