In a 1968 TV commercial for the Easy Bake Oven, a Muppet version of the Kenner Toys mascot, the Kenner Gooney Bird, pesters a human girl to make him food. At one point during the commercial, the bird pops out of one of the pies baked in the oven.
The end of the commercial has the Gooney Bird flying towards a massive wall full of Kenner products, only to have the entire pile collapse on the Bird. The Bird says the company slogan, "It's Kenner -- it's fun!"
The Gooney Bird puppet used in the commercial was later introduced on Sesame Street as Little Bird.
Kenner was a toy company founded in 1947 by Albert, Phillip, and Joseph Steiner, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was named after the street where the original corporate offices were located. It was purchased by the toy company Hasbro in mid-1991. Hasbro closed the Cincinnati offices of Kenner in 2000, and Kenner's product lines were merged into Hasbro's. Kenner created several lines of Star Wars toys during its run, its most popular being a unique set of 96 colorful 3.75 inch action figures, produced between 1977 and 1985, modeled after characters appearing in the Original Trilogy. Kenner acquired the license to produce Star Wars toys when the Mego Corporation rejected it in 1976, and, upon the success of the line, popularized the 3.75 inch scale, which has since become an industry standard that continues to dominate the action figure toy market.
In addition to producing action figures based upon Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, the toy company also produced more stylized figures for the Droids and Ewoks cartoon series. Following a long hiatus, Kenner relaunched its Star Wars line in 1995 with The Power of the Force Collection.
The table below takes information as given on the cards with which each action figure debuted. After the debut of an action figure, details in the packaging, in the shape of the action figure and the name of the action figure were subject to change. No one characteristic (name, shape or product number) completely defines the list, rather all the characteristics taken together form a clear list.
Note that there are 96 action figures listed below, though the final card-back promoted a full line of 93 action figures. This is because when Kenner produced new versions (with new, unique product numbers) of R2-D2 and C-3PO action figures, they discontinued previous versions. Two versions of R2-D2 were discontinued. One version of C-3PO was discontinued.
Also note that the identical name "Bespin Security Guard" is given to two action figures. The first figure (No. 39810) is white, the second figure (No. 69640) is black. On card-backs the two Bespin Security Guards are shown separately, but still labeled with the same name.
| "Wave" | Debut package card | Action figure (verbatim from debut package) | Product no. (on card) | Debut year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 12-Back "Star Wars" | Luke Skywalker | No. 38180 | 1977 |
| A | 12-Back "Star Wars" | Princess Leia Organa | No. 38190 | 1977 |
| A | 12-Back "Star Wars" | Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) | No. 38200 | 1977 |
| A | 12-Back "Star Wars" | Chewbacca | No. 38210 | 1977 |
| A | 12-Back "Star Wars" | See-Threepio (C-3PO) | No. 38220 | 1977 |
| A | 12-Back "Star Wars" | Darth Vader | No. 38230 | 1977 |
| A | 12-Back "Star Wars" | Stormtrooper | No. 38240 | 1977 |
| A | 12-Back "Star Wars" | Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi | No. 38250 | 1977 |
| A | 12-Back "Star Wars" | Han Solo | No. 38260 | 1977 |
| A | 12-Back "Star Wars" | Jawa | No. 38270 | 1977 |
| A | 12-Back "Star Wars" | Sand People | No. 38280 | 1977 |
| A | 12-Back "Star Wars" | Death Squad Commander | No. 38290 | 1977 |
| B | 20-Back "Star Wars" | Greedo | No. 39020 | 1978 |
| B | 20-Back "Star Wars" | Hammerhead | No. 39030 | 1978 |
| B | 20-Back "Star Wars" | Snaggletooth | No. 39040 | 1978 |
| B | 20-Back "Star Wars" | Walrus Man | No. 39050 | 1978 |
| B | 20-Back "Star Wars" | Luke Skywalker: X-Wing Pilot | No. 39060 | 1978 |
| B | 20-Back "Star Wars" | R5-D4 | No. 39070 | 1978 |
| B | 20-Back "Star Wars" | Death Star Droid | No. 39080 | 1978 |
| B | 20-Back "Star Wars" | Power Droid | No. 39090 | 1978 |
| C | 21-Back "Star Wars" | Boba Fett | No. 39250 | 1979 |
| D | 31-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Leia Organa (Bespin Gown) | No. 39720 | 1980 |
| D | 31-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | FX-7 | No. 39730 | 1980 |
| D | 31-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Imperial Stormtrooper (Hoth Battle Gear) | No. 39740 | 1980 |
| D | 31-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Rebel Soldier (Hoth Battle Gear) | No. 39750 | 1980 |
| D | 31-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Bossk (Bounty Hunter) | No. 39760 | 1980 |
| D | 31-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | IG-88 | No. 39770 | 1980 |
| D | 31-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues) | No. 39780 | 1980 |
| D | 31-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Han Solo (Hoth Outfit) | No. 39790 | 1980 |
| D | 31-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Lando Calrissian | No. 39800 | 1980 |
| D | 31-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Bespin Security Guard | No. 39810 | 1980 |
| E | 32-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Yoda | No. 38310 | 1980 |
| F | 41-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Ugnaught | No. 39319 | 1981 |
| F | 41-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Dengar | No. 39329 | 1981 |
| F | 41-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Han Solo (Bespin Outfit) | No. 39339 | 1981 |
| F | 41-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Lobot | No. 39349 | 1981 |
| F | 41-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Leia (Hoth Outfit) | No. 39359 | 1981 |
| F | 41-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Rebel Commander | No. 39369 | 1981 |
| F | 41-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | AT-AT Driver | No. 39379 | 1981 |
| F | 41-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Imperial Commander | No. 39389 | 1981 |
| F | 41-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | 2-1B | No. 39399 | 1981 |
| G | 45-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) (with Sensorscope) | No. 69420 / No. 69590 | 1982 |
| G | 45-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | C-3PO (Removable Limbs) | No. 69430 / No. 69600 | 1982 |
| G | 45-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Luke Skywalker (Hoth Battle Gear) | No. 69610 | 1982 |
| G | 45-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | AT-AT Commander | No. 69620 | 1982 |
| G | 45-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | (Twin-Pod) Cloud Car Pilot | No. 69630 | 1982 |
| G | 45-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Bespin Security Guard | No. 69640 | 1982 |
| H | 47-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | 4-LOM | No. 70010 | 1982 |
| H | 47-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Zuckuss | No. 70020 | 1982 |
| I | 48-Back "The Empire Strikes Back" | Imperial Tie Fighter Pilot | No. 70030 | 1982 |
| J | 65-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Admiral Ackbar | No. 70310 | 1983 |
| J | 65-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight Outfit) | No. 70650 | 1983 |
| J | 65-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Princess Leia Organa (Boushh Disguise) | No. 70660 | 1983 |
| J | 65-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Gamorrean Guard | No. 70670 | 1983 |
| J | 65-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Emperor's Royal Guard | No. 70680 | 1983 |
| J | 65-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Chief Chirpa | No. 70690 | 1983 |
| J | 65-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Logray (Ewok Medicine Man) | No. 70710 | 1983 |
| J | 65-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Klaatu | No. 70730 | 1983 |
| J | 65-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Rebel Commando | No. 70740 | 1983 |
| J | 65-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Weequay | No. 70760 | 1983 |
| J | 65-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Squid Head | No. 70770 | 1983 |
| J | 65-Back "Return of the Jedi" | General Madine | No. 70780 | 1983 |
| J | 65-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Bib Fortuna | No. 70790 | 1983 |
| J | 65-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Ree-Yees | No. 70800 | 1983 |
| J | 65-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Biker Scout | No. 70820 | 1983 |
| J | 65-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard Disguise) | No. 70830 | 1983 |
| J | 65-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Nien Numb | No. 70840 | 1983 |
| K | 77-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Nikto | No. 71190 | 1984 |
| K | 77-Back "Return of the Jedi" | 8D8 | No. 71210 | 1984 |
| K | 77-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Princess Leia Organa (in Combat Poncho) | No. 71220 | 1984 |
| K | 77-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Wicket W. Warrick | No. 71230 | 1984 |
| K | 77-Back "Return of the Jedi" | The Emperor | No. 71240 | 1984 |
| K | 77-Back "Return of the Jedi" | B-Wing Pilot | No. 71280 | 1984 |
| K | 77-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Klaatu (in Skiff Guard Outfit) | No. 71290 | 1984 |
| K | 77-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Han Solo (in Trench Coat) | No. 71300 | 1984 |
| K | 77-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Teebo | No. 71310 | 1984 |
| K | 77-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Prune Face | No. 71320 | 1984 |
| K | 77-Back "Return of the Jedi" | AT-ST Driver | No. 71330 | 1984 |
| K | 77-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Rancor Keeper | No. 71350 | 1984 |
| L | 79-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Lumat | No. 93670 | 1984 |
| L | 79-Back "Return of the Jedi" | Paploo | No. 93680 | 1984 |
| M | 92-Back "Power of the Force" | Luke Skywalker (in Battle Poncho) | No. 93710 | 1985 |
| M | 92-Back "Power of the Force" | Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) with pop-up Lightsaber | No. 93720 | 1985 |
| M | 92-Back "Power of the Force" | Romba | No. 93730 | 1985 |
| M | 92-Back "Power of the Force" | Amanaman | No. 93740 | 1985 |
| M | 92-Back "Power of the Force" | Barada | No. 93750 | 1985 |
| M | 92-Back "Power of the Force" | Imperial Gunner | No. 93760 | 1985 |
| M | 92-Back "Power of the Force" | Han Solo (in Carbonite Chamber) | No. 93770 | 1985 |
| M | 92-Back "Power of the Force" | Luke Skywalker (Imperial Stormtrooper Outfit) | No. 93780 | 1985 |
| M | 92-Back "Power of the Force" | Anakin Skywalker | No. 93790 | 1985 |
| M | 92-Back "Power of the Force" | EV-9D9 | No. 93800 | 1985 |
| M | 92-Back "Power of the Force" | Warok | No. 93810 | 1985 |
| M | 92-Back "Power of the Force" | Lando Calrissian (General Pilot) | No. 93820 | 1985 |
| M | 92-Back "Power of the Force" | A-Wing Pilot | No. 93830 | 1985 |
| M | 92-Back "Power of the Force" | Imperial Dignitary | No. 93850 | 1985 |
| N | 93-Back "Power of the Force" (sold outside U.S.) | Yak Face | No. 93840 | 1985 |
Elliot: "Coke. You see, we drink it. It's a, it's a drink. You know, food. These are toys. These are little men. [Elliot shows E.T. several Star Wars action figures.] This is Greedo, and then this is Hammerhead. See, this is Walrus Man, and this is Snaggletooth and this is Boba Fett. See... and look, they can even have wars. Look at this. [Elliot has the action figures shoot each other.] Look, fish..."
In the 1994 The Simpsons episode "Lisa's Rival", Ralph Wiggum says "I bent my Wookiee" when he falls on his figure of Chewbacca. Ralph also enters a diorama of re-packaged Star Wars action figures in a contest. His collection includes Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Chewbacca.
Kenner on Wikipedia
 This article is in need of images. |
Kenner Products was a toy company founded in 1947 in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was purchased by Tonka in 1987 and both were purchased by Hasbro in 1991. It was in charge of Transformers, and Hasbro's other boys' toys brands, from 1995 until 2000, when its Cincinnati offices were closed and all Kenner brands were moved back to Pawtucket, Rhode Island and merged under the Hasbro name.
When Transformers was transferred to Kenner, Generation 2 somewhat suddenly stopped production and in January of 1996 Beast Wars hit toy store shelves.
|
|
Wikis
Quiz
Map
Misc
Search
