from my New York City trip this past weekend; this deli is at 33rd Street and 8th Avenue
I don't necessarily think of my former high school life as an actress with tremendous fondness, though it was always a learning experience. I'm an awful actress, only good at being myself. Frankly, the best part of the whole thing was that the care I took with costumes meant that Barb, our costumer, trusted me with period costumes---and I got some doozies. Next time I get home, I'll try to track some of them down.
The original Linda Shaw was Jane Buchanan, quite a looker despite the dearth of photos online---the only one I could find was a soap advertisement (middle bottom).
Milhauser: What'd you say this place was? A Home for Girls?
Powell: Yeah, all actresses. A whole bunch of 'em live here.
Milhauser: Kind of a handy place to know about.
And Linda was a young lady dating a very married man, oops:
Big Mary: Oh girls, look! There's the Cadillac again for Linda Shaw.
Little Mary: Is he in it?
Big Mary: No, just the chauffeur, same as always.
Pat: Who's the guy, anyhow? Anybody know?
Little Mary: He doesn't ever come. Just sends the car.
Pat: Well, nice work if you can get it.
Ann: (righteously) I think it's disgraceful. A nice girl wouldn't want a man to send for her that way. And if you ask me, it gives the club a bad name.
(A warning gesture and a "Pss-s-st!" from Little Mary as Linda descends the stairs. Linda is beautifully dressed for the evening. She is wearing the dress whose pressing had annoyed her; her evening cape is handsomely furred. Enormous orchids.)
Big Mary: Oh Linda! How gorgeous!
Linda: (pausing reluctantly) Oh, hello.
Little Mary: Come on in, let's see you.
Big Mary: What a marvelous coat, Linda!
Pat: Yes, and a very nifty bit of jack rabbit, if I may say so. (Her finger outlines a collar in the air)
Linda: Oh that! Mother sent it to me. It used to be on a coat of hers.
Little Mary: It's lovely.
Pat: (mildly) Oh--Mother has a nice taste in orchids, too.
Linda: (baring her fangs) Yes. Don't you wish you had a mother like mine? (she sweeps out)
(the two Marys dart to the window)
Pat: What would you two do without that window? Why don't you pull up a rocking chair!
Ann: Linda Shaw's comings and goings don't interest me. Girls make such fools of themselves about men!
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