About Face

The Life and Times of Dottie Ponedel: Make-up Artist to the Stars

By: Dorothy Ponedel, Meredith Ponedel, Danny Miller

Narrated by: Kathy Garver

Length: 4 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

Dottie Ponedel knows how to amuse with rouge. Her autobiography, the story of a pioneering woman makeup 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 makeup 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.

©2018 Dorothy Ponedel and Meredith Ponedel (P)2018 BearManor Media

this is awful, truly and deeply rubbish

3 mins of this reader's voice had me running for the exit. was she digital, one of the automated voices on a recorded phone solicitation that you block after putting down the receiver? no. just a hard, no.

Very intimate Stories, love it.

I had not heard of Dottie before, but what a life she had. So many stories and her personal relationship with Judy Garland was so special. Loverd getting to know her and appreciate her place in Hollywood history.

Narration Sucks and Ponadel's Ego is Immense

I wanted this to be so much more - especially since I love old Hollywood and Judy Garland. Instead, the narration was so bad it drove me to distraction and I listened in amazement at the place of importance Ponedel assigns to herself. The stars literally cannot make a decision, take any sort of action, or have an independent thought without consulting with Ponedel, who always seems to provide the exactly correct input. The only time this book became the tiniest bit interesting was when she disclosed she had MS. Too, some of Ponedel's facts have been proven to be false, despite her assertions to the contrary. Unfortunately, this was a waste of 4.5 hours.

Author really full of themselves

It was really irritating hearing how wonderful this person thought of their importance and place in her” friends” lives. But is was entertaining and interesting.

Complete Rubbish

absolutely the worst book I have ever attempted to listen to

how it ever got on audible is beyond me

wonderful

opens up an inside view of the lives of the stars in a realistic, human and loving way.

Life with the Jet Set & in the Limelight in L.A.

I found this to be very interesting. it made me feel like I was an observer most of the time.
Lots of detail helped a lot. At times it seemed to be a bit slow, actually sort of bragging, but I'm glad I continued to listen and I understood it better.. She wasn't bragging. there are only so many ways to say stuff. Once I realized that, it was much better & I enjoyed it more. Thank you.

Unprofessional, Unpleasant Narrator's Voice

Could not get past the author/narrator's unprofessional, unpleasant voice. She came across as coarse and unintelligent.

awesome!

loved every second! ♥ exciting, funny, sad & excellently written & told! 💜😘💋! Great read!

Great for Judy Garland lovers

This book gave a different perspective on Judy Garland. Which I found very interesting. Would recommend to Old Hollywood fans.

A Real Insight Into old Hollywood

This really is a fascinating look into the golden era of movies and a personal, touching memoir by someone at the heart of it. The first female make up member of the union and a friend and confidante to many of the greatest stars. Not the best written memoir but endearing and touching and a fascinating listen.

Enjoyed this

Better than expected. Would like to have heard more stories of some of stars she worked with.

Of it's time

Once I listened to the tale of how Judy and Dottie visited Edinburgh Castle and saw the very spot where Mary Queen of Scots was killed I stopped listening, complete drivel

Lovely

What a wonderful enchanting book to listen to on a snowy Sunday. Fantastic stories of old Hollywood.

Short but sweet

I would have liked more background into Dorothys life however as a lifelong Judy Garland fan this is essential reading/listening.