Rudolph Valentino's statue, "Aspiration" is still inspiring us to achieve our ambitions

The Villa Valentino, 1938. Chet Hewes, Ches Hains, Eva Williams Haines, Tom Lyle Williams, Mabel Williams Hewes.

An interesting article found in Tom Lyle Williams, sister, Eva's, archives has recently surfaced and was sent to me by her grandson, Jerry Westhouse. I've added pictures for my readers enjoyment. 

Tom Lyle Williams and Emery Shaver at the Villa Valentino in 1935, standing in front of Tom Lyle's, 1934 Packard

The statue, "Aspiration" was created in honor of Rudolph Valentino in 1930. Four years after his untimely death in 1926.  When Tom Lyle Williams purchased the Villa Valentino, in the Hollywood Hills, he had a copy of  "Aspiration" made and placed overlooking the pool. In the late 1940's, the Villa Valentino was destroyed by Eminent Domain, for the Hollywood Freeway. Today if you are on the Hollywood freeway at Vine, look up to your right and you will still see the foundation of the Villa Valentino. Tom Lyle Williams and his partner, Emery Shaver moved to Bel Air California and built a modern glass and steel home.

After Tom Lyle's death in 1976, his nephew's Bill and Noel Williams, had Aspiration recreated off the original mold and each of them placed it in their homes. After Bill and Noel passed away, their statues were given to Noel Williams son Chuck Williams, and my father Bill Williams statue was given to me. 

"Aspiration" reminds us to never stop aspiring towards our dreams.   A hope or ambition of achieving something: The Maybelline Story carries this theme throughout the book.

The Villa Valentino: a showplace in the Hollywood Hills.

The statue, Aspiration over looking the pool.

  Read more about Aspiration:  http://dispatches-from-hollywood.com/2011/12/the-sheik-of-de-longpre-park/

Valentino's sudden death at 31 from a ruptured ulcer caused worldwide hysteria, several suicides, and riots at his funeral. These same crowds of women haunted the Villa Valentino in Whitley Heights for many years.   Even after Tom Lyle bought the Villa Valentino, he had to keep grieving women at bay.

Read more about the Villa Valentino in The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It.

Posted by Sharrie Williams at 3:39 PM

Casa de Guillermo's, Timeless, Ageless and now Gone with the Wind - Maybelline Heir, Bill Williams, Palm Springs Estate,

The tour continues around the romantic grounds of the Casa

Built in 1929 for Silent Film Star Marie Dressler, my father, Bill Williams, bought this 2 acre estate in Palms Springs in 1973 and spent 2 years landscaping the grounds - while building a Guest House, tennis court, Koy Fish Pond, 5 hole chipping green, a stream that ran through the length of the property, and an extra garage to store is cars. The property was sold in  2006 for 3.5 million.  The new owner demolished the home and grounds and let the Koy Fish die after 30 years of lovingly being cared for. 

Bill and Gloria Williams Master Suite on the second floor included an office, a built in Mexican tiled bar, marble and mirrored bathroom with a sunken tub, a terrace and a 35 foot deck overlooking the property. 

Coming from a cosmetic family, my father created and ambiance of overwhelming beauty.

The deck overlooking the property and the chipping green are seen here, as well as the 4 car open garage.   

My father drew out his Guest House on a cocktail napkin while sitting at the bar, explaining to the builder what he wanted included.... A Master Suite, fully mirrored bathroom and shower that led outside to it's own private sunning patio. A playroom with slot machines, pinball machine, pool table, card table, plush sitting area, gourmet kitchen, weight lifting room, steam bath, bar b que pit and a second mirrored bathroom for guests using the pool.

Designed to look like a 1930's Old Hollywood movie set,
 the wrought iron patio furniture and intimate seating
 areas created the perfect party atmosphere.
   Stereo speakers hidden in the rocks
 played Frank Sinatra's music day and night 

Detail and perfection exploded everywhere with exquisite color, succulent smells and romantic sounds that captivated your soul and lifted your Spirits.

Like his uncle, Maybelline founder, Tom Lyle Williams, Bill placed Rudolph Valentino's memorial statue, ASPIRATION, in the garden next to the stream and chipping green.

Here is a better view of the stream with ASPIRATION.

This magnificent walkway led from the pool,
 past the classic cars and chipping green to
 the Koy Fish Pond. At night the entire property
 was lit up to look like a fantasy land. 

The only words to describe Casa de Guillermo's magical wonderland is Old Hollywood Glamour.  We were so lucky to have spent 30 years here before my father's health declined and he sold the estate, the cars and all it's belongings in an estate sale, before moving to Lido Isle, in Newport Beach California, in 2004.  He died in 2006.

Stop back tomorrow and see the rest of the tour through Casa de Guillermo's

Rudolph Valentino's Aspiration, sets the tone for positive thinking.

Rudolph Valentino's Aspiration, still inspires the Williams family to always look up.

Here is a picture of my father Bill Williams with his cousin Noel A. standing next to Aspiration.

Aspiration (Rudolph Valentino)

1930. Roger Noble Burnham. Marble and bronze statue, 36' x 16' x 16. De Longpre Park, 1350 North Cherokee Street, Hollywood, California. Plaque reads: Erected in memory of Rudolph Valentino, 1895-1926. Presented by his friends and admirers from every walk of life in all parts of the world in appreciation of the happiness brought to them by his cinema portrayals.

The Villa Valentino, with Aspiration overlooking the pool.  Bottom right, Bill, Tom Lyle and Evelyn Williams.

Aspiration at the Villa Valentino, Tom Lyle's home in the Hollywood Hills.  I believe Tom Lyle, was a major contributor, paying for the statue to be set in De Longpre Park, in 1930.  He bought the Villa, placed a copy of Aspiration in a fountain and called his home, The Villa Valentino.   Aspiration is still in our family and we love his inspiration to aspire up and never look down.

The statue created for Rudolph Valentino in 1930, lives on.

Aspiration lives on to inspire the next generation, even after Tom Lyle and Maybelline are gone.

1979, Baby Georgia rocks in her rocking chair unaware of the history that has come before!

My One Woman Show today was a smashing success.  Please check in this weekend for pictures, video's and details of the event in Beverly Hills, California.

Maybelline Headquarters in the Hollywood Hills - Rare Vntage Photo's.

During the 1930's and 40's, Tom Lyle, Emery Shaver and Arnold Anderson made up the West Coast branch of the Maybelline Co.  These three men handled the entire Advertising department and produced some of the most artistic photographs of movie stars ever seen. 

 Tom Lyle worked with the major film studios, movie stars and ad agency who booked ads in magazines and newspapers seen around the world.  Emery wrote the copy for the ads and created Maybelline's famous slogans. Arnold a creative genius when it came to  touch-up and "before and after" shots, used technicolor to perfect his photos to Tom Lyle's satisfaction. 

 Their story is clearly spelled out in my book, The Maybelline Story, but in case you've already read the book and wished for more pictures of Maybelline West, The Villa Valentino and the three men who lived there, here are some rare vintage black and whites.


Portion of the Villa Valentino's garden.



steps leading to the patio.



Tom Lyle and Emery on one of the patio's, with the Packard parked on the street.



Tom Lyle, Arnold and Emery with two of Tom Lyle's nieces in front of the Villa Valentino




Maybelline West, The Villa Valentino in the Hollywood Hills.

The statue Aspiration overlooking the pool.  Two starlets at a photo shoot.