Snaggletooth [Blue] - Jumbo Vintage Kenner Figures

Blue Snaggletooth is the informal name of a rare Kenner action figure from 1978. Released as part of the Sears "Star Wars Cantina Adventure Set", the Snaggletooth figure was intended to represent the character who would later be known as Zutton. However, the only reference used for the figure was a partial black and white photograph of the alien's head. The body was unknown, so the sculptors and artists improvised creating a tall alien with a tight blue spacesuit and silver boots. From 1979 onward, including later Sears releases of the cantina set, all versions of Snaggletooth were changed to a red color, with bare feet and hands and shorter legs.

Well, we have just discovered the best exclusive of 2012. Gentle Giant Ltd.’s products have always been impressive. Their Mini Busts, Maquettes and Jumbo Vintage Kenner Figure lines are amongst some of the best Star Wars collectibles money can buy. Some are obviously better than others, but for the most part they produce some of the best high-end collectibles for collectors. Then they often take it to the next level. So be prepared to be floored with their latest release, the Jumbo Vintage Kenner Blue Snaggletooth figure. They have truly knocked this collectible out of the park. Not only have they cleverly plucked the heartstrings of old time collectors by choosing a character that is legendary in so many ways, it’s in 1:6 scale and faithfully replicated in every single way possible. This huge version of [Blue] Snaggletooth is an axiom of why we enjoy collecting Star Wars stuff. The silver boots, with one complete with the documented “dent” in it, the head sculpt, the pattern on his skin tight blue spacesuit and the color of his face and hands are all perfect recreations of that classic and original variant most collectors are still scurrying to find for their own collections. Oh, and let’s not forget that we also get a 12” replica of his blaster pistol too. Blue Snaggletooth is just wonderfully executed and brilliantly manufactured. It’s a must-have for your collection!

The packaging for Snaggletooth is pretty unique and also very different from the other figures released in the Jumbo Kenner Vintage Figure line. We often don’t get too excited for packaging, but we have made an exception here. It looks differently than the rest and we’ll explain why this is so. It’s sealed in an opaque yet aptly colored light blue bag. You have to cut the bag open to access the figure, but once you do a shiny white slip case serves as an outer cover to protect the clamshell packaging of the piece. Not quite a replica Star Wars vintage 3.75” card back, Gentle Giant Ltd.. takes some artistic license of their own and creates their own distinct narrow card back since “Blue” Snaggletooth was never released in the basic figure line. It was only released in a “Kenner baggie” in the Cantina Adventure Set that was released as a Sears exclusive. (This is another point that makes the outer blue bag extra special – it’s a shame it has to be permanently destroyed in order to access the figure.) We’re slightly disappointed that Gentle Giant has labeled this character only as “Snaggletooth” on the name pill because we all know him as Blue Snaggletooth. Perhaps they were trying to be authentic here as Kenner obviously would have referred to this character as just Snaggletooth too had it been released as a basic figure.

Gentle Giant Ltd.. gives a short description on the history of Snaggletooth. They got it right for the most part, but we feel there are some errors in their overview. They explain that Kenner sculptors only had access to the character’s head and had to improvise to design the rest of the figure. But how can this be if the belt and most of the outfit is identical/very similar to Rachalt Hyst that was seen in The Star Wars Holiday Special? Also, there is additional confusion because Wookieepedia claims that both Zutton (a Snivvian in a blue outfit) and Takeel (a Snivvian in the red outfit) (who are brothers by the way) both appear in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. We haven’t been able to confirm that. Perhaps Star Was folklore wants to continually confuse the issue further with this character. Perhaps that what makes Snaggletooth what he is. We will still take it further and claim that the 1979 vintage Snaggletooth figures (blue or red) were an inadvertent composite of both Rachalt Hyst and Zutton/Takeel. Keep in mind that none of these characters had any of these names back in the day. That is probably the most important information to keep in mind. Whoever this character is, just enjoy it for its nostalgia and how important it is to Star Wars collectors. They’ll likely never ben another collectible on the market that pays homage in quite this powerful way. It’s our most favorite exclusive in years. Please enjoy it!