The Talented Kathy Johnson, Pt. 2

Released in 1998, Embassy Luncheon is a circa 1951 Laura Meisner design. The doll modeling this ensemble is an Integrity Gene called Special Scene Turquoise. Often referred to as The Lucy Gene because of her flaming red hair, I sent her off to Kathy Johnson in Oregon for the full I Love Lucy treatment. Kathy expertly re-curled her bangs and fixed the ponytail that formerly hung limp with no purpose. Voila! Gene can now wear I Love Lucy outfits in style!

As for the outfit Embassy Luncheon, Gene's new hairstyle fits perfectly with the era in which Laura designed this little stunner.



From the story card:

In the summer of '51, one word was one everybody's lips—Tango, the sizzling date movie of the year. Filmed on location in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Gene and her leading man set hearts afire with their rapturous portrayals of Adell and Raoul, a strong-willed diplomat's daughter and her dark-eyed artist paramour.



In a memorable scene, Gene is hosting a luncheon for her ambassador father at the U.S. embassy. She is the model hostess—yet her gracious smile hides sadness. Her father has ruthlessly separated the two lovers, and announced her engagement to a wealthy dilettante of his choosing. Adell is crushed by her seeming abandonment by Raoul. It is during this formal and subdued diplomatic luncheon that Raoul unexpectedly returns from an enforced recruitment aboard a seagoing tanker.



In a flash, it is all too clear to Adell what her father has attempted. Tempers flare, and much is said that will later be regretted. The luncheon is shattered. Catching up her silver fox stole and purse, she lays a hand upon her lover's arm, gazing up at him with incandescent happiness. Together they walk triumphantly out of the embassy as the ambassador bellows in fury and audiences cheer for young love!



An exotic locale, rich technicolor, and some of the most breathtakingly beautiful close-ups ever taken of an actress and actor, transformed Tango from a romantic film into cinematic history.



Want to give your Gene the Lucy treatment, or have another hair idea? Send her to Kathy! Email her today: sewkj@pcez.com

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Iced Coffee

Released in 1997, this circa 1946 creation was designed by Laura Meisner. It is easy to see where it's name comes from, as it looks like the most delectable cup of java one could ever imagine! I used the Marceline Gene Marshall as the model, and had to eliminate the golden snood as it didn't look right with her hairdo.



From the story card:

Surely magic was in the air during the making of Voodoo Blues, one of the most beloved film classics of the 1940s.

The sound stages of Monolithic Studios were transformed into the sultry, sensuous city of New Orleans. Gene was never so bewitching than as the star chanteuse of a blues nightclub. Deeply in love with the handsome heir of a wealthy plantation family, Gene pours out her tale of unrequited love to the backstage assistant, a kindly but mysterious old man. He offers to cast a voodoo spell on her beloved. “Tonight, when you sing,” the eerie old man says, “he will be unable to resist you.” Believing in his hypnotic words, Gene steps on stage.

In the misty spotlight she glows like a creamy pearl, wearing a café-au-lait chiffon gown that pours over her slim curves in a liquid column of ivory satin. When she sings the first number—“My baby makes me nervous like…iced coffee”—she catches her lover’s eyes and holds him spellbound. She purrs into the mic in a sensuous, throaty alto as though whispering in his ear. Her gloved fingers lightly cup the mic during the song's heartrending refrain, the diamond jewels trembling with the passion of her singing.

Her love is enraptured and vows to marry her. Though his family fights their union, Gene wins them over by the movie's end. The old man was a fraud, but his wise trick gave Gene confidence in her own magic…the most irresistible of all…the timeless magic of a woman in love.







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 Gene Marshall photos at my regular website.

Embassy Luncheon

Let me set the scene: it’s 1951, and our gal Gene is in Buenos Aires, Argentina filming the movie “Tango.” She wears this outfit in the Embassy Luncheon scene; her character in “Tango” is an ambassador's daughter in love with an Argentine painter. Designed by Laura Meisner, this 1998 ensemble also looks like it belongs in the classic TV movie, “The Two Mrs. Grenvilles.” In fact, much of what Gene wears looks as if it could have been from that movie starring Ann Margret and Claudette Colbert, which had Donald Brooks and Sue Yelland as costume designers. From the storycard:

In the summer of ’51, one word was on everybody’s lips—Tango, the sizzling date movie of the year. Filmed on location in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Gene and her leading man set hearts afire with their rapturous portrayals of Adell and Raoul, a strong-willed diplomat’s daughter and her dark-eyed, artist paramour.

As with the previous outfits that I have posted here, they are classic. Simple, elegant, tasteful, and classy. Here’s the description of what Gene wears: a sleek black sheath of wool crepe. The high standing collar is hand embellished with black beads. Entire dress is fully lined. Accessorized with a matching belt, silver faux fox fur stole, lined in deep red, petal hat, gloves with black bead work, drop earrings, nylons, suede sling back heels and beaded clutch purse. Ironically, these little fashion doll outfits probably cost more than the REAL outfits cost back in 1951. Wowee kazowee.

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