Alex Toth and Hanna Barbera!

Remember “Saturday morning cartoons?”  This weekly event was a staple for us kids back in the day when there were only six channels to choose from on TV!  I grew up watching everything from Looney Toons, to Super Friends, to the Smurfs.  I loved the adventure side of Saturday morning, and nothing compared to the shows of Hanna Barbera: Thundaar the Barbarian, Johnny Quest, Herculoids, Dino Boy etc.  

2D model sheet by Alex Toth

Still from a CG animation test circa 2000

Another such character was The Blue Falcon and Dynomutt.  I’m not sure what exactly attracted me to this bizarre character(?)  It may have been the campy style of the show, and a character who was spoofing my favorite superhero, Batman.  It may also have been his guest appearances on one of my other favorite cartoons of the time, Scooby Doo!  Below are some of the original model sheets by Alex Toth, as well as some CG models built as a test several years ago:

Dynomutt CG model circa 2000

CG models circa 2000

So, I want to make my own 1:6 scale versions of these guys!!  And here are the first attempts of the 3D head prints in full color sandstone.  It’s great to see them printed in color but I may print a set out in white plastic and hand paint them for a more smoother surface.  

3D Printed Props from The Green Hornet!

3D printed models of props

The portrait was recreated in Photoshop

Still from an episode of The Green Hornet

You’re probably thinking “who the heck would want a retro TV model and a painting of an old guy?”  Well I wanted to have a couple of small set pieces to display with my custom figures.  Since the only type of market research I do when designing these toys is asking myself what I’d like, I often end up making some things that might be considered very “niche!”  But if other people like them as well, then that’s great!  These pieces are taken from the 1966 show and represent some of the props that were in Britt Reid’s office.  

The portrait is that of Britt’s father, Dan Reid, as made reference to by the character Mike Axford.  One lesser known piece of Green Hornet trivia is that of Britt’s relationship to the Lone Ranger.  The Lone Ranger’s nephew is Dan Reid, who is said to be the father of Britt Reid.  So Britt is, in turn, the grandnephew of the Lone Ranger. In the timeline of the 1966 show however, that may make less sense as too many years would have spanned between the two character's, although it seemed to fit more the timeline of The Green Hornet in the 1930’s when he was first created.  I could have some facts mixed up here but it’s something like that!  Meanwhile, I don’t know what that odd statue is on the TV but is sure looks like it too would make a cool 3D print!  If only I could find a better photo of it somewhere!