Aloha! Josephine Baker

In previous blog posts, I showed a couple of dolls, one in her original box, marked Betty Lei, that are similar to this all cloth doll. The heads of the other dolls differ and appear French-made, possibly JxB. (Link to previous blog posts)

This particular doll is most likely French as well, and even though there's a remnant of a tag, it does not help us know whether it's Gerb's or other French maker. Like the other two dolls, this doll's body is adorned with Raffia. These dolls remind a lot of collectors of Josephine Baker. Not sure if that was what inspired the dolls' creators, but I can see the connection.

With the help of the box on the other doll, it is evidence that at least that particular doll was made as a souvenir of Hawaii. However, the doll, featured in this blog post, looks more exotic with her arm adornment and large hoop earrings so could represent another ethnicity.

Nancy Drew, Reporter - 1939

When I was a kid, I did nothing but read Nancy Drew books. I was crazy about her!

So, I spent this weekend watching the 1930's film version, based on the books. I must say, I don't remember Nancy Drew being quite so out of control and wacky, but the movies were hysterical! I recommend all four of them. I rented them from Netflix. They were made in 1938 and 1939.

The embedding was disabled on this YouTube clip so click the photo to view the clip from this fun film "Nancy Drew, Reporter" with Bonita Granville, Frank Thomas, Jr., Dickie Jones, and Mary Lee. This clip starts out with a great song sung by the group, headed up by Mary Lee.

The kids didn't have enough money to pay the restaurant bill so they ended up entertaining the other guests. Dickie Jones does a wonderful Donald Duck imitation, and isn't it interesting that years later, he did the voice of Pinocchio for Disney.

Flappers

Click the photo to read Wikipedia's definition of Flapper.

Contest. Enter to Win. Caption This!

 CONTEST CLOSED! THE WINNER IS

Brenda took her corporate headhunting job much too literally! 

Who is anonymous?

Because we don't know who anonymous is, the second place winner will get the prize:

"Hmmm....when I said I wanted to get 'ahead' on the casting couch, this was NOT what I had in mind."

nick/dollguy

Let's play a game. Write a caption for this picture and post it. The winner, judged by my husband, will receive a gift. Contest will be open for a few days. Multiple entries are permitted. If you post as "Anonymous" please make up a name for yourself so I can respond if you win.

eBay Sellers - Always Good For A Laugh

I watch the auctions of a certain small fashion doll that was discontinued about 3 years ago. This particular auction was classified as: "New: A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item..."
In the description the seller wrote: "New in box in a nonsmoking home."

Her picture shows a nude doll tied into a doll box and a loose fashion displayed outside of the box.

The title she uses is that of a dressed doll from the particular line. The doll is neither dressed nor is the fashion the one the title says it should be.

I wrote to the seller and asked: "How can you say the doll is new in box if she is not dressed? She has obviously been handled and removed from her box."
One week later I received this response: "You can tell the doll is new in the box if she is not dressed because that is how I purchased the doll."

Huh?
Do you have to read that again?

Smokin'!

This super photo is Anna Sten in "Nana" 1934. She reminds me of a Lenci boudoir doll. This photo is available on eBay. Click the photo to view the auction.

It's Party Time!

This cool photo is available on eBay. Click the link to view the auction. It's Nancy Carroll, Buddy Rogers in the 1929 film "Close Harmony."