Temple Tuesday: 1972 Vinyl Shirley

I still remember the first time I saw Ideal’s 1972 vinyl doll. It was sitting high on top of the shelf in the local hardware store's Toy Shop. The display was a cardboard stage that was a promotional item by Ideal. I thought it looked just like Shirley. Shiny sandy blonde curls, the dimples, the smile, the instantly recognizable polka dot dress from “Stand Up and Cheer”…it was Shirley come to life in 17 inches of peach-colored vinyl.



I even thought the box was cool; LOTS of photos of Shirley all around it!



There was also an alternate dress that was a modern riff on the “Stand Up and Cheer” outfit. Screw that...I wanted it to look just like the one in the 1934 movie!



After the 1972/73 doll was released, Ideal also produced four outfits (sold separately of course!) that were “inspired” by some of Shirley’s most famous movie roles.



“Inspired” is somewhat accurate, as these outfits not only strayed far from the original designs but they looked pretty cheap, too. The best of the bunch was probably “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm”:



“Captain January” wasn’t too bad, but it didn’t have the arm patch (can you hear the pennies saved on that one?). “Heidi” wasn’t awful from the front:



…but it sure was a mess in the back. BTW: this doll has been “enhanced” with a petticoat and hose, unlike the original outfit which only had short socks. Shoes weren’t included either. All outfits were expected to share the same pair of red vinyl shoes that came with the “Stand Up and Cheer” doll.



The hair on these dolls was the equivalent of a mullet. Business in front…



party in the back. No Shirley-style curls and bare hair plugs...this poor thing needs some rogaine and a curling iron.



The amount of hair on the back of the head varied. Some were close to bald, some had a bigger afro. I actually had one of mine restyled by Kathy Johnson, who magically turned the messy mass into Shirley curls!



The prize for the worst outfit of the quartet goes to “The Little Colonel.” Missing at least two ruffles and made out of the cheapest polyester possible, you can almost smell the steam coming off of this one.



When Ideal closed shop, Dollspart Supply started selling parts for the 1972 doll. You could buy a whole set and make your own 1972 Shirley Temple Ideal vinyl doll. Sort of…

No eyelashes, cheaply painted (no blushing), and even less hair on the head (could that be?!?), you would have to be pretty desperate to buy one of these nude dolls and go to the hassle of putting it together.



See more Shirley Temple doll photos at my main website.

Treasured Composition

When it comes to collecting vintage dolls, few are coveted or treasured as much as the original Ideal composition Shirley Temple dolls. Even more difficult is finding one still in good shape; typically the eyes have clouded, the composition crazes/cracks, and the outfits are moth-eaten and faded. Somehow I lucked out in acquiring this rare gem. I am guessing that the hair and waist ribbons have been replaced, but the rest is in its glorious original condition.



How about that tag?



Just for comparison, here is a Danbury Mint porcelain reproduction of the Ideal original. I replaced the horrid synthetic wig with a mohair one. Still cute, but lacks the charm of the original.



See more Shirley Temple doll photos at my main website.

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Happy July 4th from J'Adore!

No other Gene Marshall outfit is quite so perfect for July 4th as Stand Up and Cheer by Dolly Cipolla.



This circa 1944 costume released in 1999 also came with a festive "noisemaker."



J'Adore does a wonderful job modeling this holiday ensemble. Happy 4th to all!

See more Gene Marshall photos on my regular website.

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Shirley Temple: The Classic Stand Up And Cheer

For Shirley Temple doll collectors, the most popular outfit is most likely the one known as the red coin dot dress from Shirley's 1934 movie, "Stand Up And Cheer." Even though she only had one number ("Baby Take A Bow"), she stole the spotlight and kept a fairly ho-hom movie from being a stinker.



The doll shown here is one of the Danbury Mint porcelain antique replicas that they produced years ago in a 14" size. The current one for sale actually measures closer to 12", even though it is listed as 14".



I removed the synthetic wig that came with the doll and replaced it with a mohair one that does an excellent job of replicating the wigs that came with the classic 1930's Shirley composition dolls.



Add a replica dress from Dollspart Supply and voila—a beautiful porcelain Shirley Temple doll that captures the magic of the original!



See more Shirley Temple doll photos on my Shirley Temple doll web page.

Happy 4th of July!

This 1999 fashion (circa 1944) was designed by Dolly Cipolla. What better outfit to showcase for July 4th? First up are two publicity stills shot by Steven Mays, followed by a few of my own creations.



From the story card:

Scarcely a week had gone by after D-Day when Gene and her fellow USO Camp Tour entertainers found themselves on a transport boat cutting across the choppy waves of the English Channel to Normandy. The “Soldiers in Greasepaint” were coming over to the new front lines, to fight their battles for morale, spirit, and patriotism.



During their first show on Normandy land, Gene could see a new hope dawning in the faces of the soldiers she met. The tide of war was turning in the Allies’ favor at long last, and a fresh, new spirit was budding in everyone's heart. Gene and the famous comedian USO host decided then and there that she would perform her patriotic new number for the finale, hoping it would spark morale to a bright new flame.



Gene stepped out from the wings with the energy of a sizzling firecracker, high-kicking and belting out a rousing song for America, the flag, and the Fourth of July. Gene poured her entire heart and soul to that crowd. She sparkled and dazzled in the sunlight, her smile radiant, her every move vibrant and bold. Thousands of booted feet started to stomp the beat, thousands of hands clapped with wild enthusiasm. A fresh, brisk breeze blew from the west, and set the American flag to waving proudly over their heads. An electrifying feeling swept through the audience…an overwhelming, tingling sensation of joy, optimism, and exuberance that drove them wild. By the end, every soldier was on his feet, arms in the air, cheering like crazy for the Red, White, and Blue!







Follow my Gene Marshall, Madra Lord, Zita Charles, Violet Waters, Trent Osborn, Poppy Parker, and other classic movie star doll updates on Twitter. See more Gene Marshall photos at my regular website.

Stand Up And Cheer!

This 1999 fashion (circa 1944) is one of the few that I just do not like at all. Don’t know what it is; probably the fact that sparkly costumes just look cheap unless the scale is just perfect, and for me, this costume doesn’t cut the mustard at all. Even with the firecracker hand prop! This costume was created for Gene to wear in the finale of the USO.



To see more Gene Marshall photos, visit my regular website.