Barbie of the Month: Dramatic Living Barbie

In 1970, Mattel introduced the first fully posable Barbie doll and named her (#1116) Dramatic New Living Barbie. 

Dramatic Living Barbie

The Dramatic New Living Barbie was amazing!   She could tilt her head, bend her knees, rotate her wrists, had posable ankles (so she could wear flats and heels), could bend her elbows, swing her arms up and out, and swivel at the waist with this brand new style body!  With her posable legs, she could even do the splits!  She was available with blonde, brunette or red hair, and had real eyelashes.  She wore a beautiful gold metallic one piece swim suit with an orange fishnet cover-up that was trimmed in gold.

Dramatic Living Barbie (1970)

In 1971 her name was shortened to the "Dramatic Living Barbie" (they dropped the word "new" from the name on the box).  She was packaged in a new style box, and dressed in a polka-dotted swim suit with matching long wrap.

1971 Dramatic Living Barbie (front and back side of box)

Besides the swim suit variations, the two dolls had one other distinct difference.  In 1970 Barbie had side glanced eyes, and in 1971 her blue eyes were center glanced. 

Side glanced eyes (1970) and center glanced eyes (1971)

In the box was the doll, clear X stand, and fashion booklet.  Both the 1970 and 1971 dolls were marked:  ©1968 Mattel, Inc. U.S. & For Pat'd Other Pats.Pend. Taiwan

Fashion booklet and posing stand

In 1970 and 1971 Sears released an exclusive gifts set. The Sears Action Accents gift set came with a Dramatic Living Barbie doll.  There was another difference in this set.  The doll was marked with a "Japan" marking instead of the normal “Taiwan” mark.  She also had a deeper red hair color which was also slightly longer.  For detailed information on this set, click the link below:  

Action Accents Gift Set 

Sears Action Accents gift set Barbie Doll

In 1970 there was one other Dramatic Living Barbie released; Stock #1188, which exclusive to the Japanese Market.   For additional information on her, click the link provided:

Living Barbie - Japanese Exlcusive 

#1188 Living Barbie Japan Exclusive

Here’s the original 1970 Barbie Commercial for the Living Barbie, starring Maureen McCormick:

 1970 Living Barbie Commerical

This Dramatic Living Barbie doll is a must have in any mod Barbie collection!

Happy Hunting!

Visit my website at MyVintageBarbies.com 

 

Barbie of the Month: Dramatic Living Barbie Japan Exclusive

In 1970 the #11188 Dramatic Living Barbie doll was released exclusively in Japan.

 

 

Back of Box

She looks similar to the U.S. Version of the Dramatic Living Barbie. 

 

Dramatic Living Barbie - Japanese Market Only

 

The Japanese version was marked “made in Japan” and the U.S. Dramatic Living Barbie dolls were all marked “made in Taiwan” with one exception; the doll from the Sears exclusive #1585 Living Barbie Action Accents gift set.  She was manufactured in Japan as well.   

 

Living Barbie from the Action Accents Gift Set

The Japanese Barbie had red straight hair which is slightly longer than the U.S. version.  She had side glance eyes, and wore a pink leotard with matching tights.  She was packaged in an open faced box which included a clear “X” stand.  Some of these dolls had a wrist tag, and others did not. Even though she was released in 1970, her box is marked 1969.

Dramatic Living Barbie - Japanese Market Only

 

 

 

End Flap of Box

 

 

Barbie’s friend Living Eli was also introduced the same year exclusively in Japan.  She had dark hair with bangs and two side ponytails tied with blue hair ribbons. She wore the same leotard and tights as Barbie, but hers were a red color. 

Eli - Japanese Market Only

She had the same body as Dramatic Living Barbie. The face mold used for Eli was different.  Her face mold was that of the Sweet Sixteen Barbie from the U.S. market, only painted differently.  She came in a similar open faced box with clear stand as did Barbie. 

Both the Japanese Dramatic Living Barbie doll and her friend Living Eli dolls are extremely hard to find on the secondary market, and when they are available it’s usually at a premium price. 

 

Dramatic Living Barbie - Japanese Market Only

 

 

Finding and acquiring the uncommon is why I keep searching for more, and one of the many reasons I love my collection so much!

Happy Hunting!

Barbie of the Month: Dramatic Living Barbie Action Accents Set

 

 
 
This lovely but hard to find red-haired Dramatic Living Barbie doll was only available in the United States as a Sears Exclusive gift set.  She was also sold separately in Japan. 

This doll differs a bit from the Dramatic Living Barbie’s with the “Taiwan” marking that we are all used to seeing.  She has a little bit longer hair that’s a darker red color.  She has the same body, pretty face, and rooted eyelashes as the Taiwan doll, but what sets her apart is her “Japan” marking.

 

Notice the length of hair: (Left) Japan Marked doll, (Right) Taiwan Marked doll

 

These active dolls can pose in almost every way possible. Her original box says: “My elbows, knees and ankles bend, my head, hands and waist turn, my arms and legs swing up ‘n around!”   What a perfect doll to use for this action set.

Action Accents Dramatic Living Barbie

 

 

If little girls were looking for an excellent group of athletic clothes for Barbie, then the #1585 Action Accents was the one to buy!  This exclusive Sears gift set was only sold in the United States in 1970 and 1971.   The collection included the doll and sixteen sporty items for all her many adventurous activities. 

Front of the box

 

The doll came with a wrist tag, clear stand, and was dressed in her hot-pink leotard with matching tights for working out.  She even had a workout rope to use for resistance.  For skiing she wore her same tights and leotard, but added a vinyl pink and orange ski jacket.  There were a set of skis, poles and boots, too.  For snorkeling in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean she had her fins, mask, snorkel, and a one-piece orange and blue swimsuit. For ballet performances she wore her pink leotard and tights along with a pink tutu and ballet slippers.  When she went ice skating in Central Park she wore her tights and leotard again, but this time added her blue skirt with straps that was trimmed with pink faux fur along the bottom. A pink furry hat and matching blue ice skates completed her outfit.

The complete set

The Living Barbie that was sold strictly in Japan came in an open style box with cellophane covering the top.  It is the same box that the Japanese Living Eli doll came in.  They both were packaged wearing tights and leotard, but Eli’s were red.  The small little booklets that came in the box with both these dolls pictured the same clothes that were shown in the U.S. booklets for the Dramatic Living Barbie dolls.

Japanese Eli and Living Barbie Box

 





This wonderful gift set is very difficult to find mint in the box, and if you do, be prepared to pay a pretty penny for it.  It’s an amazing set for any collector!



1970 Sears Christmas Catalog Ad
 

Here is the advertisement in the 1970 Sears Christmas catalog.  The set sold for $9.99.  Even though she is shown with blonde hair, she never had it.  She only came in red.  I wonder what everyone's expression was when they ordered this doll for their little girls at Christmas!

Happy Hunting!