Gene in Pin-Up

One of my older outfits, yet one that took me years to photograph! Released in 1996, "Pin-Up" is a circa 1944 design by Tim Kennedy. White Hyacinth is the model for the first few photos, and J'Adore was used in the last two shots.



From the story card:

After the impact of Gene Marshall's first pin-up for the war effort, Crimson Sun, the G.I.s demanded, "Give us more!" Now Monolithic Studios has done just that with this all new pin-up poster. And it certainly gives the troops a lot more of Miss Marshall! She appears in a sizzling black teddy and matching negligée that should get every G.I.'s immediate attention. We can already hear the wolf whistles from Corregidor to the coast of France!



Pin-up is Gene's "gift" to the troops! Black laced satin teddy is accented with pink ribbon, including ribbon lacing up the back. Complete with matching lace-trimmed negligée and laced heels. No wonder the G.I.s loved it!

As a film star in the 1940s, like everyone else you are concerned with the country's war effort, and want to do what you can to support the troops stationed overseas in Europe and the Pacific. Quietly and privately, you contribute generously to the War Bond campaign, and to the Red Cross. And when your studio sees a way for you to use your star status to boost the morale of the troops, you agree to go along with the plan.

Thus it is that Gene finds herself in front of the cameras in an outfit more daring than any she has yet worn on the screen, posing for a promotional photo to be released by Monolithic Studios to cheer up "the boys" overseas.

Gene is "dynamite" in a strapless black lace teddy and matching see-through negligée. When she poses with her back to the camera, you can see that the teddy laces up the back with pink ribbon...a small but very sexy detail!



Within weeks this photo has been distributed by the thousands to troops all over the world...and what a stir it causes on all fronts! When G.I.s are interviewed about Gene in Pin-Up, they call her a "dish", and a "gorgeous dame", and get all dreamy-eyed thinking of their own wives and girlfriends back home. So it is that Gene's photo becomes the inspiration for thousands of love letters sent back from overseas.



See more Gene Marshall Doll photos on my regular website.

Gene does Gene

This 1995 (aka "Year One") release by Doug James is a very close replica of one of Gene Tierney's Oleg Cassini designed costumes from "The Ghost & Mrs Muir." Cassini was also married to the ethereal beauty at the time of the film's 1947 release. The story card for "Love's Ghost" lists this as a circa 1946 design, which puts it within the proper timeframe of the film's production.



From the Story Card:

In Gene Marshall's most unique film romance, "Love's Ghost," she plays a lovely guardian of two children in a Victorian setting. Set in a brooding period mansion, the film allows Miss Marshall to explore the question: "Can a beautiful Victorian governess find eternal happiness with a restless spirit?" Many filmgoers are debating the true meaning of the film's conclusion. See it yourself and be the judge…but be warned: take along a hanky!

Love's Ghost is the essence of Victorian elegance. Blouse is of white lawn with deeply-ruffled neckline and lace edging, and fastens with hooks and eyes down the front. Matching skirt has a separate net slip. A flowered cummerbund and matching straw hat add color. With hose, white shoes, "pearl" earrings, and hair ribbon. Circa 1946.



Imagine yourself in a "period" film set in the Victorian era. You assume the demeanor of a quiet young woman of the late nineteenth century. You learn to walk differently, to seat yourself differently in a chair when you are wearing a Victorian-era costume that sweeps around your ankles. It is an acting challenge that surely broadens your scope as a film star.

In the film titled Love's Ghost, Gene plays a governess of two lonely children. The film takes place in a spacious mansion filled with the sweetness of the children and the joyous care of their lovely teacher. And there is something else there, too: the mysterious spirit of the mystical Count, the children's father.



In this role, Gene looks ethereal in a dress reminiscent of fine Victorian fashion. It is made of simple, soft cotton. The bodice has a deep ruffled collar and billowing, elbow-length sleeves edged with lace. The only ornamentation is a pleated cummerbund trimmed with a nosegay of flowers, as if tucked there on a walk through the mansion's garden. The natural straw hat is bedecked with the same sweet flowers.

As the story unfolds, we ask: "Will the handsome Count ever appear? Will the young governess find her true love?" This costume seems to answer: "Yes!"

I tried the hat on Gene, but it just didn't look right. My model, White Hyacinth, balked, so I acquiesced and left it off!

See more Gene Marshall doll photos on my Gene web page.

Gene in Hi-Fi

Because of its vintage casual feel, Hi-Fi has always been one of my very favorite Gene Marshall outfits. I can picture my mom back in her day wearing an ensemble like this on a cool fall day. White Hyacinth was a perfect model for this circa 1954 Doug James designed sweater/capri pant combo, released in 1998. Inspired by photos I’d seen taken by another Gene fan, I located the Barbie vintage record player ornament to add to my photo shoot.



From the story card:

It's a rainy Sunday afternoon in September, and Gene is enjoying every moment of these few precious weeks at home between films. She is cozily curled up on the soft rug before the coffee table, going through the neat stacks of correspondence, letters from fans, and script proposals awaiting her attention. Delicious scents drift from the kitchen and fill the house as Gene's favorite homemade stew simmers in the slow cooker. Her dogs, Dashiell and Dottie, are happily drowsing before the fireplace. And best of all, "Blue Evening", that moody, bluesy hit record by Gene's dear friend Ina Stafford is on the hi-fi, filling the room with Ina's rich, velvety voice.

Gene finds herself humming along to the dreamy melody as she signs her name in a personal letter to a fan. As she rises to go to the desk for a stamp, she starts to sway to the music, harmonizing a soprano line to Ina's sultry alto. Her arms rise to dance with an invisible beau as a smile curves her lips and her eyes become dreamy.

The song ends and suddenly she hears applause from outside the window--it's her dear friend and sometimes leading man, dropping by for a visit and enjoying her impromptu dance. Laughing through her blushes, she welcomes him in. He walks straight to the hi-fi, starts the song again, and takes her in his arms--ready for a dance with Gene!







See more Gene Marshall photos at my regular website.

Picking A Leading Lady

White Hyacinth is one of my favorite Gene dolls. I’m more partial to the brunette Genes, and this one is especially appealing with her casual hairdo. Going through my collection, it was natural for me to want to shoot her and use her with the Derby Dreams tux-dressed Trent that I already had been working with. Sambuca seemed like an outfit that would go well with Trent’s outfit, so that’s what I dressed White Hyacinth Gene in.

No matter how much I like White Hyacinth, the "chemistry" between these two just wasn't happening for me. A few pleasing shots materialized, but nothing I was really jazzed about.



That is, until I switched Gene dolls. It was a case of right outfit, wrong doll. Thanks to Kathy from Oregon's beautiful up-do, this Integrity Gene has become one of my faves. Enjoy the rest of the shoot’s pics.











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Gene: White Hyacinth

Designed by Doug James in 1997, this circa 1946 outfit won me over slowly. Originally, I was just going to keep the outfit, but I also like the hairstyle. From the storycard:

A tempestuous romance, an intelligent, spirited heroine, and scenes of heart-wrenching poignancy that make you sigh even when reading the first draft…this is the kind of film every rising young actress dreams of starring in. You knew White Hyacinth would be one such extraordinary film.

Gene plays the devoted wife of a musician. As her husband struggles to fulfill his dream of becoming a star bandleader, Gene supports them by working as a secretary to a rich, though ruthless, banker. The banker desire Gene, and plots to ruin her marriage. Gene discovers the banker's deception and angrily hurls her defiance in his face. But his plots succeeded too well. The husband's jealousy and bitterness for his shattered dreams sunder the newlyweds apart. Audiences gasp in sympathy at the inexpressible sorrow haunting Gene's incomparable blue eyes.

But on a glorious spring day in the park the lovers reconcile, and in each other's arms the world melts away…just as do the hearts of millions of fans in that timeless, unforgettable moment of cinematic history.

Gene is a vision of fresh springtime elegance…Gene's sublime performance reminds us that love…like white hyacinths in spring…always blossoms anew.

To see more Gene Marshall & Friends photos, visit my regular website.