Friday, March 6, 2015

Tall, Dark, and Handsome

Every movie studio needs at least one: a tall, dark, and handsome star. At Mel Odom's Monolithic Studios, Trent Osborn incarnates this idealized type. 


Trent Osborn's biography was documented in his splashy Ashton-Drake debut back in 2001:

"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 Studios, 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."


Mr. Odom's protomacho (as the concept is referred to in the literary world of Gabriel García Márquez) was a success since his inception for finally in the fashion doll arena of the 21st century there was a male movie star, and one that descended from the stunning works of Mr. Odom's exploration of male beauty.

Mr. Odom's collaboration with JAMIEshow Dolls continues to permit the evolution of his beloved characters, now in the non-toxic Smooth-J resin that the company uses for the manufacture of all of its dolls. The JAMIEshow iterations of Mr. Odom's characters are exquisitely stylized and realized (by hand) making them luxurious mannequins to model fashions and to play out the collectors' fantasies of The Golden Age of Hollywood. They are also heirlooms in their own right as well as unique effigies for the non-dollector to display.


In this exclusive photo portfolio,  JAMIEShow's Trent Osborn reaches the apex of masculine style and beauty as defined by the art of his creator, Mr. Odom. Dolldom congratulates Mr. Odom and JAMIEshow for yet another successful collaboration. May you keep surprising us with more beauty!


Mel Odom's Monolithic Gang as manufactured by JAMIEshow Dolls
L to R: Violet Waters, Oona, Trent Osborn, Madra Lord, and Gene Marshall.


Wardrobe test photo for When You Have It. JAMIEshow's wool plaid pants, vest, and cotton shirt paired with a black bow tie convey timeless style.


For the film In the Hands of the Lonely, Trent surprised audiences as a blond.


His pin-stripped suit, produced by Ashton-Drake, is knows as "Neat as a Pin."


Prince Albert? No, Prince Charming!


The success of his blond style led to a reappearance in Kingdom of Love. His "Royal Military" fashion was designed by George Sarofeen.




Acapulco Antics! Trent and Oona danced and sang in  Maracas for My Love filmed in Technicolor in beautiful locations in Mexico's famed resort. The wardrobe by Liz Cole for Retros featured animal prints and plenty of hand beading.


The famous kiss scene that got gossip columnist Cora Harper's knickers in a twist.


Trent is an expert maraca player.


The film How High, Society? allowed Trent to show off his athletic prowess in the many polo scenes.


Men everywhere copied the style, wearing cashmere sport coats over jodhpurs, even when not at the country club.


Varying the look with a plaid jacket by JAMIEshow made the look even more irresistible.




In "Cabana Capers" Trent showed off his swimmer's physique in DAE Original's "Calypso Nights"


L'exotisme!


For a party celebrating Twenty Century Fox's 20th anniversary, Trent arrived dressed as aristocrat Major Rama Safti from the film The Rains Came.


This traditional Indian style was worn in the scene of the Maharaja’s reception for Lord Albert and Lady Edwina Esketh. Swoon is the word!

Secret Agent? Absolutely! Trent took on the bad guys in Stirred, Shaken, and Straight Up in the classic white dinner jacket fashion "Dinner for Two" issued at 2003's "Derby Dreams" convention.

Perhaps now that the Trent body has been sculpted, could JAMIEShow and Mr. Odom be preparing the appearance of director Erik von Sternberg (he who discovers Gene!) in tridimensional form?

Dolldom hopes so.

Illustration of Erik von Sternberg by Mel Odom

4 comments:

  1. What a fantastic post-I really enjoyed it. This is the first time I have heard of this doll and your photos are stunning. The outfit changes, the backgrounds, the macro shots...just lovely. Thanks for sharing your beautiful doll!

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    1. Thank you, Farrah Lily! Glad that you enjoyed it. Part of the charm of the Gene Marshall world is the connection to Old Hollywood and The Silver Screen eras, so engaging in an evocation of the period with the photos is great fun.

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  2. Your pictures showed the new Trent's range. It almost makes me rethink whether I should have purchased one. Oh, well, we can't have them all!

    My favorite picture was probably the near-kiss. It was so unexpected and intimate.

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  3. zamyślony, nostalgiczny - jako brunet wprost śliczny - zachwyciłam się Jego palcami u stóp ♥

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