When Tom Lyle's sister Eva and her husband Ches Haines, bought a new record-making machine, in 1947, the first thing they did was invite the family over to record a pretend Maybelline radio show. "Penthouse Serenade" is the result. Listen to Tom Lyle as MC, with Rag's Ragland at the piano and Ches Haines singing, while the rest of the family joins in. This never before heard recording, has been packed away for over 60 years. My cousin Jerry Westhouse, Eva's grandson, was kind enough to share it with me, so I could share it with you. Read more about the radio show, Penthouse Serenade hosted by The Maybelline Hour, with Orchestra leader, Freddy Martin, in The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It.
Maybelline model and actress Lois Collier represented the American ideal.
Lois Collier, one of Universal Studio's beautiful and talented actresses was showcased in Maybelline ads during World War 11. She was discovered after winning a a contest sponsored by CBS Radio for a part in a radio play in Hollywood.
Collier, like many starlets during the War Era appeared on the cover of Yank, the Army Weekly as well as Maybelline print ads in various popular magazines. She was part of the Hollywood Star System that used companies like Maybelline to help promote movie stars careers.
From 1940 through 1949 Collier's career would be active and somewhat successful, with her playing mostly heroine roles in B-movies, including Westerns, Horror and Science Fiction thrillers.
. Collier held the second female lead in what is considered the best of the Maria Montez adventure films, “Cobra Woman.” She also joined Loretta Young, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Anne Gwynne and Evelyn Ankers in the wartime drama “Ladie’s Courageous.” The Walter Wanger production told the story of the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadrons of the Second World War. Collier appealed to young movie-goer's who balanced the horror of war with escapism. Collier was young, beautiful and captivated her audience with those beautiful Maybelline Eyes! She brought loads of young women into dime stores with disposable money ready to spend on Maybelline so they too could have "The Collier Look." Read more about Tom Lyle Williams contribution to the Hollywood Star System in The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It.
