LOL! I never knew that was her.
Posted on 05/05/2011 6:40:01 PM PDT by 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."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
LOL! I never knew that was her.
This one is easy - Mary Ann, hands down.
A dilemma worthy of Solomon.
They also used a picture of her on the box...
Get back to me when you’re 77.
You and me both!!
Freegards
“Ageist!”
Jan Smithers all the way. Lonnie who?
No sh**! Do you think you are going to look the same at 70(her age now)as you did at 25 or 30? If you do be ready for a huge disappointment.
Seems like the name Elly May, or even her photo in costume wouldn’t even be hers to sue over. All references to the show, likenesses of the actors and so on would be the exclusive property of the owners of the show’s legal rights, which ain’t Donna Douglas.
She was really typecast as Ellie May, and didn’t do herself any favors by spending the rest of her life dressing and doing her hair as Ellie May. But she didn’t do much acting after that show was cancelled. She should be compensated for Mattel’s use of her likeness for this doll. I hope she wins.
Jeannie
Oh yeah.
Bailey Quarters was the very best!
Much much more attractive than Jennifer (Loni Anderson) in the show.
Many years ago, I thought Virginia Mayo was something else.
Some 40 year later I met her. In fact, I had her in my arms for a moment when she lost her footing and fell off a small platform a friend of mine had made for an event.
She was a nice lady and I was pleased to know that I was able to prevent her from being injured.
There was a small amount of humor in there, me getting my wish to meet her, and the form that realization took so many years later.
Life has a funny way of twisting fate on you. It’s the spice of life.
I want to go swimmin with her in the ceement pond under moonlight.
Rhoda the Robot ... she was a great Catwoman too.
Looks like she has a case.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.