Showing posts with label Wizard of Oz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wizard of Oz. Show all posts

2/02/2015

Preview of Tonner's 2015 Mainline Release

Tonner released a small selection of dolls and fashions last week including their new Jupiter Ascending line.

Here is the plot of the 'space opera' written, produced and directed by The Wachowskis.
This information is from Wikipedia.
The film is centered on Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis), a down-on-her-luck janitor, and Caine Wise (Channing Tatum), an interplanetary warrior who informs Jones that her destiny extends beyond Earth. Unknown to Earth's residents, life on Earth and countless other planets has been seeded[13] by families of alien royalty[14] for the purpose of harvesting the evolved living creatures once they reach a "Darwinian state of perfection" to produce a type of youth serum that allows them to live forever.[15] When the matriarch of the House of Abrasax, the most powerful of the alien dynasties, dies[9] her children Balem (Eddie Redmayne), Kalique (Tuppence Middleton), and Titus (Douglas Booth) are at war over the inheritance. Eventually a new heir comes to their attention: Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis), an unsuspecting, Earth-living, unlucky caretaker of other people's homes.[16] Jupiter encounters Caine Wise (Channing Tatum), a genetically engineered interplanetary warrior, who came to Earth to reveal that her genetic signature makes Jones royalty and heir to Earth. Meanwhile, he has to protect her from Balem, who put a bounty on her head and would rather harvest Earth than lose it to Jones.[17]

JUPITER ASCENDING
LE 300
$239.99
JUPITER JONES
LE 300
$199.99
 

 




















There will also be a male doll as the character Caine. That doll's photo was not ready at press time.


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Next there is one basic, three dressed Diana Prince dolls and four outfits. 

Diana Basic $99.99
Special Agent Diana Prince DD $189.99
Diana DD $189.99
Golden Princess DD $179.99
Winter Princess Outfit $99.99
Stars and Stripes Outfit $109.99
Beauty and Strength Outfit $94.99
Beyond the Stars Outfit $99.99

Two Gone With the Wind 16" Dressed Dolls: $199.99 and $214.99.


One dressed Tiny Kitty.  $149.99

One Oz doll who sports the Wicked Witch head sculpt on the 19" Wilde Imagination Evangeline body. $209.99

Last (and possibly least) a Gift Set of two dolls - Snoopy and Belle. $274.99



IMO the Mila Kunis sculpt (Jupiter) does not look like her a all. The doll looks much older than Kunis.
The Caine doll at $189.99 LE 300 might be interesting as Robert's male dolls are usually pretty hunky and handsome. If he looks anything like Channing Tatum, he might be in the running to join my tribe.

I am getting the Diana Golden Princess outfit and seriously hoping I'm not disappointed. The basic Diana is quite pretty and I'm sure we'll see lots of repainted, rewigged versions. But she still has Tyler's body and I don't buy dolls like that anymore. I have enough to last me for a while (forever.) $99.99 for a basic doll in a swimsuit. Yikes!

Of course, most dealers give $15. off the retail prices. If they don't, buy your dolls elsewhere.

I'd love to see the Beyond the Stars outfit IRL. I need to take a ride over to Cherished Friends and take a look.  I visualize the suit with a different belt. I love the fur hat. What's under that jacket?

How many of you are rushing right out to buy Snoopy?




3/10/2014

Tonner Doll’s Wizard of Oz Contest Winners Announced

Tonner Doll recently held an interesting contest with the Wizard of Oz as the theme. One part of the contest was for photography and the other was for writing an alternate ending to the fairy tale.

The photography contest winner was Dave Decaro whose sepia toned rendition of Dorothy is spectacular. Dave has been featured on this blog for his wonderful doll photography as well. He's certainly a winner in this field. Visit his website at http://davelandweb.com/

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The winner for the Alternate Ending Award went to Kristin Laveaux. What a great ending she came up with! I think there's a message in there for all of us.
Dorothy watched the wizard drift out of sight. She didn’t know how long she stood there, rooted to the same spot in disbelief. Her only chance of getting home was gone. The Scarecrow noticed her tears first.

“Dorothy?”

She could barely whisper, “Now I’ll never get home,” before she broke into sobs.
Her friends gathered around her, as distraught as she was. She couldn’t hear their consoling words through her tears. It was only when the Scarecrow took her hand that she noticed Glinda floating towards her, the bubble of magic shimmering in the growing light.

For a moment, Dorothy simply stared as the hope she had lost moments ago began to rise in her again. “Can you help me?”

A hush fell over the crowd. Even the wind had stopped to hear the Good Witch’s words. Glinda’s smile was more radiant than the sun. “I can,” she replied, her voice like angels sighing. “For what you seek is home, is it not?”

Dorothy nodded. “Yes. I want to go home. More than anything!”

Glinda was silent for a moment, though her smile hadn’t faded. “Do you not see it, my dear?”

“See what?”

The Good Witch pointed to each of her friends in turn. “You seek to leave this place, but the family you wished for is before you.”

Dorothy hesitated. “Well, I do love you all dearly,” she said slowly, turning to the Tinman, the Lion, and the Scarecrow. “But I can’t stay here. Auntie Em and Uncle Henry will miss me.” She felt her heart sink as their gazes fell to the floor.
“I have to go back home.”

Glinda’s tinkling laughter penetrated the dark cloud that had gathered over her heart. “Dorothy, my dear, you are home! For the world which you are seeking is but a dream.” Glinda took her hand. “Do you not remember?”

Confused, Dorothy’s eyes fell to the ruby slippers. They shimmered up at her. She could feel their magic, so familiar, like a comforting childhood friend.

“Try to remember, my dear.”

Dorothy closed her eyes and thought. She recalled everything she had done since she had come to Oz. She had killed the Wicked Witch of the East and freed the Land of the Munchkins from tyranny. She had saved and befriended an intelligent scarecrow, a brave lion, and a loving tinman. She had braved the castle of the Wicked Witch of the West and destroyed her as well, saving the land of Oz.

But there was something else, the barest ghost of a memory. She had known the same feeling the first time she had met Glinda in Munchkinland. It was a feeling of peace and belonging. A feeling of…

“…Home,” she said aloud. Her eyes shot open. She had found the answer. “Oz is my home!”

“You remembered!” Glinda smiled more radiantly than ever. “Yes, my dear Dorothy, Good Witch of the South. Welcome home at last!”

Dorothy smiled as everyone cheered. She remembered it all. She was home.
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Congratulations to the winners! Well done.





1/30/2014

Who Needs New Dolls?

There's always one more temptation as I spend countless hours scouring the doll boards looking at sales and pictures and wanting the next great doll or the one that got away. While I'm doing this, all the (last) great dolls are hanging around in my doll room waiting for someone to play with them. I often wonder WTF I'm doing with all of these dolls. Well, today I followed my own advice and played with the dolls I already have.
First was Heart on My Sleeve, a Tonner reinterpreted Tin Man from Oz. She's been dressed in her adorable, original fashion since I got her. I thought she was so perfect.
She's even more perfect now dressed in the Theatre de la Mode Noir #99 gown sans shrug. This doll uses the Duchess head sculpt on the Antoinette body.
Quite the transformation, right?

I never paid much attention to Hearts Aflame after I got her because the collector that sold her to me under-described the defects on this doll's face. She's got part of an eyebrow sanded off and there are three tiny green spots happening. She has the Queen of Hearts head sculpt, Tyler body. (2006)
 But I needed a full busted Tonner doll to wear Forbidden Forest Winter Stroll and she was it. This is one of those fashions that I had when it first came out, sold it and then bought another one. It's truly one of Tonner's most magnificent creations.
Here it is on Elphaba for whom it was designed way back in 2005.
Going back through my own collection and comparing photographs is so interesting. It's a history of what I've been doing for the past 12 or so years.

Follow your own Yellow Brick Road right into your doll room. Step back from the computer and put that credit card away. Take out a doll and redress it in something wonderful and admire your 'newest' toy. One day at a time.


1/04/2014

Tonner: 75th Anniversary Collection - Wizard of Oz

Tonner revealed five new Oz family dolls. This time the twist is that they are all on the 19" Wilde Imagination Evangeline body.
Have they done an Amelia sized Oz yet? 
Oz lovers who also love big-headed dolls will go for this collection.

Castle Stroll - Outfit

$139.99

GLINDA THE GOOD WITCH™

$249.99

WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST

$249.99

Absolutely WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST

$149.99

The fifth doll was a sketch of a basic Glinda. Apparently the photo wasn't ready because it says that the doll is available to ship.

I understand it from the company's point of view why stands are not included with these dolls. It's not like finding a stand for 19" dolls is easy. The Evangeline stand is a good stand and for dolls priced like these, the stand should be included.


8/09/2013

Mattel's New Barbie Releases

Five more (yes, five!) new dolls were revealed yesterday. 
Captions and photos of the five dolls are all from the Barbie Collector site.
This first-ever Silkstone® Audrey Hepburn as Sabrina portrait doll is beautifully sculpted in the actress’ likeness. She wears a re-creation of the famed black and white embroidered long gown Sabrina wears upon her entrance into Long Island society. White opera gloves, faux pearl drop earrings and black stiletto pumps complete the elegant ensemble.  $100.   
Inspired by Barbie®, imagined by The Blonds, the Blond Gold Barbie® doll glows in fashion riches. Incredible chain detail adorns her golden corset and metallic-woven cape and inspires her long earrings and golden armbands. Her unique doll stand is inspired by bars of bullion and creates the perfect pedestal for this golden diva. $150.

This lovely Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday portrait doll is exquisitely sculpted in the actress’ likeness. She is dressed in a re-creation of Princess Ann’s costume: a beige A-line skirt worn with a crisp white blouse and finished with a wide buckled belt. A pretty printed scarf and brown laced sandals are her stylish accessories.  $34.95
The Wizard of Oz Fantasy Glamour Dorothy doll wears a strapless gown reinterpreted from her classic blue-and-white gingham dress. The frothy tulle overskirt is trimmed in satin ribbon and sparkly sequins. The bows from her braids are now drop earrings, while the famed ruby slippers are reimagined as striking red stilettos. Also included is a silvery clutch and bracelet.  $100.
So beautiful and glorious, her name is the Basque word for “miracle.” Stephen Burrows Alazne Barbie® doll wears a breathtaking floor-length coral gown adorned in countless, shimmering paillettes. The striking collar and fingerless opera gloves create an elegant, yet modern look. A towering headpiece and golden hoop earrings frame her gorgeous face. $100.

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I would like to add the Silkstone Audrey Hepburn to my collection. The sculpt is lovely. Hopefully she looks like the promo - especially the hair.  I still think it's overpriced as are all the rest of the dolls except for the vinyl Roman Holiday Audrey which is pretty cute.
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The Blonds Blond Gold Barbie is pretty spectacular. But $150.?  This is the type of doll that stays in her box. The only other doll I have that I've wanted to debox but didn't is the Blond's Diamond Barbie. I'm sure I wouldn't like her once she was out of the box. You can't do anything with these dolls except look at them.
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Is it not time for the Wizard of Oz dolls to go away? This ridiculously overpriced vinyl, unarticulated, no eyelash doll is $100. Seriously? She has nice hair but I wonder what it will look like IRL. 
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From Wikipedia:
Fashion critic Suzy Menkes of “The International Herald Tribune” praised Burrows as “the Master of matte jersey and colour combinations!” In addition to “Stephen Burrows World”, Burrows expanded his company to include a number of labels drawn from various points of inspiration. “S by Burrows” was created for a venture with Home Shopping Europe (HSN) in Munich, Germany, while “Everyday Girl” was inspired by Anna Cleveland, daughter to muse and model Pat Cleveland, and “SB73,” a cut and sew knit line that was developed based on Burrows’ hallmark, color-blocked creations of the seventies.
First Lady Michelle Obama's choose to wear a Burrows Jersey pantsuit to a Washington DC event. Remarking on the significance, Vogue Magazine wrote, "It was a wonderful acknowledgement of Burrows, one of the great African-American designers and a Harlem resident known for his inventive cuts and bias technique."

The Alazne Barbie was designed by Linda Kyaw but the Facial Sculpt is called Stephen Burrows. I don't know enough about this reference to understand or explain and I'm hoping my Barbie knowledgeable readers will comment. The fashion is not the type of work Burrows is known for which would have made a lot of sense.  BTW, Alazne also means "she knows."
I'd like this for a doll:

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3/17/2013

Oz Doll - meh

I purchased Oz, Theodora and China Doll. I will add this to my list of impulsive mistakes.

While the sculpt is attractive and well executed, the rest of the doll is just like a cheap Mattel product.  The outfit is flimsy and cheap-looking upon close inspection. Of course, the closures are velcro. The vest is not a separate piece but actually part of the front of the shirt! His 'bag of tricks' does not open.

He is just about the same height as a Silkstone doll but his head is quite large for his body. His movable joints are his neck, shoulders, elbows and legs. Oz can be made to stand unsupported but not easily. If you wanted to pose him as shown on the package front holding his bag and China Girl, you will have to rubber band them to his arms.
I had to destroy the package to get them out. It was awful.

I decided not to take Theodora out of her box. The thought of bulldozing through the iron-clad packaging was a turn- off and after getting Oz out of his box, I was pretty turned off.



The separately available 4" China Girl (who is still in her package) is exactly like the doll Oz carries with him in his package. That would have been good to know in advance because then I would not have purchased another.

Her joints are the neck, arms and legs. I was hoping that her elbows would bend.
She's all molded vinyl and the only use for her I can see is as a toy prop for my larger dolls.

3/10/2013

Disney's Oz the Great and Powerful Dolls

Now that the movie has opened, there is a lot of interest in the dolls from the Disney movie Oz the Great and Powerful.
Don't even think about buying these on eBay unless the shipping is free and the basic prices are as I have listed below. The prices are all over the map. There is a 19" resin (polyester) China Doll who is a limited edition of 500 that is being sold for extraordinarily high prices- averaging about $500 more or less.
She was my favorite character but not that favorite.




All four witch dolls and Oz holding the tiny China Doll are $19.99 each on Amazon and at Toys-R-Us. Free shipping included. The 14" China Doll is $21.99. There is also a 4" China Girl listed at $18.47.
I do not see the 4" at Toys R Us, however.
I have admired these dolls since I first saw them and I am ordering them just for fun. (aka lack of impulse control)
They are articulated and I'm hoping the fashions are not sewn on.
BTW, Theodora's fashion in the movie was to-die-for. Her pants were leather and super tight. Mila Kunis is a stunning woman. The movie was sort of fun but don't expect fine acting. Watch the original Oz if you want a truly great movie.

2/10/2013

New Barbie Doll Releases

 Classic TV Collection Designed by Bill Greening
"The Caped Crusader meets his match! From the original comics to the campy live action TV shows of the 1960s, in blockbuster movies and multiple animated series, the purr-fectly beguiling Catwoman toys with Batman while planning fantastic jewel heists with acrobatic skills and a seductive style. Ken and Barbie take on the roles of these famous DC Comics characters, with re-creations of two iconic costumes."
Batman Ken Doll $34.95

Catwoman Barbie® Doll  $34.95

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The Wizard of Oz Collection Designed by Linda Kyaw
"This doll is sculpted in vinyl in the likeness of Judy Garland, the actress who portrayed Dorothy."

"This doll is sculpted in vinyl in the likeness of Billie Burke, the actress who portrayed Glinda."

The Wizard of Oz Glinda The Good Witch $34.95

"This doll is sculpted in vinyl in the likeness of Margaret Hamilton, the actress who portrayed the Wicked Witch."
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$34.95 for a Pink Label doll whose arms and knees don't bend?
I'll get you and your creepy little Barbies.