Six Million Dollar Man Toy Commercials

The Six Million Dollar Man Action FigureI remember when I was young, how much I coveted a Six Million Dollar Man Action Figure. Actually, back then it was a Six Million Dollar Man Doll. Even the 12-inch GI Joes were called dolls, not action figures. I have vague recollections of these commercials from when I saw them on TV in the 70's, but I have an even greater memory of a dream I had just before Christmas in 1974 when I was 6 years old. In my dream I was in the back seat of my parents car playing with a Six Million Dollar Man doll. When I woke up, I remember the disappointment and longing for that doll. Argh! I wanted one so badly. Then, Christmas morning finally came and we all sat around the tree while my father picked through the presents and handed each out one at a time. I spied a box that would have been just the perfect size to hold Steve Austin (assuming the flap had been folded over) and I grabbed it and said, "Who is this one for?" My father took it from my hands, set it back under the tree, and said words to the effect of "We'll get to that one." Interminable minutes later, he finally picked it back up from under the tree, looked at the name tag and said, "This one is for Alex," while handing it to me. Of course, I knew what it had to be, and sure enough, it was. I will never forget that Christmas morning. In my life, no other present was ever more desired or brought me as much happiness and excitement as that little doll did on December 25th, 1974.

The Bionic Transport and Repair StationThe Bionic Transport and Repair Station came the following Christmas. I remember having to leave it at home right after opening it as we went to my grandparents house for the day. I thought we would never go home. But we did, and the first thing I did was break that bad boy out and start using it as a repair station on my doll. It wasn't long before my parents told me to pack it all up since it was getting late, but at least I got to play for a little while that evening.

Six Million Dollar Man with Bionic GripEventually, my mother took me to Sears and I remember using my own money to buy the new Six Million Dollar Man with Bionic Grip. I don't think my mother understood why I needed to spend my hard earned allowance money on something that I "already had," but of course, we all know I had to have it. I can still remember picking it up from the shelves full of red Six Million Dollar Man boxes. There was even a certain satisfaction in buying it myself and not having to wait for Christmas or my birthday.

I never did get the doll with the Biosonic Arm. I didn't even know about that version until well over a decade later when I was collecting Bionic memorabilia.