 | This article needs additional citations for verification .(July 2023) |
| Allan Sherwood | |
|---|---|
 Allan as portrayed in the 2023 film Barbie by Michael Cera | |
| First appearance | 1964 |
| Created by | Mattel |
| Portrayed by | Michael Cera (2023 film) [1] |
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Allan Sherwood |
| Nickname | Allan |
| Spouses | Midge and Viky |
Allan Sherwood is a fictional character from the Mattel brand Barbie. He was introduced in 1964 as Ken's friend.
Allan was named after the son-in-law of Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler. The first Allan doll was released in 1964. He was marketed as Ken's friend who could also fit into Ken's clothes. [2] In 1991, the spelling of his name was changed to Alan. [3] The Wedding Day Alan doll featured Alan marrying Barbie's friend Midge. [3] The doll was also part of the Wedding Party Midge Gift Set. [4] Festa de Casamento Alan ("Wedding Party Alan") was released in Brazil, but he was marrying a character named Viky. It was manufactured by Estrela Toys under license from Mattel.[ citation needed ]
In 1992, Alan and Midge dolls were featured in booklets holding baby twins. They were wearing casual, matching outfits, with Midge holding their baby girl and Alan holding their baby boy. Under the dolls, a caption read, "Midge® and Alan™ have adorable twin babies that magically hold their bottle and toy." The dolls were not released.[ citation needed ]
In December 2002, the Barbie Happy Family line included Alan, his pregnant wife Midge, and their son Ryan. Alan was sold with Ryan and a stroller. The line included white and African-American versions of the dolls. Barbie.com said that the pregnant Midge doll was "a wonderful prop for parents to use with their children to role-play family situations". Jo Ann Farver, a psychologist from the University of Southern California, was interviewed and said, "The pregnancy-themed Happy Family dolls complement children's strong interests in family relationships and supports their social and emotional development". Midge's pregnancy was so controversial that Walmart stopped selling all of the Happy Family dolls, including Ryan, two weeks before Christmas. Melissa Berryhill, a spokeswoman for Walmart, said, "Customers said they were not happy with the pregnant Midge doll so Walmart removed the entire Happy Family set". [5] [6]
In 2004, more Alan and Ryan dolls were released. The theme was the first birthday of Alan and Midge's baby, Nikki. The Happy Family Hometown Fair Gift Set was also released. It included Alan, Midge, Ryan, and Nikki. Happy Family Shopping Fun Midge, Nikki & Baby showed that Alan and Midge had had another baby after Nikki.[ citation needed ]
Allan was featured in the 2023 Barbie film adaptation, played by Michael Cera. [1] He has no interaction with the pregnant Midge character, or any apparent relationship with her.
Mattel, Inc. is an American multinational toy manufacturing and entertainment company founded in Los Angeles by Harold Matson and the husband-and-wife duo of Ruth and Elliot Handler in January 1945 and headquartered in El Segundo, California. Mattel has a presence in 35 countries and territories; its products are sold in more than 150 countries. Mattel consists of three business segments: North America, International and American Girl.
Barbie is a fashion doll created by American businesswoman Ruth Handler, manufactured by American toy and entertainment company Mattel and introduced on March 9, 1959. The toy is the figurehead of an eponymous brand that includes a range of fashion dolls and accessories. Barbie has been an important part of the toy fashion doll market for over six decades. Mattel has sold over a billion Barbie dolls, making it the company's largest and most profitable line. The brand has expanded into a multimedia franchise since 1984, including video games, computer-animated films, television/web series and a live-action film.
Kenneth Sean "Ken" Carson Jr. is a fashion doll introduced by American toy company Mattel in 1961 as the counterpart of Barbie, who had been introduced two years earlier.
Margaret "Midge" Hadley Sherwood is a doll character in the Barbie line of toys by Mattel that was first released in 1963. She was marketed as Barbie's best friend.
Ruth Marianna Handler was an American businesswoman and inventor. She is best known for inventing the Barbie doll in 1959, and being co-founder of toy manufacturer Mattel with her husband Elliot, as well as serving as the company's first president from 1945 to 1975.
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Elliot Handler was an American inventor, businessman, and the co-founder of Mattel. With his wife, Ruth Handler, he developed some of the biggest-selling toys in American history, including Barbie, Chatty Cathy, Creepy Crawlers, and Hot Wheels.
Beginning with the release of an eponymous video game in 1984, Barbie, a fashion doll manufactured by American toy and entertainment company Mattel and debuted on March 9, 1959, has been featured in a media franchise predominantly consisting of a film series and media formats across technologies like television and the Internet. Since then, it has become one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time and has been referred to among fans as the "Barbie Cinematic Universe".
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