Mattel celebrates Barbie's 50th

MALIBU, Calif., March 7 (UPI) -- Mattel plans to celebrate Barbie's 50th birthday with an updated version of the original doll and a party in a real Dream House in California, the company said.

Bathing Suit Barbie, with a new sculpted face and a 2009 take on a black and white suit worn by Barbie in 1959, is to be unveiled at midnight Monday. Through Saturday, March 14, the doll will sell at a 1959 price, $3, at participating stores.

The birthday party Monday will be at Barbie's Malibu Dream House, a 3,500-square-foot house decorated by Jonathan Adler. The house features a sunburst mirror incorporating 65 Barbie dolls, a chandelier made of Barbie hair and such Barbie touches as skirted chairs.

The garage, of course, holds a life-size Barbie Volkswagen Beetle with a pop-up vanity in the trunk.

Barbie made her public debut March 9, 1959, at the New York Toy Fair and was among the first class of inductees in the National Toy Hall of Fame in 1999.