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Strawberry Shortcake

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This article refers to the doll; there is also a dessert from which the doll got its name.
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Strawberry Shortcake is a female doll popular with children. Originally created as a greeting card by American Greetings, the doll consists of a girl whose hair is colored strawberry red and has been perfumed to smell like strawberries.

This character has been very popular among little girls and now collectors. To quote a fan She is the best doll in the whole world and little girls everywhere love her!.

She was first released in 1980, then relaunched in 1991 and 2002.

The early 1980s line consisted of a series of dolls with fruity dessert-themed names with colored and scented hair to match. Each doll also came with a pet. The characters lived and played in a magical world known as Strawberryland.

In Strawberryland, nobody ever dies or even gets sick. Locks are illegal, there are no thieves, everything is free, and you get Christmas presents whether you're naughty or nice. Also, it is illegal to give punishment. There is, however, two villans: the The Peculiar Purple Pieman of Porcupine Peak and Sour Grapes, who hate everything that is good and jolly.

The 1980s Strawberry Shortcake frenzy led to the production of thousands of products, including, dolls, video games, sticker albums, clothes, etc. Several videos and DVDs were made featuring Strawberry and her friends.

1980s characters

An advertisement in TV Guide in 1980 for a syndicated Strawberry Shortcake television special
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An advertisement in TV Guide in 1980 for a syndicated Strawberry Shortcake television special

1980s toys

2002-2005 characters

Responding to a new generation, American Greetings relaunched the Strawberry Shortcake in 2002 with a new look for the modern girl. In 2005, she is still going strong and her cast of friends is growing. A few original characters were relaunched with different pets and relationships. There are also a few international friends.

This line also included a series of Filly Friends:

Released in 2005-2006 by Playmates:

(None of the Playmates 6.5 inch dolls actually come with their pets. The pets are just animated characters in the cartoons and drawings.)

2002-2006 cast

Strawberry Shortcake - Sarah Heinke

Angel Cake - Rachael Ware

Orange Blossom - DeJare Barfield

Ginger Snap - Samantha Triba

Huckleberry Pie - Daniel Canfield and James Street

Honey Pie Pony - Hannah Koslosky

Spring - Camillie Schmidt

Apple Dumplin' - Katie Labosky

Peppermint Fizz - Rebbeca Noddle

Pupcake - Nils Haaland

Custard - Anna Jordan

Blueberry Muffin - Joan Gerber and Anna Jordan

Seaberry Delight - Abigail Leib

Rainbow Sherbet - Laura Grimm

Licorice Whip - Jerry Longe

2006 Film

On June 15, 2006, an article in Animation Magazine [link] revealed that a feature-length CG Strawberry Shortcake film was scheduled to open in theaters in October of 2006, accompanied by heavy merchandising by American Greetings. The film, entitled "Sweet Dreams," was written by experienced sequel-author Carter Crocker.

American McGee's Strawberry Shortcake

Note: possibly mature content mentioned in the section ahead.
In 2003, webcomic Penny Arcade published a poster for an imaginary computer game, American McGee's Strawberry Shortcake, a reference to American McGee's Alice - a twisted and violent take on Lewis Carroll's works. American Greetings took offense to the parody and issued a cease-and-desist letter, to which the authors begrudgingly complied [link] - but not without making their indignation very clear [link].

This brief attriction is likely to have caused a damage far beyond what the removed piece could have done by itself; given the comic's immense popularity, American Greetings made itself look to many eyes as, much like Mattel, overzealous in the protection of their properties, to the point of being capable of trampling artistic expression and the fair use doctrine (which allows the unauthorized use of copyrighted characters in parodies).

External links

 


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