Wednesday, April 3, 2024

C: Christie

 

#AtoZChallenge 2024 letter C


Christie was Barbie's first African American friend, though not the first AA doll in the line. That would be Barbie's cousin Francie in an AA version (more on this to come). But let's get back to Christie. She was first introduced in 1968 as part of the Talking line. She got a new face mold that was also used on the Julia doll






Christie seems to have come and gone from the Barbie line many times. After disappearing in 2005, she came back in 2015 only to be discontinued once again. She had a boyfriend in the 1970s named Brad, but the two were temporarily replaced by Cara and Curtis. Cara appeared in three Barbie lines, but Curtis's only appearance was in the Free Moving Line of 1975. Barbie herself was first made in an AA version in 1980, and Ken's first AA version was in 1982. New AA character Steven was introduced in 1988, but he only appeared in the annual swimsuit lines. 

I would have liked to have seen Christie portrayed in the movie.

See Christie's history in this video:


Although the character was discontinued in 2015, a 55th anniversary Christie was issued in 2023 (pictured below). Christie's place in the line-up of friends has been taken by another doll (this will be in another post). 


11 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I like the 55th anniversary version!

Elephant's Child said...

Another I knew nothing about.

Pearson Report said...

Hi Jamie, that was really interesting. I am quite spellbound by the variations of these dolls. I feel like I've fallen into a Barbie rabbit hole - and can't wait for what's around the next turn.
Until D... sending smiles, Jenny @ Pearson Report

Sandra Cox said...

I think doing the Barbie dolls was a great idea. I wasn't familiar with Christie.

Liz A. said...

I mean, at least they're trying? No doubt they can be so much better about inclusion. It's a start.

Margaret (Peggy or Peg too) said...

I do not recall ever seeing Christie. But damn, that was interesting. I did not see the Barbie movie but saw many clips. I will have to sit and watch it. For some reason naming Christie's partner Brad makes me laugh for some reason.

Dave Roller said...

I vaguely remember the Christie dolls from my years of perusing the Sears catalogues. I am enjoying this dive into the Barbieverse. I understand why you'd want her in the movie.

A Tarkabarka Hölgy said...

The more I find out about the Barbie universe with its lines and versions, the more chaotic it sounds :D Thank you for explaining it!

The Multicolored Diary

Ronel Janse van Vuuren said...

The 55th anniversary edition looks the best. The more I learn about the Barbie universe, the more it seems we had a very limited selection on the shelves when I grew up in the 90s.

Ronel visiting for C: My Languishing TBR: C
Unsettling Changelings

JazzFeathers said...

So interesting to follow the evolution of the line over the decades.

Timothy S. Brannan said...

Love that 2023 outfit!
--
Tim Brannan
The Other Side, https://theotherside.timsbrannan.com/