Shelley in a promo pic for If Ever I See You Again, 1978
Shelley's first leading lady role came in the 1978 film If Ever I See You Again. She was handpicked by producer/director/leading man Joe Brooks to play the part of artist Jennifer Corly, his love interest in the film. During the auditions, Brooks told one reporter, "When Shelley walked into the room, I turned to my assistant and said, 'She's got it!'" He thought she was perfect for the role. He also insisted she wore her glasses, which Shelley thought affected her concentration on her role because she could see everyone on the set clearly.
a writeup about Shelley from 1978