Bracken's World (1969)
Synopsis
Behind the scenes at the fictitious Century Studios in Hollywood, headed by the (initially) unseen John Bracken.
First Air Date: 1969-09-19
Last Air Date: 1970-12-25
Number of Seasons: 2
Number of Episodes: 41
Created By: Dorothy Kingsley
Networks: NBC
Top 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
- Dennis Cole as Davey Evans
- Madlyn Rhue as Marjorie Grant
- Warren Stevens as John Bracken
- Bettye Ackerman as Ann Frazier
- Eleanor Parker as Sylvia Caldwell
Seasons
Season 1 (1969)
No overview available for this season.
Episodes:
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Ep. 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
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Ep. 2: 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
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Ep. 3: 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
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Ep. 4: 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
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Ep. 5: 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
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Ep. 6: 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
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Ep. 7: 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
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Ep. 8: 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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Ep. 9: All the Beautiful Young Girls
A noted actor returns from the New York stage to star in Kevin Grant's latest production. He is an old lover of New Talent School head, Laura Dean, and they renew their romance. The actor has a penchant for beautiful young girls, and he soon becomes involved with starlet, Rachel Holt. When Laura learns of the affair, she must decide if she can share him with other women. Guest starring: Arthur Hill; Luke Halpin Written by: Leonard Kantor Directed by: Paul Henreid
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Ep. 10: A Package Deal
Kevin is directing ""The Winners"" featuring Stuart Saxon in a part written especially for him. Saxon uses the film as an opportunity to give his daughter a part. Inexperienced as an actress, Hillary Saxon is more interested in pursuing Kevin than in performing in the film. The members of the New Talent school are dismayed that an inexperienced actress was given a major part, so they set about to upstage her at a press gala. Hillary is embarrased, but undaunted: she intends to appear in the film. Having exhausted his patience, Kevin confronts Hillary and Stuart in an effort to get Hillary to pay her dues in the movie industry. Hillary and Stuart ultimately agree, and Bracken agrees to release her from the contract if she agrees to return once she has perfected her acting skills Guest Stars: Tim O'Connor as Stuart Saxon; Shelly Fabares as Hillary Saxon Written by: Stephen Kandel Directed by: John Erman
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Ep. 11: It's the Power Structure, Baby
Actress Rachel Holt falls for a young film maker--but this is 1969; she's white/he's black. The studio is not pleased with the relationship and tries to discourage it. Kevin discourages it because he thinks his film-maker protege is too serious a young man, while Rachel is interested only in herself. The episode deals with the subtle and not so subtle responses to race issues in the late 1960s, and ends with the couple parting, not because of studio or social pressure, but because they are not right for each other. The episode also has a subplot involving Kevin and Marjorie's failing marriage, and its effect on their young son, Mark. Guest Starring: Booker Bradshaw Cameo Appearance: Debbie Reynolds Written by: Cliff Gould Directed by: Lee Phillips
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Ep. 12: Move In for a Close-Up
Marjorie Grant tries to save her failing marriage to Kevin by obtaining a job as an assistant script supervisor at Century Studios. Kevin is annoyed, feeling that Marjorie's place is at home with their young son, Mark. The other staff are concerned that Marjorie will serve as a spy for the other non-working wives. She takes the job seriously, but fouls up nonetheless. She comments aloud on the scenes, forgets to replace important props and resents Kevin's relationships with the other actresses. When Bracken learns of her employment, he dispatches Sylvia to fire her. Tempted to drink on her way home, Marjorie decides to buy a bottle of wine and keep her husband's attention with a black negligee and a candlelit dinner. The romancing seems to do the trick, for Kevin actually leaves the studio early to take his wife on a three day weekend up the California coast. Guest Starring Peter Donat as Frank Written by Oliver Hailey Directed by Allen Reisner
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Ep. 13: Stop Date
Kevin Grant is directing the film ""Midstream"", but he is plauged with budget problems and an uncooperative star, Gil Ryder. The episode centers on the last day of production (the stop date) where Kevin must finish Gil's scenes or face penalty payments. Everything that can go wrong does, from technical problems with the film to what may have been a suicide attempt by Kevin's wife. Sylvia does all she can to help Kevin, but she has a hectic day as well including an intruder with a gun, looking for a part. As 5:00 p.m. approaches, Kevin is forced to use all of his creative energy to find a way to complete the scenes, yet make a credible film. Guest Starring: Richard Anderson; Dane Clark as Gil Ryder; David Macklin as the intruder Cameo by: Cliff Robertson Written by Norman Hudis Directed by Robert Day
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Ep. 14: The Chase Sequence
Kevin is directing a film that involves a chase sequence down a mountain road. Davey Evans and another stuntman execute the stunt, but the other stuntman is suffering from a hangover. He loses control of the vehicle, plunges off the cliff and is killed. Everyone then must deal with the aftermath of the death: Davey does so by trying to care for the dead man's widow; Kevin attempts to keep the production together and finish the film, so it can be dedicated to the stuntman's memory. Guest Starring: Marlyn Mason; Clint Ritchie Written by: Charles A. McDaniel Directed by: James Neilson
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Ep. 15: Focus on a Gun
Actress Diane Waring is searching for the right part and the right man. She meets and falls for gangster, Nick Fontaine, who is trying to get a foothold in the film industry. Kevin, who has more than a passing interest in Diane, is angered when her new-found boyfriend uses his power to take actresses and scripts from Kevin's grasp. Diane decides, against the advice of the studio and family, to marry Nick and leave the studio. Nick promises he will leave his criminal ties behind so that they will have a life together. They pay a visit to Kevin, hoping he will work with them in producing a script that Kevin had been bidding for; Kevin declines, telling Nick that the crime family will never let go of their hold on him. Kevin's words prove true, for Nick is gunned down a few minutes later in Kevin's driveway. Guest Starring: Joe Don Baker as Nick Fontaine Dennis Patrick as Mr. Waring George Murdock Written by: Robert Lewin Directed by: Gerald Mayer
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Ep. 16: Money Men
Bracken's assistant, Sylvia Caldwell has decided to leave Century Studios to marry New York banker, Jeffery Harris. Her decision comes at at bad time: A group of investors is trying to buy Century studio stock to unseat Bracken as studio head; Kevin's production, ""The Battle of the 105th Meridian"" is over budget and behind schedule. Her replacement, Harriet Moran seems pleasant at first, but it becomes evident that Harriet is aligned with those who would unseat Bracken. For a time, Sylvia suspects Jeffery of being party to the attempt to overthrow Bracken, but she ultimately realizes that Harriet is the culprit. Harriet is banished from the lot, David Evans is promoted to the position of Bracken's assistant, and Ann Frasier becomes David's secretary, as Sylvia leaves Century for a life in New York with Jeffery. Guest Starring: Carl Betz as Jeffery Harris Jan Sterling as Harriett Moran Liam Sullivan Written by: Sonya Roberts Directed by: Charles S. Dubin
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Ep. 17: Meanwhile Back at the Studio
Kevin is producing and directing ""Indian Country"", slated to be the definitive story of the Indians of the Southwest. Filming begins in Arizona, and, without studio permission, Kevin elects to use real Indians,as opposed to actors. To finish the film, he transports the band of Indians back to California to finish the film. Led by Arthur Thunderbird, the Indians revolt when the realize that the script differs from their historical understanding of the events. They kidnap Paulette Douglas and hold her hostage in hopes that the studio will change the script. An Indian ancestor is located, who finally convinces them that the Indians were the losers of the battle in question. Interspersed throught the episode is J.F. Nash, a film exhibitor who has come to California to visit the studio. He is smitten by Rachel Holt, and wants her cast as a blonde Indian, or at the very least, a dance hall girl. Guest Starring: Michael Baselon as Arthur Thunderbird Written by: Joseph Bonaduce
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Ep. 18: A Perfect Piece of Casting
Century Studios is producing a based-on fact movie about three unsolved murders in which waitresses were strangled. The three young actresses at the talent school, Rachel, Paulette and Diane are cast as the waitresses. Kevin is looking for the perfect piece of casting as the strangler. David Evans sees the police composite drawing of the strangler and suggests an actor who resembles the drawing, Ray Wiley. After being cast as the strangler, Ray has a difficult time settling in to the part, but eventually becomes so immersed in the character that he almost strangles Diane Waring while rehearsing a scene from the movie. His castmate, Tom Hutson, becomes concerned that Ray is living out the part, so he dispatches Kevin to Diane's house to check on her. The real strangler is there menacing Diane. The police burst in just in time to save Diane. Kevin decides that Ray is still the best actor for the part and allows him to continue. Written by Bess Boyle Directed by Paul Henreid Gu
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Ep. 19: Superstar [aka Star Struck]
Frank Carver is a football player trying to break into film. He is slated to star in Kevin's production of ""The Sooners"", a western along the lines of a John Wayne epic. The only problem is that the football player can't act,and he can't seem to learn. Kevin desperately wants to replace him with the actor of his choice, Todd Skinner. Carver's agent, however, sees the acting role as an opportunity to negotiate for more money when Carver's contract is renewed with the ball club. When it becomes obvious how bad the film is going to be, Kevin quits the picture. Carver is interested in Rachel Holt, who finally convinces him that he should stick to what he knows how to do, which isn't acting. When the football star sees himself on film, he realizes that Rachel and Kevin are right, and he bows out of the picture. Guest Starring: Lee Majors as Frank Carver Andy Devine as Bill Hunnicutt Sam Elliott as Todd Skinner Written by: Charles A. McDaniel Directed by: Herschel Daught
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Ep. 20: Whatever Happened to Happy Endings?
Kevin casts an unknown actress, Teresa Czandowski, in a biker epic, ""Odyessy"". Hollywood columnist, Veronica Steele, is angered when Teresa rejects Veronica's offer to make her a star, so Veronica sets out to destroy both Teresa and Kevin. Outspoken and direct, Teresa's candor proves great material for Veronica's column, which suggests that Teresa is sleeping her way to the top. The columns anger Kevin, whose marriage to Marjorie is already in trouble. A drunken Marjorie confronts Kevin at a party in front of a house full of guests as to his interest in Teresa. Teresa is mortified, but is even more upset when the next column suggests that even talent coach Laura Dean is attracted to her. Teresa reacts with a suicide attempt, leaving Kevin and Laura determined to sue Veronica for the slanderous columnns. Guest Starring: Lee Grant as Veronica Steele Flora Plumb as Teresa Czandowski Jack Riley as the Hairdresser Written by: Gerry Day and Bethel Leslie Directed by: Har
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Ep. 21: Fallen, Fallen Is Babylon
A farm boy comes to Hollywood with an obsession that he must save actress Rachel Holt from Satan. He stalks her, then kidnaps her, hiding her in an abandoned loft of a studio set. Kevin and David initially believe that Rachel's failure to appear is a publicity stunt, but when they realize her car never left the studio lot, they become concerned. The police are summoned and they search the lot until Rachel finally manages to escape. Guest Starring: Richard Thomas Margo Sappington as herself Dabbs Greer Cameo apppearances by Joyce Haber and James Coburn Written by Jerry Ziegman Directed by Allen Reisner
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Ep. 22: Papa Never Spanked Me
Comedian Joey Jason is cast in a serious role in Kevin's latest film. Joey's immediate problem is that he cannot seem to adapt to the role of an unlikeable character. To make himself more comfortable, he convinces Kevin to hire his father, Mort Jason, as a walkon and he tries to romance Laura Dean. Kevin becomes impatient, and finally implores Mort to ""spank"" Joey, since Joey is fond of saying that ""papa never spanked me."" Mort realizes that Joey is ruining the part with his good-guy routine, so he uses a comedy bit to make Joey face the reality of the situation. Joey is hurt and angry, but he comes to terms with the situation, and assures Kevin that he will give the role his best. Guest stars: Martin Sheen as Joey Jason Jack Albertson as Mort Jason Written by: Alan Spies Directed by: Charles S. Dubin
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Ep. 23: A Beginning, A Middle and an End
Writer Sampson Wilkes has come to Century Studios to oversee production on his latest screenplay. He is immediately attracted to Laura Dean, and an affair begins. He clashes with Kevin, who finds the plot of Sampson's screenplay to be unbelieveable: the male lead in the drama suddenly changes his outlook on life, which Kevin thinks is dramatically invalid. Kevin's involvement in the project is so intense, his wife Marjorie turns to contract player Tom Hutson for attention. When Kevin realizes that Marjorie has had an affair with Tom, he is stunned, but willing to try to repair the marriage. The mystery of the change in Sampson's character's perspective is ultimately explained by Sampson's first wife: Sampson is dying. Laura vows to make the most of their time together. When Sampson finally dies, Kevin understands the basis for the character's change, i.e., that the character realizes the value of life when he realizes that his is about to end. Guest Starring: Joseph Campanel
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Ep. 24: Diffusion
No overview for this episode.
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Ep. 25: Day for Night
Bracken has decided to cast Rachel Holt as the female lead in Kevin's latest film, ""The Cruel Night."" During filming, Rachel hires a private detective to locate her foster parents, the only people she ever considered family. Once they are located, Rachel insists that they come to Hollywood and stay with her during filming. She begins to rely on the direction of her foster father, rather than following Kevin's direction. When Kevin realizes what is happening, he dismisses her from the film. The foster parents eventually admit to Rachel that they asked the welfare authorities to remove her from their home, because, as a child, she was too much trouble and they received too little pay for her care. Rachel insists they take her sports car as a token of her love, regardless of their lack of feeling for her. Undaunted by her dismissal from the film, Rachel shows up at a film premiere, driving the pickup truck that the foster parents left behind, determined to return to the studio and
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Ep. 26: One, Two, Three, Cry
No overview for this episode.
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