Hollywood Canteen Report, Pt. 2

The highlight of the Hollywood Canteen was the dinner and reveal of the Convention dolls. George and Tim were dressed appropriately for the theme:



The 1944 film "Hollywood Canteen" starring Jack Benny and Bette Davis was playing in the background:



A definite bonus for the Convention was being able to meet the people that brought Gene to life and have kept her going so strong, including Mel Odom himself:



Mike Basala of Studio Commissary and Randy Simmons:



Designers extraordinaire Lynne Day and Diane Wagner:



I had the great fortune of being able to sit next to Diane at dinner; it was so nice to be able to meet her in person after having bought so many Gene outfits from her! Best of all, she was just as nice as I'd imagined she'd be. Table gifts were generously laid out at each plate. My convention newbie-self was woefully unprepared; I will have to make up for it at Sandra's Convention!



Up at the podium display there was a golden-clad Gene and Trent, waiting to be auctioned off:



Mel took a moment to pose Gene to perfection:



Closeups of the duo:





It was wonderful to hear Mel speak about his creation, Gene Marshall:



As most know by now, the Convention doll reveals were Marsha Hunt and Cary, a new Jamieshow male inspired by Cary Grant.



Mel proudly posing with Marsha:



My report finishes out with shots of the rest of the Hollywood Canteen collection, beginning with Trent:



I really wasn't planning on getting another Trent, but the highly detailed outfit was not something I could resist. George had told me that the medals were all custom created, just as the daisy buttons for Madra were:



Ivy:



Two Violets; which color do you prefer?



Oona:



Zita Charles:



Last, but certainly not least, is the newest Gene Marshall. I could not believe how beautiful the doll AND outfit were. This one was a complete winner for me, rivaling J'Adore:





That just about covers the highlights of my first Convention. Will I see all of you at Sandra Stillwell's New Orleans Convention in August?

See more Gene Marshall Hollywood Canteen Convention photos at my website.

Hollywood Canteen Report, Pt. 1

After all these years, I was finally able to attend my first Gene Marshall Convention. Held at the Warwick Allerton Hotel in Chicago, Jamieshow's Hollywood Canteen was a blast...that also blasted out everyone's wallets! So many cool things to see (and purchase).



A view of this renovated historic hotel during the day:



The hotel was conveniently located on Michigan Avenue (aka the Miracle Mile of shopping). My room was spacious and perfectly appointed.



One of the first sites that greeted attenders was this amazingly detailed diorama of the Hollywood Canteen.



Most of Gene's friends were represented including Ivy Jordan:



Marlena, spinning the wheel for the boys:



...and even a few sailors!



As we waited in our seats to watch a documentary on actress and activist Marsha Hunt, George quietly walked through the audience with a brilliant orange-clad Violet Waters convention doll.



Before this wonderful documentary began to roll, Mel got up to speak a bit about Marsha, who is a very dear friend of his.



I knew very little about Hunt before seeing this movie, but have to say that I gained a deep respect for her. Besides her acting talents, she has spent her life standing up for truth and human rights, especially during a time when speaking out was not very popular.



It was fantastic to see some of the OOAK creations that were on display that night:





These two gowns caused audible gasps from passersby:





More to come with part 2!

See more Gene Marshall Hollywood Canteen Convention photos at my website.

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