Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Hello Dolly!

Hello Dolly - Louis Armstrong


I got a package today from my beloved eBay...
The entire box was encased with tape. *grumbles* How in the heck am I supposed to get into this?!




Ahhh, easier than it looked. I just slit one end open and pulled it back. Then I saw this beautiful paper, and it dawned on me that it was wrapped this way as to not damage the Ashton Drake box in case of resale.



















Opening the tissue paper....
















Oooo, she's SO pretty! Ooo she nekkid!



















Yes, another doll. I said I didn't have any doll $$$, and I don't.... not for a $150 plus doll. But I picked up this beautiful Madra doll for only $20. I think she will make a lovely Belle Watling.




Love that red hair!





Belle, we know your reputation, but be a doll and put on a robe will you?





I figured since she's a saucy, sultry girl that she could borrow Rose's kimono. Fitting for a soiled dove, don't you think? I'm sure she'd give Jack a dime to draw her like one of his french girls too.





I'm sure Rose won't mind that Madra is wearing her kimono, afterall~ Madra let her wear the "Turbulence" ensemble for her airplane escapades...Aviation doll vs Aviation Rose

Now I need to make Belle's red coat. This info was taken from one of the books in my collection, "Gone With the Wind On Film". It lists every costume in detail. I have found some descriptions to be innacurate however. Click to view the large version.

Here is a photo of Ona Munson (Belle), with Walter Plunkett ~who designed the costumes of Gone With the Wind. This particular outfit was said to be one of his favorites from the film. It is very sad that Ona took her own life at age 51.

She was typecast in Hollywood as a madam~ always playing such rolls and this seemed to upset her.

In the end she delt with many health issues and apparently couldn't take it anymore. Her note read,

"This is the only way I know to be free again...Please don't follow me."



14 comments:

Tricia said...

I love your new dolly. She looks so sexy in the black outfit too. You know girls always have money for another dolly.

Traci @ The Bakery said...

She sure is purty...Ok, am I seeing ni@@les on the breasts? I don't think I've ever seen a doll w/ that much detail! LOL Is she actually that lady? Or did you just happen to see it and THINK she looked like her?
I can only imagine if you would have had a girl.....oh what lovliness she would be wearing...tee hee. I don't have any girly girls....sigh.....

Justine said...

What a pretty doll she is, and I love that cute robe on her! Where did you get that? How does Kevin feel about all these dolls staring at him with blank eyes? I tell you, it'd freak me out!

Justine :o )

paintergal said...

I giggled out loud at the nude photo warning.
OK, don't shoot me, but I've never seen GWTW. So I don't know who Belle is. Is Belle the character or the actress?
See, your blog is a tutorial!

Susan said...

Oh, I cannot believe you got this beautiful doll for $20.00. Was it because she was naked? I have one Tonner (Tyler Wentworth) doll that I love, but I never got another one. She makes a beautiful Belle. Enjoy her.

Anonymous said...

Sweet kimono. Did you make it?

Jaede said...

She is a beautiful doll, reminds me of a song......hehe I'm waiting patiently to see her in the red coat xxx

Unknown said...

She's so..... uhh.... perky?!
Just teasing...
What a pretty new doll...Your post is so funny, but it ends so sad. I can't believe how much you know about GWTW!

Rue said...

Hi Nikki :)

"Ooo she nekkid" LOLOL

It's so sad that Ona took her own life. I had read that before, but most of my concentration was on Scarlett and Rhett, so I had forgotten.

I think the Belle doll makes a pretty good Rose too :)

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

I'm so glad to see you are getting quite a doll collection! Neat! You may catch up to me soon!

Katherine

Unknown said...

What a fabulous doll find! I think both you and the doll are lucky to have found each other! You; to have found such a steal and the doll; to find such a talented and loving owner! Thanks for sharing your doll pics. You're very talented.

Heather said...

I love the new Belle doll- and for $20!!!!!! What a steal!
I never knew that Ona had taken her own life...........so very sad.
hope you are doing well sweetie!
-Heather :)

Life on the Edge said...

I love this doll! I laughed so hard at "oooo she nekkid!" And the previous poster is right...she has little nips up front there! lol

I just love porcelain dolls, but its my daughter who collects them, and none of quite this caliber.

Kady

Christie said...

Hey Nikki! I just love your doll...don't ya just love ebay...I sure do! Hope you Have a great week!
xoxo,
Queenie!