1970 New Good-Lookin’ (Talking) Ken & New (Talking) Brad

Initially in 1970 the dolls were still produced in Mexico, and came in boxes printed in the US. During 1970 Mattel moved the entire boy doll production to Hong Kong. Those dolls can be seen in the 1971 Boys section.

NEW GOOD-LOOKIN’ TALKING KEN #1111

New Good-Lookin’ Talking Ken was given a new outfit in turquoise and orange. The boxes still state that the outfit was made in Japan, but every one of these beach shirts I’ve ever found has had a HONG KONG label.

1970 #1111 Talking Ken in original packaging
1970 #1111 Talking Ken in original packaging
1970 #1111 Talking Ken original packaging
Reverse of packaging
1970 #1111 Talking Ken original packaging
Reverse of packaging (Slight variation imprint)
Ken wrist tag (Made in Mexico)
1970 Ken wrist tag (Made in Mexico)

Later versions have a differently designed box, which fits better to Brad’s. This box states that the clothing is made in Hong Kong.

1970 #1111 New Good-Lookin' Talking Ken
1970 #1111 New Good-Lookin’ Talking Ken (New box version)
1970 #1111 New Good-Lookin' Talking Ken packaging
Reverse of packaging
1970 #1111 New Good-Lookin' Talking Ken (New box version)
1970 #1111 New Good-Lookin’ Talking Ken box detail
New Good-Lookin' Talking Ken identification marks
New Good-Lookin’ Talking Ken copyright markings

NUEVO Y MAS GUAPO KEN QUE HABLA #8372

This is the Spanish-speaking version of New Good-lookin’ Talking Ken.

1970 #8372 Nuevo y Más Guapo Ken que habla in original packaging
1970 #8372 Nuevo y Más Guapo Ken que habla in original packaging
1970 #8372 Nuevo y Más Guapo Ken que habla in original packaging
Reverse of Spanish packaging

What the Spanish-speaking Ken said:
Hola, me llamo Ken.
Vamos al gran juego esta noche.
Vas a la fiesta?
Por que no vamos al cine?
Escuchamos los discos de Barbie?
Vamos a visitar Barbie.


NEW GOOD-LOOKIN’ KEN #1124

A non-talking version of New Good-Lookin’ Ken was also released, with a new beach outfit which was made in Hong Kong.

1970 #1124 New Good-Lookin' Ken
1970 #1124 New Good-Lookin’ Ken
1970 #1124 New Good Lookin' Ken
1970 #1124 New Good Lookin’ Ken
1970 #1124 New Good-Lookin' Ken
1970 #1124 New Good-Lookin’ Ken
New Good-Lookin' Talking Ken identification marks
© 1968 Mattel Inc. U.S. & For. Pat’d. Other Pat’s. Pending Mexico
1970 #1124 New Good-Lookin' Ken in original packaging
1970 #1124 New Good-Lookin’ Ken in original packaging
1970 #1124 New Good-Lookin' Ken original packaging
Reverse of packaging
1970 #1124 New Good-Lookin' Ken original packaging
Reverse of packaging (Slight variation imprint)
1970 #1124 New Good-Lookin' Ken original packaging
1970 #1124 New Good-Lookin’ Ken original packaging detail

NEW TALKING BRAD #1114

Allan, sadly, was never to be seen again (Mattel produced various Alan dolls much later, but they bore no resemblance). Instead Ken was given a new friend, Brad – the first black teenage boy doll. Unlike the black ‘clones’ that followed (which tended to be just darker-skinned versions of the regular Caucasian doll), Brad was given a unique look. By 1973 he had been discontinued, though Mattel did reuse his head-mold for Free Moving Curtis (see 1975 boys section). Arguably still the most handsome of all Mattel’s black dolls, he is now extremely popular with collectors.

The first New Talking Brad was produced in Mexico (with clothing made in Hong Kong).

1970 #1114 New Talking Brad
1970 #1114 New Talking Brad
1970 #1114 New Talking Brad
1970 #1114 New Talking Brad
1970 #1114 New Talking Brad
1970 #1114 New Talking Brad
1970 #1114 New Talking Brad
© 1968 Mattel Inc. U.S. & For. Pat’d. Other Pat’s. Pending Mexico
1970 #1114 New Talking Brad wrist tag
1970 #1114 New Talking Brad wrist tag
1970 #1114 New Talking Brad wrist tag
1970 #1114 New Talking Brad wrist tag reverse
1970 #1114 New Talking Brad in original packaging
1970 #1114 New Talking Brad in original packaging
1970 #1114 New Talking Brad original packaging
Reverse of packaging

What he said:
My name is Brad.
Christie is the greatest.
Baseball is my favorite.
Let’s go to the movies.
I kinda dig the mod look.
Hey, let’s all go for a ride.


(NEW) BRAD #1142

There was also a non-speaking version of Brad to fit with the similar, regular Ken. This Brad was a later addition, only ever produced in Hong Kong.

1970 #1142 Brad
1970 #1142 (New) Brad
1970 #1142 Brad
1970 #1142 (New) Brad
1970 #1142 Brad
1970 #1142 (New) Brad
Identification: © 1968 Mattel Inc. U.S. & For. Pat'd. Other Pat's. Pending Hong Kong.
© 1968 Mattel Inc. U.S. & For. Pat’d. Other Pat’s. Pending Hong Kong
1970 #1142 Brad in original packaging
1970 #1142 (New) Brad in original packaging
1970 #1142 Brad original packaging
Reverse of packaging
1970 #1142 Brad original packaging
Reverse of packaging (Variation imprint)
1970 #1142 Brad wrist tag
1970 #1142 (New) Brad wrist tag

BRAD NECK MARKINGS

Brad’s head-mold was reused in 1975 for Free Moving Curtis (see 1975 Boys section).

1970 #1142 Brad
Brad & Curtis neck markings: © 1969 Mattel Inc.

BOOKLETS & CATALOGUES

From 1969-70 Living Barbie booklet
From 1969-70 Living Barbie booklet
From 1969 Living Barbie booklet
From 1969-70 Living Barbie booklet

There are two versions of the Barbie booklet for 1970-71, with slight differences to the layout and content. The first booklet does not feature the #1142 Brad.

From 1970-71 Living Barbie booklet (earlier version)
From 1970-71 Living Barbie booklet (earlier version)
From 1970-71 Living Barbie booklet (earlier version)
From 1970-71 Living Barbie booklet (earlier version)
From 1970 Living Barbie booklet (II)
From 1970-71 Living Barbie booklet (Later version)
From 1970 Living Barbie booklet (II)
From 1970-71 Living Barbie booklet (Later version)

The Mattel Dolls Spring introduction catalogue for 1970 also has no mention of the #1142 Brad. He first appears in the regular 1970 Mattel Dolls catalogue.

From 1970 Mattel Dolls Spring catalogue
From 1970 Mattel Dolls Spring catalogue
From 1970 Mattel Dolls Spring catalogue
From 1970 Mattel Dolls Spring catalogue
From Mattels Dolls 1970 catalogue
From Mattels Dolls 1970 catalogue
From 1970 Mattel For Kids Only supplement
From 1970 For Kids Only (Mattel Christmas Book) newspaper supplement
From 1970 Sears Wish Book
From 1970 Sears Wish Book
From 1970 JCPenney Christmas catalogue
From 1970 Penneys Christmas catalogue
From 1970 Montgomery Ward Christmas catalogue
From 1970 Montgomery Ward Christmas catalogue

The Gamble Aldens Christmas catalogue still shows the original Ken.

From 1970 Spiegel Christmas catalogue
From 1970 Spiegel Christmas catalogue
From 1970 Gamble Aldens Christmas catalogue
From 1970 Gamble Aldens Christmas catalogue

According to the 1970 Mattel Spielzeug catalogue two of Ken’s German phrases were: “Let’s go to the cinema today” and “Let’s play tennis together”.

From 1970 British Mattel catalogue
From 1970 British Mattel catalogue
From 1970 German Mattel Spielzeug catalogue
From 1970 German Mattel Spielzeug catalogue
From 1970 Italian Mattel catalogue
From 1970 Italian Mattel catalogue
From French Mattel Jouets 70 catalogue
From French Mattel Jouets 70 catalogue

Note the Gutes Spielzeug catalogue also shows original Kens, but only as models.

From 1970 German Gutes Spielzeug catalogue
From 1970 German Gutes Spielzeug catalogue
From 1970 Dutch De Bijenkorf catalogue
From 1970 Dutch De Bijenkorf catalogue