Bringing beauty, elegance, and old Hollywood glamour to the world of paper dolls was Marilyn Henry’s specialty. More than any other contemporary paper doll artist, her work captured the look and spirit of the glamorous movie-star paper doll books of the 1940s and 1950s.
Marilyn's love affair with paper dolls began in childhood. Along with her best friend, Margie, she created an elaborate make-believe Hollywood called "Twinkletown," where glamorous paper doll stars appeared in imaginary movies and wore wardrobes designed by the two girls. Marilyn even published her own handmade movie magazine, Screen Fiction, devoted to the adventures of her paper doll celebrities. What began as childhood play would eventually shape the course of her life.
After studying art, Marilyn built a successful career as a fashion illustrator, designer, writer, and college art instructor. Her professional artwork appeared in newspaper advertising, catalogs, and promotional materials, while her lifelong passion for movies led her into writing and broadcasting. During the 1970s she introduced and discussed classic films on the public television program Superstar Movies in Evansville, Indiana. Her love of old Hollywood also resulted in her book The Films of Alan Ladd, published by Citadel Press in 1981. Later, she interviewed actors and personalities from daytime television for several soap opera magazines.
Paper dolls remained close to Marilyn's heart throughout her life. Her first published paper doll book, Vivien Leigh, appeared in 1979 through Merrill Publishing. Over the following decades she created dozens of paper doll books, convention souvenirs, and magazine features celebrating the stars, fashions, and personalities she admired. During the 1990s she illustrated a popular series of paper dolls for B. Shackman & Co., including Joan Crawford, Barbara Stanwyck, Claudette Colbert, Myrna Loy, Lana Turner, Carmen Miranda, and Mel Odom's Gene Doll™.
Marilyn's distinctive artistic style combined careful historical research, exceptional portrait likenesses, and a designer's eye for beauty and detail. Whether illustrating a Hollywood legend, a fashion plate, or a contemporary paper doll, she approached every project with the same enthusiasm and commitment to excellence. Collectors especially admired her ability to capture not only a star's appearance, but also the glamour and personality that made them memorable.
Her association with the Paperdoll Review magazine became one of the defining chapters of her career. As editor, art director, writer and artist, Marilyn helped shape the magazine's visual identity and editorial direction for nearly thirty years. Her heart, talent, and love of paper dolls touched every issue.
Marilyn also became one of the most beloved artists associated with Paper Studio Press, creating paper dolls devoted to stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Ginger Rogers, Esther Williams, Leslie Caron, Jane Powell, Loretta Young, Joan Fontaine, and Gene Tierney. Her work helped define the look and spirit of the publisher's Classic Hollywood line and remains highly regarded by collectors today.
Marilyn Henry passed away in 2020, but her artistic legacy lives on in the books, illustrations, and magazines through which she celebrated the people and subjects she loved. Her work remains a lasting tribute to the glamour, artistry, and imagination that began in Twinkletown and stayed with her throughout her life.
