Black Lipstick and Gray Lady

I have admired the photos I've seen of the custom outfits made for the original vinyl gray lady. When I received Black Lipstick, I thought she needed something special as well. Diane Wagner is my go-to gal when it comes to creating outfits that are timeless and tailored perfectly. With a Wayne Nilson dress for inspiration, I asked Diane to change it up a bit by making the skirt black and changing the color of the trim as well.



I could not have been more pleased with the results. Hairstyles by Kathy Johnson, my go-to gal for the best in 'dos!



See more Gene Marshall doll photos on my regular website.

USO at the Hollywood Canteen

In celebration of the upcoming Jamieshow Hollywood Canteen Convention in Chicago, I finally got Ashton Drake's USO outfit and had J'Adore try it on. Hairstyles by none other than the talented Kathy Johnson.



This highly detailed Doug James outfit is a beauty, and comes with the microphone shown in the photos. The original doll that came with this outfit also had auburn hair. The trunk was sold separately.



See more Gene Marshall doll photos on my regular website.

Gene for the Holidays

Just in time for the Holidays, George & Mel have released the latest resin Jamieshow Gene Marshall titled "Holiday Hostess."

I am digging her face paint; absolutely beautiful!



And how about this beautiful case and accessories? I see plenty of photo opportunities for the stool and vanity set.



With a limited edition of 125, this one will sell out quickly.



To get your own Holiday Hostess before she sells out, visit the Jamieshow site.

See more Gene Marshall Integrity doll photos on my regular website.

Follow my Gene Marshall, Madra Lord, Zita Charles, Violet Waters, Trent Osborn, Poppy Parker, and other classic movie star doll updates on Twitter.

Plum Role

I avoided this 2008 Gene Marshall doll from Integrity because of the pixie haircut; not a fan of it on Gene. But…I do like the outfit; especially the shoes, so recently I caved in and dipped into Gene's purse to buy it.



From the IT website:

Gene nabs the plum role in this three-piece satin finish cocktail suit. Styled with an abbreviated bolero jacket sporting three-quarter sleeves and an expansive circular collar, our trim suit is a lovely exercise in three-color harmony. The jacket and skirt are cut of the deepest shade of plum and paired with sparkling white in the satin blouse and accessories of white ‘leather’ gloves (note: the actual gloves that came with the outfit were satin) and smart pillbox hat.



White, trimmed in black shoes and bag complete the accessories and a nosegay of small white blooms is pinned to the jacket or perhaps at the waistband of the skirt. Gene’s brunette pixie-cut is punctuated by gold earrings. It’s a smart girl in a smart suit that catches the plum role.



From the Star File Script:

Gene was on Cloud Nine -- maybe Cloud Ten!

It seemed like only the other day that Dr. and Mrs. Marshall had bundled her off to New York for a holiday and to see the long-running, ever-popular play "Green Eyes." And now, here Gene was, in Hollywood, starring in the movie version as Nora, the little innocent in the Big Bad World of publishing.

In a way, it was a little like Life reflects Art!

Standing on a small box in the costume shop, expected to be still while the fitters flittered around her with tape measures and pins, Gene had time to stop thinking about playing Nora and reflect a little on herself and how much she and Nora were alike.

"After all," Gene thought, "I AM still pretty naive when it comes to the game playing and politics of the Movie Biz."

But over teh short time she'd been in Tinsel Town, she'd come to know who to trust, whome to doubt — and who was actually a sheep in wolf's clothing (aka, Madra Lord).



And just like Nora, she knew that she was where she should be. And she also knew that she would continue to succeed-and she smiled in anticipation of what she hoped would be a long and lustrous career as the thing she'd always dreamed of being -- a REAL movie STAR!

"There, finished!" said the head fitter, just as the costumer came through the door of the shop to survey the work that had been done.

"Perfect, as usual." said the costumer. Bit then again, Gene, you are indeed one of my favorite stars to dress -- you were MADE for the mvoies, and for the role of Nora!"

At that, Gene smiled a glorious smile.

"What are you thinking?" asked the head fitter.

"Just that I feel a little like Jack Horner," giggled Gene. "But I've pulled out a Plum... Role!!"



In other Gene news, it's definitely not too early to register for May 2016's Jamieshow Convention in Chicago. There are a limited amount of tickets available, and those who snooze…will definitely lose!

For more information and registration, visit the 2016 Hollywood Canteen Convention site.

See more Gene Marshall Integrity doll photos on my regular website.

Follow my Gene Marshall, Madra Lord, Zita Charles, Violet Waters, Trent Osborn, Poppy Parker, and other classic movie star doll updates on Twitter.

Something's Got To Give with Gene

I have always thought this fur-trimmed ensemble from the unfinished Marilyn Monroe film "Something's Got To Give" was ultra chic. When Diane Wagner agreed to recreate it for me, I was so excited to have Gene model it that I did a quick photo session. I was not so excited about the result. The photos just seemed lackluster.

Enter Kathy Johnson, hairstylist supreme.

She spruced up the same wig and voila, Gene has got her oomph back. The added diamond pin didn't hurt, either.



Her feet were tired from posing so she had to sit down.



Wearing a new Jamieshow wig called The Hutton which was a prize I received from the AWESOME Studio Commissary!:



The fur hat that goes with this ensemble looks much better with a less poofy hairdo:



See more Marilyn Monroe doll photos on my regular website.

Pioneer Women

In Season 1, episode 25 of "I Love Lucy" titled "Pioneer Women," Lucy and Ethel revolt against housework and want modern conveniences, specifically a dishwasher. Their husbands refuse, betting that they can survive longer than the girls without using anything invented after 1900, including electricity. The Franklin Mint released an outfit representing the checkered shirt, jeans, and apron that Lucille Ball wore during this episode.



The highlight of the episode is when Lucy attempts to bake a loaf of bread from scratch, using 13 cakes of yeast instead of the 3 that the recipe calls for.



See more "I Love Lucy" doll photos on my regular website.

Happy July 4th from J'Adore!

No other Gene Marshall outfit is quite so perfect for July 4th as Stand Up and Cheer by Dolly Cipolla.



This circa 1944 costume released in 1999 also came with a festive "noisemaker."



J'Adore does a wonderful job modeling this holiday ensemble. Happy 4th to all!

See more Gene Marshall photos on my regular website.

Follow my Gene Marshall, Madra Lord, Zita Charles, Violet Waters, Trent Osborn, Poppy Parker, and other classic movie star doll updates on Twitter.

Midnight Gamble: Who Wears It Better?

1998's Midnight Gamble is a beautiful circa 1953 outfit by Doug James. The beaded jacket reminds me of Judy Garland, who often wore similar garments for her concerts.

The dress underneath does very well on its own. Here, Gene raises an arm to her fans.



These first three photos show the original doll paired with this outfit.



Using one of the new wig caps from the Le Jazz Hot Convention in Chicago, J'Adore Gene steals the outfit from her Ashton Drake counterpart.



So who do you think wears it better? J'Adore seems ready challenge you if you choose otherwise!



See more Gene Marshall photos on my regular website.

Deja Vu: Dramatic Entrance

I was pleasantly surprised by this Tonner outfit for their Deja Vu line. It actually looks as good in person as the photos. Other than the typical white stitching on black fabric, I found very little to nitpick over. Black Lipstick Gene Marshall models the 1920's era dress and coat which is very reminiscent of Cruella de Vil.



The location is West Hollywood's historic 1929 El Mirador Apartments. These shots could not be duplicated today, as the place is all boarded up.



If you are interested in buying this outfit from Tonner, just be aware that the dress is a bit tight in back. I was able to get it to button, but it took a lot of stretching.

See more Gene Marshall photos on my regular website.

Follow my Gene Marshall, Madra Lord, Zita Charles, Violet Waters, Trent Osborn, Poppy Parker, and other classic movie star doll updates on Twitter.

The Bride of Tommy

I have subscribed to a blog called Tommydoll. Each one of Tommy's posts are typically long but they are well worth the time it takes to read (don't skim!). Informative, funny, and a doll collector's dream. Most of his posts detail the outfits that he creates by hand. The planning and detailing that goes into each one of his creations is amazing. On his latest post, I was blown away by the wedding dress that a client commissioned him to make. I was even more astounded that the client changed his mind at the end and decided that they didn't want it. Yup. If you are fortunate, you could be the owner of this sumptuous bridal ensemble. Read all about it at Tommy's Blog: http://tommydoll.com/2015/06/10/the-art-of-the-bride/

See more Gene Marshall photos on my regular website.

Follow my Gene Marshall, Madra Lord, Zita Charles, Violet Waters, Trent Osborn, Poppy Parker, and other classic movie star doll updates on Twitter.

The Arrival of Black Lipstick

Yesterday, the much anticipated 20th Anniversary Gene Marshall Black Lipstick arrived. I don't think I have ever unpacked and photographed a doll so quickly.



LOVE her facepaint. The makeup seems a bit heavier, more reminiscent of the Integrity days, and that is exactly what I was hoping for. Even the eyelashes seem fuller…still in scale, but thicker. Hey Tonner! Pay attention! Good 16" doll lashes do exist.



My one wish would have been for the skin tone to be a bit lighter; less gray and more milky. Still, she photographs like a dream.





She looks fantastic with raven hair, too. I will definitely be doing a lot more photos of her wearing darker wigs.



What is next for Gene? Who knows, but in this shot she is definitely looking forward to it!



See more Gene Marshall photos on my regular website.

Trent in Kid Valentine

Released in 2001, "Kid Valentine" was one of the first Trent Osborn outfits from Ashton Drake. Jamieshow Trent does a great job modeling this, with a nod to 1939 "Kid Nightingale" starring John Payne.



From the story card:

I’ve been boxing ever since I was big enough to make a fist. Back before there was even such a thing as the Golden Gloves. Back when you went to the local gymnasium and volunteered to be a sparring partner or when Father Pat put together a match at the Parish to keep fighting off the streets and under the eye of a watchful and fair adult.

So when my film Kid Valentine went into production, I knew all the right moves. It just took a little training to get back into shape.



What a great script! It all revolved around college professor Mr. Heart (a bookish type played by yours truly) who hears of a student trapped in a shady boxing syndicate. The student, trying to earn enough to get through school, is just about to fall into the clutches of the bad guys (not to mention the boss’s sultry wife, played by Madra Lord), when who should come to his rescue? Bookish Professor Me, who is really a professional boxer, once known in the ring as Kid Valentine.

Ordering his student into hiding, Professor Heart once again dons the fighting togs of Kid Valentine and faces up to the syndicate (along with his compatriots from the college’s law school), winning the bout and his students’ respect at the same time. And so Kid Valentine hangs up his gloves again—at least until he’s needed to fight for justice one more time.

They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore...

See more Trent Osborn photos on my regular website.

Trent as Major E. Laine

This outfit from 2005's Decade of Dreams convention is called Major E. Laine and was released with a doll in a limited edition of 250. Modeled by Jamieshow's Trent, he is ready for service!



From the story card:

Ah, 1951! That was the year I had the privilege of starring once more with my dearest Gene Marshall in I’ll Take Manhattan. It was a fun film where I got to romance Gene as Major Eric Laine.



“Major E. Laine” was one of my favorite roles of my post-war pictures. Audiences flocked to the theater to see not only whether “Honey” would conquer the fashion world up against “Lotta”—but to see her up against the Major in those romantic scenes I’m so terribly good in.



In addition, this movie contains one of my favorite “in-jokes” of all time. I’m sure you’ll all agree! You see, in a flashback sequence, heroine “Honey” meets up with Major E. Laine, an old family friend, during the war. After a bit of small talk, she notices the back of his flight jacket, which is emblazoned with a pin-up picture of a beautiful maiden and the words, “Our Gal, Gene!”



“Who’s that?” a wide-eyed “Honey” asks.

“Our ‘mascot’! You know—that beautiful actress, Gene Marshall.”

“Never heard of her,” “Honey” replies.



And the dead-pan look on her face made usually “One-Take” me break up so much we had to do TEN takes before I could get it right!

See more Trent Doll photos on my regular website.