Search Results for: blog how tv and movies have infiltrated the world of toys

Disney’s Plans to Broaden its Appeal

I’ve written a lot about the Disney Princess culture, and how it’s experienced some backlash lately. Though Disney makes truckloads of money off its Princess brand, it also takes a hit from the brand due to how alienating it supposedly is for boys. While Disney is in the midst of expanding its Princess line, adding a larger fairy tale section and brand new Pixie Hollow to the Magic Kingdom, it’s also got some elaborate plans to draw young male interest. Some of these plans are already in place. For a few years now the Hollywood Studios at Disney World has … Continue reading →

“Toy Story” and “E.T.” Ready to Return to the Big Screen

Woody and Buzz Lightyear are back… and they have issues. Naturally. Why else would there be a “Toy Story 3?” The popular playthings with attitude are reportedly coping with abandonment issues in the new “Toy Story” sequel. While the new flick isn’t set to debut in theaters until next year, insiders are dropping hints about what the gang will be facing in the third installment. According to John Lasseter, director of the first two “Toy Story” movies and chief creative officer for Pixar and Disney animation, Woody and Buzz learn what happens when a child loses interest in his former … Continue reading →

The Smurfs Hit the Big Time and the Big Screen Book You Won’t Find in Stores

The cute little blue guys with the high voices are headed to the big screen. The Smurfs, those lovable cartoon characters that had their own Saturday morning show on NBC from 1981 to 1990, are being resurrected for a new live action animated motion picture. According to reports, “Shrek 2” and “Shrek The Third” writers David Stem and David Weiss will pen the screenplay. This after their bosses at Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures bought the rights to the Smurfs movie. Of their decision to purchase the rights to the popular cartoon Columbia execs told Variety, “The Smurfs are one … Continue reading →

Happy Smurf Day!

Okay, I admit… I was into the Smurfs. The little blue guys captured my heart and a good chunk of my allowance as a kid. I owned a stuffed Smurfette and once spent all my birthday money on an entire set of 2-inch tall plastic Smurf figurines that included Papa Smurf, Handy Smurf, Jokey Smurf, Vanity Smurf, Farmer Smurf, Baker Smurf, even Sassette. So when I heard my former blue pals were celebrating the big 5-0 I immediately thought: I’m old! Fifty years and Smurfette doesn’t look a day over 18. It’s true; I saw her on TV last night … Continue reading →

Hannah Montana Essay Contest Debacle

It’s incidents like these that make me overjoyed that my young daughter is still in love with Strawberry Shortcake, Hello Kitty, Elmo and Blues Clues… and that she has no clue who Hannah Montana is. (I’m hoping I can keep her in the dark for years to come.) If you have a pint-sized Hannah Montana fan in your home then you might be familiar with the essay contest brouhaha that emerged when a 6-year-old girl and her mother went to extremes to secure four concert tickets to the tween sensation’s sold-out show. The youngster’s essay began with the powerful line: … Continue reading →

How TV and Movies Have Infiltrated the World of Toys

There are two items on my 3-year-old’s Christmas list that she would be crushed if Santa did not bring her—-a minivan for her dollhouse and Squawkers McCaw the talking parrot. Interestingly, they are among the only toys in all of Toyland that are not tied to a movie or TV show. (Though, for the amount of times we’ve seen that Squawkers commercial, he might as well have had his own TV show.) If you have children or are shopping for kids this Christmas, you understand what I’m talking about. From action figures to bicycles to books, stuffed animals, Play-Doh and … Continue reading →