Ken Friends
Ken Dodd – English iconic comic, writer and actor
Ken Dodd is one of the biggest icons of England and is recognized worldwide as one of the funniest comedians of the last 100 years. I thought it would be interesting to see the story of this famous icon write from his birth in Knotty Ash, Liverpool on the 8th. November 1927 to its present status as a great English Icon. If you have a good laugh with a brilliant comedian, you can look at one of his DVDs – you will not regret.
Ken Dodd was the son of a coal merchant, Arthur Dodd and his loving mother, Sarah Dodd. He went to Knottyash School and sang in the local church choir of St. Johns Church, Knottyash. On Seven of age, he was dared by his school mates riding his bike with his eyes closed ….. And he did. For about 10 feet and the bike hit the curb. Like the young Doddie with open mouth on the asphalt. Resulting In his famous teeth you see today.
It was around this time he became interested in showbiz. After seeing an ad In a comic, "Fool your teachers, Amaze Your Friends – Send 6d in Stamps and Become a ventriloquist," and he promptly sent off for the book. Not long after bought his father gave him a ventriloquist dummy named Charlie Brown and Doddie. He began entertaining the local orphanage, then at various other community features.
At 14yrs. He left High Holt Grammar School, and went to his dad's Coal Company. Although his early 20's had branched out on his own. Sale of pots, pans, and brushes. And thought his own version of Soft Soap for Liverpool Housewives. He worked hard each day, selling his wares around the streets of Liverpool. And at night, was a regular and very popular artist at 'The Club' Circuit as "Professor Green Woodpecker Chuckabutty. Operatic Tenor and Sausage-Knott.
He received his big break at age 27. In September 1954 he appeared at Nottingham Playhouse. A nervous young man, he sat in a local milk bar for most of the afternoon and over his lines before going to the theater. Though he can not remember much of the actual act of that night. He did remember., "Well at least they do not boo me." But there was not much fear that, as Dodd's act went from strength to strength. Finally Topping the bill at Blackpool in 1958!
And in late 1950, we were all little boys to love. "The Work Knottyash Diddymen of Broken Biscuit Repair Works, the Jam Butty Mines, The Moggy Ranch and the Treacle Wells. A very busy city indeed.
Ken also started working in radio with the BBC. "The Ken Dodd Show" and "Ken Dodd's Laughter Show" Were all extremely popular productions.
Television also beckoned and in the late 50's The Ken Dodd Show was broadcast live from the Opera House in Blackpool. Other series followed. The Ken Dodd Show: Doddy's Music Box: The Good Old Days: Ken Dodd's World of laughter. and of course, Ken Dodd and Diddymen.
Ken introduced hit the big time in 1965 with the longest ever run at the London Palladium. 42 weeks to be exact. Which broke all box office records. And for which he was awarded a gold watch by the manager.
At the same time Ken began his singing career in 1964, 'Tears' on EMI Columbia label, Ken had a big hit in 1960 with its first 45 rpm single, "Love is like a violin' on EMI 'rival' label, Decca, and he followed it with "Once in a Lifetime" in 1961. The record numbers are Decca F 11248 and F11355.
His now famous theme tune "Happiness" was released in 1964.
But his biggest hit was "Tears" in 1964. Which more than 2 million copies, earning two gold disks Ken Dodd. And next year. "Promises, 1966."
It was the year 1960, which saw Ken listed in the Guinness Book of Records for the Longest Joke EVER tell session. 1500 jokes In three and half hours. People were lined up in the theater in Liverpool and go into the theater to hear him relay.
While Ken is not on television as much as he used to, Ken Still gives marathon performances. Throughout the United Kingdom Ken Dodd is currently about 4 shows a week at various locations in England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland.
Visit My Funny Animal Art Prints Collection @ http://www.fabprints.com
My other site is called Directory of British icons: http://fabprints.webs.com
The Chinese call Britain 'The Island of the Hero's "which I think sums up what we are all British over. We Brits are inquisitive and competitive and are always looking over the horizon to the next adventure and discovery.
Copyright © 2010 Paul Hussey. All rights reserved.
About the Author
My family tree has been traced back to the early Kings of England from the 7th Century AD. I am also a direct descendent of Sir Christopher Wren which has given me an interest in English History which is great fun to research.
I have recently decided to write articles on my favourite subjects: English Sports, English History, English Icons, English Discoveries and English Inventions. At present I have written over 100 articles which I call “An Englishman’s Favourite Bits Of England” in various Volumes. Please visit my fun Blogs page http://Bloggs.Resourcez.Com where I have listed all my articles to date.
Copyright © 2010 Paul Hussey. All Rights Reserved.
What happened to Ken and representative of life in general?
Ken is washed up just a faint memory. Barbie has everything, house, car, clothes and friends. She got the gold and the poor Ken got the shaft.
Ken was the first and only doll I ever had a crush on. I miss that guy = (would have been with Cindy. Anyone know Barbie is a slut
Friends of Ken – Backwards
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Lot Of 20 Older/ Barbies/Friends/ Kens/99 Pcs.Clothes/ 31Hangers [VBC196] $569.99 |
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RARE HTF Barbie & Friends Barbie Ken P.J. Giftset MIB $299.00 |
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Barbie & Friends Barbie Ken P.J. Giftset RARE HTF MIB!! $289.00 |
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Barbie and friends dolls lot set vintage Ken P.J. Skipper $235.00 |
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Vintage 1960 Alan Doll Barbie And Kens Friend Never Used With Box And Stand $200.00 |
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RARE NRFB Takara Japan Barbie’s Boy Friend Ken Doll $162.00 |
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RARE NRFB Takara Japan Barbie’s Boy Friend Ken Doll $162.00 |
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RARE NRFB Takara Japan Barbie’s Boy Friend Ken Doll $153.00 |
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1982 BARBIE FRIENDS PJ KEN DOLL TRIO CLASSIC $150.00 |
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MIB Surf City BARBIE & KEN WITH FRIENDS – 8 Dolls 2000 $115.00 |
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Bend Leg Allan Doll Ken’s Friend $125.00 |
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RARE AND HTF BARBIE AND FRIENDS GIFTSET,BARBIE KEN + PJ NRFB $100.00 |
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BARBIE’S FRIEND KEN’S FRIEND-ALLEN $75.00 |
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Vintage Takara Barbie Fruits Kiss doll With Box! + Friend lot! Ken & Flora 80′s! $69.00 |
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BARBIE DOLL 1991 & FRIENDS DISNEY GIFT SET KEN SKIPPER $62.99 |
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1988 Barbie Friend Superstar Ken # 1535 Mint In Box $69.99 |
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1989 Barbie Friend Dance Club Ken # 3511 ~ MIB $69.99 |
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1990 Barbie Friend Costume Ball Ken # 7154 Mint In Box $69.99 |
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Gay Ken Doll Earring Magic Mattel Friend of Billy Bob Carlos Tyson & Dorothy! $69.00 |
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VINTAGE 1990 WEDDING DAY ALAN BARBIE DOLL KEN FRIEND NEW NRFB $56.99 |
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1960 RED HEAD HAIR ALAN ALLAN ALLEN DOLL BARBIE KENs BEST FRIEND BUDDY MATTEL CA $60.00 |
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Totally Hair Ken Doll Friend of Billy Bob Carlos Tyson & Dorothy! 1990s Pop Art $59.00 |
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TODD DOLL-BARBIE + KEN’S FRIEND-NIP-1982-VINTAGE IN BOX $49.00 |
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NIB BARBIE DOLL 1991 DISNEY DRESSIN UP WITH MICKEY MINNIE KEN FRIENDS GIFT SET $44.99 |
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BARBIE’S FRIEND KEN- BEAUTY & THE BEAST WEDDING ATTIRE $39.99 |
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NIB BARBIE DOLL 1991 DISNEY DRESSIN UP WITH MICKEY MINNIE KEN FRIENDS GIFT SET $49.99 |
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1980 Barbie’s Friend Western Ken # 1757 ~ Mint In Box $49.99 |
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1983 Barbie’s Friend Great Shape Ken # 7318 ~ MIB $49.99 |
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1985 Barbie Friend Blonde Tropical Ken # 1020 ~ Mint In Box $49.99 |
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1983 Barbie’s Friend Blonde Sun Gold Ken # 1088 ~ Mint In Box $49.99 |
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1984 Barbie Friend Blonde Beach Time Ken # 9103 ~ Mint In Box $49.99 |
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1992 Barbie Friend Ken Stars n’ Stripes Army Medic MIB $49.99 |
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1986 Jewel Secrets Ken #1719 ~ Barbie’s Friend ~ MIB $49.99 |
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Palm Beach KEN*Friend of Barbie*NIB*Excellent Condition*Unopened $39.98 |
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Vintage ALLAN Allen Doll #1000 1964 Ken’s Best Friend OSS Straight Legs NICE! $49.95 |
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1960 Barbie and Ken’s Friend Allen Doll 12.5 $49.95 |
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NRFB Mattel 1983 Hawaiian Ken Barbie friend doll ages 3+ model 7495 $49.88 |
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Hunky Ken Doll Sport & Shave Friend of Billy Bob Carlos Tyson & Dorothy! 1979 $49.00 |
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VINTAGE BARBIE & KEN FRIEND “ALLEN DOLL BOX” (CLOTHES/ACCESSORIES/SHOES 1963* $48.00 |
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Mod Hair Ken Doll Friend of Billy Carlos Tyson & Dorothy 1973 #4224 Plaid Jacket $47.20 |
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BARBIE, KEN & FRIENDS DOLLS LOT 8 TOTAL DOLLS $29.99 |
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Vintage Allan Friend Of Ken 1960 Red Hair $45.00 |
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BARBIE 1957 CHEVY CONVERTIBLE WITH KEN, BARBIE BOY FRIEND DOLL, 1968, CAR HUGE $19.99 |
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Barbies’ Friend Mattel Ken Doll Accessories MIP Shoes $41.83 |
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Barbie Friend Ken Doll Casuals Outfit #782 $38.00 |
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Todd – Barbie and Ken doll’s handsome friend….. $35.00 |
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2004 SPONGE BOB SQUARE PANTS BARBIE & 1996 OCEAN FRIENDS – KEN $34.99 |
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Boxed NRFB Mixed Lot Sun Jewel Barbie n Friends Ken, Teresa, Skipper, Kira 1993 $39.99 |
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Vintage ken barbies boy friend clothes lot of 18 pieces $35.00 |
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Barbie’s Male Friend Ken Dressed in NBA San Antonio Spurs Basketball Player $39.99 |
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Barbie Ocean Friends Ken Doll and His Dolphin Friend Set (Boyfriend of Barbie).. $29.95 |
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Original 1960 Allan Doll – Ken Barbie Friend Fine Condition RIGID Legs Japan $30.50 |
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Ken Palm Beach – Friend of Barbie $38.85 |
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KEN RIO DE JANEIRO BARBIE FRIEND MATTEL #56884 2002 BRAND NEW MISB NRFB $26.99 |
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1996 OCEAN FRIENDS KEN AND DOLPHIN BARBIE DOLL NEW NRFB $29.99 |
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Vintage Bend Leg Ken Doll With Swim Trunks and Gold Top – Barbie’s Boy Friend $29.95 |
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Allan Doll Ken’s Friend $35.00 |
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BRYANT MY SCENE boy doll – Barbie & Ken friend #B4871 $24.99 |
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Ken as Henry Higgins from My Fair Lady Doll/Barbie & Friends/Collector Edition $24.99 |
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MATTEL WET’N WILD KEN/ BARBIE FRIEND/NRFB/ 4104 1989 $28.00 |
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1987 PERFUME GIVING KEN Doll Barbie Friend Mattel #4554 MIB Fragrance Notepaper $26.99 |
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NIB BARBIE DOLL 1996 OCEAN FRIENDS KEN AND DOLPHIN $25.19 |
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KEN AND HIS DOLPHIN FRIEND, OCEAN FRIENDS, NIB, 1996 $21.84 |
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Ken & Barbie’s Friend Allan Doll with Beach Clothes Mattel $27.55 |
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Vintage Barbie Ken Friend – Allen Doll W/ Original Clothes – Good Condition $25.00 |
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Nude Elvis 12 inch fashion doll Ken friend flex jointed $32.99 |
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BARBIE AND FRIENDS MIDGE, KIRA, KEN 4 “SURF CITY” DOLLS NEW IN BOX 2000 $19.99 |
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Boxed NRFB Mixed Lot Ocean Friends Barbie, Ken and Kira Dolphin Whale Seal $29.99 |
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Boxed NRFB Mixed Lot Sun Sensation Barbie and Friends Ken and Kira 1991 $29.99 |
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KC0144 White Kung Fu Clothing Full Set for Ken & Friends $29.99 |
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Ken Roller Blade Doll Barbies Friend1991 New in Box $29.99 |
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Nude Elvis Presley fashion doll Ken friend Mattel flex jointed fashionista body $29.99 |
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1991 Mattel My First Ken ~ Barbie’s Friend ~ #3841 NRFB $29.99 |
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1990 Barbie Friend Hawaiian Fun Ken # 5941 ~ Mint In Box $29.99 |
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Vintage Mattel Donny Osmond Pre-Owned Doll Nude Barbie Boy Ken Friend Brown hair $29.99 |
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Vintage Repro Barbie Allen Doll ~ Ken’s Best Friend ~ NEW Condition ~ $24.95 |
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1996 Barbie OCEAN FRIENDS KEN and his dolphin friend $19.99 |
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~1968 TALKING BRAD DOLL KEN FRIEND BARBIE AFRICAN AMERICAN MATTEL MOD RETRO $22.72 |
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Barbie Happy Family Ken Friend Dad Alan Allen Allan!! $25.00 |
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OCEAN FRIENDS BARBIE KEN MIB NRFB 1996 $20.99 |
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Barbie’s friend Ken – Olympic USA Skater 1997 $19.47 |
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GREAT FASHION FAVORITES FOR KEN, BARBIE’S FRIEND (1980 SNOWBOUND OUTFIT) NIP $23.99 |
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12″ Disney Store EXCLUSIVE ALADDIN BLUE GENIE DOLL BARBIE KEN JASMINE FRIEND NEW $15.60 |
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VTG 1968 Brunette Ken Doll Barbie’s Friend With Formal Attire Tie and Suspenders $19.99 |
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Barbie Fashionistas Articulated Ken’s Friend Ryan Doll NEW! 2011 $18.99 |
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Star Wars Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker 12 inch fashion doll guy Ken friend $19.99 |
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BARBIE’S FRIEND; “SECRET HEARTS” KEN 1992 NEW! MATTEL $17.88 |
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Barbie lot of 5 dolls friends Ken gown dress clothes Skirt pants play fun C $25.71 |
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Barbie Ken lot of 5 dolls friends pink dress blue jean shorts gown fun to play $25.36 |
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SuperStar Ken doll Mattel Hollywood Star 1535, Made in 1988 MIB Barbie friend $20.00 |
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Boxed NRFB Mixed Lot Sparkle Beach Barbie Friends Dolls- Skipper, Ken, Teresa $24.99 |
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nude ken My Scene friend doll with with goatee and rooted curly Afro hairstyle $24.97 |
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MATTEL STEVEN BLACK DOLL – FRIEND OF KEN & BARBIE- MARKED 1987 HEAD & 1968 BODY $18.00 |
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1960′S MATTEL BARBIE’S FRIEND KEN SLEEPER SET PAJAMAS PANTS & TOP MINT UNUSED $24.95 |
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Barbie Fashionistas *Ryan* Ken’s Friend Doll New $15.88 |
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1988 Vintage Ken Doll – Mattel – 11 1/2″ – Barbie’s Friend $14.99 |
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SUN SENSATION KEN DOLL FRIEND OF BARBIE NEW, MIB -a58 $23.99 |
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6 barbie friend Ken doll clothes sportwear jeans shirt shorts, pants NEW $19.99 |
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NEW 2011, RYAN FASHIONISTAS KEN AND BARBIE BEST FRIEND $14.99 |
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NEW 2011, KEN FASHIONISTAS BARBIE BEST FRIEND $14.99 |
