"Stand-In" is a radio noir about a movie queen and the people in her life who hate her. The story begins with Maggie, or Madame as she is known, returning from an extended vacation in Florida. She arrives home in Hollywood with paparrazi, yippy little dogs and a new husband in tow.
Madame's stand-in and assistant is Dianne Burke. She doesn't have the right face for movies, but she claims she's "got everything else." Dianne sees right away that Madame's new husband, Dennis O'Brien, will be trouble. Dianne and Dennis avoid each other for a while, but on the night of the Academy Awards they find themselves alone in the big empty mansion. From there they drift towards trouble.
Dianne is straightforward and unremorseful as events play out. In the end, she is accepting of her fate. June Havoc played Dianne and her smoldering voice suits the dialogue of this dark drama.
"Stand-In" was written for Suspense by Robert L. Richards and Pamela Wilcox. Cathy Lewis played Madame. Also appearing were Hans Conried, Elliott Lewis, and Wally Maher. This episode was produced, edited and directed by William Spier and aired on June 12, 1947.
. Download Suspense.1947.06.12_ StandIn.mp3
(Photo of June Havoc's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6618 Hollywood Blvd.)
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