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About Face: The Life and Times of Dottie Ponedel, Make-up Artist to the Stars Kindle Edition

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 332 ratings


Dottie Ponedel knows how to amuse with rouge. Her autobiography, the story of a pioneering woman make-up artist, whose career spanned the entire length of Hollywood’s Golden Era from silent movies to the great films of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, puts a new foundation on the stars.

Sinners and saints without greasepaint make for memorable close-ups. Enjoy Dottie’s confidential revelations about Judy Garland, Marlene Dietrich, Mae West, Carole Lombard, Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, Joan Blondell, Paulette Goddard, Barbara Stanwyck, and others.

“No stranger is going to pat this puss,” Mae West once declared. Mae, and Dottie’s other clients, often demanded her services, but tomcats and contracts seldom blended. Dottie constantly fought all-male make-up departments at the studios to get the recognition she deserved. Amazing challenges facing a woman at the top of her craft play poignantly against her straight-talking, heartwarming, hilarious encounters with famous faces.

Dottie Ponedel. The designer with eye liner.
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dorothy Ponedel was make-up artist to Judy Garland, Marlene Dietrich, Mae West, Carole Lombard, Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, Joan Blondell, Paulette Goddard, Barbara Stanwyck, and others.



Kathy Garver has worked extensively as a stage, film, television, and voice actress. She is best known for her role as Cissy on the popular 1960s sitcom Family Affair. Other acting credits including appearances in Sweet November, The Princess Diaries, and The Ten Commandments.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07BJL6L9Q
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ BearManor Media (March 17, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 17, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 32.9 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 159 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 332 ratings

About the author

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Meredith Ponedel
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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
332 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book an engaging read with candid and honest insights into the life of a makeup artist. They appreciate the personal stories and touching anecdotes. The biography provides an interesting perspective on Judy Garland's life. Readers enjoy the humor and fascinating photos. However, some feel the content lacks depth and is shallow.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

26 customers mention "Readability"26 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it engaging and easy to understand. The book features fascinating photos and is a good choice for women interested in beauty. Readers appreciate the language of those days and the mesmerizing ending.

"...in the film industry. What I enjoyed the most was reading the language of those days...." Read more

"It's an ok book. Mostly about Judy Garland. Dottie had an interesting life with the stars...." Read more

"...of her aunt and the famous Hollywood friends was a mesmerizing finish for the story...." Read more

"...It’s all told in a straightforward, plain spoken way, in Dottie voice, so that you feel you’re sitting with her in her living room as she shares..." Read more

15 customers mention "Intimacy"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book candid and honest. They appreciate the touching anecdotes and genuine friendship between the two women. The book provides a fascinating look into the life and career of Hollywood's first pioneer. While some readers felt there was too much self-congratulatory exposition, they found the poignancy kept them grounded.

"...It has the most gorgeous photos, and the most touching anecdotes...." Read more

"It's an ok book. Mostly about Judy Garland. Dottie had an interesting life with the stars...." Read more

"...Their book reflects a deep family connection, and incredible love and admiration that Meredith feels for her trail blazing aunt...." Read more

"...seems to think very highly of herself, though, there is much self-congratulatory exposition and references to “our show, our performance, got our..." Read more

11 customers mention "Biography"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the biography interesting and well-written. They say it provides an insightful look into the life of Judy Garland. The book is described as tender, frank, and a valuable resource for fans of Hollywood. It affirms that stars are real people and loyalty is reciprocated. Readers also appreciate the makeup artist's talent and consider her an inspiring role model for women.

"...The book is a tender, frank biography which must be included in the libraries of Hollywood history...." Read more

"This is the story of a makeup artist and her best friend, Judy Garland...." Read more

"...Not only was she a talented artist, she is a beautiful example for all women in how to handle men in business and in life!..." Read more

"...In addition to Dottie being a brilliant make-up artist and a pioneer in her field, she was one of Judy’s closest friends from the moment they met..." Read more

9 customers mention "Humor"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book. They find it entertaining and laugh at some of the stories about celebrities. The aunt/niece team is described as fun-loving.

"...I loved reading such an entertaining and informative gem of Hollywood history. This powerful and fun-loving aunt/niece team is awesome...." Read more

"...Entertaining, up to a point." Read more

"...Edited by her niece Meredith who adds her own experiences. Made me laugh. Made me cry...." Read more

"...Fun read." Read more

9 customers mention "Photography"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's photography. They find the photos fascinating and say it's worth reading for the pictures alone. The book comes from a different perspective, that of a good friend.

"...This book is a magical journey about a majestic era and the woman who helped make it so pretty for us...." Read more

"...I enjoyed this book because it comes from a completely different perspective - that of a good friend...." Read more

"I found this an entertaining look into the way movies were made in the early days...." Read more

"...The book has beautiful pictures and I find myself hopping around it reading this and that wherever I land, a credit to the storytellers...." Read more

3 customers mention "Knowledge"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and well-taught. They say it's an easy, fun read and they learn a lot from it.

"...Well done. Well said and well taught. Thank you for sharing your story, the other story, the real story." Read more

"...Super cool perspective and I learned so much from reading it!! Couldn't put it down, I finished the same day I started!" Read more

"This is exactly what this kind of book should be - fun, interesting, informative, gossipy. An easy and fun read." Read more

3 customers mention "Content"0 positive3 negative

Customers find the book's content shallow and boring. They say it lacks depth and is not engaging.

"...I can't say it could have been longer as there was not too much content...." Read more

"...while they worked in tandem of some of MGM's best musicals.l It's a shallow book that pulls its punches, but confirms what so many people have said:..." Read more

"Kind of boring and not terribly interesting..." Read more

Wonderful Book!
5 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Book!
What a great Hollywood story! Dottie Ponedel was so talented and for anyone who loves "The Golden Era of Hollywood", this book is a must read. This book is fun and easy to read and chock full of fabulous photos. What an amazing woman!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2018
    This is fantastic! It's one of the best Hollywood-related biographies I ever held. Dorothy Ponedel's story is one of the most fascinating tales of Hollywood's golden era. This book is a magical journey about a majestic era and the woman who helped make it so pretty for us. Dottie Ponedel's niece, Meredith Ponedel, and coauthor Danny Miller did a marvelous job in telling the story of a true Hollywood pioneer.

    I was (and still am) swooning as I flipped page after page of Dottie's A-list clients and friends. The book is a tender, frank biography which must be included in the libraries of Hollywood history. Dorothy Ponedel was the first women makeup artist to crash the old boys' party, and this book does her life proper.

    It has the most gorgeous photos, and the most touching anecdotes. Author Meredith Ponedel was there to see the intimate side of a Hollywood few get to see. Dorothy Ponedel's friends and clients would have filled the first rows of the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Tony and Emmy Awards.

    Dorothy Ponedel made them glamorous, her niece deserves an Oscar for telling us how....
    22 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2024
    This is the story of a makeup artist and her best friend, Judy Garland. Toss in a helping of Joan Blondell and you have a small town trio of BFFs who loved to hang out together and commiserate on the exciting but difficult life in the film industry.
    What I enjoyed the most was reading the language of those days. In the 50s, it seemed everyone talked using those phrases. Today, they don't, unless you are living in certain areas of the U.S. and you are speaking to people of a certain age. It all sounded very familiar to me. It was like watching old black and white television broadcasts that featured performers like Perry Como and Red Skelton. People did talk that way but they did not write that way. It was a lovely experience to see it all written down.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2020
    It's an ok book. Mostly about Judy Garland. Dottie had an interesting life with the stars. I can't say it could have been longer as there was not too much content. Judy was generous but she had a disease of being an alcoholic and it caused her much grief throughout her life.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2018
    I literally felt chills as I read the last words from Dottie. And then when niece Meredith’s voice came back for the epilogue I was so charmed by the honesty and insights. The candid little girl perspective of her aunt and the famous Hollywood friends was a mesmerizing finish for the story. Meredith clearly inherited her aunt’s independent, strong woman spirit. I loved reading such an entertaining and informative gem of Hollywood history. This powerful and fun-loving aunt/niece team is awesome. Their book reflects a deep family connection, and incredible love and admiration that Meredith feels for her trail blazing aunt. Dottie Ponedel is a fantastic role model for little girls and women. Not only was she a talented artist, she is a beautiful example for all women in how to handle men in business and in life! Dottie was way ahead of her time. The “me too” women of today can learn a lot from her.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2020
    With so many books written about Judy Garland you might be wondering what more can be said about her? I enjoyed this book because it comes from a completely different perspective - that of a good friend. Although the book shares memories of all Dottie Ponedel’s famous clients, there’s no doubt who the central figure was in her life. In addition to Dottie being a brilliant make-up artist and a pioneer in her field, she was one of Judy’s closest friends from the moment they met during Judy’s early days at MGM, until the end of her life. Dotties memories give you an authentic look into what it was like to pal around with the worlds greatest entertainer, and to get a peek into who Judy was as a person, and as a friend. There are also stories about other close friends like Marlene Dietrich and Joan Blondell. It’s all told in a straightforward, plain spoken way, in Dottie voice, so that you feel you’re sitting with her in her living room as she shares stories from her fascinating life. I highly recommend it.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2018
    First book I've ever read about Judy Garland's life that truly represents the woman behind the image manufactured by the Hollywood Fame Machine. If you're a Judy fan (or not) this is a great read because it confirms what a lovely, beautiful soul Judy Garland possessed. Imagine writing a book about your best friend and how much fun and laughter the two of you have when together and how loyalty means having someone you can always depend on to be there for you whether through thick or thin. This is that book. The book includes stories about other Hollywood Stars from the studio years and they're just as enjoyable. Definitely one to keep on the shelf (or in Kindle) and reread again.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2018
    I found this an entertaining look into the way movies were made in the early days. Dottie started out doing some bit parts and dancing in silents, then took to the makeup studio. You can tell from the way it is written that she thoroughly enjoyed all her movie roles. Would have liked to have read more about the stars she worked with; it is mainly focused on Judy Garland, Joan Blondell, and Marlene Dietrich. Was very sorry to learn that Dottie ended up with MS, a tragic disease. Perhaps writing this book helped her concentrate on happier days. A super read.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2018
    Dottie Ponedel is mentioned in all the better Garland biographies as the woman "who made her beautiful" in "Meet Me in St. Louis," "The Harvey Girls," "The Pirate," etc..This book is a once-over lightly about two artists who were basically girl friends having a good time while they worked in tandem of some of MGM's best musicals.l It's a shallow book that pulls its punches, but confirms what so many people have said: that Garland may have had her problems and troubles, but on a day-to-day basis managed to have a pretty good time. Entertaining, up to a point.
    5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Neville French
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not what you think
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 28, 2024
    Not what I expected much to much information about just one person not overall and everyone many thanks Neville French

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