Glamourous New Angel

a glamourous promo pic of Shelley, 1979

Shelley became Charlie's newest Angel in 1979, and she jumped from being THE Charlie Girl to becoming Charlie's latest Superstar Angel. Supermodel Shelley's casting signaled a new glamorous era for the Angels. Series executive producer Aaron Spelling proclaimed, "We’re bringing back the glamour." Nolan Miller, the wardrobe designer of the series, said, "I was impressed with her Charlie perfume commercials and how she could create a look just by turning her collar up and putting her hands in her pockets." The clothing budget per episode was raised to $20,000 with each Angel going through eight outfits per episode; and Charlie's latest Angel trio (Shelley with Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd) was molded into a sophisticated-looking team.

a writeup about Shelley from 1979

Shelley was cast as the glamorous Angel Tiffany Welles, the daughter of one of Charlie's closest childhood friends, a police chief in Connecticut (later changed to Boston). "I still have not really recovered from the surprise of landing the part," Shelley said at the time. "I scarcely have time to breathe or eat," she said of her first two weeks as the newest Angel. "It's exhausting work creating a new person, a new image for Charlie's new Angel," she said. "I went shopping for five days buying new outfits in boutiques and got so exhausted I fell asleep in one department store." But on her own, Shelley preferred the simple life. "When I was living in New York City, at 4 o'clock every Friday, I would get in my car and drive to my farm (in Catskill, New York) and it was great. I'd take all my makeup off and put on an old pair of overalls and an old sweatshirt, put my hair in a ponytail, and put an old pair of socks with holes in them and start right in." Charlie's glamorous new Angel loved spending her "me" time, gardening, chopping wood, baking bread and making jellies.

a glamourous promo pic of Shelley, 1979

Tops and Skirts '77

pics of Shelley from a spread

in the Sears Spring/Summer '77 catalog

Shelley has appeared on many spreads for many catalogs from the late '60s to the mid-'70s. Many Supermodels at the time appeared in the most popular catalogs during the era like Cheryl Tiegs, Beverly Johnson, Patti Hansen and Shelley Smith, just to name a few. Many models who eventually became actresses also appeared in the catalogs like Veronica Hamel, Erin Grey, Kim Basinger and Pam Dawber.

Shelley in a spread

for 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 "Junior Bazaar Separates: Tops and Skirts," she modeled the latest in tops and skirts that were perfect for that spring and summer season. She wore the Striped Top, a red pullover-style white-striped top with a V-neckline, a bias-cut panel in front, short sleeves, tunnel belt loops (with a white cotton cord belt) and a square bottom. She wore it over the white Solid-Color Skirt, a button-front style skirt which had two front pockets (with flap-and-button trims) and a below-the-knee skirt. She also wore the Solid-Color Top, a white pullover-style top with a round neckline, a front-slanted placket and a tie closing. It had a V-neck inset at the back neck, top stitching on the cap sleeves and shoulders; and it had a square bottom. She wore it over the red version of the Solid-Color Skirt. A matching red cap finished her look. In both top-and-skirt combos, Shelley looked absolutely summery and fabulous.

pics of Shelley from a spread

in the Sears Spring/Summer '77 catalog

Mauve And Garnet 2

a closeup of Shelley

from a pic from the Jean Grayson's

Brownstone Studio catalog, fall 1977 issue

Like many of her contemporaries, Shelley appeared on many catalogs during her Supermodel days. In 1977, she appeared on the Fall 1977 issue of Jean Grayson's Brownstone Studio catalog. Jean Grayson (whose real name was Jean Paaswell) was a fashion designer who designed classic clothes for real women. She catered to homemakers and career women who either hated to shop, had no time to shop, or just wanted someone else to do the shopping/choosing for her. She founded Jean Grayson's Brownstone Studio, a successful mail order women's apparel company that produced four catalogs yearly. 

Shelley in a pic

from the Jean Grayson's

Brownstone Studio catalog, fall 1977 issue

In the fall 1977 issue, Shelley modeled easy-to-match separates... pieces 19F, 19G and 19H. Her outfit was a mauve and garnet hued combination that was perfect for a day out in the town or in the office. It was made up of a pale mauve to dusty rose chevron-striped long-sleeved blouse (19H) in polyester jersey that buttoned up to the front to its bow-tied neckline and a pair of classic pants (19G) in mauve that had an elastic waistband and a side zipper. She topped this off with a city shirtjacket (19F) in pinchecked polyester twill. It had a front zipper, zipper pockets concealed in the side front seams, top stitching and buttoned cuffs. Heeled loafers finished her look. A garnet-colored beret and a matching shoulder bag accessorized her look. And, again, Shelley looked classic and classy at the same time.

Cutter To Houston 2023 Anniv

Shelley with Alec Baldwin

and Jim Metzler in a promo pic

for Cutter To Houston, 1983

October is the 40th Anniversary of Shelley's second TV series, 1983's Cutter to Houston. The show was about three young doctors recruited to run a small hospital in the fictional rural town of Cutter, Texas. Shelley played Dr. Beth Gilbert, an ambitious surgeon on temporary assignment in Cutter. Beth aspired to become a heart surgeon in Houston. Jim Metzler played idealistic GP Dr. Andy Fenton, who grew up in Cutter and was glad to be back in the town that financed his medical education. Alec Baldwin played internist/ladies man Dr. Hal Wexler, who was getting through his probation, having been relegated to Cutter for being a little too fast and free with his prescriptions.

a newspaper promo ad

for Cutter to Houston, 1983

Cutter to Houston was a short-lived TV series that began airing in the fall of 1983. Although it received mixed reviews, it had great promise; plus, the cast had an easy rapport and had enough talent to carry an hour-long drama. Prior to the series, former Charlie's Angel Shelley Hack had already proven that she had acting chops, having received great reviews for her work on stage as well as on the big and small screens. Jim Metzler had a Golden Globe Award nomination under his belt for his supporting role in the 1982 feature film Tex. Alec Baldwin had come from his 1980-1982 stint in the NBC daytime soap opera The Doctors. Cutter to Houston, which was aired Saturday nights, had a difficult time finding an audience. Aside from a bad time slot, it seemed to have lost network confidence early on... "sleeper hits" were still unheard of at the time. It was first aired on October 1, 1983; and after 4 original episodes, it was announced cancelled by October 29, 1983. Replays and three more original episodes were aired until December 31, 1983. There were two more completed episodes; but they weren't aired during the show's initial 1983 run. For a more complete guide, check out: 40th Anniversary of Cutter To Houston

Shelley with Alec Baldwin

and Jim Metzler in a promo pic

for Cutter To Houston, 1983

Makeup 1971 B

pics of Shelley from a spread

for Glamour magazine, September 1971

Shelley appeared on many magazine covers and spreads throughout her modeling career. In September of 1971, she appeared in a spread for Glamour magazine called "Makeup - How Far Do You Want To Go?" It featured seven recommended makeup styles that went from the barest look to the totally made-up face - choices that depended on the readers' preferences and moods. With the overly made-up look of the 1960s at its tail end, the more natural look was in. But then with the influx of more makeup products, women had a more beauty options to choose from and a wider color selection as well. Now with all that, who wouldn't want to try the new looks and styles? In the spread, Shelley wore makeup from Charles Revson's Great Designer Reds for 'Ultima' II. Maxine Van-Cliffe was her makeup artist.

Shelley on a spread

for Glamour magazine's September 1971 issue

Personal Foul 1

screen captures from the Jack and Mike

episode "Personal Foul," 1986

Shelley's third foray into series TV was Jack and Mike. It was about a married yuppie couple living in Chicago, trying to find time for each other in their busy schedules. Shelley played Jackie Shea, a star columnist at The Mirror, a widely-circulated Chicago paper. Her column was awaited by everyone every week. Her husband was Mike Brennan (played by Tom Mason), a successful restaurateur. Other cast members were: Nora Adler (Jacqueline Brookes), Jackie’s editor;  Anthony Kubecek (Kevin Dunn), Jackie's assistant; Carol (Holly Fulger), the head waitress at Mike's restaurant, Brennan's Grill; and Rick Scotti (Vincent Baggetta), an attorney who appears occasionally. In the episode "Personal Foul," a college professor is suspended for trying to flunk the school's star basketball player, and Mike is upset that Jackie's covering the story, since it's his alma mater and he's the team's No. 1 supporter. The episode was originally aired in September 30, 1986.

screen captures from the Jack and Mike

episode "Personal Foul," 1986

Mike is holding a private party for Lincoln University's basketball team, the Lincoln Sentinels, in one of his restaurants, in the Blue Crab Lounge. Lincoln U is his alma mater and he is a huge supporter of the team. He has invited alumni, faculty members as well as the team itself for an evening of fun. He runs into Dr. Andrews, a fellow alumnus, and welcomes him. Other alumni such as Coach Cyril Brock, the team's coach, and Ben Galloway, a banker friend who helps Mike finance his restaurants, are also in attendance. The two are relieved that the "Powell problem" had been resolved. Mike runs into both of them and they both congratulate him for a great party. They're excited about the incoming great basketball season because of star player Andrew Taylor. He asks them if they've seen Jackie; and they tell him she's somewhere around. Mike finds Jackie surrounded by the Lincoln Sentinels players; she's in awe of the team. But she suddenly feels someone groping her from behind. She catches the hand before it reaches any delicate part and is glad and relieved to find out it's Mike's hand.

screen captures from the Jack and Mike

episode "Personal Foul," 1986

Thrice As Nice

Shelley in a promo pics

for Charlie perfume, 1979

Shelley was THE quintessential Charlie Girl and was Revlon Charlie's image model from 1976 to 1982. Charlie was one of the first mega-successful American lifestyle brands in the world. The phenomenal success of the brand was due in part to Shelley's unforgettable image. Although there were a slew of other Charlie models before her, it was Shelley's image that catapulted the brand to iconic status. Everybody in the world wanted to be a Charlie Girl because of Shelley. Her portrayal of the confident, fabulous and independent woman (who was unapologetic and happy about that fact) captured the imagination of many worldwide and made Charlie one of the best-selling brands in history.

Shelley in a newspaper ad

for Charlie cosmetics, 1980

In 1980, she appeared in a newspaper ad for Charlie called "Thrice As Nice." It was a promo for Charlie's latest trio of color expressions for the eyes, cheeks, lips and nails. It was a collection of three different color-coordinated makeup sets for all the expressions of every woman. Quiet and mellow earthtones for a casual feel. Sophisticated up-beat and off-beat colorings for a smart feel. A heady night-inspired violet color palette for a glamorous feel. The ad also promoted the "Lightweight Pack-Away-Packs," a pair of lightweight bags for the girl on the go - a petite cosmetics pack with a 4 oz. bottle of Charlie perfume inside and a grand-sized bag to sling over the shoulder... both for only $10.00 for any $5.00 purchase from the Charlie Collection. And Shelley was her usual fabulous Charlie self in the ad, of course.

Shelley in a promo pics

for Charlie perfume, 1979