Atterbury Dodd, a New York banker who knows nothing about the film business beyond his love of mathematics, is sent by his boss to Hollywood to rescue Colossal Films, a struggling studio. There he must oversee the spending on the studio's latest production, a picture called Sex and Satan, with help from a stand-in for the studio's leading actress and a director who has taken to drink.

How it was made

Directed by Tay Garnett, Stand-In is based on a novel by Clarence Budington Kelland, and its screenplay credits Charles Graham Baker, Gene Towne and Kelland's story. Independent producer Walter Wanger made the film, released through United Artists. Before shooting, the Production Code office under Joseph Breen judged the story unacceptable for its portrayal of the leading lady and its illicit sexual relations. The changes that were made included recasting Thelma Cheri as an unmarried woman and cutting a speech about competition in the industry.

Reception and legacy

The film, a screwball comedy that satirizes the classic Hollywood studio system, turned a profit of $9,274. Life magazine called it a pretty good picture and praised Leslie Howard's performance as Dodd, a comic role unlike anything he had played before and one of his most engaging turns.

Stills

Trivia

An unexpected role for Bogart

According to accounts of the production, Humphrey Bogart's wife complained that he was only getting heavy parts. Tay Garnett persuaded Walter Wanger to cast him in one, hoping it would lead to romantic leading roles.

Changes demanded by the censors

The PCA rejected the original script before filming. Among the agreed changes was the removal of a closing speech in which Atterbury announced a Senate investigation of the motion picture business.

More films by Tay Garnett

Since You Went Away1944

The Postman Always Rings Twice1946

China Seas1935

The Valley of Decision1945

Mrs. Parkington1944

The Fireball1950

Original Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (es) and Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.