Mattel #6359 Scorpio

#6359 Scorpio Box Front

The mysterious alien Scorpio, like Capt Lazer before him, appears out-of-place among the astronauts of Mattel's Man In Space. 

MMM Alien Scorpio

Packaging:

The chip-box is full-color, process-printed and is 10" x 11" x 2 " (the Mattel Catalog solicitation - see below, indicates a different size - there may have been a change prior to distribution). A cellophane window displays the figure attached to a green insert. Copyright is 1969.

#6359 Scorpio Box Sides

#6359 Scorpio Box Ends

#6359 Scorpio Box Back

The Story of Scorpio (reprinted from package back):

Scorpio's cocoon snapped open and he tumbled onto the
dry sands of his planet in the star cluster Scorpio.
Although Scorpio would never know his parents as Earth
children would, he was prepared to face anything from the
moment of his birth. His keen mind could sense danger
before it appeared. The strange electronic cells in his brain
were programmed like computers. All the information he
required came instantly!

He opened his eyes, and they began to flash! He realized
he could read minds! Suddenly a sharp sound-thought
screamed into his brain. It was a call from a far-away galaxy.
Scorpio's next sensation was the soft kiss of stardust, the
whisper of space, as he blasted out and away from his home.

The new planet where Scorpio landed was totally
unexplored. Strangely, though, he could sense another
presence. Quickly he strapped on his vest projector. But
before he could gather his search globes, he saw the alien.
It was Major MATT MASON©. Scorpio's senses told him that
this was the creature that had called him. This must be a
friend! Without a word, Scorpio turned and followed Major
MATT MASON into a world of adventure! 

#6359 Scorpio Box Detail

#6359 Scorpio Box Insert Front

#6359 Scorpio Box Insert Back

Mattel Catalog Specifications:

  (First appearance: Mattel Toys 1970 "Fall" Catalog Page 29)

NEW! SCORPIO™ #6359
SCORPIO, whose large eyes and mouth flash with the light of another intelligence! SCORPIO, who carries a bellows-controlled vest projector that sends search globes flying. Astonishing humanoid is bendable, posable and out-fitted with removable arm and leg shields. Flashing bulb, safe Styrofoam search globes included. 8" tall.
Std. Pack: 1 Doz.
Wt: 6 1/2 Lbs.
Box: 8" x 13" x 2" (note that the actual dimensions are 10" x 11" x 2")

Variations:

The only variations that I have seen are usually found in the CIPSA of Mexico Scorpio, where the rubberized body is molded from a different shade of pink. Also, many Mexican figures are found with pink-molded feet, rather than the usual purple.

• Mattel GmbH (German): 1970 Catalog page 51 White Vest Projector
  
• CIPSA (Mexico): Scorpio el Tirano!
  
• Rare Italian Scorpio record

John's Notes:

Once again moving away from the original idea of designs based on actual outer space research, Mattel seems to have been moving more towards Science Fiction than science. The last two years of MMM featured toys that had computerized components (like the programmable Star Seeker), lighting effects (like Scorpio) and sound devices (Talking Voice Control Pak in the Talking MMM sets). The toy environment of the early 70's was heavily influenced by gimmicks and gadgetry (just as it is now) and the trend was away from role-play and more towards innovation. This trend, plus the waning public interest in the space race, spelled the ultimate demise in toys like out favorite astronauts and his space buddies!

Once thought to be the rarest Major Matt Mason figure with OSS examples selling in the $1500-2500 range, Scorpio now appears to be more common than first thought. Old Store Stock examples are still frequently found and he appears to have been marketed through both 1970 and 1971 (see the Mattel Catalogs pages for more information). Scorpio was the first really expensive figure I ever bought. I purchased a loose example, right when I began collecting MMM in 1985, for $450 from a Toy Shop ad. The figure was supposed to be complete/mint with unbroken wires. He actually had one broken wire in the thigh (I can't fault the seller, it was and still is difficult to tell that the wire is broken, except for the tell-tale "click" when bent). The same figure may be purchased for $250-300 today. 

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