Burger Chef Star Wars Poster In-Store Decoration

Last week I posted about an unauthorized set of Star Wars business cards which I assumed would be a Quasi-Interesting Paraphernalia Inc. exclusive. But nope, after I published that post I discovered that someone had beaten me to it by a good number of years (although I have the superior scans).

Well this time it's different. I'm bringing you a Star Wars World Wide Web exclusive! Ladies and gentlemen, I proudly present a Burger Chef Star Wars Poster In-Store Decoration...



This cardboard mobile hung from the ceiling of the Burger Chef restaurants (a now defunct fast food chain in case anyone was wondering) during a 1978 Star Wars posters promotion. Check out this cool television commercial...



Well there you have it. You won't find this particular bit of Stars Wars memorabilia anywhere on the interwebs.

Now is there anyone reading this who would care to make me an offer on this rare bit of Star Wars memorabilia?

Star Wars Business Cards

Here's an odd bit of unauthorized Star Wars memorabilia. Back in 1977 when Star Wars was originally released (and when Star Wars was still called "Star Wars"- before all the "episode" non-sense) some clever and enterprising person came up with a quick way to cash in on the Star Wars mania that was sweeping the nation: Star Wars Business Cards!

Okay, maybe this wasn't such a great idea, and I suspect the person that came up with these owned a printing shop. You can tell this set of 12 cards were written by amateurs because isn't very funny either. There's some mild attempts at humor, but for the most part the characters' name and occupation is simply listed. Also is was an odd design choice to color C-3PO black.

Old Chicago brochure

Here's a vintage brochure for the long gone Old Chicago in Bolingbrook Illinois. Old Chicago was a indoor amusement park and shopping center.

Now only if it was a shopping center first and amusement park second, much like the Mall of America, maybe Old Chicago would have lasted more than six years (1975-1981).

Maybe it's just me, but there's something fundamentally depressing about an indoor amusement park.







UPDATED FUN FACT: A memorable scene in Brian De Palma's The Fury (1978) was shot at Old Chicago. If you watch the trailer below at around the 1:10 mark you'll see a spinning ride go out of control, and send its passengers sailing through a large glass window.

Guntown Mountain brochure

I know I visited Guntown Mountain in Cave City, Kentucky as a kid, but I don't remember much about it. It's hard to believe with all the action packed entertainment they crammed into this place that I don't remember something. All I know I was there, but the details of the western town, scenic train, petting zoo, onyx cave and even a haunted house are gone. (Actually I do remember looking at the haunted house, but we didn't go in.)

Anyways, the cover of this vintage brochure is certainly very memorable. Although I have doubts they still use this particular cover photo.

It's Where the Brady Bunch Stayed

There's a memorable episode of the Brady Bunch where they travel to Kings Island amusement park near Cincinnati Ohio. Between getting Alice to ride the roller coaster, Jan losing the important blueprints, and both Greg and Peter dressing up as one of the Hair Bear Bunch characters - the Brady's stayed at the luxurious Kings Island Inn.

Here's a brochure from the 1970's that I'm sure Brady's brought home to show the neighbors what a swanky place they stayed at.

Early 70's 3M Surveillance Camera System brochure

I'm not a big PC type of guy, but I got to admit the cover of this brochure is pretty sexiest.

This was a very bad day at the bank.

I love the guy they got to portray the bank robber - very old time movie gangster-like

Once the surveillance equipment is installed, robbery by old time movie gangsters will be a thing of the past.

Are there any surveillance systems in operation today that still use film?

Story Book Forest Brochure

This is a brochure from the late 70's for the children's amusement park Story Book Forest in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. I'm happy to report that this quaint old fashioned attraction built in 1956 is still in business and is now part of Idlewild Park.

I've never been to Story Book Forest, but from the reports I've read its upkeep is immaculate. It's a minor miracle that an attraction of this kind this hasn't slipped into disrepair over the years.