The dolls sold between 1968 and 1976 are of two types: those that are indestructible and those that fell apart within a year or two. Most of the Twist n Turn dolls and the Malibus would survive being run over by a tank. Beginning with the Talking dolls in 1968, however, their survival rate is another story.
My first article on this subject will be about the 1968 Barbie talking dolls. My sister, Barb, got Talking Barbie for Christmas and I received Talking Stacey. Poor Talking Barbie lost her legs within two years. I don't know whatever happened to my Stacey; I think I gave her away since with her white hair I thought she was a grandmother doll. (Barb got a Living Barbie and I received Twist n Turn PJ as replacements in 1970.) Ironically, their original outfits and their plastic stools are still with us, impossible to kill.
The Talking dolls' bodies and heads varied over the years. In the first year, the bodies were made in Mexico and their backs had 32 holes. The heads were made in Japan, and their pink plastic panties had Japan tags.
The problem with a 1968 Talking Barbie begins with her torso. The plastic is much harder than other dolls and quickly becomes brittle. The knobs that connect the arms and legs break off. In recent years, the neck rims of my dolls have also broken off. The used dolls I've picked up at flea markets have had unusual surgery to repair the limbs. The owners must have had an awl to pierce the hips all the way through. One has a nail through her legs and groin; the other has had elastic sewn through the upper legs and lower torso. I've heard of having a pin in one's hip but this is ridiculous!
My own solution has been sheer sealing/packing tape for the limbs, plus I have Super-glued the heads to the necks.
I've often wondered if Mattel was aware of these problems with the limbs even when production first began. I know that the hips were made looser so that Barbie could cross her ankles modestly. The panties that came with the first Talking dolls (Barbie, Christie and Stacey) are form fitting and they help hold the legs in place.
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| Ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch! The brunette on the left has a nail through her hips; the light brown doll on the right has had her hips sewn to her torso!! |
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| The first Talking dolls came with plastic seats. Left to right are the seat for Barbie, an extra head I have and another seat. On the right are the seat I still own for Stacey plus her swimsuit and another swimsuit bottoms I have acquired. |
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| Note that the right leg of the Barbie on the left is a little on the diagonal. When she sits, her left leg will cross over it. |
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| Trailblazers on the left looks better on a doll than just by itself. On the right is one variation of Dressed Up! and is perfect for a Christmas party. Both outfits are from 1968. |
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| 1968 Talking dolls have 32 holes in their backs as speakers. |
