The Get Christie Love TV series ran for one year from 1974 through 1975 on ABC, airing at 10 p.m. EST on Wednesdays. Not a weekly viewer, I do recall occasionally witnessing the crimes actress, Teresa Graves, solved while working undercover as a prostitute or otherwise incognito. In the process of the villain's apprehension, Christie would always say, "You're Under Arrest, Sug-ah!" The hour-long TV series was preceded by a TV movie of the same name. Graves is credited as being the first African American actress to star in an hour-long show.
Prior to her one-year stint as Christie Love, Graves performed on Rowan and Martin's Laugh In from 1969 through 1970.
After I began collecting dolls in 1991, I became aware of the circa 1975 Get Christie Love doll and had the opportunity to purchase one. For reasons beyond my knowledge, I declined. Today, some 21 years after discovering the 1/6 scale doll's existence, I regret not seizing the opportunity to own one.
I have scoured the Internet and cannot even locate a picture of this elusive doll. I also cannot remember the manufacturer. Mego, manufacturer of the 1970s Sonny and Cher, Diana Ross, Farah Fawcett, and other celebrity dolls, possibly made the Get Christie Love doll; but I cannot be certain. LJN is another possibility.
I purchased the Get Christie Love movie on DVD a few years ago. After watching it, I was rather disturbed by its sexist and racist content. The "N" word was used frequently and Christie was also often disrespected by males as well as female characters. In spite of this, she held her own and became the victor of sorts in the end.
Prior to her one-year stint as Christie Love, Graves performed on Rowan and Martin's Laugh In from 1969 through 1970.
After I began collecting dolls in 1991, I became aware of the circa 1975 Get Christie Love doll and had the opportunity to purchase one. For reasons beyond my knowledge, I declined. Today, some 21 years after discovering the 1/6 scale doll's existence, I regret not seizing the opportunity to own one.
I have scoured the Internet and cannot even locate a picture of this elusive doll. I also cannot remember the manufacturer. Mego, manufacturer of the 1970s Sonny and Cher, Diana Ross, Farah Fawcett, and other celebrity dolls, possibly made the Get Christie Love doll; but I cannot be certain. LJN is another possibility.
I purchased the Get Christie Love movie on DVD a few years ago. After watching it, I was rather disturbed by its sexist and racist content. The "N" word was used frequently and Christie was also often disrespected by males as well as female characters. In spite of this, she held her own and became the victor of sorts in the end.
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| Teresa Graves in "Get Christie Love," a Wikipedia.com photo |
Graves reminds me of a young Whitney Houston. After viewing a clip of the movie prior to writing this post, I even noticed similarities in Graves' and Houston's voices. See the clip below. (A language precaution is issued for the racial slurs, but I won't issue one for violence because the physical confrontations pale in comparison to what is seen on film today.)
Teresa Graves ended her acting career in 1983 and died tragically in a fire at her Los Angeles home in 2002 at the age of 54.
I am in search of the Get Christie Love doll. If you have one or know someone who does who is willing to part with it for a reasonable price, please let me know. For now, I'll even settle for a picture until the doll is located.
For those interested, a link is shared to the 1-hour and 13-minute Get Christie Love movie.
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My father was a fan of this show. In one episode Christie love slung her purse along the floor to trip up the bad guy she was chasing. He thought that was the coolest thing. Good luck with your doll search!
ReplyDeleteThe resemblances between Teresa Graves and Whitney , is uncanny she acts looks and moves like Whitney, that's definitely her mother, no question.
DeleteI certainly don't question it and would love the Christie doll.
DeleteI remember the series vaguely ;-D At that time though, my Malibu Christie was "Christie Love" in our doll world.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that your father was a fan of the show, Limbe Dolls. I wonder if Graves' beauty, the character's brains and action included in each episode or a combination of all contributed to his being a fan.
DeleteD7ana, wasn't Malibu Christie's hairstyle too different from GCL's usual curly 'dos? I am seriously thinking about creating my own GCL doll. I already have a Mixis outfit in mind.
dbg
Another welcome history lesson. I'm not familiar with the actress, the show, or the doll. Good luck in your search.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome,Vanessa. Thanks for the good luck wish.
Deletedbg
I remember the movie and the show, but I was not allowed to watch the show as it was past my bedtime. My mother used to take us to see black exploitation movies all the time. I saw a lot of things I probably shouldn't have. From Pam Grier movies to Blackula, if it had a black person in it, our mother took us to see it regardless of content. (She'd tell us to cover our eyes if something naughty happened)
ReplyDeleteIf you cant find one maybe you could custom make one.
Hey Muff,
DeleteYour mother sounds like me. I took my children to movies to support black actors too, not in the Blaxploitation era (they were not alive), but in the 80s and 90s when the content was a "little" more positive. At home if we watched something together with scenes that I didn't want them to see, I instructed them like your mother instructed you, or I'd cover their eyes and/or ears for them.
The plan to customize my own Get Christie Love doll is in my head if I am unable to locate the manufactured version. I may just do it anyway and still look for the other.
dbg
:-)
dbg
I remember the show. Like Muff, it was pass my bedtime. Thank you for the information and I was not aware that there was a doll. Hopefully, you find or see one.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find the doll. My older brother and sister were allowed to watch it and the rest of us were not. Thank goodness for Netflick!! I watch all the Blaxplotation movies and love them. My doll of choice would be the repo Black Barbie she would be perfect.
ReplyDeleteI love Netflix, too Brini, but I have only watched one Blaxploitation film on Netflix -- Friday Foster. Since I have the doll, I needed to know what her character was based on.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the doll suggestion to use for my tribute Get Christie Love doll in the event I am unable to "get" Get Christie Love. I have been thinking about which doll I should use. Perhaps I'll create a poll and solicit suggestions.
dbg
I think I vaguely remember the name. I had never heard of the show nor the doll. I wish you many blessings in locating the doll. Her voice does sound like Whitney. IMO she resembles her as well.
ReplyDeleteMDW and Georgia Girl - thanks for the well wishes and blessings in my attempt to locate a Get Christie Love. Theresa Graves, like Whitney Houston, was also a singer (hear samples here, but I believe acting was Graves' first love.
ReplyDeletedbg
I had a Christie Love doll!!! She was my favorite doll!!! I was 5 or 6 years old and I think I begged my mom to get her for me for Christmas! I loved the show and Theresa Graves, although I'm sure most of the content went way over my head, all I remember is that she was a very strong woman. Back to the doll, it looked like her but from what I remember it was very cheaply made, which might explain why the doll is so elusive. I don't think mine lasted long. I remember she had super long skinny legs, but it frustrated me to no end that the legs didn't bend, they were just hard plastic. But I would play with her and kick her legs up high like she was defending a would be attacker or kicking a door in. I couldn't tell you what the clothes looked like because I don't think they lasted long either, which is what happened with most of my dolls that ended up naked at some point. And as most little girls who had brothers probably know, dolls don't last long either. I remember my brother twisting one of her legs off and try as I might, I could not reattach it. But she was still my favorite doll even with one leg and I played with her anyway. and she would hop along on one leg fighting crime! LOL At some point I think my brother may have twisted her other leg off and maybe even her head. It's kind of vague, but I have also searched for this doll and your link is the only one I have ever found online. If you ever find a picture I would love to see it! Thanks for posting and good luck!!!
ReplyDelete