JHD Dolls "Palm Beach" Camorra sculpt, Valley of the Dolls Collection

May 1, 2025

The genius mastermind...

Well finally the last one of the girls has stepped off the bus into summer camp 1962. This sculpts name is Camorra, which is obviously unacceptable, so I'll call her Marilyn. And not, reader, as an homage to Marilyn Monroe but really as a tribute to my late Aunt Marilyn, who was one of this generation of teenage girls in the '60's, and was breathtakingly beautiful, and who was sarcastic as possible and wouldn't hesitate to tell you exactly what she thought at all times. Young Marilyn arrives at camp, ready to mastermind some sneaking down to the city at night when the girls are supposed to be in their bunks and scope out what cute boys are at camp this year for some entertainment for when the girls are stuck at camp and supposed to be in their bunks for the summer.

Checking stuff out...

Immediately upon arrival, Marilyn takes out her shades so she can check out all the other kids at camp without them being able to see her looking at them. She scans the shore and sees a handful of boys that seem cute enough for her taste and a few that she is sure she can convince Susan and Trish to hook up with so that she can date the hot friend. It doesn't take her long to pick her targets, so to speak.

Sly as a fox...

The three high school girls are reunited and like all high school girls when reunited after any time apart there is a lot of high-pitched squealing in delight and hugging and tears, exclamations of "You look so pretty!" and "I missed you so much!" and just plain "Squeeeeeeee!" Once these young girl traditions are dispensed with, the girls take their place sitting around an old oak up on a ridge, giving them a panoramic view of camp. Now, the time all three have been waiting for.

"Let me lay it out for ya"

Now, they plan the summer. Which boy will each girl date? Which girls do they not like and therefore need to squeeze painfully out of teenage society, hilariously, accurately and brutally finding things to pick on about her and possibly giving her some kind of eating disorder. It's not pretty, but when even slightly insecure teenage girls get together, this is what happens. Consider this like a Nova special. But also, which shy new girl do they think is cool and they want to possibly develop as a friend to bulk their ranks. Of course, Marilyn is the boss, she can think three steps ahead, so she shoots down the other girls' short-term solutions. A good friend to have.

Classy.

Marilyn is definitely gorgeous. She has a look on her face that makes you feel like she knows something you don't, and she probably does. This doll has it together. Like the other 2 dolls in this first release of "Valley of the Dolls" (there's been another release of the collection) Marilyn's hair has got the '60's style bump on top of her head, and the cinnamon roll along the back of the bottom. Once again, the hair, a light red or reddish brown this time, is shellacked in place. But Marilyn has a little extra glamour, she's got a curl loose from the bump and it's swooping dramatically across her forehead.

The big swoop

I've seen the Camorra sculpt a lot, it was used on the famous JHD mermaid doll that is in so many fan pictures on social media. She may not look quite as noble when she's just a bodacious girl from the '60's as when she's a majestic mermaid emerging from the surf. but I still love her face. Her cheekbones and full lips are beautiful.

She's got style

Her color of the day is barely orange, or orange bordering on yellow, orange sherbet perhaps, whatever you call it she's 9 out of 10 on the matchy - matchy scale, thankfully her shades provide a pop of white that's needed. She's got a golden bauble on her wrist that I love, and her heels are simple yet classic, I love an ankle strap on a shoe.

Snatched mani

As usual JHD killed it on the manicure, going unsurprisingly with an orange this time and once again adding the French detail, which always tickles my happy zone. She is articulated to satisfyingly place her ideal nails in the pocket of her creamsicle short shorts. They are adorably tailored with real pockets, tiny buttons and pleats.

You can see right thru it!

Her top is a sheer, sweetly tailored blouse with puffy sleeves and a pointed collar that no self-respecting mother would let their teen out of the house in, so either that tells us something about Marilyn's mother, or it tells us something about Marilyn's own capabilities. I personally feel sorry for this girl's mother.

She's a model

Because look at this girl, what are you going to do, lock her in the basement? How are you going to keep all those greaser kids with slicked back hair trying to look like Elvis with the white t-shirts and the chuck Taylor sneakers away from her? Not to mention the older ones with the motorcycles and the leather jackets. Maybe Marilyn's mother understands she's ruling by consent of the governed here and she better just go along to get along, like me with my 17-year-old daughter.

Those brows are arched.

At some point, you just have to let go of your children and hope that you've done a good enough job raising them that they know right from wrong in this world. As far as Marilyn the doll is concerned, I wouldn't put anything past her. But I'll tell you one thing, I bet without her summer would be no fun at that summer camp.