Gene Marshall: Suited For Fur

At a bargain-basement price because of some light staining on the hands (which is probably easy to remove), I was a sucker for this Jason Wu Gene Marshall—and so glad I got her! The outfit reminded me of the gray suit Kim Novak wore in “Vertigo,” except for the lavender fur of course! Rather than put the pin on the hat, I put it on her coat, as that seemed more appropriate to me. She really is a beauty, and poses very well. Gene is first shown here at Union Station in Los Angeles, wearing her circa 1947 outfit. From the included behind the scene report:

One of the pleasures of “Executive Sweet” was the ensemble cast of first-rate character actors in supporting roles. Foremost among these was actress Millie Kirk, as Gene’s ‘pretend’ mother-in-law to be. Miss Kirk had been a fixture at Monolithic Studio since the 1930’s and had made a wildly successful career of playing befuddled society matrons and clueless mothers and mothers-in-law. The scenes between Gene and Millie sparked with the genius of two generations of actress, working together at their peaks, and loving it.



Though both had worked at the same studio for years, circumstances and schedules had kept them in separate orbits. Other than having passed each other occasionally at parties and at the studio and having a nodding acquaintance, their first planned meeting as actresses and coworkers took place in the studio costume shop.

Millie sure sounds a lot like Billie Burke!



To see more Union Station photos, visit my regular website.

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

Gene Marshall: Mood Music

Designed by Lynne Day for the 1999 Gene Convention, Mood Music is a circa 1956 hostess outfit. This is a classic Susan Hayward look; I love the simplicity, the warm coppery colors of the skirt and the blouse; the aqua color of the sash is the perfect accent to an otherwise plain outfit. The record album is the kind of bonus accessory that I love! For the first photo, I posed Gene in the living room of a suite at the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood. What better place for a little informal party? From the storycard:

Hand-written invitations. Hand-delivered by the hostess.

If something like that arrived at your doorstep, how could you resist dropping by Gene Marshall’s place for an intimate cocktail party? What a perfect opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of studio demands—and just spend a little time enjoying friends and listening to the relaxing sounds of your favorite tunes.



It was a group that had fallen together naturally, drawn to each other by their love of simple things: marvelous music, fine food, close company, a lively laugh—and by the love of life itself.

Throwing this party was like a mini-vacation for Gene. There was hardly anything she liked better than putting together a gathering for her cohorts. What a wonderful way to spend the day. She was happily busy until the very last minute, arranging canapés, setting out mixers, filling ice buckets, rearranging furniture…

To see more Chateau Marmont photos, visit my regular website.

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

Meet Bette Davis

This particular Tonner doll has grown on me. The resemblance to the real Bette Davis was even more apparent to me when I started photographing the doll. My initial wish on this particular line was that Tonner would concentrate on a more mature Bette Davis; the first Bette Davis dolls seemed to be more of a 1930’s era rather than the classic 1940’s/50’s star that was more popular. The recent additions of this doll ("The Woman is Certain") and the most recent “Sealing the Deal" (extremely reminiscent of "Now Voyager") seems to be a step in the right direction.



Here's Bette in front of a New York City brownstone looking for a light.



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

Gene Marshall: Film Fatale

Designed by Lynne Day in 2005, Film Fatale is a circa 1942 outfit. With her platinum hair and all white outfit, she is reminiscent of Marlene Dietrich, Alice Faye, and Jean Harlow. I chose to pose her at The El Capitan Theater in Hollywood as if she was doing a dance number. From the storycard:

In 1942, Monolithic Studios took a chance that paid off with their newest star. Gene Marshall’s role in “Shanghai Lowdown” was that of a seemingly innocent girl in the power of the mysterious Madame Osatabi Chai Yum. But is she REALLY as innocent as she appears or is she just another femme fatale…?

One of the most striking moments in the film was one that went down in Monolithic history. In Madame Owatabi Chai Yum's den of iniquity, the floorshow is about to begin. Through the heavy haze of devilishly scented thick smoke and over the clatter of busboys' trays, a single trumpet slices the air. The lights in the club black out, leaving the patrons (and the movie audience) in the heavy darkness, breathless with anticipation.

To see more El Capitan photos, visit my regular website.

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

Gene Marshall: Revisiting Cocoa Crisp

Just never really liked my first go at photographing Cocoa Crisp, which is a Jason Wu Gene Marshall doll. So...gave it another shot and I am much happier. This is one of my faves; the outfit, the poseability, the facial paint and hair...a true classic.

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

Liz Taylor: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Another one for Liz Taylor fans, this time Elizabeth is shown on the porch of Oak Alley in New Orleans, wearing a dress from the movie “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” (1958). This particular doll also had a new hairstyle modeled after the one Liz wore in the movie. Even more so than with the "Giant" fashion, this bareshoulder ensemble shows that this doll needs some more meat on her bones to have the Boticelli beauty of its subject.

Here’s a publicity still from “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” showing the outfit that the FM doll is wearing here. Note how well the Franklin Mint replicates her necklace!



To see more New Orleans photos, visit my regular website.

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

Liz Taylor: Giant

Elizabeth Taylor is a Hollywood Legend. It is only fitting that the Franklin Mint added her to their line of celebrity vinyl portrait dolls. I am guessing she didn’t sell as well as Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball, or Scarlett O’Hara, as her dress collection is not very extensive. This particular pink gown is from the 1956 movie, "Giant," which has the dubious distinction of being James Dean’s last movie.

The sculpt on Elizabeth’s face is fairly good; unfortunately, the body is too thin and doesn’t convey the voluptuous figure that Taylor is known for.

Here’s a publicity still from “Giant” which began filming while James Dean was wrapping up “Rebel Without A Cause.” This shows the outfit that the FM doll is wearing.



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