The Good: Generally good sculpt, Generally good coloring
The Bad: Animated look, Overpriced, Overproduced, No functions, A few paint issues, Balance issues
The Basics: For 2014, Gone With The Wind got a 75th Anniversary ornament from Hallmark, but Scarlett’s White Dress is a tougher sell to discriminating collectors!
This year, I’m learning a lot about film and pop culture history. It turns out that this is the 75th Anniversary of both Marvel Comics and Gone With The Wind’s theatrical release. As a part of their celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Gone With The Wind, Hallmark released a limited edition ornament. Out since Ornament Preview Weekend, the Gone With The Wind Scarlett’s White Dress ornament might be limited edition, but it is hardly extraordinary.
For those unfamiliar with the film, Gone With The Wind (reviewed here!) is led by a female protagonist, Scarlett O’Hara. At one point in the film – I’ve not seen it in years! – Scarlett gets dolled up in a puffy white dress. In that, she is the model of Southern affluence and society.
Basics
The Scarlett’s White Dress ornament features Scarlett O’Hara in her white cotton dress standing with her hands in front of her, with flowers in her right hand. The ornament includes Scarlett with her hair down and red sash. The ornament, released in 2014, is cast in solid ceramic and is one of the heaviest Gone With The Wind ornaments yet made. This incarnation is an iconic Scarlett O’Hara look and outfit.
Scarlett’s White Dress is a decent sculpt for an ornament, albeit a bit simple. This version of Scarlett’s White Dress lacks a realism of human qualities that is possible in ornaments today. If there was an animated version of Gone With The Wind, this would be a great sculpt and coloring job. But Gone With The Wind was not an animated movie, so having ornaments that look that way is just problematic, especially for an anniversary celebration ornament. Measuring four and one-half inches tall, the ornament is three and a half inches wide and three and a quarter inches deep. The “Scarlett’s White Dress” ornament is a surprisingly lackluster Hallmark ornament for the higher-than-average issue price.
The Hallmark “Scarlett’s White Dress” ornament is made of ceramic and is one of the more breakable ornaments Hallmark released this year. This ornament features Scarlett alone. The coloring on Scarlett’s White Dress is generally good. The face actually looks pretty good and the flowers are well-colored. The fingers are the only issue for the coloring; the hands are pretty decently colored, but the lines between them are disappointingly pink!
Features
Unlike most Hallmark Keepsake ornaments, the 2014 “Scarlett’s White Dress” has no sound or light effects.
Balance
As with all ornaments, the intent of the Hallmark Keepsake “Scarlett’s White Dress” ornament is to be hung on a Christmas Tree. And for those creating the ultimate movie nostalgia Christmas Tree, the “Scarlett’s White Dress” ornament is a mediocre one. The ornament has a somewhat occluded copper hook loop embedded into the top back center of O'Hara's head. The loop's location is fairly unobtrusive and necessary for the ornament. The “Scarlett’s White Dress” ornament is incredibly heavy and it sways slightly when hung from a hook on the loop. In addition to being heavy, the balance for the ornament is a bit off; the back of the ornament is heavier than the rest, so the ornament leans forward from the back in a noticeable and troubling way.
Collectibility
Hallmark Keepsake began delving into the collectibles market in 1991 with Star Trek when it introduced the exceptionally limited edition original U.S.S. Enterprise ornament (reviewed here!). Within a few years, virtually every classic film franchise jumped on the bandwagon and began merchandising with Hallmark as well. Classic properties like Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, The Wizard Of Oz and Gone With The Wind have been made into Hallmark Keepsake Christmas ornaments. “Scarlett’s White Dress” is one of the only Gone With The Wind ornaments on the market and one of two for the franchise in 2014. Fans of the book and film did not buy up the ornament its first weekend out. Given how many of this ornament were easily available at three of my local Hallmarks, I suspect that this did not land any better with fans and will make for a poor investment ornament.
Overview
Fans of Gone With The Wind, Scarlett’s O’Hara, Vivien Leigh, and Hallmark ornaments are likely to be utterly unimpressed by the Scarlett’s White Dress ornament. Given how heavy it is and how the coloring is not as precise as it ought to be, it is one that fans may pass by, anniversary or not!
For other Gone With The Wind Hallmark ornaments, please check out my reviews of:
2013 Scarlett’s Green Gown
2012 Scarlett Meets Her Match
2011 Almost A Kiss
2010 Scarlett O’Hara
2009 Frankly, My Dear
4/10
For other ornament reviews, please visit my Ornament Review Index Page for an organized listing!
© 2014 W.L. Swarts. May not be reprinted without permission.
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