The Ashton-Drake Galleries and The Gene Team are proud to bring us the first new character from award-winning artist/illustrator Mel Odom, creator of the wildly successful Gene Collection. Introducing Miss Madra Lord, temperamental movie queen and Gene's Hollywood rival.

We Gene® fans have long been asking for another character in the collection - and Madra should more than fill the bill, with her sultry beauty, her headstrong ways and dramatic wardrobe. At 15-3/4" tall, Madra cuts an imposing figure. And with both bendable knees and elbows (a first for the Gene Collection), she's a dream to pose.

In personality (and taste in clothing), Madra and Gene are as different as night and day; Madra is as bold as Gene is sweet; Madra is a bone dry martini with just a whisper of vermouth to Gene's bubbly champagne. With their fabulous figures, Madra and Gene COULD wear the same clothes - but then again, when was the last time anyone saw two famous stars sharing any of their wardrobes?

The premiere Madra Collection includes "First Encounter," a costumed doll wearing a sumptuous full-length white "mink" coat over a dramatic ball gown; six couture outfits - and a pair of beautifully sculpted stone dogs (Madra would never own REAL dogs - they shed!). There will also be one limited-edition costumed Madra doll with an issue of 2,500 and one limited-edition costume produced, limited to an issue of 3,500.

Madra Lord, from the Gene Marshall Collection, is a 15-3/4" tall vinyl fashion doll, and like Gene, was inspired by legendary screen actresses of Hollywood in the '30s, '40s and '50s. In both quality and detail, Madra rivals the finest vintage fashion dolls, from the porcelain-like finish of her skin to the authentic period couture of her wardrobe, coiffures and accessories. Intricate details, from lavish handbeading, fully lined dresses, right down to the seams on the back of her sheer stockings, all add to Madra's appeal.

  THE MADRA STORY  

Even when she was a kid in Milwaukee during WWI, Mabel Lorkovic knew a thing or three: that she loved the "flickers" and wanted to be a part of them, that she wanted to be famous - and that she was going to have to work hard to get her heart's desire.

Leaving the west coast took a lot of moxie, but Mabel was up to it. And somewhere between the pines of Wisconsin and the palms of California, Madra Lord was born.

The road to stardom was uphill, but Madra was ready for the climb. She knew what she wanted and was going to take it, no holds barred. She wasn't afraid to do whatever it took to get to the top.

Once she hit Hollywood, she slowly worked her way to the top, using her beauty, brains, talent - and guts. She began as an extra in silent films - the "flickers" she had spent hours watching. And with the advent of "talkies" and color, Madra's distinctive husky voice and vivid beauty made her a natural for stardom. Revered for her talent - and feared for a volatile temper, Madra provided endless delight to her fans with her dynamic performances - and made studio heads cringe, and gave directors ulcers. But no one could disagree that Madra had what it took and was every inch a star.

For many years, Madra Lord reigned as a queen of Hollywood. But into every queen's realm comes a princess: a shining light that can bring out the queen's jealous nature. Who could blame her if Gene's sudden skyrocket to success left Madra green with envy - almost as green as her famous, flashing eyes...WATCH OUT FOR MADRA LORD.