MovieChat Forums > Dark Shadows (1966) Discussion > Multiple Roles...who did them best?

Multiple Roles...who did them best?

posted 8 years ago by Briabba2
49 replies | jump to latest

And worst?

One of the things I always look for when considering how good an actor is, is how different are their characters and are they able to be convincing in different roles or are they always playing the same character regardless of the role or are they simply playing themselves

For example I think Nancy Barrett did an excellent job convincing the audience her roles were distinct and separate characters. The other end of the spectrum would be Roger Davis it doesn't seem to matter which character or which century he is in his characters always seem like the same person what do you guys think?

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

I agree about Nancy Barrett and Roger Davis. Mine are:

The best - Grayson Hall for her sheer ability to make me roar with laughter as Julia, Magda, Hoffman the Maid, et al.

The worst - Roger Davis. Bland, bland, bland.

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

Absolutely, with Roger Davis. He doesn't really bother me, but they should've used a different actor as Ned Stewart, since Jeff Clark just disappeared into time. And Peter Bradford kept returning for inane reasons.

Grayson was always good, but she should've had a French accent as The Countess.

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

At first, it seemed like they were going to have the cast use French accents as the norm. But, it didn't work out that way.

Oh, how I wish they would've let the cast use those accents. Grayson would've had a field day affecting an ooh la la accent.

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

Not everyone would've been successful, which may be why they didn't do it.

[–] vitoscotti 8 years ago

Those two for the exact reasons mentioned came to my mind before reading your comments. But the one that I feel is the master of playing different characters is Thayer David. The way he totally changes his facial expressions and mannerisms , voice, really impressed me.

Most of the other cast don't change a lot with a new character so far where I'm up to .They just work off their original character with a few tweaks. Where as the three literally throw themselves into the new challenge.

[–] ElectricWarlock 8 years ago

I think Thayer David did a great job at playing different character types. He could be extremely intelligent, friendly, sensitive, and sociable in the role of Professor Stokes. But also less educated, rough characters like Matthew Morgan and Ben Stokes. Then you have Count Petofi who is terrifying because of how cold, calculating and manipulative he can be.

I find that he was really given the chance to play characters who were drastically different in personality. And he did a good job at each of them, too.

I was also impressed with Joel Crothers who could play the nice, approachable, down-to-Earth Joe Haskell and then one of the most despicable, selfish, manipulative, nasty characters of the show with Nathan Forbes. At times it was hard to believe they were played by the same person.

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

I agree about Joel Crothers. Who would have thought the man who played nice guy Joe Haskell could play the conniving Nathan Forbes with such conviction? Bravo, Joel!

[–] fiero-49251 8 years ago

Grayson without a doubt; bar none! She was the best! 

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[–] zaphod08 8 years ago

For me it was definitely Nancy and Thayer. No question.

In the kingdom of the blind, you're the village idiot.

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

Nancy Barrett was a good actress. And Thayer David was a good actor (I've seen him in films, too). However, Grayson Hall makes me laugh so hard no matter which character she's playing (even in films). Jonathan Frid once said everyone thinks Grayson is so great, yet he couldn't stand her. (Sorry, Jonathan. I like you both.)

[–] Klein_Returns 8 years ago

Frid actually said that???

http://media.ifunny.com/results/2015/11/10/4cj4ciw3up.jpg

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

Reportedly, he grew tired of her scene-stealing antics (frantic eye-blinking, exaggerated hysteria, etc...).

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

Yes, Fletcher. He also said he couldn't stand her fake eyelashes. And he accused her of always reading from the Teleprompter which is something he was clearly guilty of doing himself. (Grayson was cagier about it.) I saw it on a Jonathan Frid interview on YouTube awhile back. He was bitter about Grayson.

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

He screwed up his lines quite frequently. Was that any better?

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

Ha-ha!

[–] Attillio 8 years ago

I remember one of the later actors, who portrayed Sheriff George Patterson; the actor practically just stared constantly at the TelePrompTer as he spoke with Barnabas in the Old House.

I mean, the guy didn't seem to look at Jonathan Frid at all during the scene!

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

I remember Dolph Sweet appearing in an early episode as one of the Collins employees Burke was trying to recruit. He was telling Burke he was remaining with Mrs. Stoddard, only he pronounced it "Mrs. Stobbard". I always wondered if he had dyslexia and tried to read the teleprompter.

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

Frid flubbed even when he wasn't looking at the Teleprompter. Remember the one where he said "Uncle cousin Jerimiah"?

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

I remember when Roger and Dr. Woodard were pressing Barnabas about David's report of seeing a coffin in the basement. Barnabas explains he has the door locked, "so how could Willie possibly get down there?".
One that cracks me up is "If they find out about me, my career will be ruined" (he was supposed to say "your career will be ruined", talking to Julia.
I joked to someone on here that Frid was right - his career would've been ruined.

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

Yeah, Jonathan was a sort of king of the flubs (Edmonds' "incestors" is a classic though). The only thing I can say about Jonathan's bitterness regarding Grayson in later years might have started with her incessant upstaging which seemingly got on his nerves. However, no one could have played Julia like Grayson. PERIOD! Not saying anything bad about Jonathan because no one could have played Barnabas like he did.

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

Frid was always at his best in the scenes when Barnabas was pissed.

Pretty amusing with Grayson trying to steal the spotlight. That certainly explains her exaggerated reactions.

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

I like Jonathan when he's at his commanding best at Barnabas.

Grayson's scene-stealing knew no bounds. She was cast opposite some of the biggest stars (Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, Deborah Kerr) in 1964 and was nominated for an Oscar.

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

I still only saw Grayson in a couple of things. Night Gallery, I think, and The Gargoyles. But I did see That Darn Cat when I was a kid, and I can picture the part she played. I do remember the character, I just don't remember the performance.

Last week Father Knows Best was on (something I wouldn't normally watch), but before I could change the channel, Diana Millay showed up in it as a High School kid. She looked it, but I was shocked at the end to find out it was dated only six years before she started the Laura Collins role. She looked like she'd aged ten or fifteen years on DS instead of six.

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

Nice catch, Fletcher! I've been watching "Father Knows Best" since the days of black and white televisions and I own the entire series on DVD. (Ah, I still have my crush on Billy Gray!) I must confess, I never knew it was Diane in two(!) episodes of Season 6 until you mentioned her here. After seeing the photos for those two episodes on IMDb, I remembered them. Diane did look very young in those episodes. From a high schooler to David Collins' mother in six years!!!

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

Did she do seventeen cigarette commercials a day, or what?!

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

She should have left her hair long. I mean, she did look very young (and pretty) in "Father Knows Best" and she was 25 years old when those episodes were made. I'm tempted to take out my DVDs and watch her two episodes. In the "Love and Learn" episode, Billy Gray has a crush on her.

Billy is super cool in real life. He has a website with his contact e-mail address listed. He actually answers e-mails from his fans. I've chatted with him. He's extremely pleasant. If you send him a head shot of himself (sans "Father Knows Best" crew) he will inscribe it for you and mail it back to you in a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

He doesn't like "Father Knows Best" anymore, but I love the show just for him. I wouldn't watch it if another actor played "Bud". I've had a "crush" on him forever...let's just say it started in childhood and it's lasted a long, long time. I bought the DVDs just to see him. Crushes pass? Not always! LOL!

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

I had one on Marcia on The Brady Bunch.

It's amazing how older-looking Diana had become. In 1897 Angelique remarked to Laura that she was one of the legendary Collins beauties. No offense to Miss Millay, but she didn't really look it. Lol.

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

Maureen McCormick still looks fantastic. I always thought she was the prettiest of the Brady girls. I thought Christopher Knight was the best-looking of the Brady boys.

Funny enough, in those days I thought David Cassidy was hot. But when I saw the Bradys on "The Weakest Link" in 2001, I was amazed at what a handsome, well-built man Christopher was.

These days, if I had to choose between the David Cassidy of "The Partridge Family" and the Christopher Knight of "The Weakest Link", it would be Christopher all the way.

Regarding Diana Millay. If Angelique remarked the Diana Millay of "Father Knows Best" was one of the Collins beauties, I'd say "okay". Perhaps having a baby and the short hair changed Diana too much.

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

She didn't age well. Some women don't.

I was surprised to learn (back in the '70s) that Maureen McCormack was five years older than I. Loved seeing her on that Happy Days episode.

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

I don't remember her on the "Happy Days" episode. She looked great at the recent tribute to Florence Henderson. All the kids were there except Barry Williams and Eve Plumb. I know Eve has had her issues with the show, but I wonder why Barry wasn't there. He wrote the book "Growing Up Brady". He said he had had a crush on Florence. Why a no show at the tribute? Odd!

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

I'd hate to think that Barry was engaged in a creative tribute to Wesson oil.

Maureen was in an early episode of Happy Days before the live audience when they shot location scenes (which I thought were the better episodes). The guys were in another town and were trying to hook up with a trio of girls hanging out on a corner. Maureen was one of them.

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

Oh, Wessonality! Who could forget those commercials?

I do remember Maureen's "Happy Days" episode now that you've reminded me of it. I agree with you about the location scenes episodes being better. I couldn't stand "Joanie Loves Chachi". Scott Baio did much better with his other series "Charles in Charge" (even though I've never seen an episode).

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

Lol.
I consider myself fortunate that every episode of Charles in Charge remains unwarched by me.

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

I heard the "Charles in Charge" theme song back in the day. It was dreadful! I changed the channel and never ran across the show again.

Erin Moran made news awhile ago. She and her husband were evicted from his mother's trailer at her trailer park. They were put up at a welfare hotel. The paparazzi followed Erin around and she shot the middle finger at them. Wisconsin's Cunningham girl did that? Evidently, Joanie Loves Middle Finger!

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

She should make some money on a reality show.

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

LOL! Yeah, it would be better than "The Osbournes". "Joanie" at loggerheads with the paparazzi...(Oh, that middle finger!)

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

I'd call it "Celebrity Trailer Trash".

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

Erin, Anson Williams and Donny Most received cash settlements over monies they felt they had coming to them from "Happy Days". It would have been interesting watching Erin have her day in court on her own reality TV show. Then shooting both middle fingers at the paparazzi outside of the courthouse. I remember the time Anna Nicole Smith had a day in court and said "Screw you, Rusty!" (Not a part of her reality TV show, but funny just the same.)

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

Classic gold-digger, that Anna Nichole.

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

Classic gold-digger...definitely! I almost barfed when she kissed her first husband J. Howard Marshall on the lips and took off for a honeymoon without him.

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

I saw the True Hollywood Story on her. She got what she deserved in the end.

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

Yeah, I saw that on TV years back. Today I watched "The Final 24 - Anna Nicole Smith" on YouTube. In many ways it was better than the "E! True Hollywood Story" Anna Nicole Smith episode.

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

Don't suppose somebody leached off of her.

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

No, it dealt with the last 24 hours of her life (with backstory of her life). Her mom, aunt and cousin were interviewed.

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

Hope she suffered.

[–] DoctorJuliaHoffman 8 years ago

They reenacted Anna's final 24 hours. She was so out of it most of the time. A mix of too many drugs which proved fatal. They interviewed two of her former boyfriends. One came across as much too arrogant for my tastes.

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

He must've had money. Smart for not marrying her, or she'd have it now.

[–] modica (4169) 4 years ago

I agree. Nancy did a great job. Roger Davis never really changed his characters much. Didn't bother me, but it is just an observation.

[–] modica (4169) 2 years ago

I always think the same thing no matter how much time goes by.