Young & Lively: The Nifty Knits

closeups of Shelley from a spread in Sears Spring Summer 1975 catalog

Shelley appeared in Sears Spring Summer 1975 catalog. She appeared in various parts of the catalog including the "Young & Lively" section. In the spread called "Young & Lively: The Nifty Knits", she modeled the Wrap-look dress, a floral-print wrap-around dress with a surplice front neckline, an inner snap closing and a self-tie belt. The accessories and shoes she wore were also available at the store. And Shelley made the wrap-around dress look just fabulous.

Shelley in a spread for Sears Spring Summer 1975 catalog

Shelley in '81

Shelley in  publicity pic from 1981

Shelley almost immediately moved to stage after her stint on Charlie's Angels. She started working on the stage play Vanities (by Jack Heifner) which was going to be staged at the Westside Playhouse in Los Angeles. Her co-stars were Meredith Baxter-Birney and Annette O'Toole. The play was going to be filmed for TV and aired as part of HBO's Standing Room Only series. The play was aired in 1981; and Shelley's gamble paid off when she later received glowing reviews for her performance in it.

TV Series 1983

screen captures from the Cutter to Houston episode "It Ain't Braggin' If You Done It"

with the cast hamming it up for the camera in some

(which were used for the end credits) 

Shelley's second TV series came in 1983 via Cutter to Houston. The medical series was about three doctors running a small clinic in the fictional town of Cutter, Texas. When they came across serious cases, they would contact a big city hospital in Houston, Texas. Shelley, Jim Metzler and Alec Badwin played the doctors. The series had a short run; but it would be really great if it were released on DVD nevertheless.

American Collections 1

Shelley Hack with Cheryl Tiegs, Chris Royer, Karen Bjornson, Halston, 

Anne Holbrook and Shelley Smith in a 1977 spread for Harper's Bazaar

Shelley appeared on the pages of Harper's Bazaar's Feb 1977 issue. She was featured in the 8-page spread called "The American Collections: The Best of the Best at Every Price". The spread featured fashions ranging from the affordable to the ostentatious - all by four leading American designers of the era. The designers featured (and pictured) in the spread were Halston, Geoffrey Beene, Bill Blass and Calvin Klein. In the spread featuring Halston, Shelley modeled a silky-print two-piece shirtdress - by Halston of course. The dress was of blue and white printed imported polyester and could be buttoned "as much or as little as you like". And Shelley looked fabulous her Halston original.

Shelley and Halston from the spread

Out and About '96

Shelley, out and about and still fabulous, in 1996

A Smash

Shelley in an ad for "The Prince and the Angel"
a Charlie's Angels episode aired in 1979

In 1979, Shelley joined the cast of one of the biggest smashes on TV, Charlie's Angels, joining incumbent Angels Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd. Occasionally, Farrah Fawcett would join the cast (well, three times each for seasons 3 and 4) as part of her settlement with Spelling-Goldberg Productions for her walkout after season 1 of the series. Shelley enjoyed working with Farrah. She thought Farrah was very nice and sweet and was a true professional. Neither Farrah nor Shelley returned for season 5.

Farrah Fawcett, Jaclyn Smith, Shelley Hack, Cheryl Ladd and David Doyle 

during the filming of the Charlie's Angels episode "The Prince and the Angel"

Super-Simple

Shelley in a spread for Simplicity Fashion News, Feb 1970

Shelley appeared on the pages of Simplicity Fashion News for February of 1970. The booklet featured the latest patterns for readers to make. The spread called "Super-Simple Patterns" featured patterns that were easy to sew (perfect for readers who wanted to learn how to sew) and were the latest in fashion. With a minimum number of pattern pieces, construction kept simple and instructions clear and brief, readers could easily sew the clothes themselves. Shelley modeled pattern number 9231, a peasant blouse with two sleeves to chose from, and pattern number 9232, an elastic-waist skirt. A head scarf, a chain belt and necklace, a golden bangle and a pair of matching flats finished her look. Shelley looked adorable.

a closeup of Shelley from the spread

Stripe Up The Bands

Shelley in a fashion spread for Seventeen Says Make It, 1971

Shelley appeared on the pages of Seventeen Says Make It in 1971. The mag featured fashions anyone could make for themselves. In the spread called "Stripe Up The Bands", she modeled a pair of striped outfits in knitted fabric. One was an overall jumper that had stripes in wine and roses and a hint of mint. Another was a pair of knickers with rugby stripes that came with a matching bib top. The mag recommended wearing both outfits over a varsity sweater. Shelley looked fab in both.

closeups of Shelley from the spread

Sexy Role

screen captures of Shelley with Arnold Vosloo (The Mummy)
from the 1992 film The Finishing Touch

In 1992, Shelley starred in the thriller The Finishing Touch. She played Hannah, a divorced detective who has to work on a case with her detective ex-husband and, consequently, falls in love with one of their suspects. Dynasty star Michael Nader played her ex-husband Sam Stone and future The Mummy star Arnold Vosloo played suspect Mikael Gant. This was one of Shelley's sexiest roles because it involved her in a love scene with Vosloo. But for the topless scenes, she used a body double. The film is available on VHS. Let's hope it will be released on DVD as well.

screen captures of Shelley with Michael Nader (Dynasty)
from the 1992 film The Finishing Touch

Are you Charlie? Part 2

Shelley in a 1978 French Charlie perfume ad

promoting a contest sponsored by Revlon Charlie

Shelley THE Charlie Girl was so popular when she debuted in 1976 that by 1978, she had become an icon. THE Charlie Girl was recognized and known all over the world. Her ads and commercials were translated in other languages, including French. In one 1978 ad, she promoted a contest sponsored by Revlon Charlie. The text roughly translates as follows:

Are you Charlie?

Win a trip around the world,holiday trips and hundreds of other gifts.

To join our contest, quickly go to any Revlon counter and fill out an entry form

The World Belongs to Charlie

Gorgeous in White

Shelley, gorgeous in white,
at an affair in Beverly Hills in 1987

For Knits Only

Shelley in a spread for Simplicity Fashion News, Feb 1970

Shelley appeared on the pages of Simplicity Fashion News for February of 1970. The booklet featured the latest patterns for readers to make. In a spread called "Fashioned for Knits Only", she modeled Simplicity's latest design for knitted fabric. She modeled pattern number 9227, a midi-dress with buttons all the way to the neckline. It could be worn closed or with some leg showing (the pattern included a mini-dress and pants). A fancy bonnet, a statement belt and a pair of matching Mary Janes finished her look. Shelley was just absolutely lovely.

a closeup of Shelley from the spread

A Knock-Out

Shelley in an ad for "Angels on Campus"
a Charlie's Angels episode aired in 1979

In 1979, Shelley joined the cast of one of the knock-out hits on TV, Charlie's Angels, joining incumbent Angels Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd. Kate Jackson and Farrah Fawcett were previous regulars on the series. A year later, Tanya Roberts took over from Shelley, then the show was canceled. Interest in all the women continued though, long after the series went off the air. Articles about each and every Angel would still pop up everywhere, which made it hard for each actress to live down the image. But as the decades passed, public perception about the series and the women who starred in it began to change. From being taken as mere fluff and T & A, the series would eventually be recognized as one of the ground-breaking shows on TV for portraying women as strong, independent and bonded with her sisters;  thereby, influencing and inspiring a generation of women to become exactly that.

The women who became Angels

Charlie's Angels had such a huge impact that it just had to be remade. In 1988, Aaron Spelling tried to revive the series with Angels '88. Tea Leoni (Deep Impact, Spanglish), Claire Yarlett (The Colbys), Karen Kopins (Once Bitten) and Sandra Canning (Days of Our Lives) were cast as the Angels; but after the announcement and a press conference, production delays permanently shelved it. In 2000 and 2003, movie versions of the show were released with Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu and Demi Moore playing the Angels; both films became blockbusters. In 2011, the series was again remade with Annie Ilonzeh, Rachael Taylor, Nadine Velazquez and Minka Kelly as the new Angels. But the series, which came to be known as Charlie's Angels 2011, suffered poor ratings and was quickly canceled. This year it was announced that a Charlie’s Angels reboot is in the works; and Elizabeth Banks is being eyed to direct it. Who will be the new Angels? Will any of the past Angels be in it? Or will all the past Angels be in it? Wouldn't that be great?

Elizabeth Banks in Talks to Direct Charlie’s Angels Reboot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-czsMEm0E0
(highlight the link, right click
and choose "Open Link in New Tab" option)

Tweed Look Sweaters

Shelley in a spread for Sears Fall Winter 1974 catalog

Shelley appeared on the pages of Sears Fall Winter 1974 catalog. She appeared in a spread called "Tweed Look Sweaters to Put Together with Shirt, Pants and Skirt". She modeled an outfit made up of a knit shirt, a tweed-look knit cardigan (with a jacquard design on the pockets and cuffs) and a pair of double-knit pants (with flared legs). With it, she wore matching hose and shoes (high heeled pumps with square heels). Shelley looked chic and contemporary for 1974.

a closeup of Shelley from the spread

Make It Shimmer

Shelley in a fashion spread for Seventeen Says Make It, 1971

Shelley appeared on the pages of Seventeen Says Make It in 1971. The mag featured fashions anyone could make for themselves. In the spread called "Make It Shimmer The Body Dress", she modeled a dress that was soft to the touch and followed the contours of the body. The velvety panne knit fabric used for the dress had a subtle sheen and was silvery and shimmery - great for a romantic night out in the town. The corresponding MCall's dress pattern was also mentioned.

Shelley in McCall's pattern 2731

In the "Moonlit Moments" section of the spread, Shelley wore McCall's pattern 2731, a day to evening dress that had a scoop neck and long sleeves. The velvety fabric used went from sable-y brown to light-struck rose taupe to silvered blue. The mag recommended adding five inches to the skirt "to get the boot-topping Gibson length" shown. A pair of matching boots and some old-world inspired jewelry finished her very romantic look. And Shelley was just lovely under all that moonlight.

a closeup of Shelley from the spread

For How Long

Charlie's Angels Mark III,
Jaclyn Smith, Cheryl Ladd and Shelley Hack,
on the cover of the Australian edition of TV Guide, 1979

Charlie's Angels was a worldwide phenomenon and was in its 4th season in 1979 when Shelley joined the cast. Shelley brought a breath of fresh air into the series which was showing signs of fatigue (the 3rd season finished at 12th over all in the ratings - 8 places down from the 2nd season's ratings which was 4th). The season opened with a lot of fanfare - as well as the expected negative reviews - and finished at number one for that week. As the season progressed, many were wondering how long the series was going to last in the air - and which Angel would last the entire series. The Australian edition of TV Guide posed the question "Charlie's Beautiful Angels: How Long Can They Last?" Well, people are still talking about all the Angels until this very moment. So what do you think?

Calendar Girl

Shelley appeared on Roadshow's celebrity calendar for 1981. Roadshow was a Japanese fan magazine that featured many international celebrities. Shelley was the celebrity for May that year. The others were Jaclyn Smith for January, Catherine Bach for February, Melissa Gilbert for March, the CHiPs stars for April, Greg Evigan for June, Cheryl Ladd for July, Lynda Carter for August, David Soul for September, Melissa Sue Anderson for October, Farrah Fawcett for November and Paul Michael Glaser for December.

Playing Doctor

Jim Metzler and Shelley in a still from Cutter to Houston

Shelley starred in her second TV series in 1983, Cutter to Houston. He co-stars were Jim Metzler and Alec Baldwin. The series was set in Texas and was about three doctors who were assigned to a small town clinic in the fictitious town Cutter. The three were there for different reasons. Shelley played Dr. Beth Gilbert, an ambitious surgeon who needed the assignment as a stepping stone towards her real goal - to become a surgeon in a big city hospital in Houston, Texas. Jim played Dr. Andy Fenton, a general practitioner who grew up in Cutter and was happy to be home. Alec played Dr. Hal Wexler, an internist on probation for writing unnecessary prescriptions, who hadn't quite figured out whether he liked it there or not. The series had a short run, but it had its charm and was gaining ground, audience-wise and critic-wise, before it was canceled. Let's hope it makes it on DVD.

a promo pic of Shelley for Cutter to Houston, 1983

Great Contemporary Looks

Shelley in a spread for Sears Fall Winter 1974 catalog

Shelley appeared on the pages of Sears Fall Winter 1974 catalog. She appeared in a spread called "Featuring Polyester Double-Knits in Great Contemporary Looks". She modeled a pants outfit made up of a shirt jacket (solid-colored with a button front opening and shirt-tail bottom as well as white top stitching) and a pair of checked pants (smooth-knit pull-on style pants with an elasticized waistband and slightly flared legs). And Shelley looked very contemporary for 1974.

a closeup of Shelley from the spread

Wild Wednesday

Shelley in an ad for "Caged Angel"
a Charlie's Angels episode aired in 1979

In 1979, Shelley joined the cast of one of the wildest shows on TV, Charlie's Angels, joining incumbent Angels Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd. Charlie's Angels was a breakthrough television series because it featured women in an action-adventure show. Previous TV shows like The Bionic Woman and Wonder Woman were in the same genre but, unlike the Angels, they were both superheroes with super strength and abilities. Police Woman was closer in theme; but Sgt. Pepper Anderson, the lead character, had Lt. Bill Crowley watching her back at all times, rescuing her if needed. The Angels were one their own. They only had each other to rely on, looking after each other's backs and saving each other if needed. This was something no other show had, a sort of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid kind of dynamic between the three female leads. Prior to Angels, women were always portrayed as physically weak, dependent and cat-fighting each other over men. The Angels were strong, independent women who didn't need men to save them from anything, who could do anything men could do, who could be buddies with each other and other women. And that idea influenced a generation of women, changing gender roles forever.

Contrast Collar-Cuff Dress

Shelley in a spread for Simplicity Fashion News, March 1973

 

Shelley appeared on the pages of Simplicity Fashion News for March of 1973. The booklet featured the latest fashion trends for 1973, from dresses to sportswear. Shelley modeled pattern number 5497 - a contrast collar-cuff dress with puffed sleeves and a high-rise waist that tied in the back. And the short dress looked positively sweet on Shelley.

 

 

a closeup of Shelley from the spread

Make It Argyle

Shelley in a spread for Seventeen Says Make It, 1971

Shelley appeared on the pages of Seventeen Says Make It, the 1971 issue. She appeared in several spreads including the spread called "Make It Argyle" which featured fashions in argyle print that could be knitted by the mag's readers.

Shelley and a male model in he-she sweaters

Shelley, along with a male model, wore he-she fashions in the "Knit Two... Together" section, which featured fashions for a young couple, in argyle of course. Shelley modeled a sleeveless scoop (in argyle), a cute pair of charcoal colored shorts and a pair of argyle-cuffed sock. With it, she wore a shirt by Inwood and shoes by G.H. Bass. Shelley was very preppy and very lovely.

Shelley modeled a pull-down cap and a knitted scarf

Shelley also modeled fashions that could keep a girl warm during the cooler months of 1971. In the "Double-Take..." section, she wore an argyle pull-down cap and a "seemingly endless scarf" that would be great for those cool days. Charcoal colored shorts, a shirt by Inwood and a bracelet by Monet finished her look. And in her outfit, Shelley was a sight to behold.

More Bridesmaids

screen captures of Shelley from Bridesmaids, 1989

Shelley appeared in the TV movie Bridesmaids back in 1989. It was about four women who rekindle their friendship when they all go back to their home town, after being apart for several years, for the wedding of a fifth friend. The telefilm had been replayed many times since its premiere, because it is truly a delight to watch. Sela Ward, Brooke Adams and Stephanie Faracy co-starred with Shelley. Jack Coleman and Audra Lindley rounded out the cast. If you can find a copy, watch it.

more screen captures of Shelley from Bridesmaids, 1989

Sun-Lightener

Shelley in an ad for Sun-in, 1970

Shelley appeared in many ads throughout her modeling career. In 1970, she appeared in an ad for Sun-in, a sun-lightener - hair coloring that you just spray-on, dry under a dryer and shampoo. Sun-in was for young women who either wanted to lighten their hair color or have streaks in their hair. In the ad, Shelley showed them how to do it and what the result was.

a closeup of Shelley with her hair under a dryer - from the ad

Hand-Picked

Joseph Brooks and Shelley in a pub still
for If Ever See You Again, 1978

Shelley starred in the 1978 feature film If Ever I See You Again. She played leading lady opposite Joseph Brooks, the director and producer of the film. According to Brooks, when Shelley came in to audition for the role of Jennifer Corly, he knew he had found his leading lady. He turned to is assistant and said, "She's got it!" He hand picked her for the role.

Featuring... The Tweed Look

Shelley in a spread for Sears Fall Winter 1974 catalog

Shelley appeared in many spreads for Sears Fall Winter 1974 catalog. In the spread called "Featuring.. The Tweed Look", she modeled the Pointed Collar Dress. The lovely dress had the collar, front yoke, cuffs, all-around inset at midriff and skirt in a tweed-inspired fabric - and was mixed in with a solid-colored fabric at the chest and the sleeves. The dress was perfect a day to evening outfit. And Shelley was just stunning in it.

a closeup of Shelley from the spread

Super Night of Entertainment

Shelley in an ad for "Angels on the Street"
a Charlie's Angels episode aired in 1979

In 1979, Shelley joined the cast of one of the most entertaining shows on the tube, Charlie's Angels, joining incumbent Angels Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd. The show had been around for three seasons and was showing signs of wear and tear. During its 3rd season, Charlie's Angels dropped from #4 to #12 in the ratings. The series needed a big boost - which it got when Kate Jackson was suddenly fired and Supermodel/Charlie Girl Shelley Hack was hired to replace her. The publicity mill was non-stop; and the two women made headlines that year. The TV series got a lot of extra publicity out of it.

With Love From JCP

Shelley in a 4-page ad for JCPenney, 1971

 

Shelley appeared in many ads for JCPenney in the 1970s. One was a 4-page ad about fashions any girl could make, with love and on a budget. In the ad, Shelley modeled the Battle Jacket (McCall's pattern number 2939) and a pair of Fatigue Pants (McCall's pattern number 2938) - both made with fabrics available at JCPenney. She was shown wearing the outfit as well as making it. And Shelley made her outfit look chic for 1971.

 

 closeups of Shelley from the ad