Thomas & Friends Sir & Lady Topham Hatt: Is He the Fat or Phat Controller?
Written: Aug 15 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Adorable.
Cons: Not as much fun as the trains, apparently.
The Bottom Line: The Bottom Line is THRILLED with the thought of more train expenditures.
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| pippadaisy's Full Review: Learning Curve Thomas and Friends Sir Topham Hatt ... |
I'm a Barbie girl, totally unused to the world of boys in which there is life without people. Boys seem very happy with toy boxes full of trains, planes, automobiles, and balls, but for me, I need some pretend people interaction. So, when I first started buying my daughter some Thomas trains, I instructed my mother to also get her the Thomas & Friends Sir Topham Hatt & Lady Topham Hatt set.
~&~ The Basics ~&~
In the story of Thomas the Tank Engine, Sir Topham Hatt started out as Mr. Topham Hatt on the Island of Sodor, where he was a railway engineer. Over the years, he moved up the Railway corporate ladder to become Sir Topham Hatt, Chairman of the Railway. His character is said to be firm but kind, and for whatever quirky reason the English have, he is referred to as the "Fat Controller."
The Sir Topham Hatt figure that comes with the Thomas & Friends Sir Topham Hatt & Lady Topham Hatt set appears to be on the portly side, though I'm not sure I'd call him fat. He measures just a tad over 2½ inches tall, and has a plastic body and black top hat with a painted wooden head. The familiar rosy cheeks and painted features are on his wooden face, and he's wearing his standard outfit of black tail coat, white shirt, black tie, yellow vest, grey slacks, and black shoes. Articulation is limited, with only his arms moving independently, although his leg unit enables him to sit, but not move the legs independently of each other.
Lady Topham Hatt is apparently a sturdier gal, measuring 2½ inches tall without benefit of a top hat. A bit more zaftig than her husband (why don't they call her fat?), she too has a plastic body with wooden head. Her head is topped by a brown plastic bob, and her ensemble consists of a painted blue blouse with white lace collar and buttons, chartreuse skirt, and brown shoes. Her articulation is the same as her husband's.
Both figures in the Thomas & Friends Sir Topham Hatt & Lady Topham Hatt set have their heads held on by a Phillips-head screw (which could lead to a beheading if your children get ahold of a screwdriver... I know I'm tempted), and both have plastic molded hands with a bit of flexibility molded into the shape of a "C" which enables them to hold various signs.
~&~ Parent Perspective ~&~
I love both Thomas & Friends Sir Topham Hatt & Lady Topham Hatt. Their rosy cheeks and painted faces give them a very old-fashioned look and they remind me of dolls that I've seen in collections; simple and adorable.
Their small size precludes them from being played with by the under three crowd, as they would pose a definite choking hazard.
In terms of durability, both have faired well in the two years they have resided with us, with some slight paint chipping of Sir Topham Hatt's feet. They both come with Learning Curve's lifetime guarantee, so if much more paint chips off, I can always have him replaced.
~&~ Kid Value ~&~
Ah, here's where this set falls flat. My daughter has had no interest in the Thomas & Friends Sir Topham Hatt & Lady Topham Hatt set other than to occasionally have them interact with each other, while never with the Thomas trains. I had to dig for them in a toy bin to even find them to review.
My son, at two, is just starting to show some interest, and I'm hoping that when he gets some more trains for Christmas (I hear Santa is thinking of actually providing a train table for all three of the kids), Sir Topham Hatt and Lady Topham Hatt will finally get the play time they deserve.
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My other Thomas reviews:
Ivo Hugh with Zoo Cars
Lifting Bridge
Mavis
Spencer
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 9.99
Type of Toy: Action Figure
Age Range of Child: Other
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pippadaisy
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Divorce seriously cuts into the amount of time for reviewing.
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