Sunday, April 24, 2016

The Natural Thing

closeup of Shelley from the ad

Shelley appeared in many ads for Ship'n Shore in the 1970s. A 1973 version of the ad featured "flavorful wheatshirts" for spring that season, "The Natural Thing". In it, Shelley modeled a pocketed workshirt over a pair of plaid printed trousers. A woven belt and a pair of heeled brogues. Natural makeup and natural hair finished her look.

Shelley in an ad for Ship'n Shore, 1973

Cooking with Shelley


Shelley posed for many publicity pics in the 1970s. One set showed her going about her daily routine at home, like talking on the phone and even cooking. But more than cooking, she enjoyed making preserves, jams, jellies and chutneys. She loved baking as well. Check out some of recipes at:

Apple Pie Recipe News Clipping

Celebrity Cookbook 1981

The Sportscoats

closeups of Shelley from the spread

Shelley appeared in several spreads of Sears Fall and Winter 1972 catalog. In the spread called "The Sportscoats Are Coming", she modeled two sportscoats. One was an Air Force-look Jacket that was quilted and had a hood trimmed with natural Norwegian Blue Fox. The other was a Blazer-styled Jacket which was double-breasted and had shiny accent buttons in front and on the sleeves. And in both jackets, Shelley looked sensational.

Shelley in a spread for Sears Fall and Winter 1972 catalog

Heavenly Body


Shelley joined the cast of Charlie's Angels in 1979. Many critics dismissed the show as fluff; and Shelley was aware of that. She said it was fluff, but the best kind of fluff. "You don't compare Agatha Christie to Tolstoy," she said. And she was right in saying that. Charlie's Angels was the very best of it's kind - copycat shows never fared as well as it did.

Keeping Posted 2

a closeup of Shelley from the spread

Shelley appeared in a '70s fashion spread called "Keeping Posted on Fashion" which featured fashions taken from mail-order catalogues. Deemed well-styled, up-to-the-minute and wearable, the outfits ranged from high-fashion casuals to contemporary classics - all at very affordable prices of course. Shelley modeled an easy pants outfit made up of a loose fitting V-neck shirt and stripped pants. A floppy hat, a matching bangle and a pair of platform sandals finished her look. Everything she wore was available at Sears. And Shelley looked easy on the eyes.

Shelley in a '70s fashion spread called "Keeping Posted on Fashion"

Permission To Wear Glasses

Shelley's first leading lady role was Jennifer Corly in the film If Ever I See You Again. She was immediately cast by Joe Brooks when she auditioned for the part. He even insisted she wore her glasses during filming. And Shelley did so throughout the film.

A Buy That's Right

Shelley in a 1977 ad for Russ fashion, 1977

Shelley appeared in many fashion ads during her tenure as a model. One of them was for Russ in 1977. "A Buy That's Right" declared the ad where she was in a chic white blazer and skirt ensemble. The blazer had black piping and black and white buttons to match. Under the blazer, she wore a V-neck striped top with yellow, white, black and gray stripes. Her outfit was finished with a matching pair of earrings, a bracelet and her effervescent smile. Shelley looked très chic.

a closeup of Shelley from the ad

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Denim Three Ways

closeups of Shelley from a spread
on the Sears Spring/Summer '77 catalog

In 1977, Shelley appeared on the pages of Sears catalog for spring and summer. She was featured on various spreads throughout the Sears Spring/Summer '77 catalog. In the spread called "Focus on Denim Three Ways", she modeled a Knit T-shirt in True Red and a Real Navy Blue pair of "denim pants with cargo-style pockets" ensemble. A matching scarf, some bracelets, a cute sporty belt and red heeled sandals finished her look. Shelley was both sophisticated and sporty in her Denim look.

Shelley in a spread
for Sears Spring/Summer '77 catalog

Hollywood Collector's Show

Shelley at the Hollywood Collector's Show in Burbank, California in July 2009,
where she met fellow Charlie's Angel Tanya Roberts for the first time

Keeping Posted 1

Shelley in a '70s fashion spread named "Keeping Posted on Fashion"

Shelley appeared in a '70s fashion spread called "Keeping Posted on Fashion" which featured fashions taken from mail-order catalogues. Deemed well-styled, up-to-the-minute and wearable, the outfits ranged from high-fashion casuals to contemporary classics - all at very affordable prices of course. Shelley modeled a soft, feminine dress with a bow at the neck in peach, It was available Sears. A matching narrow gold belt and a pair of heeled sandals finished her look. And Shelley looked, oh, so mid-1970s chic.

closeups of Shelley from the spread

Hannah Stone

screen captures of Shelley and Micheal Nader from The Finishing Touch, 1992

Shelley starred in the 1992 thriller The Finishing Touch with Arnold Vosloo (The Mummy) and Michael Nader (Dynasty). She played recently divorced detective Hannah Stone who ends up working on a case with her ex-husband Sam (Nader) where they pursue possible suspect - prominent artist Mikael Gant (Vosloo). The feature film was released under the title L.A. Ripper in Germany.

screen captures of Shelley and Arnold Vosloo from The Finishing Touch, 1992

Makes Word of Mouth

Shelley in an ad for Yardley, 1971

Shelley appeared in a 1971 ad for Yardley with the tagline "Slicker Makes Word of Mouth". Yardley's Slicker Lip Polish line could be worn over or under lipstick and could be spread from lip to lip. Slicker also came in polish for the nails.

closeups of Shelley from the 1971 ad

Traveling Incognito

Shelley became a Charlie's Angel in 1979 and instantly became a household name and a paparazzi magnet. Pictures of her were everywhere; but still they weren't enough. Photographers followed her around which made it necessary for her to travel incognito, as one 1979 news bit put it. Could the woman beside her be her mother Pat?

Yes! The Dress! 2

closeups of Shelley
from a Woman's Day spread, May 1973

Shelley appeared in a spread for Woman's Day magazine in May of 1973 called "Yes! The Dress". It featured different dresses to wear from day to evening. One of the dresses Shelley wore was a sleeveless dress with a floor-length pleated skirt. It came with a matching casual baseball jacket, knitted cuffs and all. The top of the dress and the jacket were both made from the same knit lace. Hair pinned back, simple earrings, a matching bracelet and heeled open-toed footwear finished her look. Another dress Shelley modeled was a sleeveless above-the-knee dress that had a plain white knitted top and a printed skirt with a shirred waist. It came with a matching long-sleeved jacket (in the same print as the skirt) with buttoned cuffs and button details. A pair of two-toned Oxford-style pumps with medium heels, matching button earrings, a chunky but modern opera-length necklace and a contrasting clutch finished her look. A black wig lent her a cosmopolitan vibe. Both outfits were by Leslie Fay and Shelley looked every inch like a young mid-1970s sophisticate in both of them.

Shelley in a spread for Woman's Day, May 1973

If you look closely, appearing on the spread with Shelley was her future co-star in the Charlie's Angels episode "Toni's Boys" Bruce Bauer. He played disguise and weapons expert Matt Parrish in the episode. Bruce was a busy model in the 1970s, appearing in both print ads and commercials. In fact, isn't that him with Shelley in these pics too? Classy Clothes and The Palazzo Ensemble

above: Bruce Bauer and Shelley from the 1973 spread
below: Bruce Bauer and Shelley from the Charlie's Angels episode "Toni's Boys"

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Butterfly-Printed Knit

Shelley in a Sears Spring Summer 1975 catalog spread

Shelley appeared in many spreads throughout Sears Spring Summer 1975 catalog; and one of them was called "Sleep and Lounge Fun-Things in a Butterfly-Printed Knit" which featured butterfly-printed garments that could be slept or lounged in. She modeled the Long Shirt version - which was so comfortable, it WAS perfect for sleeping, lounging or entertaining in. It had short sleeves, a smocked front yoke, a lime green button trim and a shirt-tail hemline. Shelley looked adorable in it.

a closeup of Shelley from a Sears Spring Summer 1975 catalog spread

Single Woman Frankie

screen caps of Shelley in the telefilm Single Bars Single Women, 1984

Shelley appeared in the telefilm Single Bars Single Women in 1984. She played Frankie, a truck stop waitress who was single and immersing herself in the dating/bar scene. Her ex, Gabe (played by Paul Michael Glaser), was trying to win her back; but Frankie was trying to move on. The film explored the dating scene in the 1980s when - because of women's liberation movement in the 1970s - gender roles were evolving.

Denimites

Shelley in a 1972 ad for Bobbie Brooks

Shelley appeared in an ad for Bobbie Brooks in 1972 that featured the fashion line's new separates collection called Denimites. It was a knit collection with a blue denim look, "duded up with precise detail and surprise touches". Shelley modeled a jacket and pants set over a red and white printed blouse. And Shelley looked dynamite and sensational in it.

a closeup of Shelley from the ad

Hollywood Dream

a publicity photo of Shelley from 1978

Shelley became a Supermodel in 1976 when she began endorsing Charlie by Revlon. The brand and her image became so synonymous, she became known worldwide as THE Charlie Girl. Having made it in the modeling industry, she set her sights on Hollywood. Her first foray into feature films was via the Academy Award winning movie Annie Hall - where she had a scene with Woody Allen himself. Shelley's Hollywood dream was to become just like her fellow Connecticut-bred idol Katherine Hepburn.

Yes! The Dress!

Shelley in a spread for Woman's Day, May 1973

Shelley appeared in a spread for Woman's Day magazine in May of 1973 called "Yes! The Dress". It featured different dresses to wear from day to evening. One of the dresses Shelley modeled was a sleeveless number with a pleated skirt by Stanley Wylins for Oak Hall - which was perfect for running up steps, two at a time if needed. It came with a matching cardigan for those cold air-conditioned rooms. Black accessories and belt, a black purse and a matching turban polished her look. A matching hose and pumps tied everything up. Shelley looked every inch like the mid-70s sophisticate. And if I may add, the pic is so reminiscent of the Audrey Hepburn train station scene in Sabrina (1953).

a closeup of Shelley from the spread

Why

a 1089 tabloid writeup about why Shelley was let go/left Charlie's Angels

So many things were said when Shelley joined the cast of Charlie's Angles in 1979. And so many things were said when she left the show as well. She was blamed for the show's slip in the ratings; but then it had already slipped significantly the year before - from Number 4 over-all in 1977 to Number 12 over-all in 1978 (that's a huge eight-point drop). They said she couldn't act; but she wasn't given anything to say or do. And when she had something to say or do, she wasn't bad at all - which surprised many (Also, she did very well in her Love Boat episode - which she filmed during her Angel tenure). They said she didn't have any charisma. Then how did she catapult Charlie by Revlon into the NUMBER ONE perfume and cosmetics BRAND IN THE WORLD spot? They said she she didn't get along with her co-stars. Then why were Jaclyn Smith, Cheryl Ladd and David Doyle defending her? Many assumed she was fired; but the truth is her option wasn't picked up - and nor did she want it to be. She was given a one-year contract with a six-year option - and she opted not to continue. As with Kate Jackson, it was a mutual decision.

Jacket and Dress Outfit

Shelley in a spread
for the Sears Spring/Summer '77 catalog

In 1977, Shelley appeared on the pages of Sears catalog for spring and summer. She was featured on various spreads throughout the Sears Spring/Summer '77 catalog. In the spread called "Jacket and Dress Outfits", she modeled the Open Jacket with Dress ensemble in a diamond-and-flower jacquard-pattern with diamond-patterned accents. The dress was body-skimming, sleeveless and opened at the back. It had a matching belt. The jacket was an open-style jacket with long sleeves. Simple white button earrings finished her look. And Shelley was downright classy and, oh, so breathtakingly beautiful in it.

a closeup of Shelley from a spread
on the Sears Spring/Summer '77 catalog

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Tops That Top Them All

Shelley in a spread for Simplicity Fashion News, 1972
with Colleen Corby on the far left
and Beshka Sorensen in the red top

Shelley appeared in the July 1972 issue of Simplicity Fashion News which featured summer fashions for young misses. In a spread called "Sew Tops That Top Them All", she modeled pattern number 5078 - a pullover top that was off the shoulders and designed with straps. Shelley looked summer-ready and summer-fresh.

a closeup of Shelley from the spread

Taking A Break

Shelley and Jim Metzler taking a break from filming
their TV series Cutter to Houston in 1983

Shelley starred with Jim Metzler and Alec Baldwin in the 1983 medical drama Cutter to Houston. The series was about three doctors at a clinic in rural Texas. It had a very short run and was canceled before it could find an audience. Let's hope it's released on DVD soon.

Great American Designer

Shelley with Halston and 10 other models in a spread for Vogue, 1972

Shelley appeared in a spread for Vogue in 1972 which featured the great American designer Halston. Halston's simple, no-nonsense style is so modern, anyone can still wear it today and look chic. Halston was one of the first superstar designers; and was one of the first who wanted so much to bring chic to the masses, he designed a line of clothes for JCPenney.

a closeup of Shelley from the spread

Worldwide Following

a Belgian writeup about the 4th season of Charlie's Angels
from OK! magazine, March 1983

When Shelley became a Charlie's Angel in 1979, she became even more famous throughout the world. She initially became famous worldwide for being THE Charlie Girl; but when she became an Angel, her fame became even more widespread. Writeups about her came out all over the world - from the United States to Latin America to Europe and Asia. She gained many more fans in the entire world.

True Red and White 2

Shelley in a spread
for Sears Spring/Summer 1977

In 1977, Shelley appeared on the pages of Sears catalog for spring and summer. She was featured on various spreads throughout the Sears Spring/Summer '77 catalog. In the one called "True Red and White", she modeled fashions in that color combination. She modeled several ensembles. One of them was a red tunic over a flower-printed shirt and red-and-white striped pants. Another was a cardigan sweater over the same flower-printed shirt and the same pants but in just plain white. Her third look was a blazer and pants set with a T-shirt and scarf. And in all ensembles, Shelley looked chic and fabulous. For more details, check out: True Red And White

a closeup of Shelley from the spread

Our Kind of Town

Shelley's third stab into series TV was Jack and Mike in 1986 (Her first was Charlie's Angels in 1979 Then in 1983, she did Cutter to Houston). It was initially called Jackie O'Shea (it was a vehicle for Shelley) but was later changed to Our Kind of Town. By the time it went on the air, it was changed to Jack and Mike - referring to lead characters Jackie Shea, played by Shelley, and Mike Brennan, played by Tom Mason.

"With It" Styles

Shelley in a spread for Simplicity Fashion News, 1971

Shelley appeared in the April 1971 issue of Simplicity Fashion News which featured summer fashions for young misses. In the spread called "Be a nifty dresser: sew new knits in 'with it' styles the fit and flatter", she wore patterns 9333 and 9102, a sweater top and a pantskirt respectively. A matching skull cap, a fancy neck piece and a pair of bangles finished her look. And Shelley looked "with it" indeed.

a closeup of Shelley from the spread