THE STAND-IN’S JOB

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 May 1939, Page 5

THE STAND-IN’S JOB

MANY FRIENDSHIPS FORMED. A stand-in’s job is one of the lowliest in the motion picture industry, calling foi' ho more ability than to resemble the star in colouring and physique. A stand-in, as you probably know, takes the place of the star while the tedious work of focussing lights and cameras goes on and.sets are arranged. This is done to save the star’s strength, time, and temper, and to keep him or her fresh for the real scenes to be shot. One of the nicest and most sincere friendships in Hollywood today exists between Warner Baxter and his standin, Frank McGrath. They are inseparable on . and off the set and are more like brothers than star and stand-in. McGrath has been with Warner for many' years, and is written into the star’s contract at 100 dollars (£25) a week for 52 weeks a year. Warner pays McGrath a like amount, making him the highest-paid stand-in in Hollywood and one of the very few who get paid when the star is not working. But Frank is much more than a stand-in to Baxter. He acts as his se-

cretary and companion, accompanying him on all his trips and vacations, and has the free run of the star's home. In fact, he is accepted as one of Warner's family. While 'working in a picture they sit with each other between scenes and always dine together. McGrath resembles Baxter closely, and often takes the star’s place in front of the cameras, especially for long shots and in sequences demanding Warner to be on horseback. McGrath is a good horseman, and usually doubles for Baxter in such scenes.. Although Warner . has appeared in many riding scenes, he is far from being a good horseman. It is a pleasure to see such a friendship in this artificial city. Grilled Alive. A stand-in appears to have a very easy job. It is as far as doing nothing is concerned. But it is because the stand-in has nothing to do but sit or stand in the same position that makes it terribly boring, tedious, and nerveracking. And the heat from the huge arc lamps nearly grills the poor standin alive. Standing still in the one spot for an hour or more with dozens of these huge lamps focussed right on the back of your neck or on your face is no joke. The perspiration pours out of

the stand-ins while .they are posing, and at the end of the day’s Work he or she is just a limp, washed-out rag. The average wage of a stand-in is 35 dollars (about £8 15s) a week—when the star is working. But, as most stars work only about 26 to 30 weeks a year, this average weekly salary falls far below 35 dollars. Yet it is a job much sought after by extras, because it is more permanent than working extra, and is at least a meal ticket. Very few stand-ins ever get a chance to make good on the screen. In some cases they resemble the stars so closely that it kills ahy screen chances they might' have- had. This may seem strange, but the fact is studios do not want a player in a picture who looks too much like a popular star. It wopld detract from the star. Family Affairs. Ginger Rogers’s stand-in is her cousin. Phyllis Fraser. This is another instance of close friendship between star and stand-in, but then the fact they arccousins makes a difference. They go everywhere together. Wallace Beery’s .brother-in-law stands-in for him, and is written in to the big star’s contract at 100 dollars a week. He is an ace stunt man, and does all Beery’s horse stunts for him. He earns about 10,000 dollars a year. George Brent and his stand-in, Don Turner, are very close friends, and the star takes Turner along with him on all his vacations. Clark Gable’s stand-in is Lou Smith, an ex-soda fountain attendant. Smith was always a hero-worshipper of Clark’s, and the handsome star took a fancy to him and got him the job. He induced the studio to pay Smith one hundred dollars a week, four times as much as he earned in the commissionary. When Clark is not working Smith stands-in for Walter Pidgeon. He docs not resemble Gable except in colouring and build. William Powell's stand-in is “Doc" Dearborn, who is a chiropractor when not standihg-in. . He is so like Bill that fans often rush him at premieres, asking for his autograph. They are. close friends on the set, but do not mix socially. When Powell returns to the screen for his next “Thin Man” picture, Mrs Thin Man (Myrna Loy) is to have a baby in the picture. The baby will be the Dearborns' child, born a few months ago. Another firm friendship between star and stand-in exists between Freddie Bartholomew and Ray Sperry, who has been Freddie's stand-in ever since “David Copperfield.” They are bosom pals on and off the set. Freddie has arranged for Ray to accompany him through college, and will foot all the bills. Freddie and his Aunt Cissy have established a trust fund just for that purpose. The two boys have grown inch for inch over the years. Sperry has turned down several screen offers, preferring to remain with Freddie as nis stand-in.