Grace Kelly/Rear Window series, Pt. 3

Ladies Who Launch Gene is back, standing in for Grace Kelly, modeling my favorite “Rear Window” creation by Diane on Whidbey Island. Photos do not do justice to this outfit; the pleats and other details are difficult to capture due to the all-black coloration of the dress. Just take my word for it—it’s gorgeous.











And a photo of the actual Grace wearing this costume in the movie, with costar Jimmy Stewart:



For a little bonus today, I got my Franklin Mint vinyl Grace Kelly out to model the oufit. Seemed only natural since it was originally worn by Grace in the movies.



If you’ve seen a Franklin Mint Grace Kelly, then you’ll know I’ve fiddled with mine. Her eyes are painted too large, her head is too big for her body, and she comes with one hairdo: pulled back tight in a bun. Thanks to Kathy from Oregon, she now has a Grace ’do. This photo shows what her face looked like before I photoshopped it. Yes, the eyes are a little scary. One day when I get the time, I’ll do a repaint.



One more of Grace, taken from the balcony of her San Francisco apartment:



See more Gene Marshall photos at my regular website.

Grace Kelly/Rear Window series, Pt. 2

Diane on Whidbey Island is (again) the talent that recreated this Grace Kelly outfit based on the Edith Head design from Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window.” Today, Gene Marshall “Star Entrance” is the stand-in for Grace. This time I remembered the pearls.





And a photo of the actual Grace wearing this costume in the movie:



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Grace Kelly/Rear Window series, Pt. 1

The extremely talented Diane on Whidbey Island has created a whole slew of Grace Kelly outfits based on the Edith Head designs from Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window.” Today is the first entry in this multi-part series. I thought “Ladies Who Launch” Gene was the most appropriate to stand in for Grace.





Two shots of the actual Grace wearing this costume in the movie, also starring Jimmy Stewart:





I should have put Gene in a strand of pearls. Oh well...next time.

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Two Genes

Another unknown tale and lost opportunity for our gal Gene. In 1951, Gene Marshall’s career was still riding high at Monolithic Studios. Over at MGM, musical genius Arthur Freed thought it would be fantastic to get Gene Marshall to play opposite Gene Kelly in “Singin’ In The Rain” as Lina Lamont, the shrewish beauty with a voice unfit for the silver screen. Gene M. read the part and loved it; what an opportunity to show off her comic talents! As you can see in photo one, Gene was doted over by the makeup and wardrobe department at MGM; everyone at the studio was so excited to have Gene Marshall on the lot. Everyone except for Gene Kelly. Fearful that she might steal the movie from him, Gene made it no secret that he was against the casting of Gene Marshall as Lina Lamont. Esther Williams warned our gal Gene that Kelly could be a beast to work with; and she knew firsthand from “Take Me Out To The Ballgame.”

Taking the high road, Gene Marshall attempted to ignore Kelly’s snide remarks to her and his constant complaints about her being miscast. Shortly after this scene was filmed, Kelly said something to Gene that was inaudible to the rest of the crew, but it was enough to make Gene Marshall turn beet red...and walk off the set. MGM and Monolithic covered up the incident and quickly hired Jean Hagen to take Gene’s place, thus losing the opportunity to have two talented Genes working together in the same film.



Instead, Gene Marshall starred in the blockbuster film “Paris Moon.” In public, she always had nothing but nice things to say about dancer Gene Kelly; in private, it was a different story.

Here are some of the wardrobe shots that MGM took of Gene before she walked out, wearing the gorgeous "La Femme d'Intrigue" costume designed by Van Craig.













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For Dennis: Butterfly Shadow

When this doll came out, I easily resisted it. I wasn't crazy about the dress, the hairdo, or anything else about it. Flash forward to a post by Gene fan Dennis and a follow-up email, he talked me into getting it. I found it at an extremely low price and couldn’t pass it up. This is what we call “enabling” in the world of collecting.

Is it one of my faves? Definitely not. However, for the price I paid for it and the fact that it’s the last Ashton-Drake Gene Marshall, sure...I’m glad I have it. She has grown on me and I am sure she will bjavascript:void(0)e a good model in a number of other Gene outfits that I own.

Gene begins this post posing in Los Angeles’ Chinatown.











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Gene Marshall in Funny Face

Gene digs into the Madame Alexander closet and pulls out this outfit from the Audrey Hepburn movie, “Funny Face.” Adorned with jewels from Facets by Marcia, Gilt-y Girl never looked lovelier! The dress is a little tight on Gene and I couldn’t quite fasten it in the back; again, not a big deal for these photos. I have mixed feelings about the success of the first photo here that shows Gene in place of Audrey in an actual photo from “Funny Face.” Sometimes a photoshopped background works, sometimes,...well, I'll let you be the judges.











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Bette gets a new face and do

Tonner did a nice job with the Bette Davis sculpt, but the face paint and hair are more reflective of the early 1930’s Bette Davis look than the classic 1950’s face that most people are familiar with. “All About Eve” (1950) is one of her most famous roles, and with the acquisition of the Madra Lord "All About Eve" screen test trunk, I decided it was time to do a little repainting! First, I sent Bette (Sealing the Deal, shown above) to Kathy's Hair Salon in Oregon for a new do, then I did a little repaint work on her face. I spent less than an hour reworking her eyebrows and eyes and was somewhat pleased with the results.





The dress won't fasten in back, but for the sake of these photos it didn’t really matter.







Here’s a painting I did many moons ago of Bette from the same movie; it was used by her hometown to promote a Bette film festival:



In home video news, "All About Eve" is about to be released on Blu-ray! See more Gene Marshall photos at my regular website.

Chemistry for The New Year

Today’s post puts the two Fiesta de Albuquerque souvenir dolls together, and boy do they have chemistry! Gene and Trent enjoy a little dance and a little romance as you can see from this series photos.





Watch that hand, Trent!







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