By Chris Cummins

Invented by toymaker Harry Kislevitz in 1951, Colorforms are a childhood staple that give kids the opportunity to have endless adventures using only vinyl strips, laminated cardboard and their imaginations. The very first set was an assortment of colored shapes that tykes could adhere to a black background to create little masterpieces. Since they didn’t make any noise, required no maintenance and were somewhat educational, parents loved them. Children enjoyed being able to control the action and how they could play Colorforms alone or with others. In many ways it was the perfect toy for everyone involved.

Despite their initial success, they didn’t truly become a pop culture sensation until sets based on popular characters started being released. At the height of Coloformania during the 1970s and ‘80s, every movie, TV show and cartoon with even the most remote kid appeal was enshrined in plastic pieces that “peel and stick like magic!” In the nearly 60 years since they were first introduced, some Colorforms sets have become classics amongst toy connoisseurs. Even more are better left forgotten. Here’s a look at five from each category.

THE GREATEST:

5) Gremlins: Deluxe Play Set

This set features nine, count ’em, nine Gremlins. You can dress them up in scarves and give them beer bottles to carry. You can make them throw snowballs at Gizmo and Billy. One of the mutated Mogwai looks like he is hanging from the Christmas lights on the Peltzer family’s porch. Another gives the impression that he is going to hump a snowman. These Gremlins are mischievous indeed! There’s a smaller set based the film as well, but if you have to pull a Sophie’s Choice between the pair you’d be more useless than one of Rand’s smokeless ashtrays if you didn’t choose this one.

4) Planet of the Apes

Did you know that Planet of the Apes is a G-rated film? Think about how crazy that is. From Heston’s bare ass to Honorious’ ape-inflicted lobotomy, there’s a lot of imagery in the film to terrify kids. Fortunately, night terrors caused by the flick were slowly soothed away as children everywhere got to curse those damn dirty apes in their own special way by playing with this toy. Unbelievably, you can actually still get this cheaply on eBay. Wouldn’t Cornelius look great sticking on your fridge?

3) Castle Dracula’s Funhouse

Appealing to Colorforms collectors and horror buffs alike, this highly sought after entry from the archives is three levels of frightening fun. The top floor offers up a mad scientist’s laboratory, complete with two opening doors. The middle floor is a library which is highlighted by a mummy’s sarcophagus. Lastly, the bottom level offers up Dracula’s basement lair, complete with coffin. Featuring all of the classic Universal monsters (even though this wasn’t officially sanctioned by the studio), the set also includes a ghoulish gorilla that you can use to rule the Planet of the Apes. Take that, Dr. Zaius.

2) Twist-O Change-O: The Dial A Face Colorforms Toy

A variation on the typical Colorforms offering, this 1972 release featured a character whose face could be changed with the turn of a knob. What this meant for users was a wide selection of play possibilities. With options ranging from George Washington to a cowboy, kids could spend hours creating various character and costume designs using the included clothes pieces. If this interactive concept sounds familiar to you, that’s because a similar feature was used in the Tricky Mickey Magic Colorforms set of the early 1980s.

1) Jim Henson’s Muppet Show

Highlighted by movable versions of Kermit, Fozzie and Miss Piggy, this deluxe set captures the essence of childhood wonder. Through a faithful recreation of the Muppet Theater and its inhabitants that was illustrated by movie poster legend Drew Struzan, this 1980 release let kids create their own Muppet revues. It’s probably not a false assumption to think that the majority of you beautiful Topless Robot readers were deeply impacted by the life and works of Jim Henson. The warm memories that this toy stirs up are a tribute not only to his legacy but also to the brilliance of Colorforms in general.

You're not done—hit the jump for the 5 most ridiculous Colorforms sets ever made.