Little Known Hollywood Story

Back in 1964, Madra Lord was intent on staying on top. That meant appealing to a younger audience. If Bette and Joan had ventured into the realm of "le nouveau horreur" in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?,  why couldn't she - she who looked so much better than the other two aging divas? On a particularly balmy evening, while sipping a very dry Martini in her private booth at The Formosa Café, she learned from one of her secret informers about an  underground project in the works. Directed by relative newcomer Russ Meyer, the flick was meant to capitalize on a new formula that included angry dames and fast cars. Known as much for her volatility as for her love of her Bugatti Royale, Madra was certain that she would be cast.



La Lord went to designer friend Byanca Evans of Byanca of Houston for fashion advice. Byanca proposed a sexy and still proper black lace dress. Madra was delighted with the idea and added Byanca's net stockings and gloves for that peek-a-boo effect. One of Byanca of Houston's leopard envelope purses and voilà, she had the look.



Madra was certainly beautiful, her red hair as fiery as her temper, yet the director was underwhelmed, for Mr. Meyer had a very specific look in mind.







Madra never gave up. She had fought her way to the top and knew what it took to stay there and in the limelight. At 1:11 am Central Time Zone, Miss Evans received a call from Madra explaining the situation in her inimitably dramatic way. Byanca assuaged her fears with a soft and reassuring: "I'll take care of it." The next day, by cocktail hour time, La Lord received a box carrying the secret arsenal.







The rest, as they say, is history. La Lord got the part but later turned it down when she learned that several key scenes would be shot in the Mojave Desert. "I'm not wreaking havoc with my skin" - she exclaimed while smoking a cigarette. The part went to Tura Satana.

Miss Evan's work is the stuff of legend.





She's Houston's and Hollywood's best kept secret...

Bloom Boom!

The flower. The bloom. Would there be any pleasure in life without them? Flowers regale our eyes with their varied colors and shapes and capture our olfactory glands with their perfumes of seduction. After all, the purpose of the flower is to guarantee the continuity of beauty. A flower's life may seem brief to us and in so realizing, we intentionally stop and engage in contemplation. Dolldom follows suite and takes Nature's lead in this celebration of botanical magic. From prints to colors - it's a tribute to magnificent blooms.


Tonner Doll's 2011 Basic Special Fresh Face Frankie (LE 200) is perfect for a remake of Roman Holiday or Three Coins In The Fountain in her Retros halter dress and matching head scarf. Sunglasses by Horsman.


Fresh Face Frankie is Cami and Jon's friend. Her jewelry by VJT Designs.


Lilli Lalka by Julian Kalinowski wears a vintage Elite Creations Wendy sundress. Her purse is an Enid Collins miniaturization by Liz Cole for Retros.


Bild Lilli wears WellerMade's fantabulous tea rose-hued sweater set with delicate beading at neck. Lilli's bulldog seems to approve. Barbie cases by Rebecca Brosdhal.


Chicago's Velma Kelly by Tonner Doll Company wears a violet day dress by Liz Cole for Retros.


Velma's cloche is also a Retros creation.


All the colors of an orchid garden! All About The Eyes Gene Marshall models this luscious sensation by Retros.


Underneath the apple green cape- lined in daffodil yellow silk - a dew sprinkled cocktail dress and periwinkle knit gloves. Only Retros!


Gene is a flower adorned with flowers. Her hair comb is from Ashton-Drake's Twilight Rumba fashion designed by Doug James.


Barbie Fashion Model Collection's Luncheon Ensemble exemplifies bloom boom. To add more lushness to the affair, a leafy green necklace and earring set by Joy Jarred completes the celebration of blooms.


Francie's Check This! (#1291, circa 1967) ingeniously incorporates the flower power of the Mod years. This checked gown is adorned with yellow and white flower appliqués and a yellow chiffon stole.


A baggie Francie doll proudly models the ensemble.


1970 Barbie's Flower Wower (#1453, circa 1970) is the perfect dress for TNT PJ to wear as it perfectly matches her hair beads! Peace and love!

 
A Hong Kong Lilli doll goes to the park in a delicate dress of hydrangea blue and Baby's Breath lace by Liz Cole. A perfect fashion for a Springtime wedding or just to wear on a Sunday. Lilli's bulldog keeps the paparazzo at bay. Jewelry by Joy Jarred.


Flowers? Yes, flowers. A beautiful print of flowers! An enveloping coat of blooms for a day in the city. Oona, Gene Marshall's friend, models the design by James Bogue.


The day of shopping transforms as evening falls. Underneath the cape, there lies a seductive cocktail dress.


Mr. Bogue accessorized the ensemble with a turban. Jewelry by VJT Designs. 



American Character's 29-inch Betsy McCall also joins the fun in a burst-of Spring sundress created by Liz Cole with vintage fabric

To close the fashion show, Dolldom gives you JAMIEshow's Phoenix Gen Marshall by Mel Odom in pne of her iconic fashions - First Close-Up- a costume designed by Tim Kennedy for Gene's first ever movie role in which she plays a flower vendor in a posh Hollywood watering hole.

The Star

Legendary Joan Crawford went from MGM to Warner Brothers and then became an independent actress. She adapted and survived. And so does Gene Marshall.

The divine Gene reappears on the scene after a well-deserved break, bidding adieu to the world of vinyl and entering regally into the real of resin. Miss Marshall and her creator Mel Odom have partnered with resin doll maker JAMIEshow and the results of this collaboration are utterly luxurious. After almost twenty years gracing thousands of collections and allowing us to bask in the glow of the Silver Screen, Gene Marshall, the groundbreaking doll of the 1990's, is nothing but a Star Exquisite.



Dolldom celebrates Gene with an exclusive portfolio featuring the acclaimed actress modeling a trousseau of her own selection. Miss Marshall used a simple criteria: the fashions had to ooze glamour, bring back fond memories, be the inspiration of talented friends, and above all, be fun to wear.

Here's to Miss Gene Marshall. Long live The Star.


Phoenix Gene is an IDEX exclusive offering. In this photo she wears Violet Water's Dior-inspired Sunset Serenade, produced by Integrity Toys and a necklace by Joy Jarred.


Pin-Up, designed by Tim Kennedy, was Gene Marshall's first lingerie set. Amazing then, amazing now. This time, Gene chose a raven wig produced by Tonner Doll Company for Anne Harper to update the look. A turquoise necklace by Mode de M matches Gene's eyes.


Tea Time is Gene's favorite interview dress and was designed by Lynne Day. Paired with a black satin top hat with tulle veil, Gene will turn tea time into a glamour fest for everyone at The Plaza Hotel.


In the spectacular Vendôme column gown by Michael Basala, Gene provides the gold standard for a grand entrance.


The face of Phoenix Gene. Hand painted perfection.


In a delightful coat and dress set by James Bogue, Gene is ready for a day in Paris.


Mr. Bogue chose a vintage flower print for this springtime look. The ultimate tough of drama comes from the turban, an accessory that Miss Marshall admits loving.




If by whim Gene's day of museum hoping turns into an evening of champagne cocktails, all the actress needs to do is shed the coat and turban to turn of the sex-appeal.


Confident, seasoned, elegant. A woman's face indeed. Gene's necklace by VJT Designs.


Gene thinks that My Favorite Bow, designed by Tim Kennedy, deserves more attention. She takes matters in her own hands by wearing this sculptural wonder once again.


Fim noir supreme. Gene wears Dark Desire, designed by George Sarofeen and produced by Ashton Drake for Marda Lord, to pose with Trent Osborn. Madra wore it in The Lady or The Spider but it is Phoenix Gene who owns it in this photo.  Pin by Facets by Marcia.


Exotique, an engrossing mystery directed by Ivy Jordan, allows Gene to play the bag girl once again. But what's a bad girl to wear?


For this  film noir project already in the works, Gene wears Retros by Liz Cole and a chunky Lucite necklace by Joy Jarred.


Gene found it amusing to play Morticia Adams in Liz Cole's perfect rendition of the iconic gown. Now, why didn't Trent play Gómez? Necklace by Joy Jarred.


Bon Voyage! In Fit for A Queen's suit, designed by Lynne Day, and a turban by Liz Cole, Gene is the epitome of first class Transatlantic travel.


All jewels on board! Pin on Gene's right lapel by Joy Jarred.The turban drop is a Dolldom creation.


Twilight Rumba? Absolutely. Designed by Doug James (designer of FDQ's J'adore Gene exclusive), the silk sarong-style ensemble is a beaded tour de force.


Allons enfats de la patrie! The ultimate hat for the ultimate face and the ultimate attitude. Hat and dress by Liz Cole for Retros. Crème Orange jewelry by VJT Designs.


Cocktail culture. In All About The Eyes' dress and a chinois hat by Liz Cole, drinks will be both stirred and shaken. Such is the power of glamour. Bar created by Darren Cole for Retros. Pin by Robert Best for Barbie Fashion Model Collection.


Gene celebrates with some of her friends, all ecstatic about her new resin iteration. But where's Madra? In the back of the room, La Lord observes with perhaps more than just a tad of envy. Poor Madra! How long before she too receives the JAMIEshow treatment?