Gene Marshall: Spring In Central Park

Even though it has taken me ages to photograph it, this particular Gene doll and outfit are a fave of mine. This circa 1953 ensemble was released in 2002 in an edition of 1000, available exclusively at FAO Schwarz. The hair reminds me of Joan Crawford (I am sure at some point she will model some of Joan’s outfits). For the first photo, Gene is posing in Central Park. For the next two, she is standing in front of some blossoming azaleas in Savannah, Georgia.

From the story card:

The “clop-clip-clop-clip” of horses’ hooves played a lilting tattoo as Gene Marshall sat with her luncheon companion in the back of the carriage ambling its way through Central Park.

It was early spring, and Gene was in New York City on a quick visit to sign some papers for the studio’s East Coat lawyers—but she’d extended her time there to see old friends and catch a show or two.

The invitation to lunch and a carriage ride in Central Park was too much to resist. In addition to the good company, there was just something about being in this woody oasis in the middle of the City's hustle and bustle that filled her with wonder and joy.



It being so early in the season, small patches of snow huddled white against the bottoms of the trees, firmly refusing to fall victim to the sun, who poked his smiling face through the gray clouds just enough to tease. The air was warm enough to be without a wrap for the first time in months—although Gene took advantage of the slight waft of new-blossom-scented breeze to nestle a little closer to her companion.

Suddenly, it appeared that the sun could take it no longer. Out he sprang, setting the surface of Central Park Lake glittering with a million watery diamonds—making Gene smile as she reveled in the beauty of Central Park in the spring.







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Sunday Afternoon

Abigail Haskell created this circa 1953 ensemble, released in 1999. The design of this outfit is thoroughly vintage. My gripe? It would be much better if the scale pattern of the dots were just a little smaller. This is probably one of the most difficult thing about doing dolls that are smaller than 18"-20" in height; the scale. As you'll note though, it didn’t stop me from purchasing it! From the story card:

“Rain Song” had wrapped for the weekend—and Gene was taking advantage of the Sunday afternoon off to take a stroll by the New England seaside. Her thoughts travelled back to family vacations when the Marshalls left Cos Cob for their cottage on the coast.

Walking along the wharf in her casual Sunday best, she stoped at a small stand that sold souvenirs. The grizzled salt who ran the stand was deftly assembling a ship-in-a-bottle when Gene walked in. He looked up, and his tired eyes grew brighter as he squinted at her.

“Scuse me, miss—but don’t I know you?” he said.

Gene blushed prettily. “I don’t think so, captain. My name is Katie—I’m from Cos Cob…”

“Been a lot of places, but I never been there,” the captain said. He thought for a minute, then snapped his fingers. “Of course—you look just like that pretty movie star, Miss Gene Marshall. She’s one of my favorites.”

Katie sure is having fun being incognito! To see more Gene Marshall photos, visit my regular website.