Firm Won’t Market Its ‘Elm Street’ Doll

Many people hoping to buy the Freddy Krueger doll, based on the ghoulish character in “Nightmare on Elm Street” movies, may be able to purchase it only in their dreams.

The Rev. Donald Wildmon, whose American Family Assn. had urged a boycott of the doll, announced that the Matchbox toy company has informed him that it will not proceed with plans to market the doll.

“We feel that the decision by Matchbox is a very positive and socially responsible one and we commend them for their decision,” Wildmon said in disclosing the toy company’s action.

Matchbox, better known for tiny toy cars, confirmed today that it decided to drop its plans--at least temporarily--for marketing a doll version of the movie fiend who has blades for fingernails and kills his victims in their dreams.

“Matchbox will not advertise or promote the doll in any way,” said a spokeswoman for Matchbox Toys (USA) Ltd.

The doll, announced last month, had been expected to be a hot seller ahead of Halloween.

But Matchbox has not decided on the doll’s ultimate fate.

“As far as 1990 goes, I don’t think any decision has been made,” the spokeswoman said.

Wildmon said he was told by Matchbox that about 40,000 dolls already being shipped will not be halted. But orders for another 160,000 dolls will not be filled.

Wildmon’s American Family Assn., which has backed boycotts of TV programs it considers offensive, had called for a boycott of the Freddy Krueger doll immediately after it was announced last month.

Wildmon had called the Freddy Krueger doll “a product of a sick mind.”

The Tupelo, Miss.-based group had also urged a boycott of stores that stocked the doll and a boycott of all other toys made by Matchbox.