Francie is a character that was introduced in 1966 as "Barbie's 'MOD'ern cousin" from the U.K., capitalizing on the "British Invasion" in pop culture. The doll had an extensive line of mod-style clothing, often employing bright colors and geometric patterns similar to fashions associated with progressive fashions of the late 1960s to early 1970s. She also often had a hair style similar to that of Marlo Thomas who starred on the popular sitcom of the time "That Girl". At 11¼" tall, the Francie doll was shorter than Barbie but taller than Skipper, making the character presumably between the two in age.
History[]
Francie's decade-long run began with a straight leg model (1966-1968) and continued with a "bend leg" doll (1966-1967). "Twist 'N Turn" dolls were issued beginning in 1967, and in the 1970s, several hair-related variations were issued: "Hair Happenin's Francie" in 1970-1972, "Growin' Pretty Hair" Francie in 1971-1973, and a "Quick Curl Francie" in 1973-1974. "Busy Francie" (1972-1973) was designed with a hand that was able to grip small objects. 1975's "Baggie Francie" was the last of the Francie dolls.
Christie doll
A "colored" Francie, first issued in 1967, was the first doll in the Mattel line with a truly dark complexion. However, the doll did not have genuinely African American features since it was made with the same head molds as the caucasian Francie doll. Because of this, a doll named Christie, first issued in 1968, is often considered the first true African American doll in the Barbie line. "Black Francie" was not labeled as "Barbie's modern cousin."
Vintage Dolls: Casey, dark-skinned Francie, and light-skinned Francie
A second doll in Francie's size, Casey, was issued as "Francie's fun friend" from 1967. That same year a Twiggy doll (based on the famous fashion model) was also made, resembling Casey but with heavier painted-on "makeup". The Twiggy doll was made in 1968 and Casey through 1970. Casey returned briefly in 1975 as "Baggie Casey", but she was made with the same head mold as Francie. In 1971 a Malibu Francie doll was made, using the Casey head mold but with a tanned body and long blond hair.
In the 1971 Mattel catalog, there were pictures of a new doll named "Becky". She was made from the Casey head mold, hand-painted, and shown in blonde, although her prototypes were made in blonde, brunette, and redhead. Eventually, for reasons unknown, Mattel decided not to mass-produce Becky. Some 1971 fashions could be found in stores labeled as being for "Francie and her new friend Becky" and are highly sought after by collectors. In 2009, Mattel released the Becky doll called "Most Mod Party Becky" and featured Becky with ash-blond hair, with 3 outfits, shoes, brush, and cool accessories such as a phone, tray, drinks, party invitations, and record player with a record.
Dolls[]
- 1966 - Francie #1130 (bendable leg). Variations: blonde, brunette
- 1967 - Francie #1100 (1st issue). Variations: black, red oxidized
- 1967 - Francie #1100 (2nd issue). Variations: black, dark brown
- 1967 - Twist 'n Turn Francie #1170 (blonde)
- 1967 - Twist 'n Turn Francie #1170 (brunette)
- 1969 - Twist 'n Turn Francie #1170 (blonde)
- 1970 - Hair Happenin's Francie #1122
- 1970 - Growin' Pretty Hair Francie #1129
- 1971 - Malibu Sunset Francie #1068
- 1971 - Growin' Pretty Hair Francie #1074 (extra hair piece)
- 1971 - Francie #1170 (Variations: 1. No bangs, blonde. 2. No bangs, brunette.)
- 1973 - Malibu Francie #1068
- 1975 - Malibu Francie #1068 (new box)
- 1976 - Malibu Francie #1068 (new rose box)
- 1978 - Malibu Francie #1068
Fashion Packs[]
- 1967 - Partners in Print #1293 (Francie and Casey fashion pack)