Millie Perkins wants to rent you a car (1958)

Last year I shared some early photos and advertisements featuring young fresh faced models before they became movie stars. It’s always a surprise to come across a familiar face trying to sell me shampoo or lipstick and I enjoy seeing classic stars as spokespeople for products that aren’t being made any more such as Hotpoint portable televisions. I thought it would be fun to revisit the topic and share some of my latest discoveries.

Young model Millie Perkins caught director George Stevens’ eye when he was casting The Diary of Anne Frank (1958). At the time Millie was a top model in New York appearing on magazine covers and in numerous advertisements. She didn’t have much interest in acting or movies but George Stevens thought she would be perfect for the role of Anne Frank. It took some time but he finally convinced Perkins to come to Hollywood and try out for the role, which she won. Critics praised Millie Perkins’ touching performance and The Diary of Anne Frank was nominated for numerous Oscars. While looking at these early modeling photos I think it’s easy to see why George Stevens found young Perkins so appealing. She’s incredibly cute and charming but there’s a haunting quality about her beauty, which is best represented by the ads she appeared in for Chanel in 1957.

Top: Two ads Perkins appeared in for Chanel (1956-1957)
Bottom: Millie Perkins in an ad for Hotpoint Televisions (1956)

Before Sandra Dee started acting and wining Golden Globe awards she was a popular teenage model and appeared on the cover of magazines like American Girl and The American Magazine. As a young bright-eyed blond, magazine editors seemed eager to cast her in the role of “America’s Sweetheart” long before directors and casting agents did. In her early modeling photos Sandra Dee is all smiles and dimples but she has a genuine sweetness about her so it’s not surprising that Hollywood noticed her appeal. Her first film role was in Until They Sail (1957) but according to her original modeling agent (Candy Jones) Dee was first asked to read for producer Ross Hunter who was casting The Restless Years (1958). Dee had no acting experience but she won the role and was offered a contract. After moving to Hollywood Sandra Dee continued to model and appeared on the cover of numerous teen magazines. She was also able to use her recognizable name to help sell beauty products like Lustre Cream shampoo.

Top: Dee was a popular cover girl for American Girl (1956)
Bottom: Sandra Dee modeling for Lustre Cream (1959)

Elsa Martinelli started her modeling career in Italy under the guidance of designer Roberto Capucci. She modeled for various fashion magazines including Vogue where the sultry Italian beauty caught actor Kirk Douglas’ eye. Douglas was eager to cast a beautiful newcomer in his latest film, a western called The Indian Fighter (1955), and after he spotted one of Martinelli’s modeling photos he new that he had found his costar. Martinelli had done some minor unaccredited acting in Italy but her appearance as an Indian maiden in The Indian Fighter introduced Elsa Martinelli to the American public. Douglas was so impressed with Martinelli that he signed her uder contract with his production company, Bryna. Their partnership didn’t last long but Elsa Martinelli caught the acting bug and continued to appear in movies in Europe and America. Martinelli shows an apparent flair for dramatics in her modeling photos. She’s very poised and confident but her eyes seem actively engaged with the photographer. She was obviously ready for her close-up long before she ever arrived in Hollywood. Much like Sandra Dee, Elsa Martinelli continued to model after she started acting and she was very successful at both occupations.

Top: Martinelli modeling fashions for Vogue (1954)
Bottom: Elsa Martinelli models for POND’S Cold Cream (1959)

Most people are aware of the fact that Candice Bergen’s father was the famous ventriloquist and actor Edgar Bergen. But few know that Candice’s mother was also an actress, singer and popular model in the 1940s and ‘50s. Candice’ was born into a showbiz family and in the ‘60s she followed in her mother’s footsteps and began working as a model. She was very successful and appeared in many high-end fashion magazines such as Vogue and Mademoiselle before making her screen debut in The Group (1966), which was quickly followed by The Sand Pebbles (1966) opposite Steve McQueen. Both films achieved critical acclaim and The Sand Pebbles was nominated for numerous Oscars. Afterward Candice had no trouble finding acting jobs and her modeling career was quickly forgotten but we have these striking photos as evidence.

Top: Bergen appeared in ads for Chanel and Clairol (1965)
Bottom: Candice Bergen modeling for Helena Rubenstein (1965)