"Joan Crawford" Fashion Doll

This announcement is being provided as a courtesy to my friend Michelle Vogel.
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Fashion doll innovator Robert Tonner, CEO of the TONNER DOLL COMPANY, returns one of Hollywood’s greatest treasures to her ardent fans! Named one of the top ten ‘Greatest Female Stars of All Time’ by the American Film Institute, Joan Crawford is sure to be named the Greatest Fashion Doll of All Time by fans and collectors everywhere.

The new Joan Crawford Fashion Doll is accurately sculpted in an amazing likeness of the Academy Award® winner herself, in cooperation with her family. "I am very pleased to work with The Tonner Doll Company in creating the first ever, authorized Joan Crawford doll collection,” said Casey LaLonde, grandson of Ms. Crawford. “Joan Crawford fans and doll collectors worldwide will be equally delighted with this high quality, life-like and collectible doll line. Tonner's attention to detail and features will make this a much sought after collection."

The approximately 16” tall starlet is crafted of fine quality vinyl and hard plastic with 13 points of articulation (neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, bustline, waist, hips, and knees), so she can recreate all of her most glamorous poses before the camera. She features high end details such hand painted facial features and hand styled, rooted saran hair.

TONNER’S Joan Crawford collection will hit specialty retail store shelves later this year. Pre-order today from any of the following authorized TONNER retailers listed below or contact us directly at the Tonner Company Store at 845-339-2960.

Angelic Dreamz (Canandaigua, NY) – Toll Free (800) 860-9934 or (585) 394-5450

Bearzabout (Duvall, WA) – Toll Free (800) 595-1050 or (425) 844-9100

Cherished Friends (Laureldale, PA) – (610) 921-9141

My Doll Shop (Mt. Dora, FL) – Toll Free 800-731-3090 or (352)735-3090

Two Day Dreamers (El Granada, CA) – Toll Free (888) 688-DOLL (3655) or (650) 563-9258

Descriptions:

Joan Crawford Collection Product Descriptions
The Joan Crawford Collection showcases an exceptional assortment of original fashions inspired by some of her most well-known scenes.

Joan prepares herself for her next dramatic scene, in Ready for Wardrobe. These simple yet elegant undergarments include lustrous aquamarine charmeuse slip with delicate lace trim, the ‘ever important’ pantyhose with attached knit panties, and classy faux leather Mary Jane heels.

Inspired by one of her most famous roles, comes Hollywood Starlet. Joan is swathed in a frothy concoction composed of an intricately detailed white organza top and trumpet skirt with contrast black waist tie. She comes complete with a perfectly matching ribbon headband, beaded bracelet, pantyhose, and faux leather high heels.

Joan Crawford lights up the screen as Cinema Siren! This dazzling vision consists of a finely tailored suit set which includes a long, straight cut skirt and a matching jacket accented with glamorous, plush faux fur trim. Her equally striking accessories include a chic black cap, knit gloves, pantyhose, and faux leather ankle strap high heels.

“I am just too much.” In Mad About the Hat, Joan is just that. This stunning creation includes an exquisitely detailed suit set composed of a smart, fitted jacket with lavish ruffled organza collar and faux leather belt with dazzling rhinestone buckle, and matching pencil skirt. Not to be forgotten are her sophisticated portrait hat, faux suede gloves with matching ruffled organza trim, pantyhose, and faux leather peep-toe Mary Jane heels.

“I have always known what I wanted, and that was beauty... in every form.” Jungle Red is a perfect example of beauty in the form of high quality fashion. Included in this truly glamorous ensemble is a full length, pleated chiffon dress with intricate shirred detail and striking red and white contrast, paired with a perfectly coordinated beaded bracelet and faux leather strappy heels.

To face the trials and tribulations of Hollywood, one must be dressed for success. In Publicity Shoot, Joan is ready for anything in navy blue chiffon day dress featuring meticulous details including tiny buttons, contrast organza cuffs and wide collar trimmed with ruffles, matching belt, circular flounce at the hem. A stylish cloche hat with ribbon trim, faux pearl necklace, and faux leather pumps with intricate cut-out detailing complete this handsome ensemble.

Taking a 'Blog Break"

I appreciate all of the comments about my blog, and website in general, and I know this may be disappointing news to many readers, but I'm going to take a break from posting new entries to this blog for the month of August. Sort of a 'summer vacation'.

I expect to be back to posting right after Labor Day, on September 2nd, and then the postings will be three times a week, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Thanks for reading up to this point and please return when I do.

Tom Lehrer

Tom Lehrer is a singer-songwriter who accompanies himself on piano. He is primarily a satirist whose songs are very humorous and were topical during the height of his popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. I became familiar with his songs when I lived in California in 1974-76. I heard several of them on the "Dr. Demento Show" on radio Sunday evenings.

I collected his albums which were not difficult to find because they had been re-issued several times over the years, and now they're all available on cd.

In 1979, I called Mr. Lehrer, who was living in Santa Cruz, California. We had a brief conversation, during which I told him of my enjoyment and interest in his music and songs. I did ask him why he wasn't still performing, and he told me he thought that current events in the past few years were too serious to satirize. I asked if he'd send me an autographed photo, and he said he had a small snap-shot-type photo he sent to people, but asked me to write to him.

I went to my public library and found a book of his songs in sheet-music format, and copied the first page of a couple of them. I sent him the copies, and within two weeks, I received this photo from him. He also signed the copies of sheet music, which can be seen here and here.

Here are some videos of Mr. Lehrer performing some of my favorites:
"National Brotherhood Week"


"Wernher Von Braun"


"We Will All Go Together When We Go"

Billy Halop

Billy Halop began his career as a juvenile as a juvenile actor in the Broadway production of "Dead End" in 1935. He went to Hollywood to appear in the movie version in 1937, and was known as one of the "Dead End Kids", a group which also included Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall. Future roles generally typecast him as a street-wise character who'd be on the wrong side of the law.

He continued acting on many tv shows into the 1970s. One of his last roles was as 'Bert Munson', a taxi-driving friend of 'Archie Bunker' on the 1970s sitcom "All in the Family".

Mr. Halop died in 1976, and I'd never written to him for a photo.

In 1989, through the same reliable dealer from whom I'd purchased autographs previously, I bought the photo shown below. It's a post card photo, postmarked on the back "Los Angeles, Calif. - June 8, 1940". The postage stamp was 1 cent, but the photo cost me $3.

Una Merkel

Una Merkel was a popular supporting actress in many movies of the 1930s and 1940s. She continued her acting on tv shows right into the 1970s.

I never got around to writing to her while she was still alive, and regretted it, as I wanted to tell her of my enjoyment of her portrayals of various characters, both comedic and dramatic.

In 1989, I purchased the photo seen below from an autograph dealer. It's a post card photo, and the postmark on the back is "Los Angeles, Calif. - April 12, 1937".

Ted Lewis - "Is Everybody Happy?"

Ted Lewis was a bandleader-musician-singer-entertainer from about 1915 right through the 1950s. He was famous for introducing himself and his band with the direct question to the audience, "Is everybody happy?". Another of his famous trademarks was wearing a battered top hat.

During my early years of collecting 78rpm records, I'd acquired some of his records, including one of his most popular songs, "When My Baby Smiles at Me". I liked his band's style and his pleasant singing voice.

I wrote to Mr. Lewis in the late 1960s, requesting an autographed photo. He, or his secretary, misunderstood my request apparently, because I received an unsigned photo. I didn't write again, and Mr. Lewis died a few years later, in 1971.

Many years later, in 1989, I'd made contact with a reliable autograph dealer, who was selling pieces from collections. One that was offered, for a mere $3, was a signed album page, shown below.

Here is a clip of Ted Lewis and His Band:

Binnie Barnes

Binnie Barnes was an English-born actress who appeared mostly in American-made movies when she moved to the U.S. in the 1930s. She was very prolific in supporting roles.

In 1981, I sent her this photo, to her residence in Los Angeles, and she signed and returned it within two weeks.