Chatty Cathy

Chatty Cathy was a doll, produced by the Mattel corporation starting in 1959 and first advertised on television in 1960. Revolutionary for its time, the doll spoke 11 phrases; Chatty Cathy would "speak" when one pulled a string in her back. Seven more phrases were added in 1963, which was also the last year the first version of Chatty Cathies were sold.

Related Topics:
Doll - Mattel - 1959 - 1960 - 1963

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The doll was reissued by Mattel (in both white and black versions) in 1969. Maureen McCormick, who had become a role model to young girls due to her role on The Brady Bunch, voiced the new Chatty Cathy phrases. She appeared in television commercials with Brady Bunch co-star Eve Plumb to endorse the doll. The new Chatty Cathy did not catch on and was discontinued in 1971.

Related Topics:
1969 - Maureen McCormick - The Brady Bunch - Eve Plumb - 1971

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A specific Chatty Cathy reissue did not occur again until Mattel put out special editions of the doll in 1998 and again in 2001. A 1980s Mattel doll called Chatty Patty had similarities to Chatty Cathy but a direct link was not acknowledged by the company. http://www.chattycathydolls.com/funfacts.html

Related Topics:
1998 - 2001 - 1980s

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A Canadian Chatty Cathy doll was released for the corresponding market in the early 1960s. Some of her phrases were edited to reflect the slight cultural differences between Canada and the United States, and the irises were shaped like pinwheels. Canadian Chatty Cathy dolls were discontinued in 1965.

Related Topics:
Canadian - 1960s - Irises - Pinwheel - 1965

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Chatty Cathy was also the inspiration for the 'Living Doll' episode of The Twilight Zone, originally broadcast November 1st, 1963. The woman that provided the voice for Chatty Cathy also did the voice for Talky Tina, the episode's evil doll. Episode also starred Telly Savalas.

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