SassMouthDames

Before the Stanislavski 'Method' overtook Hollywood in the 1950s, each studio had their own in-house drama coach to develop talent. The drama coaches were women: Phyllis Loughton Seaton (Paramount), Lela Rogers (RKO), Josephine Hutchinson (Columbia), Helena Sorrell (20th Century Fox), Sophie Rosenstein (Warner Bros.), and Anita Colby was 'feminine director' for Selznick Studio. But the most influential drama coach of all was Lillian Burns. Miss Burns established the drama school in Republic Pictures in 1935. She then did the same for MGM in 1936. She eventually left Metro to work as Harry Cohn's right hand in Columbia. She was a star maker who inspired loyalty among Lana Turner, Donna Reed, Janet Leigh, and Debbie Reynolds that shaped the century of American acting.

In Robert Wise's Born to Kill (1947), Claire Trevor veers between planning a future with Lawrence Tierney and curating his downfall. She gives one of her best performances in a picture that was initially dismissed as lurid but has since been reclaimed as a classic. Beneath the smart suits, metallic-stud accessories, and mink coat beats the heart of 'the coldest iceberg of a woman' who is utterly compelling to watch.

After struggling for years under the controlling grip of Harry Cohn, Kim Novak was finally able to relax once the Columbia boss had a heart attack and turned up his toes three weeks into production of Bell Book and Candle. In a few months, she would also be free of Muriel Roberts, the studio publicist who had pretended to be a close friend, when she was nothing more than a spy for Harry Cohn. Novak would not learn the extent of Muriel's betrayal until 1961.

During production of Johnny Guitar, Joan Crawford wrangled a lacklustre script, a mercurial director, a chaos agent, and columnists who put a bounty on her head. Johnny Guitar is a parable about the persecutions of McCarthyism, but it's also about the perils in store for an aging film star.

Constance Bennett's deal with Warner Bros. became a Hollywood scandal after Louella Parsons estimated that the star would earn $30,000 a week. Few reporters told the whole story. Two Against the World (1932) was her second picture on the deal. In the first half. Connie's performance anticipates the bratty screwball heiress types which were later portrayed by Claudette Colbert and Carole Lombard. And in the second half, she embodies the noble women of Depression-era melodramas starring Margaret Sullivan and Irene Dunne. Special thanks to Thomas O'Mahony for sound editing the episode.

During a turbulent era in Hollywood, Joseph L. Mankiewicz reinvigorated woman's pictures when they might have easily been cast aside. Ann Sothern's storyline, about a woman who scrambles to balance her career with her family life, is as relevant today as when the film premiered. Sothern had a series of false starts in her own career and she also struggled with the limitations of typecasting.

Showgirls on Broadway keep Old Man Depression from the door with a repertoire of gags to squeeze money from men. Satin Rackets is written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins plays Kitty Adare M. Shawn plays Iris Patrick McGurk plays Buzz and Talbot Shane McCormack plays Joe and Carstairs Olympia Kiriakou plays Dinah Savannah Monroe plays Pansy Beatrix Herriott O'Gorman plays Laurel Jack Warren plays Mad Dog Healy Art design by Mot Collins Sound editing and special effects by Thomas O'Mahony

Showgirls on Broadway keep Old Man Depression from the door with a repertoire of gags to squeeze money from men. Satin Rackets is written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins plays Kitty Adare M. Shawn plays Iris Patrick McGurk plays Buzz and Talbot Shane McCormack plays Joe and Carstairs Olympia Kiriakou plays Dinah Savannah Monroe plays Pansy Beatrix Herriott O'Gorman plays Laurel Jack Warren plays Mad Dog Healy Art design by Mot Collins Sound editing and special effects by Thomas O'Mahony

Showgirls on Broadway keep Old Man Depression from the door with a repertoire of gags to squeeze money from men. Satin Rackets is written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins plays Kitty Adare M. Shawn plays Iris Patrick McGurk plays Buzz and Talbot Shane McCormack plays Joe and Carstairs Olympia Kiriakou plays Dinah Savannah Monroe plays Pansy Beatrix Herriott O'Gorman plays Laurel Jack Warren plays Mad Dog Healy Art design by Mot Collins Sound editing and special effects by Thomas O'Mahony

When women ruled Hollywood, gigolos grew on palm trees. Catch up with the new show about starlets in 1933. Betty Compson's Diamonds is written and directed by Megan McGurk. Art design by Mot Collins. Sound editing and special effects by Tom O'Mahony. Starring: Clara Higgins is Betty Compson Olympia Kiriakou is Lila Lee M. Shawn is Sally Eilers Savannah Monroe is Claudia Dell Renee Smith is Genevieve Tobin Shane McCormack is Finn Redmond Patrick McGurk is Chick Gallagher

When women ruled Hollywood, gigolos grew on palm trees. Catch up with the new show about starlets in 1933. Betty Compson's Diamonds is written and directed by Megan McGurk. Art design by Mot Collins. Sound editing and special effects by Tom O'Mahony. Starring: Clara Higgins is Betty Compson Olympia Kiriakou is Lila Lee M. Shawn is Sally Eilers Savannah Monroe is Claudia Dell Renee Smith is Genevieve Tobin Shane McCormack is Finn Redmond Patrick McGurk is Chick Gallagher

When women ruled Hollywood, gigolos grew on palm trees. Catch up with a new show about starlets in 1933. Betty Compson's Diamonds is written and directed by Megan McGurk. Art design by Mot Collins. Sound editing and special effects by Tom O'Mahony. Starring: Clara Higgins is Betty Compson Olympia Kiriakou is Lila Lee M. Shawn is Sally Eilers Savannah Monroe is Claudia Dell Renee Smith is Genevieve Tobin Shane McCormack is Finn Redmond Patrick McGurk is Chick Gallagher

Under contract with Paramount, Tallulah Bankhead made six pictures in less than two years. Although they all have their charm, only Faithless (1932), which she made on loan-out to Metro, was a hit at the box office. Tallulah plays a character who loses everything but her wit after the Stock Market Crash. She trades caviar for soup and learns to like it. Thanks to sound editor Tom O'Mahony!

Earl Carroll ran the hottest night spot in Hollywood headlined by Beryl Wallace and the Most Beautiful Girls in the World. Seven showgirls chip in for a mink coat. What could go wrong? Mink Syndicate was written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins as Beryl Wallace Olympia Kiriakou as Sheba LeMaire M. Shawn as Rocky Beaumont Savannah Monroe as Olga Fury Renee Smith as Esme Chiffon Laura Mawson as Libby Branch Patrick McGurk as Earl Carroll Shane McCormack as Sully Megan McGurk as Pam Deasy Art Design by Mot Collins Sound Editing and Special Effects by Tom O'Mahony

Earl Carroll ran the hottest night spot in Hollywood headlined by Beryl Wallace and the Most Beautiful Girls in the World. Seven showgirls chip in for a mink coat. What could go wrong? Mink Syndicate was written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins as Beryl Wallace Olympia Kiriakou as Sheba LeMaire M. Shawn as Rocky Beaumont Savannah Monroe as Olga Fury Renee Smith as Esme Chiffon Laura Mawson as Libby Branch Patrick McGurk as Earl Carroll Shane McCormack as Sully Megan McGurk as Pam Deasy Art Design by Mot Collins Sound Editing and Special Effects by Tom O'Mahony

Earl Carroll ran the hottest night spot in Hollywood headlined by Beryl Wallace and the Most Beautiful Girls in the World. Seven showgirls chip in for a mink coat. What could go wrong? Mink Syndicate was written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins as Beryl Wallace Olympia Kiriakou as Sheba LeMaire M. Shawn as Rocky Beaumont Savannah Monroe as Olga Fury Renee Smith as Esme Chiffon Laura Mawson as Libby Branch Patrick McGurk as Earl Carroll Shane McCormack as Sully Megan McGurk as Pam Deasy Art Design by Mot Collins Sound Editing and Special Effects by Tom O'Mahony

Diana Barrymore plays five different roles in her third production at Universal, following in her great-grandmother's footsteps. Louisa Lane Drew became a star in 1828 when she played five characters in the stage production Twelve Precisely. Diana had the 'Barrymore Curse,' which her father Jack defined as 'pillows and false faces.' Although her career in Hollywood was brief, Diana had the family spark.

Joan Crawford gets away with murder mostly because she's dressed like a high fashion gladiator in a silver shield designed by Adrian. Joan gives a boldly physical performance which showed women in the audience how to confront a dangerous man and come out on top.

In Part Three, Dot investigates a cosmetic surgeon in Beverly Hills who claims that he can give any gal Myrna Loy's nose for $200. Myrna Loy's Nose is written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins as Dot Riordan Olympia Kiriakou as Fay Bishop M. Shawn as Peaches Carmichael Savannah Monroe as Bijou Silk Renee Smith as Doctor Lockhart Patrick McGurk as Jim Grady Peter Bryant as Leo Hickey Shane McCormack as Dutch Brennan Art design by Mot Collins Sound editing and special effects by Tom O'Mahony

In Part Two, Dot's sob sister column gives honest advice to women in trouble. But Grady, the city editor, isn't too excited by the circulation boost. And why is the late shift filled by women with busted noses? Myrna Loy's Nose is written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins as Dot Riordan Olympia Kiriakou as Fay Bishop M. Shawn as Peaches Carmichael Savannah Monroe as Bijou Silk Laura Mawson as Maude Warren Patrick McGurk as Jim Grady Peter Bryant as Leo Hickey Shane McCormack as Dutch Brennan Art Design by Mot Collins Sound editing and special effects by Tom O'Mahony

In Part One, a heart balm suit divides the newsroom. Is a breach of promise case just a legal way for women to bilk men and hit the jackpot? Myrna Loy's Nose is written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins as Dot Riordan Olympia Kiriakou as Fay Bishop M. Shawn as Peaches Carmichael Savannah Monroe as Bijou Silk Patrick McGurk as Jim Grady Peter Bryant as Leo Hickey Shane McCormack as Dutch Brennan. Art Design by Mot Collins Sound editing and special effects by Tom O'Mahony

Rosemary Clooney glided into Paramount studio with a hit record, a successful nightclub act, and popular appearances on radio and television. She received the star treatment from day one. But her career in Hollywood was cut short by discrimination within the studio system. Paramount dropped her contract in 1955 because she was pregnant. Red Garters, her third picture, shows how she could carry a picture on her back. Special thanks to sound editor Thomas O'Mahony

Lou scrambles to get back on her feet after a close call in the studio. When a third man from Minerva winds up in the morgue, she looks for the killer closer to home. Who was the gal on the night boat? Hollywood Medusa is a Sass Mouth Dames production, written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins as Lou Mulreany Olympia Kiriakou as Smitty M. Shawn as Irene Breyer Savannah Monroe as Poppy Jordan Renee Smith as Gina Gallo Laura Mawson as Kate Lawlor Patrick McGurk as Winston Montgomery Peter Bryant as Cyril Hardwicke Shane McCormack as Reggie Fitz Art design by Mot Collins Sound editing and special effects by Tom O'Mahony

Lou's investigation leads her to the night boat to San Francisco. What happened during the studio wrap party on the night boat? Did the studio boss shack up with the queen of the lot? Will Lou lose her head over her publisher client? Hollywood Medusa is a Sass Mouth Dames production, written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins as Lou Mulreany Olympia Kiriakou as Smitty M. Shawn as Irene Breyer Savannah Monroe as Poppy Jordan Renee Smith as Gina Gallo Laura Mawson as Kate Lawlor Patrick McGurk as Winston Montgomery Peter Bryant as Cyril Hardwicke Shane McCormack as Reggie Fitz Art design by Mot Collins Sound editing and special effects by Tom O'Mahony

Move over, Philip Marlowe! There's a new detective in Hollywood. Before the boss of Minerva Pictures died suddenly, he received troubling letters. Did blackmail hasten his death? Lou Mulreany investigates. Lou also agrees to work for a tabloid publisher whose wife had an affair. Find the letters. Find the wife's lover. A lady Shamus is on each case! Hollywood Medusa is a Sass Mouth Dames production, written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins as Lou Mulreany Olympia Kiriakou as Smitty M. Shawn as Irene Breyer Savannah Monroe as Poppy Jordan Renee Smith as Gina Gallo Laura Mawson as Kate Lawlor Patrick McGurk as Winston Montgomery Peter Bryant as Cyril Hardwicke Shane McCormack as Reggie Fitz Art design by Mot Collins Sound editing and special effects by Tom O'Mahony

If you look beyond the usual gossip about a feud between stars, you'll find that Ginger Rogers and Katharine Hepburn had a lot in common. Both stars had something to prove. Ginger wanted to show the front office that she was more than Fred Astaire's dancing partner. Kate needed a hit after a series of costume pictures died at the box office. Director Gregory La Cava brought his trademark off-the-cuff production method to help them make one of the most memorable pictures from the 1930s. Special thanks to sound editor Tom O'Mahony.

Joan Crawford was considered a washed up actress by the time she left Metro in 1943. After a two-year absence from the screen, she returned in Mildred Pierce, making the most significant come back of the studio era. In flashback, Mildred is like one of the cakes she bakes for extra cash: Decorative, domestic, and made for other people's pleasure. By the end of the picture, she's had an education and learned her lessons the hard way. She is glorious. Thanks to Tom O'Mahoney for editing the episode.

Your dream is in the cards. Brigid helps Sue and Yvette settle problems in their studios. Trouble erupts on the set of Reggie Fitz's new production. Mary and Tess struggle over what to do about Brigid. Red Gardenia is a Sass Mouth Dames production, written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins as Brigid Bannon M. Shawn as Mary Bannon Olympia Kiriakou as Tess Bannon Savannah Monroe as Sue Rollins Renee Smith as Yvette Valentine Laura Mawson as Grace Carmody Shane McCormack as Reggie Fitz Art Design by Mot Collins Sound Editing and Special Effects by Tom O'Mahony

Your dream is in the cards. Mary makes a hit on the radio. Tess finally gets more than a stolen afternoon with Reggie. And Brigid learns the identity of the woman in her nightmare. Red Gardenia is a Sass Mouth Dames production, written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins as Brigid Bannon M. Shawn as Mary Bannon Olympia Kiriakou as Tess Bannon Savannah Monroe as Sue Rollins Renee Smith as Yvette Valentine Laura Mawson as Grace Carmody Shane McCormack as Reggie Fitz Art Design by Mot Collins Sound Editing and Special Effects by Tom O'Mahony

Your dream is in the cards. Brigid moves from New York to Hollywood to live with her fortune teller cousins. Who's the woman in Brigid's recurring nightmare? Red Gardenia is a Sass Mouth Dames production, written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins as Brigid Bannon M. Shawn as Mary Bannon Olympia Kiriakou as Tess Bannon Savannah Monroe as Sue Rollins Renee Smith as Yvette Valentine Laura Mawson as Grace Carmody Shane McCormack as Reggie Fitz Art Design by Mot Collins Sound Editing and Special Effects by Tom O'Mahony

House of the Seven Garbos was a real boarding house in Hollywood that catered to aspiring starlets. Notable residents included Ruth Roman and Linda Christian. The podcast show is set in 1936. In Part Three, women in the Garbo House find a way to get even with Jack Steward. House of the Seven Garbos is a Sass Mouth Dames production, written and directed by Megan McGurk. CLARA HIGGINS PLAYS PAT MORRISON OLYMPIA KIRIAKOU PLAYS GLORIA DOUGLAS M. SHAWN PLAYS BUNNY ST JAMES AND ODETTE MCBRIDE SAVANNAH MONROE PLAYS NAN POTTER LAURA MAWSON PLAYS FLORENCE CROZIER AND FERN RENEE SMITH PLAYS CYNTHIA LATTIMER SHANE MCCORMACK PLAYS JACK STEWARD (AND VARIOUS MEN) MEGAN MCGURK PLAYS MADAME VIOLA Art design by Mot Collins. Sound editing and special effects by Thomas O’Mahoney

House of the Seven Garbos was a real boarding house in Hollywood that catered to aspiring starlets. Notable residents included Ruth Roman and Linda Christian. The podcast show is set in 1936, celebrating women who tried to catch a break in the film colony. In Part Two, Pat Morrison finds a pink slip waiting for her at the gates to MGM. A very special guest comes for tea. House of the Seven Garbos is a Sass Mouth Dames production, written and directed by Megan McGurk. CLARA HIGGINS PLAYS PAT MORRISON OLYMPIA KIRIAKOU PLAYS GLORIA DOUGLAS M. SHAWN PLAYS BUNNY ST JAMES AND ODETTE MCBRIDE SAVANNAH MONROE PLAYS NAN POTTER LAURA MAWSON PLAYS FLORENCE CROZIER AND FERN RENEE SMITH PLAYS CYNTHIA LATTIMER SHANE MCCORMACK PLAYS JACK STEWARD (AND VARIOUS MEN) MEGAN MCGURK PLAYS MADAME VIOLA Art design by Mot Collins. Sound editing and special effects by Thomas O’Mahoney

House of the Seven Garbos was a real boarding house in Hollywood that catered to aspiring starlets. Notable residents included Ruth Roman and Linda Christian. The podcast show is set in 1936. In Part One, Pat Morrison is the only one in the house with a studio contract. How long will it last? House of the Seven Garbos is a Sass Mouth Dames production, written and directed by Megan McGurk. CLARA HIGGINS PLAYS PAT MORRISON OLYMPIA KIRIAKOU PLAYS GLORIA DOUGLAS M. SHAWN PLAYS BUNNY ST JAMES AND ODETTE MCBRIDE SAVANNAH MONROE PLAYS NAN POTTER LAURA MAWSON PLAYS FLORENCE CROZIER AND FERN RENEE SMITH PLAYS CYNTHIA LATTIMER SHANE MCCORMACK PLAYS JACK STEWARD(AND VARIOUS MEN) MEGAN MCGURK PLAYS MADAME VIOLA Art design by Mot Collins. Sound editing and special effects by Thomas O’Mahoney.

Janet Leigh's indelible performance as Marion Crane creates a palpable absence when she's murdered in the shower. Audiences feel her presence not only in the picture once she's gone, but in cinema over the last sixty-two years, ever since the point of view shifted away from a woman who knows all the answers. Janet's bits of business with a pile of dough are a revelation, no matter how many times you watch.

In the series finale, Cleo discovers that having script approval in her contract is meaningless once the Production Code is enforced. Under the new rules, Cleo must argue over every page and justify her artistic choices to men who don't care about the integrity of woman's pictures. At the same time, Tully's star rises. A Star Was Born is written and directed by Megan McGurk Art design by Mot Collins Sound editing and special effects by Tomás O Máthúna STARRING Clara Higgins as Cleo Longe Danny Reid as Rick Tully Jeanne Sutton as Babe Dempsey Olympia Kiriakou as Phyllis Blake M. Shawn as Maxine Raymond Peter Bryant as Hank Webber Matt Harris as Carter Hilary Megan McGurk as Edel Geary

In part two, Cleo finds a story for her next picture from an unlikely source. From the ground up, she builds the plot, takes a chance on a new screenwriter, casts the picture, and presents creative opportunities for her crew. Meanwhile, Cleo's romance with Tully takes a serious turn. A Star Was Born is written and directed by Megan McGurk. Art design by Mot Collins Sound editing and special effects by Tomás O Máthúna STARRING: Clara Higgins as Cleo Longe Danny Reid as Rick Tully Jeanne Sutton as Babe Dempsey Olympia Kiriakou as Phyllis Blake M. Shawn as Maxine Raymond Peter Bryant as Hank Webber Matt Harris as Carter Hilary Megan McGurk as Edel Geary

In 1931, Warner Bros. star Cleo Longe tops the box office in pictures where she gets away with it: no strings sex or sending men to the morgue. One night at a party, she meets Richard Tulliver, a new contract player who is cast as the juvenile in her next production. Cleo coaches him through the part and suggests a new name for his screen billing. A Star Was Born is written and directed by Megan McGurk Art design by Mot Collins Sound editing and special effects byTomás O Máthúna STARRING: Clara Higgins as Cleo Longe Danny Reid as Rick Tully Jeanne Sutton as Babe Dempsey Olympia Kiriakou as Phyllis Blake M. Shawn as Maxine Raymond Peter Bryant as Hank Webber Matt Harris as Carter Hilary Megan McGurk as Edel Geary

Jane Wyman started out as a platinum blonde chorine and became a top star in melodrama through the education of 'B' pictures. She worked hard, hit the marks, and built her craft, which made her one of the most durable stars in Hollywood. Wyman's Oscar win for Johnny Belinda proved her intelligence and sensitivity as a performer.

Joan Crawford did not have to wonder what it was like to be married to a man who suddenly changed overnight--she was living it as a newlywed bride to corporate tycoon Al Steele. Joan's fourth husband turned from Jekyll to Hyde once vows were exchanged. In Robert Aldrich's picture, Joan channels the fear many women have about waking up next to a monster.

In the series finale, the intrepid stenographers case a joint in Beverly Hills and a canyon ranch in search of their missing friend. Will they get there in time? Stenographers is a Sass Mouth Dames production, written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins is Terry Nolan and Jewel Dame Jennifer O'Meara is Fiona Clarke and Client Jeanne Sutton is Margaret O'Donnell Olympia Kiriakou is Ivy Miller and Waitress M. Shawn is Dolly DePeyster and Cici Pine Megan McGurk is Kay Carroll and Alice Lawson Art Design by Clara Higgins Sound editing and Special Effects by Dan McAuley

In the second instalment of an original series, clues lead Terry and Margaret to a beer garden in downtown Los Angeles. Terry spots a dame wearing Kay's necklace. Did she steal it? Meanwhile, Ivy, Fiona, and Dolly try decode a poorly written letter. Stenographers is a Sass Mouth Dames production, written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins is Terry Nolan and Jewel Dame Jennifer O'Meara is Fiona Clarke and Client Jeanne Sutton is Margaret O'Donnell Olympia Kiriakou is Ivy Miller and Waitress M. Shawn is Dolly DePeyster and Cici Pine Megan McGurk is Kay Carroll and Alice Lawson Art Design by Clara Higgins Sound editing and Special Effects by Dan McAuley

A heart-shaped locket. Bad grammar. A beer garden. After a stenographer goes missing, the women in the office investigate the clues. Join us for the first instalment of a spy caper set in 1934. Stenographers is a Sass Mouth Dames production, written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins is Terry Nolan and Jewel Dame Jennifer O'Meara is Fiona Clarke and Client Jeanne Sutton is Margaret O'Donnell Olympia Kiriakou is Ivy Miller and Waitress M. Shawn is Dolly DePeyster and Cici Pine Megan McGurk is Kay Carroll and Alice Lawson Art Design by Clara Higgins Sound editing and Special Effects by Dan McAuley

Linda Christian could have been Hollywood royalty, and not just because she was discovered by Errol Flynn and married to Tyrone Power. An internationally educated woman who spoke six languages, Linda was talented and a tastemaker. She could have had a career similar to Anita Colby, a former model who became 'Feminine Director' at Selznick studio, developing stars such as Ingrid Bergman and Jennifer Jones. Linda is a standout in each film she made, especially in the delightful MGM musical Athena from 1954. Unfortunately, Hollywood never figured out what to do with her.

After twenty years in front of a camera, Loretta Young walked out of her contract with Twentieth Century Fox and became a freelance star. Darryl Zanuck blackballed her as a result, which lead to months without any script offers. She began her independent film career in Columbia studio, because Harry Cohn was one filmmaker brazen enough to defy Zanuck. Loretta made two pictures: The Doctor Takes a Wife (with Ray Milland) and He Stayed for Breakfast (with Melvyn Douglas). Both pictures were critical and commercial successes and established her facility with light comedy.

After Virginia Bruce walked out on her contract with Metro, she made on of the biggest gems of her career starring in Universal's update to a classic starring Claude Rains. Unlike the Invisible Man, Virginia's character isn't driven mad by her power of invisibility. Instead, she finds out how the other half lives. Disembodied, she can settle scores, and get men to listen to her rather than focus on her beauty. Curt Siodmak created a glorious satire about being a woman in a man's world.

In 1935, Marlene Dietrich was at a turning point in her career. Paramount studio had decided to end her professional collaboration with director Josef von Sternberg. Marlene needed to prove that she could carry a picture without her reported 'Svengali'. She renewed her contract with a provision that she would have Ernst Lubitsch as director, but he was made head of studio production and had no time to direct. Marlene chose Frank Borzage as a replacement. With Gary Cooper cast as co-star, the picture was a critical and commercial success, and demonstrated that Marlene had a knack for light romantic comedy.

Claire, Lois, and Cash finish replacement costumes for the screen test in Goldwyn's studio. Meanwhile, Helen and Gail sneak into Monogram's lot as extras to find out what Dmitri has planned. An unexpected visitor to Claire's shop gums up the works. Join us for the story's conclusion. Mannequins is written and directed by Megan McGurk Starring: Clara Higgins as Claire Delahunt and Lilyan Tashman Jennifer O'Meara as Lois Kenny Jeanne Sutton as Helen Flaherty Olympia Kiriakou as Gail Lindstrom M. Shawn as Princess Casimir (Cash) Megan McGurk as Miriam Thorndyke and Frances Goldwyn Art design by Clara Higgins Sound editing and special effects by Dan McAuley

Dress designer Claire, along with her fitter, Lois, and mannequins Helen, Gail, and Cash have worked hard getting ready for the screen test in Goldwyn studio. Our story picks up three days before the screen test. When the ladies return from lunch, twenty costumes have disappeared. Was it the fashion pirates? Or was it Dmitri Cosmo, the shady costumer from Monogram? Mannequins is written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins as Claire Delahunt and Lilyan Tashman Jennifer O'Meara as Lois Kenny Jeanne Sutton as Helen Flaherty Olympia Kiriakou as Gail Lindstrom M. Shawn as Princess Casimir (Cash) Art design by Clara Higgins Sound editing and special effects by Dan McAuley

Dress designer Claire Delahunt is invited to audition for a contract as head designer in Goldwyn studio. Will she be able to beat the competition from Dmitri Cosmo, the costumer from Monogram on Poverty Row? Our story opens in January, 1934. Mannequins is a Sass Mouth Dames production, written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins as Claire Delahunt and Lilyan Tashman Jennifer O'Meara as Lois Kenny Jeanne Sutton as Helen Flaherty Olympia Kiriakou as Gail Lindstrom M. Shawn as Princess Casimir Megan McGurk as Frances Goldwyn Art design by Clara Higgins Sound editing and special effects by Dan McAuley

By the time Patricia Neal signed with Warners in 1948, the studio system had changed. Contract players were no longer given time to develop in smaller parts until they learned the craft. Jack Warner built so much publicity around Neal as the next Bette Davis and the greatest thing since Garbo, that when her second picture.The Fountainhead, did middling business, he took it out on her(instead of Rand's turgid dialogue). Warners dropped Pat's option three years into a seven-year contract. But during production, Pat met the love of her life. She was with Gary Cooper for almost four years. Decades later, when she was in despair, the love she had for Cooper brought her peace through a reconciliation with Rocky and Maria Cooper.