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Figures of Louis Marx

Magic Marxie

Celebrities

American Beauties

Campus Cuties

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Figures of Louis Marx

As most any successful businessmen, Louis Marx was not a humble man, even producing figures of himself in the same style as the 60mm, pedestal-based figures he made of U.S. presidents and generals.  The company made two similar Marx figures; today collectors refer to them as "cigar down" and "cigar up."  I suppose both were produced in limited quantities, and both are hard to find in today's market.  In fact, Mark Hegeman -- one of the most prolific Marx collectors -- believes that only two "cigar down" figures exist today.

The two poses of Louis Marx - cigar down and cigar up Photo courtesy of Mark Hegeman

Cigar down Photo courtesy of Mark Hegeman	Cigar up Photo on left courtesy of Mark Hegeman

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Magic Marxie

For advertising purposes, Marx made plastic figures of the Magic Marxie figure that appears as a spokesman on many of the company's toy boxes.  They were made in at least two sizes.

Magic Marxie - common size	Magic Marxie - small size Figure is about 1-1/4 inches tall

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Celebrities
 
Other than celebrities such as Roy Rogers, military officers, and presidents who appear on other pages of this web site, I am aware of only two celebrities that the Marx company made figures of.  These were Jackie Gleason and Pinky Lee.  Even these, I am unsure as to whether they were sold, used only for advertising, or not discovered until the company went backrupt and warehouse holdings were sold.

Pinky Lee was a vaudville comic in the 1940s, easily recognized by his plaid suit with baggy pants and too-small hat.  He also performed on radio.  In the 1950s, he appeared in The Pinky Lee Show on television, which was initially a primetime variety show featuring vaudvillian and burlesque comics.  The show was later was later transformed into what became one of the first afternoon children's programs on television, shown just before the similarly popular Howdy Doody Show.  (See the Non-Disney Cartoon page on this web site for Marx' Howdy Doody figures.)

Jackie Gleason was a multi-talented comedian, actor, writer, composer, and conductor.  Gleason had his own hour-long variety show in the 1950s and 1960s, The Jackie Gleason Show, and appeared in many popular movies, but is perhaps best known for his television series The Honeymooners, which continued in re-runs for many years.  He was well-known for his catch phrases "And awaaay we go!" and "How sweet it is!"  The second pose below is of his usual stance as he announces "And awaaay we go!" after the opening monologue of his variety show.

Pinky Lee	Jackie Gleason - two poses re-issue figures

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American Beauties
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Based again on the PFPC article, the eight American Beauties were never included in playsets, but rather were passed out to Marx acquaintances at places such as the 21 Club in New York City.  They are 60mm scale in a flesh-colored hard plastic.  Originals are hard to find, but re-issues can be purchased inexpensively.

The figures shown below are re-issues made in a orange pink/salmon colored hard plastic.

1.  In bikini	2.  Dancing, on one foot	3.  With mirror
4.  Hula girl	5.  With purse	6.  Maid, with duster
7.  Hands up	8.  With fan

A ninth American Beauty was reportedly discovered in warehouse dispersal sales after the Marx company went bankrupt.  Reclining on her side in her birthday suit and in the same realistic flesh color as other American Beauties, she was never released to the public.  In PFPC Issue 35, veteran collector Rick Koch opines that the figure was a promotional item given only to friends and sales associates. The original is even more difficult to find than other American Beauties, but re-issues are readily available in various colors, such as the one below..

Reclining Nude

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Campus Cuties
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Marx produced two series of approximately 6-inch tall young females called Campus Cuties.  These are described in PFPC Issue 11 in the Q & A column.  Ass shown below, the figures were made in flesh-colored and light pink soft plastic.  Large circular Marx logos are on the bottom of each figure, with the name of the figure as shown below included in the logo.

The first series can be found in today's market rather easily.  Re-issues also exist.

1.  On the Beach	2.  Nighty Night	3.  Stormy Weather
4.  Lazy Afternoon	5.  Shopping Anyone	6.  Dinner for Two
7.  Lodge Party	8.  On the Town

Figures from the second series of Campus Cuties are much more difficult to find and will cost more than first series figures.

Second Series of Campus Cuties Photo courtesy of Mark Hegeman Woman on right is holding glasses in her right hand.

1.  Belle of the Ball	2.  Saturday Afternoon	3.  Night at the Opera
4.  Touch of Mink	5.  Our Girl Friday	6.  Twist Party
7.  Day at the Races	8.  Bermuda Holiday

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Piolitical Activities

As noted on the Presidents and Other Politicians page of this web site, Marx was a political person and surely had enough money to pass some around to those he supported.  He was a strong-supporter of President Dwight Eisenhower in the 1990's.  While the company made figures of all the U.S. presidents through the 1970's, Marx made special figures of Eisenhower and his wife Mamie.  The company also produced small figures and pins used as free handouts at Republican events.

Eisenhower Figures on Special Card	Elephant handouts for Republican events	Lapel Pins Supporting Richard Nixon
President Eisenhower Mamie Eisenhower victory figures in 60mm scale
The Eisenhowers Inauguration Figures These figures were made only for the Washingtons, Lincolns, and Eisenhowers.

                                                                          

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