Customer Reviews

Alfred Hitchcock The Birds Barbie Doll

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm not a Barbie collector. I don't know what such collectors look for in a Barbie, but I can tell you this, expert care and attention was given to this release and it shows.

There's no denying the camp value of this piece. It was the main reason why I wanted to make the purchase. However, what cemented the deal was the execution. The amazing detail in the hair style which mimics Tippi's bun and curls. The detailed jewelry and handbag. The re-creation of the original costume. And of course the evocative packaging.

The box is clear on four sides and black crows have been printed on the sides and top front to give the impression that poor Tippi-Barbie is being attacked. The actual birds on the doll along with the ones printed on the back drop complete the illusion. Whether intended or not, the various methods used seemed to pay tribute to the varied ways Hitchcock portrayed the birds in his classic film.

Obviously this is not a doll for the little ones to play with. It's part of the Black Label collection which is described as "Sensational dolls designed for the adult collector" on the back of the box. I doubt few of these will ever be removed from their boxes as the presentation is done so well.

Unusual. Daring. Campy. Expertly executed.

What a surprisingly apt way to celebrate this Hitchcock masterpiece.

Not really sure if this doll is what we've all been waiting for or a symptom of marketing gone berserk, but I'm glad I own it. Can't imagine what they were thinking when they decided to run this one off the assembly line, though the other Barbie collectibles (especially the Cher doll in which she's dressed like an Outer Space whore) are equally obtuse sometimes.
The doll looks...like Barbie, with Tippi Hedren's hairstyle and costume. The most macabre detail is that she's smiling, while the detachable crows are nesting in her hair and clothing. I wonder why Tippi wasn't given a small phone booth as a setting, but the schoolhouse background covers the experience. Not really a quality, museum-piece item, but for sheer laughs and conversation, practically unbeatable.
Suggestions for future Barbies:
Barbie as Sissy Spacek in "Carrie"
Ken as Steve McQueen in "The Blob"
Ken as Gene Hackman in "The Poseidon Adventure"
Barbie as Jessica Lange in "Frances"
Barbie as Allison Hayes in "Fifty Foot Woman" (With Tiny Ken as Harry)

This is fantastic! I love Hitchcock AND Barbie! This is the perfect collectable for me. I hope they come out with more Hitchcock Barbies! Vertigo, Psycho, Marnie, Rear Window or Dial M for Murder.... who ever came up this is a genius!

Of course these are collectables.... adults will be the people interested in buying them.

It's amazingly detailed, right down to her stylish outfit and Mona Lisa smile as the birds attack her...the only reason I have no durability rating is that my collector brother will never take it out of the box! Highly recommended. Piece of art.

This is a very unique and well done collectable. I am NOT a doll collecter, but might start if Mattel continues this series!

Th presentation is VERY HIGH END, and the doll is posed well in the case - which is a true work of art itself. The front looks like a movie set, right at UNIVERSAL. It is clear that great care was taken, a true 3-D presentation. The costume is a perfect replica of what Tippi Hedren wore (designed by legend Edith Head) when she played Melanie Daniels.

The 3 birds are individual, and differ from each other- again the attention to detail is noticed. The doll even has a whisp of hair out of place, and a scratch on the forehead where one of the birds pecked at poor Melanie.

The back of the box has information on the movie, Hitchcock and its production in 1963. The movie is a true classic,and this is a creative way to remember it, in between viewings.

I have mine above my desk at work,and I can assure you most everyone (male and female) are attracted to it- and astounded by the quality of the presentation. Tends to be an ice breaker as well, people love to talk about their own memory of this film!

So ...if you are in gift giving mode for a film buff, you can't go wrong-and yes, you can buy a doll for a guy! (or yourself!) This is really a piece of pop-culture art, and highly prized.

100% excellent item!

Certainly one of the most unusual choices for a Collector Barbie is this fantastic replica of Tippi Hedren as "Melanie Daniels" from the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock classic "The Birds".

This doll really jumped out at me when I saw her in the store alongside Lucille Ball and Elvis Presley.

I was all set to buy the Elvis "Blue Hawaii" until I got a look at Tippi.

She is dressed in the pastel mint green suit from the movie, with gold necklace and earrings. She carries a brown leather handbag with matching shoes.

There are three black crows pecking nastily at her shoulder, hip and forehead.

The only bad thing I can say is that I wish the face mold bore a stronger resemblance to Tippi Hedren but the doll is still lovely.

The back of the box features two black-and-white photos of Hedren from the movie and a brief blurb about the iconic film.

While the box would have looked better with color photos, it is still VERY attractive and there are a bunch more black crows on the plastic casing to resemble one of the film's attacks of the feathered beasts.

At first I wasn't too crazy when Mattel switched to the clear plastic casing for their collector Barbies, but now I am used to them and they will hold up better than the old cardboard ones, especially in very dry conditions where the glue would dry out and make the box separate.

Definitely one of the most unusual and interesting Barbies to come out in a long time.

Well...

I saw this "Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds" Barbie doll and I knew I had to have it! I love Alfred Hitchcock and this Barbie was certainly a great idea for a great homage! The recreation of Tippi Hedren is great... the falling hair after the bird attack... the suit... the black birds... everything is so evocative, this is indeed the perfect toy homage.

Naturally, this is a collector's item, therefore, it is not supposed to played with. Children will probably ask "what happened to her? Why the birds?" But the answer is simple: THE BIRDS is simply one of the greatest films ever! I could not think of a greater honor: to be released as a Barbie doll.

I'm not a doll collector... by this one captured my imagination and I am already going to have to control myself when Mattel releases more Hitchcock dolls. And I already have my favorite ones on my mind:
REAR WINDOW - This Barbie recreates Lisa Freemont when she she first appears.
VERTIGO - This Barbie recreates Madeleine Elster with the hairdo and the gray suit she wore when she died... and the necklace, naturally...
PSYCHO - This Barbie comes in tones of gray (since the film is in black & white). This is a naked Barbie that comes in a shower... screaming! LOL

Other Barbies I'd love to see...
Gloria Swanson from SUNSET BOULEVARD - The final scene... "Alright, Mr. DeMille..."
Anita Ekberg from LA DOLCE VITA - The fountain scene!
Joan Crawford from JOHNNY GUITAR
Bette Davis from JEZEBEL or NOW, VOYAGER
Cyd Charisse from SINGIN' IN THE RAIN... the beautiful dream number.

I guess I'd better stop now... or I'll go bankrupt. LOL!

This is one of my favorite of the Barbie Collector dolls. I was so surprised when they released this as a subject for a Barbie doll - it's definitely not for kids and kind of scary. But the box is beautifully designed and you really get a feel for the movie from it. I haven't taken it out of the box but I am very happy I purchased this and it is displayed right next to my computer.

Great for the adult collector. Who could have guessed that Mattel would have such a great sense of humor?

What on Earth would possess Mattel to make a doll out of a woman being attacked by birds? Whatever it was, I'm loving it!
"The Birds" is an iconic horror film and Barbie is an icon. I have lots of Barbies that I just collect because they are unique. I take them out of the box and let me nieces play with them. I'm not a strict or avid collector. BUT, this one stays in the box. The package designer did a great job in creating the mood. The toy designer did a great job with the costume & detail, although I think Tippy looked a lot more horrified than does Barbie. It's a great collectible for pop culture fanatics. I hope they make more in this style.