As regular readers may or may not know, one of my hobbies is doll collecting. While perusing some recent doll releases I came across photos of a couple of new dolls based on one of my favorite romantic comedies, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK (1967), starring Jane Fonda and Robert Redford. The dolls are part of the Poppy Parker line produced by Integrity Toys, which has also created a number of other impressive dolls based on classic movies including BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S (1961), SABRINA (1954), FUNNY FACE (1957), SUNSET BLVD. (1950) and MOMMIE DEAREST (1981). As both a doll collector and a classic movie fan I’ve been really impressed with the attention to detail that goes into these dolls so I decided to contact David Buttry, an acquaintance who works for Integrity Toys, and ask him a few questions about the company. I hope classic movies fans as well as fellow doll collectors will appreciate his answers and enjoy the accompanying photos.
Integrity doll designs based on BAREFOOT IN THE PARK (1967)
Movie Morlocks: BAREFOOT IN THE PARK is one of my favorite romantic comedies from the 1960s but I was surprised when I learned that Integrity had decided to design a doll line inspired by the film. How did the company come up with the idea?
David Buttry: We already had a licensing agreement in place with Paramount Pictures since we had previously produced dolls based on some of their other classic movies. We wanted to extend our relationship and it was a dream to see that BAREFOOT IN THE PARK was one of their properties. It’s one of my very favorite movies also, and I thought that the characters, especially Jane Fonda’s character of Corie Bratter, could be translated well into doll form.
Movie Morlocks: You were right! Jane Fonda’s wardrobe is amazing in the movie and I was really impressed by how detailed the Integrity reproductions are. Who was responsible for recreating Corie Bratter’s miniature wardrobe?
David Buttry: Thank you so much. I assisted our lead designer Vaughn Sawyers in interpreting the fashions in doll scale. We usually work as a team on our projects. Vaughn’s eye for detail and for clothing construction enables us to create such wonderful miniature replicas.
Movie Morlocks: Was it difficult process?
David Buttry: It took lots of research and lots of stopping and pausing the movie to make out the details [laugh]. Sometimes the studio had some reference material and other times we were left to our own devices and hoped we made the correct creative decisions. The most difficult part was sourcing the correct fabrics in the correct scale needed to get the look just right.
Integrity designs based on BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S (1961), SABRINA (1954) & FUNNY FACE (1957)
Movie Morlocks: Can you tell me a little about Integrity and the current doll lines?
David Buttry: Integrity Toys was founded in 1995 by Percy Newsum and we soon became a force in the collectible fashion doll market. Integrity currently produces high end fashion dolls ranging from 12” to 16” and we have several different lines including our lead Fashion Royalty collection which focuses on interpretations of high end fashion and ready to wear, and our very popular Poppy Parker collection. In the Poppy Parker storyline she is a teenage fashion model in the 1960s, and because of the Poppy line we were already well versed in accurate fashions from the 60s, so that helped a great deal in interpreting the fashions for BAREFOOT IN THE PARK.
Movie Morlocks: What kind of responsibilities do you have at Integrity Toys?
David Buttry: I’m primarily a doll designer but I also do packaging and logos. I do everything from research to concepts and to product design. I’ve been with the company for eight years and have loved every minute of it.
Movie Morlocks: It’s obvious that Integrity Toys loves classic movies because you put a lot of thought and care into your products. I know that Integrity has released dolls based on BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S (1961), SABRINA (1954), FUNNY FACE (1957), SUNSET BLVD. (1950) and recently MOMMIE DEAREST (1981). Are there any plans for more doll sets and fashions based on classic movies?
David Buttry: We do have a few new surprises on the horizon but, unfortunately, I can’t say what those are just yet. If you visit the Integrity Toys website or our Facebook page, you’ll be up to date on all of our new releases.
Movie Morlocks: The holidays are right around the corner and I’m sure some classic movie fans like myself are going to be adding these dolls to their wish list. Where can readers purchase Integrity dolls?
David Buttry: Our dolls are available through our official dealers and a lists of official dealers can be found on our website at integritytoys.com.
Integrity designs based on SUNSET BLVD. (1950) and MOMMIE DEAREST (1981)
Hope readers enjoyed this look at Integrity Toys and their amazing doll designs. Personally I would love to see the company produce dolls based on Paramount films such as VERTIGO (1958), DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944) or ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER (1970) because I love the costume designs in all of those films. Have a favorite classic Paramount movie that you’d love to see Integrity tackle next? Feel free to share your ideas below!
Further reading & viewing:
- Integrity Toys Official Site
- Integrity Toys on Facebook