A cornflower blue silk dress gently skims the floor as the rouching from thigh to chest encapsulates Gene's body. A chignon at the base of her neck, she gracefully enters the room, ready for the big premiere of her new movie. All eyes shift to meet Gene's form and it's obvious--she's a star.

That's what Gene Marshall dolls are all about--stars from a bygone era. Every doll exudes style and class, recapturing the essence of the glitz and glamour of the old Hollywood scene. Mel Odom, the creator of the Gene Marshall doll line, had a vision. He wanted to resuscitate former sex kittens by creating dolls that were as close to the originals as possible. The line of dolls debuted in 1995 and continue to be a favorite among doll collectors.

What could be considered the first real threat to Barbie's stature in the doll market, Gene Marshall dolls stand alone in their own right. Never before has a doll designer taken the concept of nostalgia for Hollywood to this extent. Not only do the makeup and hair style fit the time period, but the outfits that accompany the dolls look as though they could have graced the cover of fashion magazines from the 1940s.

Despite their unique features, the doll line remains accessible to a large portion of doll collectors due to the reasonable prices. And if having a Gene doll isn't enough, a Violet Waters, Madra Lord, or Trent Osborn doll might be in order. All of them are considered to be Gene's fellow actors and have their own special physical characteristics. Whatever Gene Marshall Collection doll is chosen, it is sure to be a sophisticated addition to any doll collection and will remain a treasured piece for many years to come.