Toy fair features array of multimedia creations

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Part one of two

NEW YORK -- Time was when I would find myself climbing lots of stairs to avoid the massive crush of buyers jammed into elevators at the busy International Toy Center building at 200 Fifth Ave. during my annual pilgrimage to the American International Toy Fair.

Last week, however, my reason for using the stairs was that the elevators barely worked as I tried to visit the few companies still there, holdouts at a place that once was the apex of creativity for toy makers.

The building has been sold and gutted to create condos or office space. As I roamed the dusty, broken halls, I sadly reflected on the 87-year history of the structure, which saw the debut of such giants as G.I. Joe and Barbie.

I also was part of its history over the 10 years I visited with companies. Special moments for me included meetings with Regis Philbin as he demonstrated a "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" hand-held game; a talk with Rosie O'Donnell, who promoted Miss Spider plush dolls; and even an encounter with John Travolta, who stopped by the Trendmasters showroom to ogle his "Battlefield Earth" action figures.

It is a history that must be carried over to the massive warehouse known as the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and a few showrooms scattered around the Big Apple.

Reflections aside, I still managed to compose myself and find an abundance of toys, action figures and multimedia creations based on comic books, cartoons, movies and pop-culture icons.

Here, by company, are some of the best to be released this year.

Hasbro

Expect the home of G.I Joe, who celebrates his 25th anniversary this year, to dominate toy aisles in 2007 thanks to its multitude of pop-culture products based on Marvel Comics and "Star Wars" universes as well as its classic property, coming to theaters in July as a live-action movie, "Transformers."