Merry Christmas, 2013!

Here's wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas/Happy Holiday Season. J'Adore Gene is wearing "A Touch of Hospitality" as she hangs the first ornament on her tree.

With hat and purse completing her Wayne Nilson ensemble, Gene is ready to step out on the town to celebrate the holidays with friends and family.



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Crème de Cassis

Released in 1998, Crème de Cassis is a circa 1953 design created by the Timothy Alberts. Now that Gene is pretty much finito, it has been fun going back and re-discovering the outfits that I purchased long ago but haven't had a chance to photograph yet. The gaudy bracelet is actually the necklace from another outfit, but I thought a little extra sparkle would be okay for Gene. "A Touch of Hospitality" is the doll modeling for you today.

Journalists loved to interview Miss Gene Marshall. Unlike so many world-renowned Hollywood stars, she was charming, unpretentious, and refreshingly modest about her meteoric rise to fame. Her highly intelligent conversation was peppered with wit and acute insights into world events. And as she turned her glorious blue eyes on them with flattering attention, even the most jaded columnist melted.

Gene unveiled:





In his memoirs, a society columnist recalled a memorable interview he had with Gene in August of '53, sipping crème de cassis cocktails at the famous Hemingway Bar of the Ritz Hotel in the heart of Paris. He remembered their absorbing conversation—current fashions, American artists and writers in Paris, and the recent, bitter end of the Korean War. He remembered her dress—an en vogue ensemble with a certain je ne sais quoi. This was a time when haute couture reveled in a tiny waist, voluptuous curves, perfectly matched accessories, and yards of rustling, luxurious fabric hemmed twelve inches above the ankle—in celebration of the end of wartime clothing restrictions.



But most of all, he remembered the incredible glory of Gene's eyes. They mesmerized him—luminous, shimmering eyes the color of fresh spring gentians, fringed with long, sweeping lashes, enticing him with an utterly feminine mystique behind a wispy veil of black lace. Sensuous, alluring, and fascinating, his interview with Gene Marshall was a treasured, never-to-be-forgotten chapter in his life.



You may kiss Gene's hand now.



See more Gene Marshall & Friends doll photos at my regular website.

Gene Marshall: A Touch of Hospitality, Pt. 2

As promised many moons ago, here is part 2 of A Touch of Hospitality, this time featuring the outfit that Gene wears when she initially shows up at the Ladies Auxiliary. The rest of the story card:



So with excited chatter, the Ladies Auxiliary headed down the hall to a bright sunny room, where a large group of children wearing casts, bandages and hospital gowns sat playing. When the visitors entered, the children grew quiet. Then suddenly, Gene stepped into the room, dressed in a jolly holiday costume, holding a telephone. “Yes, Santa,” she said into the receiver, “I’m there now. And I have all the presents you sent. What? Yes, I’ll tell them all you said hello!” With that, she hung up and said, “Does anyone here want a present from Santa?”



The hubbub that followed will long be remembered. Surrounded by young patients, Gene had soon passed out presents, and gotten one and all laughing—which everyone knows is the best present of all!



To see my Gene Marshall photos, visit my regular website.

Gene: A Touch of Hospitality

Often times, Gene’s outfits will come with extra pieces that make it more versatile; in this case, Gene can go from festive 1952 party-goer to Santa’s Helper, all in the twinkling of an eye, thanks to costumer Wayne Nilson. The festive party outfit will have to wait until a later post. I have put Gene smack-dab in the middle of the San Jacinto Mountains, hanging ornaments on her very own flocked Christmas tree. From the story card:

“In appreciation for your devoted support of The Pediatric Hospital, pelase join us for a holiday reception in your honor,” read the invitation from the Ladies AUxiliary. Gene was thrilled—and touched. The Pediatric Hospital was one of her favorite causes,a nd just to be a part of such an organization was honor enough.

The reception went well. Gene sat and listened modestly to the many tributes. When it was time for her to speak, her speech was very simple: “I thank you for the tremendous honor you’ve given me today—but if it’s all the same to you, I’d like to take the rest of our time here and visit the children’s playroom! I’ve prepared a special surprise—I’ll meet you there…” And Gene excused herself to prepare.

To see my Gene Marshall photos, visit my regular website.