'Beverly Hillbillies' actress sues Barbie maker

Yahoo News ^ | 5 May 2011 | MICHAEL KUNZELMAN

[smokingfrog]

NEW ORLEANS – The actress who played Elly May Clampett on the hit television series "The Beverly Hillbillies" is suing toy manufacturer Mattel Inc., claiming the company used her name and likeness for a Barbie doll without her authorization.

The federal suit filed Wednesday in Baton Rouge, La., says packaging for the "Elly May" Barbie doll features a photo of Donna Douglas portraying the character. Douglas says she never endorsed the doll or gave Mattel permission to use her name to promote its sale before the toy maker introduced the doll in December 2010.

From 1962 to 1971, Douglas appeared in all 274 episodes of the CBS comedy show about a poor family that moves to Beverly Hills after striking oil on their land.

A Mattel spokeswoman didn't immediately respond to a call and e-mail seeking comment.

Douglas lives in Zachary, near Baton Rouge, and continues to make public appearances and speaking engagements in connection with the show, according to one of her attorneys, Charles von Simson.

"Depending on their age, people remember the show immediately and they remember her," he said of Douglas, now 77. "It's something she gets a lot of fan interest from."

Von Simson said Mattel made other "nostalgia dolls" of iconic TV characters, including Barbara Eden's from "I Dream of Jeannie" and the late Elizabeth Montgomery's from "Bewitched."

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and a court order barring Mattel from using her "name, likeness, image and distinctive attributes."

[smokingfrog]

[Tax-chick]

I met Donna Douglas once. A very nice woman.

[Travis McGee]

I was in love.

[hometoroost]

As I recall, she had some VERY “distinctive attributes.”

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

I’m no expert, but that looks like a very old Barbie, circa 1960.

Speaking of very old, brace yourselves for the recent DD pics. She’s no Elly May anymore.

[70times7]

I hope she does well in her case; I enjoyed the show and her character.

Now then, on a more important note, when will we see her in a Robot Chicken clip?!

[GeronL]

Can someone literally own a name??

If I named my daughter Elly Mae, will she sue??

[Joe 6-pack]

When you turn 77, be sure to post your picture so we can all see how gracious the years have been to you.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

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[television is just wrong]

aw, we don’t all stay in our 20’s forever.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Wasn’t she in one of the more memorable Twilight Zones, too? The one where all the doctors and “normal” people were monsters, and she wanted an operation to make her look like them?

[smokingfrog]

Only if you try to sell her...

[NWFLConservative]

I had the BIGGEST crush on her when I was a kid! I never missed an episode of the Beverly Hillbillies and she was the reason!

[Huskrrrr]

2007 PHOTO

[Huskrrrr]

I SHOULD LOOK SO GOOD AT 73

[smokingfrog]

Animals were attracted to her.

[GonzoGOP]

I was in love.

OK Choices. Ellie May -vs- Mary Ann from Giligan's Island

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

When you turn 77

If and when I do, you'll all be long gone, Joe. And don't lecture me about looksism, there are innumerable instances of it on this forum. People slam the Thomas looks, the Trump hair, the leftist hags, and drool over Coulter, CZJ, Rubio and Brown.

[SuzyQue]

I'm not sure what you mean. She looks like a very nice older lady. Which is apparently what she is.

[NWFLConservative]

And she still looks amazing for 76 (can you believe Ellie May is that old! Man we ARE all getting old aren't we!!!)