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August 22, 2009

New size Gene Dolls

Gene Hollywood Royalty dolls announced - new 12 inch size for Gene Marshall dolls

August 21, 5:36 PM Nashville Doll Collecting Examiner Kathryn Darden


Photos of Gene Fashion Royalty dolls from Integrity Toys press kit


Stop the presses! Did I just say in my Doll Collecting 101: Who is Gene? article that Gene is a 16 1/2 inch doll? Well, history is being made as a new 12 inch Hollywood Royalty Gene is expected to arrive mid-to-late November!
Gene Marshall, one of the most glamorous movie stars of yesteryear, was chosen to be portrayed as the next addition to Integrity Toys' Hollywood Royalty collection. Gene's early career will be portrayed in a collection of three different 12" dolls, each wearing a fashion inspired by one of Gene's classic movie roles.
As noted in the Who is Gene? article, Gene first debuted in 1995 as a 16 1/2" doll. This new miniature homage to the popular movie star doll is sure to appeal to Barbie doll collectors who have put off buying a Gene doll because of her much larger size. Each official Gene Marshall Hollywood Royalty doll will be done in a limited edition of 250 pieces. Blue Caprice and Red Desire will be available from Integrity Toys dealers while Midnight Lace will be exclusive to W Club. MSRP is $150 for each Hollywood Royalty Gene doll.

Posted by fashiondoll at 07:42 PM | Comments (0)

August 14, 2009

From Fashion Dolls to "Action Figures"?

"G.I. Joe” – The mere mention of the name immediately conjures up images of heroism, patriotism and the kind of tough rigor required to get the job done. That’s the “G.I. Joe” millions of kids have known since he was first introduced by Hasbro in 1964. “Everybody has immediate recognition when you say that name,” says Lorenzo di Bonaventura, one of the producers of “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,” due in Metro Manila cinemas starting August 7.

When “G.I. Joe” arrived on the scene, says Hasbro’s president and CEO Brian Goldner, who serves as a producer on the film, “the term ‘action figure’ was actually a new one. Boys would never be found playing with fashion dolls, but the idea of an action hero or action figure came along and really stuck.

For a little boy, it was the personification of a hero who could empower him to feel like he was part of the action.”

In “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,” there’s Ripcord, an expert marksman and weapons specialist; Snake Eyes, a ninja warrior armed with Katana swords and a Glock pistol, skilled in martial arts, reconnaissance and infiltration; Scarlett, tough and bright, also a martial arts master and skilled with a gas-propelled Crossbow Pistol; Breaker, a specialist in deciphering covert electronics and technology; Heavy Duty, the team’s weapons specialist; General Hawk, who is the team’s commander; Courtney “Cover Girl” Kreiger, a runway model-turned-spy and General Hawk’s assistant; and, of course, Duke, a combat veteran with courage to spare: He’s the G.I. Joe’s leader and soldier personified.

“Each one has a particular skill they’re really good at, and the team counts on that skill,” says Di Bonaventura.

While a hugely-popular animated TV series debuted in 1985, it was a long-running series of comic books that truly helped retool “G.I. Joe” and give it its engaging mythology. The combination of new action figures, comic books and a TV show, helped propel “G.I. Joe” farther than it had ever been.

“They ignited the collective minds of the fans of that era,” says Goldner. “In fact, the “G.I. Joe” of the 1980s was more successful, globally, than the original.”

“G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra” is distributed by United Internatinal Pictures.

Posted by fashiondoll at 11:49 PM | Comments (0)