Beverly Hills-based distribco Retrospettiva acquired New York doll manufacturer Hamilton Design Systeme last month in a joint venture, creating a new division called Hamilton Toys that will create licensed motion picture dolls.

The division has already signed an agreement with Universal Studios to make dolls based on next summer’s Rocky and Bullwinkle flick. A Rene Russo/Natasha doll will be available in three sizes by April 2000. An 11 1/2-inch version will be offered at a wholesale price of US$12, as well as a higher-end, US$18 version. A 15 1/2-inch collector’s version of the Natasha doll will wholesale for US$40.

Three 11 1/2-inch character dolls will also be produced by Hamilton Toys based on the comic book characters of Boris, Natasha and Fearless Leader, to be launched next spring in the U.S. Hamilton Toys is also manufacturing bath dolls and bath accessories for younger girls. Hamilton Design Systeme will both design and oversee production of all the dolls.

The company is currently negotiating with several major studios to make other film-based dolls. The new division also plans to create dolls based on rock stars and entertainers, as well as an original line of plush toys.

Frank Tribble, Retrospettiva’s VP of investor relations, says the next step for the newly formed division is e-commerce.