Gene Marshall Robert Tonner Doll

Object/Artifact

-

St. Joseph Museums

The image depicts a fashion doll with striking red hair styled neatly, lying on a dark surface. The doll is dressed in an elegant outfit consisting of a light floral-patterned dress in shades of pink and white, accentuated by a beige jacket with lapels and pockets, giving it a chic appearance. The doll's makeup features bright red lips and defined eyes, adding to its overall sophisticated look. Her legs are adorned with high-heeled, strappy sandals, complementing the stylish attire. The presentation of the doll against the dark background highlights its fashionable dress and accessories, creating a pleasing contrast.

The image depicts a fashion doll with striking red hair styled neatly, lying on a dark surface. The doll is dressed in an elegant outfit consisting of a light floral-patterned dress in shades of pink and white, accentuated by a beige jacket with lapels and pockets, giving it a chic appearance. The doll's makeup features bright red lips and defined eyes, adding to its overall sophisticated look. Her legs are adorned with high-heeled, strappy sandals, complementing the stylish attire. The presentation of the doll against the dark background highlights its fashionable dress and accessories, creating a pleasing contrast.

Name/Title

Gene Marshall Robert Tonner Doll

Entry/Object ID

2022.14.2

Description

Gene Marshall Robert Tonner Doll (Gene Tierney doll) Gene Marshall is a 15.5 inch tall collectible fashion doll inspired by Hollywood's Golden Age. It was created by the illustrator Mel Odom. Each doll features an intricate movie-styled theme based upon fashions from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s as well as Hollywood's version of historical costuming. The doll comes with a detailed backstory, eventually expressed in the novelization Gene Marshall, Girl Star. The character Gene Marshall was born in Cos Cob, Connecticut, in 1923, and was discovered by the filmmaker Eric von Sternberg while working in New York City as an usherette. Cast in his next film, she was thrust into a major role when the star fell through a trapdoor during a musical number called "You Floor Me". By the 1950s she was a Hollywood "powerhouse". When the Gene Marshall doll appeared on the market in 1995, it was one of the first large fashion dolls primarily intended for adult collectors. Its success sparked the creation of similar dolls from other companies. Robert Tonner doll with pale skin, green eyes, and red hair, with red makeup, and red nails dressed in a white and pink floral knee length dress, a beige jacket, white and pink shoes, nylon socks, and pink jewel earrings.

Context

Robert Tonner (born July 14, 1952) is an American entrepreneur, fashion designer, sculptor, doll artist, and owner of Tonner Doll Company, Inc. and the Effanbee Doll Company, Inc. Robert Tonner is best known for his fashion doll designs and the creation of the Tonner Doll Company, which designs a number of original doll lines, such as the Tyler Wentworth and Antoinette series. In addition, Tonner Doll Company Inc. contracts with and designs for many major film studios. They have designed dolls for films such as Harry Potter, Spider-Man 3, Twilight, Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz. Robert Tonner has received national and international artistic awards and recognition including a permanent piece at The Louvre Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris. He has also served as President of the National Institute of American Doll Artist (NIADA).

Collection

Doll Museum

Parts

Count

1

Color

Red, White, Brown, Gray, pink

Condition

Overall Condition

Very Good