Hamilton Invaders

Toys
Toyline Hamilton Invaders
Manufacturer(s) Remco
Era 1960s
Category Playsets
Web address N/A

The Hamilton's Invaders was a 1964 series of plastic toys of giant insect type monsters, toy soldiers and vehicles. The toyline was conceived and marketed by Remco on television during the early 1960s, inspired by the giant insect (see List of natural horror films) genre that were popular from the 1950s, that were in reruns on TV.[1]

A child could propel the giant insect toys via pull-string motors towards blue soldiers while counter-attacking with heavy motorized artillery and helicopters. Remco also produced a bug-eyed helmet and grenade pistol which the child could wear for total immersion in the play-acting scenario.[2] It is not known how the name "Hamilton" was decided upon.

Parts to these playsets are rare, as the toyline was ended after a selling for a single season (the copyright on the toy packaging is 1964). It is believed that though popular with children, their mothers did not enjoy having moving giant insects in their home.

Items and playsets available

The Bugs

Advertised names for the spider and beetle were "Spooky Spider" and "Gruesome Beetle" or "Brutal Beetle". The colors were not consistent. Horrible Hamilton usually was made in green, but some yellow versions were made. Some of the spiders and beetles were issued in a green base color plastic. The spider and beetle were reissued by Remco with the large "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" playsets in the late 1960s.

References

  1. Shabecoff, Philip (1964-08-30). "Advertising: Monster Market Creeping Up; Toy Manufacturers to Capitalize on National Fad Industry Foresees Built-in Program in TV Shows". The New York Times. One such toy is its Hamilton Invaders, starring Horrible Hamilton, a suitably chilling mobile insect from outer space.
  2. https://books.google.com/books?id=Ot4DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA153&dq=%22hamilton+invaders%22#PPA152,M1 p.154 Monsters Invade the Toy Market "Ebony" magazine December 1964
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