In 1969 the new-look Ken was released, inspired by the ‘Mod’ generation, and complete with talking mechanism. He is similar in height to the original Ken, but looks completely different, with a much beefier body. The dolls themselves were originally produced in Mexico, and came wearing a red Nehru-collar beach outfit which was made in Japan. They came with a small clear plastic stand. The boxes were printed in the US. The 1969 Mattel commercial showing this Ken can be seen on Youtube.
From here on, the bendable leg came as standard, usually clicking into three positions. The body mold was patented in 1968 and used through several decades (a version of it was still in production in 2008), always with a 1968 copyright stamped on the back or bottom.
NEW GOOD-LOOKIN’ TALKING KEN #1111
What he said:
Hi, I’m Ken.
Let’s go to the big game tonight.
What are you doing next weekend?
Why don’t we all go to the movies?
Let’s go listen to Barbie’s records.
Let’s go visit Barbie.
Although pre-1969 Ken items had occasionally been sold in the UK (I’ve discovered vintage Kens and clothing in boxes marked with prices in British predecimal currency), Mattel hadn’t really managed to establish themselves. In 1967 Mattel bought out British doll manufacturer Rosebud, and the new-look Ken was released by Rosebud Mattel in a differently-packaged box, printed in England. Despite this effort, Barbie and Ken would not really take off in England until the 1980s, possibly due to the competition from the already well-established British Sindy by Pedigree.
BOOKLETS & CATALOGUES
The Canadian Mattel Toy Book below is an illustrated mock-up of the real thing.
This first version Ken was included in the Sears exclusive Barbie & Ken Fabulous Formal Set #1595, which can be seen boxed in section 1969 The Outfits. Simpsons Sears in Canada also sold him in a Ken-only gift set, which consisted of Ken plus the regular Guruvy Formal outfit. I have only seen it in the catalogue (see further below), so do not know how it was originally packaged.
In Continental Europe 1969 appears to have been a real crossover year, with both the original, and the new-look Ken, for sale. The German Mattel catalogue for 1969 features an original bendable leg Ken both in the photograph and the written description (it mentions his shorts, jacket and sandals), so he must presumably have still been available. The same catalogue however shows New Good-Lookin’ Ken modelling the outfits (see section 1969 The Outfits). The Swiss catalogue shows an original Ken, but the description states only that the doll comes with bendable legs. The (Guruvy Formal) outfit is priced separately.
The two advertisements below also show an original Ken, dressed in Rally Gear. Both state that it is the doll for sale (not just his outfit). The French catalogue has no description, and the Swedish one refers to him only as “a real guy”.
NECK MARKINGS
As well as copyright markings on the body, they also carried markings on their necks: © 1968 Mattel Inc. This is found on almost all Mod Era Kens. If it is not visible, then it is to be found on the inner-rim of the neck, along with the name of the country of manufacture.
