Safari

Captivated by the mysterious allure of Africa during filming Daughter of the Nile in Egypt, Gene was thrilled when the studio scheduled her to go on safari to the vast plains of Kenya for publicity. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience she would never forget.

That day spent with a nomadic Masai tribe, for example. The photographer snapped shot after shot of Gene with the tall, exotically handsome tribes people in their beautiful dyed one-piece robes. Gene’s costume inspired amusement for the Masai, especially the high heels that the publicity department decided were perfect for hiking in the rocky bush. When Gene politely, yet firmly, insisted she do all her shooting of the fabulous wildlife with a camera, not a rifle, she disappointed the publicist, but earned nods of approval from the Masai who did not understand this need to hunt for sport. But Gene’s most unforgettable moment came when a shy Masai girl approached her with a magazine in hand… a Screen Look issue from 1947 with Gene’s photo on the cover, well-worn but obviously the teenage girl’s greatest treasure. Gene’s dream of stardom had touched a child here, even in this ancient, primitive land, this most remote wilderness. The tribe still tells of how a bridge spanning two worlds was created in the instant the American movie star reached out her arms to hug a Masai daughter.

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Gene® is a registered trademark of The Ashton-Drake Galleries® and was created by Mel Odom. I have no affiliation with these or any other doll companies.