Toy OTD: Playmates Toys 14" Talking Li'l Penny (Hardaway) Figure (1997)

The Nike ads featuring Li'l Penny didn't really register with me when they aired. But when Chris Rock (who performed the character) appeared on my comedy radar, I got a lot more interested in getting this toy. The sculpt and the paint work are quite good, and it was reasonably priced when it came out (though I forget exactly how much it was).

Considering that the ad campaign wasn't a huge success, and wasn't followed up with short films or a series, this mascot got a fair number of items. Along with the pictured version, there were two non-talking, nine-inch figures - one in a white jersey and trunks, the other in a smoking jacket and slacks (with a cell phone in the bargain).

Penny's phrases are either custom-recorded or lifted from the ads - I can't tell, but they sound good. Playmates wisely added a stand, and one of the hands has a peg so the figure can be set in a shooting pose. Nice! The articulation is moderate, so don't expect to be able to set it up like an Alfrex figure or something. An interesting addition is a movable mouth, like a ventriloquist dummy.

I bought mine on eBay, and I don't remember how much I paid for it. If you don't mind the toy not having its basketball, you can snap one up right now for 99¢ + $8.00 shipping. Hurry, though - the auction ends in fifteen hours!