Vintage talking dolls from the 1960s: Just pull the string and they'd say different things! - Click Americana (2024)

They talk… talk… talk (1964)

Talking dolls: Just pull the Magic Ring — you never know what they’ll say next!

BUGS BUNNY — lovable carrot-clutching cut-up of softest rayon plush. About 26 inches tall to the lip of his ears. Pull the Magic Ring and hear him wisecrack in that ol’ familiar voice.

CHARMIN’ CHATTY — Perfect Play mate says 120 things. 5 interchangeable records. Rooted Saran hair.

TALKING CASPER the friendly ghost. Mild-mannered Casper in soft rayon plush. Says many different things, as “I’m a friendly ghost”, “I like you-oo,” etc. About 15-inches.

COOL SCUBA DUBA — beautiful beatnik, really “hep” in striped denim shift, 3-strand necklace. Says 11 swinging things at random! Soft, stuffed body, sculptured vinyl head. Shockingly straight, long rooted hair brush, comb, style. About 23-inches tall.

TINY CHATTY BABY comes to life when you pull the Magic Ring — says 18 different phrases at random. Movable head & limbs. Vinyl. About 15 inches.

“SHRINKIN’ VIOLETTE” Mattel’s newest delight — pull the Magic Ring and she says 11 different things. As she talks, her mouth moves and her eyelids flutter! Soft body, yarn hair, about 12 inches.

CHATTY CATHY — says 16 phrases at random! Rooted Saran hair in 2 twin ponytails. Vinyl body; movable head, limbs. About 20 inches. Blonde/Brunette hair.

Vintage talking dolls from the 1960s: Just pull the string and they'd say different things! - Click Americana (1)

ALSO SEEBarbie and beyond: Vintage Barbie & Ken dolls, friends, dollhouses, accessories and fashions from the '60s, '70s & '80s

Chatty Cathy doll – TV commercial for this vintage talking toy

Vintage talking dolls from the 1960s: Just pull the string and they'd say different things! - Click Americana (2)

Each of these dolls, many phrases can say… what fun to speak to each other while you play! (1967)

Baby Teenie Talk – Baby Secret – Baby Chatterbox – Baby Drowsy – Negro Baby Say ‘N See – Baby Say ‘N See – Mrs Beasley

Vintage talking dolls from the 1960s: Just pull the string and they'd say different things! - Click Americana (3)

Dihann Carroll with her Julia dolls (1969)

DIAHANN CARROLL Presents The JULIA DOLLS – TV’s most glamorous nurse stars in wonderful world of new personality dolls

“Hi, my name is Julia,” greets each lucky little girl who pulls the magic voice string (left) held by Miss Diahann Carroll, star of TV’s first black family series. The talking Julia doll in gold and white culottes is joined at right by Nurse Julia.

WHEN NBC’s popular Julia series signs off on Tuesday evenings, little girl dreamers who imagine themselves in Diahann Carroll’s dual on-screen roles—nurse by day, glamor girl by night—won’t have to wait another week to enjoy the heartwarming antics of the versatile actress. Pint-size Julia fans can now produce their own shows all week long, starring two true-to-life “Julia” dolls created by America’s largest toymaker, Mattel, Inc.

Each comes with four high fashion wardrobes worn in Miss Carroll’s double TV life. The daytime “Julia” doll comes in an attractive showcase package wearing a crisp white nurse’s uniform and has bendable legs and twist ‘n turn waist. The after-five talking “Julia” speaks in Miss Carroll’s own voice and projects all the glitter of showbiz in her sparkling gold and white culottes. Both personality dolls have sculptured features resembling Miss Carroll’s, including real eyelashes and attractive rooted hair.

Vintage talking dolls from the 1960s: Just pull the string and they'd say different things! - Click Americana (4)

Charmin’ Chatty: The first doll that really plays

There’s never been a doll so fantastic…she comes with five different 2-sided records you can change whenever you want. So, she plays with you so many different ways — she’s just like your best friends!

She can be ridiculous …”Would you like pickle ice cream?” Or talk scary… “I just love monsters!” You can make up poems with her … she says proverbs … even makes animal noises! Charmin’ Chatty’s a full 2 feet tall — and endless hours of fun!

ALSO SEEBaby First Step, Betsy Wetsy, Swingy, Dancerina, Cheerful Tearful & other vintage dolls from the sixties

Charmin’ Chatty Play Set and Costume Packs She says 24 new and different things in each of these great play situations! You get a special record and everything you both need to play together!

Let’s Play Birthday Party #297 Retail Value: $4.00 You put on her special party dress and shoes… then both send out invitations, wear party hats and put candles on the cake!Let’s Play Pajama Party #298 Retail Value: $3.50 Everything you need to comb, brush and put up her hair …even a nightie to dress her in for an evening of “girl talk!”

Vintage talking dolls from the 1960s: Just pull the string and they'd say different things! - Click Americana (5)

Talking dolls by Mattel –Just pull their Chatty Rings to hear 11 different phrases

Baby Colleen – Baby Secret – Drowsy – Little Miss Echo – Mattel’s Singin’ Chatty – Talking Teachy Keen

“Tell me a long story” / “Please buckle my shoes”

Vintage talking dolls from the 1960s: Just pull the string and they'd say different things! - Click Americana (6)

Chatty Cathy (1962)

What could be more fun than a talking doll? Hardly anything. Because Chatty Cathy realty talks! It’s true. Just pull the Magic Ring and she might say “Let’s play school”… or “May 1 have a cookie?” …or perhaps “I love you.”

Chatty Cathy says 11 different things, and the fascinating part is you never know what she’ll say next! Your daughter will love Chatty Cathy, because she can actually converse with her.

What’s more, Chatty Cathy’s life-like rooted hair can be brushed and arranged in different styles. And she has a wonderfully varied collection of beautifully made costume sets to choose from, each perfectly made down to the smallest detail.

For that special gift for that very special little girl… get her Chatty Cathy. She’s the most talked-about… and talkative doll of the year. You’ll find Chatty Cathy wherever toys are sold.

Vintage talking dolls from the 1960s: Just pull the string and they'd say different things! - Click Americana (7)

Chatty Baby talking doll from Mattel (1962)

The only thing that’s more fun than having the famous Chatty Cathy talking doll …is having Chatty Baby too! She’s brand-new…and as lovable and appealing as a real baby.

And just like her famous big sister, Chatty Baby says one of 11 different things when you pull the Magic Ring. She laughs…and cries…and says “Hi mama…Go bye-bye…Doggie bow-bow…Night-night” just the way a real baby does.

Your daughter just won’t be able to resist her. And she’ll never know what Chatty Baby will say next. It’s all part of her charm. With rooted, brushable hair and a delightful selection of costumes to choose from, Chatty Baby will be more than a doll for your little girl… she’ll practically be a companion.

If your daughter would love a lifelike. talkative”daughter” of bier own (and what little girl wouldn’t?), then Chatty Baby listen be the most appreciated gift you might find. See her… listen to her…and buy Chatty Baby wherever toys are sold.

Vintage talking dolls from the 1960s: Just pull the string and they'd say different things! - Click Americana (8)

Dolls that talk (1969)

Talking Buffy with her Mrs Beasley Doll, Mrs Beasley herself – Television’s favorite doll – Baby Whisper is a shy playmate

“I want to tell you something” / “Please brush my hair” / “Would you like to try on my glasses?”

Vintage talking dolls from the 1960s: Just pull the string and they'd say different things! - Click Americana (9)

Mattel talking dolls (1963)

Chatty Baby — she’s quite a charming chatterbox — she talks baby talk, cries and laughs when you pull the “magic ring.” “Cookie all gone,” “Go-Bye-Bye” — you never know what she’ll say next. You can comb and brush her rooted hair, she’s fully jointed, with sleeping eyes. Dressed in rompers with pinafore, slipper-socks, hair ribbon. About 18 in.

Chatty Cathy, Chatty Baby’s Big Sister — just pull the “magic ring”, she says “I love you”, “Comb my hair”, 9 other cute phrases. In cotton dress, shoes, socks, panties. Fully jointed, rooted hair. Sleeping eyes. About 20 in.

Casper the Ghost with 11 spooky sayings like “Let’s play ghost”, “I’m not afraid” — but he’s really very friendly and wouldn’t scare anyone. White terrycloth costume with attached hood. Stuffed body, hi-impact plastic head. About 15 in. tall.

Chatty Baby’s Own 9-Way Stroll-A-Buggy — converts easily into 8 ether doll accessories, Strong washable vinyl, sturdy steel frames–holds up to 20-in. doll. Other seat, handles, rocker, etc. included — everything needed for 8 accessories shown at tight. Easy-to-follow instructions.

Vintage talking dolls from the 1960s: Just pull the string and they'd say different things! - Click Americana (10)

Vintage talking dolls from the 1960s: Just pull the string and they'd say different things! - Click Americana (2024)

FAQs

What was the name of the most popular talking doll in 1960? ›

Chatty Cathy, with its pull string mechanism connected to a simple photograph record inside the doll, was the first successful talking doll. Introduced in 1960, the doll "spoke" eleven phrases. By 1963, eighteen phrases.

How did pull string dolls work? ›

The doll's talking mechanism was activated by a pull-string that hung out of its back. Pulling the string turned a grooved disc inside the doll's body, and a metal needle produced sound from the disc by traveling through the grooves. Essentially, it was a tiny record player.

What was the most popular doll in the 60s? ›

Chatty Cathy

On the market for six years, Cathy was Mattel's second most successful doll of the 1960s after Barbie, spawning spinoffs like Chatty Baby, Tiny Chatty Brother and Singin' Chatty.

What is the oldest talking doll? ›

Edison's Phonograph Doll is a children's toy doll developed by the Edison Phonograph Toy Manufacturing Company (founded by William W. Jacques and Lowell Briggs in 1887) and introduced in 1890. The original doll was invented by Thomas Edison in 1877.

What is the most famous doll ever? ›

Barbie: The History of America's Most Famous Doll.

How much did Chatty Cathy cost in 1960? ›

The doll and its accompanying accessories were advertised at less than $20. In 1961, the red Chatty Cathy dress was discontinued, replaced by a pink and white striped dress with a white pinafore called "Pink Peppermint Stick", which was available until 1964.

What is the name of the pull-string toy? ›

Perhaps the simplest pullstring toy is the yo-yo (c. 460 BCE). The jumping jack is a more complicated animated puppet paper doll that uses a pullstring to move its arms and legs up and down. Trompos and some spinning tops use a string that is wound around the top and then pulled to make it spin.

What was the first doll that came out? ›

Archaeological evidence places dolls as the foremost candidate for the oldest known toy. Wooden paddle dolls have been found in Egyptian tombs dating to as early as the 21st century BC. Dolls with movable limbs and removable clothing date back to at least 200 BC.

What toys from the 60s no longer exist? ›

Some classic toys from the 60s that no longer exist include the Chatty Cathy doll, the Wizzzer spinning top, Kenner's Spirograph, Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, Creepy Crawlers, and various tin and hard plastic toys made by companies like Fisher Price and Mattel.

How can you tell if a doll is vintage? ›

Check if the eyes are painted, glass, or moveable.

Antique dolls that were made before 1870 had eyes that were painted on. From 1870 to the early 1900s, the dolls had inset glass eyes that didn't move. From the early 1900s, the eyes of the dolls are large and rounded, with a sideways glance.

What 1959 doll would become one of the most popular toys of all time? ›

Since its launch in 1959, over 1 billion Barbie dolls have been sold worldwide. The iconic Barbie doll went on display for the first time on March 9, 1959, at the American Toy Fair in New York City. Barbie was created by Ruth Handler, who co-founded the toy manufacturing company Mattel with her husband in 1945.

What is a talking doll called? ›

The puppet or doll is usually called a “dummy," probably because it gets its smarts from its operator. The technical term for a ventriloquist's dummy is ventriloquial figure.

How did old talking dolls work? ›

This example of an Edison talking doll has a ceramic head, a metal body, and articulated limbs made from painted wood. Inside the torso is mounted a tiny phonograph bearing a brown wax record that recites the children's rhyme “Jack and Jill,” as recorded by a young woman.

How old is a vintage doll? ›

Antique, Vintage or Modern Collectible

Antique dolls are 100 years old or more. Notable dolls from the 50s are considered vintage. Finally, specific brands from the 60s and 70s are viewed as modern collectibles.

What are the talking dolls called? ›

The puppet or doll is usually called a “dummy," probably because it gets its smarts from its operator. The technical term for a ventriloquist's dummy is ventriloquial figure.

What doll was introduced in 1961? ›

The Ken doll was introduced in 1961 by Mattel as the counterpart to Barbie. He was created by Elliot Handler. The first Ken doll didn't have bendable arms, his head could only turn left and right, and his hair was made from felt.

Why was Chatty Cathy discontinued? ›

In hindsight, Chatty Cathy might have been a bit creepy. A "Twilight Zone" episode called "Living Doll," was essentially based on Cathy, except that this doll was named Talky Tina — and Tina was even voiced by the original Chatty Cathy, June Foray. Perhaps this creepiness led to Cathy's discontinuation in 1966.

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