'Evil' Krusty doll gets our seal of approval
Like Chucky before him, the Krusty the Clown doll on the 1992 Halloween episode of "The Simpsons" played on every kid's nightmare of a favorite toy gone bad. Ironically, seeing a talking Krusty doll no doubt helped to inspire dreams in countless Simpsons fans of actually owning one.

Evil genius Top, a photo on the side of the Krusty doll box demonstrates the pull string on the back. Below, the doll in its packaging.

Brandishing a knife, the Krusty doll in "The Treehouse of Horror III" threatens Homer with, "I'm Krusty the Clown and I'm going to kill you!" and "Guess who, fat boy!" Near the end of the story, a Krusty Co. repairman figures out what went wrong. He points to a switch on the back of the doll and says, "Here's your problem. Someone set this thing to 'evil.'"

And now, just in time for Halloween 2001 comes a real-life version of the doll, this one from Playmates Toys. Priced at about $35, it's an exclusive to Spencer Gifts stores and to comic and toy shops serviced by Diamond Comics.

Playmates did a beautiful job manufacturing this doll, which stands about 16 inches high with a roto-cast plastic head and plush body. Like the doll on the "Treehouse" episode, the talking Krusty has triangular teeth, an "evil" switch on his back and a pull string, which activates the actual voice of Bart's favorite TV clown.

When you addictively pull the string over and over, the doll utters several phrases from the Halloween episode, including "I'm Krusty the Clown and I love you very much" and "Coming home to you makes it all worthwhile." Its other "good" phrases are "Here you go, buddy" and "Hey, hey."

2-way chat Using infrared technology, these 15-inch dolls from Playmates Toys communicate and converse with each other. See enlarged photo. Amazon.com is taking orders for the Homer and Bart dolls.

• Bubble Blowing Lisa, 1990. 11 inches. With play saxophone/bubble blower and container of non-toxic bubble solution. "I blow real bubbles!" Boxed. $20-$85.
• Really Rude Bart, 1990. 12 inches. With two noisemakers to make flatulence-type sounds. "I make really rude noises, man! One for you & one for me!" Boxed. $20-$65.
• Sweet-Suckin' Maggie, 1990. 10 inches. With non-removable pacifier, play pacifier and play blanket. "I really suck my pacifier!" Boxed. $20-$85.

Dan Dee
This company from Jersey City, N.J., produced most of the early Simpsons dolls sold in the U.S. Its best-known is the Pull-String Talking Bart, which is now a collector favorite that often sells for $70 or more in perfect condition in its original box.

6 smart-aleck sayings This pull-string Bart Simpson doll from 1990 offer catchphrases with spunk. See enlarged photo.

Dan Dee also manufactured vinyl Bart dolls with soft-stuffed bodies; rag dolls featuring Bart, Lisa and Maggie in both 10-inch and 16-inch sizes; stick-on dolls with suction cups, clip-on dolls and Valentine dolls.

Dan Dee planned to produce a Graduation Bart Simpson vinyl doll with cap, gown and diploma, and Graduation Bart and Graduation Lisa rag dolls with suctions cups -- in dolls of both 5-inch and 10-inch sizes. However, we've never seen evidence any of the "graduation" dolls ever hit the retail market.

• Bart Pull-String Talking, 1990. 18-inches. Pull the ring on a string in back to hear six smart-aleck sayings: "Don't have a cow, man!," "Aye carumba!," "Au contraire, mon frere!," "No way, man!," "Whoa, mama!" and "Kids in TV land, you're being duped." Variations include a Bart with a plain blue shirt and one with a blue shirt printed with his catch phrase, "Aye carumba!" Boxed. $18-$80. Talking Bart photo.
• Bart 18-inch vinyl, 1990. Light blue shirt. Vinyl head, arms and legs, and soft, stuffed body. Variations include plain blue shirt, a shirt displaying Bart saying, "Don't have a cow, man!" and one that reads "Aye, carumba!" Boxed. $15-$55.
• Bart 16-inch rag, 1990. All-cloth stuffed doll with large plastic eyes. Box shows Bart on skateboard saying, "Whoa Mama!" Boxed. $10-$25. (Mattel released a similar version, apparently just for the non-U.S. market. Mattel's Bart rag doll is virtually identical to the Dan Dee version, except for Mattel logos on the green display box, as well as writing in German, Italian, French, and Spanish mixed with English. A large "The Simpsons" appears on the top front of the box. There is no Dan Dee tag on the Mattel doll. $20-$35.)
• Bart 12-inch vinyl, 1990. Head, arms and legs are vinyl; body is stuffed cloth. Light blue shirt. Boxed. $5-$15. (Mattel released a similar version, apparently just for the non-U.S. market. Mattel's Bart vinyl doll is virtually identical to the Dan Dee version, except for a Mattel logo on the green display box. There is also no Dan Dee tag on the doll. $15-$25.)
• Bart 12-inch Valentine vinyl, 1990. Doll similar to 12-inch vinyl doll listed above except there are red kiss marks on his face, and his pink shirt says, "Cooties, man!" The top of the display box is shaped like a heart and is printed with sayings "Girl germs!" and "No kisses, please!" Boxed. $15-$30.
• Bart 10-inch rag, 1990. Variations include plain blue shirt, a blue shirt with "Happy Birthday" on it, a blue-and-white shirt with "I (Heart) You" on it, and a blue shirt with "Aye carumba" on it. Display card reads, "Buy me, not Lisa!" Carded. $3-$15.
• Bart 10-inch stick-on cloth rag, 1990. Variations include plain blue shirt, a shirt that reads "Aye carumba!" and a shirt that reads "Yo dude." Boxed. $3-$15. Stick-on Bart photo.
• Bart, "Special Expressions," 1990. Cloth rag doll, like 10-inch one above but features a green jacket. Bart on the display card is saying, "Buy me, not Lisa!" Carded. $10-$15.
• Homer, "Special Expressions," 1990. Cloth rag doll dressed in a white bowling shirt. "Homer" is printed on the right breast pocket of shirt, and "Barney's Bowlarama" is printed on the back. Attached to display card that shows a word balloon with Homer saying, "Pardon my French!" Carded. $10-$15.
• Lisa 15-inch rag, 1990. All-cloth stuffed doll with large plastic eyes. Lisa is wearing a red felt dress. Box shows Lisa running and saying, "Oh, brother!" Boxed. $10-$30. (Mattel released a similar version, apparently just for the non-U.S. market. Mattel's Lisa rag doll is virtually identical to the Dan Dee version, except for a Mattel logo appears on the pink display box, as well as writing in Spanish mixed with English. There is also no Dan Dee tag on the doll. $20-$35.)
• Lisa 10-inch rag, 1990. Red felt dress. Display card reads, "Buy me, not Bart." Carded. $3-$15.
• Lisa 10-inch stick-on cloth rag, 1990. Same as 10-inch rag doll above, except it has suction cups on arms and feet. Boxed. $5-$20.
• Lisa, "Special Expressions," 1990. Same as 10-inch rag doll above, except it features a pink jacket. Display card shows Lisa saying, "Buy me, not Bart!" Carded. $10-$15.
• Maggie 8-inch rag, 1990. In full-length nightgown and pacifier. Display card reads, "Suc! Suc!" Carded. $4-$20.
• Maggie, "Special Expressions," 1990. Similar to 8-inch rag doll, except Maggie is wearing a small bib that reads, "Here comes trouble!" Display card shows Maggie saying, "Suc! Suc!" Carded. $10-$15.
• Maggie 14-inch rag, 1990. In full-length nightgown and pacifier. Boxed. $20-$35.
• Marge, "Special Expressions," Cloth rag doll in green dress. Attached to a display card showing Marge saying, "Where's that Bart!" Card. $10-$15.

Playmates Toys
Better known for its action figures and playsets, Playmates Toys in 2000 came out with Bart and Homer dolls that talk when you squeeze their bellies. Facing them together, they can carry on a short conversation, although none of the dialogue comes from the series. Playmates had announced plans for similar Marge and Lisa interactive dolls, but the company canceled them before the Homer and Bart versions came to market.

• Bart interactive, 2000. Playmates Toys. 15-inch doll that utters 10 phrases, as well as uses infrared sensors to carry on conversations with a similar Homer doll. Boxed. $10-$20. Photo.
• Homer interactive, 2000. Playmates Toys. 15-inch doll that utters 10 phrases, as well as uses infrared sensors to carry on conversations with a similar Bart doll. Boxed. $10-$20. Photo.
• Krusty the Clown, 2001. Playmates Toys. 16-inch doll with a roto-cast plastic head and plush body. Inspired by the Krusty doll on the 1992 "The Treehouse of Horror" episode, the doll has triangular teeth, an "evil" switch on his back and a pull string, which activates the actual voice of Bart's favorite TV clown. Boxed. $30-$35. Photo.

• Bart, 9 inches with attached cardboard skateboard.
• Homer, 10 inches with attached cardboard bowling bag.
• Lisa, 8 inches with attached cardboard saxophone.
• Maggie, 7 inches with attached cardboard teddy bear.
• Marge, 12 inches with attached cardboard purse. Marge Burger King doll photo.

Presents
This company, a division of Hamilton Gifts, produced a nice series of vinyl Simpsons dolls with gift tags attached. Each doll originally was packaged in a plastic bag with a display card. Wound around an arm of each doll is a gift tag showing the Simpsons family on the outside and "To:" and "From:" on the inside. Display cards warn: "For ages 3 and up."

• Bart 6-inch (with slingshot), 1990. Facing sideways and holding slingshot in left hand. Blue cloth shirt and shorts. Bagged. $10-$20.
• Bart 6-inch (without slingshot), 1990. Facing forward with no slingshot. Blue cloth shirt and shorts. Bagged. $10-$20.
• Bart 9-inch (with slingshot), 1990. Bagged. $15-$25.
• Bart 9-inch (without slingshot), 1990. Bagged. $15-$25.
• Homer 7-1/2-inch, 1990. Wearing white cloth shirt and blue pants. Bagged. $10-$20.
• Lisa 4-inch, 1990. Red cloth dress. 1-1/2-inch gift tag. Bagged. $10-$20.
• Lisa 7-inch, 1990. Red cloth dress. 1-1/2-inch gift tag. Bagged. $10-$20.
• Maggie 4-inch, 1990. Blue night gown and holding red rattle. 1-1/2-inch gift tag. Bagged. $10-$20.
• Marge 9-inch, 1990. Green cloth dress. 1-1/2 inch gift tag. Bagged. $10-$20.

Vivid Imaginations
In the late 1990s this U.K. manufacturer became one of the leading producers of Simpsons merchandise, including these dolls.

• Bart "Itchy & Scratchy" 10-inch UK, 1997. Vivid Imaginations. Approximately 10-inch-high soft-body doll with vinyl head, very similar in size and appearance to the Burger King dolls, except for the red T-shirt that shows Itchy & Scratchy on it. The doll comes attached to a small card and was originally sold with a small plastic bag over the head. Carded. $10-$20.
• Bart "Itchy & Scratchy" 16-inch UK, 1997. Approximately 16-inch-high soft-body doll with vinyl head. The red T-shirt shows Itchy & Scratchy on it. The doll comes attached to a 4-1/2-inch diameter, circular paper tag. There is also a plastic string in the back attached to a cardboard hanger so the doll could be hung for display in stores. Tagged. $20-$30.
• Bart, talking, UK, 1997. Approximately 14-inch-high soft-body doll with a vinyl head and dressed in an "Itchy & Scratchy Show" red shirt. When you squeeze its stomach, it spouts one of three phrases: "Eat my shorts!" "Aye carumba!" or "Gimme a break!" It requires three 1.5 volt button cell batteries, which are included for demonstration purposes. The display box on the doll were changed dramatically for ones featuring 1998 copyrights. The newer ones don't feature a cardboard top over the top of the doll, which makes it easier to see the doll still inside the box. Boxed. $35-$50.
• Homer Hawaiian 11-inch UK, 1997. Approximately 11-inch-high soft-body doll with vinyl head, very similar in size and appearance to the Burger King dolls, except for the Hawaiian-pattern shirt and shorts of this newer doll. The doll comes attached to a small card and was originally sold with a small plastic bag over the head. Carded. $15-$20.
• Homer Hawaiian 17-inch UK, 1997. Approximately 17-inch-high soft-body doll with vinyl head. It is dressed in a Hawaiian-pattern shirt and shorts. The doll comes attached to a 4-1/2-inch diameter, circular paper tag. There is also a plastic string in the back attached to a cardboard hanger so the doll could be hung for display in stores. Tagged. $20-$30.
• Homer, suction cup, 1998. 10-inch doll with vinyl head and soft, stuffed body. Homer is dressed only in white briefs and a T-shirt under which his belly protrudes. Suction cups are sewn into his hands so it can be attached to the inside of a car window. The doll hangs on a display card and is sealed in a bag. Bagged. $15-$20.
• Homer, talking, UK, 1997 and 1988. Approximately 18-inch-high soft-body doll with a vinyl head and dressed in a Hawaiian shirt. When you squeeze its stomach, it spouts one of three phrases: "Why you little --," "D'oh!" or "Do I smell cupcakes?" It requires three 1.5 volt button cell batteries, which are included for demonstration purposes. The display box on the doll were changed dramatically for ones featuring 1998 copyrights. The newer ones don't feature a cardboard top over the top of the doll, which makes it easier to see the doll still inside the box. $35-$50.

• Lisa, 1993. Jemini. Vinyl head and cloth body, approximately 6 inches high. Doll comes packaged in open box in the shape of a sofa with saxophone. Back shows family members posing, with Bart, Lisa and Maggie making faces. The packaging indicates Jemini is located in France, although all of the text on the packaging is in English. We've seen a similar bean bag doll for Marge and suspect others were made for other Simpsons family members. $15-$25.
• Blinky, the Three-Eyed Fish, 1999. Giftwear International. U.K. 6-inch-long plush bean-bag figure of the fish mutated by Springfield's nuclear power plant. With large white plastic eyes. Tagged. $15-$20.
• Itchy, the Mouse 1999. Giftwear International. 10-inch-high plush bean-bag figure dressed in vest. With large white plastic eyes. $15-$20.
• Santa's Little Helper dog, 1999. Giftwear International. U.K. 7-inch-high plush bean-bag figure of the Simpsons' dog. With large white plastic eyes. Tagged. $10-$13.
• Scratchy, the cat 1999. Giftwear International. 11-inch-high plush bean-bag figure. With large white plastic eyes and tongue that hangs out. Tagged $15-$20.
• Snowball II cat, 1999. Giftwear International. 12-inch-long plush bean-bag figure of the Simpsons' cat. With large white soft-cloth eyes. Tagged. $13-$15.

• Bart arcade, 20-inch, 1990. Acme Premium Supply Co. Large plastic head and furry cloth body. These dolls were widely used at prizes at fairs and arcades. Tagged. $15-$40. Bart arcade doll photo.
• Bart arcade, 11-inch, 1990. Acme Premium Supply Co. Plastic head and soft stuffed body. Much harder to find than the 20-inch doll from Acme. Tagged. $10-$30.
• Homer arcade, 24-inch, 1990. Acme. Large plastic head and furry cloth body. It's much harder to find than Bart arcade version. Tagged. $20-$50. Homer arcade doll photo.
• Homer arcade, 11-inch, 1990. Acme. Similar in size to Burger King Homer doll, except the features are much thinner. All cloth body with plastic head. No tags. $20.
• Krusty the Clown, 1993. Play-By-Play Toys & Novelties. 12-inch doll similar in size and style to Burger King dolls. Bagged. $10-$30.
• Lisa arcade, 10-inch, 1990. Acme. Vinyl head and furry cloth body. The design is very similar in size and look to the Burger King Lisa doll. No packaging. $25.
• Lisa bean bag, 1993. Jemini. Vinyl head and cloth body, approximately 6 inches high. Doll comes packaged in open box in the shape of a sofa with saxophone. Back shows family members posing, with Bart, Lisa and Maggie making faces. The packaging indicates Jemini is located in France, although all of the text on the packaging is in English. We've seen a similar bean bag doll for Marge and suspect others were made for other Simpsons family members. $15-$25.
• Maggie 8-inch, 1990. Ganz Bros. Canada. Similar in size and design to Burger King doll. Boxed. $10.
• Santa's Little Helper bean bag, 1999. Giftwear International. U.K. 7-inch-high stuffed bean-bag figure of the Simpsons' dog. With large white plastic eyes. Tagged. $10-$13.