Gene Marshall

Gene Marshall

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Gene Marshall

 

Gene Marshall is a 15.5 inches tall collectible fashion doll inspired by Hollywood's Golden Age. It was created by the illustrator Mel Odom. Each doll features an intricate movie-styled theme based upon fashions from the 1930s, 40s and 50s as well as Hollywood's version of historical costuming.

 

 

When the Gene Marshall doll appeared on the market in 1995, it was one of the first large fashion dolls primarily intended for adult collectors. Its success sparked the creation of similar dolls from other companies.

 

History

When the Gene Marshall doll appeared on the market in 1995, it was one of the first items of its type and size: a large fashion doll primarily intended for display by adult collectors. Until then, the standard fashion doll had been the 11.5" Barbie, which is still primarily sold as a children's plaything; while some collectors were attracted to limited-edition specialty Barbies, most collectible dolls at the time were constructed with neotenous baby-doll proportions instead of with mature, nubile ones. There was an exception; Mdvanii, the first anatomically-correct fashion doll for adults. Mdvanii renewed Mel Odom's childhood interest in dolls and led him to create Gene Marshall. The popular success of Gene Marshall sparked the invention of an entire genre of similar collectible large fashion dolls from other companies, such as Tyler Wentworth from Tonner Doll Company, Alexandra Fairchild Ford from Madame Alexander and Clea Bella from Bella! Productions.

 

Three years after Gene Marshall's introduction, over half a million had been sold, and a Gene subculture had sprung up including collectibles clubs, magazines, and conventions. Her design is "an amalgam of all the larger-than-life actresses of Hollywood's Golden Era", and costumes that evoke the work of Edith Head are supposed to represent her appearances in specific but fictional films.

 

Gene Marshall (Marilyn Monroe as Lorelei Lee in Gentleman Prefer Blondes)

(Photo by davelandweb.com)

Mel Odom's illustration work has been compared to dolls, and though his career progressed beyond the men's magazines for which he is still best known (he has done book and magazine covers including TIME magazine), he believes that Gene is the "something significant" he has felt bound to do after watching 2/3 of his friends die during the AIDS epidemic. After its debut at the 1995 Toy Fair, Gene became a hit among adult collectors, among them actress Demi Moore ("The World's Most High Profiled Doll Collector", according to the New York Times).

 

Between 1995 and 2005 the dolls were manufactured by the Ashton-Drake Galleries. From 2005 to 2010 the dolls were produced by Jason Wu and made by Integrity Toys. They have a dedicated following and have inspired other characters in the line: Madra Lord, Violet Waters, Ivy Jordan, Trent Osborn, Zita Charles, real-life movie actress Marsha Hunt, and the mysterious Oona Bellweather. These dolls are also popular for artists' one of a kind repaints.

 

Back Story

The doll comes with a detailed backstory, eventually expressed in the novelization Gene Marshall, Girl Star. The character Gene Marshall was born in Cos Cob, Connecticut in 1923, and was discovered by the filmmaker Eric von Sternberg while working in New York City as an usherette. Cast in his next film, she was thrust into a major role when the star fell through a trapdoor during a musical number called "You Floor Me". By the 1950s she was a Hollywood "powerhouse".

Inventory: Totally Trent Osborn Doll

2002 Totally Trent Doll

 

 

 "Totally Trent", Trent is waiting in his dressing room for a fitting, sitting around in his underwear. Trent comes with A-shirt, T-Shirt, Boxers, Socks & garters and Shoes. 

 

 

BACK STORY:

Born Theodore O'Bannion, young "Teddy" was quite the little neighborhood Romeo, stealing kisses from beneath the playground Pollyannas' pipe curls. He also always had a flair for the dramatic, prodding his playmates into staging elaborate pirate adventures on the bounding waters of the ponds in Philly's most prestigious parks - much to the chagrin of the local police force! 

After graduating from high school, he longed for adventure, even working as a truck driver to escape the city limits. But soon he discovered the local theater groups, where he was quickly spotted by a casting director for the Theatre Guild and whisked off to The Great White Way. His refined good looks, coupled with a certain aura of reckless abandon, brought him role upon role - and the attentions and intentions of an army of beautiful young actresses and debutantes.

After playing the gamut of juvenile roles on Broadway, Teddy, now known as Trent Osborn to the New York theater goers, was brought to Hollywood in 1935. A mainstay at Monolithic, he appeared in scores of films, and his most frequent leading ladies included such glamorous stars as Gene Marshall and Madra Lord.

 

As flamboyant a figure in Hollywood nightlife as he was on the screen, Trent Osborn broke countless hearts. But when he turned on those bedroom eyes, everyone from starlet to seasoned veteran melted at a glance.

New retail was: $129.95


**No Longer Available from Ashton Drake
LE: Unknown
Release Date: 2002
SKU: 96374

Inventory: Violet Waters "Mood Indigo" Doll

 

 

Violet Waters was (is) the only African American Gene Doll! 

 

"Mood Indigo" is LE to 3,000 dolls worldwide. What an honor! Violet is asked to sing at The Jazz Festival. She makes her arrival dressed to the nines in this navy and white suit with stylish hat.  

  

She is 15 1/2-inches of poseable, collector-quality vinyl with a finish that mimics fine porcelain. Hand painted features. Violet’s wardrobe is crafted of quality fabrics like those worn by real Hollywood stars of the era.

• Jet black hair is in an elaborate chignon with braids.

 

 

Vintage accessories designed precisely to scale are fabulous collectibles in themselves.

Violet Waters doll and costume are hand-numbered, with a Certificate of Authenticity and glamorous story.

 

• Navy 2 piece Satin suit with white collar and asymmetrical button detail on top, and pleats on skirt. • Large white satin portrait hat with navy feathers.

• 2 pearl hat pins.

• Short white mesh gloves.

• Navy and white satin clutch purse.

• Navy and white spectator pumps.

• Violet pantyhose with attached panties (not shown).

• Violet has bendable arms and legs.

 

• Pearl drop Earrings and Necklace with drop in front.

Circa: 1948
Year of Release: 2002
Limited Edition: 3000
Designer: Jose Ferrand

 

New retail was: $99.95

**No Longer Available from Ashton Drake

 

LE 3000 Release Date: 2002

SKU: 76710

Inventory: Madra Lord "Dark Desire" by Mel Odom for Ashton Drake

Ashton Drake - Madra Lord "Dark Desire" by Mel Odom

 

Madra chats with a fan about a courtroom scene in "The Lady or The Spider," in which she's on trial for the mysterious murder of her second husband - or was it her third?

 

New retail she was: $ 99.95

 

**No Longer Available from Ashton Drake

LE 3,000

Release Date: 1999

SKU: UKN

Inventory: Gene Marshall: Tango (outfit)

 

Tango is an outfit worn by Gene Marshall in the film Tango.  

 

 Gene Marshall will be so beautifully dressed in this peach ball gown, high heels hose, and jewelry.

 

 

  New retail was: $39.95

 

**No Longer Available from Ashton Drake

Designer: Tim Kennedy

Release Date: 1997

Retired: 2000

Circa: 1951

SKU: 93545

 

 

In these times when Hollywood is brimming with starry-eyed hopefuls, a girl needs to be as multi-talented as possible to succeed in show business.

 

All those ballroom dance lessons paid off for Gene when she accepted the lead role in the sizzling romantic film Tango. In this cinematic masterpiece, Gene plays the daughter of a U.S. diplomat in exotic Buenos Aires, Argentina. As lively as she is lovely, she is the toast of the capital during the glittering Peron years. She first meets the fiery, dark-eyed artist who would change her life at an embassy ball. They dance the tango--the first of three such dances during the film.

 

It is without a doubt the second dance that heated movie houses. Slipping from the embassy during Carnival, Gene dances with her lover--he the vital male, she the irresistible temptress. They glide as one, sinuous body, suddenly parting to strike a pose electric with smoldering drama. Their eyes are locked with scorching intensity, and their simmering passion leaves audiences breathless...and thrilled.

 

In Tango, Gene wears the ultimate dancer's dress, suggesting sensuous movement even when perfectly still. It is tailored of multi-layered coral chiffon with exotic beaded accents at the bosom, and a dramatic attached stole. Golden hoop earrings and bracelet add the finishing Latin touch to this beloved Hollywood film that becomes the date movie of the year.

Inventory: Gene Marshall** "Simply Gene" Brunette doll (light blue)

Gene Marshall** "Simply Gene" Brunette doll

created by awarding-winning artist Mel Odom, from Ashton Drake Galleries in 1999.    

 

 

Gene Marshall** "Simply Gene" doll

 

Gene is an expertly hand crafted collector quality vinyl doll with a porcelain-like finish doll. Gene is hand painted and had wonderful features like dramatic eyes with hand applied eyelashes.     

 

She is 15-1/2" tall, made of the heavier weight vinyl, and fully poseable. 

Her brunette hair is rooted and styled by hand in an elegant ponytail. 

 

 

Circa 1956." Gene Marshall** Collection Ashton Drake Galleries.

New retail she was: $125.00  

** No Longer Available From Ashton Drake 

http://www.ashtondrake.com/

 

The Library is open: GENE by Carolyn B. Cook

Gene by Carolyn B. Cook

Illustrated in color and black-and-white, this fascinating book reviews the history and development of the “Gene” doll and how this doll follows the career and wardrobe of that famous actress Gene Marshall. “The Gene story is a tale of success that can be told on two different levels.

The first is an account of the real-life challenges faced by illustrator Mel Odom when he attempted to turn his fantasy into a doll that would reflect the values and fashions of a past era. The second is a story within a story – how young Gene Marshall was discovered by a famous director and became a star of the silver screen from 1941-1962.”

The story of Gene Marshall’s career can be found in her costumes – “each comes with a synopsis of the film plot or event in her life explaining when and where the character wore that particular outfit.” This book covers the dates, the lines (Gene, Madra, Trent, etc.), accessories and secondary prices for Gene dolls and costumes.

Gene by Carolyn Cook Hobby House Press, Inc., MD, 1999.  8.7” x 11.3” color-imprinted hardback. 152 pages.