The Norman Rockwell Museum announced the exhibition "Tony Sarg: Genius at Play."Ā [nrm.org] Genius is right: Sarg was an early 20th century illustrator, inventor, puppeteer, toy maker, animator, hoaxster, and designer… Read the rest of the article: Meet master puppeteer Tony Sarg
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Bob Knetzger With his snaggle-tooth grin, bulging bloodshot eyes, and halo of buzzing flies, Rat Fink has been loved by juvenile delinquents of all ages for more than 60 years. Sure, Ed… Read the rest of the article: Who created Rat Fink?
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Bob Knetzger Mattel announced their latest Barbie doll figure based on a real person: Stevie Nicks. Her bewitching Rumours-era look is recreated, with a flowing back long-sleeved dress and matching tambourine. BarbieĀ®… Read the rest of the article: Mattel's latest Barbie is 70s Stevie Nicks
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Bob Knetzger If you liked 2022's release Heroes and Villains: the Sound of Los Angeles 1965-68, you'll also enjoy 2009's Where The Action Is! (Los Angeles Nuggets 1965-68) [spotify, amazon]. It's another… Read the rest of the article: Groove to more 1960s LA rock
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Bob Knetzger According to Discourse Coffee founder Ryan Castelaz, coffee making is now in its "fourth wave." What comes after Folgers, after Starbucks, and after current baristas? Care, exotic ingredients, and imagination… Read the rest of the article: Book of crazy-cool caffeine cocktails
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Bob Knetzger In the cut-throat business of toy marketing, a competitor's huge pop culture success is always an opportunity. MGA, the maker of Bratz fashion dolls (with a long litigation history of… Read the rest of the article: Barbie competitor Bratz piles on
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Bob Knetzger Toy inventing legend Eddy Goldfarb celebrated his 102nd birthday with his latest great idea: a new book of 101 stories (each just 100 words long). I love this one: how… Read the rest of the article: Toy legend Eddy Goldfarb celebrates 102nd birthday with new book
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Bob Knetzger For a limited time, Seattle-area baseball fans can have breakfast with star outfielder Julio Rodriguez. The Mariners are surging in the Western Division and the pricey "2 for $24.99" JuliOs… Read the rest of the article: Have breakfast with your favorite Seattle Mariner
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Bob Knetzger If you haven't had enough Barbie movies, there's one more film you might enjoy. The documentary Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie tells the behind-the-scenes story of Mattel's efforts to make Barbie… Read the rest of the article: Documentary about Mattel's efforts to make Barbie relevant again
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Bob Knetzger Eames chairs are long-standing favorites among aficionados of mid-century modern design. The classic lines, innovative manufacturing techniques, and intrinsically handsome materials combine to make even old or used chairs desirable.… Read the rest of the article: How to spot a fake or hacked "vintage" Eames chair
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Bob Knetzger Fans of Ernie Kovacs! Don't miss this great new book from Eddie Adam's son Josh Mills, Ernie In Kovacsland [fantagraphics]. It's a look inside her personal collection of all things… Read the rest of the article: Enjoy this treasure trove of TV pioneer Ernie Kovacs
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Bob Knetzger The latest issue of specialty toy industry magazine edplay tracks the trends in the non-mass market toy stores. Besides the proven popular themes for kids' toys such as cats, dogs,… Read the rest of the article: Axolotls thrive in toyland, but unicorns still rule
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Bob Knetzger Among the many tributes to Paul Reubens is this thoughtful and touching episode of the podcast "Bullseye." Host Jesse Thorn fondly remembers his childhood, watching "Pee Wee's Playhouse" on Saturday… Read the rest of the article: Remembering Paul Rubens on "Bullseye"
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Bob Knetzger Bonbon scale model is the YouTube channel of a fantastically talented model builder in Japan. Despite working in the challenging 1/43 scale (between Hot Wheels scale and larger 1/24 boxed… Read the rest of the article: Watch a master modeler in action with a 1/43-scale Ferrari 750
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Bob Knetzger If you're trying to find a local IMAX 70mm theater to see "Oppenheimer," good luck! There are only 30 such screens in the US. (The closest one to me is… Read the rest of the article: 2014's "Manhattan" offered a longer retelling of Oppenheimer's story
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Bob Knetzger Wondering what the latest gift trends are for this upcoming Xmas? Wonder no more as the "Christmas Moments" issue of the Gifts & Decorative Accessories trade magazine is here. Owners… Read the rest of the article: Options proliferate in "soap for men" fad
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Bob Knetzger For many fans of Americana and alt-country music The Flying Burrito Brothers' 1969 debut album "The Gilded Palace of Sin" defined the era of LA 1960s country rock. Its iconic… Read the rest of the article: Flying Burrito Bros's long-lost Nudie suit found
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Bob Knetzger If you've watched Warner Bros cartoons you know his music, but you might not know Raymond Scott's name. Fewer still know his amazing life story. "Deconstructing Dad," a terrific documentary… Read the rest of the article: Documentary about Raymond Scott, the hidden musical genius behind your favorite cartoons
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Bob Knetzger The drawing in "Deep Artwork" is classic Moriarity underground style and much of the original content has been stripped away to create full-page, text-free illustrations but what really "stands out"… Read the rest of the article: Check out the latest edition of Pat Moriarity's "Deep Artwork"
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Bob Knetzger Longtime fans of Seattle's Archie McPhee look forward to the annual catalog and this year marks the 40th anniversary edition. This purveyor of perverse items applies wacky themes to fun… Read the rest of the article: Archie McPhee catalog celebrates 40 years of wackiness