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Mattel ties down arm on Tarzan toy to thwart perceived risque business

Tuesday, June 22, 1999 | 9:51 a.m.

Some chat room talks have raised chuckles by noting that the spring-loaded right arm of the 12-inch-high "Rad Repeatin' Tarzan" can be pumped rapidly up and down - from below the figure's loin cloth toward its chest as it issues the famous Tarzan yodel.

No one has complained to the company but "that right arm is the topic of controversy," Mattel spokeswoman Sara Rosales said Saturday.

"I think this is where adults look at things through a different set of eyes," Ms. Rosales said. "Kids have a much more innocent concept."

The doll, a $19.95 tie-in to Walt Disney Co.'s new animated "Tarzan" movie, began reaching store shelves about three weeks ago. It is shipped in an open-front package so that kids can play with it before they buy.

Mattel will make no changes to the doll, but the company's retail service group is making sure the arm is secured in the package so it cannot drop below the waist, Ms. Rosales said.

"We manufacture family products," she said. "We do want to be careful."

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