Random Toy Pic :: Lips Manlis gets the message.

My intern got this horse finger-puppet, and the first thing I thought of was the scene from The Godfather where the gangster finds his horse's head in his bed. I have a Lips Manlis action figure (from the Playmates Dick Tracy line) and, along with my intern's dollhouse and furniture, I knew I had myself a 'Kodak Moment' if there ever was one!

Dick in a Box

Meanwhile, on the bad side of town...

'Mumblememble package arrived mumble Manlis mumble...'

'Mumblewhatsmumbleinside.'

'Me, Mumbles! I was in the box!

First, I cut a hole in the box, then I put myself in the box, and now I'm gonna put a hole in your head!'

BLAM!

'All right, whose next? Don't try to run, Rodent, the long arm of the law...'

THWOCK! AAARGH!

'...is holding on to an even longer billy club!

Now where's your boss, Lips Manlis?'

'There you are, Lips. How's about you wrap those big flappers around this pistol of mine and save the Justice System some grief!'

BuhBLAMO!

'Hot lead. Part of a Mobster's complete breakfast.'

Speaking of 'complete', Toyriffic reader Patrick recently sent me this complete Dick Tracy action figure - thanks again, Patrick!- and as you can tell, the accessories really enhance payability with these figures. Dick Tracy came with a club and pistol, as well as a removable holster to store his gun.

It's a shame Tracy didn't come with his signature yellow trenchcoat, but I'm sure the bean counters at Playmates didn't think the added expense would profit out. And they were right, since this series pretty much fizzled along with the movie itself.

But in retrospect the figures are goofy fun. Haven't seen the movie for a few years now, so I can't attest to it's longevity.

I'm glad I finally have someone around to keep those mobsters in line. I didn't mind the Hot Wheels hauling home-made hooch from one end of the house to another, but when they started whoring out the Plamobil figures, I knew some drastic steps needed to be taken!

He's Got a Mug Like a Dick Tracy Character!

A coffee mug, see...myeah!

More Dick Tracy fun!

I've had this coffee mug since the Disney movie was released in 1990. It was made by Applause and probably came from Hallmark or something. It's useless as a coffee mug, because it has functional wheels! A cute gimmick, but I don't need my coffee on wheels, especially since I live in California. Earthquakes and rolling coffee mugs don't mix.

So instead I use it to hold pens and pencils. And ironically it has never once rolled away and spilled. Sigh.

I never realized it until now, but with a little minor modification this could easily be made into a Clyde Barrow getaway car mug! Cool!

He's got a face like a Dick Tracy villain!

Actually, they all do...because these three mooks are all Dick Tracy villains!

Based on the 1990 film and made by Playmates, the Dick Tracy toyline was one I gladly skipped at the time. I'm a fan of Dick Tracy and I enjoyed the movie, but the toys never appealed to me. But when the chance to get three of them for next to nothing arose yesterday I figured 'what the hell.'

This one is Lips Manlis, who was portrayed in the movie by Paul Sorvino. It's too bad I don't have his accessories, apparently Lips came with a set of concrete shoes! I suppose I could fashion a set out of clay or something though. If I had a fish tank, he'd make the perfect decoration sunk to the bottom with his cement overshoes!

This unfortunate looking chap here is Mumbles, who was played by Dustin Hoffman. Until they make a Tootsie action figure, this is probably the only Dustin Hoffman toy anyone will ever own and no one will want. Poor Mumbles!

And polishing off the criminal trifecta is The Rodent, who was played in the film by Neil Summers. Dig that mouse trap belt buckle!

These guys are beyond ridiculous looking, yet having them now I can sort of see the appeal. They would make excellent OG TMNT foes since they are essentially engineered exactly the same. They would also make great Batman villains if there was a Batman line they fit into, but I can't think of one that matches this scale/cartoony stature. In the meantime they fill a slot in my collection I never knew needed filling, and will run amok in toy town until I can track down a Dick Tracy to keep them in line!