The Real Story of Slinky Is Headed to the Big Screen

Source: Just Play/The Toy Book

As the 75th anniversary of the iconic Slinky brand winds to a close, the true story behind the classic toy is set to be told in theaters everywhere.

Variety reports that filmmaker Tamra Davis (Billy Madison, CB4) will direct from a screenplay by Chris Siverston (Shattered Memories), Ann Carli, and Cristina Curbelo.

Slinky, which was the subject of a Backstory feature in the July/August issue of the Toy Book, was born out of a mishap in 1943 when mechanical engineer Richard T. James was experimenting with tension coils in an effort to stabilize naval instruments. James dropped a coil and watched it begin to “walk.”

The film will focus on the story of Toy Industry Hall of Famer Betty James’ rise to successful CEO after her husband left the mother of six nearly bankrupt in 1960.

Slinky was recently acquired by Just Play after it was put up for auction with the assets of Alex Brands earlier this year.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.