Weirdo Toys

It’s everyone’s favorite mechanical crime fighter (other than Robocop)! Here we have an old 12″ Inspector Gadget by Galoob dated 1983.

Go-Go Gadget Copter!
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For those who don’t remember Inspector Gadget, I’ll try to sum him up quickly. It was an 80s cartoon inspired by the old spy show, Get Smart. The show starred a clumsy, absent-minded, and oblivious detective, Inspector Gadget – a cop with various gadgets built into his anatomy. Gadget spent most of his time trying to stop his nemesis – the mysterious Dr. Claw, leader of the evil organization, MAD.

There’s a bit more to the show, but I’m not going to bother you with every little detail.

I just happened upon the Inspector Gadget “action doll” at a toy show months ago. I never even knew this toy existed, but as soon as I saw him, I knew I had to have him. I just love the playability of this toy and the absolutely appropriate and accurate accessories included with it. He has “8 magic features and 20 moving parts.”

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Just look at all he has to offer:

1. He looks perfect. Looks like he just stepped out of the cartoon
2. 12 inches tall
3. 20 points of articulation
4. Firing Hand and Pop-out Hand
5. Pop-Out Legs
6. Fabric Trench Coat
7. Helicopter Hat
8. Huge Cartoony Mallet
9. Working Handcuffs (to cuff the fake arm in Dr. Claws’ chair I guess)
10. Hat Extension Arm
11. Parachute Umbrella

Go-Go Gadget Legs!
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Go-Go Gadget Neck!
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Go-Go Gadget Hands!
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Go-Go Gadget ‘Brella!
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Go-Go Gadget… Cuffs?!
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Told you he was great. Only bad thing is, he has no one else to arrest. I guess he could always cuff Barbie. “Go-Go Gadget… nevermind.”

Wowzers!
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If that isn’t enough for you, check this truly unforgettable intro. Careful though. The song may be a bit too catchy.

INFO UPDATE:

Over the months I’ve noticed that the Inspector Gadget doll I featured here isn’t the same one I’ve seen online and on eBay and everywhere else. At first glance they are pretty much the same, but in a few moments, you’ll see that things are definitely much different.

Slim-Box Gadget
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First, let’s start with the doll’s box. I’m not sure whether this package version appeared first or second, but as you can see, it’s a slimmer, condensed version of the box pictured in my original entry above. It does have an extending flap that makes it appear wider. Not quite sure why they included that, because it seems like that panel would block any other Gadget dolls or other merchandise from being seen on the store shelves.

Straight-Arm Gadget
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Second, let’s look at his arms. This is something I’d noticed most whenever i found images of the Gadget doll online. The most common version is this straight-armed version. This lack of elbow, bicep and shoulder articulation really makes Gadget appear stiff and awkward. He can’t bend his elbows to comfortably hold his Gadget-Copter. To accommodate this new awkward hand position, Galoob altered the design of the Helicopter-Hat accessory. The handlebars are much more narrow, short and they protrude in front of him.

Gadget Accessories
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Third are his accessories. Both Gadget dolls come with the same accessories, but the pink items that come with with the “Straight-Arm Gadget” are much more vibrant and saturated. Also, as you can see here, his handcuffs are a dull gray plastic instead of the metallic-coated plastic of the original Gadget.

Gadget Arms & Legs
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And last and probably least are his activation buttons. The “Straight-Arm Gadget” has blue buttons instead of yellow. It doesn’t really matter, but I though I’d point that out. I actually like the blue better, because they match the color of his Gadget-Neck.

If anyone has info on which of these versions is the original and has any explanation for these differences, please let me know. Hey. Maybe this “Straight-Arm Gadget” is the original. The other one could be the updated one… ya know… kinda like “swivel-arm battle grip” being introduced to the G.I.Joe toys.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, December 20th, 2007 at 2:28 am and is filed under Cartoons, Human?, Robots, Superhero, Used & Abused. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.