admin 
Posted in 
Tags: 
 |
CucinaPro 1448 12 Inch Griddle & Crepe Maker List Price: $49.99 Sale Price: $31.00 Used From: $25.00  |
|
1448 - 12" GRIDDLE&CREPE MAKER - 12 inch diameter griddle Non-stick aluminum plate Five different temperature settings Batter spreader included 1000 Watts Product Dimensions: 14 x 4.2 x 15.8 inches ; 4... |
 |
Japan Princess 450 ml Stainless Steel Double Wall Insulated Thermos Mug Coffee Tea Cup Sale Price: $13.99 |
|
*Size: dia.for top approx. 3.4" (8.5cm) dia. for bottom approx. 3.2" (8cm) mug approx. 4.6"H (11.5cmH) *Capacity: approx. 450ml |
 |
Hello Kitty Chinese Zodiac 8" Chopsticks (12 Pairs) List Price: $26.99 Sale Price: $29.99 |
 |
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) List Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $21.11 Used From: $21.99 |
|
Hayao Miyazaki gained widespread attention in Japan for his complex ecological manga series, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1982), which he adapted for the screen two years later. One thousand years after a war devastated much of the Earth, humanity clings to existence at the fringes of a vast, polluted forest inhabited by monstrous insects... |
 |
Funimation Dance In The Vampire Bund Complete Series Blu Ray/dvd Limited Edition/4disc Sale Price: $52.59 Used From: $43.99 |
|
Studio: Funimation Prod Inc Release Date: 06/14/2011 Run time: 300 minutes |
 |
Baby Nasal Aspirator Vacuum Suction Pigeon (Made in Japan) Sale Price: $15.99 |
|
This nasal cleaner is with a tube for mother to vacuum out baby's mucus. You can feel and control vacuum suction. When the nose is clear, you will feel the free air go in your mouth. The mucus will be collected in the container... |
 |
Baby Clear Cut Nail Clipper Pigeon (new yellow color Made in Japan) Sale Price: $13.99 |
|
You are getting the new yellow color baby nail clipper. It is easy to use and great for baby and kids. (Pigeon is a renowned Japanese company producing high quality baby products. Selling in over 50 countries and for nearly 50 years, the company has earned a reputation for safety and reliability around the world... |
 |
Big Happie Hair Bumpits Hair Volumizing Inserts (Set of 5) - Brown Sale Price: $4.97 |
|
From flat to fabulous! Get amazing results! Feel confident and beautiful in seconds. Bumpits volumizing inserts stay firmly in your hair. No matter what style you are bumpin! Features: Comfortable, leave in, self gripping hidden inserts Create perfect volume everytime Costs less than one trip to your salon For classic volume in crown Instructions are included Simple to use Easy to create dozens of styles Includes: 2 x Large Bumpits Inserts 2 x Mini Bang Bumpits Inserts 1 x BONUS Hollywood Bumpits Insert |
 |
Blue Princess Holly Bonsai Tree with Japanese Lantern Sale Price: $24.99 |
|
The use of Holly as a symbolic winter decoration, with its shiny, prickly leaves and blood-red berries, goes back in history to the Celtic peoples of Northern Europe, who decorated their homes with it during the time of the winter solstice, or Yule... |
Star Wars: The Franchise That May Never Disappear
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, there was the little sci-fi movie that could "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope". At the time, though, it was just known as Star Wars, and it created a franchise unlike anything seen before.
In 2005, Forbes magazine estimated that the Star Wars franchise, from the time it began in the late seventies, had generated more than twenty billion dollars in revenue, and with six big screen success stories, at least three spin-off films, five licensed television shows, and thousands of books, comic books, and toys, it's no surprise. What might be a surprise, though, is that by the time Star Wars creator George Lucas finished the first film, he was over-budget, out of time, and convinced the film would be a flop. Early screenings of the film did little to improve Lucas' ideas that the film would be any kind of success, but when it was finally released in the summer of 1977, the film earned nearly seven million dollars in its first weekend. It is considered to be the second highest profitable film of all time.
More than Great Films
Ask any Star Wars fan, though, and they'll tell you it's not just about the movies, it's also about the associated merchandise. The initial film was predicted to be a flop, so no merchandise was created to debut with the film's release. The toy company, Kenner, though had purchased the license to sell associate products By Christmas of 1977, demand was so high, Kenner created an "Early Bird Special" kit. The kit held a certificate fans could send in for four 3 inch figures as soon as they became available. On Christmas morning, thousands of kids got empty cardboard envelopes that held only a display stand, a Star Wars club card, a few stickers, and a certificate they could put their name and address on, mail in, and wait for several months for the first Star Wars toys ever produced to arrive. Months later, lots of kids did get Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, R2-D2, and Chewbacca in the mail, and years later, these four figures are considered to be some of the most valuable action figures on the collectors' market today.
Explosive Industry Growth
As you can probably imagine, the Star Wars toy and merchandise franchise has grown considerably since the Christmas of 1977. Once Kenner geared up the production machine, it slowed for no one. From additional action figures to vehicles, playsets, and lightsabers, the vintage Star Wars toy market had everything. As Episodes V and VI were released, more toys hit the market. T-shirts, bed sheets, toothbrushes, combs, and watches were all part of the marketing campaign as well.
After the release of Return of the Jedi, though, the Star Wars marketing machine slowed considerably. People seemed to thing the Star Wars market was nearing the end. However, in the late 1990s, a new line of Star Wars action figures was released. Dubbed "The Power of the Force" line, these green carded figures created a whole new generation of collectors, and with the release of the special edition of the original trilogy, and the subsequent release of Star Wars Episode I, the marketing machine kicked back into high gear. From bubble bath to sandals, the Star Wars name can be found on almost anything these days, and with talk of additional television series, DVDs, and even other films, it's hard to tell when the franchise will ever slow down.
About the Author
The author is the Admin of the Anime Friends Network site AnimeMine.com, where you can meet new friends and discuss your favorite anime and manga subjects. This article can also be found at our free article directory Smarticlesmart.com. For more anime information please go to Animemine.com today. For more free articles please try Smarticlesmart.com.
 RARE NRFB Ban Dai Star Princess Barbie Japanese Doll  US $101.25
|
 NIB MA BA Japanese Fantasy Barbie (Princess Collection) US $180.00
|
 #1112 NRFB Ban Dai Star Princess Barbie Japanese Doll US $114.75
|
 RARE NRFB MA BA Japanese La Ballerina Princess Barbie US $190.00
|
 Mattel's Barbie Dolls of the World- The Princess Collection JAPANESE BARBIE US $40.00
|
 1988 RARE JAPANESE MARKET BEAUTIFUL BARBIE PRINCESS FANTASY US $149.99
|
 RARE NRFB Ban Dai Star Princess Barbie Japanese Doll US $108.00
|
