In the afternoon of June 27, 1966, Joan Geraldine Bennett first became "Elizabeth Collins Stoddard", the matriarch of the "Collins Family", and living in Collinsport, Maine, in Episode One, Season One, of Producer-Director, Dan Curtis's, daytime, Gothic Soap Opera, "DARK SHADOWS".
This is a look at some of Joan Bennett's work as she journeyed to "Cult Status" as "Elizabeth Collins Stoddard".
Bennett was born on February 27, 1910, in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Her father was stage and silent screen actor, Clarence Charles William Henry Richard Bennett, who shorten his name to just Richard Bennett. Her mother was stage actress and literarily agent Mabel Adrienne Morrison, who dropped the Mabel, when on stage.
Joan was the youngest of three acting sisters, her oldest sister was Constance Campbell Bennett, who dropped the Campbell, and became the highest paid actress during the first half of the 1930's. Her middle sister was actress/dancer Barbara Jane Bennett, who dropped the Jane, and was the mother of television/radio "trash talk" host, Morton Downey, Jr.
Above, is a 1918 photo of father Richard, on his left, Constance, on his right Joan, and Barbara.
The three girl's first motion picture was 1916's, morality play, "The Valley of Decision", written by and starring their father, and co-starring their mother.
On September 23, 1928, 18-years-old, Joan Bennett portrayed "A Dame", in her third on-screen role, along with Carole Lombard as "A Dame", in "Power", starring pre-"Hopalong Cassidy", William "Bill" Boyd and co-starring Alan Hale, Sr.
Above, Joan Bennett at the time, a natural platinum blonde.
Also in 1928, Joan first appeared on stage with her father in a three-act- play called "Jarnegan". I could not find out what it was about, but below is part of the original "Playbill" for the production. Which opened on October 1st with Joan listed fourth.
Five motion pictures after "Power" and premiering on October 2, 1929, in New York City, was the biographical epic, "Disraeli", starring British stage and screen actor George Arliss as Prime Minister "Benjamin Disraeli".
Above, Joan Bennett portrayed "Clarissa". She had just appeared in the 1929 comedy, "Three Live Ghosts" and now was in a major production based upon the highly successful stage play also starring George Arliss.
Anthony Bushell portrayed "Charles", British actor Bushnell had been touring on the American stage in "Her Cardboard Lover", co-starring with Jeanne Eagles. George Arliss saw the play and had the actor cast in his first motion picture.
Left to right, George Arliss, Joan Bennett, Florence Arliss, George's wife, and British actress Doris Lloyd.
In 1926, actor John Barrymore starred in a silent version of author Herman Melville's "Moby Dick". Barrymore re-remade the feature as the first sound version of the novel and it premiered in New York City on August 14, 1930.
In this version of the novel, Joan Bennett portrayed "Faith Maple", the woman "Captain Ahab Ceely", portrayed by Barrymore, loves. However, after his first encounter with the whale "Moby Dick", "Ahab" loses his leg, and returning to port believes that "Faith" will not love him anymore. In the end the white whale is killed and true love counters all.
The following year, on March 2, 1931, found the young actress in a romantic musical comedy "Many a Slip" and having first billing.
Joan Bennett portrayed "Pat Coster". She had just portrayed "Xandra, Lady Ashley" in the 1930 crime drama, "Scotland Yard", co-starring Edmund Lowe. She would follow this feature co-starring with Warner Baxter, in 1931's, "Doctor's Wives".
Lew Ayers portrayed "Jerry Brooks". Ayers had just co-starred with Lupe Velez and Edward G. Robinson in the 1930 drama, "East Is West". He would follow this feature film co-starring with Robert Armstong and Jean Harlow, in director Tod Browning's, "Iron Man".
This pre-motion picture code comedy has fun with the question:
Is "Pat" pregnant and who's the father?
It all starts out when "Pat's" recently divorced father won't let the 18-years-old date. At a party with her younger brother, she meets "Jerry". The two drive to a lake, start to kiss, and somehow, fall into the lake and go into an abandon cabin to dry off. After which the pre-code fun begins.
On February 19, 1932 in New York City, the adventure drama, "She Wanted a Millionaire", premiered. Joan Bennett had first billing as "Jane Miller", the young woman dreaming of the millionaire of the film's title. In second position, after only being in three short subjects and four forgotten movies, was Spencer Tracy as newspaper man William Kelley.
However, for their next motion picture together, "Me and My Gal", released on December 4, 1932, Bennett and Tracy switched billing positions and Spencer Tracy became a full fledge leading man.
On, May 1, 1932, Joan Bennett portrayed "Vivienne Ware" in "The Trial of Vivienne Ware. This fast-paced courtroom drama has Joan Bennett on trial for killing her fiancé and being defended by her ex-boyfriend, "John Sutherland", portrayed by Donald Cook. The trial is being broadcast live on radio and America listens and gossips over did she, or didn't she?
The motion picture is one of the films used by the "UCLA Film School", because of the idea of a trial being heard on radio as it takes place.
Katharine Hepburn portrayed "Jo March". This was Hepburn's third motion picture, she had just co-starred with Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Adolph Menjou in 1933's, "Morning Glory". Hepburn followed this picture with 1934's, "Spitfire", co-starring with Robert Young and Ralph Bellamy.
Joan Bennett portrayed "Amy March". Bennett had just seen in the crime comedy, 1933's, "Arizona to Broadway", co-starring with James Dunn. She would follow this motion picture co-starring with actor Francis Lederer, in the 1934 comedy, "The Pursuit of Happiness".
Claude Rains portrayed "Paul Verin". Rains had just been in his second feature film, the 1934 crime drama, "Crime Without Passion". He would follow this film with the 1935 film version of British author Charles Dickens', "The Mystery of Edwin Drood". My article about the actor, "---CLAUDE RAINS WAS THE INVISIBILE MAN---", will be read at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2019/05/claude-rains-was-invisible-man.html
However, "Paul" is not killed, but the pacifist has gone insane over being forced onto the horrors of war. He finds his leave cancelled, because of interference by "Dumont" and without authorization, he leaves camp anyway. "Paul" returns home to see his wife and little girl, but instead, he walks in to find "Dumont" making sexual advances upon "Adele". "Paul Verin" taking a bayonet kills "Henri Dumont".
Switch back to "Marnay's" office as "Paul's" story ends and the other discovers "Dumont's" head in the black satchel.
PRIVATE WORLDS released on April 19, 1935
Claudette Colbert portrayed "Dr. Jane Everest" in her "Best Actress Academy Award" nominated role. Colbert had just co-starred with Fred MacMurray and Ray Milland in the 1935 comedy, "The Gilded Lily" and followed this feature with the 1935 comedy, "She Married Her Boss", co-starring with Melvyn Douglas.
Charles Boyer portrayed "Dr. Charles Monet". The French actor had just appeared in the American musical, 1935's, "Caravane", co-starring French actress Annabella. He would follow this feature film with 1935's, "Break of Hearts" starring Katharine Hepburn.
The subplot is about "Dr. Alex MacGregor" facing the fact that his wife, "Sally", is slowly going insane.
During the search for an actress to portray "Scarlett O'Hara" in "Gone with the Wind". Joan Bennett's screen test so impressed producer David O. Selznick, that she became one of the four finalists for the role with Vivian Leigh, Jean Arthur, and Paulette Goddard.
THE TEXANS released on August 12, 1938
Joan Bennett would follow her only western with a musical comedy co-starring with Jack Benny, 1938's, "Artists and Models Abroad".
Randolph Scott portrayed "Kirk Jordan". Scott had just co-starred with Shirley Temple in 1938's, "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm". He would follow this feature with a musical comedy, 1938's, "Road to Reno".
Tay Garnett wrote this story and within it the first phase of the new Joan Bennett occurs.
The screenplay was by a husband and wife writing team using their pre-marriage last names. He was Alan Campbell, 1937's "A Star Was Born" and 1941's, "The Little Foxes". She was Dorothy Parker, poet, writer, critic, and satirist. She wrote director Alfred Hitchcock's, 1942, "Saboteur", and the Susan Hayward, 1947, "Smash-Up: The Story of a Woman".
Frederic March portrayed "Sam Wye". March had just been in the 1938 comedy romance, "There Goes My Heart", co-starring with Virginia Bruce. He followed this feature with director George Cukor's, comedy drama, 1940's, "Susan and God", co-starring with Joan Crawford and Ruth Hussey.
Tay Garnett earned the distinction yesterday of being probably the first man in history with the temerity to invite 80,000,000 persons to pay to see the movies he took on a world cruise. Mr. Garnett went abroad a few seasons ago and, having a rough outline of a script, he shot doorways in Japan, barrooms in Indo-China, the race track at Singapore, a pier in Bombay, a fishing village in the Laccadives, a twisting street in pre-war Shanghai. Hollywood bridged the gaps, set up the process screen, placed Fredric March and Joan Bennett before it ..
First, she fakes a car accident, driving her car into San Francisco Bay. Next, she makes plans to go to Hawaii, and pawns a unique piece of jewelry. Which tells "Commissioner Blackton" that she didn't die in the car and he assigns "Detective Sam Wye" to the case.
To make things more interesting, director Tay Garnett with the help of Joan Bennett's future husband producer Walter Wanger, convinced Bennett to dye her platinum blonde hair brunette and that first step to change the direction of her career took place.
In the end, "Sam" and "Kay" have fallen in love, as has "Jean" and "Ben". The detectives discover that the real murderer is "John Johnson", portrayed by Richard Tucker, whose wife was seduced by "Bruhme".
THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK released on July 13, 1939
The motion picture was directed by James Whale, 1931's "Frankenstein", 1933's "The Invisible Man", and 1935's, "The Bride of Frankenstein". My article, "JAMES WHALE: Jean Harlow to Louis Hayward", is found at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2020/07/james-whale-jean-harlow-to-louis-hayward.html
"Louis" is on the throne and has become a cruel King and with the suggestions of his advisor, "Fouquet", has raised the taxes several times and executes anyone who refuses to pay them.
One group who refuses to pay "King Louis XIV's" taxes is led by "The Three Musketeers". Who along with others in the group were made exempt from being taxed in honor of their service to France by "King Louis XIII". "Fouquet" in the name of the new King, sends troops to capture the group, the first time they are driven off, but the second time with a larger force, succeed in capturing everyone including the musketeers and "Philippe".
"Louis XIV" orders everyone executed, but "Colbert" intervenes, telling the King of the uncanny resemblance to him by "Philippe". It just happens that "Louis" is aware of a planned assassination attempt and decides to send "Philippe" in his place, after agreeing to letting everyone be set free. The King figures "Philippe" will be killed and he can recapture the others and execute them. However, "Philippe" survives the assassination, but shows mercy to the killers, who are peasants protesting the taxation.
Of course, the climax comes with "Philippe" being rescued by the musketeers and taking the place of "Louis", "Fouquet" is killed and "Maria Theresa" marries "King Louis XIV" of France. Who has turned into a good and benevolent monarch. As for "Louis", he wears the iron mask and claims to the jailers that he is the King.
It should be noted that Alexander Dumas based this story on another going back to the reign of "Louis XIV" about a twin brother, the real heir, being locked in the Bastille wearing an iron mask.
George Raft portrayed "Steve Larwitt". Raft was just in the 1939 crime drama, "Invisible Stripes", co-starring with Jane Bryan and William Holden. He followed this picture with 1940's "They Drive By Night", co-starring with Ann Sheridan, Ida Lupino and Humphrey Bogart.
"Brenda" now rents a house on the San Francisco Bay with a clear view of Alcatraz. She meets "Mary Bogale", another wife with a husband in the prison, and the two become close friends. Over time, "Brenda" meets aircraft designer "Tim Nolan", who pursues her as a love interest, but she still loves "Steve". "Slant" sees the two together at a restaurant and attempts to blackmail her, but she has no money after selling all her fine jewelry for "Steve's" defense.
Joan Bennett portrayed "Carol Cabbott Hoffman". Bennett followed this feature co-starring with Louis Hayward and George Sanders in producer Edward Small's, "The Son of Monte Cristo".
Francis Lederer portrayed "Eric Hoffman". The actor would purchase land in the San Fernando Valley that would eventually become the city of Canoga Park and Lederer would be its first mayor. My article, "FRANCIS LEDERER the Forgotten 'Dracula': A Stage and Film Actor's Life", may be read at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2016/02/francis-lederer-forgotten-dracula-stage.html
a seductive and beautiful woman who brings disaster to anyone with whom she becomes romantically involved.
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2015/03/fritz-lang-and-leni-riefensthal-their.html
MAN HUNT released on June 13, 1941
Joseph Breen of the United States "Hayes" motion picture censorship office was "alarmed" that the Dudley Nichols screenplay was a German "hate film".
First, although the year was 1941, the picture's release was still six-months prior to the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. American's had an isolationist position over the war in Europe.
Second, this would turn-out to be the first of four films by Fritz Lang that were anti-Nazi and because of his personal feelings brought into Nichols screenplay, there were "no good Germans" in it.
Joseph Breen insisted that because there are "no good Germans" in the screenplay, the two torture sequences had to be edited of actually showing "Thorndyke" being tortured, but the dialogue could imply that the torture had taken place.
At the studio, producer Daryl F. Zanuck banned Fritz Lang from the editing room and gave orders to editor Gene Fowler of how the film was to look. However, Fowler was a friend of Lang and the two men worked together on the editing of "Man Hunt".
According to author M. Todd Bennett in his 2012 book, "On World, Big Screen: Hollywood, the Allies, and World War II". American isolationists and Nazi-sympathizers called the motion picture a pro-Britain feature to influence the United States to join the war in Europe.
Overview of the rest of the screenplay:
"Thorndyke" aims his rife with its live round, but a guard discovers him and the shot goes wide.
"Alan Thorndyke" is beaten for information, but gives out nothing. He is next taken to "Quive-Smith", also a big game hunter and very familiar with the other, who listens as "Thorndyke" claims he had no plans to kill Hitler, that this was just a thrill adventure to see if it could be done.
"Quive-Smith" orders "Thorndyke" to be once more tortured for information, but what comes out of it wasn't what the Nazi major expected. "Captain Alan Thorndyke" reveals "that questions will be asked in high places" about his torturing and that his brother is the very important British diplomat "Lord Risborough", portrayed by Frederick Worlock. With that last piece of information and to avoid complications, "Quive-Smith" gives orders to have "Thorndyke" pushed off a cliff to give the appearance he committed suicide.
Wearing his knapsack and dressed as he was last seen, "Alan Thorndyke" is pushed off the cliff, but his knapsack gets caught on a tree and he survives. Alluding his pursuers, "Alan Thorndyke" makes it to the nearby seaport, takes a rowboat to a neutral Dutch ship, is helped and hidden by British cabin boy named "Varner", and the Germans search of the ship doesn't find him. However, "Quive-Smith" places a "Mr. Jones" on-board using "Alan Thorndyke's" passport to search for him.
"Lord Risborough" tells "Alan" that under England's pre-Second World War policy, if he is found, they would have to extradite his brother back to Germany, Meanwhile, "Major Quiver-Smith" arrives in London to join in the German "Man Hunt". "Alan" is in love with "Jerry" and her with him, he gives her a silver hat pin looking like an arrow for the beret she is always wearing.
At the right time "Alan" plans on going to Africa and offers a large monetary gift to "Jerry" for all her help, which she refuses, but "Lady Risborough", portrayed by Heather Thatcher, believes the money was really for "other services" provided by "Jerry Stokes" to her brother-in-law.
"Alan Thorndyke", now decides to go into temporary hiding and asks "Jerry" to tell his brother to send him a letter in three-weeks to the post office in the West Dorset town of Lyme Regis, but when the letter arrives it is not from "Lord Risborough".
In the end, "Captain Alan Thorndyke" takes his belt, a slat from his bed, and a stick to make a bow and arrow and kills "Nazi Major Quive-Smith". The motion picture ends with "Alan Thorndyke" on a secret mission parachuting with his rifle into Nazi Germany.
There are two interesting credits, or one non-credit and one full to be precise, for the Don Ameche and Joan Bennett routine war drama romance, "Confirm or Deny", that are of interest. For some reason Fritz Lang was an uncredited director on the motion picture, but for what reason and what he filmed I could not locate.
The other credit is that the original story came from journalist, screenplay writer, and during the Second World War, a serving member of "The Big Red One", the army's "First Infantry Division", Samuel Fuller. He would write and direct, a biographical motion picture in 1980 with Robert Carradine as his fictional self. My article "Samuel 'Sam' Fuller: The Ever Present Cigar and Six Movies: 'I Shot Jesse James' 1949, 'The Baron of Arizona' 1950, 'The Steel Helmet' 1951, 'Pick Up on South Street' 1951, 'Shock Corridor' 1963 and 'The Big Red One' 1980", will be found at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2017/02/samuel-sam-fuller-ever-present-cigar.html
Fritz Lang had just released 1944's, "Ministry of Fear", starring Ray Milland, and would follow this feature film with the next motion picture I will be mentioning.
Edward G. Robinson portrayed "Professor Richard Wanley". Robinson had just been in the Second World War comedy, 1944's, "Mr. Winkle Goes to War", he would follow this picture co-starring with Margaret O'Brien in the family drama, 1945's, "Our Vines Have Tender Grapes".
"Reed's" clandestine lover, known to her as "Frank Howard", but really, "Claude Mazard", portrayed by Arthur Loft, unexpectedly arrives. Words are said, a fight takes place between the two men, and "Professor Wanley" kills "Claude Mazard" in self-defense.
Meanwhile, "Mazard's" bodyguard, "Heidt", a crocked ex-cop, starts to blackmail "Alice Reed". "Manley" and "Reed" discuss the problem and the professor decides the best way to end the problem is to murder "Heidt".
I will not go further in this great plot and recommend this motion picture to my reader.
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Edward G. Robinson portrayed "Christopher Cross". Robinson was just in a British war propaganda motion picture with 23rd billing, 1945's, "Journey Together". The motion picture about navigators on British bombers, actually starred Sir Richard Attenborough, but opens with this credit:
Edward G. Robinson followed this motion picture with 1946's, "The Stranger", co-starring with Loretta Young and Orson Welles.
Joan Bennett portrayed "Katharine 'Kitty' March". She followed this picture with the comedy, 1945's, "Colonel Effingham's Raid", co-starring with Charles Coburn.
Dan Duryea portrayed "Johnny Prince". The actor had just been in the cast of the Deanna Durbin comedy crime film-noir, 1945's, "Lady on the Train". He would follow this feature starring in 1946's, "Black Angel", co-starring June Vincent and Peter Lorre.
The setting is 1934, New York City, "Christopher 'Chris' Cross" is an amateur painter in a loveless marriage, and works at a clothing retailer as a cashier. For his 25-years with the company, he receives a gold watch and kind words from his employer. "Cross's" employer leaves the ceremony, enters a waiting car, and drives away with a beautiful blonde next to him. "Christopher" wishes he could meet such a beautiful woman.
Walking home through "Greenwich Village", "Cross" sees a beautiful woman being attacked by a man, he uses his umbrella to knock out the man, and calls for a policeman. Next, "Christopher" walks "Kitty" home to her apartment and as the two talk. The clothing salesman speaks about his painting and not his actual work.
After he leaves, "Kitty's" boyfriend, "Johnny Prince", the man who attacked her, arrives. "Kitty" believes "Chris" is a wealthy painter and the two figure out a plan to get some of his money.
Now things start to twist, with money loaned him by "Johnny", "Chris" sets up a studio to paint. However, the signature on the paintings is not "Christopher Cross", but unknown to him, "Katharine March". "Johnny" steals some of the paintings to show art critic "David Janeway", portrayed by Jess Parker. "Janeway" likes what he sees and wants to meet the painter, "Miss March". Another unknown to "Chris" is that he is a commercial success, but will never see the money that "Kitty" is getting from his paintings.
"Chris" wants to divorce his wife "Adele", portrayed by Rosalind Ivy, and marry "Kitty". While, "Adele" sees what are obviously her husband's paintings in a window with "Kitty's" signature. Adding to the situation and complexity of the story is that "Adele's" thought dead husband, "Patch-Eye-Higgins", portrayed by Charles Kemper, returns to attempt to extort the supposedly rich "Chris".
"Chris" now believing he is free from his loveless marriage with the return of "Adele's" husband. Decides to go to "Kitty's" apartment, but finds her and "Johnny" in an emotional embrace. When "Chris" says he wants to marry her. She laughs at him and says she wouldn't marry an old and ugly man like him. Enraged, "Chris" takes an ice pick and stabs "Kitty" to death and the twists continue as a murder trial, not of "Christopher Cross", but "Johnny Prince" takes place.
THE MACOMBER AFFAIR premiered in New York City on April 20, 1947
The motion was directed by Zoltan Korda, of the British Korda Brothers, who had remained in Hollywood after his two brothers had returned to the United Kingdom to continue to make movies there. My article, "ALEXANDER, ZOLTAN, VINCENT: THE KORDA BROTHERS FROM HUNGARY WITH LOVE", at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2016/04/alexander-zoltan-vincent-korda-brothers.html
The screenplay was based upon a short story by Ernest Hemmingway, "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber", that had appeared in a 1936 issue of "Cosmopolitan" magazine.
The screenplay co-written was by Casey Robinson, the Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman, 1945, "Saratoga Trunk", and co-written by Seymour Bennett, this was his first of only two screenplays.
Gregory Peck portrayed "Robert Wilson", the Hemmingway based character. Peck had just portrayed "Lewton 'Luke' McCandles", see my attached link, in the 1946 over-sexed western, "Duel in the Sun", co-starring Jennifer Jones. He would follow this motion picture with 1947s', "Gentleman's Agreement". My article, "Gregory Peck: Five Westerns-Five Different Characters", can be read at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2022/02/gregory-peck-five-westerns-five.html
Joan Bennett portrayed "Margaret 'Margo' Macomber". Bennett would follow this motion picture with the 1947, crime film-noir, "The Woman on the Beach", co-starring with Robert Ryan, and directed by the great French director, Jean Renoir.
Robert Preston portrayed "Francis Macomber". This was Preston's first motion picture since the end of the Second World War. When he was an intelligence-officer with the U.S. 9th Air Force, based in Cairo, Egypt, as part of the desert air force fighting German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel and later as part of the invasion of Sicily.
The screenplay opens in the Kenya Colony of British East Africa as American "Margaret 'Margo' Macomber" and her husband's guide, English big-game hunter, "Robert Wilson", land at the airport in Nairobi. The viewer learns that "Margo's" husband, "Francis", is dead from a gunshot to the back of his head.
The screenplay now becomes a flashback of the events leading to "Francis Macomber's" death.
"Francis" and "Robert" are at a the Fairmont Norfolk hotel in Nairobi to plan a safari into Africa. As the safari starts, it becomes obvious to "Margo" that her husband is a coward and she becomes attracted to "Robert". "Francis", to prove his masculinity leaves camp on his own to kill a lion, instead he just wounds the animal after it charged him, and it's up to "Robert" to find and kill the lion, before it kills a person.
Animosity has grown between husband and wife and to humiliate "Francis", in front of him, she kisses "Robert" on the lips. Meanwhile, "Francis" starts treating the African members of the safari with cruelty. He attacks a native servant and "Robert" has to restrain him. The following day the three are on Safari and with a courageous shot, "Francis" proves himself by shooting a cape buffalo. Which brings "Francis Macomber" to come to terms with his cowardness and his physical weaknesses "Margo" kept pointing out.
However, like the lion before, the buffalo is not dead and turns and charges. "Margo" takes aim and fires, but instead of hitting the buffalo, which "Robert" will kill, her shot hits "Francis" in the head, killing him.
Switch to the present, as "Margo Macomber" prepares for her trial on charges of murdering "Francis". "Robert" is attempting to get her to admit the shot was accidental, but the screenplay ends not answering that question.
Above still signed by Gregory Peck and Joan Bennett.
After filming 1947's "Woman on the Beach", Joan Bennett continued as a femme fatale in three more movies and then she changed her career's direction once more.
FATHER OF THE BRIDE premiered in New York City on May 18, 1950
The motion picture was directed by Vincente Minnelli. Minnelli's latest was 1949's, "Madame Bovary", starring Jennifer Jones, James Mason, Van Heflin, and Louis Jordan. He would follow this feature with the next motion picture I will mention.
The screenplay was based upon the 1949 novel of the same name by Edward Streeter. The screenplay was co-written by Francis Goodrich, among her work was 1946's, "It's a Wonderful Life", and 1948's, "Easter Parade", co-starring Vincent Minnelli's wife, Judy Garland.
The other writer was Albert Hackett, Francis Goodrich's husband at the time.
Spencer Tracy portrayed "Stanley T. Banks". Tracy had just co-starred with James Stewart in 1949's, "Malaya". He would follow this feature with the next motion picture I will mention.
Joan Bennett portrayed "Ellie Banks". Bennett had just appeared in the last of her femme fatal feature films, 1949's, "The Reckless Moment", co-starring with James Mason and Geraldine Brooks. She would follow this feature appearing in another comedy, "For Heaven's Sake", starring Clifton Webb as as angel sent to get future parents, Joan Bennett and Robert Cummings to stop putting off having a family, so the daughter that has chosen them can be born.
Above "Mr. and Mrs. Banks".
Elizabeth Taylor portrayed "Kay Banks". Taylor was just seen in a very controversial motion picture for the year, because of her age compared to her lover in the story, Robert Taylor, 1949's, "Conspirator". The actress followed this film with the 1950 comedy, "The Big Hangover", co-starring with Van Johnson. Elizabeth Taylor was married to her first husband, Conrad Hilton, Jr. My article, "The '7' Husbands of ELIZABETH TAYLOR", can be explored at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2021/08/the-7-husbands-of-elizabeth-taylor.html
Don Taylor portrayed "Buckley Dunson", the groom. As an actor, Taylor had just been seen in the 1950, Robert Taylor western, "Ambush". He followed this picture with the Second World War story, 1951's, "Target Unknown". In 1956, Don Taylor switched careers to television direction, but among his feature films are 1971's, "Escape from the Planet of the Apes", 1976's, "The Great Scout and Cathouse Thursday", starring Lee Marvin and British actor Oliver Reed, the Burt Lancaster and Michael York, 1977 version of H.G. Wells', "The Island of Dr. Moreau", and the excellent Kirk Douglas, time traveling to December 6, 1941 with a modern aircraft carrier, 1980's, "The Final Countdown".
This is a classic comedy about the trials and tribulations of "The Father of the Bride", portrayed by Spencer Tracy, and his wife, portrayed by Joan Bennett, who's attempting to keep him calm and on track. This role was literally an overnight change of character for the actress.
Apparently, Spencer Tracy wanted Katharine Hepburn to portray his wife, but it was felt they were known as a too romantic team for the roles. Instead, Joan Bennett was considered, because it was felt, even after all her femme fatal roles, that she could portray a happily married 1950's wife.
The motion picture would be nominated for three "Academy Awards", "Best Picture", "Best Actor", and "Best Screenplay", but didn't win. The estimated final budget for the motion picture was $1,215,000, with an estimated Worldwide Box Office of $6,084,000.
Joan Bennett and Spencer Tracy were back, as was Elizabeth Taylor and Don Taylor. The sequel was entitled "Father's Little Dividend", released on April 27, 1951, and now "Kay's" parents were faced with a pregnant daughter and the laughs continued to a second box office hit.
In 1951, Joan Bennett switched her career, as many 1930's, 1940's, actors and actresses had done before her, to the new medium of television making "Guest Star Appearances", BUT there was a specific incident that caused this to take place:
When Fiction Became Reality
For the last twelve-years, Jennings Lang was Joan Bennett's agent. On December 13, 1951, she met Lang, who was the head of the west coast television operations for the "Music Corporation of America (MCA)". Bennett had parked her Cadillac convertible in the parking lot behind the "MCA" office, at Santa Monica Boulevard and Rexford Drive, which happened to be located across the street from the Beverly Hills Police Department. Jennings Lang and Joan Bennett next drove away together in his car.
At 2:30 PM, Walter Wanger drove by the office and noticed his wife's car in the parking lot, a half-hour later, he returned and saw the car still there. Wanger decided to wait, a few hours later, he was still waiting for his wife's return. Jennings Lang's car arrived and both Lang and Bennett got out. Jennings escorted Joan to her convertible and Joan Bennett Wanger started up the car's engine. Her husband Walter Wanger approached, pulled out a pistol, shot Jennings Lang in the leg, tossed the pistol into the front seat of his wife's car, and according to the police report, she told her husband:
Get away and leave us alone.Police from the station across the street came running after hearing the shots. Walter Wanger was taken into custody as Joan Bennett and the parking lot's service station manager took Jennings Lang to a local hospital. When questioned by the police, Walter Wanger stated:
I shot him because I thought he was breaking up my home,
Joan Bennett denied having an affair with Jennings Lang stating:
But if Walter thinks the relationships between Mr. Lang and myself are romantic or anything but strictly business, he is wrong,
On December 14th, Walter Wanger went to his home, collected his belongings, moved out, stating there would be no divorce. Later the same say, in her bedroom, a group of newspapermen with television cameras listened to a prepared statement from Joan Bennett Wanger that included her plea that her husband not be blamed too much for shooting her agent Jennings Lang.
After requesting not to have a jury trial and putting his sentence in the hands of a judge with a temporary insanity plea. Walter Wanger served four-months at the "Los Angeles County Honor Farm" in Castaic, 39-miles north of Downtown Los Angeles, and resumed his career as a successful motion picture producer.
However, the major studios looked differently upon Joan Bennett's alleged affair with Jennings Lang, and she found herself "Blacklisted" by them, without the term "Blacklisted" being used. She would turn to television.
Fourteen-years after the above incident, Joan Bennett and Walter Wanger would divorce in 1965.
Between her first appearance on the long-forgotten anthology series, "Nash Airflyte Theatre", in season one, episode twenty-one, entitled "Peggy", February 8, 1951, through her appearance on actor Gene Barry's, "Burke's Law", season two, episode twenty-four, entitled "Who Killed Mr. Colby in Ladies Lingerie?", March 3, 1965. Joan Bennett appeared on television programing twenty-one times, and was in six forgotten motion pictures during the same time period.
Which brings my reader to the aforementioned afternoon television of June 27, 1966, on the "American Broadcasting Company (ABC)":
DARK SHADOWS
Daniel Mayer Cherkoss was born on August 12, 1927 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He would attend "Syracuse University" and receive a degree in sociology.
Turning to his obituary in the "Los Angeles Times", by staff writer Valerie J. Nelson, March 28, 2006, I learned:
Daniel Cherkoss became Dan Curtis upon his graduation. During college he met his future wife, Norma Mae Klein. The two would marry in 1952 and have three daughters, Cathy, Tracy, and Linda.
Not stated, but my guess, is Daniel changed his "Foreign Jewish sounding name" to a more "1950's acceptable American sounding one" to be able to find work easier. His first position was as a syndication salesman for the "National Broadcast Company (NBC)".
In 1963, after forming "Dan Curtis Productions", Curtis became the owner and executive in charge of production for the Emmy winning television golf series, "CBS Match Play", from 1963 through 1973. Which, if I hadn't read his obituary, I would never knew existed, because all the listings I could find of Dan Curtis' work starts with "DARK SHADOWS". Which he was the Executive Producer for all 1,225 episodes, and had Directed only 20 of those. The most episodes from the other eight directors, were by Lela Swift with 592.
The show was on the air from June 27, 1966 through April 2, 1971, starting out in black and white and switching to color in August 1967.
"Dark Shadows" had ten scripts writers, but contrary to belief, Dan Curtis never wrote even one episode, however, he received credit on all 1,225 as the "Series Creator".
My reader should note, that while there are several smaller story arcs, they all intersect with one main story arc in each of the parts that I have divided the series into below.
1966 through 1967
Part One:
Victoria Winter's Parentage, episodes 1 through 92
Burke Devlin's Revenge for His Manslaughter Conviction, episodes 1 through 201
Roger Collins' Mysterious Car Crash, episodes 13 through 32
The Murder of Bill Malloy, episodes 46 through 126
Laura Collins the Phoenix, episodes 123 through 192
Jason McGuire Blackmails Elizabeth Collin Stoddard, episodes 193 through 275
The program had a small but loyal audience for the first 210 episodes. However, one of Dan Curtis' daughters suggested to make the show scarier and "Cousin Barnabas" was introduced and the ratings went up and up.
The Arrival of the Vampire Barnabas Collins, episodes 211 through 220
The Kidnapping of Maggie Evans, episodes 221 through 220
Julia Hoffman's Attempt to Cure Barnabas Collins, episodes 265 through 351
Barnabas Terrorizing Julia Hoffman, episodes 352 through 365
Part Two:
"Dark Shadows" moved all the characters back to the year 1795.
Angelique Bouchard's Vampire Curse on Barnabas, episodes 366 through 426
Victoria Winter's Witchcraft Trial, episodes 400 through 461
Nathan Forbes' Manipulation of Millicent Collins, episodes 419 through 460
1968 through 1969
Part One:
The Mystery of Jeff Clark, episodes 461 through 665
The Creation of Adam, episodes 466 through 636
The Dream Curse, episodes 477 through 636
Elizabeth's Fear of Being Buried Alive, episodes 513 through 672
Nicholas Blair's Scheme to Create a Master Race, episodes 549 through 634
Chris Jennings' Werewolf Curse, episodes 627 through 700
The Ghost of Quentin Collins and Beth Chavez Haunt Collingwood, episodes 639 through 700
Part Two:
"Dark Shadows" moved the characters to 1897.
Barnabas' Mission to Save David Collins, episodes 700 through 839
Jenny Collins, the Man Woman in the Attic, episodes 707 through 839
Laura Collins the Phoenix, episodes 728 through 761
Magna Rakoski's Werewolf Curse on Quentin, episodes 749 through 834
Gregory Task's Manipulation of Judith Collins, episodes 762 through 884
The Hand of Count Petofi, episodes 778 through 814
The Creation of Amanda Harris, episodes 812 through 850
Josette's Return, episodes 844 through 885
Count Petofi Body Swaps with Quentin, episodes 849 through 883
1969 into 1970
This section begins with the end of the 1796 flashback at the end of Part Two, above, and Barnabas returning to 1969.
Barnabas Falls Under the Control of the Leviathans, episodes 886 through 950
The Mystery of Grant Douglas and Olivia Corey, episodes 888 to 934
Chris Jennings' Werewolf Curse, episodes 889 through 934
The Leviathan Child, episodes 891 through 929
Jeb Hawkins the Leviathan Leader, episodes 935 through 980
The Ghosts of Gerald Stiles and Daphne Harridge Haunt Collinwood, episodes 1071 through 1109
The following are all about Parallel Time.
1970
The Death of Angelique Collins, episodes 969 through 1060
Cyrus Longworth's Experiment, episodes 978 through 1035
1995
The Destruction of Collinwood, episodes 1061 through 1070
1840
Barnabas' Infatuation with Roxanne Drew, episodes 1081 through 1150
The Head of Judah Zachery, episodes 1117 through 1138
Judah Zachery's Possession of Gerald Stiles, episodes 1139 through 1197
Quentin Collin's Witchcraft Trial, episodes 1162 through 1197
1841
For the record there never were episodes 1226 through 1245, blame "ABC". The network preempted the series twenty-times, but to keep the weekly numbering system in place for broadcasting. The network compensated by either skipping an episode number, double-numbering, and in some cases, triple-numbering episodes, resulting in creating episodes with numbers higher than the actual count of 1225.
Bramwell Collins and Catherine Harridge's Love Affair, episodes 1186 through 1245
The Cursed Room Lottery, episodes 1194 through 1245
There were 280 cast members, obviously I am not going to go into all of them, but instead will mention the most familiar actors/actresses and the unique changing characters they played crossing the story arcs. Anticipating the question, not one actor/actress appeared in all 1,225 episodes.
Joan Bennett portrayed the multiple roles "Elizabeth Collins Stoddard", "Judith Collins", "Naomi Collins", and "Flora Collins". Bennett appeared in 390 episodes.
In 1968, Joan Bennett was nominated for an "Emmy" for "Best Actress" for her role on the series.
Below, an undated interview with Joan Bennett about how she became "Elizabeth Collins Stoddard".
Jonathan Frid portrayed "Barnabas Collins", and "Bramwell Collins". Frid appeared in 592 episodes, the most of any actor.
Many people ask what happened to Frid after "Dark Shadows"? Jonathan Frid was primarily a legitimate stage actor and he returned to Broadway, starring as "Thomas Becket" in the verse drama by T.S. Eliot, "Murder in the Cathedral".
Between 1968 and 1969, there was a game show called "The Generation Gap". Three teenagers face off against three adults with the teens answering questions about the adults time period, and the adults about present teen culture. Jonathan Frid appeared on two episodes as both himself and "Barnabas". He was also a "Guest" in the 2012 movie.
Grayson Hall portrayed "Dr. Julia Hoffman", "Dr. Julia Hoffman Collins", "Magda Rakosi", "Julia Collins", "Natalie du Pres", "Constance Collins". Hall had the second largest number of episodes with 474.
In 1964, Hall was nominated for both the "Best Supporting Actress Academy Award", and "Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe" for the Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, "Night of the Iguana".
Grayson Hall basically stayed on television after this series ended, but did appear in the two-motion pictures Dan Curtis made.
Nancy Barrett portrayed "Carolyn Stoddard", "Charity Trask", "Melanie Collins", "Millicent Collins", "Leticia Faye", "Carolyn Loomis", "Carolyn Stoddard Hawkes", "Amanda Collins", "Melanie Collins Young", and "Pansy Faye". Barrett appeared in 402 episodes.
She portrayed "Nurse Cathy Ryker" on the daytime soap opera, "The Doctors", from 1971 through 1972, and was "Dr. Faith Coleridge" on "Ryan's Hope", in 1976.
Alexandra Isles portrayed "Victoria Winters". She appeared in the role 335 times, but returned to her Swedish birth name of Alexandra Grevina von Moltke to become a successful documentary film maker.
Von Moltke only appeared once more on-screen after "Dark Shadows", and that was in the made-for-television movie, 1968's, "Certain Honorable Men" written by Rod Serling, and starring Van Heflin and Peter Fonda.
Louis Edmonds portrayed "Roger Collins", "Edward Collins", "Joshua Collins", the "Ghost of Joshua Collins", "Daniel Collins", the "Ghost of Daniel Collins", "Brutus Collins", "Amadeus Collins", and the "Ghost of Amadeus Collins". He appeared in 321 episodes.
Louis Edmonds had been appearing in roles on different television series since 1950. He portrayed "Langley Wallingford" on the daytime soap opera, "All My Children", from 1979 through 1995.
David Selby portrayed "Quinten Collins", the "Ghost of Quinten Collins", "Grant Douglas", and the "Unknown Man". He appeared in 312 episodes.
Selby also appeared in one of the feature films "Night of Dark Shadows".
After this series he appeared on the forgotten television series "Flamingo Road", from 1981 into 1982. From 1982 through 1990, David Selby was "Richard Channing" on the television series "Falcon Crest". From 1997 through 1999, Selby was a regular on the forgotten television series "Soldier of Fortune, Inc.", Like Jonathan Frid, David Selby was a "Guest" in the 2012 remake.
Kathryn Leigh Scott portrayed "Maggie Evans", "Maggie Collins", "Maggie Evans Collins", "Josette du Pres", the "Ghost of Josette Collins", "Rachel Drummond", "Kitty Soames", and "Lady Hampshire", through 304 episodes.
Scott stayed with television roles, she appeared as "Stephanie Marsh" in episodes of Brian Dennehy's, forgotten television show, 1979 to 1981's, "Big Shamus, Little Shamus". She also did voice acting for the animated series "The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang", 1980 through 1981.
Lara Parker portrayed "Angelique Bouchard", "Angelique Stokes Collins", "Alexis Stokes", "Catherine Collins", "Cassandra Collins", "Valerie Collins", "Casandra Blair Collins", "Catherine Harridge", and "Miranda duVal". She appeared in 268 episodes.
Lara Parker started appearing on other television series after this show ended. She was also a "Guest" in the 2012 movie.
Thayer David portrayed "Ben Stokes", "Professor Timothy Stokes", "Count Andreas Petofi", "Matthew Morgan", "Sandor Radoski", "Victor Fenn-Gibbon", "Mordecai Grimes", and "Peter Bradford". He appeared in 224 episodes.
The actor had been "Count Saknussem" in the 1959 classic version of French author Jules Verne's, "Journey to the Center of the Earth", starring James Mason. Pat Boone, and Arlene Dahl. Thayer David portrayed "Dragon" in Clint Eastwood's 1975, "The Eiger Sanction".
Wallace had been writing for television since 1960, starting with the forgotten television series, "Hong Kong", starring Rod Taylor, Lloyd Bochner and Jack Kruschen.
Joan Bennett portrayed "Elizabeth Collins Stoddard".
Mitchell Ryan portrayed "Burke Devlin" for 107 episodes.
Katherine Bruce portrayed "Sandy" for 1 episode
Bob O'Connell portrayed "Bartender Bob Rooney, the Eagle Inn Keeper" for 1 episode.
My name is Victoria Winters. My journey is beginning-------
The character of "Victoria Winters" is a reworking of British authoress Charlotte Bronte's title character, "Jane Eyre". "Victoria" looks upon the position of companion and governess as a means of discovering her past. A past that she believes is somehow connected to Collinwood.
When "Victoria" gets off the train in Collinsport, the audience is reminded of a scene in Irish author Bram Stoker's "Dracula".
Don't go to Collinswood!
Before "Dark Shadows" ended its run, Art Wallace would use plot ideas, among others, from French author Alexander Dumas' "The Count of Monte Christo", American playwright Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible", Edgar Allan Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado" and "The Premature Burial", English playwright Patrick Hamilton's 1938 play "Gas Light", Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's "Frankenstein", American author Henry James' "The Turn of the Screw", American author Richard Condon's, 1959 novel, "The Manchurian Candidate", American author H.P. Lovecraft's "The Dunwich Horror", British short story writer W.F. Harvey's, 1919, "The Beast with Five Fingers", and of course, Bram Stoker's "Dracula" in the character of "Barnabas Collins".
When "Victoria" finally arrives at Collinwood, she is introduced to the matriarch of the family, "Elizabeth Collins Stoddard". Whom "Victoria" finds staring out of the drawing room window and who has never left Collinwood the last 18-years!"Victoria" also meets "Roger Collins", "Elizabeth's" brother, who seems very aloof and disinterested in the arrival of "David's" new governess. However, "Roger" inquires of his sister about why she hired a complete stranger?
The audience now has three mysteries to solve:
1. Who is "Victoria Winters", and why is she so important to "Elizabeth Collins Stoddard"?
2. Why has "Elizabeth Collins Stoddard" remained at Collinwood for 18-years without leaving even to go into the town of Collinsport?
This was according to the "American Broadcasting Company (ABC)" Episode 1245, but as I have previously mentioned, in reality Episode 1225. The final episode of "Dark Shadows" was broadcast originally on April 2, 1971 and was directed by Lela Swift.
The writing credits read:
Dan Curtis, Creator.
Art Wallace, Story.
Sam Hall, Writer. This was Sam Hall's 318th episode as the writer on the show.
The Cast for the Final Episode of "Dark Shadows" was small.
Joan Bennett now portrayed "Flora Collins".
Jonathan Frid now portrayed "Bramwell Collins".
Nancy Barrett portrayed "Melanie Collins Young".
Louis Edmonds portrayed "Brutus Collins".
John Karlen portrayed "Kenrick Young".
Lara Parker portrayed "Catherine Collins".
Thayer David portrayed "Ben Stokes".
Keith Prentice portrayed "Morgan Collins" in the final episode. He had also portrayed "James Forsythe and appeared in a total of 40 episodes.
Collinwood, just before dawn. The most important dawn the Collins family has ever faced. For Morgan, knowing that his wife carries Bramwell's child, has put her in the locked room with him. And, as the rest of the family pray that Bramwell and Catherine may survive the night and that the curse upon them all may come to an end, Morgan goes down the corridor to the room determined that if the spirits in the room have left Catherine and Bramwell alive, he will kill them.
The year is 1841 and "Bramwell Collins" has been looking for a way to end the curse on the family and discover if there really is a vampire? One that placed those two marks on the jugular vein of "Melanie Collins Young". While, "Morgan Collins" wants to have his wife "Catherine" watch him kill her lover and the father of her child, "Bramwell". Both have been placed in "The Locked Room" and when "Morgan" enters, he does not find the two, but the ghosts of past members of the "Collin's" family.
The Ending Voice Over for "DARK SHADOWS":
There was no vampire loose on the great estate. For the first time at Collinwood, the marks on the neck were indeed those of an animal. Melanie soon recovered and went to live in Boston with her beloved Kenrick. There, they prospered and had three children. Bramwell and Catherine were soon married and, at Flora's insistence, stayed on at Collinwood, where Bramwell assumed control of the Collins business interests. There love became a living legend. And, for as long as they lived the dark shadows at Collinwood were put a memory of the distant past.
HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS released on October 28, 1970
The screenplay was co-written by Sam Hall, on August 26, 1969, the Sam Hill and Dan Curtis written made-for-television horror movie "Dead of Night: A Darkness at Blaisedon", was first shown. The feature was directed by Lela Swift. The cast included Thayer David and Louis Edmonds.
The other co-writer was Gordon Russell, who had written 370 episodes of the television series.
Jonathan Frid portrayed "Barnabas Collins".
Joan Bennett portrayed "Elizabeth Collins Stoddard".
Grayson Hall portrayed "Dr. Julia Hoffman".
Kathryn Leigh Scott portrayed "Maggie Evans".
Roger Davis portrayed "Jeff Clark". For 126 episodes of the television series, Davis was either "Jeff Clark", "Peter Bradford", "Charles Delaware Tate", "Dirk Wilkins", or "Ned Stuart".
John Karlen portrayed "Willie Loomis".
Thayer David portrayed "Professor T. Elliot Stokes".
Louis Edmonds portrayed "Roger Collins".
Dennis Patrick portrayed "Sheriff George Patterson". For 65 episodes of the television series, Patrick was either "Jason McGuire", or "Paul Stoddard".
The opening sees "Willie Loomis" looking for treasure in the "Collin's" family mausoleum and finding a chained coffin. He believes it must contain the treasure but instead releases the 175-years-old vampire "Barnabas Collins", who enslaves "Willie" to his will. Next, "Barnabas" encounters and attacks "Daphne Budd", the personal secretary to the family matriarch, "Elizabeth Collins Stoddard". "Daphne" is found by "Jeff Clark" and taken to the resident guest, "Dr. Julia Hoffman". Shortly afterwards, "Cousin Barnabas", from England appears and introduces himself to the family, completing the set-up of what is to follow.
All of the family, with the exception of "Elizabeth's" daughter "Carolyn", are intrigued by their English cousin, but family friend, "Professor T. Eliot Stokes" is somewhat leery of the unknown cousin. "Barnabas" is asked to stay in Collinwood, but insists on living in the old rundown house, which actually was his home 175-years-ago.
"Julia" gives "Barnabas" an injection that makes him rapidly age and in a rage he strangles and kills her. "Maggie Evans" has witnessed this and is bitten by "Barnabas", who vows to return for her as he leaves.
"Jeff" learns of the family history from "Rodger Collins" and "Professor Stokes" and that "Barnabas
wants to make "Maggie" his bride. That night "Barnabas" returns, bites "Maggie", rejuvenates himself, and kidnaps her.
SUSPIRIA released in Italy on February 1, 1977
The motion picture was directed by Dario Argento. Argento's previous feature as a director was 1975's, "Profondo rosso (Deep Red)" starring British actor David Hemmings. He would follow this picture with 1980's, "Inferno", starring American Leigh McCloskey. My article, "Dario Argento and Mario Bava: Two Italian Masters", will be read at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2015/07/dario-argento-and-mario-bava-two.html
Jessica Harper portrayed "Suzy Bannion". Parker, who had the "Christine" role in Brian De Palma's, 1974, "Phantom of the Paradise", had just been in director, writer, and star, Woody Allen's, 1975, "Love and Death". Allen's comedy take-off on Russian author Leo Tolstoy's, "War and Peace" with Harper in 28th billing as "Natasha". Jessica Harper followed this feature with appearances on two American television shows in 1977, "Hawaii Five-O", and the mini-series "Aspen".
At the climax "Suzy" kills "Markos" and the coven perishes without the power of "Helena Markos" to keep them alive.
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