Action Women

Coming out of the kitchen and standing on their own two feet. Doll or action figure? The Bold Doll investigates this particular niche market.

Long before the current vogue for fully articulated fashion dolls, the action figures of the 1960s, were built for posing. These were largely designed as boys’ toys, in the form of soldiers, such as GI Joe (Action Man in the UK), as well as cowboys and international spies: for instance, Johnny West and Mike Hazard by Louis Marx & Co. Never wanting to miss out on a marketing opportunity, the manufacturers produced female action counterparts to the male figures.

An example with lots of play value, is the Girl From U.N.C.L.E. figure from 1966, representing the actor Stefanie Powers. She played the title role in this spin-off of NBC’s spy thriller The Man from U.N.C.L.E., with Noel Harrison co-starring as her partner. Leo G. Carroll appeared on both shows as the head of the eponymous spy agency. The spin-off show had an even higher camp quotient than the original, but despite decent initial ratings it was cancelled after the first and only season. As the show was short-lived (although it has since attained a cult-following) the Marx figures were not on the toy store shelves for very long, which accounts for their rarity value nowadays.

These figures crossed the gender divide, they were supposed to appeal equally to both girls and boys. Is it an action figure or a doll? In my humble opinion all action figures are clearly dolls, albeit dolls with big capable hands and large, sturdy feet.

Very little effort was put into achieving a good likeness of Ms Powers, either for the doll itself or for the box graphics. The drawing on the box promises more than it delivers. Such marketing sleights of hand continue today. Even though we imagine we’re more savvy about modern advertising: idealized images of dolls can still seduce us into believing the product offers more than the package actually contains. I’m sure I’m not alone in having a “that’s one ugly doll” moment after the excitement of getting the wrappings off.

The Girl From U.N.C.L.E. doll was sold with a wide range of clothes and accessories included. She was intended to be an expert at disguise, so plenty of options were available right out of the box. She was described as “the movable International Spy Girl, complete with over 30 pieces of personal attire, disguises, and weapons.” Nothing says classy more than a latex skirt-and-blouse combo. But this did mean that the doll offered better value for money than some of her fashion doll contemporaries, as there was nothing more to buy. Indeed, no extra outfits were available. On the downside, this action figure’s physique was so uncompromising that she couldn’t share clothing with much else on the market

The basic doll has short, molded, painted hair, ready to wear her selection of rubber wigs. She is clad in an unappealing body suit, molded in the same skin tone color as the rest of the doll, with some unfortunate wrinkles across the torso. There is something prudish about the pre-applied underwear. Perhaps the manufacturers didn’t want their young customers to be shocked by plastic nudity. Let’s hope the kids hadn’t previously undressed a Barbie!

A more recent addition to the female action figure line-up is Miss Fear from Hasbro’s GI Joe brand. Miss Fear was a recurring character in Blackhawk comics between 1946 and 1948. In her debut, the character’s origin as the daughter of the slain leader of an obscure nation in central Asia was explained. When Blackhawk and his men arrived to investigate her father’s murder, they found Miss Fear was always ahead of them on a vendetta to ruthlessly avenge his death.

Miss Fear appears in a boxed gift set, Sword of the Dragon, licensed to Dreams and Visions by Hasbro for GI Joe. Although not quite so generous in terms of outfits and accessories as some of the vintage Marx figures, there’s still plenty here to play with. The high-quality box lists the following action disguises and accessories: mandarin dress; evening gown; traveling separates (blouse, pants, and scarf); shoes; dagger with garter; holster; martial arts axe; sword; deadly fan; brass knuckles hair ornament; cigarette with holder; pistol. So plenty of politically incorrect items here, and as Coco Chanel (may have) said, “no outfit is complete without a brass knuckles hair ornament.”

According to the manufacturer, the doll is “…a Chinese Communist secret agent spy, she is a master of swords, and she is as deadly as she is beautiful. But who is She? Dreams and Visions is proud to present Miss Fear, the luscious and legendary Asian Spy who led forces loyal to the oppressed people of China. This Miss Fear 12″ action figure is bound to capture the interest of action figure collectors everywhere with her feminine strength and adventurous character. She is truly an admirable tribute to women of power and courage. This marvelously detailed action figure is a limited edition collectors item. Miss Fear comes in a boxed gift set with a variety of costumes and gowns that capture her femininity and strength in a single swoop of her Asian hand fan made of fighting blades. Miss Fear will be available in a 3500 piece edition.”

Despite this overblown fulsomeness, some contrary notes from buyers were found on Amazon:

“I got this when it was a great price. It was an excellent value. This doll was definitely designed by men because her breasts are huge and she’s wearing hideous blue eyeshadow. Otherwise, she’s perfect. Her weapons and accessories are well made. Her clothes are fully lined, and aren’t anything like cheap Barbie clothes so I was hoping my fashion dolls could share her clothes but not with that chest. I was kinda disappointed about that. I don’t like her panty-hose. Her strappy shoes are very tight. I had to cut the straps in the back just to get them on and off. Wish she came with a stand. She’s a formidable character with her clothes and her weapons. Articulation is great. Her hair is very good quality. She comes with a lot more than other dolls and action figures and the quality is great.”

Amazon Shopper

“The plastic is cheaper and less durable than standard GI Joes. This is a nice set, just don’t expect the same durability of the male GI Joe figures you’re used to.”

University Doc

While we’re in the category of spies and international intrigue, Hasbro produced another femme fatale in the guise of Mademoiselle Marie, again under the GI Joe umbrella. Mlle Marie is a WWII French resistance fighter. Once more, there is nothing subtle about the depiction of this figure, based on a DC Comics character, in her beret, short skirt, and fishnet stockings. All ideal for going incognito behind enemy lines.

This doll has a slightly more complicated back story: “DC Comics Mademoiselle Marie French resistance fighter ally of Sgt. Rock. She was the mother of Alfred Pennyworth’s [Alfred the butler from Batman] daughter Julia and Sgt. Rock’s son.”

The deluxe box features original art by Joe Kubert of DC Comics. Action disguises and equipment include outfits and kit suited for her specialties of infiltration, sabotage, and assassination: signature turtleneck sweater, skirt, and beret, combat fatigues, combat beret, combat boots, communications radio set with shoulder bag, pistol with holster, bandolier, dynamite, sub-machine gun, undercover peasant outfit, espionage trench coat, sunglasses, scarf, and blonde wig. In other words a full range of clothes and accessories for what really is an action doll!

First published in Fashion Doll Quarterly magazine, 2017