The Retroist

This Week’s Top Retro Commercial

The Retroist — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:00:18 +0000

This weeks top retro commercial is … Kentucky Fried Chicken (1970).

Muppets Sing Stars and Stripes Forever

The Retroist — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:00:55 +0000

The Muppets know how to make a person feel patriotic. Have a happy and safe 4th of July.

I Love you Bollywood He-Man!

The Retroist — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:55:56 +0000

I knew He-Man could kick ass, but I had not idea he had such sweet moves.

Retroist Podcast – Episode 014 – The Smurfs

The Retroist — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:36:55 +0000

Today’s show is about the half century old pop phenomenon, The Smurfs. We talk about their creator, Peyo, how he created the Smurfs, their spread across the world and their lingering presence. metagirl is back with a top 5 list and we play some great music and retro-commercials. Please excuse my pronunciation, especially on the foreign words. I had a bit of a mouth injury this week, but as they say … the show must go on.

Listen to the Show

Love nostalgia? Want to give podcasting a shot? Just drop me an email with an audio sample at theretroist@gmail.com.

If you have any suggestions for topics you would like for me to cover in the future, email them to me at theretroist@gmail.com or call the Retroist Hotline at 641.715.3900 extension 57185. Want to chat? Contact me via AIM. My handle is retroist. You can also follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/retroist and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/retroist.

Have a movie, video or far out topic you would like Jonathan to talk about? Drop him an email at faroutspacenuts@rfrpodcast.com. Got an idea for a top 5 list? Email metagirl at metagirl@retroist.com.

You can click the player below the opening paragraph to listen to the show directly from the site, you can use the subscription button below to add the show to your favorite news reader or subscribe to show directly through iTunes. Thanks for listening and enjoy the show.

Stop Motion Movie “The Building of the Lego Millennium Falcon”

The Retroist — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:00:26 +0000

If you only watch one stop motion Millennium Falcon Lego consturction film this week, make sure it is this brilliant (although mythologically inaccurate) video by David Gunstensen.

Tap Dancer Bill Bailey Does the Moonwalk in 1955

The Retroist — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:58:49 +0000

Here is a video of, Bill Bailey, the creator of the Moonwalk (he called it the Backslide) doing his thing in 1955. If you are not a fan of talented dancers you can fast forward to the end.

Pac-Man Power Pellets Mints and Sours

The Retroist — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:00:13 +0000

As Jonathan mentioned in last week’s podcast, the Pac-Man power pellets, can be bought in Mint and Sour flavors from online retailer fredflare. It looks likes a set of 3 will run you about $12. I am not sure that the candy in the tins are worth $4, but the tins themselves are definitely worth it.

Pac-Man Power Pellets Mints and Sours [@] fredflare

Beer AFTER Skydiving Never BEFORE

The Retroist — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:00:51 +0000

After a long day of skydiving I nothing like a cold Lowenbrau with you friends. Just make sure you drink it after – never before.

…but not as fast as Stirrup Pants Girl!

The Retroist — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:00:36 +0000

Why stirrup pants never caught on in the super hero world is beyond me.

Mastertronics Needs You!

The Retroist — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:00:54 +0000

The 1980s were a very time for gaming. Could you imagine if you opened you copy of Grand Theft Auto IV and it had a job application to work at Rockstar in it? That is in effect what Mastertronic did with there games. They included a recruiting paper in each game with their futuristic looking mascot Mistertronic striking a very Uncle Sam-like pose.

All you need to do is send them a copy of you game with code and instructions. I wonder how many people sent code to their “Head of Software”? Which incidentally is what I now choose to call myself.

Click on thumbnail for larger image

Video Arcade Gum

The Retroist — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:00:50 +0000

Topps came out with these very awesome containers of gum right about the time of the North American video game crash. I have a vague recollection of buying these and the gum inside being mini-Chiclets. Sadly I never kept one and if I tried it is long since crushed in some box somewhere.

If you look very closely I think you will be pretty impressed by the details on these things. Not bad for a disposable gum container. Check out a single container:

Main Sell Sheet for Topps – Video Arcade Gum [@] Flickr
Donkey Kong Jr. Container (it is/was for sale) [@] Flickr

Man Build life-size Bumblebee Transformer in Yard

The Retroist — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:00:17 +0000

A California man, who is more of a Transformer fan then I will ever be, has built a life-sized Transformer for his son. Tom Rhoads of Lemoore, California built the 18′ statue from an actual VW Beetle and lets people visit and admire the statue. Just make sure to follow the rules or Bumblebee will come to life and stomp you.

Lemoore is not exactly on the beaten path, but if you are road tripping between Los Angeles and San Francisco, it will probably be worth the trip.

Man Build life-size Bumblebee Transformer [@] dailystab