They say a lady never tells her age, but Gene Marshall is proud to announce she's celebrating her Fifth Anniversary.

The first Gene collection premiered in 1995 and was made up of only three stylish dolls, and six equally stylish costumes and two accessories. Today the collection consists of a wide variety of smartly dressed and coifed dolls, an entire closet full of fabulous clothes (from both "screen roles" and from Gene's everyday life) and accessories that range from beautifully designed hats and purses to an incredibly beautiful wood bedroom suite. She even has a gazebo now!!!

In the short five years she's been in the public eye, Gene Marshall and her creator, renowned artist/illustrator Mel Odom, has been credited with starting a revolution in adult fashion dolls. Her ‘take me out of the box’ packaging, fine couture wardrobe and her ‘small town girl makes good’ story, has made her very desirable to collect and likeable as a character.

Gene comes from a world of glamour and allure: a contemporary of the classic movie stars of the '40s and '50s, wearing vivid recreations of the clothing and accessories of the time. Gene has become a favorite with collectors, doll lovers, movie buffs, history aficionados - and anyone who wants to relive the days when style and fashion were an important part of everyday life.

Gene has appeared on over two dozen magazine covers and in innumerable magazine and newspaper articles, including magazines in Great Britain, Germany and Japan. Gene is the featured doll at the Paris Fashion Doll Festival - March 2000, and has received numerous awards and honors, including Dolls' Award of Excellence, Doll Reader's Doll of the Year Award and the National Association of Limited Edition Dealers' Doll of the Year Award. Also, sometime near the end of the year (2000), Hyperion will publish a fictional biography of Gene's early days in Hollywood, which will include artwork by Gene creator Mel Odom.

Congratulations on your success - Mel Odom and Ms. Gene Marshall!!! We love you both.

"SIMPLY GENE (PLATNUM)"     The newest more versatile addition to the Simply Gene line.

"TWILIGHT RUMBA"     A famous singer is surprised by her husband on their fifth-anniversary, as he re-creates the night they met.

"I DO"     Gene plays Ida Best, a silent screen star that married a European count in the Roaring '20s.

"DANCE WITH ME"     In the film “She'd Rather Dance” Gene plays a young Boston socialite who shocks the upper set by devoting herself to dancing instead of afternoon teas. Early in the picture, Gene is seen at a stuffy society cotillion. As the other socialites chatter around her, she becomes increasingly bored. Finally, she can stand it no longer - she crosses the dance floor and heads for the conductor's podium. After whispering with the conductor, the music starts to sizzle. All Gene has to croon is "Dance with me..." and hundreds of eager gentlemen rush to her side".

"SHOOTING STAR"    In this Western movie, Gene dazzles during a shooting match - winning the crowd's cheers and first prize.

"LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT"     In her New York modeling days, Gene is invited by a photographer to a fancy reception. But there's no time to change – so she wears the outfit she's modeling.

"ENCORE"     Gene does a cameo as herself in this film about a soldier who makes it big in show biz after the war.

"MEET ME IN PARIS"    Information coming soon.

"BON VOYAGE"    Gene as silent star Ida Best, is off on her honeymoon on the arm of her new husband, the count, and is putting the hustle and bustle of Hollywood far behind her.

"HEART OF HOLLYWOOD"     Gene and a group of her Hollywood friends stage a glorious ball to raise funds for one of their favorite children's causes. The event, held in a ballroom in the heart of Hollywood, is a huge success.

"SPOTTED IN THE PARK"     Gene could turn the lightest comedy into art. In this film, she plays an aspiring model mistaken for a famous movie star. Her dilemma: continue the charade and pose as the movie star or risk losing Mr. Right.

THE OUTFITS            ACCESSORIES

THE MAY 1, 2000 RETIREMENTS

The "Love, Paris" Doll - (1999 Collection)

"Picnic in the Country" Outfit - (1999 Collection)

"My Favorite Bow" Outfit - (1998 Collection)

"El Morocco" Outfit - (1996 Collection)

"Tango" Outfit - (1997 Collection)

The "Daughter of the Nile" Doll) - (1998 Collection)
Was Officially Retiring on February 12, 2000.

THE GENE MARSHALL® DOLL WAS CREATED BY MEL ODOM.
MANUFACTURED AND DISTRIBUTED BY THE ASHTON-DRAKE GALLERIES®.