A little doll story: I’m not sure just how I came upon this line of dolls but it was most likely in a Barbie collection search or a Robert Tonner doll collection search because I love nothing more than seeing what people collect. I saw these 16 inch fashion dolls called Gene Marshall dolls and I was intrigued. As always, I started to research them.
They were designed by a lovely man (whom I’ve since chatted with) named Mel Odum. They were sold from 1995 to the about 2013. Mel, who is an artist and illustrator, wanted to design a doll and he came up with the idea of Gene Marshall, a fictional movie star from the 1940s – 1950s. She had a story as to her start in Hollywood, what movies she made, and every doll came with a story card. Mel enlisted designers to come up with fabulous ideas for her clothes. He gave her a dreamy eyed look based on old black and white movies, an impossibly small waist, and an elegant body.
Well, I fell in love – especially with her clothing. I love that period of design. And I found out that the dolls were highly affordable on the secondhand market – much more affordable than Blythes, which I find are becoming too expensive to collect these days. (That’s a story for another day.) I can find a fully dressed mint Gene for around $40 – $45.
I found a couple of Gene Marshall groups on Facebook. I started to learn more about the dolls.
Meet the girls.
On the left, Gene Marshall “Teatime at the Plaza.” She’s wearing a fabulous coat dress and hat.
In the center, Gene Marshall “Simply Gene” a basic doll in a bathing suit. (The first girl I purchased.)
On the right, Gene Marshall “Hello Hollywood” – the suit that Gene wears when she first travels to Hollywood.
They have accessories. They wear those great chunky shoes from the forties (my mom had a pair that I would wear when I played dress up.) Their hair is fabulous. There’s a lot of it and it’s beautifully styled.
Now, here’s the ‘life is so interesting’ part: While I was researching, I discovered that my best pal from college days, Doug James, designed lots of her outfits (there were several designers working on the line.) I knew Doug had designed his own line of dolls, of course, but seeing his name crop up as a Gene designer was such a delightful surprise! He designed that ensemble on the right. I had to get her in honor of Doug. (He told me he had a story to tell me about that outfit and, since we’re supposed to chat today, I’m looking forward to hearing it.)
Mel commented on a post of mine in the Facebook group and said that Doug was one of his favorite designers.
Anyway! I love these gorgeous dolls. There have been books written about Gene and her story. And there are books that list all of the clothing and dolls – collectors’ books.
I know, I’m getting older, but I’ll always be a collector. It’s a bit like breathing to me. – I started collecting when I was about 10 years old. I love the search, the research, all of it. Slow and steady of course, especially since I have limited space. I’ll be very picky. But they can be sold when I kick the bucket and they, along with the Blythes, will bring in a modest amount of money. Not to mention the McCoy and Roseville. And the vintage dollhouses. Do you know that I have had offers for the vintage dollhouse in the kitchen more than a few times? Two different collectors/designers have reached out to me because they want that house. One is an architect who collects that kind of thing. The other, I believe, is a designer and has a shop. I said no to the first offer. and when I got the second offer, I broached the subject with Don and heard a very forceful “Absolutely not! That stays right where it is.” But I did tell them if I ever considered selling it, I would let them know.
The Genes, the Barbie repro, and a Robert Tonner doll will live upstairs in the office/studio – along with my mom’s vintage Shirley Temple, my baby doll with two left feet, and my very old Tiny Tears-like doll that live on top of the cabinet. I don’t think Don really needs (or wants) to see more dolls in the den!
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
Never heard of those dolls… I’ll have to Google them! Amazing clothes! It’s fun that a story comes with them.
I hadn’t either! They weren’t on my radar, but then again, a lot of dolls aren’t on my radar.
Stay safe, Barrie.
Thank you for sharing your Gene Marshall doll collection with us. You have three so that’s definitely a collection, lol. Lovely fashions from the 40s and 50s. They remind me of some of the movie star paper dolls I had as a child. Cyd Charisse comes to mind. And look at those tiny waists. You have a lot of valuable collections. It’s a feather in your cap that an architect wants to buy one of your doll houses. I’m with Don. Not time to sell just yet. Hugs, Elaine
Thanks so much, Elaine!
Stay safe.
I love all of your collections. I learn so much about things I never thought about. Now I too have a piece or two of McCoy pottery. What dries me crazy are all the articles telling you to get rid of collections that your kids don’t want. I think it’s so odd to think I should get rid of things I enjoy so my kids don’t have to take them. I figure when I’m gone I won’t be enjoying them anymore and they can do what they want with my “treasures”. I love having things around me that give me pleasure. I love the new dolls and can see why they would appeal to you.
Eileen
That is strange advice! Why would you get rid of things because your kids might not want them? Having things you love around you improves the quality of life! Hang on to them, Eileen!
Stay safe and love you,
not that others aren’t, but what a happy post! don’s “absolutely not …!” response made me smile (i love how you two support each other).
your new dolls are lovely.
i like seeing and hearing about what other people collect … the why, the stories, the details about those items … and how fun that your friend designed clothes for these dolls! and i like the connection of your having both dolls and dollhouses.
i am a collector, too (though haven’t added to some of them for years) … wooden swedish dala horses (grandparents came from that area), metal flip-style perpetual calendars with depictions of places (souvenirs that were popular from maybe the 1950s through the 60s), art, rocks (especially heart-shaped) and ocean/lake/river/glacier water from places i’ve been, coins (prompted by a grandfather giving me a swedish coin when i was in early grade school) …. remember maybe a month ago that i was filling time, stopped at an antique shop and bought a framed sheet of stamps with the 50 state birds and flowers on them? well (haha), that little purchase sparked my interest in stamps … more specifically, stamps as art … and i have since bought a sheet of u.s. stamps from 1948 marking the centennial of swedish pioneers traveling to the midwest. picked out mat board, etc. and turned it in for framing yesterday (probably won’t be ready until october) and it will go by photos of my grandparents. :) i’ve told myself that’s it, that’s enough, no more stamps (i’m just a couple years behind you at 65 and don’t have enough wall space for all my art now). will see what happens … haha!
anyway, all that to say i relate and am glad you treated yourself to something that appeals to your heart, makes you smile. :)
happy, safe wednesday to everyone!
kathy
Thanks for reminding me of the sheet of Elvis stamps I had professionally framed and still boxed from a down-sizing move of four years ago. I am also 65 and while Elvis was a bit before my time, came to appreciate his music and history. As for velvet paintings of Elvis, nope! I stopped w/ the sheet of stamps.
hej, chris.
i remember those stamps!
elvis was also a little bit ahead of my time, but i too appreciate his music and history … especially after going to see graceland. when his daughter was touring to promote one of her albums, a couple of friends (who were big, big fans of elvis), my sister and i went to hear lisa marie. glad she could pursue a dream, but sad she had to live under her father’s big reputation and many people’s too-high expectations of her. and sad about her early passing.
also, i will admit to wrapping someone’s “velvet elvis tapestry” around me as a skirt and wearing it (with a black sleeveless turtleneck) when some friends and i went out to hear “elvis night” music at a bar. that was in my early 20s when I lived in minneapolis. haha!
hope you have a good day today and a nice weekend ahead!
kathy
I’ve run out of wall space too, which is part of the reason I’ve never framed those oil paintings of Roseville Pottery!
I have a few books that are just about collectors. I love looking through them.
Stay safe, Kathy.
i get it about the limited wall space, but do hope you will frame at least one of your paintings and find room for it somewhere … too beautiful not to!
happy friday to you and don!
kathy
Thank you, Kathy!
Stay safe.
These dolls are amazing! I had a great-grandmother who had a 19″ waist. So the story goes. But she was only 4’10”. I so enjoy seeing all your dolls. And now a new lovely group. I am thinking tea party!
I might have had a 19 inch waist when I was 10! Maybe not even then.
Thanks so much, Tana.
Stay safe.
Fantastic costumes for those dolls. Makes me think of Myrna Loy and the Thin Man movies.
So many movies come to mind! And those blonde hair rolls remind me of Betty Grable.
Stay safe, Shanna.
I have never seen these dolls before. They are lovely, and there’s no denying their clothes are fabulous. And, with three….you already have a collection.
Your dollhouses are unique…I can see why others are seeking them. Glad Don said no, too! Enjoy them as long as you can! ;)
He really did put his foot down! I was sort of considering it
Thanks, Donnamae.
Stay safe.
The Gene dolls are gorgeous! They remind me of the drawings my mother made when she was a teenager in the ’40s and wanted to be a fashion designer. Kind of the polar opposite from her previous desire to be a truck driver when she grew up.
She sounds like a very interesting woman, Di!
Thanks so much.
Stay safe.
Claudia, I like the 40’s and 50’s fashions. You have thoughtfully curated your collections. And I can feel that you get immense enjoyment from them.
I do. I sneak upstairs to look at the Gene dolls.
Stay safe, Wendy.
Never heard of the Gene Marshall dolls but they certainly look like they’re right out of the forties. That blue outfit is to die for. When you mentioned your college friend, Doug James, I had to look up his dolls (whatever did we do before Google?) and fell down a fascinating rabbit hole. I especially love the dolls from the sixties he worked on.
It’s funny but I have one of my childhood dolls. Tiny Tears, the first Barbie, etc., my parents gave them all away. But I have a babydoll in a crocheted outfit that belonged to my mother-in-law who was born in 1921. I treasure it and imagine her playing with it a hundred years ago (OMG!).
Take care,
Kay
Obviously I meant I have NONE of my childhood dolls. Must learn to proofread before posting.
xoxo
That’s the reason I bought the girl with two left legs and the little Tiny Tears lookalike. My mom gave everything away, including my Barbie.
Glad you have your mother-in-law’s doll, Kay!
Stay safe.
I love Teatime at the Plaza! I love her face, her hat and her suit. These are dolls worth pursuing.
I still have my Tiny Tears.
I think everyone should keep what they love and what brings them joy, if at all possible.
Take Care,
Kaye
I wholeheartedly agree, Kaye!
Stay safe.
Wow, Claudia … and I thought I ‘knew’ dolls, but I’ve never heard of your new dolls nor had I heard of Blythes, so you’re giving me quite an education! Thanks for the post!
You’re most welcome, Vicki!
Stay safe.
These are wonderful. I love them much more than Barbie — and especially the wardrobe!
Me too! And they have lots of outfits; many that were sold separately. Fascinating!
Stay safe, Jeanie.
Tea Time at the Plaza was an FAO Schwartz exclusive for Gene. I have a very large collection of Gene Marshall dolls, along with many outfits. The outfits have such amazing detail. I had a friend who owned a doll shop. That gave me my introduction to Gene and later to the Tyler Wentworth dolls by Robert Tonner. I always loved fashion as a child and adult, especially those in the movies of the 40’s and 50’s. The dolls allow me to have the wardrobe of my dreams. So nice that you have a connection with the designers. That makes the collection even more special. Enjoy those dolls!
I bet you have a fabulous collection, Linda! They really are the most incredible dolls. I have an Ellowyne Wilde doll by Robert Tonner. These fashion dolls are new to me and I’m so enjoying the many Genes ana all of the clothing. Thanks so much for commenting, Linda.
Just got the outfit for Mandarin Mood in the mail!
Stay safe.