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