The Maybelline Story Blog

The Maybelline Story captivates all audiences by its incredible survival through economic, social, and personal turmoil

The MaybellineStory...Fascinating, Stimulating, Gripping makes you wanting for more!,

The Maybelline Story starts a century ago and takes you though the interesting life of founder Tom Lyle Williams and his fascinating family as he climbs his way to achieving the all American dream. Cross country it will take you from Chicago to Hollywood, mingling with the who's who in each era and location. Read how a fluke turned into a simple product, and how it turned into an international sensation and empire. Follow their families lives for One Hundred years.

The Maybelline Story is one that has left a lasting impression upon America, yet not many realize just how vital a role the cosmetic brand has played in shaping idealism today. The obsession with perfection is widely seen throughout Hollywood, as it was nearly 100 years ago. However, the obsession at that time did not reach the rest of society as it has today. Early cosmetic developers, such as founder Tom Lyle Williams of the Maybelline Co. brought cosmetics to the everyday woman, pushing the idea that every woman, young and old, regardless of class, can obtain glamour and beauty with a simple swish of the eyes. That’s where Maybelline got its start. Developed in a time where women were breaking away from being modest and obedient housewives, and starting to seek their right as legal voters and equals in society.

The story captivates all audiences by its incredible survival through economic, social, and personal turmoil. The Maybelline Story takes you on a journey through 20^th century America, and into the 21^st centurywhere Maybelline thrives as a billion-dollar Icon, the world’s largest cosmetic brand. For Tom Lyle, the journey was not easy, as the brand tears his family and their world apart, yet brings them together to re-discover what they had before they had millions.....each other.

Maybelline Model, Paulette Goddard, starred alongside Hollywood Legends Henry Fonda, Bob Hope, Fred Astaire, James Stewart, John Wayne,

Erich Maria Remarque and Paulette Goddard...A TRUE HOLLYWOOD LOVE STORY...

A long list of celebrities, VIP’s, artists, authors, intellectuals and scientists moved to the Alps in the past century to enjoy the majestic landscapes of Switzerland, in a place that would shield them from the rest of the World’s turmoil.

During WWII many who fled Nazi Germany had no other choice than to seek refuge in this neutral country wedged between Hitler and Mussolini.

Among them, was the World’s most famous anti-war novelist Erich Maria Remarque, who fled his homeland in the early 1930′s to avoid certain persecution by the Nazi regime, who was after him because of “…literary Treason against the German Soldier” after penning his best-selling “All Quiet on the Western Front“.

Remarque found refuge in Porto Ronco on the shores of Lago Maggiore, in Switzerland’s southernmost “Three-Lakes Region” shared with Italy, until his death in 1970. He rests in peace at the Ronco sopra Ascona cemetery, alongside his famous wife Paulette, and mother-in law Alta-Mae Goddard.

English: Ernest Borgnine at the TCM Classic Fi...

“All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)” received the third-ever Academy Award for Best Film, and was re-made into a 1979 made for TV movie starring “The Waltons’” Richard Thomas and the recently deceased Ernest Borgnine who considered “All Quiet…” to be “..the greatest thing that was ever made!” (YouTube).

Al Pacino‘s “Bobby Deerfield (Heaven has no Favorites)” is one of 20+ “Remarqueable” feature film productions based on Erich’s catalog of 13 novels, and is only one example of how Remarque’s influence in the American film scene went well beyond his death.

To this day, Remarque’s work is considered an important milepost in German-American Literary and Film History: his 1940′s novel “Spark of Life” is being developed into a feature by John Culton – and a 21st Century version of “All Quiet on the Western Front (2012)” is in pre-production, produced by Leslie Paterson and Ian Stokell, co-produced by Mary Richards (“Alice in Wonderland“) and directed by Mimi Leder (“Pay it Forward“).

Turner Classic Movies and Universal Studios recognized the importance of Remarque’s “All Quiet…” and presented the motion picture at the 2012 Hollywood Classic Film Festival, in a digitally remastered version released in Blue-Ray – to celebrate Universal’s 100th Anniversary.

Remarque, considered to be “The First Playboy” and the “Last Romantic” of the 20th Century, had many illustrious lovers – Natasha Paley-Romanov, Marlene Dietrich, Hedy Lamarr, Dorothy Lamour, Greta Garbo – and more – but no woman made him happier than Hollywood Star of the 30′s and 40′s, the unimitable Paulette Goddard – known in film history for acting alongside then-husband Charlie Chaplin’s last silent movie “Modern Times” and his first “talkie” “The Great Dictator“.

Maybelline Model, Paulette Goddard, starred alongside Hollywood Legends Henry Fonda, Bob Hope, Fred Astaire (YouTube) James Stewart, John Wayne,( https://ammo.com/articles/john-wayne-the-duke, ) ex-husband #2 Burgess Meredith and many others, in a long list of 44 feature films including Hollywood classics like “The Women“, “Pot o’Gold” (YouTube) and “Second Chorus“.

Her best friend, writer Anita Loos, was inspired by Paulette when she wrote Marilyn Monroe’s role of the gold-digging blonde, Loreley Lee, in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes“. Not only was Paulette the original, REAL LIFE “Diamonds are a Girl’s best Friend” Bombshell Girl – but she was also the original “Ghostbuster” along Bob Hope in “The Ghost Breakers (1940)” – a film made famous once again with the 1984 remake versions starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Sigourney Weaver.

Paulette’s portrayal of a World War II nurse in “So Proudly We Hail“ earned her the Best Supporting Actress nomination by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Paulette was a trendsetter in so many ways, influencing fashion, jewelry design and the fine arts – from the 30′s until today.

She was George Cukor‘s #1 choice to become Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone with the Wind” – only to lose the role to Vivien Leigh, and given a consolation prize instead, being offered a leading role in “Reap the Wild Wind” starring alongside a young John Wayne – in a film where none other than a giant mechanical octopus outdid Paulette’s acting by getting an Oscar for special effects.

The love story of Paulette Goddard and Erich Maria Remarque begins in the early 50′s and has endured until her passing in 1990.

Paulette donated her Estate to New York University / Tisch School of the Arts, which to this day represents the ideals of Remarque and Paulette’s philantropic support benefiting Performing Arts Students. Scholarships in Paulette’s name are made available to NYU’s BFA/BA & MA students and faculty alike.

Professor Marion Nestle is one of a select group of faculty members who have been named “Paulette Goddard Professor”. The endowed professorship is also part of the Goddard Estate’s major bequest.

Notable NYU/Tisch graduates include Academy Award winners Marc Forster, Woody Allen, Whoopi Goldberg, Martin Scorsese & Angelina Jolie – Grammy Award winner Stefani Germanotta (aka Lady Gaga), and dozens more. Tisch freshmen have the option to reside at Paulette Goddard Hall and Residential College – a student’s daily reminder of Paulette’s generosity.

Paulette Goddard was one of Maybelline's most popular models in the 1940's and a personal favorite of Maybelline founder Tom Lyle Williams. She is also the # 1 all-time most popular post on the Maybelline Blog. I'm delighted to feature Michael H. Gaedeke-Sartori and the EMRPG Foundation today as my guest Blogger and hope you enjoy this priceless piece of Hollywood history, few people know anything about.

Paulette Goddard’s Enviable Accessories (stylelist.com)

The Black Obelisk (theluria.wordpress.com)
Hollywood Dreams Of Wealth, Youth And Beauty (npr.org)
Film Review ALL Quiet on THE Western Front

Maybelline's, Yankee Doodle Dandy Girl, Joan Leslie, stars with James Cagney, in 1942 all time favorite 4th of July film

Maybelline Joan Leslie, endorses Maybelline

James Cagney and Joan Leslie, in
Yankee Doodle Dandy.

Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) is one of Hollywood's greatest, grandest and slickest musicals. The nostalgic, shamelessly-patriotic, entertaining film also supported the war effort as it paid tribute in its mostly fictional story to a popular Irish/American entertainer and the grand American gentleman of the theatre in the early 20th century.

click video to see a trailer of Yankee Doodle Dandy.

James Cagney, spent several weeks touring the US, entertaining troops with vaudeville routines and scenes from Yankee Doodle Dandy.

James Cagney with Joan Leslie, Lobby Card. In September 1942, Cagney, was elected president of the Screen Actors Guild.

Joan Leslie has a star on the Hollywood

Walk of Fame at 1560 Vine Street.

James Cagney sings Yankee Doodle Dandy

Buy a signed copy of the Maybelline Story,

or get it on your Kendle.

Maybelline Queen! Evelyn Williams - Oh What Price Glory!

There was no one in the Maybelline family more invincible than Evelyn Williams...at least that's what she wanted us all to believe.

My grandmother Evelyn with my father William Preston Williams at Dundee Military School, Chicago, 1934 -1935

With the same voratious appetite Evelyn had for succeeding in all areas of her life, including playing the violin, mastering the stage as a ballerina and finally securing a position within the Maybelline family, she focused on her only child William Preston Williams Jr. (Bill.)

Evelyn wasn't your ordinary sweet homemaker, though she did love her son as ferociously as a mother Lion loves her cub, however her main objective was to instill a mindset for survival in the boy and that meant creating an indisputable bond between Bill and his uncle Tom Lyle Williams.

She succeeded, though not without making herself unpopular with the rest of the Williams family. Evelyn fought on the battlefield of life in her persuit to win at all costs and today I realize my remarkable grandmother, the original auntie Mame, was two generations ahead of her time.

A tiny 5' 2" powerhouse with boundless energy,   Machavellian mental machinations and the ability to outsmart the smartest of wild cats, she had one desire. To place her clan at the top of the heap no matter what the price -and Evelyn paid the highest price of all... with her life!

Read more about Evelyn Williams incredible story and her ability to get what she wanted - while growing even more beautiful and glamorus as she aged in

The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It.

Nana was a diva in every respect and not only expected but demanded I follow in her footsteps. I wonder if she'd be pleased today with the fact I've dedicated my life to her memory and the family she loved so much.

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

William Haines and Jimmy Shields - the happiest marriage in Hollywood.

Celebrating GAY PRIDE MONTH

William Haines and Jimmy Shields, openly flaunted their relationship in Hollywood for almost 50 years.

Jimmy Shields, on the left, husband of actor/decorator, William Haines, second on left. Joan Crawford, (in the middle,) and the two men maintained a lifelong friendship, and Joan called them "the happiest married couple in Hollywood." Haines and Shields were together 47 years.

William Haines' career was cut short by MGM Studios due to his refusal to deny his homosexuality. Haines never returned to film and instead started a successful interior design business with his life

partner Jimmy Shields.

Harlow in Hollywood, authors Mark Vieira and Darrell Rooney (middle); Cafe Trocadero 1935: Edith Gwynne Wilkerson (wife of Trocadero owner Billy Wilkerson), Jean Harlow, William Powell, William Haines' lover Jimmy Shields (standing), Anderson Lawler, unidentified man (standing), William Haines, Edith's sister Marge (bottom)

Billy Haines.

Billy Haines, fell in love with his stand-in, Jimmy Shields, and they moved in together in 1923, a move that destroyed his acting career.

Billy Haines and Clair Windsor.

Although the Hollywood system at the time put pressure on gay actors to provide an 'acceptable' public image by marrying, Haines turned down an offer of marriage from Joan Crawford who was then still hoping to be a rising star. In 1930 Haines and Jimmy Shields bought an antique shop and developed their interest in interior design by giving free advice to their Hollywood customers and friends.

Jimmy Shields, committed suicide a few months after William Haines, death after almost 50 years together.

Joan Crawford, a close friend of Tom Lyle Williams and Emery Shaver, as well as William Haines and Jimmy Shields, introduced the two couples. Tom Lyle opened an antique store in Beverly Hills, for Emery, where he could meet celebrities, outside the Villa Valentino. Tom Lyle, preferred a secluded life inside the Villa. Haines and Shields had a hand in decorating The Villa Valentino, after it's remodel in the late 1930's.

Read more about William Haines and Jimmy Shields friendship with Tom Lyle and Emery, in The Maybe

lline Story.