Ladies Who Lunch/Launch/Front Row

This is a variation on the Ladies Who Launch outfit for Gene called Front Row and was an exclusive from the Lone Star Convention; the set came with a red-haired Gene. Star Entrance Gene expertly models this gorgeous period checkered outfit; I have also thrown in the black poodle for good measure.















To see if there are any outfits left to buy, be sure to check Sandra's sales page. Follow my Gene Marshall, Madra Lord, Zita Charles, Violet Waters, Trent Osborn, Poppy Parker, and other classic movie star doll updates on Twitter. See more Gene Marshall photos on my Gene Marshall web page.

Golden Gate Glamour: Pacific Heights

Special Scene Turquoise Gene, expertly restyled by Kathy Johnson in Oregon, has the honor of modeling Pacific Heights from Sandra Stillwell's Golden Gate Glamour Convention. If you've purchased from Sandra in the past, you know that her couture outfits are extremely well made and fit like a glove.















Here Gene poses with the 1961 Corvette convertible that she will touring San Francisco in:





To see if there are any outfits left to buy, be sure to check Sandra's sales page. Follow my Gene Marshall, Madra Lord, Zita Charles, Violet Waters, Trent Osborn, Poppy Parker, and other classic movie star doll updates on Twitter. See more Gene Marshall Golden Gate Glamour photos on my Gene Marshall web page.

The Talented Kathy Johnson, Pt. 2

Released in 1998, Embassy Luncheon is a circa 1951 Laura Meisner design. The doll modeling this ensemble is an Integrity Gene called Special Scene Turquoise. Often referred to as The Lucy Gene because of her flaming red hair, I sent her off to Kathy Johnson in Oregon for the full I Love Lucy treatment. Kathy expertly re-curled her bangs and fixed the ponytail that formerly hung limp with no purpose. Voila! Gene can now wear I Love Lucy outfits in style!

As for the outfit Embassy Luncheon, Gene's new hairstyle fits perfectly with the era in which Laura designed this little stunner.



From the story card:

In the summer of '51, one word was one everybody's lips—Tango, the sizzling date movie of the year. Filmed on location in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Gene and her leading man set hearts afire with their rapturous portrayals of Adell and Raoul, a strong-willed diplomat's daughter and her dark-eyed artist paramour.



In a memorable scene, Gene is hosting a luncheon for her ambassador father at the U.S. embassy. She is the model hostess—yet her gracious smile hides sadness. Her father has ruthlessly separated the two lovers, and announced her engagement to a wealthy dilettante of his choosing. Adell is crushed by her seeming abandonment by Raoul. It is during this formal and subdued diplomatic luncheon that Raoul unexpectedly returns from an enforced recruitment aboard a seagoing tanker.



In a flash, it is all too clear to Adell what her father has attempted. Tempers flare, and much is said that will later be regretted. The luncheon is shattered. Catching up her silver fox stole and purse, she lays a hand upon her lover's arm, gazing up at him with incandescent happiness. Together they walk triumphantly out of the embassy as the ambassador bellows in fury and audiences cheer for young love!



An exotic locale, rich technicolor, and some of the most breathtakingly beautiful close-ups ever taken of an actress and actor, transformed Tango from a romantic film into cinematic history.



Want to give your Gene the Lucy treatment, or have another hair idea? Send her to Kathy! Email her today: sewkj@pcez.com

Follow my Gene Marshall, Madra Lord, Zita Charles, Violet Waters, Trent Osborn, Poppy Parker, and other classic movie star doll updates on Twitter. See more Gene Marshall Embassy Luncheon photos on my Gene Marshall web page.

The Talented Kathy Johnson, Pt. 1

Released in 1995 (aka Year One), Blond Lace is a circa 1941 Tim Kennedy design. Recently, I sent a batch of dolls to the EXTREMELY talented Kathy Johnson in Oregon (email: sewkj@pcez.com). One of them was Distant Venus, an Integrity Gene Marshall with very long silver hair. We're talking long...as in waaaay long. And boring. Before banishing her to ebay, I thought I'd let Kathy attempt a little of her hairstyling magic. The only direction I gave her was a photo of the recently released Van Gogh Barbie and the directive: "Make it big...as in Texas-style." You can see the result here. This Gene is staying. I couldn't have been more thrilled with the results.



From the story card:

A new face has caught the light that only stars reflect…a rare light indeed. It shines on a young actress named Gene Marshall. She's the good-hearted cigarette girl in Blonde Lace, producer Erik von Sternberg's newest film from Monolithic. This once small role was reworked at the eleventh hour when the original star suffered an injury. Miss Marshall, dressed in the most feminine of tuxedos, does a dance number on the film's nightclub stage with an easy grace, a lilting glance, and a few breathy words guaranteed to break hearts from here to Poughkeepsie!
Blond Lace is a chic tuxedo with tailored jacket, slacks, and lace-trimmed halter top. Lace cuffs, a black velvet beret, and a tiny boutonniere complete the ensemble. With matching shoes and a "pearl" topped cane. Circa 1941.



In your very first Hollywood film, you want to establish a screen personality that makes you stand out, an image that people will carry with them long after they leave the theater! One fabulous way to do just that is to appear in man-tailored clothing, which has an uncanny way of making a beautiful woman appear even more feminine and elegant than in a lavish gown.



For Gene, the one costume that gives her genuine star quality is Blond Lace, a tuxedo she wears in her first small role as a hatcheck girl. Gene has only a few lines...but her radiant beauty, set off by the dashing black velvet beret and touches of ivory lace, make an unforgettable impression. As the credits scroll up at the end of the film, people strain to read the small print, looking for the name of the "unknown" starlet who played that stunning hatcheck girl…and Gene is on her way to becoming a full-fledged star!



Gene's three-piece tuxedo is tailored of black crepe; the ivory halter top has an attached jabot of extravagant lace. Matching lace appears at the cuffs of the jacket, and a "gardenia" pin on the lapel adds a dashing touch. And is that a gentleman's cane she holds as their eyes meet briefly, yet significantly, across the checkroom counter?



As for Kathy...yes, she takes commissions. Yes...she is very affordable. And no...you won't have to wait months and months to see what she can do for your doll! Kathy is one of the nicest people, polite, and she aims to please. Email her today: sewkj@pcez.com

Follow my Gene Marshall, Madra Lord, Zita Charles, Violet Waters, Trent Osborn, Poppy Parker, and other classic movie star doll updates on Twitter. See more Gene Marshall Afternoon Off photos on my Gene Marshall web page.

Gene Marshall Takes The Afternoon Off

Released in 1996, Afternoon Off is a circa 1947 design created by Doug James. Over a year ago, I attempted my first photo shoot of Gene wearing this outfit. I just was not crazy at all about the photos. I loved this particular costume, but the jacket just didn't drape right (once on Gene, the way it hung on her betrayed the scale) and the plaid on the skirt also seemed out of scale. In addition, the particular doll I chose didn't seem right either.



Flash forward to the present; I decided to give White Hyacinth a crack at wearing Afternoon Off. I was also fortunate enough to get the version of this ensemble that had the smaller plaid pattern on the skirt. Finally, I was happy with what I was able to shoot. The faux movie magazine that comes with this set was the perfect accessory!



From the story card:

At last! You have a chance to take an afternoon off from your ever-busy film and promotion schedule to do whatever suits your fancy! So what will it be? Shopping for a new gown to wear to that upcoming gala? Consulting with the florist to fill your home with custom arrangements? Perhaps a test-drive of that darling little silver roadster with the red leather interior?
Gene has done all these things, as genuine stars do...but she is determined that this afternoon off will be different.



She manages to slip away to a local grocery store, incognito, to pick out the ingredients for homemade vegetable soup, a favorite from her childhood. Then later, when the pot is simmering and the aroma of home cooking fills her home, she relaxes in a favorite easy chair and flips through a fan magazine in which she is prominently featured. Oh, my…just when she thinks she's read it all…can you believe what they've gone and written about her now?



For her short trip into town and the relaxing hours that follow, Gene wears a simple multi-checked skirt and a flared-cut matching grey flannel jacket. Her classic ivory sweater has beading at the neckline. Grey "suede" shoes with stylish ankle straps complete this well-tailored outfit. The exciting "exposés" in the fan magazine really do make Gene smile in spite of herself…because after all, that's Hollywood!



See more Gene Marshall Afternoon Off photos on my Gene Marshall web page.