Jaclyn Smith, Shelley Hack and Cheryl Ladd
during the filming of the Charlie's Angels
episode "Of Ghosts and Angels" in 1979
Shelley became Angel no. 5 in 1979 when she joined the cast of Charlie's Angels for its 4th season. Shelley was already a Supermodel when she joined the hit TV series and was known worldwide as THE Charlie Girl in those fabulous Revlon Charlie TV commercials and print ads. She auditioned, went though a screen test, and even a personality test; but what really got her the part, it seems, was the headline "THE Charlie Girl becomes Charlie's newest Angel" which was going through Angels executive producer Aaron Spelling's head as he was choosing TV's latest cherub. Also, Shelley had good rapport with her new co-Angels Cheryl Ladd and Jaclyn Smith; plus, the three photographed really well together. When Shelley's debut episode "Love Boat Angels" aired, it topped the Nielsen ratings.
screen captures from the Charlie's Angels
episode "Of Ghosts and Angels," 1980
In January of 1980, Charlie's Angels aired it's first ever supernatural/fantasy/horror episode called "Of Ghosts and Angels." Tiffany has been having the same nightmare for a week about an old mansion and a mysterious lady in a wheelchair being pushed down the stairs to her death. At the office, she mentions it in passing to Kelly, Kris and Bosley; but she's also excited about her vacation to see her newly-married heiress friend Erica, who recently married a clothing manufacturer named Clifford Burke. She also invited Kelly and Kris to join her so they could meet Erica and Cliff; the two will be flying over a day after Tiff leaves. And while the Angels are enjoying their time off (and even a costume party at Erica's), poor Bos has to stay at the office to finish a mountain of paperwork (just like he did in the season 1 episode 15 episode "Angels on a String"). When Tiffany arrives at Erica's house, she is surprised that it's exactly like the mansion in her nightmares. But upon seeing Erica, her mood changes; the two have a happy reunion. Later, Erica confides in Tiffany that she isn't comfortable in her house, which is actually owned by Cliff. She tells Tiff about the strange things she notices in the house... footsteps, voices, things moving around, drafts, and the smell of perfume. She feels like someone or something doesn't want her there. That night, Tiffany wakes up to a mansion filled with people, to a party, as well the mysterious lady in a wheelchair who's about to fall from the top of the stairs. But in an instant, the woman and everything else disappears; and Tiff finds herself alone. The next day, she fetches Kelly and Kris from the airport and tells them about what she saw the night before. They meet Erica; and over tea, Erica tells them about Tiff's interest in the occult and her psychic abilities; and Kelly and Kris tease Tiff about it. Later, the Angels have a serious conversation about what Tiff really thinks is happening at the house; and the three of them begin to notice the strange things for themselves. Everything culminates at the costume party where the truth about the house and the mysterious lady is finally revealed.
Jaclyn Smith, Shelley Hack and Cheryl Ladd
during the filming of the Charlie's Angels
episode "Of Ghosts and Angels" in 1979
