The Fisher-Price Happy Apple made its debut the same year that I did, 1972. It was a simplistic baby toy that made a beautiful chime sound when tipped. Between the sweet sound and that warm, smiling happy face, Happy Apple kept '70s and '80s babies mesmerized for hours.
The other day on my way to ShopRite, I passed the Parsippany Holiday Inn. Passing this Holiday Inn is something I do about once a week. Every time I see that big green and white Holiday Inn logo, my heart sinks just a tiny bit. It may sound silly to you, but here's why...
I'm not happy about this logo
In October of 2007, the Holiday Inn CEO and marketing team unveiled an updated, modern logo to match the hotel chain's new and improved services and amenities. Fancy new shower heads, bedding and even a newly developed Holiday Inn fragrance welcomes overnight guests. CEO Andy Cosslette reveled, "We're creating a Holiday Inn scent. It's going to be very subliminal, You're not going to walk in and find it hits you between the eyes. It'll be very subtle."
I love that Holiday Inn has updated their service and style, I'm behind all of it, but not the new and improved branding. I guess I'm a sucker for the vintage look and feel. I want to see the old script I identify with childhood drives down to Disney while squeezed between my little brother and a pile of pillows.
As a kid, I loved the Fisher Price Little People toy hotel. Notice it's a Holiday Inn. The Holiday Inn and I go way back. Why does everything have to be so new and improved? I'm still applauding Coca Cola for returning to the old school Mello Yello logo. I think brand managers should continue to push the vintage. Let consumers hold on to their memories, although I understand the idea of forming new memories. I guess I'm just an old-fashioned girl. How about you?
I'm doing some research on Twilight actor Taylor Lautner (more on that another day) and discovered he is slated to portray Stretch Armstrong in a 2012 3-D movie. Wow, what a blast from the past. "Who the heck is Stretch Armstrong?" you young folks are saying... Check it out!
Stretch Monster in all his glory!
Stretch Armstrong Doll From Kenner
In 1976, Kenner released the most ridiculous, yet awesome, over-sized action figure doll targeted to boys. Stretch Armstrong was a tough muscle head guy sporting only a Speedo. He consisted of thick rubber filled with a heavy gel that made him, well, stretch. You could pull on his arms and legs, make them super long, tie him to a chair with his arms or and wrap him in a ball. I liked the way you could play tug-of-war with him and a friend. Still confused? Think macho, flesh-colored Gumby... It was very odd, yet very entertaining at the same time.
I don't know why I remember this toy. My brother was born that year, so I doubt he had one and we didn't have any cousins at that point. I'm guessing sons of my parents friends had Stretch Armstrong because I remember the distinct plastic rubbery scent and the way the rubber felt. Hmm. I think I even bit Stretch at one point to see what it felt like. I was simply mesmerized by Stretch Armstrong. I truly was.
Gross Stretch X-Ray action figure doll.
Then there was his enemy, Stretch Monster. Stretch Monster was a freakish looking green scaly creature released in 1978 while Stretch Ollie, a blue male octopus and Stretch Olivia, a pink octopus soon joined the Stretch crew. Stretch X-Ray was another ghastly creature which resembled a big-brained alien with a transparent body giving kids a sneak peek at his organs. GROSS!
Anyway, the point of this post is that for some reason the thought of Taylor Lautner staring in a 3-D film about Stretch Armstrong, makes me giggle. Anyone?
Please view the Stretch Monster vs. Stretch Armstrong commercial. You've gotta see it! It's from the 1970s and looks so low-budget. It's awesome! It's crazy because I remember that last line the kid yells out, "We'll meet again SHORTEEEEE" ... I remember it because it made me roll around the floor laughing. I was that kind of kid.
