1960's Classic TV Lunch Boxes

The 1960’s...we only had three channels but we had great TV shows. Many of which adored the containers we used to take our lunches to school. Join us now as the Collector Guys celebrate the Classic TV lunch boxes of the 1960’s.

Whether you watched them first run or in repeats, TV programming in the 1960’s has a unique place in television history. A decade of escapist shows with often times absurd premises. Now a close look at some of the lunch boxes featuring those classic prime-time TV shows.

Before we start you will notice that there are no westerns on this list. Lots of great westerns in the 1960’s. So many that we will cover those in a separate article.

Also this list consists of what I have in my personal collection. I know there are two notable pieces missing (Star Trek dome and Green Hornet). I don’t have those in my possession…yet.

The Beverly Hillbillies 1963 - Aladdin

Premiering in 1962 and running for 9 seasons. The Beverly Hillbillies is still one of the most watched programs of all time. This is the first of many examples of the quality artwork that lunch boxes during this time had. The sides and back show their journey from the backwoods of the Ozarks to Beverly Hills.

2. Munsters 1965 - Thermos

Next the famous residents of 1313 Mockingbird Lane. The Munsters. The Munsters premiered on CBS in 1964 and only ran for a couple of seasons. But it’s short run sure has not hurt the popularity of this lunch box. This is a very desirable box and highly sought after by collectors. On the bottom is a nice role call with Lilly, Herman, Grandpa, Eddie and Marilyn.

3. Get Smart- 1966-Thermos

Get Smart. Created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry...Get Smart featured Don Adams as Maxwell Smart and Barbara Feldman as agent 99 both prominently featured on this box. An obvious Jame Bond rip-off, Get Smart featured a number of various spy gadgets most notably his shoe phone. And this box would not be complete without one scene of him battling his arch nemesis K.A.O.S. The dog is Fang or agent K-13. Who was written out of the show after season two.

4. Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.-1966-Aladin

Surprise . Surprise , Surprise! its Gomer Pyle. Gomer Pyle was a spin-off from the Andy Griffith show. This is an interesting lunch box. Humor and Hijinks between Gomer and Sargent Carter on the front and back. But the sides have are more of a Full metal jacket feel with a wrap around illustration of American troops marching through the tropics.

5. Batman 1966 - Aladdin

Holy lunch box it’s Batman and Robin. Classic Batman action front and back. And the sides and the bottle feature our dynamic duo protecting the good people of Gothem from the many villains we have grown to both love..and hate. So is this a comic book box or a TV show box? Since this was released in 1966 which is the same year the popular TV show premiered on ABC. I’m going to include it in this list.

6. Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea- 1967-Aladdin

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. The first of three shows on this list created by Irwin Allen, later known as the “Master of Disaster” for movies like the Poseidon Adventure and The Towering Inferno. The star of the show for us kids was the nuclear sub the S.S.R.N. Seaview which is prominently featured on this box. Along with the flying mini sub that could become airborne. I very cool show. A very cool box.

7. Flipper-1967-Thermos

The iconic Flipper. Based on two feature films, Flipper was the highly intelligent pet of Chief Park Warden Porter Ricks and his two sons Sandy and Bud. Another example of the excellent artwork found on boxes during this time. Life-like illustrations of Flipper are found on all sides of this lunch box.. How could you watch Flipper and NOT want a dolphin as a best friend?

8. Rat Patrol -1967 – Aladdin

Rat Patrol was set in the North African desert during World War Two. I like most boys my age at the time, I loved this show. I mean come on...machine guns on the back of a jeep. How awesome is that? This not only features that great military action that we loved but also featured illustrations of all the main characters. Just another of the many examples on this list of that has amazing artwork.

9. Flying Nun-1968-Aladdin

The Flying Nun. Outlandish premise? Sure, one of many in the 60’s. This is a bright- beautiful lunch box. The illustrations capture Sally Field and the cast perfectly. The artwork wrapped around sides are really nice. With Sister Bertrilles’ fellow nuns used as transitions on the corners. Just a fun box of a fun show.

10. Land of the Giants-1968- Aladdin

Land of the Giants, another Irwin Allen production that aired for two seasons on ABC. Caught in a time warp the crew of the transport ship Spindrift become stranded on a planet where everything is twelve times larger than on Earth. What I remember about this show is the giant props they used for everyday objects. Of course when everything is that big an everyday house cat can mean big trouble.

11. Gentle Ben -1968 -Aladdin

Based on a children’s novel, Gentle Ben told the story of a boy and his seven hundred pound bear. Set in the Everglades the show stared a young Clint Howard, brother to Ron Howard, and Dennis Weaver as his dad. The show only lasted two seasons but like a lot of the series of the time had a long life in syndication. One really cool part of this show... other than having a bear as a best friend ..was how Mark’s game warden father got around the Everglades in an airboat.

12. Laugh In-1969-Aladdin

Rowan and Martin’s Laugh In. This box is a virtual 1960’s time capsule but a strange box for kids. This variety comedy show was more a nod to the hippie culture of the time. There are two versions of this lunch box…this one with Arte Johnson busting through on his tricycle and another with Arte again as Wolfgang the German Soldier. It’s sketches launched dozens of catch-phrases …many of which are highlighted on this box and it’s bottle.

13. Julia-1969-Thermos

Like the series itself, this Julia lunch box is historic for being the first to feature an African American woman. Julia ran for three seasons on NBC. The artwork here is spectacular. Beautifully capturing the likeness of it’s star Diane Carroll. The sides and bottom all feature very realistic illustrations of the cast. The bottle is just the cover designed as a wrap around. And for a little added entertainment, the open to this show is pretty groovey. Check it out on YouTube.

14. Family Affair – 1969 -Aladdin

Family Affair ran for five seasons on CBS. A wealthy bachelor, played by Brian Keith struggles to raise his deceased brother’s orphaned children. Teenager Cissy and twins Jody and Buffy. Not the most exciting box but then again, not the most exciting subject matter. Though the show had a pretty long run. It does feature Buffy’s talking doll Mrs. Beasley which not only became very popular the late 60’s but you can still buy her today.

15. Lost in Space 1967 -Thermos

This dome is one of the more popular lunch boxes out there. Inspired by the book Swiss Family Robinson, this is the third and last Irwin Allen show on this list.. It has everything Lost and Space Fans would want. The Jupiter Two, Robot. Great graphics. Very colorful. What is surprising is that such a wonderful lunch box came with a generic space bottle that had nothing to do with Lost in Space. This bottle was also used by thermos on other space themed boxes.

16. Man from Uncle- 1966-Thermos

The Man from Uncle...a box packed with action and espionage. Capitalizing on the popular spy craze of the 1960’s. In fact James Bond creator Ian Fleming contributed to the concept of the series. The artwork has more of a caricature feel to it which can be attributed to the fact this was done by the great Jack Davis. Who is know for his work on Mad Magazine. Very sought after by collectors.

Vintage lunch boxes are drenched in nostalgia and the TV shows of the 1960’s, are perfect pieces of pop culture. You can’t look at them and NOT feel good. For a closer look at these boxes including the bottles check out this video from our YouTube channel.

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