Mattel’s Chatty Cathy Doll: The Original Multi Phrase Doll

The Chatty Cathy doll was first introduced by the Mattel Toy Company to the world in March of 1960 at the New York Toy Fair. The Chatty Cathy doll was an instant success.

Chatty Cathy was the first of her kind. Other dolls could say simple one line phrases but the Chatty Cathy doll had an impressive repertoire of 11 different sayings. Chatty Cathy was the doll at the top of the Christmas wish list of almost every little girl.

Her popularity continued to grow and by 1962 a new member of the Chatty Cathy doll family, Chatty Cathy’s little sister Chatty Baby was introduced to the world. Like her older sister, the Chatty Baby doll could also speak numerous phrases.

The Mattel Toy Company added 3 more members to the Chatty Cathy doll family in 1963; Charmin’ Chatty, Chatty Cathy’s older sister and the twin dolls, Tiny Chatty Baby and Tiny Chatty Brother. Like the others in the Chatty Cathy doll series these dolls, with a pull of the string also spoke a variety of phrases. Charmin Chatty, came with small records that could be changed, giving her an even larger collection of phrases that was sure too delight any little girl.

In 1965 the last member of the Chatty Cathy doll family was introduced, Singin’ Chatty. She was a delightful doll who, when her string was pulled would recite one of several nursery rhymes.

The original Chatty Cathy doll family had its final year of production in 1967. In 1970 Chatty Cathy, the twins Tiny Chatty Baby and Tiny Chatty Brother and Chatty Baby were all reintroduced to the doll market with fresh new looks and in different sizes. This newer version of the Chatty Cathy Doll family was not well received by the public and their production was short lived.

The original Chatty Cathy doll family came in a wide variety of skin tones and hair styles with blue or brown eyes. The parts of these dolls were made in different countries then assembled. Chatty Cathy may have a hard vinyl, head and brown eyes that are side glancing or she may have a soft vinyl head, a blonde pony tail hairstyle and blue eyes that look straight ahead. The combinations of hairstyles, eye color and placement are many a collector can have more than a dozen of the original Chatty Cathy dolls and not have two that are alike.

The Chatty Cathy doll is just as popular today as she was in the 60’s. Baby boomers everywhere who had an Original Chatty Cathy in their childhood have never stopped loving her. In the late 1990’s Chatty Cathy reproduction dolls came to the market. Many baby boomers bought these dolls for themselves, their children and grandchildren.

The Chatty Cathy doll family is one of the most popular modern dolls among collectors. They are unique family of characters who continue to bring joy to doll lovers and collectors everywhere.