“James Dean” and “Marilyn” haven’t missed a thing that has happened on their corner of Dorchester Avenue for the last 34 years, but passersby would struggle to get them to say anything about what they’ve seen.

That’s because they can’t talk; in fact, they’re not even alive.

The two 1950s-era statues in front of the Boston Glass & Boarding Service at 1068 Dorchester Ave. are as much a part of the fabric of the community as any living resident on Dorchester Avenue, and likely the most popular on their block as well.

“They are a big draw; everyone knows who they are,” said Pat Shubert, who with her late husband, Sid, and their family, has operated the Boston Glass business for more than 50 years – 40-plus years at the Dot. Ave. location – and the statues, nicknamed James Dean and Marilyn by Sid, have held court on the sidewalk outside the business for 34 years counting this summer.

“My husband always called them “James Dean” and “Marilyn,” said Pat, but other people have given them different names over the years.

“I always say they are my best employees,” she said. “They show up every day and stay all day no matter what. We’ve kept them painted and repaired over the years. Marilyn gets a manicure every so often. I think she’s due for one now. A lot of times people will put a cigarette in James’s mouth as they walk by.”

Family members and staffers decorate them for the holidays, or in honor of the various sports teams – particularly the New England Patriots.

“Those two have just always been there as long as I can remember,” said Patty Ann Lavalley, Pat and Sid’s daughter who is next in line to take over the family business. “That’s how a lot of people know us. They call up … because of the mannequins or we’ll tell them to turn down Dot Ave and go until you see the two mannequins. They’re a big part of the business and the marketing now, too.”

The story of their long-standing stance on Dorchester Avenue is a simple one: It began on a whim that occurred on a long-ago family vacation to New Hampshire, when they went to eat at a diner in Lincoln that featured two similar 1950s characters as “James” and “Marilyn” on the property.
“Sid was into music and loved the 1950s music and cars; when he saw them, he said he had to have them,” recalled Shubert.

After inquiring about them, Sid learned that they had been made by a company based in Massachusetts. He ordered the statues custom built and had them shipped to Dorchester. Soon enough, he began putting them outside the business on the Avenue every day, and bringing them in at night.

“At first people were surprised and stopped as they went by; they always wanted to know what they were about,” said Shubert. “A lot of people thought they’d get stolen, but nobody ever really bothered them. Now they’re a part of the neighborhood and people love them. It brings life to the area.”

There are a few funny stories that come with the two statues, like the time Boston Police responded to an alarm call at the business in the middle of the night. The side door was open, and officers moved in to investigate the premises. Standing ominously in the dark at the sales counter was James Dean, with Marilyn right beside him.

“Police saw the figures at the entrance and one officer was ready to pull out his weapon, but the other officer stopped him because he knew of the mannequins,” Pat recalled. “They look real, especially when he’s leaning on the counter. If you come in when it’s dark and see the shadow, then you’d be like, ‘Oh my!’”

Then there is the statue of a priest that Sid also bought and used to put out on the Avenue. But that just too scary for a lot of people. That mannequin now stays in the basement, keeping the inventory company.

Shubert said that in the years since they moved to Dorchester Avenue more than 40 years ago, they’ve had nothing but excellent experiences. It has been a perfect location for them, and people frequently drop in to see how things are going. During Covid-19 lockdowns, the business boomed as local restaurants and pharmacies needed Plexiglas barriers, and Boston Glass was well-situated to help with that. Business continues to be brisk, and the family still loves coming to work every day in Dorchester with “James” and “Marilyn” standing watch over Dorchester Avenue.

“I hope to keep them out there as long as I can – at least as long as I’m around,” said Pat. “I think they’ll be here a long time. They’re a part of this company, and a part of the neighborhood now.”