Bon Bon

Released in 2003, this Fan Appreciation doll called “Bon Bon” was released in a limited edition of 500, designed by Van Craig. I prefer this circa 1944 showgirl costume over Birds of Paradise.

The doll shown here is actually the bald Integrity Convention Doll “Daily Threads.” I knew she'd come in handy! Gene now looks like she’s ready for The Moulin Rouge.



From the story card:

In the 1944 thriller Bon Bon, Gene Marshall once again surprised and thrilled her fans.

The film tells the story of a famous demimonde and cabaret artiste named Bon Bon. But although Bon Bon's public image is that of a high-living showgirl, Bon Bon has been secretly recruited as a freedom-fighter for the Underground and is one of its most dedicated members. Her mission is to pass information, coded into the musical numbers she performs for all her adoring fans—and for her one mysterious contact in the audience.

All goes well—until enemy agents uncover Bon Bon's double life. In a breath-catching, heart-clutching chase, Bon Bon races back to the theatre with vital information, pursued by her gun-wielding foes.



The chase climaxes with an incredible production number. Bon Bon breathlessly arrives in her dressing room, jams a chair against the door and snatches her costume from the hanger. As her pursuers pound on the door, Bon Bon hurries through a side door and down into the lower corridors under the stage.

Above, the show is in progress, as a large candy box center stage slowly opens to reveal its contents: frilled paper cups filled with “truffles”—a bevy of showgirls in spangled ruffles. Changed and ready, Bon Bon steps onto the platform that will lift her up and through the center of the candy box to deliver her coded message. But just as the lift starts, a shot rings out. Bon Bon clutches her shoulder as she rises up and out of sight, away from her pursuers—but has she the strength to perform—and deliver her precious information?



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 & Friends photos at my regular website.

Two Genes

Another unknown tale and lost opportunity for our gal Gene. In 1951, Gene Marshall’s career was still riding high at Monolithic Studios. Over at MGM, musical genius Arthur Freed thought it would be fantastic to get Gene Marshall to play opposite Gene Kelly in “Singin’ In The Rain” as Lina Lamont, the shrewish beauty with a voice unfit for the silver screen. Gene M. read the part and loved it; what an opportunity to show off her comic talents! As you can see in photo one, Gene was doted over by the makeup and wardrobe department at MGM; everyone at the studio was so excited to have Gene Marshall on the lot. Everyone except for Gene Kelly. Fearful that she might steal the movie from him, Gene made it no secret that he was against the casting of Gene Marshall as Lina Lamont. Esther Williams warned our gal Gene that Kelly could be a beast to work with; and she knew firsthand from “Take Me Out To The Ballgame.”

Taking the high road, Gene Marshall attempted to ignore Kelly’s snide remarks to her and his constant complaints about her being miscast. Shortly after this scene was filmed, Kelly said something to Gene that was inaudible to the rest of the crew, but it was enough to make Gene Marshall turn beet red...and walk off the set. MGM and Monolithic covered up the incident and quickly hired Jean Hagen to take Gene’s place, thus losing the opportunity to have two talented Genes working together in the same film.



Instead, Gene Marshall starred in the blockbuster film “Paris Moon.” In public, she always had nothing but nice things to say about dancer Gene Kelly; in private, it was a different story.

Here are some of the wardrobe shots that MGM took of Gene before she walked out, wearing the gorgeous "La Femme d'Intrigue" costume designed by Van Craig.













See more Gene Marshall photos at my regular website.