When the movie Star Wars was released in 1977 and became a monster hit, Kenner created a line of toys to tie into the movie’s success. In the past, dolls and action figures (such as Barbie and G.I. Joe) were most often done on a 12-inch scale, but creating affordable 12-inch scale versions of Star Wars’ vehicles and accessories was a problem. Kenner solved the problem by creating a much smaller line of 3-3/4-inch figures and vehicles, which flew off the toy store shelves.
In 1978, Kenner released a line of 12-inch scale “large size action figures” of some of the most popular Star Wars characters. The figures were very well done, with realistic face sculpting and clothing. The original release of these figures in 1978 included Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, C-3PO, R2-D2, and Princess Leia.
The Princess Leia doll shares a body with Kenner’s early-70s Dusty fashion doll, but with slightly different arms. Her butt markings read: “© 1978 G.M.F.G.I. Kenner Prod./Cincinnati Ohio 45202/Made in Hong Kong” and her head is marked “© G.M.F.G.I. 1978.” She came dressed in a long white cloth dress with an attached hood, knee-high white stockings, white plastic shoes, and had a silver-colored plastic belt. Her hair was styled using plastic “donuts” to mimic the double-bun hairdo worn in the movie. She came with a comb, brush, and hairstyling booklet, so that girls could undo and restyle her hair.
No additional outfits were ever produced by Kenner for any 12-inch Star Wars doll. Prototypes for additional outfits for Leia and Luke were created, but never produced. The line of figures, with their lack of play accessories and higher price point, and stiff competition from the 3-3/4-inch line, were not very successful, and ultimately discontinued.
Today, 12-inch Leia dolls show up fairly frequently on eBay, usually in played-with condition. Leia is most often seen in her original dress, but with undone hair and no accessories. Mint in box versions can sell for over $100, and the rare deboxed dolls with pristine hair command high prices. The less expensive, played-with dolls can be fun for the doll collector who, like me, likes to redress and play with their dolls.