Nuggets of nostalgia

In the 70s, "Gold Rush" bubble gum, in little, plain calico bags, was popular. The bags contained yellowish-gold "nuggets" of bubble gum. I still keep a small coin collection in one. Above is the original US box art of "Gold Rush" bubble gum (as posted on the Universal Monster Army BBS by Hepcat). I think the gum was distributed in Australia by Scanlons.



When revived a decade or so later, the cute, little, calico bag was replaced by a less-authentic, plasticised, waterproof bag - original... and grape flavour???

But below are Espeez (UK) "Gold Mine" nugget bubble gum by SP Enterprises Inc., and Mexican "Gold Nuggets" by Candy Creations Manufacturing Group. The new design means that the gum is separately packaged in an inner bag of clear cellophane. The gum is paler in colour to the original I remember. I found these at Sugar Fix in the CBD.

Customising Kooky Spookys!

General Gilghouly & Cousin Cadava

I'm halfway finished!

Based on two actual, unused, early designs of Patti Peticolas' "Kooky Spookys" (1968), I created these two new ghosts today by combining equal parts "lemon" and "nightglow luminescent" Staedtler brand Fimo Soft modelling compounds - and baking them in the oven for 30 minutes each.

Next I have to add painted facial features, again working from the original designs. Gilghouly (who originally name-swapped with Daddy Booregard, and was also described as a cousin) will carry a shotgun(!), and the one I'm calling Cousin Cadava (originally Gaston Ghost and then Daddy Cadava on paper) already has a "Hero" medal pinned to his chest and will hold a fencing foil. These two designs (of eight) were dropped when Hasbro committed to producing the family of six final Kooky Spookys (below).


Kooky Spooky (1968) retailers ad.

With thanks to the gang at the Universal Monster Army BBS.

UPDATE: The completed customs are HERE, HERE and HERE!

My PhotoPeach slideshow about Kooky Spookys is HERE!