Financial wizard Leslie Howard (as Atterbury Dodd) is sent by New York bankers to save Hollywood's "Colossal" film studio, which is going bankrupt. Arriving in town, Mr. Howard picks up pretty blonde "Stand-In" and former child star Joan Blondell (as Lester Plum), on the corner of Hollywood and Highland. Stroking her tired feet and legs in the limousine, Ms. Blondell gives Howard his first lesson about movie-making. Appalled by the excesses at the studio and the audition of an underdressed Shirley Temple clone, Howard moves into Blondell's more down-to-earth boarding house...
On the set, Howard becomes involved with "Sex and Satan" producer Humphrey Bogart (as Doug Quintain) and his amorous star Marla Shelton (as Thelma Cheri). There are obviously problems at the studio for Howard to solve, while dealing with romance. The satire isn't sharp enough, especially as the running time wears on, but "Stand-In" hits the mark fairly often. Given the subject matter, producer Walter Wanger and the studio take the opportunity to draw from a great supporting cast of character actors, former stars and bit players. This makes for many good moments.
****** Stand-In (10/29/37) Tay Garnett ~ Leslie Howard, Joan Blondell, Humphrey Bogart, Marla Shelton
On the set, Howard becomes involved with "Sex and Satan" producer Humphrey Bogart (as Doug Quintain) and his amorous star Marla Shelton (as Thelma Cheri). There are obviously problems at the studio for Howard to solve, while dealing with romance. The satire isn't sharp enough, especially as the running time wears on, but "Stand-In" hits the mark fairly often. Given the subject matter, producer Walter Wanger and the studio take the opportunity to draw from a great supporting cast of character actors, former stars and bit players. This makes for many good moments.
****** Stand-In (10/29/37) Tay Garnett ~ Leslie Howard, Joan Blondell, Humphrey Bogart, Marla Shelton