Marx Toy
Louis Marx & Company
As is common in the stories of many successful entrepreneurs, Louis Marx & Company began with a firing. Louis Marx worked at Ferdinand J. Strass Company after graduating high school. The Strass Company was a mechanical tin toy manufacturer that produced tin toys for Abraham & Strauss Department Stores. They were a pioneer in the tin toy industry. After rising to the position of manager, Louis Marx was fired because of disputes over tin toy production.
After serving in the U.S. Army during World War I, Marx decided to venture out on his own. In 1919, Louis and his brother David established Louis Marx & Company in New York City. They started with nothing but Louis’ design talent and energy coupled with David’s operational expertise. The company was not originally set up to be a tin toy manufacturer, but a middle man between the toy manufacturer and the retail stores. What would today be called a distributor. They soon began to start manufacturing their own tin toys and lived by two rules that would govern the company and contribute to their success, “Give the customer more toy for less money” and “Quality is not negotiable.” The company soon earned the reputation of quality tin toys at low prices, and the Marx brand became noted for its value.
Marx bought his old employer, The Strass Company, in 1922 when Strass fell on hard times. This purchase gave Louis Marx & Company patents and dies to some famous Strass tin toys, Zippo the Climbing Monkey and the Alabama Minstrel Singer. In 1928, the company produced the first Yo-Yo and signed a deal with Sears Roebuck & Co. to carry it.
Despite the Great Depression, the 1930s was a time of rapid growth for Louis Marx & Company. Marx built three new plants in Erie, Pennsylvania, Girard, Pennsylvania, and Glendale, West Virginia. This growth continued until World War II, when the factories were recruited to the war effort and became a supplier for the U.S. Military. After the war, Louis Marx & Company returned to tin toy manufacturing and quickly became the world’s largest tin toy manufacturer.
The company grew by leaps and bounds during the “Golden Era” of the 1950s. By 1955 Louis Marx & Company was producing 20% of all the tin toys sold in the U.S. and had factories in ten countries. They produced over 5000 different products including many tinplate toys that had made them famous in the beginning.
During the 1960s the Japanese were flooding the market with mass produced, cheap tin toys. In the 1970s tin started to be replaced with plastic and newer metal alloys. Marx’s first plastic toys were disappointing because they lacked durability and they soon switched to polyethylene. In 1972 Louis Marx, now 76, knew it was time to get out and sold the company to Quaker Oats. Under Quaker’s corporate culture the company suffered and 3 years later was sold to Dunbee-Combex of England. By 1980 the company filed for bankruptcy and operations were shut down. American Plastic Equipment of Florida acquired the company assets in 1982 and resurrected the Marx name. By 1988, old Marx toys commanded high prices from collectors and demand was triggered to reissue the toys. In 1995 a separate toy company was formed, Marx Toy Corporation, and the tradition of quality tin toys at a value price was reborn.
About the Author
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2011 Marx Trains & Toys Pocket Collector ID Price Guide 9th Ed $11.65 |
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Marx Toys 1/32scale Rubber Raft & Oarsmen 6 pcs PL-938B $9.99 |
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1930S MARX SPICK AND SPAN BLACK AMERICANA TIN MINSTRAL BAND WIND UP TOY RARE $1,895.00 |
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MARX toy soldiers Knights battle lot over 60 pieces 2 armies, playset $21.95 |
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VINTAGE MARX NODDING ELEPHANT CLOCKWORK TOY BOXED $47.13 |
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Authentic Marx Toy Co. Logo on Steel Stamp $49.99 |
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MARX “WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE” MARES LAIG METAL PLASTIC TOY ONLY NON FIRING RIFLE $24.50 |
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1967 Pro-Shot Golf Game Drivers,Woods,Irons Marx Toy AD $13.47 |
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Classic Toy soldiers American Civil War playset with Marx +CTS parts $89.95 |
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1962 Marx Toy Large Plastic British and Canadian WWII Soldier $9.99 |
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Vintage MARX PIONEER EXPRESS ride on train toy $46.00 |
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Vintage Marx Small Donald Duck Walt Disney Hard Plastic Toy $5.95 |
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1950’s/1960’s Marx 5 wind up toy tractor $29.99 |
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Vintage/Old/Antique Marx Wind Up Toy Train Plastic $74.95 |
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MARX 1954 60MM WWII TOY SOLDIER MARCHING MX607 SP PL-604 $5.25 |
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MARX TOYS TIN PLATE ‘ CRAZY DANCER ‘ DONALD,MICKEY MOUSE GOOFY,PLUTO A/F * 28 $47.13 |
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Walt Disney Goofy Toy Louis Marx & Co Design $14.99 |
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Marx toys animal pigs figurines $9.95 |
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VINTAGE MARX FUNNY BUNNY TOY ~ BATTERY OPERATED * 41 $31.42 |
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MARX 1950′S 60mm 7TH CAVALRY FT APACHE TOY SOLDIER STANDING W/SWORD $9.99 |
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VINTAGE 230 PLUS PLASTIC ARMY MEN TOY SOLDIERS WAR MARX $55.00 |
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MARX VINTAGE TOY E Z WEAZER IN THE BOX WITH INSTRUCTIONS AND HOW TO 1940S $7.95 |
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1964 AD Louis Marx pro shot golf toy for Christmas $9.99 |
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MARX PRESSED STEEL TOY AIRPLANE RESTORED ORIGINAL WOODEN WHEELS, BEAUTIFUL!!! $110.00 |
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MARX WWII ERA USAF PRESSED STEEL TOY AIRPLANE, A BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED ORIGINAL!! $125.00 |
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Vintage Marx Toy Metal Budget Bank $28.00 |
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MARX 1950’s INDIAN TRAVOIS 54MM WESTERN PLAYSET ACCESSORY TOY SOLDIERS $9.99 |
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MARX DINOSAUR PARASAUROLOPHUS MODEL TOY PLAYSET ITALIAN GREEN 2dSer HADROSAURUS $4.99 |
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VINTAGE LOUIS MARX TOY SOLDER SET $11.05 |
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Toy Soldiers Marx Battleground Playset 54mm Concrete Pillbox Gray Hard Plastic $5.95 |
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BMC Toy Soldiers Farmhouse Marx Britains Compatible $11.98 |
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Marx Basketball Basketelle Arcade Bagatelle Shooter Pinball Game Toys Vintage $14.97 |
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Louis Marx Toy Manny The Reckless Mariner $19.99 |
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MARX 45MM AIRFORCE TOY SOLDIER PLAYSET 1958 ARMY AIRFORCE SET RAISED BASE $14.99 |
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Vintage 1972 Disney Mickey Mouse Marx Toys Watch – Plastic Band – Children’s $5.99 |
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Vintage Toy Building Ref Book Tin Litho Dollhouses Marx $44.95 |
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Marx ” B. O. Plenty ” vintage tin toy / windup $79.00 |
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MARX TOYS WIND UP TANK VINTAGE $45.00 |
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Vintage 1970’s Marx Toys Johnny West Brown Molded Vest $14.99 |
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PRIMITIVE VINTAGE MARX TIN TOY MARBLE TARGET SHOOTING SKILL GAME $9.99 |
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Civil War Toy Soldiers 54mm Marx Painted Mansion $9.98 |
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Vintage 1960’s Louie Marx Plastic Native American Indian Figure Toys $2.99 |
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original vintage Marx PETE THE PARROT talking bird tin toy 1962 antique bird !!! $169.00 |
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Vintage Marx Japan Funny Tiger Tin Litho Wind Up Toy Japanese Rare 1960′S $19.99 |
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MARX COO-COO CAR TOY $180.00 |
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EMACULATE TOY TRACTOR IN NICE ORIGINAL BOX! MADE IN 1950′S BY LOUIS MARX & CO. $76.00 |
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OPEN-ENDED SPANNERS metal POCKETOOLS Argentina 1960 VINTAGE toy MARX $5.99 |
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BALL-PEEN HAMMER metal POCKETOOLS Argentina 1960 VINTAGE toy MARX $5.99 |
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MOLE WRENCH metal POCKETOOLS Argentina 1960 VINTAGE toy MARX $5.99 |
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HACKSAW metal POCKETOOLS Argentina 1960 VINTAGE toy MARX $5.99 |
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**Rare MARX Smoky Sam the Wild Fireman / 1950’s Vintage Tin Toy $69.99 |
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WATER PUMP PLIERS metal POCKETOOLS Argentina 1960 VINTAGE toy MARX $3.99 |
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SPIRIT LEVEL metal POCKETOOLS Argentina 1960 VINTAGE collectible toy MARX $3.99 |
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Avalanche! 1996 Marx Toys Board Game $29.99 |
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Vintage Marx Litho Metal US Cavalry & 3 Infantry Private Soldier Standing Toys $15.00 |
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VTG 50’s LOUIS MARX FORT APACHE STOCKADE ACTION PLAY SET TOY W/ORIGINAL BOX NR $30.99 |
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MARX TOYS© TIN LITHOGRAPH TRAIN TUNNEL $19.99 |
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Vintage Louis Marx campus cuties dolls toys action figures girls figurines set $39.99 |
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Complete Set 1964 Marx Toy 6 Inch Cowboys/indian Excellent condition $9.29 |
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Complete Set 1964 Marx Toy 6 Inch Indians/ Cowboys Excellent condition $12.50 |
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MARX TOYS MARXICOLA- MARX MOTORS COLA TRUCK —ISSUED IN 1992— $9.99 |
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6″ Marx Caveman Vintage Monster 1960s 60s Toy Plastic Figure Soldier Action lot $9.99 |
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VINTAGE MARX TOY FLATBED MODEL TRAIN CARS 33773 MARS LINES BOSTON & MAINE B & M $30.50 |
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2 original marx o scale pre war toy train set barrel car accessories layout look $6.99 |
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10PC T10 T11 BA9S T4W 1895 12V Red Led Bulb Light for Lionel flyer Marx Toy,RL12 $0.90 |
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Toy Soldiers Marx Alamo Playset 54mm Mexican Infantry 1/32 Scale 20 Piece Set $19.98 |
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Marx Machine Gun. Toy Gun. 1960’s. Works,cap Gun ,Vintage $12.88 |
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Old Tin MARX LEARN TO DRIVE CAR *Vintage WIND-UP Toy $24.64 |
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10PC T10 T11 BA9S T4W 1895 12V Red Led Bulb Light for Lionel flyer Marx Toy,RL12 $0.90 |
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MARX TIN TOY WIND UP PROP ARMY FIGHTER AIRPLANE AEROPLANE 888-F $102.50 |
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Marx o scale pre war old tin litho toy train set accessory crossing signal look! $4.99 |
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MARX ARMY STAFF CAR WIND UP / BATTERY OPP VINTAGE TIN TOY 865-F $164.80 |
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1960’s Marx Fred Flinstone Dino The Dinosaur Battery Operated Toy $95.00 |
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Marx o scale pre war toy train set accessory car uncoupler section original look $0.99 |
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Marx Toy Transformer Powerpack–4-18 Volt D. C. $9.99 |
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2 EARLY HONEYMOON EXPRESS TIN WINDUP TOYS BY MARX $9.99 |
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MARX Toys @1968 Vintage Marxie Munchie Bunch Barnaby Banana Friction Car $35.00 |
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Marx Exploding Destroyed Building WWII Civil War 1/32 54MM Toy Soldier $10.50 |
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Marx Airport Airforce Figures Vehicles Ideal 40 Men 1/48 Toy Playset $21.99 |
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MARX TIN LITHO WINDUP LOOPING PLANE 1940S TOY AIRPLANE WINDS AND WORKS GREAT. $105.00 |
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MARX LUCKY STUNT FLYER WINDUP TOY – CHARLES LINDGERGH TOY $37.66 |
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Vintage Marx Toys Vertical Steam Engine w/ 3 Operative Accessories $199.99 |
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VINTAGE 1963 LOUIS MARX CO NUTTY MADS DIPPY THE DEEP DIVER SCUBA FIGURE TOY RARE $12.99 |
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Plastic Toy Soldiers Marx MPC Exploding 2 Piece Bridge WWII Civil War Playset $7.98 |
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vintage dial toy typewriyer by marx $15.99 |
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Plastic Toy Soldiers Marx Ideal 54mm WWII Yellow Seabees Bulldozer with Driver $11.98 |
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HAND PAINTED Civil War Toy Soldiers 28th North Carolina Regt. – MARX Centennials $26.99 |
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Lot of 5 Large Cowboys and Indians, One is a Lewis Marx Toy from 1964 $2.99 |
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Unusual Old Pro Shot Toy Golf Set by Marx w Original Box + 4 Clubs 1963 Nice! $44.99 |
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1950s Tim Mee 7 Riding Cowboys Indians Plastic Western Soldiers Figures Marx Toy $10.00 |
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HUGE LOT 22 VINTAGE MARX ROY ROGERS TOY FIGURES & HORSE $29.99 |
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Marx 309 Vintage Toy Transformer 25 Watts & 60 Cycles $7.50 |
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3 VINTAGE MARX TOY RAMP WALKER NATIVE ON HIPPOPOTAMUS (2) + DINOSAUR $18.07 |
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DONALD DUCK HARD RUBBER TOY BY MARX TOYS MCMLXXII $14.99 |
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Vintage Dollhouse Marx Kitchen Refrigerator Toy 3sf $5.99 |
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Vintage Dollhouse Marx Double Kitchen Sink Toy 3sf $5.99 |
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Vintage Dollhouse Marx Kitchen Stove Toy 3sf $4.99 |
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MARX OR WYANDOTTE PRESSED STEEL FRONT LOADER TOY PART $24.99 |
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Vintage LOUIS LUMAR MARX Pressed Steel Toy Dump Truck $0.99 |
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MARX MEXICAN 1840 ARMY, 10 poses, 30mm Remakes, 25 Plastic Toy Soldies $14.95 |
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Toy Trains : The Soundtrack $12.99 Whether it was a big department store’s Christmas display or a plywood layout at home, it is hard to forget the sensational sights, smells and sounds of toy trains. Lost for many years, this exciting collection of original promotional records, talking railropad stations, TV and film soundtracks and other rare audio gems will let you experience the thrilling sounds of postwar electric train’s gold… |
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Der Himmel lacht! Die Erde jubilieret $13.43 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
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Lassie Come Home [VHS] $11.93 Lassie Come Home is a classic for all the usual reasons: its timeless, universal appeal, its first-of-its-kind status, and its exceptional cinematography, direction, and performances. What makes this 1943 charmer especially fun for grownups who haven’t screened it since their own preteen, pet-obsessed days, though, is a couple of cute-as-a-button cast members. An adorably over-earnest Roddy McDowa… |
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The Original Marx Toy Films … |
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The Long, Long Trailer $6.87 Besides making television history as the producers and stars of television’s immensely popular I Love Lucy and The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, Lucille Ball and her husband, Desi Arnaz, starred in three quite agreeable feature films. The second of these, 1954’s The Long, Long Trailer, in gorgeous Technicolor and directed by Vincente Minnelli, is a somewhat allegorical tale of a newly married couple who … |
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Sold Separately: Classic Kids Commercials $9.98 An array of vintage television commercials aimed at kids are included on this fun package.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 025493166095 Manufacturer No: PIP-DV1660… |
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Classic Disguise Fuzzy Nose & Glasses $1.85 This Classic Disguise, with black furry eyebrows and mustache, will give you a whole new look, unless you already have a sizable nose, big eyebrows and thick black glasses. Makes for a great halloween costume accessory !… |
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Action figures 202 pieces with American, British, German & Japanese (WII) model 522 $18.95 Great set of Plastic Army Men in 4 colors with lots of different WW2 figures with over 40 poses. American GI’s in Green, British Commandos in Yellow, German in Gray, Japanese in Light Green. Each army has it’s own 4-1/2 inch tall flag. Nice quality and detail…. |
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Tan vs Green TimMee Plastic Army Men: 100 Piece Set of 2 inch Toy Soldier Figures – Made in the USA ! $12.89 An American Classic is back! This bag of 100 Tim Mee ‘plastic army guys’ is proudly manufactured in the United States, and includes 50 tan and 50 green troops for maximum play value. There’s about 12 different figures and all your old favorites are here, including minesweeper, bazookaman, radio operator, 60mm mortar, light machine gunner, kneeling rifleman, flame thrower, crawling rifleman, prone … |
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Plastic Fuzzy Nose & Glasses Mustache Groucho Marx Novelty Gag Eyewear Costume Accessory $4.99 Contains: One Mask… |
