Barbie is off to see the Wizard…AGAIN.
It is Toy Fair time and Mattel is starting to release the remaining photos of its 2013 lineup. I love the Wizard of OZ. It is a favorite movie of my youth…even though the tornado scene scared the crap out of me and the flying monkeys gave me nightmares for months. I still remember that LOL! Anywhoo…I like the movie. I liked the first set of WOZ dolls Mattel did…and the second…and maybe even the third….but come on. This is like the bizilliionth edition of WOZ dolls. At this rate Mattel is putting out a yearly edition.
Even though I feel this theme has been way overdone, I can still appreciate the new face sculpts on this yearly edition. They are markedly better than any previous offering in my opinion. Linda Kyaw is heading up this effort and she has really done a fantastic job.
**pictures are courtesy of Mattel, Inc.**
Retail: $34.95
Available: 5/24/13
The Wizard of Oz™ Glinda The Good Witch
Retail: $34.95
Available: 5/24/13
The Wizard of Oz™ Wicked Witch of the West
Retail: $34.95
Available: 5/24/13
Now…if this witch came with a flying monkey…I might consider it 
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 
I really like these. Yay for crap scaring monkeys, I think they gave every child 6 and under nightmares for months, so you’re not alone. I always ran out of the room when they were on, screaming: “No Monkey, No Monkey!!!!!!”…I was quite the child. Haha.
February 9, 2013 at 6:04 am
Exactly…why did our parents let us watch that??!! I would not let my kids watch it until they were 10. It’s mentally scarring..I tell you…metally scarred for life! Well, at least that is my excuse and I am sticking to it 😛
February 9, 2013 at 3:15 pm
Well maybe the 8th times the charm because this s the best set ever in my view.
they really nailed the likeness of the original actresses with Glinda and the witch, I don’t think that Dorothy looks like Judy but she is a beautiful doll. Im a witch guy myself so im loving her! And I loved those monkeys even as a child.
February 9, 2013 at 6:17 am
Happy someone made it through without the mental scars Micheal 🙂 I agree, these face molds are divine. Linda really outdid herself here.
February 9, 2013 at 3:16 pm
You are not kidding. These sculpts are definitely better. Glinda is especially good. I think it is really unfortunate that none if the doll companies seem to have picked up the rights to the new Oz film. The costumes look great and I would love to have sculpts of those stars.
February 9, 2013 at 7:31 am
I want to redess Glenda and absolutely love the witch. Team Elphaba! 🙂 And I’m glad they’re a reasonable price point.
As for Oz, Jakks actually did them. They’re 19.99 and are great but the quality is very much playline.
February 9, 2013 at 8:58 am
LOL! Elphaba was my first thought too…defying gravity and all. She seems a little to smiley for the original WOW for me. Yes! the price point is extremely reasonable.
February 9, 2013 at 3:20 pm
I am intrigued by this new Oz film as well. Looks like Jim below has found someone who has produced. I will be interested to hear your review of the costumes from this upcoming movie…being as you are a very talented costume designer yourself. 🙂
February 9, 2013 at 3:19 pm
Very nice sculpts. I love that witch! Even today, I can’t watch this movie because of the monkeys. The black version, “The Wiz”, with Michael Jackson and Diana Ross, was even scarier to me.
February 9, 2013 at 8:53 am
I completely agree Vanessa and fellow monkey mental scar survivor. I will be humming “ease on down the road” for the next hour now since you brought it up 🙂
February 9, 2013 at 3:21 pm
I know this is the billionth set of Oz dolls. Madame Alexander, which I also collect, comes out with a new one every year, too. And I always roll my eyes! But when I look at them my resolve melts and I end up getting them. Like you, this was the favorite film of youth for me. These are beautiful sculpts and (sigh) I will be getting them!
February 9, 2013 at 9:13 am
At the end of the day, you have to buy what you love. 🙂
February 9, 2013 at 3:24 pm
BTW: Thank you for stating clearly that you like to take your dolls out of the box! I started buying dolls because I am a photographer and was doing a series of shots involving dolls for a gallery show. I really loved them and remembered wanting them in my childhood but not being allowed (boys can’t do that!) so I took to collecting. I ALWAYS take them out of the box and was dismayed when people would tell me how terrible that was, how it devalued the doll. But I still like to photo them and I like them around. I am glad to read that such a one as yourself does the same!
February 9, 2013 at 9:16 am
There are quite a few of us deboxers out there. Dolls are meant to be enjoyed, however one sees fit. A doll is more valuable to me, out of the box, played with, and enjoyed, than any price I can get for it in the future. Continue to enjoy your dolls!
February 9, 2013 at 9:52 am
Exactly Vanessa! Let’s hear it for the deboxers.
February 9, 2013 at 3:29 pm
So happy to have you collecting now!! I am a complete deboxer and not ashamed to admit it. My focus in this hobby has never been to make an investment. I, like you, need to get them out of their static isolation and put them in front of the camera. Hey, is there any place where we can see your work? Would love to see some of your photos 🙂
February 9, 2013 at 3:28 pm