Great Movie for Halloween

Shelley in a screen capture from The Stepfather, 1987

Shelley starred in the cult classic movie The Stepfather which was originally released in theaters in 1987. It was directed by Joseph Ruben and had Terry O'Quinn in the title role. Terry played Jerry Blake (the stepfather), a man who has a knack of marrying into the "perfect" family and then killing the family off when he deems that the family is not perfect after all. Shelley played Susan Maine, the woman who marries Jerry and is willing look past the cracks on Jerry's façade. Jill Schoelen played Stephanie, Susan's daughter by her first marriage. Stephanie doesn't like Jerry, finds him creepy and is determined to find out who he really is. The story was penned by Carolyn Lefcourt, Brian Garfield and Donald E. Westlake, who got screenplay credit. It was loosely based on on the story of John List, the New Jersey man who killed his own family in 1971 and then disappeared.

a newspaper promo ad for The Stepfather, 1987

The movie was a moderate success during its theatrical run but has since gained a cult following due to its unique plot, its pacing and the superb performances of its main cast (Terry, Jill and Shelley). The movie has since become a cult classic and has been mentioned on many internet sites as a definite must-see. In 1999, the film was listed by Entertainment Weekly magazine as one of the "The 25 Scariest Movies of All Time" along with Carrie (1976), Rosemary's Baby (1968), Seven (1995) and The Exorcist (1973). Check out the list at: 1987 UK Promo Vid A   Entertainment Weekly magazine also placed The Stepfather as number one on its list of the "Sixteen Little-Known Horror Gems." Check it out at: Halloween Special: The Stepfather  Even Stephen King himself included it among his top 22 scariest horror movies of all time. Check it out at:  The King's Top 22

Jill Schoelen, Terry O'Quinn and Shelley Hack

in a promo pic for The Stepfather, 1987

Shelley was cast by the film's director Joseph Ruben who was impressed by her work in Martin Scorsese's The King of Comedy. "Shelley didn't have to test," said Ruben, "Shelley got it really off King of Comedy, because I thought she was just so believable and natural and easy. She doesn't strain on camera. And I was just knocked out by her in that movie." The film was shot on location in Canada and when it was released, Shelley told Channel Surfing: Charlie's Angels that she sneaked in alone when the film was being shown in theaters and got pretty scared with what she saw. Shelley received glowing reviews for her performance in this cult classic. The film is currently out on DVD and is a great movie to watch for Halloween.

Matti of Lynne '77

a closeup of Shelley

from Butterick Pattern package 5677, 1977

Shelley appeared on many pattern catalogs, brochures and packaging during the 1960s and 1970s. In 1977, she appeared on Butterick Pattern package 5677. It was a pattern for a semi-fitted below mid-knee length dress with a round neckline, a front neckline slit, a blouson bodice and a gathered skirt. It had pockets in its forward side seams, a back zipper, a self-tie belt and had full-length sleeves gathered into cuffs. It was a design by Matti of Lynne, a popular label at the time. Matching hose, earrings and a watch finished her look. And Shelley looked chic and fab.

Shelley on Butterick Pattern package 5677, 1977

Farm Girl Angel 2

a closeup of Shelley from the cover

of the Dutch edition of the mag Story, May 1980

the caption reads as:

Great Match

Charlie's Angel Shelley:

Who's Coming to see me in Hollywood?

Shelley became Angel no. 5 in 1979; and the Dutch edition of the  magazine Story featured a writeup on Shelley in May of 1980. It was called "A Farm Girl Becomes Charlie's Newest Angel" (At the time, Shelley owned a 240-acre farm in New York's Catskills where she would go to let her hair down and unwind). It further said, "After Kate Jackson was fired, the hunt for a new Charlie's Angel was on. Many candidates came forward, including Margaret Trudeau (the wife of the Canadian Prime Minister) and the actress Barbara Bach. But the role went to Shelley Hack"." Shelley said of her new Hollywood superstardom, "Yesterday, I was a schnook, and today I can't get across the street. Her casting was even mentioned in the evening news - it was a huge deal. "I couldn't believe it. What was I doing in the evening news," she exclaimed at the time. "I had press people crawling in my windows," she told E! in 2002.

Shelley appeared on the cover of the Dutch edition

of the magazine Story, May 1980

for more check out: A Farm Girl Becomes Charlie's New Angel

The Finishing Touch 4

screen captures from the film feature 

The Finishing Touch, 1992

In 1992, Shelley starred in the big screen thriller The Finishing Touch. She played Hannah, a divorced detective who had to work on a case with her detective husband then fell with one of their suspects. Dynasty star Michael Nader played her ex-husband Sam Stone and future The Mummy star Arnold Vosloo played the suspect, artist 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.

screen captures from the film feature

The Finishing Touch, 1992

The film was about a divorced couple (Sam and Hannah Stone), both detectives, who had been assigned to the same case - find out who has been killing beautiful women in L.A., filming the deed and selling the footage as snuff films. Two suspects come up, a known criminal and a well-renowned artist (Mikael Gant). As Sam and Hannah further investigate the case, their former marital problems surface, clouding their judgement. And Gant would come between them. The film is available on VHS and was released under the title L.A. Ripper in Germany.

screen captures from the film feature

The Finishing Touch, 1992

The Drew Barrymore Show

THE Charlie Girl (Shelley, of course) was mentioned

in The Drew Barrymore Show, October 2022

Abbi Jacobson Hosted a "Talk Show" as a Kid | The Drew Barrymore Showhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9tpzPTYX20

Shelley was and always will be THE quintessential Charlie Girl. Her image embodied all the ideals of the brand - she was independent, bright, chic and confident. She catapulted the brand (as well as herself) to iconic status when she began endorsing it in 1976 and everyone who lived through the era remembers how much they emulated THE Charlie Girl. ( for more check out: The Woman They Aspired To Be )

Even Drew Barrymore, Shelley's fellow Charlie's Angel, remembers how big an impact Shelley THE Charlie Girl had on popular culture. She mentioned the advertising icon on The Drew Barrymore Show during the October 26th episode of the podcast over at Apple Podcasts. As she was talking to Abbi Jacobson, Ed Grimley's name came up (Grimley is a fictional character created and portrayed by Martin Short). Then, Drew noticed that her fabulous Charlie Girl outfit with a few tweaks could pass for an Ed Grimley look. Here's what Drew said:

Drew Barrymore: By the way, I kind of am dressed like Ed Grimley. I'm like a Charlie Girl and Ed Grimley had sex and birthed this (referring to herself) baby. (Then she turned to the audience and said) Remember THE Charlie Girl?

audience members: Yeah!

Drew Barrymore: Thank you.

Shelley as THE Charlie Girl, circa 1978

Forever Angels

a closeup of Shelley from a promo pic from 1980

Charlie's Angels is an unforgettable and groundbreaking TV series that aired from 1976 to 1981. The premise was simple - three beautiful women working as detectives for a millionaire recluse named Charles Townsend. They got their assignments via speaker phone and weren't allowed any face time with the boss for his protection as well as their own. The series broke new ground because aside from having women as leads (a first for TV), it portrayed women as buddies, helping each other through jams and having each other's backs. It portrayed women as independent, liberated and capable of taking care of themselves without the help of men - which was perfect for the time when women's lib was at its peak. Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett (then Majors) and Jaclyn Smith played the first ever team of Angels in season 1. Cheryl Ladd, Shelley Hack and Tanya Roberts followed suit in seasons 2, 4 and 5 respectively. The series was a phenomenal hit around the world, and all the women leads will forever be remembered as TV's beloved crime-fighting Angels.

Shelley with Tanya Roberts, Cheryl Ladd

and Jaclyn Smith in a spread from the Japanese

fan magazine Roadshow, October 1980

All That Classical Jazz, 1971

a closeup of Shelley

from a Seventeen magazine spread, Aug 1971

Shelley was a very busy model in the 1970s, appearing on many magazine and catalog spreads and and covers. In 1971, she appeared on the pages of Seventeen magazine's August issue. The issue took "A Whole New Look At Everything You Want to Do and Be and Wear and Share and Make." It contained the latest everything that every young miss of the era needed to know and have.

Shelley in a spread

for Seventeen magazine, Aug 1971

In the spread called "Blazers and All That Classical Jazz", she modeled classic wardrobe pieces that were mixed with more contemporary pieces for an updated look. Called "Get This Quartet Together," her outfit had some quicksilvery shine. She wore a collared shirt by Dearborn over a pair of tallshorts by Davinshire and topped it off with a crewneck sweater by Charlie's Girls. Over all of that, she wore a blazer by College-Town detailed with had shiny silver buttons. She finished her look with a matching hose, a beret by Madcaps and a pin by Freirich. With a violin case in tow, Shelley showed readers how stylish the collegiate look could be.

a closeup of Shelley

from a Seventeen magazine spread, Aug 1971

Farm Girl Angel 1

a closeup of Shelley from the cover

of the French edition of the mag Story, May 1980

the caption reads as:

One Fabulous Competition

Shelley Hack of Charlie's Angels: 

Becoming A Star in Hollywood!

Shelley became Angel n 5 in 1979; and the French edition of the  magazine Story featured a writeup on Shelley in May of 1980. It was called "A Farm Girl Becomes Charlie's Newest Angel" (At the time, Shelley owned a 240-acre farm in New York's Catskills where she would go to let her hair down and unwind). It further said, "Kate Jackson was fired. They had to find a replacement. Of the 150 candidates they had interviewed (including Margaret Trudeau), the producers selected Miss Shelley Hack, a Supermodel who lives... in an old farm among her chickens and sheep!"

Shelley with fellow Charlie's Angels

Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd in a writeup

for the French edition of Story magazine, May 1980

Many auditioned for the role of Tiffany Welles, but it was Shelley who was cast. According to Aaron Spelling, "We looked at some very well-known actresses in this town. Most of the girls we saw were gorgeous, but they didn't have the right bubble and intelligence." Leonard Goldberg added, "Shelley is a very bright young lady. She knows what's happening. The one thing that stood out was  that she was totally likeable in the tests."

Shelley appeared

on the cover of the French edition

of the magazine Story, May 1980

A 1970s Supermodel

a pic Shelley from 1971

a great many thanks to Ric Gillette for posting

When Shelley graduated from Smith College in 1970, she decided to become a model full-time. Represented by the top model management company, Ford Models Inc., she began her transition from teen model to top model (and eventually to Supermodel.) Her then boyfriend, photographer Steen Svensson, and make-up artist extraordinaire Rick Gillette came up with test shots of Shelley in the early '70s with the hope that the images could get her on the pages of Vogue and Harper's Bazaar - which eventually happened. She appeared on both the US and international editions of the magazines. According to Rick, "In the early 70’s before "Charlie", before "Charlie’s Angels", Shelley Hack was an ex-teen model looking for a more sophisticated look to get her into Vogue. I was creating a portfolio with the same goal in mind." By the late 1970s, Shelley was a certified Supermodel.

pics Shelley from 1971

a great many thanks to Ric Gillette for posting

Acting Praise

Shelley with Kim Darby and John Shepherd 

in the play Close Ties, 1982

Shelley was very active in the stage scene back in the early 1980s. It was where she honed her chops as an actress. In 1982, she starred as Anna in Elizabeth Diggs' Close Ties. The play ran in 1982 and was aired on cable TV on March of 1983. Shelley's performance in the play was proof that, yes, she could act; and her critics and detractors took notice. Her other notable stage performances were as Mary in Jack Heifner's Vanities (1981) and as Billie Dawn in Born Yesterday (1982). She also shined on the big and small screens when she co-starred with George Segal in the TV movie Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer (1983) and Robert de Niro in the  Martin Scorsese film The King of Comedy (1983). She was getting acting praise for her gerat performances.

a writeup about Shelley from 1983

The Finishing Touch 3

screen captures from the film feature The Finishing Touch, 1992

In 1992, Shelley starred in the big screen thriller The Finishing Touch. She played Hannah, a divorced detective who had to work on a case with her detective husband then fell with one of their suspects. Dynasty star Michael Nader played her ex-husband Sam Stone and future The Mummy star Arnold Vosloo played the suspect, artist 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.

screen captures from the film feature The Finishing Touch, 1992

The film was about a divorced couple (Sam and Hannah Stone), both detectives, who had been assigned to the same case - find out who has been killing beautiful women in L.A., filming the deed and selling the footage as snuff films. Two suspects come up, a known criminal and a well-renowned artist (Mikael Gant). As Sam and Hannah further investigate the case, their former marital problems surface, clouding their judgement. And Gant would come between them. The film is available on VHS and was released under the title L.A. Ripper in Germany.

screen captures from the film feature The Finishing Touch, 1992

Body-and-Soul Set 2

a closeup of Shelley

from a newspaper ad for Charlie perfume

and the Charlie Collection, 1976

Shelley was THE quintessential Charlie Girl and appeared in many, many ads for the brand. In 1976, she appeared in a newspaper ad for Charlie that offered "Charlie's Body-and-Soul Set" as a dividend. It was a promo that offered customers a chance to purchase the Revlon Charlie Body-and-Soul Set (which contained Charlie perfume and various Charlie skincare products which cost $19.75) for only $4.75 for any purchase of $5.00 or more from the Charlie Collection. Shelley, of course, appeared in the ad for this promo.

Shelley in a newspaper ad

for Charlie perfume and the Charlie Collection, 1976

THE Charlie Girl Becomes An Angel

a closeup of Shelley from a promo pic from 1980

When Shelley became Charlie's Angel no. 5 in 1979, everyone wanted to get to know THE Charlie Girl who was now a Charlie's Angel. Of course, as THE Charlie perfume Girl, she already had a lot of fans - everyone loved her in those Revlon Charlie commercials and print ads. But now that she was an Angel, everyone wanted to get to know her even more. Shelley was cast as Tiffany Welles, the daughter of Charles Townsend's good friend, a police chief in Boston, and a Latin teacher. Tiff graduated from the Boston Police Academy with top marks and worked at the Boston Police Department before joining the Townsend Agency. She took over from Kate Jackson's Sabrina Duncan at the agency as Charlie's Angel no. 5.

Shelley and Kate Jackson in a spread

from the Japanese fan magazine Roadshow, March 1980

Wards Fall and Winter 1972 D

a closeup of Shelley from a spread

for the Montgomery Ward Fall and Winter 1972 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 the Montgomery Ward Fall and Winter 1972 catalog

Shelley appeared on the pages of the Montgomery Ward Fall and Winter 1972 catalog. In the section called "Focus on Pants Sets," she wore The Knit Bodyshirt-Pantset, a coordinating fashion set made up of a bodyshirt and a pair of pants. The top was a bodyshirt that had the layered look of a white ribby turtleneck top with long sleeves overlayed with a plaid scoop neck sleeveless tank top. The pants was solid-colored and had slightly flared legs. A matching belt/sash was also available. Matching footwear and hair accessories finished her look. And Shelley looked coordinated and fabulous.

a closeup of Shelley from a spread

for the Montgomery Ward Fall and Winter 1972 catalog

Windy City Walker B

a closeup of Shelley

from a pic from Health magazine, April 1987

Shelley was on the cover of Health magazine's April 1987 issue. Shelley walked a lot and told the magazine (in a writeup called "Windy City Walker") about her walking experiences and how it benefits the health. Shelley wasn't a stranger to exercise. As a Supermodel in the 1970s, she would go jogging or walking and would swim occasionally to stay in shape. But as a busy actress with her own TV series (Jack and Mike), she had to find time to exercise. So she would "racewalk" during her half-hour lunch breaks and walk around after work at night around Chicago (where Jack and Mike was filmed) with her German shepherd, Bear. "Everything's so compressed," she said of her schedule, "It's nice to have time to come down."

a writeup about Shelley on Health magazine, April 1987

Supermodel-To-Be

a pic Shelley from 1971

thank you so much to Ric Gillette for posting

When Shelley graduated from Smith College in 1970, she decided to become a model full-time. Represented by the top model management company, Ford Models Inc., she began her transition from teen model to top model (and eventually to Supermodel.) Her then boyfriend, photographer Steen Svensson, and make-up artist extraordinaire Rick Gillette came up with test shots of Shelley in the early '70s with the hope that the images could get her on the pages of Vogue and Harper's Bazaar - which eventually happened. She appeared on both the US and international editions of the magazines. According to Rick, "In the early 70’s before "Charlie", before "Charlie’s Angels", Shelley Hack was an ex-teen model looking for a more sophisticated look to get her into Vogue. I was creating a portfolio with the same goal in mind." By the late 1970s, Shelley was a certified Supermodel.

pics Shelley from 1971

thank you so much to Ric Gillette for posting

A Star Vehicle

a pic of Shelley from Jack and Mike, 1986

Shelley's third TV series was Jack and Mike in 1986. Producer David Gerber wanted to develop a series with her in the title role called Jackie O'Shea. It was going to be a star vehicle for Shelley. She was going to play a woman journalist who had a supportive husband waiting at home - kind of like a reverse gender role thing, a phenomenon happening in the 1980s. Gerber contacted Tom Mason to play the husband as he had a good chemistry with Shelley when they played boyfriend/girlfriend in the TV movie Kicks. But Tom wanted the characters to be more equal, so the focus of the series changed from just Jackie to the marriage of Jackie and her husband Mike. It was retitled Our Kind of Town and Jackie's husband was given a bigger role. When it aired, it was again retitled Jack and Mike with both Shelley and Tom getting equal billing.

a newspaper ad for Shelley's series Jack and Mike, 1987

The Finishing Touch 2

screen captures from the film feature

The Finishing Touch, 1992

In 1992, Shelley starred in the big screen thriller The Finishing Touch. She played Hannah, a divorced detective who had to work on a case with her detective husband then fell with one of their suspects. Dynasty star Michael Nader played her ex-husband Sam Stone and future The Mummy star Arnold Vosloo played the suspect, artist 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.

screen captures from the film feature

The Finishing Touch, 1992

The film was about a divorced couple (Sam and Hannah Stone), both detectives, who had been assigned to the same case - find out who has been killing beautiful women in L.A., filming the deed and selling the footage as snuff films. Two suspects come up, a known criminal and a well-renowned artist (Mikael Gant). As Sam and Hannah further investigate the case, their former marital problems surface, clouding their judgement. And Gant would come between them. The film is available on VHS and was released under the title L.A. Ripper in Germany.

screen captures from the film feature

The Finishing Touch, 1992

Charlie Express Sweepstakes 3

a closeup of Shelley from a newspaper ad

for Charlie perfume, 1982

Shelley was THE quintessential Charlie Girl and appeared in many, many ads for the brand. In 1982, she appeared in a newspaper ad for Charlie called the "Charlie Express Sweepstakes" which was a promo tie-up with American Express. All anyone had to do was fill out an entry form at any Charlie counter to get a chance to win a fabulous 15-day trip for two to a faraway place of their choice along with "Mad Money" for their whims and fantasies. The promo also offered customers Charlie's "It's A Sky Blue World" color collection, a collection of cosmetics and nail polish in shades like South Sea Coral, Irish Rose and Charlie Frost. Included of course, was Charlie cologne. Offered as well was "A Trunkful of Charlie," a mini-steamer trunk which housed eye shadows, blushes, lipsticks, lip glosses, a shadow applicator and a split of Charlie cologne in a 6 oz. champagne bottle. And Shelley was gorgeous in the fabulous ad.

Shelley in a newspaper ad for Charlie perfume, 1982

Hot New Angel

a closeup of Shelley from a modeling pic from 1980

When Shelley became Charlie's Angel no. 5 in 1979, she instantly became the hottest news item. Everyone wanted to get to know THE Charlie Girl who was now a Charlie's Angel. Of course, as THE Charlie perfume Girl, she already had a lot of fans - everyone loved her in those Revlon Charlie commercials and print ads. But now that she was an Angel, everyone wanted to get to know her even more.

Shelley (modeling McCall's pattern number 6754)

in a 2-page spread from the Japanese

fan magazine Roadshow, Feb 1981

for more, check out: Bright Ways to Keep Warm

Shelley was cast as Tiffany Welles, the daughter of Charles Townsend's good friend, a police chief in Boston, and a Latin teacher. Tiff graduated from the Boston Police Academy with top marks and worked at the Boston Police Department before joining the Townsend Agency. She took over from Kate Jackson's Sabrina Duncan at the agency as Charlie's Angel no. 5.

a closeup of Shelley from a modeling pic from 1980

Wards Fall and Winter 1972 C

a closeup of Shelley from a spread

for the Montgomery Ward Fall and Winter 1972 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 the Montgomery Ward Fall and Winter 1972 catalog

Shelley appeared on the pages of the Montgomery Ward Fall and Winter 1972 catalog. In the section called "Sport Shop U.S.A.," she wore "Subtly Shaded Knits," a coordinating set of fashion pieces that could spruce up any wardrobe. She wore the Space-Dye Knit Top (which had a mock turtleneck, short sleeves and a back zipper) over the Button Up Skirt (which was above-the-knee, buttoned up in front and had an elasticized waist and). Matching hose and footwear finished her look. A bracelet and a fancy belt accessorized her look. And Shelley looked coordinated and fabulous.

a closeup of Shelley from a spread

for the Montgomery Ward Fall and Winter 1972 catalog