One of the classic scenes from “Miracle on 34th Street”—the skeptical Susan (played by Natalie Wood) has a Noel run-in with a “nice, old gentleman with a beard.” Is he or isn’t he the real Kris Kringle?

The NABCO fashion plate, Muffy VanderBear, looks splendid in her interpretation of the Natalie Wood character.

Australian Peta Wilson achieved TV stardom in America via her take-charge role as Nikita.

The character of Nikita was made into a gun-toting action-figure.

Nicki Minaj, who is known for her controversial quotes and attire, is genuinely moved by her connection to Barbie.

Lovely to look at! The Mattel designers outdid themselves in this interpretation of Nicki as a Barbie. Her plastic replica was auctioned for charity.

Helena Bonham Carter, celebrated for her Victorian era beauty, wonders why the critics make such a fuss about her appearance and style.

One of Helena’s most ridiculous roles was as the imperious, definitely mad Red Queen from Tim Burton’s reimagining of “Alice in Wonderland.” Robert Tonner fashioned her in all of her big-headed glory.

Bonham Carter’s much heralded portrayal of the corpse bride in Tim Burton’s animated flick has been turned into a Tonner doll, too.

When it comes to portraying deranged and dangerous, no one does it like Helena! Her turn as the Death Eater, Bellatrix Lestrange, was frightening and fierce. Robert Tonner translated her wicked ways into doll form.

Thanksgiving was once again a test of endurance. It’s the one meal a year that separates the men from the boys, the women from the girls, and your waistline from getting easily back into your “skinny jeans.” As always, I loved every morsel while I was savoring it. After counting the number of forkfuls, and then multiplying it by pie (yes, the baked goods, not the mathematical calculation), I realized I probably consumed more in my single sit-down than Kate Moss has in a month. That’s quite disheartening!

However, Thanksgiving is always a fabulous time for catching up on family news, sharing tidbits of gossip, advice, and new year predictions. In between chewing, there was a lot of chatter. So much conversing, in fact, that I have decided to give my “voice” a rest this week. Instead, while I re-energize for the December/Christmas blogs, I have scouted around for some truly inspirational, sensational, and comical quotes about dolls. There are lots of well-known celebrities here, prize-winning poets, and some less-than-household names. Interestingly, some of the folks who aren’t at the top of your recognition list have the most beautiful, insightful observations. I’m sure they’d be happily invited into a dollhouse any day of the week.

It’s teatime and all the dolls are at the table. Listen. It’s that simple.  Anne Lamott, novelist and nonfiction writer

What joy and happiness you have brought into this world! And no matter what treatment you have received, how patient you have been! What lessons of kindness and fortitude you might teach, could you but talk. . . . No wonder rag dolls are the best beloved! You are so kindly, so patient, so lovable. The more you become torn, tattered, and loose-jointed, the more you are loved by children.  Johnny Gruelle, the creator of Raggedy Ann and Andy

She looks and conducts herself like a debauched rag doll.  Kurt Loder, Rolling Stone and MTV reporter describing a Courtney Love concert performance

My love is like one of those wooden Russian nesting dolls. I know, because your heart fits perfectly inside mine.  Jarod Kintz, author and humorist

They didn’t have to pay me in dollars. I would have acted just as well if I had gotten armloads of dolls.  Natalie Wood, reminiscing on her career as a child star

We can thank feminism for two things: we can enter any field of work we desire, and fatter dolls.  Tina Fey, actress/writer/essayist

When I was a little girl, rocking my little dolls, I remember thinking I would be the world’s best mom, and so far I’ve done it.  Jenny McCarthy, comedienne, Playboy model, and autism/vaccination activist

This morning, I went to wipe my hands on a tea towel, and while I was using it, it seemed like it felt a bit light. I unfolded it and realized my daughter had cut little bits out of it to make frocks for her dolls!  Emma Thompson, Academy Award–winning actress and screenwriter

Now, a doll found naked in a ditch, eyes rusted open, is blasphemy.  Deborah Digges, American award-winning poet

I was scared of the dark. Ohhhh, I’d do anything not to have to sleep on my own. I’d get in bed and cover myself with dolls and teddy bears.  Peta Wilson, actress who rose to fame playing the kickass assassin “La Femme Nikita”

Dolls with no little girls around to mind them were sort of creepy under any conditions.  Stephen King, master of contemporary horror fiction

I always wanted to do a Callahan doll from “Police Academy.” It would be a speaking doll for parents. She’d go, “Clean up your room. That’s an order. Time for bed . . . right now!”  Leslie Easterbrook, curvaceous actress who starred in the comic film franchise

Journalists are always calling my features Edwardian or Victorian—whatever that means. I am small, and people were smaller in those times. I’m pale and sickly-looking. I actually look fragile—like a doll.  Helena Bonham Carter, distinguished actress who spent her early career appearing in costume dramas

We were walking down the street in Lucerne and there was a doll—an adult doll with a woman’s body, sitting on a rope swing. . . . I must admit, I always knew that Barbie would be a success.  Ruth Handler, Barbie’s inventor and “mom”

Barbie, you and I, we used to play together. It was totally under wraps. It was one of those clandestine relationships I didn’t want anyone to know about.  Billy Bush, TV host and entertainment reporter

Barbie is a Pisces, born during the last sign of the zodiac. Like others under the influence of the wide seas, she’s addicted to make-believe, giving up childhood only when she absolutely has to.  Denise Duhamel, poet and social observer

When I was really young, my sister and I would create different characters with our Barbie dolls. I’d be the crazy diva Barbie and she’d be the homeless Barbie!  Jordana Brewster, actress on “Dallas 2012” reboot, model, onetime fiancée of Derek Jeter

I don’t like being under someone else’s thumb. I’m very supportive of other female artists, especially those trying to make their own statement . . . instead of being someone else’s Barbie doll.  Irene Cara, actress/singer who rose to fame in the movie “Fame”

My childhood wasn’t an easy one. There were rough times. I escaped into fantasy. Barbie saved my life.  Nicki Minaj, singer/rapper and “American Idol” judge

Barbie is just a doll.  Mary Schmich, Chicago Tribune columnist