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Dangermouse - He's the Greatest!
The world's greatest Mouse detective and secret agent Dangermouse with his trusty sidekick Penfold achieved cult status and in 1983 viewing figures topped 21 million and the show came third in the Channel 4 poll-slash-TV show "100 Greatest Kids' TV Shows", beaten only by The Muppet Show and The Simpsons.
This very British animated television series which was produced by Cosgrove Hall and generally parodies British spy fiction, particularly James Bond and the Danger Man as well as entertaining kids of all ages with quick fire and sarcastic humour.
[ more... ]100 Greatest Kids' TV Shows
100 Greatest Kids' TV Shows was broadcast on Channel 4 on 27 August 2001 and hosted by Jamie Theakston.
The original Channel 4 minisite is nolonger available but you can view it archived @ The Wayback Machine
This is my top 15 (including the position they appeared in the original list.
[ more... ]I Remember: 1981
Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher had been in office for two years in 1981; policies to push privatisation of state-owned industries and utilities and the reform of the trade unions, combined with mass closure of heavy industry and factories contribute to the highest postwar levels of unemployment and a year remembered for a summer of civil unrest as the spending cuts and monetary policy bite deep. 100,000 people from across Britain march to Trafalgar Square in London for the TUC's March For Jobs.
After racial tension builds up, riots break out in Brixton, Peckham, Toxteth and Handsworth and by the end of summer riots against police occur in many towns and cities.
"Ghost Town" by The Specials hits number one in the UK charts, capturing the political mood of the summer.
John Lennon spends 6 consecutive weeks at number one with "Imagine" spending 4 weeks at the top, to be replaced by "Woman"; Adam and the Ants also have two number ones with "Stand and Deliver" and "Prince Charming".
Bucks Fizz win the Eurovision Song Contest for the UK with the song "Making Your Mind Up".
MTV hits the airwaves for the first time, Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star" is the first song to be played.
Jamie and the Magic Torch
Created by the same animation team of Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall that brought the world 'Chorlton and the Wheelies', 'Dangermouse' and 'Count Duckula', 'Jamie and the Magic Torch' is a childrens cartoon based around a young boy, Jamie, his English sheepdog Wordsworth and his magic torch (funny that).
It debuted on ITV from 1976 to 1979, although I remember watching it in the 1980s, so it must have been rerun. The series was written and narrated by Brian Trueman, who later wrote 'Dangermouse' and 'Count Duckula'.
[ more... ]I Remember: 1980
1980, unemployment is on the rise, reaching a postwar high of over 2,000,000 and the country slides into recession.
26 people are taken hostage after a group of six armed men stormed the Iranian embassy in South Kensington. After six days and the death of a hostage the SAS end the siege by storming the building, killing another hostage and all but one of the gunmen.
Philips and Sony launch the Compact Disc, although it is several years later before Audio CDs hit the stores and several years after that before the phrase "B side" is confined to history.
Lego Star Wars Table Football
This is another good example of somebody with too much time on their hands, but that's not a bad thing. Hats off for combining some of our favourite things, namely Lego, Football and Star Wars.
[ more... ]Morph - Poseable Vinyl Figure
Morph is a classic TV character, created by Aardman Animations in the 1970s. Today, he remains as mischievous and loveable as ever and now you can have your very own version! Morph made a habit of sneaking out of his art box and getting up to all sorts of mischief, and now Morph can be immortalised with your very own vinyl Morph figure.
[ more... ]Nintendo Mini Classics - Your thumbs’ greatest nemesis is back!
Before Nintendo Wii’d all over the competition with its consoles, it was busy pioneering handheld gaming with the legendary Game & Watch series. Containing (very) pared down versions of arcade classics, these LCD rectangles were to the Eighties what the DS is to the Noughties, and no self-respecting gamer would dream of hitting the playground without one sandwiched between his conkers.
[ more... ]Wacky Races: Crash & Dash
Join Dick Dastardly and the gang in all the racing fun and madness, Wacky Races style! Wacky Races: Crash & Dash is an action racing game like no other with fun-filled environments crazy cars and all your favorite, hilarious characters from the original TV series.
[ more... ]Digital Retro: The Evolution and Design of the Personal Computer
It's easy these days to take the Internet, ludicrous processing power, massive hard disk capacities, cloud computing and mobile connectivity for granted. Back in 'the day' things were very different. Gordon Laing's well researched and elegantly designed homage to lots of different, lovely but defunct hardware from the era of "Home" as opposed to "Personal" Computers.
[ more... ]60 Years of the Vespa
Published to celebrate the diamond jubilee of this Italian cultural icon, "Sixty Years of the Vespa" brims with facts and photographs, anecdotes and advertisements. The Author, Giorgio Sarti, is an Italian Vespa expert.
[ more... ]Retro Slush Drinks Machine
Not only will this super Retro Slush Maker help capture the look and feel of a 1950's kitchen or diner, it will also make fruity frozen slush drinks in your own home. The Retro Slush Machine is perfect for entertaining on hot summer days, as it will provide your guests with an endless supply of ice cold beverages.
[ more... ]Vespa: An Illustrated History
This inexpensive photographic history of Vespa, first published in 1993, receives a much-needed overhaul to bring it up to date, and includes the addition of some colour imagery.
[ more... ]Automan - Novel
Based on Glen A. Larson screenplay for the pilot episode of the '80s TV series Automan, the book is an entertaining look into the world of computer programmer Walter Nebicher who has created a game called Automan to help with his police work. However it ends up becoming much more real than he planned on, as Walter and Automan are drawn into the intrigue and danger of an international kidnapping scheme.
[ more... ]Is Your iPod or iPhone Looking Too Modern?
Give your iPhone a retro 80's look with this iPhone case. Looks like the old classic phones you used to own! It also works as a fantastic phone stand. By today's standards, you'd be forgiven for mistaking a 1980s mobile phone for, well, a house brick, but back in the day these chunky must-haves were the ultimate status symbol!
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