#Umgluck

[tinytoycollection]

Rock'em Sock'em Robots from Hallmark (2007)

This is one of my favorites, and one everyone likes to point out. Known for being a rather bulky plaything, Rock'em Sock'em is always eye catching.

Even though this toy dates back to the 60's being Manufactured by Louis Marx and Company (who also made Big Wheel tricycles) a precursor called Silver Gloves was seen on boardwalks and arcades as early as 1948.

The packaging for the original toy even gives backstory for our two mechanized melee champs. The red boxer is "the rollicking Red Rocker" from Soltarus II, and weighs in 375 pounds. The blue opponent, the "beautiful Blue Bomber, pride of Umgluck", weighs in at 382 pounds.

I never had the full-size version as a kid, but I did have another miniature version, seen in this ebay listing here (not affiliated). It was a pretty cute thing, but it can be smaller.

As much as I love my tiny version, it has its faults. While they do move and their arms punch, their heads are just on springs. Their blocks or perpetually knocked. But considering this is a Hallmark Keepsake ornament, it does more than what it needs.

It being a Christmas tree ornament also means its rather fragile, but its not made of glass. More like a brittle plastic.

Super Impulse makes their own World's Smallest RSR, but they're just the robots, no ring. Fun 4 All made a keychain that's more similar to Hallmark's attempt and was showcased by now defunct Youtuber Museum of Working Miniatures. it is however very rare. I haven't seen any listings in years and last time I did, it was like $80. But after seeing this video...I may indulge if I ever find one.

But if you want the Hallmark Keepsake Ornament, you can find listings for it around $30, many with original box so it oughta be in good condition.

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

THESE ROCKIN' RETRO ROBOTS GET THE STYLISH POP ART TREATMENT.

PIC INFO: Spotlight on a Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Robots ("Blue Bomber" VS. "Red Rocker") painting titled "THWACK!" by an unknown artist, undated.

TOY OVERVIEW: "Marx introduced Rock’em Sock’em Robots in 1966. The game was invented by Marvin Glass and Burt Meyer, who took their inspiration from a trip to a Chicago amusement arcade where a boxing-themed game piqued their interest. The toy continued to sell well into the 1970s.

Standing inside the roped-off Rock’em Sock’em arena were two blocky robots – the "beautiful" Blue Bomber from Umgluck and the “rollicking” Red Rocker from Soltarus II – both itching for a good brawl.

The robots’ human masters took the control levers that jutted out from the ring, got a firm grip, and sent their plastic bots into battle."

-- NOSTALGIA CENTRAL (blogspot)

Sources: www.etsy.com/listing/1448671149 & https://nostalgiacentral.com/pop-culture/toys-games/rock-em-sock-em-robots.

[artlung]

New Bot Day! Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots was developed by Marvin Glass and Associates in the 1960s. Originally the toy was meant to represent human boxers, but the death in the ring of of Davey Moore in 1963 the project was scrapped. But the toy was fun. The company “de-humanized” the figures. They were robots that fall apart, not a person that falls over. They have science fictional backstories: “Red Rocker” from Soltarus II fights “Blue Bomber, pride of Umgluck.” I wonder when we started using robots to stand in to let us enjoy entertaining violence? Endless streams of battle droids are shot, dismembered, and crushed in Star Wars movies and animation, to comical effect. Contrast that with the moving death of K-2SO in Rogue One. We are selective about which robots we choose to think of as worthy of dignity. Empathy turns out to be a creative choice not just for the creator but for the viewer. It’s worth interrogating our hearts when we cheer and laugh about violence being done to others. Sometimes, it’s just a toy. Sometimes, not. https://www.instagram.com/p/CP0167GD0dc/?utm_medium=tumblr