About
Behind the scenes at the fictitious Century Studios in Hollywood, headed by the (initially) unseen John Bracken.
Cast
Elizabeth Allen
as Laura Deane
Peter Haskell
as Kevin Grant
Linda Harrison
as Paulette Douglas
Laraine Stephens
as Diane Waring
Karen Jensen
as Rachel Holt
Episodes
Season 1
Fade In
Bracken's World focused on the employees of Century Studios, located in Hollywood, California. John Bracken was the studio head, who, for the first season, was heard, but not seen. He was the occasional voice on the speaker phone, either praising or chastizing the studio population, who included his executive assistant, Sylvia Caldwell; stunt man, Davey Evans; the New Talent School head, Laura Dean, and her up and coming students, Rachel Holt, Diane Waring, Paulette Douglas, and Tom Hudson; producer/director Kevin Grant, his alcoholic wife, Marjorie, their 8 year old son, Mark; and Paulette' pushy stage mother, Grace Douglas. Filmed on the lot of 20th Century Fox, the first episode served as an introduction to the ensemble cast, plus featured cameo appearances by Tony Curtis and Raquel Welch. We learn of Sylvia's devotion to the studio, Laura's devotion to her students, Kevin's unhappy marriage and his attraction to Diane Waring; and Grace Douglas' opposition to her daughter Paulet
Panic
Both Rachel Holt and Diane Waring are up for a part in Kevin's latest production. In order to pick which actress will win the role, director Budd Blake (Scott Brady) suggests that they allow each actress to try out on horseback. Rachel knocks over a barrel while Diane rides flawlessly, so Diane gets the part. Rachel has a chip on her shoulder, since she blames every loss in life on the fact that she was given up for adoption and raised in foster homes. She resents Diane, who comes from wealth and social prominence. Diane attempts to befriend Rachel by allowing her to ride her personal horse, in preparation for any future part that might require equestrian skill. While out on a ride, Rachel comes across a young boy in her path; the horse rears and the child is knocked down. Rachel leaves the boy and returns Diane's horse, attempting to conceal the accident. The boy is hospitalized and the police suspect Diane as the guilty party. Unwilling to betray Rachel, Diane does nothing t
King David
Although aired as the third episode of the series, this was the first episode filmed after the pilot. Century Studios is set to honor ""King David"" Caldwell as the studio founder. The event is spearheaded by daughter/Bracken's assistant, Sylvia Caldwell. The festivity is interrupted by an aging star who appears on the lot to star in a production. She harbors ill will toward King David for the failures in her professional and personal life. The highlight of the episode is the star's tirade at the honors ceremony. Guest Stars: Carolyn Jones; J.C. Flippen as David Caldwell; cameo apperance by Zsa Zsa Gabor Written by Sonya Roberts Directed by Robert Day
Don't You Cry for Susannah
Susannah Ray thinks she has won her big break--a starring role in Kevin Grant's latest film. She considers herself an exact replica of the character ""Abby"", who eventually commits suicide in the script. She is crushed when she learns that Diane Waring, a contract player at Century Studios, has been hired for the role. Feeling sorry for Susannah, Diane befriends her, allowing Susannah to be her assistant on the set. Susannah continues to rehearse the part, while Diane begin to have strange emotional outbursts on the set. Kevin is concerned about Diane's bizarre behavior, and she is at a loss to explain it. When Diane continues to break down, Kevin considers replacing Diane with Susannah. Eventually Kevin realizes that Susannah is putting LSD in Diane's daily glass of orange juice, so he banishes Susannah from the set. Diane is afraid that Susannah may attempt suicide,which would be consistent with the character of ""Abby"". Diane follows Susannah to a cliff at the beach wher
Options
Century Studio is cutting back on expenses and has decided to drop the option on young actress, Paulette Douglas. In an effort to try to keep Paulette under contract to the studio, Grace Douglas attempts to fix her daughter up with studio exec Johnny Churchill. Paulette is unwilling to sell herself in exchange for a continued contract, and she initially seems unconcerned about the dismissal. Eventually she realizes that her acting career does matter to her, so she sets about to convince the studio brass that she should be kept around. It is her conviction and committment to acting that ultimately causes the studio powers to reconsider and renew her contract. Note: Written by Robert Lewin Directed by Nicholas Webster Guest Star: Robert Colbert as Johnny Churchill
Closed Set
A noted director comes to Century Studios to direct a film about a concentration camp. During production, he runs the set like a military camp, angering crew and cast alike. The production is austere, and the actors and actresses are without makeup and style. During the production, live ammuntion is used in a gun that is fired during a scene. The director is killed and the rest of the episode revolves around the characters who wished the director dead. Guest Starrin: John Van Dreelen; Phillip Pine; Yvonne Wilder Written by: Bess Boyle Directed by Herschel Daugherty
The Sweet Smell of Failure
Sylvia Caldwell is a longstanding admirer of veteran director, Carl Duran. Duran has had a nervous breakdown of sorts and is living at Synanon, a facility for alcholics, substance abusers and other troubled souls. Duran and Bracken had a history of disharmony, so Sylvia conceals her position at the studio until she had convinced Duran to come out of retirement. He is given a simple assignment, to film some added closeups for Kevin's latest epic. What starts as a simple assignment turns into an emotional rollercoaster for Duran and he eventually loses his grip while trying to direct Diane Waring. Kevin intervenes and dismisses him from the set, ending Duran's romance with Sylvia and his return to directing. Note: Written by Charles A. McDaniel Directed by Charles S. Dubin Guest Star: Ricardo Montalban as Carl Duran
The Stunt
Actor Brock Jordan is scheduled to star in Kevin's upcoming tv series, ""Contraband."" Although he has a reputation as a rugged actor, Brock relies on stunt men to perform his stunts, a fact kept secret from his fans and his young son. The plot of ""Contraband"" calls for a dangerous jump into the back of a moving truck, which Davey Evans is slated to perform. Davey is not fond of Brock because of Brock's efforts to romance Davey's sometimes girlfriend, Paulette Douglas. On the day of the stunt, Brock's son visits the set and realizes that his father does not perform his own stunts. Brock attempts to rectify the situation by doing the stunt himself, but Davey intervenes, falls and is injured. From the stretcher, Davey convinces the son that Brock is a hero after all. Note: Gary Collins as Brock Jordan Written by Dorothy Kingsley Directed by Herschel Daugherty
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