Talking Julia in Lunch on the Terrace

Julia in Lunch on the Terrace, originally uploaded by alington.

I am the lucky recipient of several recent trades with Kathie, my local vintage Barbie dealer and friend. Fortunately (or unfortunately, if you get my gist), she knows my style of collecting perfectly.

So, when I tell her via text or email that I have such and such dolls I'm considering selling or trading, she will bring "something special" for me to consider.

And sure enough--I am blown away.

This is the first part of my most recent trade: a mint and complete Lunch on the Terrace with spikes. Originally for the American Girl line, I thought I'd give it a try on Julia, of my girls who can pull off a hat really well. I think she's fabulous.

And how great does this outfit look in my green room? Aye! I love, love, LOVE it!

See a close-up on Flickr.

1969 Talking Julia

1969 Talking Julia, originally uploaded by alington.

This is 1969 Talking Julia. She is the favorite talker in my collection--her voice is like butter. She is the one talker Mattel modeled after an actress, Diahann Carroll, who played Nurse Julia, from the 1960s TV show.

Originally, she came dressed in a gold and silver jumpsuit,. I have her dressed in the repro nurse's uniform for now.

She says more phrases than this, but I didn't want to make the video longer than about 30 seconds. You can hear my 11 year-old son's voice at the top of the video, giving you his professional opinion of my talkers.

Also, about 20 seconds into the video, you can see one of our kitties, Lily, in the reflection of the glass top table. It's cute. Our cats don't know what to make of the talkers.

1970 Twist 'N Turn Julia, Stock #1127

The TNT Julia doll was modeled after the TV character portrayed by Diahann Carroll on the series Julia. Julia was a nurse and so was the doll. The 1969 version came dressed in a two piece uniform, the 1970 version had a one-piece uniform. In addition to her uniform Julia also wears an R.N. cap, white nylon panties, and white pilgrim shoes. She has short brown unevenly cut hair which often oxidizes to red. (My doll's hair is still brown). Julia has centered dark brown eyes, black brows, and rooted lashes. Her lips are dark pink and she has hi-color cheeks. She has dark brown skin and her legs are bendable.

Her accessories include a purple and silver foil wristag, a living Barbie and Skipper fashion booklet and a clear X stand. Julia's box graphics depict her in the fashion Fancy Dancy. The back of the box has two promo photos from the TV show. There were several fashions created just for Julia including Pink Fantasy, the Simply Wow giftset, Leather Weather, Brr-Fur ( 2 versions), and Candlelight Capers.

OOAK Fashion Doll Series: TNT Julia doll by Steve Skutka

Here is a mod Twist-N-Turn Julia doll who has been given a reroot with her hair restyled like an American Girl Barbie doll. Steve created her outfit from a sketch from an original Julia paper doll book.

The original sketch from Julia's paper doll book.

OOAK Fashion Doll Series: TNT Julia doll in jennygrey fashion

This is a TNT (Twist 'N Turn) Julia doll who's had her hair rerooted in the Mod Barbie style. Her eyelashes have also been re-rooted. Her face paint is all-original. This doll was found with all her original hair chopped off so she was a perfect candidate for a re-root.

Julia's two-piece gown and jewelry are a creation of JennyGrey fashions. The colors suit her perfectly.