Most people open up a box of raisins and get a tasty treat. Donna Cadiente opened up her box of Raisins and got a blast from the past.
The 61-year-old Waipahu woman read the Today section’s "Possessed" feature on collectors and remembered she had a collection of her own that had been put away for at least 20 years. "And then I decided to put them all out and thought, ‘O my God, what is this?’"
Cadiente found herself looking at memorabilia of the California Raisins, the animated, sweet-singing soul group that surfaced in a 1980s television ad campaign for — what else? — California raisins. She has about 200 pieces, including miniature action figures, stuffed animals, a backpack, pins, radio, clothes and a catalog of Raisin collectibles. Her most prized item is a miniature, claymation version of Michael Jackson, who guest-starred in an ad in which he has a dream of the Raisins mimicking his performance.
Created in 1987 by claymation pioneer Will Vinton with lead vocals by Buddy Miles, the California Raisins became a minor sensation, earning praise as "the coolest wrinkled musicians this side of the Stones." According to the website thecaliforniaraisins.com, the characters came into being during the development of a commercial for the California Raisin Advisory Board when an exasperated writer remarked, "We have tried everything but dancing raisins singing ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine.’"
That Motown hit, sung by many artists but remembered primarily for Marvin Gaye’s raw, emotional rendition, is what caught Cadiente’s attention. "Grapevine" was popular when she was in high school and she still enjoys humming the famous introduction.
"Whenever I heard that, I knew that’s my song," she said.
The original commercial was so popular that it sprouted several offshoots: two TV specials ("Meet the Raisins!" and "Raisins: Sold Out"), a holiday special, a cartoon series, an album of soul music and dozens of action figures.
"I thought they were so cute, and then the next thing I knew there were these little miniatures in the stores and I picked up a few. And then it got out of hand," Cadiente said.
Her collection includes figures dressed in various outfits, such as beach attire, as a Valentine’s Day couple, graduation caps and gowns, and, of course, as members of a band. "Maybe there are groupies too, because there’s a broccoli and I think there’s a corn," she said.
She found Raisin memorabilia at toy stores and swap meets, even buying some during a trip to California. But she also had easy pickin’s at her job. For 23 years she’s worked at Kraft Foods, most recently as an inventory specialist. Kraft used to own the Post cereal company, which began offering California Raisins toys in its boxes of Raisin Bran cereal.
"I thought, ‘Hey, they came home to mama!’" Cadiente said with a laugh.
Her Raisins fascination also was fueled by the fact she was "raisin’ a family" — a phrase she remembers from a shirt she used to have. Her daughter Tanya, born just about the time the Raisins were a smash, was also taken by the appetizing ads.
"When she was little she would see it on TV and run all over the place and dance with them," Cadiente said.
"Possessed" is an occasional series featuring Hawaii residents and their unique or fascinating collections. Tell us about your collection by emailing features@staradvertiser.com or call 529-4892.
