Fashionable Eagleknits

a closeup of Shelley

from an ad for Eagleknit, 1970

Shelley was a much sought-after model during her modeling days. She appeared in many print ads, including ads for Eagleknit. Eagle Knitting Mills was a manufacturer of knitted headwear (as well as the manufacturer of the original patented earlap cap) and was sold to Zwicker Knitting Mills in 1963. In the 1970s, aside from headwear, Eagleknit came out with caps, hats, shawls and "flings"... all in the latest fashion trends of course. A 1970 ad with Shelley said:

Out there... it's a cold cruel world in the winter. And in that kind of world, a girl has to keep warm somehow. But looking like the abominable snowman doesn't make it. Looking fashionable does. And that's where Eagleknits come in. They're fashionable. They're fun. And they're cozy. Because they're made of super soft, super colorful Creslan acrylic fiber. And if you don't think that's enough to make a girl feel warm all over, just try them. Creslan is a product of the American Cyanamid Co., Wayne, New Jersey.

Shelley in an ad for Eagleknit, 1970

Working Supermodel

a modeling pic of Shelley from 1974

Shelley was one of the most in-demand models in the 1970s. In fact, she was one of the highest-paid models represented by Ford Models, Inc...  a certified Supermodel. "The clients respond to my all-American face," Shelley told Cosmopolitan magazine in 1974 (in a writeup series called "Model Behavior"). She said, "Models look at themselves differently than other women. I used to look in the mirror and just stare and reflect." But when she became a model, Shelley explained, "I'm interested in what needs repairing. Is my shadow running? Have my cheeks started to pale?" If so, she would take out her make-up bag and "repair" in a hurry." It doesn't mean I don't have problems," she added, "First of all, there are my glasses. And then there is my face, which I think of as irregular. My smile is crooked and so is my nose." Shelley learned how to relax her facial expressions without her glasses and how to use makeup to hide her flaws. "There is really very little I can do about my smile, except control the upper left side without looking stiff." Shelley felt it was her professional obligation to her best for her clients.

a writeup about Shelley

from Cosmopolitan mag, 1974

Shelley added, "As far as (my father) was concerned, I was in business, the business of selling my face." And her face was everywhere –magazines, catalogs, brochures, booklets, books, ads, commercials, product packaging, promo standees... She modeled clothes, cosmetics, furs – almost everything. And she rose to the very top of her profession. When asked how she did it, Shelley's deduced, "You just have to become objective about yourself." She explained, "I was a success because I was hard-working, professional, bright. I looked at the business and identified the markets. I knew the key was that they always wanted someone new. I decided to hit one market one year, then cut my hair and hit another. Then let it grow and hit television. I thought it through. The game plan can apply to any business, but especially to one where you're the product." Her father taught her well.

a modeling pic of Shelley from 1974

Favorite Classic Sweaters 3

a closeup of Shelley from a fashion pic

used in a spread on the Sears

Fall and Winter 1970 catalog

Shelley appeared in many catalogs throughout her modeling career, from the late '60s to the late '70s. Mail-order catalogs were at the height of its popularity at the time. They were big-book size publications that contained a list and pictures of the general merchandise from, usually, a department store that were available for purchase and delivery straight to the homes of their customers. Everything from homeware to toys were featured in these catalogs... as well as garments and the latest fashion pieces. Sears was an American chain of department stores founded in 1892. Aside from the big-book catalogs, they came out with tabloid-sized catalogs that featured items on sale. In 1970, Shelley appeared on the pages of the Sears Fall and Winter 1970 catalog. She appeared in the spread called "Favorite Classic Sweaters," which featured sweater and skirt sets. She wore the long-sleeved Turtleneck pullover sweater (which could be dressed up or down) over the Skirt, a panel rib-knit pull-on style skirt with an elasticized waistband. She finished her look with the Suede Belt (a 2-inch leather belt  with an antique-look-gold metal buckle) and a matching bag. Shelley looked sensational in the classic sweater and skirt ensemble.

Shelley in a fashion pic

used in a spread on the Sears

Fall and Winter 1970 catalog

Found Money TV Movie 3

screen captures from the TV movie

Found Money, 1983

Shelley appeared alongside comedy legends Dick Van Dyke and Sid Caesar in the 1983 TV movie Found Money. The movie was about computer expert Max Shepherd and security guard Sam Green, two former employees of First National Bank who have been let go with little to no benefits after decades of employment. Max uses his computer skills to create an account in the bank using the money from inactive accounts that are automatically transferred to the state when not claimed after five years. Using the name Seymour Good, head of The Invisible Friend Inc., he transfers the money to accounts of ordinary citizens who bring kindness to the world. After some convincing, Sam joins Max in his quest. As good Samaritans begin receiving the money, the story is picked up by the press and is covered by reporter Leslie Phillips (Shelley Hack) who becomes Max's love interest.

screen captures from the TV movie

Found Money, 1983

Shelley found both Dick Van Dyke and Sid Caesar "very generous to work with" but had to keep up with the their pace. "You had to work so fast, because everything was left loose," she told TV Guide. "I felt like I kind of jumped on a moving train," she added. As for Shelley's performance in Found Money, Television writer Fred Rothenberg said "Miss Hack's acting has improved since she played one of Charlie's Angels." Shelley said of the TV movie, "It's a whole type of distinctly American comedy, the closest to theater on film I'd ever gotten." Prior to Found Money, Shelley had starred in several stage plays in the early 1980s and had received excellent reviews for her performances. She was also cast in the Martin Scorsese film The King of Comedy where she held her own in scenes opposite acting giant Robert De Niro; she got excellent reviews for her performance in the film as well. Shelley had come a very long way indeed.

screen captures from the TV movie

Found Money, 1983

The Soft Pack Promo

Charlie Girl Shelley with the Chaz Man

in promo pics for Revlon's Charlie

and Chaz product lines, 1976

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 lifestyle brands in the world. The phenomenal success of the brand was due in part to Shelley's unforgettable image. The Charlie brand was so popular that a masculine counterpart was created and was named Chaz. Both Charlie and Chaz were derived from the name of Revlon's founder Charles Revson. In 1977, Shelley appeared in a newspaper ad for Charlie promoting "The Soft Pack." It was a promo that offered customers a chance to purchase a sleek travel bag that handled suits and dresses with equal ease. Just put either or both on the special hanger, zip the bag up, and you're all set to go. The travel bag was valued at $18.50 but could be purchased for just $6.00 for any $5.00 or more purchase from the Charlie or Chaz collection by Revlon. And, as always, Shelley was gorgeous in the fabulous ad.

Shelley in a newspaper ad

for Charlie perfume and cosmetics, 1977

Angel Number 5

Shelley with ABC exec Seymour Amlen

at the 52nd Academy Awards ceremony,

April 1980

Charlie's Angels was a groundbreaking TV series about women detectives who were smart, independent, self-reliant, and breathtakingly gorgeous. It was very first female buddy-buddy show; and it ran for five seasons and going though six Angels all in all - played by Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Jaclyn Smith, Cheryl Ladd, Shelley Hack, and Tanya Roberts. But the show had a difficult time getting on the air. At the time, nobody believed that an action-packed TV series starring women would ever garner an audience. TV execs dismissed the concept as the worse idea they ever heard. But ABC network's Head of Programming Fred Silverman believed in the potential of the show and ordered a pilot. Silverman's right-hand man, VP of ABC Entertainment Seymour Amlen, told TV Tales: Charlie's Angels in 2002, "It showed promise, but it was a risk." As we now know, Charlie's Angels was a phenomenal success, a huge hit worldwide and has been rebooted many times ever since.

a screen cap of Seymour Amlen

from TV Tales: Charlie's Angels, 2002

Shelley became Angel no. 5 in 1979. Her character, Tiffany Welles, was written as a Smith College graduate, a girl from the East who was not a voluptuous sexpot... and Shelley fit the bill perfectly. Shelley's a Smith College graduate, she was born in New York and grew up in Connecticut, and she had that classic model shape and beauty. Plus, she was already known worldwide as THE Charlie Girl - the Revlon brand's Supermodel and spokesperson. And this association with Revlon Charlie played in Shelley's favor. The headline "THE Charlie Girl Becomes A Charlie's Angel" was just what the show needed to gain even more viewers and popularity.

Shelley with ABC exec Seymour Amlen

at the 52nd Academy Awards ceremony,

April 1980

Slicker Polish

Shelley and Steve Markham in a pic

used in an ad for Yardley, 1971

Yardley or Yardley of London is one of the oldest international companies that specializes in cosmetics, toiletries and fragrances. The British brand was founded in 1770 and produced mainly soaps and perfumes. It branched out to cosmetics in the second half of the 20th century, but the line was discontinued by around the 1980s. In the 1970s, Yardley released a line of beauty products that were targeted at teenage girls and young women. Yardley Shadow Sheen eye shadows, Yardley Hue-The-Line liquid eyeliners, Yardley Lash-A-Lot mascara, Yardley Bloom O'Health blushers, Yardley Pot-O-Gloss lip glosses, and Yardley Lip Licks lipsticks were all marketed to the youth and to young ladies.

Shelley in an ad for Yardley, 1971

In 1971, Shelley appeared in an ad for Yardley with the tagline "Slicker Makes Word of Mouth". It was an ad promoting Yardley's Slicker Polish line. The Slicker Lip Polish was a tinted and flavored lip gloss that could be worn over or under lipstick or alone in itself. It came in several colors/flavors such as Raspberry, Orange, Strawberry, Peach, Mint, and Lemonade for a flavorful lip to lip experience. The Slicker Polish line also came up with a nail polish line that coordinated with the lip polish line. And Shelley definitely showed everyone how Yardley helped make anyone's lips look slick and fabulous.

Shelley and Steve Markham in a pic

used in an ad for Yardley, 1971