Watch for new London Musical, "Norma Jeane the Musical," The 1975 film, "Goodbye Norma Jean," was filmed at my father's home in Palm Springs California

After Tweeting about the 1975 film, Goodbye Norma Jean, filmed at my father, Bill Williams, Palm Springs Estate, I received a very interesting Tweet from Henry Köhler.

Henry is the son of Carl Kohler, the artist who created this fascinating picture of Marilyn Monroe.  After seeing the face of Monroe, I responded, by writing, "how perfect, since Monroe was so abstract herself.

 Henry Kohler granted permission to use 'Marilyn Monroe' by his father Carl Köhler as part of the official show poster.

For more information about this painting and others please go to :  http://www.carlkohler.com/

For more information on Norma Jeane the Musical http://www.normajeanethemusical.com/

"

Filming of Goodbye Norma Jean at Maybelline Heir's estate in Palm Springs, 1975.

Author Sharrie Williams on the left sitting next to her little sister Billee Williams with the rest of the extras during the filming of Goodbye Norma Jean, at their father Bill Williams estate Casa de Guillermo's in 1975.

 Excerpt from Author, Sharrie Williams' 1975 Diary.

By January of 1975, Billee, my little sister had gone on a cattle call, to be an extra in an independent film called "Good-Bye Norma Jean", and she said I should go up to Hollywood, and see if I could get in the movie as well. Gene thought it would be fun and went with me for the audition. We needed to generate some cash flow with Nana gone, and I hoped I might make it into the movie business 

      and keep the excitement in our marriage going.     

The casting director was a young guy about our age and thought I was beautiful, but seemed even more impressed that Gene was a lawyer with that California laid back confidence.  In other words, he liked us both and thought we were a cool couple.   

He gave us the scene layout for the movie and I pictured the whole thing being shot at my dad's estate in Palms Springs.  I showed him pictures of the grounds, and he said it looked like an old 1930's directors home:  with its circular drive-way, rows of tall palm trees, fountains, wrought iron electric gates, Olympic size swimming pool, tennis court, 5 hole chipping green, Koi pond and stream running through it, as well as a guest house, 12 vintage cars and completely private.  He was blown away and said he had to have it.  I told him I'd ask my dad and get back to him. 

The whole thing was such a high, that I never thought about Nana, Hot Springs, or the  fortune hunter she ran off with at 74.  After all, I was creating my own fantasy-life in which I was the star.

My Dad actually thought it would be fun, so after the contracts were signed -  and some money paid for the use of the grounds -  and he was assured that if any damage took place he'd be covered -  the gig was on!  We shot the movie at the end of February and it was the most fun, exciting thing that ever happened.  

The Director let me cast all my friends and family as extras and a two day nonstop party was on.  Twelve of my friends, cousin Chuck and Anne, plus Gene and I stayed at the estate we were married in, with it's 7 bedrooms and full time maid and cook, while my dad and his cousin Noel and Jean and girlfriend Ernie, stayed at the Casa.  My dad actually had two estates a few blocks apart and the extravagance was off the charts. 

More of the making Goodbye Norma Jean at the Casa tomorrow.  Also read more in the Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind it.   

Norma Jean Baker transforms into Marilyn Monroe at Casa Guillermo, 1975.

Scenes from Goodbye Norma Jean, from my father, Bill Williams, Casa Guillermo, 1975

In these scene's, Norma Jean, is being told she has what it takes, but must undergo some "Work," to transform her image. 

 Stay tuned next weekend when Norma Jean morphs into, Marilyn Monroe, and walks through the grounds of beautiful Casa Guillermo.

More scenes from the Casa, including the cars and the glamor will be posted, but you can read all about it, bigger than life, in The Maybelline Story, 

Filming of Goodbye Norma Jean at Maybelline Heir's estate ...

Jan 27, 2011

Author Sharrie Williams on the left sitting next to her little sister Billee Williams with the rest of the extras during the filming of Goodbye Norma Jean, at their father Bill Williams estate Casa de Guillermo's in 1975. Excerpt from ...

Goodbye Norma Jean, filmed at Casa Guillermo in 1975.

Aug 24, 2011

Nana moved to Hot Springs Arkansas with her new husband, while my husband, an attorney, put together a deal with the producer of Goodbye Norma Jean, to have the movie filmed at my father's Palm Springs estate, Casa ...

Scenes from Goodbye Norma Jean, filmed at my father's ...

Sep 18, 2011

A shot from inside Casa Guillermo. On the left side is Jean Williams, my dad's cousin. During the three day shooting of Goodbye Norma Jean, the director asked all of my friends and family to fill up the background in various ...

Goodbye Norma Jean, scenes from Casa De Guillermo's.

Sep 12, 2011

Here are some views of Casa Guillermo, inside and out. Read all about the filming of the movie at the Casa w

misty rowe starring in goodbye norma jean 1976

Dec 28, 2011

MISTY ROWE STARRING IN GOODBYE NORMA JEAN 1976. Misty Rowe as Marilyn Monroe. filmed at my father Bill Williams home in 1975, at Casa de Guillermo, Palm Springs California. My father, Bill Williams with Misty ...

Maybelline cousins featured in Goodbye Norma Jean in 1975

Feb 01, 2011

My cousin Chuck Williams at my dad's estate Casa De Guillermo's, talking to his wife Anne while I prepare for the next scene being shot for Goodbye Norma Jean. Scroll down for more posts about Chuck and Sharrie and ...

Maybelline family films the movie Goodbye Norma Jean, at ...

Jan 19, 2011

Maybelline family films the movie Goodbye Norma Jean, at their estate in Palms Springs,. Noel Williams, Tom Lyle Williams nephew at his cousin Bill Williams estate in Palms Springs, 1975 in front of a 1934 Packard.

Photo's of Misty Roe as Marilyn Monroe in Goodbye Norma ...

Oct 02, 2011

Click on video, to see the final scenes from the 1976 film, Goodbye Norma Jean, filmed at my father's estate, Casa de Guillermo, in Palm Springs California. If you'd like to receive The Mabelline Blog daily, please sign up by ...

Photo's of Misty Roe as Marilyn Monroe in Goodbye Norma ...

Oct 02, 2011

Click on video, to see the final scenes from the 1976 film, Goodbye Norma Jean, filmed at my father's estate, Casa de Guillermo, in Palm Springs California. If you'd like to receive The Mabelline Blog daily, please sign up by ...

THE MAYBELLINE STORY : Norma Jean Baker transforms ...

Sep 25, 2011

Norma Jean Baker transforms into Marilyn Monroe at Casa Guillermo, 1975. Scenes from Goodbye Norma Jean, from my father, Bill Williams, Casa Guillermo, 1975. In these scene's, Norma Jean, is being told she has what it ...

http://www.maybellinebook.com/

THE MAYBELLINE STORY : Two fabulous photos of Misty ...

Feb 02, 2011

Two fabulous photos of Misty Rowe taken during the filming of Goodbye Norma Jean in 1975. Misty Rowe as Norma Jaen Baker. Misty Rowe as Marilyn Monroe with my father, Bill Williams, filmed at his Palm Springs Estate ...

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

Scenes from Goodbye Norma Jean, filmed at my father's Casa Guillermo, 1975

Was Goodbye Norma Jean, a lost sleeper, or has it become a cult-favorite, capturing the film style of the 1970's?

A shot from inside Casa Guillermo.  On the left side is Jean Williams, my dad's cousin.  During the three day shooting of Goodbye Norma Jean, the director asked all of my friends and family to fill up the background in various shots. 

In this shot from Goodbye Norma Jean, Misty Rowe, morphs from being Norma Jean to Marilyn Monroe.  The three extras to her right are Jean Williams, my father, Bill Williams and his girlfriend Ernie Quarantello.

On the left is a friend of the family, Gerry Marks, in a scene shot in the living room of Casa Guillermo.

Two fabulous photos of Misty Rowe taken during the filming of Goodbye Norma Jean in 1975

Misty Rowe as Norma Jaen Baker

Misty Rowe as Marilyn Monroe with my father,
 Bill Williams, filmed at his Palm Springs Estate

Maybelline cousins featured in Goodbye Norma Jean in 1975

My cousin Chuck Williams at my dad's estate Casa De Guillermo's, talking to his wife Anne while I prepare for the next scene being shot for Goodbye Norma Jean.  Scroll down for more posts about Chuck and Sharrie and listen to The Chuck and Sharrie radio interview in Santa Barbara, under Events. 

Maybelline Heiress says "let them eat cake," while filming at her fathers estate.

The Villa Valentino, Hollywood Hills, 1945. Rudolph Valentino's Statue, Aspiration symbolized aspiring to the stars and never giving up on your dreams. Photo below is of Tom Lyle's nephew Bill Williams with his girlfriend Pauline Mac Donald swimming in the pool.(My parents.)

30 years later, author Sharrie Williams and her father Bill Williams stood on his veranda overlooking his estate in Palm Springs, where Aspiration still looked up at the sky, ever reminding us to never ever give up on our dreams.

Excerpt from Sharrie's 1975 Diary.

My Dad and I stood on the veranda outside his master bedroom, waiting for the tub scene where Misty Rowe - playing a young Marilyn Monroe in Goodbye Norma Jean -would languish nude in a mountain of bubbles.  I was stoned out of my mind and relished my own role as daddy's little spoiled princess, while he fumed over his lawns being torn up with cables and trampling feet.

As we stood under the black and tan stripped awning, holding onto the black wrought iron railing, dad wanted to stop the filming and throw everyone off his newly landscaped estate.

 "What the hell am I going to do with all these god damned people ruining my fucking lawns." he said ready to throw me over the railing as well for getting him into this mess.

"Oh don't worry daddy," I said,in an arrogant tone - "Just let them eat cake," - in my best Marie Antoinette impersonation, looking over a swarm of peasants about to destroy Versailles.

He looked at me, gritting his teeth and said, " God damnit Sharrie, what the hell are you talking about - are you nuts?"  And of course I didn't have a clue what I was talking about and I was pretty nuts at the time! All I knew was this was my dream come true, and as I stared at Aspiration I hoped this feeling would never end.

More on the making of Goodbye Norma Jean in the next post.  You can also read about the sale of the Maybelline Company and how my dad's inheritance from the sale of the Maybelline co. affected my branch of the family in The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It.

Filming of Goodbye Norma Jean at Maybelline Heir's estate in Palm Springs, 1975.

Author Sharrie Williams on the left sitting next to her little sister Billee Williams with the rest of the extras during the filming of Goodbye Norma Jean, at their father Bill Williams estate Casa de Guillermo's in 1975.

 Excerpt from Author, Sharrie Williams' 1975 Diary.

By January of 1975, Billee, my little sister had gone on a cattle call, to be an extra in an independent film called "Good-Bye Norma Jean", and she said I should go up to Hollywood, and see if I could get in the movie as well. Gene thought it would be fun and went with me for the audition. We needed to generate some cash flow with Nana gone, and I hoped I might make it into the movie business 

      and keep the excitement in our marriage going.     

The casting director was a young guy about our age and thought I was beautiful, but seemed even more impressed that Gene was a lawyer with that California laid back confidence.  In other words, he liked us both and thought we were a cool couple.  

He gave us the scene layout for the movie and I pictured the whole thing being shot at my dad's estate in Palms Springs.  I showed him pictures of the grounds, and he said it looked like an old 1930's directors home:  with its circular drive-way, rows of tall palm trees, fountains, wrought iron electric gates, Olympic size swimming pool, tennis court, 5 hole chipping green, Koi pond and stream running through it, as well as a guest house, 12 vintage cars and completely private.  He was blown away and said he had to have it.  I told him I'd ask my dad and get back to him. 

The whole thing was such a high, that I never thought about Nana, Hot Springs, or the  fortune hunter she ran off with at 74.  After all, I was creating my own fantasy-life in which I was the star.

My Dad actually thought it would be fun, so after the contracts were signed -  and some money paid for the use of the grounds -  and he was assured that if any damage took place he'd be covered -  the gig was on!  We shot the movie at the end of February and it was the most fun, exciting thing that ever happened. 

The Director let me cast all my friends and family as extras and a two day nonstop party was on.  Twelve of my friends, cousin Chuck and Anne, plus Gene and I stayed at the estate we were married in, with it's 7 bedrooms and full time maid and cook, while my dad and his cousin Noel and Jean and girlfriend Ernie, stayed at the Casa.  My dad actually had two estates a few blocks apart and the extravagance was off the charts. 

More of the making Goodbye Norma Jean at the Casa tomorrow.  Also read more in the Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind it.   

Maybelline family films the movie Goodbye Norma Jean, at their estate in Palms Springs,

Noel Williams, Tom Lyle Williams nephew at his cousin Bill Williams estate in Palms Springs, 1975 in front of a 1934 Packard.

Author Sharrie Williams, Bill's daughter and Tom Lyle Williams great niece at her fathers estate in Palm Springs 1975.

Bill Williams at his estate in Palms Springs during the filming of the movie Goodbye Norma Jean, 1975

A scene from the film Goodbye Norma Jean, shot at Bill Williams estate, 1975.

Filming the movie, Goodbye Norma Jean at Bill Williams Estate in Palms Springs. Excerpt from Sharrie Williams Diary.

The next morning, old classic cars, brought in on flat bed

trucks arrived at the estate, and the camera crew, producer, director, costume designer, set designer, and the producers wife and mistress. were all on the  set. Dad started freaking out, when he saw all the cables, strung across his manicured lawns, and I kept assuring him that any damage would be taken care of. I had some great old costumes, I'd collected over the years, and we all got our make up and hair done, then dressed for our parts.  We had no speaking parts, we were just background dressing for Norma Jean Bakers Scenes, but we added the feeling of wealth, and status, the director was looking for.  The scenes got a little steamy, with nude bath tub shots, and obvious sexual scenes that made the future Marilyn Monroe, look like a whore, but it didn't bother anyone of us.

Read more about the wild ride after the Maybelline Company sells and the family lives out their fantasies in Sharrie Williams book The Maybelline Story.