The arrival of the Barbie blockbuster has revived an age-old debate over the British and American dolls Sindy and Barbie.
In just five days in cinemas, Barbie has topped $470 (£358) million globally, smashing expectations. Directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie, it made $155 (£120) million in the first three days of domestic ticket sales.
It is one of the hit films of the year, with the biggest opening weekend for a film by a female director.
The excitement over the American doll has been worldwide, with people dressing up in pink for the occasion with friends, partners, and parents.
But for some, Sindy has always been the favourite doll.
Now, people are calling for Sindy to get her own film. One Twitter user said: “There should simultaneously be a slightly less polished and expensive Sindy movie.”
“Despite all the hullabaloo this weekend, I wish to re-pledge my loyalty and devotion to the one true queen, #TeamSindy," another tweet read.
One person referenced the filmmaker Ken Loach, whose work has often focused on social issues prevalent in working-class Britain, adding: “Looking forward to the Ken Loach directed film about Sindy.”
Looking forward to the Ken Loach directed film about Sindy pic.twitter.com/UJpGIGlPxg
— Erm Dea (@Em_E_Dee) July 22, 2023
And someone who is “all about Sindy” took the opportunity to showcase a few of her Sindy dolls.
I know it’s all #Barbie at the mo, but tbh I’m all about #Sindy (never had a Barbie). As 2023 is Sindy’s 60th anniversary here are a few of my Sindy’s.🛼Never had the Sindy house but we did have the Caravan which was way cooler. Anyone fancy funding me to make a film about her? pic.twitter.com/Jmz0tBolmc
— Esther Johnson📷🎥🎬🎤 (@BlanchePictures) July 21, 2023
The history of Sindy vs Barbie
Sindy hit the shops four years after her American counterpart Barbie, in 1963. She could be said to be a little less glamorous and, perhaps, more realistic, which is potentially why Sindy is looked at more fondly by some.
Sindy closely resembles Tammy, who was Barbie’s girl-next-door doll rival at the time. Sindy went on to become one of Britain’s bestselling toys by the late 1960s, according to Pedigree, the doll’s current maker. In fact, In 1986, Pedigree put out a royal wedding-themed Sindy doll because royal marriages had gained huge interest across the world.
Martina Söderström, who runs a Sindy museum out of her home in central Sweden, filled with dolls and memorabilia, told WSJ: “Sindy felt like a genuine friend you could tell secrets to and know she wouldn’t tell anyone else
“Barbie felt plastic and fake, like a girl that says she’s your friend but back trashes you as soon as you’re not there.”
In the 90s, US-based company Hasbro attempted to Americanise Sindy, after it licensed the doll’s rights and revamped her into a more glamorous Sindy — with a tighter jawline, slimmer waist, blonder hair, and big blue eyes.
“While Barbie had fashion accessories, Sindy accessorised her home. Everything from kitschy hostess trolleys to hyper-realistic “wash day” accessories, ironing boards, to tiny white tassel-trimmed toilet mats, told Sindy girls that ambition lay in making sure men’s pee didn’t stain your bathroom carpet,” said Rachek Huber for The Indepedent.
As much as Sindy was only a doll, she was thought of as more the “girl next door”; down-to-earth and relatable. Despite the Barbie doll having close to 20 million followers on social media, the Instagram hashtag #Sindy has only been used 112,000 times. But, in some people’s worlds, Sindy reigned (and still reigns) favourite.
