30 years. 🩵My thoughts. His vision. Our celebration. Thank you Mel Odom

Gene Marshall was first a muse that began from the artistic talents of Mel Odom, his devotion to family
and love of the golden era of Hollywood. However, from that humble and uncertain start, Gene
unexpectedly toppled the 12” doll demographic. She also opened doors to a collector base as diverse as
life itself, solidifying her name, which is synonymous with the birth of life.

A world of doll collectors, who had become retail ready for quick outfits and hair flips, now found
community, in both fellow collectors and a likeminded understanding. This love of family, old
Hollywood stars, and a display piece to convey it to others, made Gene Marshall a doll that had never
been seen before, explaining not just new collectors today, but those who have been there since the
start, and treasure her in their lives as more than an object.

Mel Odom offered what no other doll company could; he gave his vision, heart and soul to 17” of vinyl.
In Gene, we could see his mother’s kitchen baking cookies, or the violets that accented a dress. We
imagined his love of New York as she smartly carried a miniature painting of his, dressed for success, or
rushing to a meeting with a portfolio. She also went to church, and sat with friends, or attended an ice
cream social on Sunday, only later to appear in a smoke filled room, offering Midnight Romance to late
night club patrons, hoping Ava Gardner or Gene Tierny might be sitting nearby.

The Gene Marshall doll is a scrapbook of life that Mel freely shared, knowing that we would bring our
own lives along for the ride. Seamstresses and friends replicated outfits worn by a grandmother, sister
or mother, and Gene proudly respected our memories. Her shape, not unlike an academy award,
reminds us of the success and goodness in life, and more times than not, is a pause in our day to see her
on the shelf and simply “remember”. There will never again be a doll like Gene, or an artist Like Mel
Odom, that gave a warm hug to a busy and sometimes shattered world.

Lifelong friendships and forever memories were, and still are being created, by what some might see as
just a doll, or piece of vinyl. A vision that Mel took a chance in creating, risking not just his reputation
and finances, but what he personally was about. A displayed doll is after all a talking point, as to why she
was purchased, a memory or feeling she evoked. However, Gene also brought in unspoken heartfelt
events from an era long gone, a respect rarely seen now, and values that should return. Gene Marshall
was every bit the Superman of the time, taking her place on the shelf, for Truth, Justice and the
American way, while giving flyboys their Pin-Up and Dior his runway delight.

Through Mel Odom, we all have been able to understand, enjoy, dream and imagine that perfect
moment in a beautiful gown, a recreated memory or dirty knees in a Victory Garden, and that
accomplishment will forever be higher than 17 inches


free photo hosting