Where Playmobil got some logos for its western houses

[Marc]

Hi Playmofriends,

When watching Rio Lobo (starring John Wayne) this week I found saw some familiar logos used for the western houses.
Have a look at it yourself.

Regards,
Marc

[Coyote]

That's so cool...

[Bill Blackhurst]

Excellent eye, Marc  !

[Martin Milner]

I guess that shows what a good job Playmobil did on the western stuff, at least if you assume Hollywood got it right.

It's just a shame there are so few normal houses for folks to live in, but I suppose they lived out of town on ranches, and the town itself was all businesses with shops, Banks, Saloons, stables, Bath houses andf the Sheriff's office.

[Gepetto]

I was reading an article about small towns in the midwest and stated that many families maintained 'town houses' (really just shantys) so they would have a place to stay when they came to town. The ranches were so far away that they needed a day or more to re-supply and conclude their business before heading back home. The buildings were akin to our fishing/hunting shacks and I think the little cabin would be a good substitute. 


Gepetto

[Rasputin]

Hello 

   Yes that does look so familiar Marc. I do love the western them and am fortunate to have as much as I do. I am always looking for more and do appreciate your pictures of The Old West.  It was speculated that Playmobil might be reviving the El Paso Theme. I do hope it will and this brought up an interesting point

   Playmobil draws influence from Hollywood and your pictures shows this again. Now the western theme is almost dead. There have been very few big block buster western movies. I think what is happening is Hollywood is doing more that ever but they are not in the traditional sense. If you watch the new flick "Avatar" it is basically a Cowboys and Indians movie. Now they add a bunch of fantasy to it and in turn you have themes that emulate this ( Dragon Knights ). just a theory

   Rasputin "The Mad Monk"

[Justindo]

Nice find, Marc!  It's been some time since I've seen Rio Lobo, even though I have it on DVD and am a big John Wayne fan.  In looking at the font and the color, I think it's more than a coincidence!

I really do hope Playmobil releases some new Western "El Paso" sets as it would be great to get some new Western buildings, especially adobe ones.  They probably could be used for a number of other themes as well (Roman and Pirate at least).  With some different vegetation, the Egyptian house works well as a Southwestern adobe "shack".

[Indianna]

Thanks, Marc, for making this connection!  Let's all be on the lookout for more examples!   

. . .  If you watch the new flick "Avatar" it is basically a Cowboys and Indians movie. Now they add a bunch of fantasy to it and in turn you have themes that emulate this ( Dragon Knights ). just a theory

You may be on to something there, Rasputin.  I haven't seen "Avatar" yet, but one review that I read said that the plot is basically "Dances With Wolves" in a fantasy setting (now that is a very fine western movie, in my opinion!)  Perhaps Hollywood will return to making westerns eventually - soon, I hope!  It's fun to see so much interest in western Playmobil here at Playmofriends recently - it is one of my most favorite themes.   

[Giorginetto]

  With some different vegetation, the Egyptian house works well as a Southwestern adobe "shack".

Perfect for that mexican village ............... really hope that western sets come out sooner than later... back in 1978-1979 there were over 11 houses for a western house.. a m a z i n g.... i hope hollywood makes a big western blockbuster , then after 3-4 years lead time seems we get something ( gladiator for first roman klickie in special, ghost pirates fater pirates of the carribean  etc etc etc ... .. too many fantasy and modern sets these days i say , bring us some good old western sets with indians and banks and robbers and forts etc etc 

[cachalote]

i always thought this is the right way to find some help in holywood iconography.
in the pirates theme you can also speculate if pirate movies from the 50's helped hans beck in the design of the first playmo ships.
nowadays "fantasy" seems to be the word for everything.
it's a path i dislike - pirates were more or less replaced by ghost pirates, the last big ship looks totally fischer price and regular pirates figures are getting all grey, red and black.
maybe some dose of "reality" (even if it is the 50's and 60's holywood reality) will come back.
... and maybe the lovely western them has a come-back too.