So much stuff, so little room. I have finally gotten around to photographing some of my existing dolls in the separate baggie fashions I pur...
“Ooh-La-La!” was a limited edition of 300 released by Integrity Toys in 2007. One of the harder dolls to find on the secondary market, this Gene Marshall dressed doll is a stunner. According to one of the Gene fan pages, the release was originally intended to be a Violet Waters doll, but ended up being cut from the line in 2002. This was when Ashton Drake was the manufacturer of the Gene and friends dolls. The inspiration for this outfit was Vogue Paris Original pattern #1057 by Jeanne Paquin, released in 1949. One-piece dress. Horizontal tucks release fullness in the bodice and drapery at each side of skirt front. Back of the skirt is bias; front crosswise. Skirt joins bodice at waist-line. Deep collarless neck-line. Short sleeves cut in one with bodice. Here’s the Vogue Pattern Book cover from April/May 1949. A photo by Clifford Coffin shows a “live” model wearing this Paquin creation: Interestingly enough, it appears the fabric was intended to be wool: This will probably be considered heresy, but while I like the outfit, I was never crazy about the face of the doll. Some of the Integrity Genes have a piggish look; not sure if it’s the nose or the overpainted lips, but I definitely prefer Red Parasol’s modeling of this fashion: See more Gene Marshall fashion doll photos at my website.
C'est Moi Madra boasts one of the best fashions created for the Gene line. I created my own version with Lady Director Ivy's outfit and two fur stoles, one faux, one recycled by Joshard and adorned with a cute little stitched snout. The brooch is by Facets by Marcia.
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"Calendar Girl: That Extra Something" was a limited edition of 3,000, authorized by The Coca-Cola Company and based on a vintage Calendar. This hard to find doll comes with an easel board re-creating the original calendar page. Shot #1 here shows Gene at the now defunct Candler Hospital in Savannah, Georgia. From the story card: The United States was smack dab in the middle of WWII-and everyone was out to do their part. So when Gene got a call from the local Coca-Cola bottler, she listened with interest. Here was the proposition: the local Coca-Cola plant was setting up a fashion show based on the famous Coca-Cola calendars over the years, and the call was going out to famous film stars, asking them to bring their favorite pages to life. Proceeds from the show would be used to benefit war relief funds. It took Gene no more than the flip of a bottle cap to agree to be a part of this wonderful fundraiser. And she knew exactly which calendar page she wanted to portray. She'd seen it in the little grocery she frequented on La Cienega, hanging right above the big red Coca-Cola cooler. January/February 1943. An Army nurse taking a break from her duties for a refreshing Coca-Cola break before returning to helping those in need… The night of the big show, star after star stepped to the end of the runway, much to the delight of the adoring crowd. But when Gene appeared, dressed in her starched cap, white uniform and military nurse's cape, there was a hush-then a tremendous cheer. Gene stepped forward and held her Coca-Cola bottle high. "A toast—to the angels of mercy who have That Extra Something: the power to heal and the determination never to quit!" See more Savannah, Georgia photos at my regular website. To see more Gene Marshall doll photos, visit my regular website.
Fit for a Queen shows Gene Marshall on a cruise. This doll came with "scrapbook pages". SKU: 94670 Released: 2004 Edition: Circa: 1948 Designer: Lynne Day Company: Ashton Drake Price: $175.00 "All ashore who's going ashore!" Gene watched as the gangplank of the Queen of the Sea took leave of the side of the ship. Standing at the rail, she waved goodbye to the crowd on the dock--and to her luggage, which she saw sitting comfortably on a cart next to a dockworker frantically waving back! Hurryin
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"Calendar Girl: That Extra Something" was a limited edition of 3,000, authorized by The Coca-Cola Company and based on a vintage Calendar. This hard to find doll comes with an easel board re-creating the original calendar page. Shot #1 here shows Gene at the now defunct Candler Hospital in Savannah, Georgia. From the story card: The United States was smack dab in the middle of WWII-and everyone was out to do their part. So when Gene got a call from the local Coca-Cola bottler, she listened with interest. Here was the proposition: the local Coca-Cola plant was setting up a fashion show based on the famous Coca-Cola calendars over the years, and the call was going out to famous film stars, asking them to bring their favorite pages to life. Proceeds from the show would be used to benefit war relief funds. It took Gene no more than the flip of a bottle cap to agree to be a part of this wonderful fundraiser. And she knew exactly which calendar page she wanted to portray. She'd seen it in the little grocery she frequented on La Cienega, hanging right above the big red Coca-Cola cooler. January/February 1943. An Army nurse taking a break from her duties for a refreshing Coca-Cola break before returning to helping those in need… The night of the big show, star after star stepped to the end of the runway, much to the delight of the adoring crowd. But when Gene appeared, dressed in her starched cap, white uniform and military nurse's cape, there was a hush-then a tremendous cheer. Gene stepped forward and held her Coca-Cola bottle high. "A toast—to the angels of mercy who have That Extra Something: the power to heal and the determination never to quit!" See more Savannah, Georgia photos at my regular website. To see more Gene Marshall doll photos, visit my regular website.
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All About the Eyes is a Gene Marshall doll exclusive to the Gene Marshall convention XIII. SKU: 92067 Released: 2008 Edition: 300 Company: Integrity Toys
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Willow shows Madra Lord. SKU: 92082 Released: 2009 Company: Integrity Toys
When it comes to Gene's first year, my website didn't have too many photos of Gene's first outfits. I decided to rectify that by shooting ...
When I first began collecting historical dolls and focused on dolls representing people from ancient history, I successfully bid on a Gene doll dressed as the "Daughter of the Nile". She remains one of my favorites but I really didn't know that much about the history behind this particular Gene incarnation until I read a vendor's description of another "Daughter of the Nile" offered for sale recently on Ebay: Gene was the conception of fashion illustrator Mel Odom and produced by The Ashton-Drake Galleries. Gene is 15-1/2" of poseable, collector-quality vinyl with a finish that mimics fine porcelain; hand painted features, hand-applied lashes, period coiffure rooted and styled by hand; wardrobe crafted of quality fabrics like those worn by real Hollywood stars of the era; Impeccable tailoring details - hand-sewn fastenings, fully lined dresses, seamed hose; fabulous accessories designed precisely to scale. "Daughter of the Nile" is dressed in an exotic Egyptian gown, reminiscent of the alluring costumes creased for the historical epic movies so popular in their time, circa 1952. The gown is hand-beaded with faux gold, turquoise, coral and lapis lazuli on a sheath dress of silk crepe, lined in pale silk. Finely pleated, the sheer turquoise chiffon robe ripples as fluidly as the Nile. Includes gold metallic sandals, dangle earrings, and hand-beaded bracelets, headdress and arm bands. Her raven hair spills in soft waves past her sholders. Two braids woven with gold cords cast an exotic allure - designed by renowned fashion artist Timothy Alberts. The story of Gene is that of Hollywood star Katie Marshall, who, after she was discovered by a famous Hollywood producer, adopted her beloved grandfather's name, Gene - because he had always encouraged her to follow her dream to stardom. In a bid to lure back audiences from television, Monolithic Studios poured millions of dollars and an all-star cast of thousands into a stupendous historical epic called, "The Daughter of the Nile". They cast Marshall as the female lead, the number one box office draw, and it became one of Monolithic's greatest successes." I did a little more research and found a "Gene chronology" supposedly compiled by doll producer Mel Odom. Gene was "born" April 17, 1923. Her "career", as represented in her various costumes, spans from 1941 - 1962. The "Daughter of the Nile" doll is supposed to represent her costume from a film produced in 1952 in which she plays "a priestess torn between the Pharaoh’s will and her destiny of love." The doll, designed by Timothy Alberts, was released in 1998. It was officially retired 2/12/2000. I bought another Gene doll dressed in a 194os-era army-style uniform at a local doll show. I looked through the list of Gene dolls on the chronology website and I think it must be the Gene USO doll representing the year 1944. I found this picture on an Ebay auction that looks like my doll except I don't have the USO arm band. The doll was not in a box when I purchased it so it could have been mislaid. It was designed by Doug James and released in 1999. I display her with my Effanbee General Douglas MacArthur. I also bought a Gene as the Blue Goddess [right] in an Ebay auction. I especially liked it because it reminded me of the goddesses of Greek mythology. It was designed by Tim Kennedy in 1996 and represented Gene in one of her first color films, about the stolen Blue Goddess diamond. Audiences knew the real Blue Goddess was Gene. This doll was retired in June 1999. Odom also produced a male companion for Gene named Trent. I bought a Trent styled in a costume of historical India from the 20th century Fox film "The Rains Came". I think he looks very dashing in his brocade frock coat and his rakish satin turban!
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Another commission for Gene, this one a reproduction of a 1950's Balmain coat and strapless dress. This fabric was also chosen by the client from Joann, and the cumberbund is pink silk. The inspiration pic has been in my files for a while so I was glad to have the opportunity to make this one up, The pattern turned out so well that I might do this one again in a another fabric.
Gene Marshall is my favorite doll to repaint. She has a face that can be molded with just a small addition of paint and shadow. These are some example of repaints I have sold. I have yet to paint the newer Integrity Genes and Madras. These are all from the discontinued Ashton Drake line. Some of these were painted years ago and others are very recent. I may have painted over a hundred Genes but it never gets boring. She is a wonderful doll and quite easy to find on the secondary market now. Gene's man, Trent, is also included in the above pictures. Some of these dolls were done as a commission while others were sold on ebay. Gene is also a doll that I have never tried to reroot. She has amazing factory hair that usually turns out soft and silky once washed and conditioned. Gene's mouth is also nice for creating an open mouth look. Her eyes are just smooth enough to play with the dimensions. These and other qualities make her a repainters dream.
with Mel Odom's "Tawny" Gene Marshall, produced by Integrity Toys. Her jewelry is by Joy Jarred. Hair restyled by Kathy Johnson.
angelina jolie, sybarite Noel Cruz is one of the most versatile and distinguished repaint artists in the doll community. He is most recognized for his character and celebrity based dolls due to their uncanny resemblance to the people they portray. His dolls are derived from several models like Gene, Tyler, Sydney, etc, by various doll-makers such as Robert Tonner and Franklin Mint. His repaints as well as his portraits are done with intricate detail to the point of being naturally lifelike in essence. Highly regarded among collectors and artists alike, Noel attempts to raise the bar and bring a fresh take to the common mass produced doll with every face he paints. Noel's specialty is with one of a kind repaints. The beauty of repaints is that almost no two are exactly alike just as no two artists are alike. Visit my web site at www.ncruz.com
with Mel Odom's "It Happened on Fifth Avenue" Gene Marshall, produced by JAMIEshow Dolls.
Photos of Mel Odom's doll creation, Gene Marshall and some of her Hollywood friends
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