09Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Talking Julia Doll

julia-in-box2
In 1968, not only did Julia become the first African American career woman on television but Diahann Carroll became the first African American lead ever in a TV series. Although it was dismissed by some for not being political enough and reflecting a more radical Civil Rights stance, Julia ran for 86 episodes and finally broke the color barrier on television.
I loved Julia most for all the memorabilia it spawned. I have the pull string talking doll shown here, the 3’x4′ promo poster that accompanied it’s release in 1970, three Viewmaster reels, Colorforms and four lunchboxes.
There’s another version of the doll called Julia Twist that comes dressed in a less elegant dressed in a nurses uniform and with a turnable waist. I used to own her but I twisted her too far and now am left with only upper Julia and lower Julia. Additional outfits, all Barbie fashions, had names like Brrr-Furrr, Candlelight Capers, Leather Weather, Pink Fantasy and Leather Weather and could be added to both Julia dolls, turning the reserved medical assistant into a bumpin’ party gal.

In 1968, not only did Julia become the first African American career woman on television but Diahann Carroll became the first African American lead ever in a TV series. Although it was dismissed by some for not being political enough and reflecting a more radical Civil Rights stance, Julia ran for 86 episodes and is credited with breaking the color barrier on television.

I loved Julia most for all the memorabilia it spawned. In addition to the pull string talking doll I have the 3’x4′ promo poster that accompanied it’s release in 1970, three Viewmaster reels, Colorforms and four lunchboxes.

There’s another version of this doll called Julia Twist that turns at the waist and comes with a very elegant wardrobe.  I used to own her but I twisted her too far and now am left with only upper Julia and lower Julia. The outfits, all Barbie fashions, had names like Brrr-Furrr, Candlelight Capers, Leather Weather and Pink Fantasy and could be added to both Julia dolls, instantly  turning the reserved medical assistant into a bumpin’ party gal.

julia-doll_9173 julia-diahann-carroll Julia-The-Wheel-Deal

Brrr-Furrr red:                                       Candlelight Capers:

julia-rrr-Furrr red julia-canlelioght capers

3 Responses to “Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Talking Julia Doll”

  1. Ludovicah

    Thats actuallypretty cool, in as far as such things can ever be.. Nice thing to have.. Culturally interesting

  3. KJ

    Having that show and that doll meant so much to little black girls like me growing up when we had no fabulous women on TV who looked like us. The outfits were so amazing! Mom didn’t complain about buying those even if Simplicity had a pattern!