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Rainbow Brite

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Rainbow Brite was created 1983 by Hallmark/Mattel, originally as greetings card decals (in the same way that Strawberry Shortcake was born). When they arrived in toy stores, they seemed to many of us to by the dolls of the future. Brightly coloured hair, sparkly space-suit costumes and fun-fur sprite friends. Yes, Rainbow Brite made Strawberry Shortcake and Victoria Plum both look positively archaic. As with other 80s hits, like the Care Bears and My Little Pony, the Rainbow Brite doll was backed up by her very own TV show in 1986, which bizarrely came after the feature-length film, Rainbow Brite And The Star Stealer in 1985. Through watching the TV show every week, we learnt that Rainbow Brite (also known as Wisp) lived in Rainbowland in a rainbow-shaped house (you can see a theme developing), and had seven (yes, as in there's seven colours of the rainbow) different-coloured friends: Red Butler, Patty O'Green, Canary Yellow, La La Orange, Shy violet, Indigo, Buddy Blue and Tickled Pink. One day, while taking shelter from the rain inside a cave, she discovered the magic Colour Belt, which gave her the power to save the Color Kids in each of the seven different corners of the land. She set all of the Kids free, and was christened Rainbow Brite and named the protector of all of Rainbowland.

But as with any goody two shoes that has ever existed, Rainbow Brite had a nemisis that threatened to make Rainbowland a colourless place to live. The aptly named Lurky and Murky Dismal (he was blessed with a green face and a round belly) did their best to make this come true, and even resorted to a kidnapping in one TV show episode.

The dolls themselves were 10 inches high and soft and squidgy (though later they became moulded plastic) and the best thing about Rainbow was her soft, yellow dreadocks. The dolls also came with accessories to make it seem like you were getting value for your money. Each one came with a cushion and a little sprite friend - Rainbow Brite's was called Twink. Also in the range was a white horse named Starlite and a human friend called (ahem) Brian. Later, Mattel released a Baby Brite doll, who apparently held the secret to saving Rainbowland from doom and gloom. Together, the Rainbowland population would spread love, colour and good dreams to children everywhere.

Unfortunately, kids soon became rather bored of all this rainbow talk, and even the 2003 relaunch of Rainbow Brite and her new Colour Kid friends didn't work to create more fans. Quite simply, the toy world was somewhat over the Rainbow...

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Do You Remember Rainbow Brite?

Do You Remember Rainbow Brite?

  • Anonymous user
    on
    I had this doll too when I was about 10! I also had the stationery set! Infact! I STILL have the stationery set (albeit in rather poor, well used condition) nearly 30 yrs later in an old case I've had for years. The baddie? Was he called Murky or something like that?
  • Anonymous user
    on
    Wow! What a blast from the past. I'd forgotten all about this cartoon until my sister asked for a Rainbow Brite t shirt for Chrismas. I managed to find a decent selection of Rainbow Brite t shirts at cptshirts.co.uk and bought her a Patty O Green t shirt. Ahh... memories :)
  • Anonymous user
    on
    I am actually looking for a specific doll for my girlfriend. she told me it had rainbow colored hair, a dress made of postage stamps and stickers came out of its shoes. Does anyone know what this doll is? If you could help me it would be great =)
  • nugirl
    on
    I LOVED my Rainbow Brite doll! I loved her friendly, cheerful face; her bright, colourful rainbow dress and "leggings," and the little purple star on her cheek! She was ADORABLE, and one of my favourite dolls - especially when she "held" her little white Sprite by the hand! Funnily enough, I never got into the cartoon; I think I was just happy playing with her in my own little world, and imagining a perfect life for her up in the skies, among the clouds, near the sun. My sister and I had one Rainbow Brite doll each, so that we wouldn't fight over her. We were spoilt kids when it came to toys, dolls and playsets!
  • Anonymous user
    on
    i was young when i was given my rainbow brite 4 xmas think it's a boy?? 20 yrs on my 3 yr old daughter is playing with it and she loves it.
  • Anonymous user
    on
    I had the Rainbow Brite doll with the stick on little Sprite. I watched the cartoons and even had the wallpaper, LOL.
  • Anonymous user
    on
    I had all and everything that had to do with Rainbow Brite untile I was about eight years old. I miss my starlight horse cause I still collect horses and fantasy figurines.
  • Anonymous user
    on
    I had rainbow bright and starlight, i dont know what happened to them but id like some more, where can i get starlight?
  • Anonymous user
    on
    I loved Rainbow Brite - I have recently moved house and found all my old toys - I even found a trolley, one of those ones you put play bricks in and pulled behind you. old photos show I had the quilt cover, wallpaper, you name it! I still have the pillow case on my bed now - im 23!
  • Anonymous user
    on
    I remember my Rainbow Brite doll. I am 22, I had one when I was little. As I recall, she got much use. She was right along with my My Little Ponies and Jammie Pies!

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