Vintage Maneki Neko figure.

The Lucky Cat has been a popular decor item in American households for decades. Believed to bring good fortune, many variations are available – including ones designed to deliver money, luck, happiness and other great things.

Although many refer to him as the Chinese Lucky Cat, his origin is actually Japanese. The Maneki Neko (which actually means beckoning cat) was first advertised in 1902, and theorists say he was first introduced around 1876 (there’s argument whether he comes from Osaka or Tokyo). In popular culture, this good luck kitty can also be found in the form of key chains, piggy banks, ornaments or other decorative items.

It’s the Lucky Cat statue or figurine that is most recognizable, and common materials used were either ceramic or tin. He’s been seen in many colors and levels of ornateness. Traditionally, he always beckons us with an upright left paw, and many businesses placed him at entrances to “welcome” us. Other postures, though, have been used over the years, including two paws up, and mechanical figures which depict a waving paw. Typically, the left paw raised invites people, while the right paw raised invites money.

The most common colors of the cat are white, black, gold (yellow) and red, and each has meaning. White is for luck, black for good health, gold/yellow for money, and red for love. Collectors of original Maneki Nekos also look for other features, including neckwear, ornamental design, and what the cat might be holding. Each detail was designed with a purpose.

Retro-style Good Luck Kitty: Serenity.

Most interesting are the “legends” behind these cats. There are several, but among the most popular is that of a starving stray cat being taken in by a poor shop owner. In return, the cat sits outside, by the front door, and beckons new customers with its left paw. The cat, bringing prosperity to the shop owner, has since been a long-standing symbol of good fortune for small business owners.

Other folktales center around the cat diverting people from danger.

Of course, many collect lucky cats because they find them adorable. Newer, retro-styled figures don colorful designs and are displayed for fun just as much as perceived luck.

Want to learn more about the Maneki Neko? Two resources include Japan Monthly Web Magazine and Wikipedia.

Do you collect these figures? We’d love to see your pictures.

In 1951, author John Wyndham rose to prominence with his novel, The Day of the Triffids. Though the author, whose real name is—no joke—John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris, had previously published several sci-fi novels under pseudonyms based on his real name, this was the novel that he would become famous for, and is still his best known work.

By 1961, a deal was in the works to produce a feature film based on the book, and in 1962 it was released in the UK, where the film was shot. On April 27^th, 1963, however, the adaptation reached the shores of the U.S.—where the film instantly became a science fiction classic.

We’re spoiler-free here at Planet Retro, but here are the basics:

Protagonist Bill Mason (portrayed by Howard Keel), is a merchant naval officer who’s recovering in the hospital after an accident has damaged his eyes. While there, a spectacular meteor shower is visible across the globe, with some very unpleasant consequences. The result is an opportunity for triffids, tall, asparagus-like plants with a deadly poison,to—insert spooky music here—take over the world!

Like earlier science fiction films that cashed-in on the awe-inspiring power and the unknowns of the atomic age, such as THEM! (1954) and Tarantula (1955), The Day of the Triffids offers a doomsday scenario that still holds up reasonably well today. Much like its radioactivity-leading-to-nature-run-amok predecessors, The Day of the Triffids shows the unexplored consequences of the use of atomic power, and offers a glimpse into just how quickly civilization could collapse in the wake of such a disaster…even if humanity is pitted against plants that can uproot themselves and walk around!

The book was so popular, it spawned the 1962 film adaptation by Security Pictures, LTD in the UK, three separate radio dramas (1957, 1968 and 2008) and a pair of television series, the first in 1981, and the most recent in 2009. Talk about a property with legs, right? Well, roots, at least …

With 50 years behind it, The Day of the Triffids is still a fan favorite, and remains well-regarded by both readers and cinephiles. As well, triffids have managed to pop up in a  variety of places, including making an appearance as an alien in the Looney Toons cartoon, Back In Action, and if you’re real careful, you can catch a glimpse of one the aliens harvest in the movie E.T.

Oh, and of course, the title for today’s post? Well, that comes from the play (and film) The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which refers to the aforementioned Ms. Scott fighting a triffid that spits poison and kills.

As for me? Well, I’d prefer a giant ant from the film THEM! If I were outfitting a post-apocalyptic man cave, but I wouldn’t turn down my own triffid.

So long as I could chain it in its pot…

Russel Wright in his studio in 1950.

When we sit down at the dinner table, we don’t really think about who designed the tableware – the plates, bowls and serving pieces. Chances are you purchased the table settings you use today based primarily on size, color and pattern. But as with every piece of decor in the home, a designer or group of designers put years of hard work into determining the exact size, shape, material and coloring of that which presents our food.

Russel Wright was an Industrial designer from the late 1920s through the 1960s, and he played a major role in introducing modern design to the average household. From 1927 through the late ’60s he designed furniture, vases, home decor, serveware and tableware. He worked with several types of material – wood, spun aluminum, silver, ceramic, glass, plastic, pewter and melamine. He also designed a line of textiles.

Wright was born April 3, 1904. He married Mary Small Einstein – a designer and sculptor, in 1927. Together the Wrights formed Wright Accessories, a home accessories design business, and began creating unique items like cast metal animals.

A Steubenville produced American Modern sugar bowl in seafoam green.

In 1939, Wright’s line of ceramic dinnerware, American Modern, was introduced by Steubenville Pottery out of Ohio. The line remained in production until 1959, and is reportedly the most widely sold dinnerware in history.

The original colors of American Modern were Seafoam Blue, Coral, Bean Brown, Chartreuse, Grey and White. Additional colors were Cedar Green, Glacier Blue, Black Chutney and Cantaloupe. The attraction of the dinnerware was that it was totally modern with no adornments. However, they were made of earthenware, which made them quite fragile. A future line, Casual, was made of high-fired china by Iroquois (New York). In 2009, Bauer Pottery re-introduced the American Modern line in the original colors.

While American Modern is Wright’s best-known line, his work with melamine (Melmac) earned him the Museum of Modern Art Good Design Award in 1953. Wright’s Residential line was introduced in ’53. The line – unique in shapes, colors, weight and durability – helped ease consumers into using the plastic in the home. Wright also played a key role in promoting melamine for commercial use, but years-long legal battles resulted in a manufacturer stripping his name from the molds.

Wright also designed a translucent melamine line called Flair which was produced by Northern in 1959. This line was heavier and more elegant, but was short-lived due to Northern’s financial problems that started a year later.

Russel Wright Residential Line’s reissue of the divided vegetable bowl in aqua.

Today, one can find low-end melamine tableware in many department stores. Those wanting a true taste of the ’50s, including high-end quality, will appreciate the re-issue of the Residential line. Available in fantastic colors like lemon and aqua, the line features some of his most popular pieces, including cups and saucers, covered and divided vegetable blows, tumblers, platters and soup bowls.

In 1950, Mary and Russel Wright’s Guide to Easier Living was published, teaching readers how to use efficient design to decrease housework and increase leisure time. It was reprinted in 2003, and provides a great look back at their hopeful projections for the future.

Mary Wright died in 1952, leaving her husband to raise their adopted daughter, Annie. Wright retired to his 75-acre estate, Manitoga, in Garrison, New York. There, he built an eco-sensitive Modernist home and a studio he named Dragon Rock. Surrounded by woodland gardens, Dragon Rock is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated National Historic Landmark.

Wright continued designing for many companies through the late ’60s. He died December 21, 1976. Today, his daughter oversees all operations and licensing of his lifelong works.

American Modern Celery Tray: 13″ long, 3.25″ wide and 1″ deep.

Wright’s goal was to design for easy and informal living. He believed that the dinner table was the center of the home, and thus tailored his pieces around larger furniture for family gatherings. A study of his works shows his true brilliance and impact on modern living.

Want to learn more about Russel Wright’s designs and life? Be sure to visit Retro Chalet for a vast history. You can also tour Manitoga during your next New York trip.

With annual sales of more than $500 million, the whisky is a traditional gift, and many collect the purple cloth bag in which it comes to make apparel and home decor.

Recently I attended a bridal shower, and the host had a unique idea. Since the bride- and groom-to-be already had everything they needed for the home, each guest brought a bottle to be served at the wedding. The hitch? We had to decorate the bottle and be judged. I didn’t win, but I wanted to share my project, which was actually quite easy to make. Bonus for me – the primary wedding color is purple.

Supplies:

Crown Royal Bottle w/ Bag

Doll torso

Small flowers or soap petals (for bouquet)

Tulle (small roll – you don’t need much)

Crystal beads

Glue gun

I had a hard time finding a doll torso. I was looking for the ones crafters used to use for crocheting “dresses” for rolls of toilet paper. We hit several local craft stores and could only find cake toppers and an oversized one. So I picked up the large bottle of booze…

The cap was actually a bit too big for the torso, so I had to cut her in the back.

I needed more width for her to fit on the bottle’s top, so I cut a gap in the back.

Next I banded the cloth bag over the cap to determine just how much I needed to cut. I cut the cloth within the gold seam, just wide enough to fit over the doll’s chest.

Be sure to use a good pair of sharp scissors so you don’t fray the fabric.

I used hot glue to attach the seam to the doll. This was a total fail because the plastic of the doll would not hold the glue. Seeing as I can’t really sew, I opted to tighten the bag around her, and glue the bag itself together on her sides and back. I also made sure to glue along the entire cut lines to prevent fraying.

Seeing as the doll’s plastic would not accept hot glue, I aligned the dress around her before tightening it and gluing the fabric together on the sides and back.

She still had a little difficulty sitting on the bottle’s top, so I molded aluminum foil around it, and used double-sided tape to hold her to it. This way the bride could easily be lifted off the bottle, and later be set back atop it.

For the final touch, I glued lavender soap petals to one hand to act as a mock bouquet, and used tulle and crystal beads for the veil.

The bride can be lifted off the bottle, then replaced once it’s empty.

Of course, I’m not the first to craft using a Crown Royal bag. People have been making clothes, quilts and unique decor items for years. Check out this Pinterest Board: Crown Royal crafts. And if you just want to give a personalized bottle, Crown Royal sells bags with custom messages.

A knitting doll kit is a great way to introduce the kids to creative crafts. Don’t let the simplicity fool you – there are many high-end crafts that can be made using spools.

Spool knitting, (aka French knitting, cork knitting, or punnikpopje) is one of my earliest crafty memories. My spool knitter was a simple green plastic affair – just a tube with four flimsy tines sticking up – but I loved it and spent hours patiently knitting foot after foot of acrylic peach yarn into a tube with the lofty goal of making a rug. I ran out of yarn somewhere around potholder-size and the rug never materialized, but I still have fond memories of my spool knitter. That’s why I couldn’t contain my joy when Retro Planet started carrying a Knitting Doll Kit that’s quite similar to the one I used as a kid. The kit consists of a wooden spool (painted to look like a doll), a wooden needle and yarn.

Spool knitting (so called because they used to be made with nails pounded into an empty spool of thread) is a great craft for kids who are ready to graduate to something more advanced than sewing cards and Popsicle sticks. It’s easy, simple, and fun, and it’s a wonderful way to introduce a child to the world of knitting. Frustration is kept to a minimum because there’s only one needle to contend with and one simple stitch to learn. Plus, spools are very portable so they’re perfect for long car trips, plane rides, and family vacations.

The best part of spool knitting is its versatility. Kids can try simpler pieces like potholders, cat toys, flowers, headbands, and hats. Adults and teens can get in on the fun with intricate Celtic knot work and jewelry pieces made from ribbon or soft wire and beads. In fact, the only limit to spool knitting is your imagination. Anything remotely yarn-like can be knitted up with your knitting doll. I’ve even seen people make “yarn” out of plastic grocery bags!

Check out this spool knitting Pinterest board I found for project ideas, pictures of homemade spool knitters, and more. 

Did you have a knitting doll when you were a kid? Do you use one as an adult? Share some of your crafty memories with us below.

The Little Tikes football toy chest was a popular gift in the 1970s.

That pic you see is of my Dad, circa 1977 I believe, with one of the iconic kids’ products of my generation. Yep, when I was growing up, I knew at least a dozen kids who all had that same, huge football-shaped toy chest, and three decades plus later, I’m not ashamed to say that I wish I still had it. Because we all have toys, you and I, only now, they’re probably not made by Fischer Price or MECO or Milton Bradley. But if I still had one of these babies, I can just imagine which of my current-day belongings would be stored inside. My three-ring binder full of guitar tabs? Yup. My extra picks, pitch pipe, backup strings and oil for cleaning my fretboard? Oh, heck yeah. My MP3 player, which is still hanging in there and which I use to play audio books while I’m out in the garage on the treadmill? Of course. Those things, and no doubt, dozens of treasures more.

I came downstairs to open presents one Christmas, and this monster was sitting there by the tree, waiting for me. I was maybe eight years old, and I could take the lid off and actually sit inside the thing. Don’t lie—I’m betting if you had one, you did, too.

Like most kids did, you probably multi-purposed the heck out of it. Because, it wasn’t just a football. It was a race car. It was a space ship. It was a place to crawl into and get out of sight when you were playing hide and seek with visiting cousins—who didn’t know you’d already emptied it just so you could jump out and scare the daylights out of ‘em.

Later, when I was in junior high, and as my toy collection dwindled, it held my baseball equipment. My catcher’s gear, during one particularly miserable little league season. After that, it held my early hockey gear. My Mylec helmet. My CCM hockey pants. My Bauer Turbo roller skates.

It didn’t make it to see my college knickknacks or my ice hockey equipment, but through no fault of its own. That bad-boy was durable, and then some. We sold it at a garage sale about the time I turned 15, and I was a little sorry to see it go, even though it no longer fit my room or had much of a use for my things.

Still, like a first bicycle, pinewood derby race car or first model kit, that football toy chest was a fixture in my room for the better part of a decade.

What about you? Anyone out there fortunate enough to hang onto theirs long enough to pass it on to your own kids? Seen one that was designated a historic landmark in a family friend’s basement or playroom? Caught a glimpse of one recently in an old TV movie or Afterschool Special on Netflix? Or did you maybe just come across a photo, like this one? C’mon, let’s hear about it. I know there’s a bunch of you with memories to share…

Born in Utica, New York on October 22, 1942, Annette was discovered by Walt Disney in 1955 when she performed as the Swan Queen in Swan Lake in Burbank, California. She was the last to be selected as a Mouseketeer (one of the few to be chosen by Disney himself). She gained immediate popularity – reportedly garnering some 6,000 letters a month by the end of the first season of Mickey Mouse Club. She went on to appear in several Mouseketeer sketches and dance routines, including Walt Disney Presents: Annette, which also launched her singing career.

Rather hesitantly, Annette recorded several records, and many became pop hits during the ’50s and ’60s, including “O Dio Mio”, “Train of Love” and “Pineapple Princess”. In 1959 she recorded “It’s Really Love”, which was a rework of Paul Anka’s song, “Toot Sweet”. It was reworked again in 1962 as “Johnny’s Theme” for The Tonight Show.

Post-Disney days, Annette was best-known as a “beach party” movie icon. She starred in a series of films with Frankie Avalon. Her wholesome image was referenced in the Grease song “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee”.

In 1979, Annette started appearing in Skippy peanut butter commercials.

In 1992, Annette announced she had multiple sclerosis, a condition from which she’d been suffering for many years. This is the same year she was inducted as a Disney Legend. Her autobiography, A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: My Story, was released in 1994. It was later made into a TV-movie. She also produced a line of teddy bears and a fragrance called Cello, by Annette.

In 2012, Canada’s CTV Television Network profiled Annette. She’d been out of the public eye for nearly 15 years, and viewers saw that she was unable to walk and speak, requiring 24/7 care.

Annette died on April 8, 2013.

Fiesta’s currently line features a nice range of retro colors.

Introduced in 1936, Fiesta dinnerware was casual yet inexpensive tableware in solid colors. One could easily mix and match colors to create a beautiful spectrum on the dinner table. The line was discontinued in 1972, but was revived in 1986.

The original line featured just five colors – red (which was actually an orange), blue, green, yellow and ivory. Turquoise was introduced in 1937.

Avid collectors seek pieces from the initial line, which featured 30+ different pieces (plates, sugar bowls, etc.). But those wanting to add retro flair to the modern home on a budget can choose from a wide assortment of newly produced settings.

I spotted this display at my local Bed Bath & Beyond. Simple and clean, it represents key color lines, and the “fail safe” mix and match method.

Each year Fiesta introduces a new color (last year it was Flamingo, which you can see in the top left), but maintains the classic design of the dinnerware. That means you can keep adding to an existing set without compromising the overall look.

As for a real red? It’s called Scarlet. And it’s so beautiful.

Fiesta dinnerware and tableware in Scarlet.

The new color for 2013 is called Lapis. It’s a nice, rich blue and should be available soon.

Are you a fan of Fiesta? Do you collect vintage pieces, or are the latest offerings enough to whet your retro tastes?

See the photo walk-through of this project on flickr.

Looking to spruce up an old set of canisters? Want to turn those blah-ones you picked up on sale into a retro-wonder?

This walk-through on flickr (username: ignutzz) tells you just how to do it.

You’ll need tape, primer and paint, along with a well-ventilated area.

Now you can show off those storage containers in any retro color you desire.

Be sure to post me the pics when you’re done!

Infantino designed The Flash’s new uniform and “speed” blur, helping revive superheroes and kicking off the Silver Age of comic books.

While his name might not be on the tip of every comic book reader’s tongue, the work of Carmine Infantino is both recognizable and vast. As a penciller, inker, creator and editor, he was a driving force in the Silver Age of Comics (mid-50s to early-70s), and is consider a true legend.

Born in Brooklyn, NY on May 24, 1925, Infantino’s first work was inking “Jack Frost” for Timely Comics (which later became Marvel). He was just fifteen and wanted to quit school to become a staffer at the comic book publisher, but his father refused. During the ’40s, the young artist worked for several publishers, including DC – his first work there being a Johnny Thunder story that introduced the Black Canary character in Flash Comics.

In 1956, in an effort to revive superheroes, DC editor Julius Schwartz assigned Infantino and writer Robert Kanigher with the task at updating the Flash character. Infantino designed the classic red uniform with yellow details, as well as a the red and yellow blur that was used to depict the character’s speed. The newly-designed hero first appeared in Showcase #4 (October 1956), kicking off the Silver Age.

During the mid-60s, Infantino designed covers for DC’s entire line. Stan Lee actually offered him $22,000 to move to Marvel – an offer DC could not match – but the artist stayed with DC to be promoted to art director. Later promoted to editorial director, Infantino was responsible for kickstarting many successful careers, including those of artist Neal Adams (Superman, Batman, Green Arrow) and writer Denny O’Neal (Wonder Woman, Batman, Green Lantern). In 1970 he got artist Jack Kirby to leave Marvel and join DC .

It was Infantino who worked with Marvel on the crossover comic Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man.

In 1976, he returned to being a freelance artist, making him able to work on a plethora of characters and titles for various publishers. Over the span of more than fifty years, he worked on more than 60 titles and received more than a dozen awards for story-telling and illustrating.

Infantino died April 4, 2013, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to have an impact on superheroes for years to come.