Kenner Star Wars R2-D2

 

Welcome to my thirteenth year hear at The Toy Box. This year, things are going to be a bit different. While posts will continue to come at you every Monday, they won't always be ones focused on cataloging toy lines. In fact, for the most part, they won't be. Rather, I'll be looking at the items in my personal collection, focusing on one particular item at a time.

The format will stray from that of a straight up review, instead focusing on my own personal perspective on item. If it was something I had as a child, I'll share some personal fond memories. Or if it's something I acquired as an adult, I speak to what drew me to it.

I'd like to incorporate some of my own personal artwork, such as the piece you see to the left of this paragraph. The purpose is for nothing more than the fun of it, and the designs of each piece will be in a way that's a homage of sorts to the actual toy.

Everything launches today with a look at R2-D2 from the vintage Star Wars Kenner line.

I was four years old when I got my first Star Wars figures, and R2-D2 was not among them. Sadly, I don't know when I got my original R2 unit, but I know I had one. In fact, looking back on the entire vintage collection, I actually had all but three figures from the entire 1979 - 1985 line. The only ones I was missing were Luke Skywalker (in Stromtrooper Disguise), R2-D2 with Pop-Up Lightsaber and Yak Face. The latter of which I would have never even known about, since it was never released in the USA. Whenever it came to be in my assortyment of toys, I know that from that point on I played with it a lot.

While I don't have any memories directly about this figure, I will say that one of the things that meant a lot to me then, and still means a lot to me know, is how my mother knew all of the figure's names. 

Even now, I sometimes get into conversations with her, and sit back with smile as she starts prattling off the various names of what she calls, "The Star Wars People." I don't know what it is that makes me so happy about this. I guess it just really means a lot to me that my mom cared enough about what I was interest in as a kid to make sure she knew what I was talking about.

Even my sister, who is seven years older than I am, loves to remind me of what I would do as a kid. I would sit across from her with my Star Wars Darth Vader carrying case, pull out a figure and hold it up, waiting for her to tell me who it was. Though I don't think she necessarily remember who any of them are at this point. Maybe I should load up a case and go over to her place and test her.

As time went by, my original R2-D2 eventually got up sized to the sensor scope version released in The Empire Strikes Back waves. However, by the time I got one, it was well past the time to have a replacement. The dome on my original was chipping, and the sticker all but gone from around its body. Overall, it was in pretty bad shape.

I kept all of my original toys until around 1990 / 1991, when we moved from Oregon to Virginia. It was at this point that I was starting high school, and decided it was time for me to be done with them. Yes, it was one of the stupidest decisions I have ever made in life. But, I suppose many of us did.

It wouldn't be until September of 2016 that I would start collecting toys again. At first, I only wanted to collect a couple of the main characters from various toy lines to display on a shelf above my computer. This started with the vintage Masters of the Universe line, which quickly spiraled out of control. One figure turned into two, turned into six turned into all of them.

However, it wouldn't be until December of 2017 that I would turn my attention back to the original toy line I played with as a kid. R2-D2, as seen in these photos, would become this sixth figure in the original wave of Kenner's Star Wars toys that I would add to my collection. I spent hours pouring over ebay listings, looking for just the right one. Star Wars figures were expensive, and if I was going to do this, I was going to do it right. 100% complete, 100% no repro, and while note necessarily mint, in an affordable condition meeting the first two requirements that I could be happy with. Overall, I did alright for myself.

Despite being the sixth figure in the series that I bought, R2-D2 is displayed as the first Star Wars figure on my shelf, leading off into the entire vintage line in all its displayed glory. I can, and have, lost a lot of time just sitting or standing in front of the various shelves of figures, drifting off into memories, smiling at great times from the past, while yearning for the hear and now to just slow down a bit so that I can enjoy being a kid for one more moment.

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R2-D2 Toy Toter (ATF)

R2-D2 Toy Toter
ATF
1983

We knew that this day would come eventually, and we can honestly say that despite the inevitability of it, it doesn't make it any easier. As most of you have probably heard by now, Kenny Baker, the man behind one of the most famous robots in movie history has passed away at the age of 81. Sources report that for several years he had been struggling with poor health.

As a tribute to the man behind R2-D2, we offer for you a look at a toy related item that put the droid front and center - The R2-D2 Toy Toter from ATF (American Toy and Furniture). Standing at 28 inches high, this was the perfect toy box for all your favorite Kenner Star Wars toys. It featured wheels on the bottom for easily rolling it around your room, and a hoop handle to pull it by.

Not only did it make the perfect toy tote, but with a little imagination and your Star Wars blaster, it made a great R2-D2 to incorporate into your playtime as you acted out your own Star Wars adventures. We know we did just that as kids, and we're sure many others did as well.

Quite honestly though, we don't want to talk about Star Wars toys right now. Instead, we want to remember the man that brought R2-D2 to life.

Kenny was born in August 24, 1934 in Brimingham, England to parents of average height. In his young years, he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps, and become an engraver. However, a lack of sufficient educational credits brought that dream to an end - Thankfully for many of us out there.

In 1951, Baker was approached by a woman on the street that was looking for little people to join a theatrical troupe of dwarfs and midgets. This step into show business took him next to the circus, and later to ice skating. After a brief stint in movies starting in 1960, Baker formed a comedy act called the Minitones with Jack Pruvis where the duo caught the eye of one Mr. George Lucas.

Both actors were brought in to join the cast of Star Wars, Kenny of course landing the roll of R2-D2, while Purvis joined as the Chief Jawa. From there, as they say, the rest is history. The duo acted together in numerous Lucasfilm and Jim Henson productions from that point on.

Kenny continued to act in bit parts here and there after his high point of the Star Wars Trilogy, and in the 90's returned for a brief stint in stand-up comedy. Of course, he's also one of very few actors that can claim to have been in all six of the George Lucas era Star Wars films.

Additionally, he was a regular member of the Star Wars family to return to conventions over the years to meet with fans and "give" autographs. Whenever meeting with fans, or giving interviews, he always seemed appreciative for the opportunities that being in Star Wars allowed him, and in general genuinely happy to meet with fans of the Saga. He always had a smile on his face, a glint of joy in his eyes, and kind words for everyone he spoke to.

Despite his vast list of credits in films from 1960 to 2015, Baker will forever be known to millions as the one, the only, R2-D2. It's sad that we have lost such a brilliant actor, and such a caring human being. We will miss you Kenny Baker, but you will forever live on in the hearts of millions of Star Wars fans around the world. You may have been small in stature, but your legacy is larger than life.

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Star Wars: Droids (Kenner)

It’s the 35th anniversary of Star Wars: A New Hope! Yes, all those years ago, back in 1977, George Lucas made movie history with his sci-fi masterpiece that has since gone on to influence decades of movie makers, and of course dominate the toy isle year after year with more toys ever imaginable. Though, it has had its share of rocky paths leading towards a fate unknown...

In 1985 the Star Wars well seemed all but pumped dry. The Power of the Force line was struggling to find sales in the toy isle, and for all intensive purposes, the days of Star Wars were over.

Despite his initial lack of success with television (in the form of the Holiday Special), Lucas cut a deal to produce two television series - One of which was Droids: The Adventures of C-3PO and R2-D2. While back then the series didn't fall into any particular timeline of the Star Wars universe, today it is noted that it falls in between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. Though personally, we see a lot of discrepancies with this suggestion - though the show does contain a lot of references that were later carried over to the Prequels.

While the show may have not wowed fans young and old, it was enough of a boost in interest for Kenner to produce a new series of toys. Twelve figures were produced for what was initially to be a first series (of at least two).

Each figure came packed in a bright and beautiful package with a gold coin. Much like the original Power of the Force line which had silver coins packaged in with each figure, the coins remain the most valuable piece in the collection.




An interesting play by Kenner was to release the A-Wing Pilot in the line. It was interesting because no such character had any presence in the series, so it made little sense to produce him for the line. The figure was also released in the original Power of the Force line. This raises the question of what series this figure was initially intended for.

We didn't think that Boba Fett fit into the line either until reader Chris Pederson wrote in to tell us, "Boba Fett was in the first story arc. We even saw his racer. He captured Vlix, Sise and Tigg Fromm and was going to bring them to Jabba The Hutt." Thanks for the info, Chris!


Kenner also produced a handful of vehicles from the show. What makes fans lean more towards the A-Wing pilot being intended for the Droids line is that an A-Wing fighter was also produced. No such vehicle was produced when the figure was released with the Power of the Force line.




Ratings for the show were poor (at best), and after only one season (or 13 episodes), the series was cancelled.


To help push the series, Lucasfilm was able to get a contract with Star Comics, Marvel Comics more kid oriented label, to produce a series of comics. They however performed just as poorly on the market as the animated series did, and were cancelled after eight issues.

The most notable issues from this series are numbers 6-8 which contain a retelling of A New Hope from the perspective of the droids. Yes, it is the same exact story you've seen and read time and time again, but to see it from a different perspective is somewhat exciting to fans. Issue four also contained a cross over into the Ewoks comics (issue 10).

Despite many fans request, Lucasfilm has yet to release a complete series on any format of the animated series. There are however compilations of the series on VHS and DVD which contain various episodes.

The toys, while not as highly sought after by fans as other vintage Star Wars line, still fetch a fair amount on the secondary market. The most valuable piece known to be in existence is the one and only version of a carded Vex which was mocked up for a potential series 2. We don't know who the owner is, or if he/she would ever sell, but we can guarantee the price would be far more than any of us here at The Toy Box could ever afford.

Join us Monday as we conclude our Star Wars 35th anniversary celebration with our look at Ewoks!

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