Time For Violet

With a new camera and a better knowledge of shooting these 16" marvels, I decided to revisit Violet Waters. Looking back at my first attempts at "Special Appearance," I was horrified! José D'Saenz's circa 1943 beautiful beaded creation deserved another session.



From the story card:

With the sound of applause still ringing in her ears, Violet Waters leaned against her dressing room door. Her debut at the little Beverly Hills jazz club had been packed, filled with eager jazz aficionados thrilled to hear the vocalist who had taken the music world by storm (and by the curious who wanted to see this plainspoken young woman who was so proud of her heritage and not afraid to say so!).

A knock came at the door, startling Violet for a moment. Then she turned and called out, "Yes?" From the other side of the door, she recognized the voice of the club's owner. As she opened the door, he burst into the dressing room, which was barely bigger than a closet. "Great job, Vi!" he cried. "You're the swinginest chick we've had here in ages! Here's to a long run. Oh, and hey, I've got a note for you from out front."



The owner handed her the note, gave her a quick hug, and walked out the door. Violet unfolded the napkin with trembling fingers. It was from Gene Marshall.

"I KNEW I saw her out front, in that jazzy black number," thought Violet. She read the note: "...studio people here who would like to meet you...' Studio? Maybe this is the break I've been hoping for!!"

Then, adjusting the orchid in her hair, smoothing her sleek white dress, and taking a deep breath, Violet went out to meet Gene, the Monolithic Pictures gang—and her future!



Hope you like these shots better; I know I do!

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 Violet Waters doll photos on my Violet doll web page.

Gene Marshall Premiere

The very first Gene doll, released in 1995, wore this outfit titled "Premiere." Designed by Tim Kennedy, this circa 1941 creation is modeled by Fashion Plot Gene instead of the original doll that it came with. For those of you that own this doll, beware...this outfit is notorious for staining Gene's delicate white "skin"!

From the story card:

"Would you know a new star if you saw one?" ask the hundreds of fans who flocked outside Monolithic Studio's latest film premiere of Blonde Lace. Fans were dazzled by the up-and-coming new star Gene Marshall—the studio's hottest new property. Miss Marshall turned all heads in a gown of black velvet and burnished gold. In this film she stepped into a starring role at the last moment...and her performance has all of Hollywood buzzing. This is a new face and talent to reckon with.

Premiere is a two-piece evening gown created for the limelight! The velvet jacket is cut straight off the shoulder and fully lined with gold lamé. The breathtaking skirt is black lace over antique gold taffeta, shimmering with hundreds of hand-applied beads and sequins, and hemmed in black velvet. Circa 1941.

Her name was actually Katie Marshall. It was only after she was discovered by a famous Hollywood producer that she adopted her beloved grandfather's name, Gene—because he had always urged her to follow her dream to Hollywood stardom.



The movies were Gene's passion, even as a young girl. Inspired by the world's great movie actresses, she developed her acting skills by winning the leads in every school play. She quickly won the hearts and admiration of everyone who saw these early performances...for even then, Gene was surely touched with stardom.

Gene was a typical, gawky young woman...but the movies taught her grace and passion, and made her heart sing with their glamour and drama!

Because Gene was single-minded about pursuing her dream, she managed to find her way to New York City. She became an usherette at a fashionable movie theater frequented by celebrities.

On a night that changed her life forever, Gene led a tall, distinguished man to his seat in the darkened theater. Her flashlight fleetingly revealed her lovely face to him. Astonished at her beauty and poise, this noted producer declared her his latest discovery, took her to Hollywood, and helped make Gene the star she always deserved to be.

Just imagine...the whole town of Hollywood is watching and the spotlight is on you. You're no longer the little girl waiting in the ticket line at the theater...or the helpful usherette, quietly leading people to their seats.

Instead, your image has been carved in light on celluloid, shining larger than life on the silver screen. The world has declared you a rising star. And now you're ready to attend your first premiere, dressed in a gown that's the stuff dreams are made of.

At Gene's premiere, stardom is still very well new to her. Gene wears her natural blonde hair parted in the center and pulled off her lovely face, then secured with small jeweled combs. Her dramatic make-up is as flawless as her complexion.

Gene's two-piece gown dramatizes her exquisite features. Her velvet jacket is cut straight-off-the-shoulder, drawing attention to her face. The shimmering gold lamé lining adds unexpected, breathtaking glamour.

Her lace skirt, over a taffeta slip the color of antique gold, shimmers with hand-applied sequins. And her "diamond" teardrop earrings are the final, radiant reminder of how far she's come in her exciting new career as a movie star!



See more Gene Marshall doll photos on my Gene Marshall doll web page.