The controversial Barbie doll from the 2000s Mattel wants parents to forget

A banned doll which was pulled from shelves over teen pregnancy hysteria, appears in the new movie - which is both delighting and shocking fans.

Laura Aubusson

3 min read

July 31, 2023 - 4:34PM

Lifestyle

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Along the epic ride that is Greta Gerwig’s new Barbie film, fans have been given a glimpse of some of the misfits and forgotten dolls in the Mattel toy box.

The smash box office hit is a pink-hued story of all things Barbie, and it reintroduces us to some of the character's lesser known friends since her debut in 1959.

Sidekicks that were a bit of a flop, and even a banned doll that was pulled from shelves 20 years ago.

Gerwig’s nods to ill-fated dolls include Ken’s best friend Allan, Growing Up Skipper and Tanner the pooping pup - though I bet this would sell out in seconds if sold today.

Another ‘blink-and-you’ll-miss-it’ appearance is by Barbie's first bestie Midge, played briefly and a little ‘creepily’ by Emerald Fennell.

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Emerald Fennell as Pregnant Midge in Barbie. Source: Barbie.

Pregnant Midge creeped parents out

Midge was designed as Barbie's friend in the 1960s —but, two decades ago the doll company sold her with a detachable baby bump and it was a disaster.

In the film Barbie, Midge makes a few short cameos, and true to her reputation - she leaves the other Barbies uncomfortable.

In real life, Pregnant Midge didn’t last long on the shelves - and was cancelled by parents over teen pregnancy fears.

Midge was first designed in the 1960s as a sidekick for Barbie. Source: Etsy.

Midge was Barbie's married bestie

Midge was first introduced in 1963 as Barbie’s friend, Margaret Hadley Sherwood.

The red-haired doll was first on the market to balance out Barbie’s blonde bombshell look as a ‘girl-next-door’ besite - with freckles, a rounder face and less makeup.

A year later she got a boyfriend, Ken's best bud Allan (played by Michael Cera in the film).

But after three years, Midge and Allan were both discontinued. Midge made a comeback in 1988 as California Dream Midge, and then in 1991, she married a new and improved Alan.

A few years later controversy hit, with the 2002 ‘Happy Family’ collection.

Parents weren't thrilled about a pregnant doll Midge. Source: TikTok.

Parents thought Midge promoted teen pregnancy

As part of the design, a new Midge was sold with a pregnant belly attached via a magnet, which opened up with a curled-up baby inside.

According to Mattel, the Happy Family dolls were designed as a “prop for parents to use with their children to role-play family situations — especially in families anticipating the arrival of a new sibling."

But not everyone saw it as a ‘happy family’ idea.

Pregnant Midge was met with backlash from parents, who according to the Associated Press, campaigned to have America's biggest retailer Walmart remove the doll from shelves because she looked young and promoted teen pregnancy, and also didn't have a wedding ring.

After complaints, the expectant Midge was dumped.

While the mum-to-be doll wasn’t so popular back in the 2000s, there is a bit of interest in the doll today with a listing for the Barbie Happy Family Pregnant Mom and Baby Doll (2002) sitting at $600 on Amazon and another on Etsy for $1000.

People are shocked about Midge's detachable belly. Source: Tikok, Twitter.

"Sometimes women are pregnant"

Viewers of the Barbie movie have shared their delight over Midge getting her comeback in the blockbuster.

"I was so excited to see Midge and Tanner in the barbie movie as someone who had both of these recalled girlies growing up," one person said.

Another user said “Living for the fact that they included the banned Midge doll,” while a third commented, “I am ECSTATIC that pregnant Midge is part of the film.”

Others wrote that they never understood the criticism of pregnant Midge to begin with.

"I had the pregnant Midge and I don't understand how she could be considered "inappropriate" like... Sometimes women are pregnant. It's like... An extremely common thing that happens in the world."