Saturday Morning ToyZ has MOVED to www.Saturdaymorningtoyz.com
Come join us for a smoother interface more media and NEW additions!
Click the link or pic to join!
Reviews and News on Integrity, Mattel and MGA Toys and dolls, with special emphasis toys and cartoons advertised during Saturday Morning Cartoons in the 80's and 90's (The Golden Age)
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Podcast #4 Discovering Forever Barbie
On this podcast the panel discuss M.G. Lords book Forever Barbie
Including: themes and theories regarding Barbie and her
history
Barbie as Gender
Barbie the single girl
The Barbie Body
The Superstar makeover
ALSO a dose of Hot Topics including Integrity Toys retiring their Fashion Royalty body and doll yellowing; Fact or exaggerated?
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Integrity Toys "Revamps" Fashion Royalty body makes it Square
(Scroll down past the kvetching for the pics of what fits)
It was a black, black day in my house.
An extreme high from receiving the announcement of the convention collection, to a spiraling downward plummet of sadness and disbelief.
Integrity toys made the announcement to their subjects....I'm sorry... customers, that they will be retiring the Fashion Royalty body in favor of the Fashion Royalty Squared body (FR2) Body.
It is their attempt to "keep things fresh" for their subjects...SORRY customers.
So, If you are one of their loyal customers that enjoyed having BOTH or just preferred the fuller figure of the Fashion Royalty body
TOO BAD.
After a little over ten years the carpet was ripped from under you.
Have you ever heard of a company (especially a small business) lucky enough to produce a hit product that people clamor for, all of a sudden, on a whim, stop producing its winning product?
We were basically patted on the head and told: "It's for your own good".
It's like Coca-Cola decreeing they will no longer produce regular Coke, Just diet Coke, because after all its better for you and we want to keep things fresh.
Diet Coke fans won't care.
Regular Coke fans will just shrug, and move on to the competitors.
So, I've spoken to many people about the subject. I needed counseling. There are a few who prefer the FR2 body.
Most liked having both.
The biggest complaint has been the shoe size difference.
The announcement implied there was a "revamping" of the FR2 body which led Integrity's descamisados to speculate if the company made logical improvements and produced this "New FR2" body with the same shoe and bust size and the Fashion Royalty body.
They did not.
Where improvements necessary? YES
Did they make any "improvements"? NO, Not really
Not really improvements, just replacing the Fashion Royalty body with the FR2 body.
As you can see below with the fuller figured brunette being Fashion Royalty, and the red head on the right a FR2, its a completely different body and psychological composition.
Both of these products can and have existed a part, harmoniously.
A true blending would to have been to keep the breast shape, abdomen, arms, and legs of the FR2 while keeping the breast and foot size of the Fashion Royalty body.
That would have been blockbuster!
That would have been innovation!
That would have been a decision made with integrity.
 |
| Fashion Royalty and FR2 body |
No one complained.
No one asked for this.
If Fashion Royalty dolls didn't sell (Jet Set and Tropicalia Convention Collections) it was because of the clothes on their back NOT what was underneath!
If they wanted to give their disciples something Fresh and New how about offering products people have been pleading for:
Furniture
A coffee table book?
Replacement bodies?
Appearances of the Fashion Royalty characters on FR2 bodies?
OR
A New Fashion Royalty designer?
Finally,
People have given out many options for the future:
Rebody, trade FR2 bodies for FR bodies.
Stick with and invest with Mattel: Silkstones and Classic Superstar body era.
Shop cautiously with Integrity: too many "changes and inconsistencies", price point raises and offerings get smaller, body yellowing, and after all...they're going to "Come for Poppy" next!
This is just a marketing scheme and "Classic Fashion Royalty body" will be back next year.
All of this made me wonder: Why are Tonner people (collectors) so happy?
They're always skipping around laughing, clapping, not a care or complaint in the world!
Why are people so hostile toward Integrity?
Why does the relationship with their customers
Why does the relationship with their customers
have to be so volatile?
I don't understand?
When they have staff meetings, and say: "You know, people are going to freak out if we do x,y,z"
Is their response: "Who cares!? Do it anyway"?
Does Proctor and Gamble do that?
Does Pepsi Co. do that?
Does Mattel do that?
I'm going to try it out.
My podcast co-host Steven sent me a FR2 body to play with.
I don't like it.
But I'm still excited for the convention collection
It fits into more clothes and shoes than I thought it would have, but its just not as fantastic as the Fashion Royalty body.
It has an underwhelming breast size.
I have faith in Alain (though, you'd never get me to believe he liked the Jet Set and Tropicalia collection) as a packaging designer, story line writer, and hats off to him, he can throw a fierce convention.
The Fashion Royalty body is too special for me.
I came over from Barbie because Integrity offered a fuller body.
I love it clothed and I love it nude!
The "revamping" or "merging" would have been stupendous if it was done correctly.
Below are some items that I have in my FR collection that fit the FR2 body:
 |
| Dressmaker details did well and zipped right up, but its missing that pop from the bigger bust |
 |
| Ginny O did ok because its a lace back! |
 |
| This looked great except up top where the small FR2 bust couldn't fill the cups |
 |
| This fit perfectly! |
 |
| Skirt fit jacket AWFUL |
 |
| Silkstone dress fit perfectly just missing that POP a bigger bust would give |
 |
| This fit OK, a little pinning would do well |
 |
| Any of Fley's sets should work! |
 |
| Porcelain Beauty pants fit but didn't buckle |
 |
| Scene Stealer coat worked well |
 |
| More Ginny O looks GREAT! |
 |
| This fit like an absolute dream! |
 |
| This fit well too! |
This Dynamite Girls Sized Dress By Clear Lan also works well
  |
| Don't know who shoes their are but they worked, zipper back |
 |
| These shoes from a Asian eBay sell work perfect! |
 |
| Monogram shoes are good |
 |
| Style counsel Adele shoes worked |
 |
| Dania shoe's worked also! |
Friday, July 12, 2013
NEW Martha Stewart Celebrations Collection at JC Penny
Finally the Martha Stewart Celebrations collection is available at your local JC Penny (hopefully).It took a while in coming, perhaps as a result of the bickering between Stewart and Macy's.
Once you visit the section however you'll be quite puzzled at the reasoning for Macy's call of foul regarding Martha's decision to distribute products on their competitor's shelves.
As you can see in the photographs these items have very little similarities to those offered at Macy's.
Actually, they're small delightful finishing touch items that were offered by Martha Stewart through Kmart, that fans have missed since their partnership ended.
I truly missed the simple elegance and classic style the Martha Stewart designers brought to accent items such as: wrapping paper (particularly Christmas), ribbons, gift bags and paper decorations.
The highlight for me was the shelf of candy! Yes Martha Stewart candy!
The candy is offered as an accessory to the clear jars below. Glass jars of various shapes and heights filled with colorful candies have been a staple element on the covers and within the pages of Martha Stewart Living and was a regular fixture on her daytime talk show.
There are some items that of course Stewart and her most loyal followers would never use like for example paper plates:
But the mission of Martha Stewart products has always been to provide customers with items that reflect that clean New England classic style at a low price point. So you'll find the plates and napkins are paper, the glass jars are not really glass and the depression glass really depressing.
But for those devote fans who miss the Martha Stewart line of wrapping paper, ribbon and gift bags this should prove to be an enormous treat!
Please stop bye when you get a chance and don't forget to check in for new items as the seasons change!
Friday, May 24, 2013
Hot Toys The Rock as GI Joe Roadblock 1/6 Scale figure
I've also bee waiting for an opportunity to purchase my first Hot Toys figure.
I missed out on the Assassins Creed and Resident Evil Chris Redfield offerings.
So, This will be my first purchase!
The face sculpt is spot on...of what Dwayne will look like in ten years if he let's himself go.
The sculpt is a little to old and weathered.
The figure features 30 points of articulation
3 pairs of hands
and various weaponry
Item is do to ship 4th quarter
Retail Price: $219.00
Pre Order Here: http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HOT10448&mode=retail
Friday, May 10, 2013
Mommie Dearest Forever!
 |
| Item # 14025 Mommie Dearest™
Official Collectible Doll Gift Set
Limited edition of 800 dolls Suggested Retail Price: $150.00 Approximate Ship Date: Early July 2013 |
FANTASTIC!
I am completely floored and absolutely THRILLED with this new release from Integrity toys!My neighbors knocked to see what all the screaming was about!
The Mommie Dearest Gift Set is hopefully the first of many releases for this Paramount FIlms property.
She is fantastic and wonderful in every way.
This item also is the first release with the new quick release head system that allowss collectors to change heads among different body types with ease and without boiling to soften heads.
My only gripe is that the head mold should have had the frowning or angry Anges Von Weiss Face mold.
I'm sure there is a senesable reason as to why it does not and I will ask an Integrity staff member when I get a chance. (see pics below)
I am also aware this does not look like the divine Joan Crawford or Faye Dunaway.
In the past Integrity has claimed their film properties represent the characters and not the actress.
In this case, (as with the other Integrity celebrity properties: Lana Turner and Josphine Baker) the face sculpt still doesn’t resemble the star.
However, the design and presentation of this representaion of J.C. is eons ahead of the uninteresting offerings by Robert Tonner.
It is sheer brilliance to include the wire hanger and the changeable head!
It is simply a must have for any doll collector and Joan Crawford fan!
Click here to order from your local dealer:
 |
Don't Forget to subscribe to our Podcast Here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/saturdaymorningtoyz-spreaker/id640830426?mt=2Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Saturday-Morning-Toyz/100437186726847?ref=hl
and Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/SaturdayMorningtoyZ
Saturday, April 13, 2013
2013 Barbie Cocktail Ensemble Silkstone Video and Review
Just receiving my 2013 Barbie Cocktail Ensemble Silkstone.
The piece is just as wonderful in real life as she is in the promo pictures!
She is a classic screening with a simple and elegant presentation.
Glamorous, feminine and classy.
Very much a Barbie production.
Robert Best has done a phenomenal job with this new crop of ladies.
The only flaw is:
When you debox doll her cape will need steaming or ironing because of being tied to box.
Once you do this she opens up and looks just as she does in the promo pics!
So if you decide to iron or steam be very cautious.
I ironed outfit by sandwiching between a thick folded cotton towel!
Can't wait to see more from Robert!
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Out Sass Vanessa is FREE!!
The Hostage situation is OVER!
Out Sass Vanessa has been freed from U.S. Customs!
She finally arrived today and she is thrilling!
Orders were taken in fourth quarter of 2012 (technically she is a 2012 WClub exclusive doll) for this divine incarnation of Vanessa Perrin. She was made to order.
This means Integrity offers exclusive club dolls to members and only produces the number ordered.
Word is there are about 875 of these produced
This time he brought it to the runway and served the children fish on fire on a silver platter!
Monday, April 1, 2013
2013 Integrity Spring 2013 Line Part 2
Why??
Because David Buttry finally unveiled his 2013 Poppy Parker line!
This year its called "Poppy Parker at the 1965 Worlds Fair"
David claims the line was inspired by art work from the 1965 Worlds Fair.
He's not fooling anybody....This line says Mr Buttry LIVES for the Its A Small World Ride at
Walt Disney World and he wore his work pad out on that ride HUNTY!
As word goes this line was the first to sell out in just a few hours after the show.
Here are the highlights of the line:
 |
| Item #PP048
Irresistible in India
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
Limited Edition of 750 Dolls
Suggested Retail Price: $89.00 US
Estimated Shipping Date: June 2013
|
 |
| Item #PP050
Sweet in Switzerland
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
Limited Edition of 750 Dolls
Suggested Retail Price: $89.00 US
Estimated Shipping Date: June 2013
|
 |
| Item #PP051
Pretty in Polynesia
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
Limited Edition of 750 Dolls
Suggested Retail Price: $89.00 US
Estimated Shipping Date: June 2013 |
 |
| Item #PP052
Joyful in Japan
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
Limited Edition of 750 Dolls
Suggested Retail Price: $89.00 US
Estimated Shipping Date: June 2013
|
UP NEXT
To my surprise The Misfits!
Both me and my wallet hoped they were going to wait till next year to unveil the Misfits but Alas, they did not.
I had planned to skip the Holograms and only purchase The Misfits, so I was in regardless.
I remember not even being interested in the original Holograms when I was young and NEVER being able to find Roxy and Stormer so this line completes me!
As for the dolls.
The outfits seem to fit much better than the Holograms' outfits.
Face screening is also a step above.
They are really fantastic!
My only gripe is the face molds should have had more mischievous grins like the original line.
However, Vaughn said Hasbro OK'd the line so if it's fine with Hasbro then its fine with me!
 |
Item #14031
Phyllis "PIZZAZZ" Gabor™
The JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS™ Collection
Limited Edition of 1200 Dolls Only
Suggested Retail Price: $119.00 US
Estimated Ship Date: May 2013
|
 |
Item #14032
Roxanne "ROXY" Pelligrini™
The JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS™ Collection
Limited Edition of 1200 Dolls Only
Suggested Retail Price: $119.00 US
Estimated Ship Date: May 2013
|
 |
|
Item #14033
Mary "STORMER" Phillips™
The JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS™ Collection
Limited Edition of 1200 Dolls Only
Suggested Retail Price: $119.00 US
Estimated Ship Date: May 2013
|
The third line was the crown jewel in the Integrity Toys stable: Fashion Royalty
Before the line was revealed the lead designer trumpeted: "Surprises".........
We still cant figure out what the surprises were.
It wasn't furniture or a new character....
Was it the almost 18% price increase?
Maybe it was Jordan!?
Jordan seems to be the HIT of the line (aside from the WClub Event Doll below)
and the FIRST Must Have Jordan EVER!
Even tough some people expressed dislike in the hair color, Jordan seems to be the over all HIT of the line:
 |
| Item #91315
Splendid
Jordan™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US
Limited Edition Size: 400
Estimated Ship Date: Late June / Early July 2013
|
The rest of the collection seemed to fall flat due to poor promo dolls and promo pics. Bad lighting and wonky eyes may have quelled interest.
 |
Item #91317
Ambitious
Kesenia™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US Limited Edition Size: 700
Estimated Ship Date: Late June / Early July 2013
|
 |
Item #91316
Captivating
Anja™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US
Limited Edition Size: 800
Estimated Ship Date: Late June / Early July 2013 |
 |
|
Item #91318
Polished
Korinne™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US
Limited Edition Size: 700
Estimated Ship Date: Late June / Early July 2013
|
I think once the dolls are shipped and live pictures are seen Korinne will be a hit as well!
Close up pics showed her with a clumsy screening that will be improved in production.
The SHOW STOPPER
The show stopper of the event was the second Dania Zarr!
(The first one can bee seen on other blogs and flickr)
This was the WClub member exclusive doll available ONLY to WClub members with a production number made to order.
 |
Item #91319
Irresistible
Dania Zarr™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
2013 W Club Online Event Doll
Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US
Limited Edition Size: TBA
Estimated Ship Date: Mid to Late Summer 2013
|
Unlike the rest of the collection she is a dazzling and interesting piece with many different possibilities that rises above the ensemble.
Remember this is NOT the complete list ONLY the highlights!
Surely a complete list can be found on Shug's Blog or inside The Fashion Doll Studio.
If you are still undecided about your selections you may be out of luck for the Poppies but excluding Jordan there should be plenty of Fashion Royalty dolls available.
The Misfits were also produced in high numbers and should be found at numerous dealers!
GOOD LUCK!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)