Gene Marshall by Mel Odom, Michael Sommers, Steven Mays (2000, Hardcover, Illustrated)

This may well be the CUTEST biography I have ever read. (Of course it is actually fiction. Gene Marshall fans understand that she is a fashion doll, and a lovely one, for that matter.) However, the book doesn't read like fiction; it reads a lot like a real bio as pieced together through "interviews" with friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and associates of Gene Marshall's. Not only that, it is an extremely interesting story.

Gene's story can be compared to the ultimate American dream-come-true. Quoting from inside the front cover:

"Gene Marshall: Girl Star is the chronicle of the meteoric ascension of one of Hollywood's most dazzling stars. In 1941, Gene was discovered at a movie premiere while serving as an usherette. Her journey from the darkened theater to the silver screen- told here in full for the first time- became dream fodder for a weary post-depression America sorely in need of fantasy. This book is about the very beginning of the voyage that would lead Gene to the massive dream factory that was Monolithic pictures and establish her as one of the greatest stars of Hollywood's golden age."

"Much of what the press has written about Gene's early success was more fiction than fact. Now, at last, friends and associates of the 1940's film goddess have spoken out to set the record straight about the incredible dramas and near calamities that marked the miraculous road to her first triumph"...

Gene's fans will absolutely adore this book! The photos show Gene at her loveliest, and there are also many sumptuous illustrations of Gene drawn by Clyde Smith and Mel Odom (Gene's creator.) The pics alone are enough to make you want the book, but the story is just tooooooo cute to pass up!

I don't want to ruin the book for you, but I do have to tell you one more little juicy tidbit. Gene has the most fascinating rivalry with Madra Lord, the established star at Monolithic Pictures. It's great reading!

If you are interested in fashion illustrations, this book has some beautiful ones. Not only that, Gene's clothes are absolutely gorgeous and inspiring. I think that any fashion enthusiast will really appreciate this book. The best part is that both the pictures and story are equally fun. I recommend it, especially considering that copies on ebay are usually quite inexpensive considering the quality of the book.

This book is the Gene story. How she was a fantasy of Mel Odom, and it gives an account of the real-life challenges he faced. He gives a believable life to a doll - how young, beautiful Gene Marshall was discovered by a famous director and became a star of the silver screen from 1941 to 1962. It follows the birth of Gene and how she immediately became a character and the object of
our fantasies and dreams as well.

If you are a doll collector of Gene this is the book to learn how she came to be.

This tells the story of Gene Marshall, in a totally serious fashion, so to speak. Nice pictures, but not a catalogue of outfits. Comes across as a parody of actress bios, with interviews of Gene's friends. My wife started laughing as soon as she started reading it. An absolute MUST for the Gene collector! If you have no sense of humor, forget it!