45 years ago in Playthings
Staff -- Playthings, 9/1/2001
TV's The Mickey Mouse Club was a ratings smash as kids across the nation tuned in on a daily basis, wearing mouse-ear caps and singing along with the Mouseketeers.
In 1956, the first anniversary of the show had led to a merchandising bonanza, and 30 manufacturers were licensed to produce toys based on the hot property. Among them were Mattel, Gund, Parker Bros. and Knickerbocker Toys (whose Mickey Mouse Mousketeer Bank, pictured, retailed for $1 at the time). That year, Hungerford Plastics produced an official Miss Mousketeer doll, that Walt Disney displayed among his awards and trophies. Vanity Fair Electronics, exclusive manufacturer of Mickey Mouse phonographs, had its products featured on the show as part of the Talent Round-Up segment. Earlier, the company introduced a battery-operated portable unit, an innovation in its day.
The original series ended in 1959, but reruns continue to air on the Disney Channel.
