Frank Sinatra, Abbott and Costello, Marilyn Maxwell and more, promote 15 year Dorise Van, at the Hollywood Palladium

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TOMMY DORSEY BAND WITH FRANK SINATRA,

 OPENS THE PALLADIUM IN 1940...

 caught the eye of Kris Van Hook, while researching information for his mother, Dorise Van's, Memorial Service.

He contacted me and asked if I'd like to see pictures of fifteen year old Doris Marie Lent...who changed her name to Dorise Van, in the 1940's...when singing with Big Bands at the Hollywood Palladium and Coconut Grove. 

I was intrigued with her story and said yes, because my parents - as teenagers during WWll - danced at the Palladium every chance they could get.....
and might have known her. 

I asked Kris if he had any stories about his mom and Frank Sinatra, and he said, "in 1969, when my mom was singing at the Sahara Hotel in Vegas, Frank was at the Sands with the Rat Pack and bumped into her after her show, on the way to her room and asked her to a "party." I am sure he didn't recognize the 17 year old girl he met in 1944, in the grown up lady before him.....Believe it or not she did say NO!"

Not many young girls sang with Bandleader, singer and Radio Star, Phil Harris, (Married to Hollywood Star Alice Faye.) 

or hung out with Marilyn Maxwell, her husband, Actor John Conte, and Abbott and Costello.

It must have fun meeting cute young crooners like
 Dick Hayes,

and be seen with very glamorous Stars, like  Marilyn Maxwell, known as the other Marilyn.

15 year Dorise Van was the "Darling" of the Coconut Grove - yet few people remember those Old Hollywood Days when,

little Dorise Van's father worked at the Palladium as a waiter, while she attended Hollywood Professional School, being groomed for Stardom.

She was born in 1928 in Philadelphia but because of the depression, her father kept moving west to find work. 

At only 13, Dorise made personal appearances with Phil Harris, Ozzie Nelson and Ivan Scott's orchestra. On local radio stations she did singing and dramatic shows.

As an adult she went on to have a good career as a club singer in Orange County as well as stints in Tahoe, Reno and Las Vegas. 

Eventually Dorise Married and had a family, but never

 gave up her singing career.

For the last twenty years she was in ministry and very recently passed away at 85, after living a blessed life.

 Dorise will not only be remembered as part of Hollywood's history, but will forever be revered as is an inspirational role model, with a Spirit to give unselfishly to others.  

you'll love me original.mp3 3395K   Play   Download

The year, 1966. The song, "You'll Love Me." The composer, "Richie Carpenter, later known as Richard, the brother of Karen Carpenter of "The Carpenters."

 The artists, a veteran duo, packing in the crowds nightly in the "Round the World Lounge," at the Disneyland Hotel, cutting their first song with Platter records. They are known as "The Two of Us." Their names, Dorise Van and Bill McClure.

Thank you so much Kris for sharing these never before seen priceless memories of your mother's life with me and my friends.

My mother, Pauline Mac Donald-Williams, 16 years old and a member of the Hollywood Studio Club, hoping to have a professional dancing career at MGM.

My parents, Pauline and Bill Williams on their Honeymoon.

Meet DAVID E. VAN HOUTEN Founder/Producer of BORDERLINE HOLLYWOOD...

BORDERLINE HOLLYWOOD

David Van Houten and Sharrie Williams - Newport
 Beach California, December 1993.

 This picture was taken while they were partners, under contract with William Morris Agency... for a book and movie deal based on a book they were writing called,
 The Maybelline Story.

 Unfortunately Sharrie had to drop out of the project after her home was destroyed in the Laguna Beach Firestorm.  At the time, William Morris was going for a $250,000 advance for an unwritten book with a movie option.

Sharrie rebuilt her life and eventually wrote and published The Maybelline Story, while David completed his master's degree and doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

Today Dr. Van Houten's company Borderline Hollywood specializes in Behind the Scenes Documentaries and EPK production. With a focus primarily in the Film and Television industry, However they also have provided for Live Music and Comedy for either Broadcast or DVD.

 David has over 25 years experience as a marketing
 and publicity expert. His background includes Vice President of International Marketing at Paramount Pictures, and Vice President of Corporate Communications at Trimark Pictures.

William Haines, Hollywood's First Openly Gay Star, talks about his 45 year relationship with Jimmy Shields

Wisecracker: The Life and Times of William Haines, Hollywood's First Openly Gay Star by William J. Mann

Amazon.com Review

William Haines was one of MGM's biggest stars in the late 1920s, playing cocky but sympathetic wise guys in movies such as Brown of Harvard. He was as self-assured in real life: 

dropped by the studio In 1933 because he refused to hide his homosexuality, Haines became a successful interior decorator. Journalist William J. Mann perceptively links Haines's story to shifting attitudes in the movie industry, the gay community, and America as a whole. 

Jimmy Shields and William Haines

In 1933, Haines was arrested in a YMCA with a sailor he had picked up in Los Angeles' Pershing Square. Louis B. Mayer, the studio head at MGM, delivered an ultimatum to Haines:

 choose between a sham marriage (also known as a "lavender marriage") or his relationship with Shields. Haines chose Shields and they remained together for almost 50 years. Mayer subsequently fired Haines and terminated his contract.  Haines and Shields, remained a couple

 from 1926 until Haines's death in 1973. 

Jan Antaya shared this very telling letter from her collection of Jerome Zipkin's personal letters.  Jan read my book and was moved by the accounting of William Haines and Jimmy Shields story as it relates to Tom Lyle Williams and his partner, Emery Shaver, in The Maybelline Story.

The letter was written by William Haines, to his friend, Socialite Jerome Zipkin, in 1971, two years before Haines death.  Haines refers to Shields as JS and remarks about their 45 year Anniversary.  He calls Zipkin by the nickname, HEM and goes on to mention many famous friends including

 Estee and Joe Lauder (Estee Lauder Cosmetics.)
 Doris Stein of the Stein Eye Institute.)
 George Frelinghuysen, Socialite.
Eadie Goetz, LB Mayer's sister
 Louie B. Mayer, Head of MGM
 and many more.  

Haines signs the  letter... 
cona·mo·re [Italian: con, with + amore, love,] Hattie Mc Daniels mother, Willee. Hattie Mc Daniel was MGM's Gone with the Wind Star and the first African American to win an Oscar. (Maybe Haines was refering to him being as excited as Mc Daniel's mother must have been when her daughter won the Oscar.)

Jerry Zipkin with Nan Kempner at an AIDS benefit in 1990. Mr. Zipkin was the confidant of many grande dames including First Lady Nancy Reagan.  People Magazine review of Zipkin

Estee and Joe Lauder with Helen Gurley Brown
 Photo By: irv Steinberg/Globe Photos, Inc Esteelauderretro

Jules and Doris Stein (center) are shown in an early photograph with their grown children (from left), Lawrence Oppenheimer, Susan Stein, Gerald Oppenheimer, and Jean Stein.

Gstaad 1973 ( l. to r.:) — George Frelinghuysen, Mary-France Pochna, Cecil Everley, Ann Rapp, and Gordon Taylor

Louie B. Mayer with his wife, Lorena Mayer

Bill and Edie Goetz,(Louie B. Mayer's sister,) known as the Diamond Duchess  (according to William Haines letter.) 

William Hines home at 601 Lorna Lane, was built in Brentwood - 1942 - and is owned today, interesting enough, by the Lidia Rubinstein  Trust.
(Helena Rubinstein Cosmetic family?)

Haines and Jimmy Shields were a devoted couple for almost 50 years.....Jimmy Shields, committed suicide a few months after William Haines, death. 

Tom Lyle Williams and Emery Shaver were together for close to 50 years and after Emery's unexpected death in 1964, Tom Lyle sold the Maybelline Company in 1967. Unlike Haines and Shields who openly flaunted their relationship, Williams and Shaver lived a very private life.

HOT BEAUTY REVIEWS (@HotBeautyReview) THE MAYBELLINE STORY

HOT BEAUTY REVIEWS

INDEPENDENT BEAUTY SITE, CREATED BY YOU

                                            http://www.hotbeautyreviews.com/BlogItem6.php

THE FABULOUS MAYBELLINE STORY

I love reading books. Some books are good, some great, but ONLY a couple of them are exceptional like the book "The Maybelline Story". This is really a MUST to read. You will be smitten by this book, it is fabulous! You will be instantly transferred to the last century of Hollywood glamour and beauty, but also you will be witnessing the hard work of the founder of iconic Maybelline - Tom Lyle and his family.

      When I started to read this book, I forgot about the world around me. I was just reading and reading. I couldn't put the book down. Tom Lyle, founder of Maybelline was a remarkable person, businessman from the very early age.He saw opportunities everywhere. He wasn't afraid of any challenges. He had a driving force and strong belief that hard work would lead to success.    And his finely tuned instincts paid off.

      In the book I learned about "harem secret". What is it? The core business of the Maybelline brand. You will found out, when you will read the book.

      I like the company philosophy that every woman deserves to look her best. Every marketing guru should "learn" about newspaper headline "Miss Maybelline Stops Traffic", where a coincidence is more than years of planned marketing. This book can easily be valuable marketing textbook. Who is Miss Maybelline? It is Evelyn B. Williams. Independent, strong and confident woman with style, muse of Tom Lyle.

      WHAT I LEARNED FROM THE BOOK:

1. 1)Never say never
2. 2)Glamour is just civilized sex.
3. 3)Eating canned spaghetti, can be act of patriotism. 
4. 4)The most important, that "Feelings have to be hidden and a smile should be your umbrella" by Evelyn Williams aka Miss Maybelline

What an exciting family saga, full of hard work, pain, intrigues, disappointments but also joy, glamour and fortune with shocking and unexpected end. I already can see a great movie in the future about it! And Sharrie you are a very talented writer. If you are interested to buy the book, you can do it at:

http://www.maybellinebook.com/p/buy-my-book.html. Book is sold out at most bookstores, I had hard time  buying it!

         By Marietta Spiska

If you have any questions, inquiries, please contact us at blog@hotbeautyreviews.com

I THOUGHT I WAS THE MARY AND SHE WAS THE RHODA... I was disqualified from the Miss Culver City Beauty Contest for trying out for a TV show called Room 222 in 1964.

In June of 1964 I turned 17 and it proved to be the best of times and worst of times for me.

This gives you an idea of what I'm talking about. Gizmag.

I entered Patricia Stevens Modeling School, where I learned to stand up tall with a big smile, looking sexy, at car shows and conventions. When that got old fast, I decided being an actress was more my style and found a private drama coach from MGM, where my grandfather, Andy Mac Donald had worked for 50 years... as boss over seven departments.  When a new series was in development at the studio,

 A talent scout saw me in a play called SEVENTEEN, and asked if I'd like to audition for a new TV Show,
called Room 222.

Thinking I needed a quick tan, I stupidly baked in the sun from 9 to 5 and suffered a serious burn on my face, under my arms and in the tender part of my inner-thighs.

Barely able to wear anything on my skin, I was forced to go to the audition in extreme pain, with a beet red face.  Not very attractive I can assure you.... and worst of all, I couldn't remember my lines and failed the audition.... 

Here I am with my dad, Bill Williams, wearing the dress, Dec. 1965, 
 I died my hair black and I looked like I was 35.

My dad knew the director at M.G.M. and asked him how I did.  Not wanting to be unkind...I'm sure... he told my dad that I looked to mature to play a high school kid, even though I was a high school kid..... He said, because I was under age, I'd have to have special tutors and the producer didn't want to pay for it. They were looking for girls who were over 18 and looked younger.

I must admit I did look pretty mature, with my eyes overdone with  Maybelline, and wearing a sexy black sheath with a low cut neckline, that Nana and my mom picked out for me. I may have looked 35 on the outside, but inside I was immature, insecure and unprofessional... and sadly, I didn't get the part. But the good news was the show was shelved for 5 years, so I guess the producers had a hard time funding it or finding the right talent. However, it finally aired in 1969 and became a very popular show.

I THOUGHT I WAS THE MARY AND SANDY WAS THE RHODA.....turns out I was wrong, she was the cutest.

The announcement in the paper about the Miss Culver City Contest, I'm in the middle, # 5, the only blonde.. My friend Sandy Block #6, won when I was disqualified.

Sharrie # 3, Sandy # 4 from left.

Sandy # 3 on top, Sharrie # 4, who is the cutest.....

Well the judges thought Sandy was the cutest and she won.

My big fat ego was deflated after being disqualified during the finals at the Miss Culver City Beauty contest.....for being a professional actress..... Because I was auditioning at MGM...It was humiliating, but, I learned that the more beautiful you are and the more privilege you come from, the harder it is to get a break.

                        I'm the Mary you're the Rhoda

                                            Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion

It hurt me to be cut out of Room 222 and the Beauty Contest, but it taught me why my great uncle Tom Lyle Williams, founder of the Maybelline Company, wanted us kids to remain hidden from the world for our own protection and just be normal kids, with normal lives.

Maybelline Heir Bill Williams, AMERICAN CLASSIC, 1977 Clenet, Series 1, number 13 out of 250,

GATSBY AUTOMOBILE click on.

My father, Bill Williams, chose his Series 1 Clenet,
 because it gave him the feeling he had driving in his
 uncle Tom Lyle Willimas, 1934 Packard Victoria.

To a little kid growing up in Chicago,
 his uncles, 1934 Vee Windshield Dietrich Packard 
was a fantasy car.

When Bill turned 16, his Tom Lyle Williams, had this 1940 Packard Victoria, custom made and Bill remembered the thrill of his uncle teaching him how to drive in it. The style, glamour and flash of the Packard was reborn in the Clenet. 

53 year old Bill Williams represented the ideal
 Clenet owner living out the Gatsby Dream.

Clenet Series I, Number 13/250

            In the early 1970’s Alain Clenet had
 a dream to design and build one of the most elegant coach-built automobiles ever produced. He formed a company in Santa Barbara, California with a very small, elite group of craftsmen that helped make his dream a reality.

             
This is a 1977 Series 1 Clenet, Number 13 of 250. Originally purchased by Bill Williams, who recently passed, this car remains a part of his family’s estate.

This particular Clenet is very rare because it was the last car built on a Lincoln Continental running gear and chassis. After 1977 the running gear on the first series cars changed to a Mercury Cougar chassis with a smaller motor, transmission, and suspension. This particular Clenet has the 400 cubic inch engine with the C6 transmission, large breaks and suspension. There
 were many Series I cars that were purchased by celebrities and used in filming movies and TV
 shows.
  

            The car has been in storage for the
 past 7 years and recently went through a preservation
 by Steve Kouracos. Kouracos was one of the original craftsmen at Clenet Coachworks. He set up and managed the body and paint division. The car is 100% original, including the 35 year old lacquer paint job.

            We hope you enjoy viewing this piece of automotive history as much as we love showing and displaying it to others.

-The Williams Family

Specs:

400 cubic inch 2v v-8 engine

Select shift automatic transmission C6

Four-wheel power disc breaks

2.75 rear axle ratio