Film Fashions by Travilla - WIN A COPY

Being a fan of #MarilynMonroe dolls, what is not to like about a paper doll book dedicated to her!  In fact, what makes this book even more interesting is that it focuses on one of Marilyn's most famous designers, William Travilla.  

Illustrator Tom Tierney, author of Marilyn Monroe: Paper Dolls (2000), has produced a second book dedicated to Marilyn.   Film Fashions of Travilla was commissioned by the costume designer’s estate and feature 24 costumes from Marilyn films.

The book can be ordered directly from Eric Woodard (author of Hometown Girl) via email at monroesixtytwo[at]msn[dot]com.

If you are interested in winning your very own copy head on over to my facebook page.  Be sure to like the page and look for the contest entry post.  

3 winners will be randomly selected from all those who like/post in the entry post on facebook.  Each winner will receive a copy of Film Fashions by Travilla, courtesy of Eric Woodard.  Contest closes December 1, 2012.

ENTER THE CONTEST HERE
 https://www.facebook.com/MarilynGeek 

Another Fan in her Hands

Thanks to David from Mexico for sending in this great shot of him with Marilyn's handprints in Hollywood.  I have added it to the fans in her hands section.

"Roberta Moves In" by Tonner Dolls Review

Here is a look at another Marilyn outfit available from Tonner Dolls. It is called "Roberta Moves In" and is based on Marilyn's character in the 1951 film Love Nest.  It is pictured here on their Pola doll.

Since Love Nest is not a widely known film it seems like a strange choice for a mass market oufit.  It certainly isn't on the list of well known dresses Marilyn is famous for.

In addition since the film was in black and white it never had that wow colour factor like all of the other dresses in this collection have.

Nevertheless, this is another fun outfit to put on your Tonner doll.  The earrings are very detailed and surprisingly accurate to the film.  The hat with the veil was a little tricky to put on her but it was worth it.  The overall look is beautiful.


My only accessory complaint is the gloves.  I realize there is nothing doll makers can really do to make them look more like gloves instead of mitts.  However, they still bother me.

The outfit consists of a skirt and jacket.  The skirt is not as skin tight as the others and you can dress her and then put her on the stand.  It is a nice gray with white accents.

Definitely recommend this outfit.  It is something unique in the Marilyn doll world as it has never appeared on another doll.

You can purchase this through the Tonner website here.

My Review of Tonner's "Hot Night" 

My Review of Tonner's "I am Lorelei Lee"

My Review of Tonner's Pola Doll

Best of the My Marilyn Podcast

I want to thank everyone who has participated in and listened to my Marilyn podcasts.  The My Marilyn podcast was an internet show that ran from 2005-2010.  I had put the show on hiatus with the intent that I would go back to it someday.  Well it is time to face the fact that I have not done a show in 2 years and I really don't see that changing.

So at this point I have posted up my favourite 10 episodes of the show.  They can be found here http://mymarilyn.libsyn.com/page

I'm not sure how long they will be left online since I have to pay for extra hosting to keep them up.  So I would recommending downloading them to your computer if it is something you want to keep.

Thanks everyone for listening!

"Hot Night" by Tonner Dolls Review

I must admit that this is the outfit I have been the most excited about.  Finally, Tonner dolls have released their version of Marilyn's famous dress she wore in the film "Niagara".  This scene from Marilyn movie history has been ignored in the past by other doll companies.  Kudos to Tonner for making this a reality.  I would have loved it to be named "Get out the fire hose" :)

I have reviewed the doll itself in a previous blog post.  The best thing about the Tonner doll is the fun you can have dressing her up in different outfits.  I hope they decide to continue with their Marilyn outfits (the misfits cherry dress please!).

Again, the outfit came packaged beautifully.  It included the white shawl, jewelry and shoes.  A minature record would have been a really fun accessory as Marilyn carries her Kiss record wearing this dress.


The shoes were even trickier to put on her than the Pola versions.  The straps are shorter to work with so it took some time.  However, once you get them on it is well worth the effort.  They look fabulous.

I absolutely love the heart bracelet which is true to what Marilyn really wore.  I do have a gripe when it comes to the jewelry though.  I do not understand why the earrings are silver but the bracelet is gold.  It makes no sense and looks silly.  Marilyn clearly wore gold hoop earrings in the film so why send them as silver.  I ended up changing them out for the gold hoops from the Franklin Mint Korea outfit.

The centerpiece of course is the pink peekaboo dress that is instantly recognizable from the film.  They did a fantastic job capturing the look of this dress.  The material is sturdy and well made.  It fits her like a glove.  Any tighter and she'd have to be sewn in (which the real Marilyn did from time to time).  I think they nailed it with the colour.  Very true to the film.  Even the way it sits on her shoulders is the same.  This is my favourite outfit that they have done.  Highly recommended.

Purchase "Hot Night" outfit directly from Tonner Dolls here.

Marilyn on Cover of December Playboy

#MarilynMonroe has once again graced the cover of Playboy magazine.  She is featured in the December issue in stores now.

This is Marilyn's 7th Playboy cover (one was an impersonator).  You can see them all on my site here.

This time a photo by Andre DeDienes was used where Marilyn is holding up a towel.  It is a beautiful cover.

She is also featured inside in a 12-page story.  The photos, unfortunately, are nothing new.  Just a rehash of golden dreams, Moran, Schiller and Stern photos.

Marilyn Monroe Cafe Opens in Ontario

The first Marilyn Monroe Cafe is now open in Oakville, Ontario.  

Industry leaders have partnered with Authentic Brands Group to launch the first ever Marilyn Monroe™ Café, located next to Millionaires’ Row (350 Lakeshore Rd. E.) along Toronto’s affluent lakefront suburb of Oakville. 

Furnishing by prestigious designers like Philippe Starck with Dedon, Eero Saarinen with Knoll, Diesel with Foscarin, and Tom Dixon, inspires the interpretation of the clean aesthetic and sensual lines of the mid-century modern era. A luxurious choice of materials, modern furniture and subtle architectural detail culminate into an inviting space for all guests, whether on-the-go or casually snacking and sipping premium espressos.

Captivating international audiences with her charming personality and graceful cinematic performances, Marilyn Monroe’s timeless beauty and charisma are the inspiration behind the chic and contemporary Marilyn Monroe™ Café. The café is designed by Mason Studio to be a place Marilyn would be comfortable in, not a shrine, featuring a relaxed but elevated design experience with lush menu options.

The Marilyn Monroe™ Café drink menu features smoothies ranging from flavours like Mango Tango to Mint Chocolate Chip and luscious hot drinks like Red Velvet and Crème Brule Lattes made with the Ferrari of modern espresso machines, the Adonis T3; custom designed in Italy providing the perfect cup of coffee.

Breakfast goers can pair lattes with hearty organic wholesome oatmeal, New York style bagels and French Flaked Croissants. Those with something sweeter in mind have a wide number of selections from the dessert menu like Gourmet Cupcakes and Artisan Cheesecakes.

Marilyn Monroe™ Café guests can use a sleek new Mobile App called “MM Café” to order ahead of time and skip the line. The app is available on Apple iTunes, where it can be downloaded for free.

In addition, café guests’ experiences will be further enhanced by stunning JBL Audio, featuring 22 speakers of complete clarity. Music programming is selected digitally by the vibe of the songs’ algorithms. The sound system automatically sets the volume level, based upon activity in the café, a very state of the art feature.

The café features Marilyn Monroe Photographer Milton Greene’s exclusive photographs of the world’s most legendary blonde bombshell Marilyn Monroe. The photos featured in the café are from Marilyn’s Ballerina Series, Red Sweater Series, Tennis Sweater Series and more.

A wide array of merchandise will also be available at The Marilyn Monroe™ Café, included in this collection is a Marilyn Monroe tote, canvas sleeve for laptops and the very popular iPhone case, which is currently the hot, must-have accessory among young Hollywood celebrities.

http://www.marilynmonroecafe.com

From PRWEB

"I am Lorelei Lee" by Tonner Dolls Review

In addition to the release of Marilyn Monroe dolls that come as either Pola or Diamonds, Tonner also released some additional outfits for these dolls.

I have the outfit named "I am Lorelei Lee".  Fantastic name.  This is a lesser known gown that Marilyn wore in the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

I am so thankful they didn't pick the over used gold lame dress or red little rock dress.

Marilyn wore this dress during a memorable scene where she is asked "Have you got the nerve to tell me you don't want to marry my son for his money?" to which she replies "It's true ....  I want to marry him for your money."  

The outfit comes nicely displayed in its own box.  It comes with an electric blue dress and accompanying bolero jacket.  Accessories included are bracelet, earrings, shoes and a fabulous mink!  

I love this outfit on the Pola doll.  I prefer it over the bathing suit.  It looks nicer on the stand.

Speaking of the stand.  This dress is form fitting.  So much so that I found it impossible to put the doll on the stand after you have her dressed.  You need to put the dress around her ankles and put her on the stand at that point.  Then pull the dress up over the stand.  I was surprised there were no undergarments included (like the Franklin Mint dolls had).  Then again, Marilyn was known for not wearing them anyway.

The jewelry is true to the film and the shoes are gorgeous.  I still think the mink steals the look.  It is a large mink that you can wear in many different ways due to the length.

I'll be keeping Marilyn in this outfit until the next one arrives.  I really love how the blue looks on her.  She stands out in a room full of Marilyn dolls as the first I have ever seen in this outfit.  I highly recommend this dress for your Tonner Marilyn doll.

You can purchased this outfit directly from Tonner Doll Company
http://www.tonnerdoll.com/marilyn-monroe/i-am-lorelei-lee-outfit-only

"Marilyn Monroe as Pola Debevoise" Tonner Doll Review

The fabulous new Marilyn Monroe dolls have been released by Tonner Doll company.  The 16 inch dolls have been eagerly anticpated by fans.  Since Franklin Mint ceased their doll production there has been a void.

I am happy to report that the new dolls do not disappoint.  The Marilyn as Pola doll comes complete with the bathing suit as seen on screen in How to Marry a Millionaire.  The doll comes well packaged and includes a COA and a doll stand with a clear base.  

The suit looks great and also includes great drop earrings.  I wish they had included the matching cover-up worn with this suit in the film. Marilyn fans will instantly recognize the clear platform shoes worn in the film and reproduced for this doll.  They are tricky to put on her - ribbons might have been an easier choice.

A big difference between Tonner dolls and Franklin Mint is the increase in articulation.  Tonner dolls are fully jointed.  This makes them a lot of fun to play around with.

I like how the hair looks but I am sure some fans will want to restyle it themselves. As far as the face sculpt goes I think she is a beautiful doll and they did a good job but I don't think they completely nailed it.  Honestly no doll company has completely nailed her likeness - it takes the OOAK artists like Kim Goodwin and Noel Cruz to really pull that off.  The chin and jawline are off.  I do wish that they had kept the same paint job that was used on their limited edition Animal Magnetism doll.  Just a few more eyelashes painted on the top lid like their previous doll makes a difference.  That being said, I think she looks much better in person than the stock photos portray. 

Overall, I am thrilled with her and I think fans will also love her.  The best part of this doll is the additional outfits that are available to dress her up.  Coming up next......review of "I am Lorelei Lee" dress from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (a dress that has not appeared on any previous Marilyn dolls).

You can purchase this Marilyn Monroe as Pola Debevoise doll directly from Tonner http://www.tonnerdoll.com/marilyn-monroe/marilyn-monroe-pola-debevoise