New Gene Marshall & Friends Dolls by Mel Odom and Jamieshow

The latest Jamieshow Convention was held this past weekend in Chicago and revealed a full compliment of Gene Marshall & Friends dolls.  I am sure that Gene collectors are thrilled at the resurgence of their beloved dolls, now in resin.

All photos by George Gonzalez.

From left to right: Oona, Ivy, Marsha, Trent, Gene, Zita, Madra and Violet.

Attendees could choose either a Gene line doll or a Jamieshow doll for their convention souvenir prior to the event. Marsha was the Gene line souvenir. She has a beautifully done face. I don't know what's going on with the pleats in the front of the dress. Perhaps one has to remove the jacket to see the dress design. I'm hoping to see owner photos of that.

The Jamieshow doll that was available as an option was a Cary Grant doll. He is not shown above but can be seen, along with all of the above dolls at:
http://www.jamieshow.us/GENE-CONVENTION-DOLLS_c_94.html

All the dolls are available either to pre-order or to purchase now. The prices are $495 for each except for Marsha and Cary who are $600.

My personal favorite is Oona. Her face, hair and outfit work perfectly together. She fits right in with the theme of Hollywood Canteen.

Zita is a striking doll. Her sculpt is intriguing and adorable at the same time. She looks like she's always ready to blow a kiss. Her wig cap is lovely.

Another favorite is Hollywood Canteen Gene. She is pure Gene, glamorous and beautiful. Dress and wig cap are well suited to her and the era.

Trent is dressed in a US military uniform and cuts a fine figure.

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And there's even more!!!!

INTRODUCING THE 2016 JAMIESHOW BASICS COLLECTION

Some old friends join us this year, re-sculpted and freshened up.  Cameron has a new skin tone, and both he and Lee now can wear our exclusive JAMIEshow sculpted wig caps.  Sabina rejoins the group now also able to wear the JAMIEshow exclusive rooted wig caps.  All three of the girls sculpts have been re-sculpted for a fresh look in these 2.0 version.  Available for pre-order now, the first shipment will come in the beginning of July and the remainder by August.

 

 

Here is the link to see and order the basics.

 

http://www.jamieshow.us/JAMIEshow-BOHO-BASICS-Collection

 

JAMIEshow Mel Odom's "Poised for Success" Zita Charles

I did say when it rains, it pours and look what's on the horizon now - Zita Charles in resin from Jamieshow Doll. She is so adorable that I knew immediately I'd be ordering her.
Here is the description from the Jamieshow website:

"POISED FOR SUCCESS"
Zita Charles Dressed Doll
“Poised for Success” was a frothy comedy in which Zita Charles, in a comeback role, was once again allowed to run wild with her comic flair. As the widowed owner of a modeling agency, her character “Vera Swan” spends her days playing cupid and trying to find suitable husbands for the girls in her agency, so she can “retire with a clear conscious”.   Depending on the famous Zita Charles ‘light touch’, it was a delightful exercise in mistaken identities and fast-paced, drawing room comedy.  Zita effortlessly reminded the American public of just how much they’d been missing her.

Zita wears a pencil slim, navy suit, featuring a shell pink, shawl collar and cuffs over a cream blouse, self bowed at the neck.  Her navy and cream, spectator pumps also sport jaunty bows and a veiled, portrait hat completes the chic afternoon look.  Her titian hair is tied in a soft curl in back and features the famous silver streak that became the trademark of Zita’s comeback films.  It was her one concession to getting older on film.

Zita is a 16" Ball Jointed Resin Doll, made and painted entirely by hand.
Made of our exclusive J-Resin® which is hypoallergenic.

Ltd Edition of 125
Pre Order Item
Shipping January 2016

$450.

To order:
http://www.jamieshow.us/JAMIEshow-Poised-for-Success-Zita-Charles

Happy Birthday to Gene Marshall's Dad

Ernesto Padro-Campos gathered Gene and friends to wish Mel Odom a Very Happy Birthday.

Photo by Ernesto Padro-Campos

Picture of the Week ~ Wayne Nilson

Today our photo is of the beautiful Zita Charles by Wayne Nilson aka Wayne in FL. She is the Zita from the Stardust Convention collection known as "Hostess With The Mostest." The original dolls looked like this:

Wayne restyled her hair by removing her white streak and moving the position of one of the curls. She is wearing an Ashton Drake fashion called "Pin-Up" with shoes by Integrity.

Wayne said:

This was a very simple set up using 2 pieces of white foam-core board, one overhead spot light and a beautiful satin boudoir seat made by a fellow collector, Jay Aastrup.

I use a Canon Powershot A570 camera. I think digital photography is a godsend.  You can literally take hundreds of shots before you get that 'perfect' one, all at no expense.  I always use 3 or 4 spotlights to light my subject.  I never use the camera flash.  Because it's so hot here (most all of the time), I never take pictures outside in natural light.  I always manipulate my pictures in Photoshop to correct lighting or color problems, to remove any stray hairs, sharpen the eyes, mouth and any other elements I want to stand out.  I use very few, if any, props.  I feel they distract from the main subject matter.

More Convention Pictures and Stardust Dolls for Sale

The centerpiece dolls were Gene, Madra, Zita and Trent. I was able to purchase the Madra and Trent. Gene is apparently a fan favorite as there are people practically begging for her on the boards. She is quite the beauty and her outfit is adorable. Her hat is fabulous! Madra is in a highly stylized suit. The lace front forms a heart. It's definitely Madra-esque. Zita is glamorous and very pretty. I love her hairstyle but the gown is just average. I'd like to see her in a dark color.

Gene

Love, Madra

Zita

The Integrity sales room was filled to the brim with previously released Gene dolls. I availed myself of a load of stuff. One doll I always wanted was "All About the Eyes" Gene. I can't wait to get her out of the box. The prices were ridiculously cheap. If this is an indication of how much it costs to manufacture a doll then I just don't want to know. The mark-up is unbelievable.
The other boxed sale doll I purchased was for the gown. It is Marsha Hunt in "The Irene Gown."I have always loved this gown but not the doll. The price was right. We were permitted to purchase just one of each of these sale items.

There was a room for vendors in addition to Integrity's sales room. In there one could find jewelry, props, OOAK dolls, manufacturer dolls of many different types, clothing, shoes, Dressmaker Details line of clothing for Gene, Happily Ever After and lots of goodies. One visit wasn't enough!

And the room sales-most were concentrated on two floors which was a plus compared to the FR Pittsburgh dis-organization all over the hotel. I picked up this Horseman/Vita furniture which I've been wanting ever since seeing it at IDEX. It's fantastic. The chair is fully scaled for 16" dolls. It is not skimpy like most furniture. Covered in vinyl with metal supports and legs, it will be perfect for my dolls. The tables are very lightweight. The bases are cut from plastic and must be slotted together carefully. Once together they are nearly impossible to take apart.

Puki Madeline, my travel doll, enjoyed sitting on the back of the chair in my room.___________

Updated:
This is what remains to sell:

NUDE "Dreamy" Trent Osborne Dressed Figure $95..

Click on the link to see pictures and descriptions.
http://www.thedollpage.com/ads/searchresults.php?owner=46

Stardust Wrap-Up ~ Is It Really the End of the Line?

I've had a whole day and a 190 mile drive to think about the answer to that question. I don't think it's the end. Someone will come up with something. What do you think? I'd really like to know.
.......

The day began with good news in that my defective Stardust doll was replaced. Thank you Joan and Melissa.
I thought checking out was going to be a hassle but the hotel was so organized and prepared with extra staff that instead of the 30 minute wait for a bellhop, they arrived in 10 minutes. There were many carts being pushed through the lobby piled high with Integrity Toys boxes and being followed by tired but happy collectors. Loews Philadelphia is a well-run hotel. The staff is extremely friendly and polite. The hotel was clean; the room was comfortable. I would definitely choose to stay there again.

It took me 3 hours and a large cafe Americano to get home. When I was about 30 miles from Woodstock the skies opened up and for a few hair-raising minutes, visibility was akin to looking through vaseline covered glass. And then the sun came out. And then the wind started blowing. Earlier this evening we had a tornado warning. What's next? Locust?

My baby (the dog) and my husband were very happy to see me. The spousal unit emptied the car. Men are so useful. :-) This is only the boxes that contained dolls. There was much more in my suitcases.
Then the unpacking began. Now the suitcases and cartons are empty. Dolls, outfits and swag are everywhere. I have tentatively decided what to keep and what to sell. I took quickie pictures of the boxed dolls and I dressed my flocked Trent in Matt's lounging pajama outfit. Isn't he great-looking? Only those who were signed up for Alain Tremblay's flocking class were able to purchase this doll. Most came with a different color flocked hair. Alain did beards and moustaches for those who desired them. He's definitely a unique Trent. Here are some pictures of the boxed dolls:Above: The souvenir gift set called "Daily Threads" that we were given one a piece at a time. On the left is the convention sheath and on the right is a Kio wig that was presented along with the doll on Saturday night. Above: Midnight Madra.Above: Men's Club Trent, the centerpiece doll from the Trent Luncheon. I believe everyone who paid $55. to attend that luncheon should have been able to purchase one of these dolls. We were all handed credit card forms to fill out in advance. These were pre-printed with our names! This led me to believe that everyone who wanted a doll would be able to buy one. What a let down it was to find out differently. I know a couple who didn't get one between them. They felt that the Philly cheese steak sandwiches were not worth the fee of $55. each. I agree with them. For $55. one would expect a really nice luncheon and not a sandwich buffet with very limited choices. I thought the food was fine but certainly not worth the price. I'm lucky that I was able to get a doll from a tablemate.

Above: "Fringe Festival" Ivy "Vee Jay" Jordan.

Above: "Moss Rose" Ivy "Vee Jay" Jordan. This doll was given as a table gift on Thursday night to all attendees.

Above: "Hostess with the Mostest" Zita Charles.

Above: "Dreamy" Trent Osborne.

Above: "Bellwether" Oona.

Above: "Midnight" Madra Lord.

Above: "Triumph" Gene Marshall
This doll was not received well at all. Many expressed disappointment at her severe hairstyle. I like her gown.

Above: "Parfait" Zita Charles. I think this is my favorite doll of all. We were given this doll on Friday afternoon at lunch. What a surprise!

Above: The convention souvenir doll "Stardust" Gene Marshall. In the box, it's difficult to tell how very pretty she is because her hair is secured by a net. But she is gorgeous and so is the gown. Mel told us the original designers of these gowns. The fashion sleuths on the Studio Commissary board have been posting photos that they're finding of the originals.

More tomorrow.

Stardust ~ Thursday, June 3, 2010

Live from the Loews Philadelphia Hotel is one exhausted blogger. This was a full day. I drove about 1 hour from Hatfield, PA to the heart of this historic city, pulled right into the hotel parking garage and was taken to the lobby with my luggage. It was only 11AM and the rooms were not ready for checking in yet so I went upstairs to register for the convention. That took all of 30 seconds. I was handed a large Integrity shopping bag with a giant sized doll box inside. It was empty, ready to be filled at each meal with one part of a giftset just like they did at the FR convention with Natalia.
Collectors were gathering in an area outside of the hubs waiting for the shop to open. At noon the spending spree began. I took photos of all the stuff I purchased today. It's obscene. The prices in the store were ridiculously cheap; how could I resist? A little room shopping rounded out the day's hunting and gathering.
Then I was off to the Reading Terminal Market. I loved the aisles and aisles of food stalls offering up cakes, breads, chocolates, poultry, meats, fish, cheeses, 100's of different vinegars and condiments, ice cream, prepared meals and snacks. I wish there were a place like that near where I live instead of health food stores and Shoprites. I had the most delicious bagel - a walnut, cherry, cinnamon, sugary thing. It was more pastry than bagel.

At 7:00 PM the gathering outside the dining room began. It was a very happy, chatty crowd. We entered the room at 7:30 PM to be greeted by the centerpiece which was a beautiful Gene in a lovely blue dress which was offered to 5 people for purchase by lottery.

"Blue Avenue" Gene ~ Image Property of Integrity Toys

Dinner began with a delicious artichoke soup. I'd love the recipe. It really was one of the best soups I have ever eaten. The main course was chicken and vegetables prepared in a straightforward fashion. The dessert was a white and dark chocolate mousse layered cake and coffee. The servers were excellent and solicitous.
There was a band playing and a woman singing way too loud throughout the entire meal which made getting to know most of the other people at the table impossible.

Mel was greeted to a rousing round of applause and spoke for about 10 minutes.

And then we were surprised with a gorgeous Zita doll, "Parfait."

Image Property of Integrity Toys

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz sleeping.

Gene's Final Curtain Call ~ Part II ~ Favorite Gene Photographs

Lucky Stripe

Lone Star Soiree

Heavenly

Heavenly wears a Tonner Fashion

Daughter of the Nile Gene

Candied Lavender Gene

Calendar Shot Gene wearing Stolen Moments Fashion

Calendar Shot Gene

Bridge Club Fashion on Heavenly Gene

Blue Horizon Gene

Bon Voyage

Apres Ski

To be continued.

Fashion Plate Veronique ~ Royalty!

Every now and then I pick up one of the earlier Fashion Royalty dolls most of which are Veronique (in my collection). This particular beauty is Fashion Plate Veronique, the brunette version, who was released in 2003. Her edition size was 800. There is another red headed version. Only 200 of those were made and they are very hard to find. Both came in a lovely gift set.

Unknown Photographer

I don't have the clothing as I purchased the doll nude. I did switch her to a tall body. Here are two of the latest photos I have taken of this beautiful doll.

In the above photo, she is wearing a silk strapless sheath gown with beading on the bust area. The dress was made by Mio. The fur shrug is by SL Fashion.

This is my favorite picture of Fashion Plate. She is wearing a navy top from one of the FR convention collections, a skirt from a Thai dressmaker and her wrap was Zita's from the Gene Marshall line. The jewelry is from a recent FR doll. The curls at the sides of her face need to be tucked back to show off her beauty.

I celebrate the outgoing Veronique's looks because we won't see her again.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.