Tillie the Toiler, 1934

To You Who Answered the Call, 1945

Paper Doll Studio Issue 108

Jenny and company hit another one out of the park! A fabulous issue for those of us who love old movies (and don't we all?)

In addition to seeing favorite movie stars from Theda Bara to Barbra Streisand rendered by favorite artists (Marilyn Henry, Tom Tierney, Jim Howard, Bruce Jones, Ralph Hodgdon, Rudy Miller, Brenda Mattox, Sandy Vanderpool, Linda Hoerner and Larry Bassin to name just a few) you get to read David Wolfe on "Gone with the Wind," Marilyn Henry on "Since You Went Away," and Kwei-lin Lum on "West Side Story." 

Wolfe's GWTW set is gorgeous, and brought back memories of watching the 1967 revival of the 1939 film at Radio City Music Hall with my best friend and her mom (and how she squeezed my arm when Clark Gable makes his first appearance in the film). Love the roundup of GWTW paper doll sets in David's collection -- especially Tom Tierney's "Belle Watling."

I've seen "Since You Went Away" (1944) but when I watch it next time I'll think of Marilyn Henry and how much the film means to her -- and why. She writes that the film reflects what it was like to live through the uncertainty and upheaval of the WWII era. The screenplay is based on a book of real-life correspondence between a woman and her husband serving overseas. 

Of course, I've seen "West Side Story" (1961) dozens of times -- saw a revival on stage years ago when I was a teenager, and knew the soundtrack by heart (I had both the Broadway version with  Chita Rivera and the Hollywood version with Rita Moreno). My family lived across the street from where it was filmed, and I recognize many of the landmarks in the opening aerial view. Many Puerto Ricans have a love-hate relationship with West Side, but not me. It's all love. Of course, I have Kwei-lin's  "West Side Story." And yes, I do have Rita Moreno's new memoir to read this summer. 

And this issue will send many of us to seek out the DVD of "So Dear to My Heart" (1949, Disney) thanks to Darlene Jones' lovely artwork of the cast and her reminiscence of the film. Some of my friends in the New York City paper doll group remembered this movie, but it's a new one for me. 

As usual, the issue is filled with the artwork of contributors. 

Jim Howard's paper doll of Dirk Bogarde in "Death in Venice" is dazzling.

I got a kick out of Anita Barbour's "Garbo as Ninotchka" and Karen Hunter's "To Kill a Mockingbird" and Lawrence of Arabia." Already bought Rudy Miller's "Funny Girl." I haven't seen "The Hunger Games," but I enjoyed seeing Sharon Souter's Katniss Everdene paper doll.

There's more in the issue than I have time to describe, but you will discover new artists that you'll want to know more about. 

And maybe even learn a little bit more about the movies you love!

This issue is a must-have. Click here to order your copy.

Handmade doll in pink skirt, c. 1914-1919

Janet Lennon c. 1962

... with outfits created for a round-robin

Royal Typewriter trade card, c. 1930s