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A STAND IN

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Margaret Bryson, became a Earl Caroll Show girl, who began as a stand-in for the famous motion picture and television star, Loretta Young. Maggie, as is true of most Hollywood stand-ins, was used for the tiring, tedious and time consuming work that high powered actresses usually want to avoid.

Although not seen on the screen, a movie stand-in's role is a vital and necessary element of the production. No matter the long grueling hours, Maggie, as she came to be known, thought every minute of it was great fun. There were many interesting side benefits that went with the job. She had many opportunities to play Gin Rummy with Bing Crosby, or dance with Bob Hope, and it was apparent to everyone that James Stewart flirted with Maggie on any occasion and used every ounce of his charm in an attempt to win her over.

Bob Hope called Maggie "The Poor Man's Loretta Young", She was called "The healthy Loretta", which was in reference to her personality being 'nicer' than that of the star's. Eventually, a films crew would call her "Loretta". It seemed easier.

Between Loretta Young's films, Maggie's own personal career, allowed for European tours as a Soloist singer, for the London Palladium. While on tour she enjoyed the surge of fans circling around her for autographs. It was a bit of a 'mixed pleasantry'. Some fans wanted Maggie's autograph, while some others believed she was Loretta Young and so wanted 'hers'.

Due to her 'day job' she was featured in a Musical along with ten of Hollywood's best known "Doubles'. The group toured the United States, Canada and Europe for one year.

Maggie was married to famous set designer Frank Wurmser so her career was done more or less...a lark. Maggie never sought out the work and it sort of found her. Her path to show business began through her incredible resemblance to Loretta Young. “I was mistaken for her all the time.”

On a beach in Waikiki, Joel McCrea, came over, introduced himself, said she looked so much like Loretta Young he felt as if he knew her. He sat down next to her and chatted for over an hour.

Once on the front steps of a church in Beverly Hills, Loretta Young's brother-in-law, spotted Maggie, did a double take, introduced himself, and said the resemblance was startling.

One afternoon in a Hollywood Bistro, Maggie noticed a group of men seated at a table across the restaurant constantly staring at her, when suddenly one left his lunch companions, came over to her table, and introduced himself. He was Loretta Young's ex-husband. He told her that he and the other men all thought Maggie's resemblance to the actress was uncanny.

After a great number of these 'mistaken identity' encounters occurred, Margaret's husband, Frank Wurmser, decided to contact United Artist Studio. He dropped off some of her photos and just one week later Maggie received a casting call to try out as Loretta Young's double.

Maggie says, “I walked into the casting office and was instantly greeted with 'ooohs' and 'aaahs' " At that moment everyone, including Maggie, knew she had the job and everyone, except Loretta Young, seemed pleased. Loretta wasn't happy. She never was happy about it. Maggie was very beautiful, and a younger version of Young. During their first meeting between Loretta and Maggie things were tense. They never got much better.

One day when Maggie was on the set, wardrobe had dressed her exactly like the actress, and wearing a hat. She looked great. Maggie remembers, “Miss Young told me that I had the hat on backwards" Then Maggie says Young abruptly readjusted the chapeau with one, exaggerated tug. David Niven, was on the set and witnessed the temperament. Later he comforted Maggie.

Maggie is regretful that she and Young never became close and in fact not even friendly. She tells how one of her friends, a girl named Sylvia, worked as Joan Crawford's double and the two had become very friendly. So friendship was possible between a powerful actress and her double. Though Maggie worked for years as Loretta's double, the star never relented in her standoffish style. Maggie never knew why.

Being a double has drawbacks if you want to pursue your own career. You are pegged. There was only room for one Loretta Young in Hollywood and as a famous producer once told Maggie: “If you didn't look so much like her, I'd put you under contract, but Loretta beat you to it.”

Even so, Maggie doesn't regret one minute of her time spent as Loretta's stand-in. "If I hadn't looked like her, I probably wouldn't have pursued the business. For me, it was a wonderful time. Everything was fun and glamorous. Some people dread going to work. I loved it."

Later on, another career materialized for Maggie. She was featured in a musical, ‘Hit and Run’. It was in that musical that the world famed, showman/producer/promoter, Earl Carrol, spotted her, noted her stately beauty, and immediately hired her as an "Earl Carrol Showgirl".

The logo above his nightclub door read, "Through These Portals Pass The Most Beautiful Girls In The World", Maggie then became her own person. No longer a double for Loretta. She was now a Star in her own right.

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Loretta

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STUDIO SIBLINGS Spiritual Twins

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Contact: FilmMakers@MentorHuebnerArt.com

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