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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Claire, Lois, and Cash finish replacement costumes for the screen test in Goldwyn's studio while 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....

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 who try to steal Claire's designs? Or was it Dmitri Cosmo, the shady costumer from Monogram? Mannequins is written and directed by Megan McGurk. Starring: Clara Higgins as Claire...

Dress designer Claire Delahunt receives an invitation 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 on 3 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...

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...

Judy Holliday's career was tragically short, but she left an indelible imprint on motion pictures. Bells are Ringing (1960) showcases her incredible gift for making every bit of business look spontaneous and of the moment, even though she had performed the part over 1000 times on stage. She teamed up with her old theatre kid partners, Betty Comden and Adolph Green to play the part of the Good Samaritan of the Susanswerphone agency.

Our story concludes! Mae finds a way to fix Mrs Howard's wagon. Polly makes an important connection. Cora finds a way to live with what happened at the circus party. Ruby has a scene to prepare. June looks forward to greener pastures. Mimi gets a new role. Starring: Clara Higgins as Mae Devine Jennifer O'Meara as Polly Trainor Jeanne Sutton as Cora Smith Olympia Kiriakou as Ruby Dawn M. Shawn as June Winter Megan McGurk as Mimi Stone Salon Devine was written and directed by Megan McGurk Art...

In episode two, Polly talks about her date with Bennett Cerf. Cora reveals what happened at the circus party. Mae receives a visit from Mrs Howard. June's 'rafter romance' takes a turn. And will Ruby have a shot at a screen test? Starring: Clara Higgins as Mae Devine Jennifer O'Meara as Polly Trainor Jeanne Sutton as Cora Smith Olympia Kiriakou as Ruby Dawn M. Shawn as June Winter Megan McGurk as Mrs Howard Salon Devine was written and directed by Megan McGurk Art design by Clara...

Our story opens on 1 September 1933 in Salon Devine, located at Broadway and 45th. Meet the dames: Mae Devine is played by Clara Higggins Polly Trainor is played by Jennifer O'Meara Cora Smith is played by Jeanne Sutton Ruby Dawn is played by Olympia Kiriakou June Winter is played by M. Shawn Mimi Stone is played by Megan McGurk Salon Devine is written and directed by Megan McGurk Cover art by Clara Higgins Sound editing and special effects: Dan McAuley

In 1939, Joan Crawford attempted to rebound from personal and professional setbacks by taking a risk on a small part an ensemble picture where even the roles of maids were fought over. Studio boss Louis B Mayer didn't want Joan to take the part. She stuck to her guns and made Crystal Allen a standout. Joan uses four different New York accents to show that a social climber needs to not only look the part, but sound it, too. And I'll tell you about the real backstage power struggle--between men.

Before the craze for mob syndicates became all the rage in Hollywood, Frank Capra's picture with Barbara Stanwyck and Marie Prevost argued that rich men were the real gangsters. Men in the society register could serve caviar in office orgies and maul gals on the night boat to Albany. Kay Arnold (Stanwyck) and Dot Lamarr (Prevost) are just two working girls trying to make a living on the edges of society graft. Their friendship is more compelling than the romantic angle. When the chips are...

Lana Turner received her only Oscar nomination for her performance as a single mom who runs a dress shop in a conservative small town. The picture showcases the acting techniques she developed over 18 years in MGM with drama coach Lillian Burns. The screen adaptation of the bestseller by Grace Metalious was one of the biggest hits of her career. Peyton Place also coincided with the biggest scandal of her life.

Doris Day made a big splash in her screen debut. Armed with hipster sass, a great wardrobe, and songs that rocked the hit parade, she is every bit the star. Doris was so successful at the box office that the studio worked her like a dog until she had a nervous breakdown. Despite the pressure of being a star and the men who exploited her sunny persona, Doris Day was a survivor.