A non-Mego project I finally finished - Talky Tina replica

[Bizarro Amy]

I started researching and working on this almost 2 years ago. I kept stopping and starting, because I had to many other things to do, or because I got frustrated. I've had her sitting on my desk, nearly complete, for several months. So last night, I decided I was going to sit down and finish her before it drove me nuts. Some of you already know that I've been working on this, but may not have seen the pics. She winds up and moves, but does not talk. I was doing my best to replicate the prop, and that had no sound. Tina's lines were just voiceovers. People have asked me about putting in some kind of sound chip, but I don't know if I will. I'm just glad to be done, so I can focus on some other things I need to finish. Here is my 1:1 Talky Tina doll.



Pictured with an unaltered Brikette doll

And a brief video of her in motion

[livnxxxl]

Wow Amy! She turned out great. Nice job!

[The Toyroom]

PERFECT! It would be killing me though NOT to have her talk...Of course, she'd probably kill me either way...

[HardyGirl]

WOW! OMG! That's just the greatest custom EVER!! She looks just like the doll on the Twilight Zone. Very impressive job, Amy! She really looks great! I've pre-ordered the fulll sized talking Talky Tina from Entertainment Earth, and she doesn't look as impressive as that! I wish EE's version could move.

Fantabulous work!

[rche]

so that is a walkie tina? Did the prop have animatronics in it? I thought it was just a static doll. It is very cool. Kudos and congrats on finishing her up.

[mazinz]

WOW she is scary! I would not go to sleep knowing that is in the other room

Hey a quick fix for the talking-- if you have a "build a bear" store in your area you can make a bear doll there and they give you a talking device which they later sew into the doll (push the device to hear your voice). Technically you can cut the bear open and retrieve the piece- re-record over it and use Tina's voice. Put it inside your Tina doll or attach it so if you push her back you can hear the voice

[ScottA]

Excellant work Amy.

[Bizarro Amy]

so that is a walkie tina? Did the prop have animatronics in it? I thought it was just a static doll. It is very cool. Kudos and congrats on finishing her up.

The original prop started out as a 22" doll named Brikette. They added a walking mechanism of some kind so her arms and head moved, although I haven't been able to verify what kind. She also wore a wig. There isn't a whole lot of information about the doll readily available, but I'm looking for people to write to that might know. An online friend gave me an address for June Foray, who did the voiceover for Talky Tina, so I'm going to send her a letter, asking if she saw the doll in person and if she remembers any details about it. Even the colors on her dress and hair are guesses, because I haven't found any color reference - I'm not sure if color film wasn't sold yet, or just wasn't widely used.
You'd be amazed how many times I've watched the "Living Doll" episode and how many screen shots I kept on my hard drive for reference. I'd watch a clip and keep rewinding, just to get that quick moment where a specific detail is visible. I can tell you that there were probably multiple dolls made, because there are small details that change in certain shots.
Anyway, I'm glad no one minded me posting a non-Mego custom. I'm so happy with the way Tina turned out, that I wanted to share her with you guys. Thanks for the positive comments!

[Captain_Mego]

Thats as neat as it is creepy,,very nice work.

[Meule]

Oh wow, that is incredible. Awesome job, Amy

[thunderbolt]

Man, I'd hate to be living with that thing. Great job!!!

[piecemaker]

Awesome job,she looks Perfect!

[Bizarro Amy]

Man, I'd hate to be living with that thing. Great job!!!

Ha! She's sitting on a stool in my living room. Wait until I get started on my next TZ project. We'll see if I can stand having that in the house.

[kingdom warrior]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!! Amazing I'd be scared BLEEEEEEEEP to have that in my house! Amazing work!!!!!

[Bizarro Amy]

Very cool Del. I might have some voice boxes if you want to try sound. I think they're press activate. I don't know what I was thinking when I had to have them.

Thanks for the suggestion. How do you add sound to them?