Troll doll#Video games
{{Short description|Type of plastic doll with furry up-combed hair}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox toy
|name=Troll doll
|image=Wizard troll doll-low res.jpg
|image_size=220px
|caption=A "wizard" troll doll, manufactured by Russ Berrie in the 1990s
|type=Doll
|inventor=Thomas Dam
|country=Denmark
|from=1959
|to=present
|materials=
|website=
|slogan=
|company=Dam family (1959–present)}}
A troll doll (Danish: Gjøltrold) is a type of plastic doll with furry up-combed hair depicting a troll, also known as a Dam doll after their creator Danish woodcutter Thomas Dam. The inspiration came from trolls in old Scandinavian folklore.{{cite news|url=https://stacker.com/retrospective/top-holiday-toys-year-you-were-born|title=Top holiday toys from the year you were born|publisher=Top holiday toys from the year you were born|author=Jacob Osborn, Peter Richman|language=English|date=5 December 2022|accessdate=13 December 2022}} The toys are also known as good luck trolls.
The dolls were first created in 1956 or earlier and were larger and made from a softer, more rubbery material than the smaller versions that became popular in 1959,{{Cite news |last=Petersen |first=J.K. |date=2024-08-04 |title=Troll Dolls, reader comment Oral History |language=en-US |work=Blogger:All About the 1970s |url=http://allaboutthe1970s.blogspot.com/2012/02/troll-dolls.html |access-date=2024-08-04 }} before becoming one of the United States' biggest toy fads in the early 1960s. They became briefly popular again during the 1970s through the 1990s and were copied by several manufacturers under different names. During the 1990s, several video games and a video show were created based on troll dolls.
In 2003, the Dam company restored the United States copyrights for the trolls, stopping unlicensed production.
In 2005, the Dam company licensed the brand to DIC Entertainment to modernize the brand by creating a cartoon under the name Trollz,{{Cite news |last=Sheff |first=David |date=2005-01-04 |title=New Babes in Toyland: Trollz |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/04/arts/new-babes-in-toyland-trollz.html |access-date=2022-12-26 |issn=0362-4331}} but the show only lasted one season.{{Citation |title=Trollz |date=2005-10-03 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0482436/ |type=Animation, Adventure, Comedy |publisher=DIC Entertainment, Dam, Mélusine Productions |access-date=2022-12-26}} The failed cartoon also led to a lawsuit{{cite web|url=http://kidscreen.com/2007/10/25/dic-20071025/|title=DIC Entertainment slaps Troll Company with US$20 million lawsuit}} followed by a counter-claim lawsuit.{{cite web |url=http://www.eleconomista.es/empresas-finanzas/noticias/305539/10/07/Lawsuit-Charges-Fraud-In-Deals-for-Iconic-Troll-Doll-DIC-Entertainment-Cynically-Concealed-Financial-Woes.html |title=Lawsuit Charges Fraud In Deals for Iconic Troll Doll; DIC Entertainment Cynically Concealed Financial Woes - 31/10/07 - 305539 |publisher=elEconomista.es |date=2007-10-31 |access-date=2010-06-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720141033/http://www.eleconomista.es/empresas-finanzas/noticias/305539/10/07/Lawsuit-Charges-Fraud-In-Deals-for-Iconic-Troll-Doll-DIC-Entertainment-Cynically-Concealed-Financial-Woes.html |archive-date=2011-07-20 |url-status=dead}}
In 2013, the brand was bought by DreamWorks Animation, with an animated feature film called Trolls being released in 2016, followed by two sequels released in 2020 and 2023.{{cite news|title=DreamWorks Animation to Bring Trolls Out of Hiding|url=http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=540676|access-date=July 15, 2014|newspaper=DreamWorks Animation|date=June 23, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629012743/http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=540676|archive-date=June 29, 2013}}{{cite news|last=Chitwood|first=Adam|title=DreamWorks Animation Moves B.O.O. Release Up to June 5, 2015 and TROLLS to November 4, 2016; Fox Dates ANUBIS and FERDINAND|url=https://collider.com/boo-release-date-trolls-release-date-dreamworks-animation/|access-date=July 15, 2014|newspaper=Collider.com|date=May 16, 2013}}
Toy history
Troll dolls were available in a larger size made of more pliable material in 1956, and popularized in a smaller size in 1959 by Danish fisherman and woodcutter Thomas Dam. Dam was initially a baker, but when flour supplies suffered, he sought numerous jobs, including fishing and selling logs, and whenever he was home, he would carve little wooden dolls depicting various mythical creatures for his kids, especially his daughter Lila. Eventually he started selling the toys, and developing statues for department stores throughout Scandinavia, but in 1959 could not afford a Christmas gift for his young daughter Lila and there carved a shock-haired bug-eyed troll doll from his imagination. Other children in the Danish town of Gjøl saw the doll and wanted one.{{cite web |title=www.goodlucktrolls.com |url=http://www.goodlucktrolls.com/trollhistory.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213104718/http://goodlucktrolls.com/trollhistory.php |archive-date=February 13, 2009 |website=Good Luck Trolls |publisher=www.goodlucktrolls.com}}{{Cite web |title=Learn About Troll Dolls Including History and Collecting Information |url=https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/troll-dolls-overview-774728 |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=The Spruce Crafts |language=en}} Dam's company Dam Things began producing the dolls in plastic under the name Good Luck Trolls.{{Cite web |title=Timeline |url=https://www.classictroll.com/eu/timeline |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Good Luck Troll |language=en}} It became popular in several European countries during the early 1960s, shortly before they were introduced in the United States. They became one of the United States' biggest toy fads from the autumn of 1963 to 1965. The originals were of the highest quality, also called Dam dolls and featuring sheep wool hair and glass eyes. Their sudden popularity, along with an error in the copyright notice of Thomas Dam's original product, resulted in cheaper imitations.
The Dam company never stopped its production of trolls in Denmark, where they were always a popular item. In the late 1980s, the Dam trolls started making another comeback in North America. E.F.S. Marketing Associates, Inc. was one of the few corporations granted permission to import and market the Thomas Dam trolls for resale in the United States. These Dam Trolls were marketed under the trade name of Norfin Trolls, with an "Adopt A Norfin Troll" logo on the tags.
During the period of popularity in the early to mid-1990s, several attempts were made to market the troll dolls to young boys. This included action figure lines such as The Original Battle Trolls from Hasbro, the Stone Protectors franchise, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Trolls. The popular Mighty Max line also had a series named Hairy Heads, also known as Dread Heads.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}}
In 2003, the Dam copyright was restored by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. The Uneeda Doll Company, a company that made millions of US dollars by manufacturing troll dolls in the U.S., challenged the restoration. The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld the lower court's preliminary injunction, enjoining Uneeda from manufacturing, distributing, or selling "Wish-nik" troll dolls.{{Cite web |title=FindLaw's United States Second Circuit case and opinions. |url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-2nd-circuit/1398553.html |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Findlaw |language=en-US}} The Toy Industry Association named troll dolls in its Century of Toys List, a list of the 100 most memorable and most creative toys of the 20th century.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-30 |title=Toy Industry Association Announces Its Century of Toys List |url=https://indexarticles.com/business/business-wire/toy-industry-association-announces-its-century-of-toys-list/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=IndexArticles |language=en-US}}
In 2005, Dam licensed the trolls to DIC Entertainment as Trollz. With this, the licensing campaign saw the troll dolls being pushed towards young girls, featuring products such as fashion dolls and fashion accessories.{{cite web |url=http://www.trollz.com/home/products.php |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-07-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722080028/http://www.trollz.com/home/products.php |archive-date=2012-07-22}} The campaign failed and eventually lead into a lawsuit.
In 2007, DIC sued the Dam company, claiming that they alleged claims of fraud in the inducement and negligent misrepresentation in connection with Dam's troll doll, and DIC's Trollz, which was created after DIC licensed the brand from Dam.{{cite web|url=http://kidscreen.com/2007/10/25/dic-20071025/|title=DIC Entertainment slaps Troll Company with US$20 million lawsuit}} Dam counter-sued DIC, claiming that the company financially misrepresented its ability to create and market a modern troll doll toy campaign and destroyed the image and goodwill of the doll.{{cite web |url=http://www.eleconomista.es/empresas-finanzas/noticias/305539/10/07/Lawsuit-Charges-Fraud-In-Deals-for-Iconic-Troll-Doll-DIC-Entertainment-Cynically-Concealed-Financial-Woes.html |title=Lawsuit Charges Fraud In Deals for Iconic Troll Doll; DIC Entertainment Cynically Concealed Financial Woes - 31/10/07 - 305539 |publisher=elEconomista.es |date=2007-10-31 |access-date=2010-06-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720141033/http://www.eleconomista.es/empresas-finanzas/noticias/305539/10/07/Lawsuit-Charges-Fraud-In-Deals-for-Iconic-Troll-Doll-DIC-Entertainment-Cynically-Concealed-Financial-Woes.html |archive-date=2011-07-20 |url-status=dead}}
In 2013, DreamWorks Animation acquired the intellectual property for the Trolls franchise from the Dam Family and Dam Things and became the exclusive worldwide licensor of the merchandise rights, except for Scandinavia, where Dam Things remains the licenser.{{cite news|title=DreamWorks Animation Acquires IP For Trolls With Plans To Take Iconic Dolls' Brand (And Hair) To New Heights|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dreamworks-animation-acquires-ip-for-trolls-with-plans-to-take-iconic-dolls-brand-and-hair-to-new-heights-202590991.html|access-date=May 2, 2017|newspaper=DreamWorks Animation|date=April 11, 2013}}
In entertainment
= Television and film =
In 1991, Créativité & Développement released a cartoon special called The Magic Trolls and the Troll Warriors, the special featured Magic Trolls battling against King Nolaf and his Troll Warriors.[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4299600/ The Magic Trolls and the Troll Warriors]
In 1992, DIC (who would later produce Trollz in 2005) released a half hour special called Super Trolls. The special featured three heroic trolls who fight an evil troll named Craven. The special was released on VHS by Buena Vista Home Video.{{Cite web |last=DataBase |first=The Big Cartoon |title=The Super Trolls (DiC Entertainment) |url=https://www.bcdb.com/cartoon-story/38421-Super_Trolls.html |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Big Cartoon DataBase (BCDB) |language=en}}{{dead link|date=January 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
In that same year, a direct-to-video sing-along special was released titled The Trollies Radio Show, with puppet trolls singing somewhat dated hits such as "Kokomo", "Woolly Bully", and "Do Wah Diddy", as well as some original songs.{{Citation |last=Page |first=Greg |title=Trollies Radio Show Sing-A-Long |date=1992-01-01 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6233254/ |type=Short, Family, Musical |publisher=Inspired Corporation |access-date=2022-12-26}}
Also in the same year, GoodTimes Entertainment released a direct-to-video sing along series Treehouse Trolls. The two videos were Treehouse Trolls Forest of Fun and Wonder and Treehouse Trolls Birthday Day.
In 1993, Graz Entertainment and Sachs TV Entertainment released an action cartoon based on the troll dolls called Stone Protectors. The show featured a kingdom built out of crystals that came under attack by the reptilian troll-like Saurians; their leader, Zok, desired the powerful crystals protected by the Empress. Zok broke into the castle and reached for the crystals only to see them explode into pieces and fly to the Earth.
In 2005, DIC as part of a licensing campaign with Dam, they produced Trollz. An animated that featured five teenage girl trolls named after the gems on their belly buttons, their names are Amethyst, Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, and Onyx. The trolls call themselves the “Best Friends for Life”. They live in a city called Trollzopolis. A city within a magical world. They use magic to help them with their everyday life. They also save the world from an evil green gremlin named Simon and his red monster dog friend named Snarf.
In 2016, following DreamWorks’ purchase of the troll property, they produced Trolls, an animated musical comedy film based on the Troll dolls. The film was released on November 4, 2016.{{cite press release|author1=DreamWorks Animation SKG|title=DreamWorks Animation to Bring Trolls Out of Hiding|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dreamworks-animation-to-bring-trolls-out-of-hiding-96972969.html|publisher=PR Newswire|access-date=November 28, 2015|date=June 23, 2010}} It was directed by Mike Mitchell and co-directed by Walt Dohrn, with Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake providing the voices of Poppy and Branch.{{cite web|last1=Lieberman|first1=David|title=Justin Timberlake To Add His Voice To DreamWorks Animation's 'Trolls'|url=https://deadline.com/2015/09/justin-timberlake-joins-trolls-dreamworks-animation-1201527740/|publisher=Deadline|access-date=September 15, 2015|date=September 15, 2015}} A sequel, Trolls World Tour, was scheduled for theatrical release on April 10, 2020, in North America. The film was originally planned to be released theatrically in the United States on this day, but the film was released simultaneously in drive-in theaters, as regular movie theaters closed due to the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and through Premium VOD in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, South Korea and Italy.{{cite news |last1=Fuster |first1=Jeremy |title=Universal to Release 'Trolls World Tour' for Digital Rental on Same Day as Theatrical Release |url=https://www.thewrap.com/universal-to-release-trolls-world-tour-for-digital-rental-on-same-day-as-theatrical-release/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=TheWrap |date=March 16, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Rubin |first1=Rebecca |title='Trolls World Tour' Straight to Streaming — Sign of the Times or the New Normal? |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/trolls-world-tour-streaming-theatrical-window-future-1234573263/ |access-date=April 9, 2020 |work=Variety |date=April 9, 2020}} This affected the number of projections and the box office performance of the film. As the pandemic receded, the film was released back in regular movie theaters. Another sequel, Trolls Band Together was released exclusively in theaters on November 17, 2023.{{Cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=2021-11-22|title='Trolls 3' Lands Release Date, DreamWorks Animation Title Will Be Exclusive Theatrical|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/trolls-3-release-date-theatrical-exclusive-window-1234878949/|access-date=2021-11-22|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-11-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122183548/https://deadline.com/2021/11/trolls-3-release-date-theatrical-exclusive-window-1234878949/|url-status=live}}
= Video games =
A platform video game simply titled Trolls was released in 1993 for Amiga, DOS, and Commodore 64.{{moby game|id=/trolls|name=Trolls 1993 Computer game}} Other games released were Trolls on Treasure Island, a modified re-release of Dudes with Attitude and The Trolls in Crazyland, a localized version of Doki! Doki! Yūenchi: Crazy Land Daisakusen for the Nintendo Entertainment System, and Super Troll Islands for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
= Pop culture references in other shows and films =
{{Undue weight section|date=June 2025|to=specific instances of pop culture references}}
In Disney/Pixar's Toy Story, 1, 2, and 3. Andy had a troll doll with a blue bikini with white flowers. Toy Story 3 also featured trolls in a toy train coach when Andy was playing with his toys and using his imagination, and featured trolls in Sunnyside Daycare.
In the Fox show The Simpsons, Bart Simpson was playing with a troll doll in church.
In another Fox show, King of the Hill, Bobby Hill had a collection of troll dolls in his bedroom.
In yet another Fox show, Family Guy, Peter Griffin transformed into a wishing troll.
In the Adult Swim show Robot Chicken, there featured a treasure troll that went on a date and found out he had troll AIDS.
In the web series Annoying Orange, there featured three trolls who told troll jokes to Orange, Pear, Midget Apple, and Marshmallow.
In Guardians of the Galaxy, Star-Lord gives Yondu a troll doll in place of the Power Stone, much to the latter's delight.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.damworld.dk/10032948 Company website]
{{Trolls}}
Category:Products introduced in 1959