Let’s meet the 1960s doll with a breathtaking double life (in both vinyl and paper) … The Bold Doll goes under cover.
SUPER SLEUTHS
The two sizes of Secret Sue (12- and 4-inch) in their standard-issue trench coats.
Everyone went crazy for secret agents in the 1960s, they were all over the TV and the movies. This was one area of life where women seemed to be well-represented. As a plus, they were often given action-packed roles, but on a more negative note, and in keeping with the times, they were expected to be always attractive with no hair out of place – even after the most exacting rough and tumble.
At the more cute end of the spectrum, Secret Sue was introduced by Cherry and Shackleford Creations, Inc. in 1965, and sold exclusively by Wards. These jointed vinyl dolls had painted side-glancing eyes and a whimsical expression. They came in both 12-inch and tiny 4-inch versions. Both wore white trench coats with black trim, and groovy go-go boots. The dolls had distinctive red-rooted hair worn in a bun with a black ribbon and spy sunglasses. 12-inch Sue had a separate 17-piece wardrobe available, including dresses and slacks, to make five complete outfits. Secret sleuthing accessories included a tiny phone, radio, compass, and binoculars.
SECRET SUE IS YOU!
For 12-inch Secret Sue, the outfits were available separately; The doll’s clothing line was scaled up to kid size, prominently featuring the trademark white trench. A hatbox of spy accessories, as well as a working pocket watch were also on offer.
AND TINY SUE, TOO
The mini Sue trunk set, with a complete wardrobe for the doll
The little 4-inch Secret Sue was sold complete with a blue carrying case. This trunk contained four dresses on pink hangers. Ever aware of marketing opportunities, child-size clothes to match the dolls’ outfits were also available. The kids’ trench coat outfit even included a red wig-and-glasses combo, as well as plastic gaiters to create Sue’s boots over a pair of white shoes.
THE ROLE OF PAPER
The popularity of Secret Sue ensured that she was immortalized as a paper doll. Both sizes of Sue were featured in a book published by Whitman. Ever-fashionable, the pair modeled paper clothes in the latest 1960s modes.
Stars of the 1960s spy-themed TV shows included Diana Rigg as Emma Peel in The Avengers, Stephanie Powers as The Girl from U.N.C.L.E., Anne Francis as Honey West, and Juliet Harmer as Georgina Jones in the BBC series Adam Adamant Lives! Not to mention any number of Bond Girls from the James Bond movie machine. They didn’t even need to be real-life actors, as was the case for the hugely popular Lady Penelope, a puppet from Thunderbirds. The public was hungry for merchandising associated with all of this entertainment, not least in the form of dolls and action figures.
GREAT APPEAL
Not the most terrible likeness of Diana Rigg as Emma Peel. Fairylite did a better job with this doll than with their version of Lady Penelope (above), although the Emma Peel head bears more than a passing resemblance to Palitoy’s Sindy doll. The Avengers has long been a TV cult-favorite, not least because of the daringly-cut leather outfits worn by Ms. Rigg in the series from 1965-7, and the somewhat surreal storylines. The doll’s original dark brown hair has been known to oxidize to a copper red color.
MON ONCLE
An unconvincing ‘likeness’ of Stefanie Powers in plastic form, The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. action figure made by Louis Marx & Co. in 1966. The illustration on the original box promises perhaps a little more sophistication than the doll delivers. These dolls are hard to find and often command high prices.
GO WEST, HONEY
The Gilbert company attempted to capture the looks of Ann Francis for the Honey West 11” doll. Presumably they were pleased with the results, as there’s a direct comparison with a photo of the star on the box. The doll had a range of outfits designed to help her accomplish her many missions of espionage.
OH MISS JONES!
Laurie Toys had a go at making a version of Georgina Jones, as played by Juliet Harmer in Adam Adamant Lives!, the British comedy adventure series that ran from 1966-7. Neither the doll nor the illustration on the back of the box look much like Ms Harmer, but this hasn’t prevented it from becoming a highly collectible item. Photos from the collection of Steve Clifton.
KISSY KISSY BANG BANG
Bearing the major attribute of a secret agent, the highly-elusive Kissy Suzuki is incredibly hard to find. Created by Cecil Coleman dolls to depict Mie Hama playing the bride of James Bond in the 1967 movie, You Only Live Twice, the last known example of this doll changed hands for around $6,000 about ten years ago. Theatrical release poster by Robert McGinnis and Frank McCarthy from Wikipedia
YES, M’LADY
Lady Penelope, was the aristocratic British agent helping to cover International Rescue’s worldwide operations in the Thunderbirds puppet TV show. This gift set was produced by Carlton for the Japanese market, where Parker (her ladyship’s manservant) is the show’s most popular character. As Lady Penelope never wore the same outfit twice, she held the distinction of being the only marionette with her very own couturier.
OH-LA-LA
The doyenne of the French Resistance, from the adventures of GI Joe, Mademoiselle Marie’s box is marked as ‘licensed by Hasbro’, however the doll uses the same articulated body as for Miss Fear (shown below). Mlle. Marie is either boxed as a an individual action figure, or sold as a complete gift set complete with a range of disguises.
STRIKE A POSE
Miss Fear, the doll, tries to match one of the illustrations on the box. A spin-off of the Blackhawk comic book series, this self-styled villainess was billed as ‘dangerously beautiful’. One of those ‘eye of the beholder’ situations. The doll’s chunky action figure body is highly articulated, but looks rather more GI Joe than Barbie. Sold as a complete gift set in a heavy-duty box. Branded as a Dreams and Visions product.
This feature first appeared in Fashion Doll Quarterly magazine, Winter 2020.