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Page 26 The Antique Shoppe April, 2018
Crank Ge-Tars Mattel guitars had four stings, so a child could strum the guitar or crank it; however, the true musical
notes were produced when cranking the guitar.
Mattel quickly dropped the Hawaiian themed music found in its Uke-A-Doodles, changing the shape of
“You can tell it’s Mattel…it sounds swell!” the instrument and the name from “Uke” to “Ge-tar.”
By Larry LeMasters In 1951, Mattel’s newest Ge-tar was its “Cowboy Ge-tar” with decals of a cowboy playing a guitar and
LeMasters’ Antique News Service a bucking bronco. This Ge-tar came in four different color choices and had the choice of two different
Recently, I was in the main branch songs—“Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie” and “Red River,” making eight possible collectibles in just one
of the Central Arkansas Library Ge-tar.
System in downtown Little Rock, The Cowboy crank Ge-tar led, in 1955, to a Mickey Mouse Ge-tar, which was the beginning of Mattel’s
and I was nothing short of amazed by long line of character-based crank Ge-tars. In no particular order, here is a small sampling of some of
the display of Mattel Crank Guitars in the characters that have graced Mattel crank Ge-tars—Mickey Mouse, Popeye, Davey Crockett, Snoopy,
the library lobby. Standing before these Original 1949 Uke-A-Doodle by Mattel. Winnie-the-Pooh, Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Cat in the Hat, and Barbie. The complete list is much longer,
14-inch “Ge-tars” brought back happy, Turn the crank, “Oh Where has My Little Dog Gone” plays. giving one a view of how large a collection could be, and all of the character Ge-tars are cross-collectibles.
childhood memories of more innocent Determining the age of a Mattel crank Ge-tar has its problems and advantages. First, don’t rely on
times. Ge-tar body styles as an age indicator. Ge-tars made in the early 1960s appear to be the
When I was a young boy and dreamed of being a singing cowboy like Roy Rogers, my same size and shape as those made 10 years later because both were made from the
mother, Opal LeMasters, bought me a Mattel Cowboy Ge-tar using S&H Green Stamps. I same molds, allowing Mattel to cut production costs. However, it is easy to date Ge-tars
had no training, but turning a crank was easy, and I played beautiful melodies, “Oh as pre- and post-1970 since 1970 was the year Mattel discontinued placing neck cords on
Susanna” if I remember correctly, beneath the setting sun as my dog, Ge-tars for fear of strangulation of children.
Scout, howled at the noise I made. Mattel advertised its crank Ge-tars with the
Mattel Toy Company first introduced a crank instrument, the “Uke-A- slogan, “You can tell it’s Mattel…it sounds swell!”
Doodle,” in January 1947. The Uke-A-Doodle proved an overnight success. But serious collectors know, not all vintage Ge-tars
Harold Matson and Elliot Handler founded Mattel Creations in 1945, play music. In fact, some, when the crank is turned,
selling picture frames and dollhouse furniture. Matson, due to illness, just make an awful sound while others make no
sold his share of the company to Handler, whose wife, Ruth, became his sound at all, so some of the “swell” sounds have
business partner. been lost to time.
Handler designed and named the Uke-A-Doodle, adorning it with While it is a fun and heart-warming moment
images of palm trees. Ruth Handler posed for the image of a Hawaiian to listen to a Ge-tar turn out a song, collections
hula girl found on the instrument. are not made on “playable” Ge-tars alone since a
In 1949, just in time for Christmas, Mattel released an improved collection of these historic toy Ge-tars is found in
version of the Uke-A-Doodle. By simply turning a crank, any child could the display more than the sound. And several of
play a beautiful rendition of “Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone.” Not these hung on a wall or arranged in a cabinet make
exactly Hawaiian music, but great fun nonetheless. Vintage, 1963 Mattel eye-appealing displays, especially in a music room,
The story behind the Uke-A-Doodle seems more fairy tale than “Cowboy” crank Ge-tar den, or game room.
real. In the 1940s, Ted Duncan, a Hollywood music director and Swiss with original box. This As with many collectibles, age, appearance,
“Mother Goose” music box collector, sketched his idea for a music-making children’s crank guitar was offered on and condition establish value for Mattel crank Ge-
crank guitar, by guitar. Duncan made a prototype and offered the idea to Mattel, eBay for $150. tars. Expect to pay $10-25 for non-working crank Mattel Popeye crank “Ge-tar” that
Mattel, circa 1970. who quickly purchased the rights to make Duncan’s toy string Ge-tars at garage sales and flea markets. Good plays “I’m Popeye the sailor man”
This guitar plays instrument. What made Duncan’s idea appealing was that any child conditioned Ge-tars from the 1950s and ‘60s that when cranked, circa 1958. This
“Mary Had a Little could “play” his guitar simply by turning a crank, much like a Jack-n-the-box. play recognizable songs when the cranks are turned are regularly guitar is valued at $200.
Lamb” and is The first crank guitar manufactured by Mattel was the Uke-A-Doodle with its offered on eBay for $150 and up.
valued at $17. internal music-making apparatus. Crank guitars operated with an internal rubber And, as far as I know, reproduction crank Ge-tars have never been made (manufacturing costs truly
belt with raised studs that rotated past a 12-tine comb of different lengths, which prohibit such undertakings), so you are guaranteed your collection is genuine Mattel and many, the
produced different sounds. As a raised stud struck a tine, a musical note was produced. earliest, are American made.

For the Love of History

By Laura Sikes

History came alive when U.S. Army tanks rolled But the re-enactment battles tend to be the tank, two hellcats, a M36 Jackson and a M5 Stuart,
through the foothills of Mount Dora, Fla. for WWII show’s highlight, says chapter secretary Stan along with several support trucks. WW2Armor
and other military enthusiasts when The First Kinmouth. founder Col. “Rabbi Rob” Thomas of Orlando
Florida Chapter of The Military Vehicle Preservation “Everybody loves the mock battles commanded the M4A1
Association (MVPA) held its annual winter rally and the tanks,” Kinmonth said. Sherman in the battles.
and swap meet including re-enactment battles in WW2Armor brought five tanks, Meeting the public and the
February at Renninger’s Flea Market and Antiques including the popular M4A1 Sherman veterans is what the retired
Center. Navy chief says he enjoys
It’s a unique experience for most.
people to see and to hear WWII “We’re a mobile
tanks in action said Chapter ←TAKING A BREAK- museum and we bring the
President Dave Thomas of -Tank loader Ed Sears vehicles to the people,”
of Auburndale, Fla. sits
Ocklawaha, Fla. The chapter has on "Bupkes" a M18 said Col. Thomas.
280 members who come from hellcat tank destroyer ↑Medical supplies that soldiers Col. Thomas jokes that
Florida and South Georgia. after a re-enactment carried in their units are displayed. he raises “free-range armor” as
A typical first aid kit would
“When those tanks come rolling contain wound salts and morphine. his military equipment collection
over the hill and the people hear has grown to 65 vehicles including
the rumbling and see them fire, it gives people a the tanks, armored cars, jeeps
sense of what our soldiers faced. It’s keeping history and artillery trucks.
alive,” said Thomas. PLANTING ONE-- Continued on Page 31
Thomas said hundreds of people turned out Re-enactor JoLynne
over the group’s three-day event which featured Crout of Avon Park,
Fla. gives a kiss
33 vendors showing military memorabilia from to WWII veteran
WWII to the present. In addition to seeing battle re- Charles MacWhorter,
enactments put on by WW2Armor and American 98, of Winter Park.
and German soldier re-enactors, spectators could Crout plays with the
watch weapons demonstrations, attend an auction 48th MacWhorter,
and see up close everything from field gear to formerly of Mount
Dora, was a Tech
military vehicles used in WWII, Korea, Vietnam up Sgt.in the U.S
to present day conflicts. Army.→