Video: Strangest Thing I Saw Today...
Oh dear. Someone in Quality Control really fell asleep at the switch when this Lion King toy was produced! Awkward!
Oh dear. Someone in Quality Control really fell asleep at the switch when this Lion King toy was produced! Awkward!

retrophilia (ret troh FEE lee uh) n. 1 An intense attraction for things of the past. 2 a weekly series for popsucker wherin the irrepressible Wootini reveals the horrors of the past to the present to avoid making the same mistakes in the future.
Ideal would like you to know that their classic dolls have still not gone out of style, and even in 1983, little girls can enjoy the exact same dollies that their mothers did back in the day. You know, like Betsy Wetsy and Tiny Tears... and Thumbelina, who you'll find after the jump. And when you see her, you'll know exactly why these classic dolls are still around...

Here's a herd of horses ready for a stint on the silver screen...or maybe just a day at Cosplay Con. Check out these My Little Ponies who have been madeover to look like characters ranging from the cast of Star Wars to Heath Ledger's Joker.
My Little Pony gets a Hollywood makeover [Guardian]

This may very well be the most awesome thing I have ever seen in my entire life.
Seriously.
Mattel is making a special edition Barbie doll based off Tippi Hedren's character in Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller The Birds, right down to her carefully-tousled blond hairdo and tacky '60s pea green outfit. And it comes with little birds to attach to her! Awesome!
Now when do we get the Ken as Norman Bates with bonus "Mother" outfit?
"The Birds" Barbie Doll [Wonderland]
The newest Lego Star Wars set is positively epic. This 16" Death Star, complete with crew, heroes, and villains will set you back almost four hundred big ones. On the plus side, it makes for an incredibly classy centerpiece at Thanksgiving dinner.
Cool Stuff: 3,800 Piece LEGO Star Wars Death Star [Slashfilm]

I've never really been into the whole papercraft thing, but I just might have to make a few of these...Cubecraft offers a wide variety of free downloadable paper toys. Just print them out and fold them up, and you've got yourself a cubey Hellboy, Kirby, or of course the Weighted Companion Cube if you're feeling lazy.

You can make some pretty cool stuff out of Legos, but you ain't seen nothin' until you've seen these top ten neato Lego gadgets.
Yup, that's totally a Difference Engine. Steampunk and Legos unite once more!
10 Coolest Lego Creations [Oddee]
What is it about steampunk and Star Wars that makes them go so well together?
An amateur action figure designer whipped up these steampunk-style Star Wars action figures in their spare time. They're not official, and you can't buy them, but they're quite well-made and hella entertaining.
Chewbacca. Has a crossbow.
Awesome.
Also don't miss the Victorian-era Justice League.
Steampunk Star Wars Action Figures [sillof.com]
[via: Slashfilm]
A cool new wave of Star Wars Mighty Muggs is on the way, succeeding the first few generations. This new series includes Luke with pink-eye and some sort of lightsaber baseball bat, a Yoda/Grinch hybrid, and what I'm pretty sure is the best Lando toy ever.
I like the Leia, too. She looks very...Princess Peach.
Pimpin' Lando Returns With Friends [Topless Robot]
The fusion of Disney and Star Wars has been explored before, but this time it's official. Here's a preview of a new series of action figures that feature Disney and Muppet favorites as Star Wars characters. My favorite's gotta be the Darth Maul Donald Duck.
Muppets and Disney Star Wars Action Figures [Slashfilm]

A Brazilian art exhibit that places Barbies in flagrante delicto with other (female) dolls has provoked a lawsuit threat from Mattel, and apparently some stern disapproval from Barbie herself.
A company spokesman said: "Barbie is a very proper lady and she is not happy about being portraited as something that she isn't."We are going to sue and we hope that this teaches people a lesson. Also, Barbie is 46 years old, she should be respected."
You hear that? Barbie is not happy. Do not mess with Barbie. Barbie is a proper lady. Respect the Barbie.
Lesbian Barbie upsets Mattel [PinkNews]
These Lost Kubrick toys are seriously adorable, and they even come with semi-appropriate accessories. Locke comes with a throwing knife, Kate comes with handcuffs, Sawyer comes with...I'm not sure what that rectangle is supposed to be. A book? The letter he wrote to the guy that conned his dad into murder-suicide? Dammit, what is it?!
Unanswered questions. How appropriate.
Lost Kubricks and 1/6 Jack Shepard by MediCom [I Like Toys]
It was 1980 and disco was dead, but not in the UK!