Julia is joined by Binchtopia favorite Allegra Chapman to explore the delightful world of DOLLS! From Sonny Angels to Blythe, Madame Alexander to Barbie, Allegra lends her expertise to tell us what dolls reveal about history, their practical and symbolic purposes, and even the “misdollgyny” behind why haunted dolls always seem to be women.

Plus, Allegra’s thoughts on those infamous American Girls, the childhood pastime of torturing your dolls, and the uncanny world of reborns. Digressions include the bonding experience of having curly hair, Allegra’s new Julia-approved boyfriend, and finally addressing tintypegate…

Find Allegra at @severedlegs on all socials!

Allegra's Recs:

Books

On Dolls By Kenneth Gross

Puppet: An Essay on Uncanny Life by Kenneth Gross

Kids’ Stuff by Gary Cross

Made to Play House by Miriam Forman-Brunell

The Dolls’ House by Rumer Godden

Articles

Between Technology & Toy: The Talking Doll as Abject Artifact

Exploring the Uncanny Valley to Find the Edge of Play

The Therapeutic Power of Synthetic Relationships with Dolls

Movies/TV

Dollman (1999)

Celia (1989)

Living Doll (Twilight Zone season 5, Episode 6)