Memories of Dolls from the Fifties and Sixties - Part 1 - Barbie Doll, Tiny Tears, Kissy

Rereading the Raggedy Andy Stories and posting my thoughts in my blog (www.BabyBoomerBookNostalgia.blogspot.com)  has made me think about other dolls from my childhood. In the fifties and sixties there were many famous dolls.  Along with Raggedy Ann and Andy, I loved to admire Barbie, Tiny Tears, Kissy, Chatty Cathy, and Charmin Chatty.    We frequently visited Newberry’s, a dime store on the north side of the square in Macomb, Illinois.  It was the WalMart of my childhood. There was also an awesome toy store south of the square called Milton’s.  I especially remember the television commercials for Tiny Tears and Kissy.

I was intrigued to see Tiny Tears that could be fed real water and then actually have wet diapers! I can remember the Kissy song in the commercials.  I can’t find a video of this song , but the words went: Go get Kissy if you want a little kiss (smack), press her arms like this (smack), you get a little kiss (smack). Go get Kissy if you want a little kiss, for you she is Ideal (smack).  (Ideal was the name of the toy company.) When I was in fourth grade, all of my friends were getting Barbie dolls and bringing them to school.  I wanted one so bad. I asked one of my friends how much her Barbie cost.  She said $2. I was getting an allowance of 25 cents a week so I started saving my quarters. Finally I had saved $2.

It was a very exciting day for me when shopping day came. Mom took me to Milton’s in Macomb to buy my Barbie doll. It was disappointing to learn that the Barbie was priced at $3. I only had $2 so was unable to buy it. However, a few days later my dad made a trip to Carthage, Illinois for some tractor parts and took me to the Ben Franklin store on the square where I was able to buy a “Babette” doll which looked almost like Barbie for $2. I looked at the flyer that came with a friend’s Barbie and admired all the outfits, which would also fit Babette perfectly. One I particularly remember was a stunning black strapless  floor length gown covered in sequins. It was so beautiful but cost $5, an absolute fortune. I have seen that exact dress on Ebay.

The doll I wanted most was Charmin Chatty.   This was the first doll I had ever seen that, like me, wore glasses. Charmin Chatty came with records that could be inserted in her back and when you pulled the string, she could say lots of different things by changing the records.  She had freckles and wore a sailor dress. You could choose a blonde or red-haired Charmin Chatty. Her hair was long and straight and she had bangs; and beautiful eyes with thick lashes, that opened and closed.  To be continued…..