Doll-A-Day 2023 #265: Ella Cinders

   Today's doll is Ella Cinders.

  Ella Cinders, an obvious transposing of 'Cinderella', started life in 1925, as a comic strip, created by Charles Plumb, Fred Fox, and Roger Armstrong. The comic strip originally followed a similar storyline to "Cinderella", with 'Ella' living with her stepmother and two horrible stepsisters, who constantly gave her work to do, and generally treated her badly. In 1926 the comic strip was made into a movie starring Colleen Moore. Yes. THAT Colleen Moore. The one with the amazing dollhouse which you can still go to see at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Being as it was made in 1926, it's a silent film. You can watch the movie HERE. Colleen Moore had a similar haircut to Ella's anyway, so she was perfect for the part.

  The comic strip ran until 1961. Over the years there were also books, comic books, board games, and of course, dolls, based on the character. The original dolls, made by Horsman, had composition head, arms, and legs, with a stuffed cloth body. This doll is a Horsman reproduction, made in 1996. 

  She has a hard vinyl head, and partial limbs. Her upper arms and legs, and her body, are stuffed cloth. Her arms and legs are jointed though, at the shoulders and hips, so they can be posed a bit and hold the pose.

 

 

  For some reason her shiny plastic head appeals to me.

I also like her freckles and her slightly worried look.

This Ella is 17" tall. There was also a 9" reproduction Ella made the same year, dressed exactly the same as this one.

  She's wearing her original outfit, minus her black Mary Jane shoes.

Her dress is accented with lace and pink buttons.

  

She has a pretty flowered apron that is separate from her dress.

 

Both close in back with Velcro.

Under her dress she's wearing white pantaloons.

 

She's wearing what looks like gym socks! They are elastic knee socks.

Since her hair is painted on, she has two pink bows stuck to the top of her head.

  In spite of her hard plastic head and shiny face, she seems very cuddly. I had had about half an eye on Ella Cinders, after seeing her online. I was excited to find her in an antique mall on our anniversary day out. Ken bought her, and the Gingham Dog and the Calico Cat book for me at the same place. I like Ella even better in person.

  That's today's doll Tomorrow we'll have a look at another one.