Not just another doll

Duration: 10

Year Published: 1983

Creator: Phoenix Films and Video

Format: 16mm

Color: Color

Sound: sound

Description: Making her debut in 1959, the Barbie doll has not aged a bit in over twenty years but has undergone numerous transformations that mirror and sometimes anticipate societal trends. In this film, two little girls are observed at play with Barbie and Ken dolls, a bride-to-be proudly displays her Barbie-inspired wedding ensemble and Mattel toy representatives offer vital statistics and pertinent information regarding the popular doll. More than 20 million Barbie dolls are sold annuallly and vintage Barbies are a blue chip investment. In addition, the Barbie doll is listed in numerous encyclopedias and is included in the Smithsonian collections. Responding to criticism that Barbie is a sexist toy, a public relations officer contends that Barbie has outstripped the feminist movement in being, at various times, an astronaut, a pilot and a fisherman.