Gene Marshall: Imperial She

This circa 1954 outfit from Jason Wu has special meaning for me. It is very evocative of the 1930’s Flash Gordon serial which my father introduced me to. They were a particular favorite of his when he was a young boy and I got to watch them on TV 40 years later. The special effects were not so special, but I still loved watching them! My dad and I used to laugh at the evil Emperor Ming. Anyway...instead of putting Madra in this outfit, I thought Gene should have a chance to play the evil character instead. From the studio archives:

“Distant Venus” started as a Broadway play of the same name. It premiered in 1952 and was a reflection (as much theatre is) of the current manias of the general public. Basically a comic romance, “Distant Venus” combined America’s obsessions with science fiction and the newly emerging media influence of Television. The plot was slight and fantastic. An advanced civilization on planet Venus has begun to observe us through their superior technology and analyze the television broadcasts being sent into the distant airwaves. Their understanding of Earth’s inhabitants it based entirely on American popular culture as filtered through the warped lens of the television and old telvised movies they watch. When visiting Earth they dress in the styles they see in the old movies shown on TV as well as speak like depression era movie gangsers. Venus, as the spoiled princess of this soceity is traditionally named, watches TV and becomes enamored of thehost of a popular New York City based news broadcast. Being pressured by her father, the ruler of their society, and an equally insistent stepmother to marry an air-headed prince of Venusian nobility, our princess rebels and through teleportation follows a TV signal back to its source.



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Gene Marshall: Swim Suited To A ‘T’

This circa 1952 outfit from Jason Wu is a vintage winner! I used the deck chair from one of the Hollywood Ahoy Convention and a vintage shot of a beach in San Diego from my youth and voila—the photo you see before you. From the story card:

Excerpt from a 1952 cover story from “Your Move Cavalcade” magazine: “Beach Costume Suits to a ‘T’!” “…and fans crowded the sands of Malibu (standing in for the Cote d’Azur) as Gene Marshall and her Best Buddy Ivy Jordan filmed a beach scene from Gene’s new film, “Love For Sail” — the story of a group of enterprising secretaries who empty their bank accounts to hunt for Mr. Right on a glamorous cruise. Mary (Gene) just can’t seem to keep her dainty foot out of her mouth when the handsome captain is in sight—even under the watchful eye of traveling companion Muriel (Ivy)…”

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Liz Taylor: BUtterfield 8

I’ve never seen this 1960 Liz Taylor movie, but it’s the one that brought the Oscar home for her. The tagline was “The most desirable woman in town and the easiest to find… just call… "BUtterfield 8.” Yup...Liz played a hooker. Franklin Mint did a great job with the fur coat; that was the real attraction for my purchase. The slip is another story. It's a royal pain to get on her, and besides, the peach colored lace trim just looks cheap and out of scale. Liz is looking mighty sexy in photo #2!



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Madra: Rich Girl, Pt. 1

Only one photo today as I am a little short on time and I don't want to post just any ol' crap here, especially since I really like this outfit for Madra Lord. This outfit is so Barbara Hutton! Yup...it seems like I have turned to the dark side and have begun allowing myself to collect the Jason Wu line as well as the Ashton Drake. I resisted for a long time, but the fashions are so well-tailored, the dolls are so much more poseable...oh my poor wallet. From the Script Excerpt:

Eden Vickers (Madra Lord), still dressed in the black and silver fox she was wearing for her appointment with Dr. Pettigrew, runs to Carlson’s cottage door. Sobbing, she knocks and the door opens. Standing there, with an almost heavenly light surrounding him, is Carlson the Gamekeeper (Paddy O’Stone). Eden falls into his arms, weeping.

CARLSON: Why, Miss Eden—what in the name of St. Derrick of Dublin are y'doin' here? You told me that you were going out with that doctor felluh—the one who’s treating your heart…

CUT TO CLOSE UP
Eden pulls back from Carlson’s shoulder, almost wincing in pain at the thought of her comflicting emotions.

EDEN: Oh, Carlson. You’ve been like a ather to me all these years. What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I feel like any other woman…?

CUT TO MEDIUM SHOT
Carlson takes Eden by the shoulders and holds her at arms length.

CARLSON: Now, Miss Eden, I may be an old geezer for the Auld Sod, but you’re about the most womanly little mavourneen that ever these tired old eyes laid their gaze on.

EDEN: (with a little laugh through her tears) Oh, Carlson—I’ll bet you say that to all the girls.

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Gene Marshall: Twilight Rumba, Pt. 1

It took awhile for me to warm up to this circa 1948 ensemble designed by Doug James; but once I saw her in person, I was very glad that I snagged her! For photo number two, I put Gene into a shot with Harry Belafonte at the Cocoanut Grove Club located in the now demolished Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles (insert sigh). From the story card:

As she arranged the flowered comb in her flaming red hair, she thought back to that night five years ago when her life changed forever…

She’d just finished her final set of songs for the cocktail hour and the rays of the setting sun had painted the tropical sky. In the twilight, the orchestra had swung into a rumba. She sighed and turned to go. But she’d found her way blocked by a handsome stranger. “You have the voice of an angel,” he said. She laughed and replied, “I only wish that were true. I took this job becuase they promised me a big executive with GCR records was going to be here, but I guess I’m not going to be discovered after all.” “Ah, but I have discovered you,” he smiled, “and I have no intention of letting you go.” And he hadn’t for not only had they fallen in love, but the handsome stranger turned out to be the recording executive—and soon she was one of the biggest stars in the industry.



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Meet Ivy Jordan: Pink and Pearls, Pt. 2

It looks a little chilly in photo number 1; and Ivy is not trying to hide it! More from Ivy’s Journal:

And that's where I suddenly learned, just in time, that I needed to pull out all my acting chops to get what I want—and, with a little help from a friend, I've discovered I'm pretty good at it!

My big meeting with the TSB (see above—figure it out!) was scheduled for this afternoon. I'd prepared and prepared and was just too close to the whole situation—so I called up Gene Marshall, good buddy and honest critic. She was over in a flash.

I sat her down and said, “Okay. You're R.L. And I'm me. And now I'm going to convince you that I'm the perfect one to direct the new Trent Osborn picture…”

Gene smiled, bowed her head… And when she looked back up, I swear that Reuben Lillienthal was sittering there in the room! ”All right, Dearie—so you think you can direct this little picture of ours…”



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Meet Ivy Jordan: Pink and Pearls, Pt. 1

I liked this one the minute I saw it: Gene Marshall’s friend Ivy Jordan in Pink and Pearls, made by the team of Mel Odom & Jason Wu. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get her, but of course the AMAZING folks at Doll Peddlar pulled through with their typical excellent customer service. From Ivy’s Journal:

Dear Journal, You know, I'm finding that being a director is a harder acting job than being an actor!
And I mean that on all levels. For instance, I had no idea when I took over as director from Miles Martin that I'd essentially be eating EVERY part in the picture, right down to the walk-on in a crowd scene. I guess that's just my directing style—I can only feel comfortable helping an actor or actress find the right way to play a scene by “doing it myself.” Oh, well—once a performer, ALWAYS a performer. I suppose...

But the other times I've found that I have to be actor first and director second is when I'm negotiating with the Top Studio Brass! I don't think they're still QUITE used to the idea of a “gal” helming their big projects.



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