Ready for the Easter Parade: Pink with Envy

For my Easter post, Gene has raided Madra’s closet and borrows Pink with Envy. Designed by Bob Lange, Madra Lord’s circa 1952 ensemble is seen here being modeled in Savannah, Georgia’s Bonaventure Cemetery. You can see the beautiful azaleas in full bloom here. From the story card:

1952. While the success of “First Encounter” was still fresh in the studio’s mind, Madra Lord decided that it was time to strike while the iron (and the actress) was hot. For although her recent roles had been both juicy and meaty—she was ready for a little dessert to round out her cinematic buffet. And so Madra’s campaign began.

One morning, sitting in her steam cabinet, her phone began to ring. Grumbling, she wrapped herself in a Turkish towel and headed for the phone nook. On the other end of the line was Ruben Lilienthal’s assistant.

“Can you get here right away? You’ve finally worn R.L. down and he’s agreed to see you IF you can be here in an hour. He says he’ll order lunch in…”

“About time!” thought Madra—as she dashed through a quick shower and fixed her face and hair. But what to wear…”

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Gene Marshall as Calendar Girl: That Something Extra Gene Doll

"Calendar Girl: That Extra Something" was a limited edition of 3,000, authorized by The Coca-Cola Company and based on a vintage Calendar. This hard to find doll comes with an easel board re-creating the original calendar page. Shot #1 here shows Gene at the now defunct Candler Hospital in Savannah, Georgia. From the story card:

The United States was smack dab in the middle of WWII-and everyone was out to do their part. So when Gene got a call from the local Coca-Cola bottler, she listened with interest. Here was the proposition: the local Coca-Cola plant was setting up a fashion show based on the famous Coca-Cola calendars over the years, and the call was going out to famous film stars, asking them to bring their favorite pages to life. Proceeds from the show would be used to benefit war relief funds.



It took Gene no more than the flip of a bottle cap to agree to be a part of this wonderful fundraiser. And she knew exactly which calendar page she wanted to portray. She'd seen it in the little grocery she frequented on La Cienega, hanging right above the big red Coca-Cola cooler. January/February 1943. An Army nurse taking a break from her duties for a refreshing Coca-Cola break before returning to helping those in need…



The night of the big show, star after star stepped to the end of the runway, much to the delight of the adoring crowd. But when Gene appeared, dressed in her starched cap, white uniform and military nurse's cape, there was a hush-then a tremendous cheer. Gene stepped forward and held her Coca-Cola bottle high. "A toast—to the angels of mercy who have That Extra Something: the power to heal and the determination never to quit!"





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Savannah

I usually know immediately whether I like something or not. My first inclination on this Gene was to pass. Sometimes a cheap price on ebay can sway me to think, “What the heck.” Such is the case with “Savannah.” The dress is pretty enough, but as for scale and authentic design, this one falls a little short and instead looks more like a costume than a period outfit. The designer of this circa 1860 outfit was Katie McHale, winner of the Ashton-Drake Young Designers of America Student Competition. Kudos to Mel and Ashton-Drake for supporting up-and-coming young talent. From the story card:

“Look Away, Look Away” was a Saga of a Simpler South, where chivalry still was the order of the day—and a strong-minded woman was a rare treasure.

Gene stars as just such a heroine. After her mother’s untimely death, Gene assumes her mother’s duties, from running the plantation in Savannah for her politician father and serving as his hostess to raising her twin sisters and finding them suitable husbands.

But when it comes to her own life, there has yet to be a cavalier to sweep her off her feet. Except…

I can almost hear the “Theme from Tara” now!

P.S. Where can I find a cool Gene-sized staircase like the prop in the publicity photo? Wow!

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