Sonny & Cher Dolls: A History of Mego's Celebrity Collection
In the mid-1970s, the Mego Corporation captured the essence of pop culture by bringing the iconic duo Sonny & Cher to the toy aisle. These dolls were more than simple playthings; they were high-fashion miniatures that mirrored the glamour and style of the era's most famous variety show stars.
Before their official release, a preview of the dolls appeared in the 1976 Mego catalog. These early prototypes differed from the final products: the Sonny doll featured a serious expression, and the Cher doll's arms were bent at right angles. Mego eventually refined these designs, giving Sonny a smile and straightening Cher's arms before the pair were formally unveiled on The Mike Douglas Show.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Manufacturer: Primarily produced by Mego, with later remnants sold to O.K. Toys.
- Design Collaboration: Outfits were designed by or based on originals by legendary fashion designer Bob Mackie.
- Cher Variations: Three distinct versions of the Cher doll were released between 1976 and 1978.
- Wardrobe: Originally 32 different costumes were designed for the Cher doll.
- Compatibility: Clothes were sized to fit other Mego Celebrity dolls, including Farrah Fawcett, Diana Ross, and Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman.
The Evolution of the Cher Doll
Mego released three distinct iterations of the Cher doll, each varying in quality, features, and packaging.
The First Edition
The initial release came in an orange box. This version was characterized by extra-long hair and a coral-colored gown featuring a flared bottom.
Growing Hair Cher
The second version, known as Growing Hair Cher, was packaged in a hot pink box. This doll included a "Key" that allowed children to adjust the length of the doll's hair. She wore a black and silver dress with black open-toed shoes. Collectors note that this version had several subtle style variations in the dress and was sold in two different box types.
The 1978 Budget Version
The final Cher doll, released in 1978, was a more economical version. It featured a hollow plastic body without jointed hands and was sold in a narrow red box featuring the "Cher gypsy picture." This doll wore a one-piece swimsuit available in red, blue, or yellow.
The Sonny Doll and Accessories
Unlike Cher, the Sonny doll was produced only in 1976 by Mego. He came equipped with a six-piece wardrobe to complement his counterpart.
The Cher doll was particularly detailed, featuring rooted eyelashes. To support the fashion aspect of the line, Mego released outfits in five distinct formats:
- Purple Box Designer Collection
- Green Box Designer Collection
- Boutique Collection (1977)
- Blue Carded fashions
- Wards Exclusive Outfit Gift Sets
Bob Mackie Fashions and Legacy
The true appeal of the collection lay in the wardrobe. Designed by or based on the work of Bob Mackie, the outfits recreated iconic looks from Cher's TV variety shows, such as "Foxy Lady," "Indian Squaw" (from Half Breed), and "Laverne."
Most outfits were sold individually with matching shoes. Each purchase included a small fold-out brochure cataloging available styles. Early editions included cards with Mackie's original sketches, which were designed to fit into a "closet" mechanism within the dressing room playset.
| Version | Packaging | Key Features | Outfit |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Edition | Orange Box | Extra-long hair | Coral-colored flared gown |
| Growing Hair Cher | Hot Pink Box | Hair-length adjustment key | Black and silver dress |
| 1978 Version | Narrow Red Box | Hollow body, non-jointed hands | One-piece swimsuit (Red, Blue, or Yellow) |
Post-Mego Distribution
After Mego discontinued the celebrity line, the remaining inventory was sold to other companies. O.K. Toys of Pawtuckett, Rhode Island, purchased remaining celebrity heads (including Cher and Farrah Fawcett) and placed them on cheaper blow-molded bodies. These were sold in plastic bags using old Mego logos and are known to collectors as "Baggie Cher" and "Baggie Farrah."
Similarly, surplus clothing was sold to smaller firms for repackaging. Many of the original Cher outfits were eventually sold at Toys R Us under the Jordache logo fashion doll line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed the clothes for the Cher dolls?
The outfits were either designed directly by Bob Mackie or were based on his original designs, recreating iconic looks from Cher's television appearances.
What is a "Baggie Cher" doll?
A "Baggie Cher" is a doll produced after Mego discontinued the line. O.K. Toys used original Mego heads on cheaper blow-molded bodies and sold them in plastic bags.
How many different outfits were originally designed for Cher?
There were originally thirty-two different costumes designed for the Cher doll.
Which other dolls could wear the Cher outfits?
Because they were sized for the Mego Celebrity line, the clothes also fit dolls of Diana Ross, Farrah Fawcett, and Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman.
What was unique about the Growing Hair Cher doll?
The Growing Hair Cher doll came with a special "Key" that allowed children to change the length of the doll's hair.