Old Hollywood Glamour 1940 style Tuxedos, False Eyelashes, Daiquiris and Dancing the Conga.

Excerpt from a diary written by Jane Allen, while visiting the Villa Valentino, with Tom Lyle Williams niece, Annette Williams, in June, 1940. Picture left to right.  Tom Lyle Williams, Jane Allen, Emery Shaver, Annette Williams, Arnold Anderson.

We drove to Pasadena to see a sketch of Tom Lyle's new car.  The artist for Packard had sketched it on a blackboard, actual size, to give tom Lyle an idea of dimensions.  Believe it will be some sporty job. The car will be a long convertible, four or five passenger, cream with red leather upholstering.  From the sketch it looks as if this will be the best looking and most unusual car Tom Lyle has had.  We spent the afternoon waiting for Tom Lyle to get all details settled, and stopped at a Drive-in for a sandwich. Rushed home to dress forEarl Carrolls

 Another big night.  Tom Lyle and Arnold dressed in tuxedos again and we wore formals.  I decided to wear false eyelashes and felt like one of the glamour girls.  Evelyn and Bill went with us to Earl Carrolls, so there were six in the party until around eleven when Emery joined the crowd.  Earl Carrolls beautiful night club, much larger than Ciros, with a stage away from the tables for dancing.

 We all had a turn at dancing, but Annette and Arnold did the Conga with the crowd.  The rest of us were sitting at the table and enjoyed the entertainment.  Had a couple of daiquiris around the table and dinner at ten or ten thirty.  The floor show here was gorgeous with loads of beautiful girls.  The stage was revolving, so there were many unusual arrangements in dance. Bert Wheeler was

 master of ceremonies.

Villa Valentino fountain with statue, ASPIRATION.

  Left Earl Carroll's around two, took Evelyn and Bill home, but didn't get to bed until around 4 A.M.  The moon was beautiful when we got home, and Tom Lyle turned on all the flood lights in the garden.  With the fountain, lights, flowers and moon, the garden was gorgeous.

If you love Old Hollywood Glamour, vintage fashion, make up and classic cars, you will love my book.  The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind it.

Old Hollywood Glamour at the Star Studded Premiere of... "All This and Heaven Too"

Tom Lyle Williams, Jane Allen, Emery Shaver, Annette Williams, Arnold Anderson, 1940 at the Villa Valentino.

Wednesday June 13, 1940

Excerpt from Jane Allen's diary while visiting her uncle at the Villa Valentino. 

This has been one grand day. Annette and I were up at a quarter of ten for an appointment at the hair dressers.

Emery picked us up in time for breakfast at one. At 4:14 we went toMax Factors for make-up. Glamour girls no less.

The big affair of attending the world premier of “All This and Heaven Too,” started about eight o'clock

when a limousine picked up Annette, Arnold, Emery, Tom Lyle and me, and drove over to get Emery's friend, Lona Woolsey.

The whole party were certainly dressed up, all the boys in tuxedos and the girls in formals.

The premiere was at Carthay Circle. The crowds simply jammed the streets as we arrived. The police, both on foot and mounted, were trying to hold the people back, but each person was trying to get a glimpse of the Stars.

The limousine stopped to let us out amid hundreds of lights and lots of cameramen. An announcer with a microphone was in front to announce the different stars as they arrive. They stared at us too, but we fooled them. We were just ordinary people. The long pass way from the front to the entrance of the theater seemed miles, with thousands of people staring, hoping each would be a Star. The walkway was lined with large gorgeous bouquets of flowers. These I didn't see as I walked in because I was so excited and nervous. 

After we were inside the theater, we stood around to see as many stars as possible. We saw Jimmy Stewart with Olivia de Haviland,

Jeffry Lynn,

Andrea Leeds,

Ann Miller,

Preston Foster,

Stewart Erwin,

and Don Ameche.

After walking around for a while we went into the Theater. Carthay Circle Theater is not very large but very beautiful. Furnished without consideration for cost. Carpet was beautiful red velvet and gold curtains.

At intermission we were in the lobby again.

Saw Ken Murray,

 Edgar Bergen,

Charles Boyer,

and more that I just can't remember now. The picture was very good. Was over about Twelve midnight. We had our long walk from the entrance to the driveway again, with lots of spectators looking for stars.

On our way out, we saw Gene Lockhart, 

Elsa Maxwell

and Hedda Hopper.

The announcer gave us a thrill calling Mr. TL Williams' car waiting. We were just like the big shots.

From Carthay Circle we drove to Ciros, the swankiest nightclub in Hollywood. Certainly couldn't have gotten into the place without reservations, as the club was jammed. Ciros is a beautiful place, very modern and very colorful.

Just as we entered we saw Robert Taylor,

Barbara Stanwick,

Jack Benny, Mary Livingston,

Edward Arnold and his wife,

Andrea Leeds and her husband,

Bette Davis and her party sat right next to our table. In fact her chair was bumped right up next to my chair.

Constance Bennett and her party was a table on the other side next to our table.

William Powell and his wife Diana Lewis, had a table behind us.

Across the way was Norma Shearer and her party.

Also saw Geraldine Fitzgerald,

George Jessel with his sixteen year old bride, Lois Andrew,

and Louise Fazenda.

 Most of the stars we saw at the Premiere were also at Circos. Never in my life have I ever seen, heard of or expected to attend such a gala affair It was the height of formality and considered the social occasion of the season in Hollywood. After several drinks, frosted daiquiris, we had something to eat and got home about 3:30 am. Believe our party was the last to leave Ciros. Don't think I ever enjoyed any activity so much in my life. The memory will be something to go over again and again.

Maybelline diaries 1940, "Catalina Island," Tom Lyle Williams niece's visit the Villa Valentino

Tuesday June 18, 1940

Up at 7:30, so had very little sleep. Catalina today, and what a day we had. The Premiere was the grandest affair I have ever attended, and will probably ever attend, but for real fun, I believe Catalina was the best. The four of us, Annette, arnold, Tom Lyle and I I just rested on the way over. The boat was quite large and ample seating capacity. The boat took two and a half hours to make the trip. Santa Catalina Island presented a beautiful picture from the boat. The mountains extended right to the water's edge with few beaches. The water was a very deep blue, almost a sate blue with the sunlight making it glisten like silver. The flying fist darted in and out of the water, resembling birds made of silver. As we neared the shore two speed boats filled with passengers raced out to welcome our boat. The picture of Santa Catalina from the boat was lovely.

 We could get a good view of the Pavilion and St. Catherine Hotel. Higher up on the mountain side were home's of Mrs. William Wrigley, P.E. Wrigley and the former Zane Grey. To the right of the Sane Grey home we could see the small chapel housing the chimes that ring every fifteen minutes and heard all over the Island. After the boat landed, we immediately took a but to the St. Catherine Hotel for lunch. Such a beautiful hotel, and such a gorgeous setting. It reminds you of the Edgewater Beach Marine dining room, perhaps because the lawn goes right down to the water's edge, and you sit and look right out on the water. Our table was close to the windows and the view from there was wonderful. The lawn was like green velvet with all colors and varieties of flowers making a lovely frame for Avalon Bay. If we had ordered a day, we couldn't have asked for a better one. The sun was warm enough, and yet it was cool in the shade. Had to rush lunch a bit to made the tours.

 As we were coming out of the hotel we saw Ruth Hussey.


The first tour we took was in a glass bottom boat to see the submarine gardens. The boat sailed close to shore, and the various flowers, plants, etc.only grow among the rocks. The iodine plant was pretty. Also saw other varieties of flowers, fish and lots of unusual rock formations. The diver put on an exhibition before we landed. He swam under the boat, staying under for three minutes. We could watch him through the glass. Had just time to get off this boat and on another for the Seal Rock Tour. This boat was different in that it was open and we could see all around. Kept close to shore again, and around the rocks to see the seals. The boat stopped so we could get a good look at the seals, took a picture , then the captain blew a whistle to bring the seals into the water. After this tour, we had time to look over the town of Avalon. Avalon is a resort town, a la Ritz. We walked up and down the main street, took some pictures and started looking for the Chi Chi Bar. This bar and cocktail lounge is south seas island style, but not as cute as the bar in the Villa Valentino. Had one drink, listened to the orchestra and danced. Tom Lyle is certainly getting good about dancing. He suggested a dance with only Neppie and Arnold on the floor. Tom Lyle knew the manager from Palm Springs, as he has a cocktail lounge there too. The manager came over for a chat and bought a round of drinks.

 Our time was slipping and we hadn't seen the Cubs Ball Park. Couldn't go back to Chicago without seeing the Cubs training ground, so up the hill we marched and took a picture for evidance.

Now for the great big thrill, our ride back to Long Beach on a plane. We watched the plane land in the water and coast to shore. My first ride in an amphibian plane. It was lots of fun. The view from the plane, of the water, mountains, ships and different cities was wonderful. The ride was only fifteen minutes compared with two and a half hours by boat. The plane hardly seemed to move and yet we were traveling over a hundred miles per hour. After landing we drove to Hollywood and the Villa Valentino for dinner. Emery has been rehearsing for a play “Lady Windermere's Fan,” since we arrived. Annette, Arnold, Tom Lyle and I went over to the theatre for dress rehearsal. Emery was good, and we all thought the play clever. 

  After the play we stopped at the Pig 'n Whistle for a bite to eat.  Saw Delores del Rio in the Pig 'n Whistle and saw her car and chauffeur waiting outside for her. Drove home to end a perfect day. 

Tom Lyle Williams, Emery and Arnold lived together at the Villa Valentino.  When Tom Lyle's niece's Annette Williams and Jane Allen, visited them in June of 1940, Tom Lyle rolled out the red carpet.  He gave the girls a 10 day extravaganza birds eye view, of Hollywood and Southern California.  This is an excerpt of Jane's diary.  If you'd like to read more, check my archives on the right column of my blog, under Jane Allen.

Spectacular Pictures and description of the Villa Valentino, in the Hollywood Hills, 1940

Tom Lyle Williams and Emery Shaver at the Villa Valentino

The white house is a beautiful contrast to the various vivid colors all around the house. The swimming pool is grand! And has all colors in lounge chairs, pillows, tile with lots of colors and varieties of colors in flowers.

My dad, Bill Williams at the pool with his uncle TL Williams

Then came the house. Everything is lovely. After seeing his movie pictures, we had some idea of the layout of the gardens and the house, but not one part in the pictures was as lovely as the actual gardens and home. The whine house is a beautiful contrast to the various vivid colors all around the house. The swimming pool is grand and has all colors in lounge chairs, pillows, tile with lots of colors and varieties of colors in flowers.

Next came the interior of Villa Valentino. You enter the house from the drive on the second floor. George's bedroom and bath are just off the beautiful little patio as you enter the front door. The two bedrooms upstairs, one for Emery and one for Tom Lyle, are furnished beautifully. Emery has a pretty bathroom adjoining his bedroom, but Tom Lyle's bathroom is the most beautiful I have seen, equipped with every imaginable convenience. From the hall upstairs you descend to the library with the dining room to the right of the library, down three steps.

Maybelline founder Tom Lyle Williams at entry to Villa Valentino

The carpeting on the stairs and in the library is almost an American Beauty shade of red. The banister is white wrought iron. The chairs in the library are light wood with light blue upholstering. Magazine rack and tables are hand carved and white. The desk is right by the window in the library, with a large white chair in front of the desk for Tom Lyle while he dictates. The linoleum on the dining room floor is a light blue and the furniture is light wood, modern in design. The wall opposite the large bay window is mirrored, so you can sit facing the window getting a beautiful view of the valley, garden and homes, and you can sit facing the mirror and get the same view reflected in the mirrors. The kitchen is small, compact, orderly and all done in red and white. The small bedroom next to the kitchen is a single bedroom with bath intended for a guest room, but used by Herbert, the cook. The living room is quite large, has a large bay window and a big door opening on the badminton court and gardens.

Emery Shaver and Tom Lyle Williams at the Villa Valentino 

The rug is the same as Tom Lyle had at Wabash Avenue, light rose in color. The grand piano takes one corner. The opposite corner has a Capehart radio and record playing combination. This piece of furniture is very light wood. The radio can be controlled or regulated from two or three different spots in the house and garden. One couch is a light tan with red design. In the by are two beautiful easy chairs with table, lamp and coffee table. To the side of the fireplace is a Duncan Pfyfe loveseat in light blue, with a beautiful coffee table in clear glass. The coffee table in front in front of the other couch is ebony wood with a gold mirror top.

Badminton Court

The drapes in the living room and library are gold, and such beautiful material. They are hung so well that they look like spun glass. In the corner of the living room is a very small door opening into the Rumpus Room. The Rumpus Room is one of the most attractive rooms I have ever seen, and certainly the cutest bar. The decorations are all South Sea Island, with grass rug, wicker furniture and even tall stools to sit at the bar. The room is also equipped with a bathroom. Every night before dinner, we went to the Rumpus Room. George came in dressed in white coat to mix us a cocktail.

Tom Lyle Williams at the Villa Valentino with his 1940 custom Packard Victoria

After our tour, Annette and I had time to unpack and rest before dinner. After dinner the round of entertainment started. First, we went to the theatre to see Victor Herbert's “The Red Hill”. Very good and the tunes were catchy and enjoyable. From the show we went to a night club called “Bublichki Russian”. This club was all Russian both in decorations and music. Celebrated with several Vodka cocktails. Spent a couple of hours listening to the music and sipping our drinks. Got to bed around three, and did we sleep.

Taken from Tom Lyle Williams niece, Jane Allen while visiting the Villa Valentino with her cousin Annette Williams