I’ve always been a huge fan of toys—past, present, and future. As a child, I gravitated toward toys with a science fiction theme, which provided endless hours of play and imagination. Some of my favorites were Mego’s Micronauts. I also loved their World’s Greatest Super-Heroes 8-inch action figures. Additionally, I adored the original Kenner Star Wars toys. While researching this article, I came across the toy company REMCO—a name I hadn’t thought about in years. Looking back, I realized just how many of their toys I had as a kid. They were not the biggest toy manufacturer, but their products captured kids’ imaginations everywhere. Seeing their commercials or flipping through the annual Sears Wishbook was enough to make any toy-loving kid’s heart race.
REMCO Industries is based in New Jersey. The name ‘REMCO’ came from ‘REMote COntrol.’ They were one of the first toy companies to incorporate remote controls into their products. REMCO couldn’t compete with industry giants like Mego, Kenner, or Hasbro. Yet, they still managed to secure some impressive licenses. They produced toys based on Star Trek, Lost in Space, and even the classic Universal Monsters. They also released items tied to Marvel and DC Comics characters.
The packaging for REMCO toys wasn’t always eye-catching. However, what they lacked in visual appeal, they made up for in playability. Some of their licensed toys were odd. Examples include a Hulk utility belt or a Star Trek Astro-Helmet. Kids didn’t seem to mind. These quirky products sold well, proving that branding alone would drive demand.
Founded in 1949 in Newark, NJ, by cousins Ike Heller and Saul Robbins, REMCO initially focused on walkie-talkie-style toys. They were also pioneers in television toy advertising, making their products even more desirable. However, the company filed for bankruptcy in 1971 and was later acquired by Azrak-Hamway International (AHI) in 1974. The REMCO and Child Guidance brands were eventually purchased by Jakks Pacific in 1997.
Like many kids, I went through a phase where toys took a backseat. This occurred during junior high. I was too old to play with them. Yet, I was also too young to collect them. Ironically, it was during this time, in 1979, that REMCO released one of their most beloved lines: Mini-Monsters. This series featured six 3¾-inch figures of classic Universal Monsters. The lineup included Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Wolfman. It also had The Mummy and The Phantom of the Opera. Finally, The Creature from the Black Lagoon was part of it. The figures had impressive detail and came in both standard and glow-in-the-dark versions.
The Mini-Monsters line also included two playsets. The Mini Monster Play Case served as a storage unit. It transformed into a haunted mansion complete with a flip-top mummy tomb. There was a creature cage and a disappearing lab table. It also had a spooky laboratory with a doorway. The second playset, the Mini Monster Monsterizer, was designed specifically for the glow-in-the-dark figures. It featured flashing lights and eerie sounds, adding an extra layer of fun as the monsters glowed ominously inside.
Building on the success of the Mini-Monsters, REMCO later introduced 9-inch versions of the figures. These larger toys were fully poseable and featured “Monster Crush” grabbing action. Each figure came with a glow-in-the-dark ring and an iron-on patch. To complement them, REMCO released a larger Monsterizer with similar glowing effects. They also introduced Monsters At Home, a series of glow-in-the-dark hand puppets, each housed in its own display box.
From there REMCO also created a line of monster hand puppets, called Monsters At Home. These also glowed in the dark and all featured a display box that the puppets were be stored in.
Fast-forward to today, and REMCO’s monster figures are still highly sought after. Original Mini-Monsters command big prices on eBay. In recent years, new 3¾-inch figures inspired by the classic line have been released. This proves that the legacy of REMCO’s monsters is alive and well.
Don’t forget to check out other entries in my BASEMENT TOY BOX series!