Hasbro Dolly Darlings Hatbox Doll

Karen Slumber Party 1965

Dolly Darlings - Hat box Series 1965 - The Hasbro Dolly Darlings 1965 dolls all have molded hair are 4 1/2" tall and were the first dolls in this series. They were packaged in a plastic hatbox case with a clear front cover.  Each came with an assortment of tiny accessories that complimented the dolls character.  These dolls have painted facial features and the distinctive "ballerina" like hands.  Clothing can be removed, but is very difficult to get back on, due to the wide arms that rotate, but do not bend.  John and his pets has the dubious distinction of being the only male doll created in the Dolly Darling series and was not recreated in any of the subsequent rooted hair dolls, as the rest of these dolls were, but with new names.  

Dolly Darlings Hatbox Dolls are marked on their back: 

© 1965 Hasbro Hong Kong or Japan. 

Dolly Darlings Hatbox Doll - John and his Pets 1965

John is 4 1/2" tall with brown molded hair, brown painted eyes, closed mouth, wore a blue and white checked jacket with a pocket crest, white shirt with red bowtie, solid blue shorts with blue painted socks and brown painted shoes, his accessories are: two dogs; red and black, red cardboard book "How to teach Cats?", two cats; white, black, can of cat food, yellow duck, four pieces of white plastic fencing.

Beth Supermarket 1965

Cathy Party 1965

Susie School 1965

Shary Vacation 1965

Hasbro Dolly Darlings Dolls - Rooted Hair Prototype Dolls 1966

These next Dolly Darling are the prototypes for rooted hair dolls, from the Don Levine Collection who was a Vice President at Hasbro, better known as the creator of the GI Joe action figures, when the Dolly Darlings dolls were produced in 1965-1968

Below is the production board of the first

eight rooted hair Dolly Darlings Dolls in 1966

Top row, left to right:  8520 Hipster, 8521 Slickset, 8522 Teeney Bikini, 8523 Boytrap #1