So, for the past year, I've been watching my way through every single Dark Shadows episode (crazy, I know!) and the past
-
Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Grayson Hall
ShezCrafti — 15 years ago(June 23, 2010 01:12 PM)
So, for the past year, I've been watching my way through every single Dark Shadows episode (crazy, I know!) and the past 50 or so episodes I've seen have Grayson Hall as Dr. Julia Hoffman in them. I looked her up on IMDB and Wikipeida because I just had to know who this crazy lady is, and was astounded to learn that she was once nominated for an Academy Really?? You would never know it from her performances on Dark Shadows.
She constantly flubs her lines + very noticeably looks at cue cards, speaks in monotone, and seems to only be capable of one facial expression (I call it "the ponderous stare", lol). I was holding out hope that she'd get killed off by Barnabas, but then I learned that Grayson Hall remains in the Dark Shadows cast until the end Hope she improves.
(Seriously loving Dark Shadows, btw!) -
JuliaH-1 — 15 years ago(July 14, 2010 09:49 AM)
Disagree entirely. They ALL at times acted quite badly and eyes went askew looking for the prompter. And if you note the production credits and who was directing you'll see a trend. There was one director who told the actors "more more, bigger -bigger" and when you're a trained stage actorwell it doesn't work on screen and they didn't have the luxury of instant replay then to SEE that it wasn't working.
I challenge you to watch Grayson's Oscar nominated performance (or the two Dark Shadows films) and not walk away impressed. And note when she and the other DS actors were directed by Henry Kaplan for instance, much more subtlty and restraint in their performances. -
belfastbailey — 15 years ago(December 21, 2010 04:06 PM)
Okay, I DO have to concede that point. I am a stage actor for the most part and BIG BIG BIG works for an audience that is not seeing a close up of your face. I was then in a short film and realized that SUBTLE eye movements are much more effective and believable than darting eyes or exaggerated movements. Took me seeing a short clip of myself to saying, "WHAT THE HELL was THAT all about?!" and I realized that I had to make the transition next time in front of the camera. Salient pointand point taken, as I rather "bashed" Grayson in an earlier post. My bad.
-
FilmIsMyReligion — 15 years ago(March 12, 2011 02:42 PM)
I have to throw my 2 cents in: the moment brownish33 refers to with Grayson wailing "ohhh Roger Roger I wish it was roger", shaking her head back and forth is one of my ALL TIME favorite Grayson Hall moments on the show!
To call it bad acting is making a big mistake. I couldn't take my eyes off her every moment she was on the screen! Her line delivery was amazing! Personally, I felt like she was the best actress on a show that had more than a few talented performers. After Dr. Hoffman, my favorite character on the show was Magda (also played my Grayson Hall). -
atkinsonproductions — 13 years ago(May 13, 2012 10:22 AM)
I know what you mean about not being able to take your eyes off her; I was the same way. I was a young kid when this show was on, but I think I had a bit of a crush on her. Her image was iconic in my memories of Dark Shadows (along with Jonathan Frid, of course).
-
four-eyed-scorpion — 15 years ago(November 04, 2010 06:28 AM)
They all flubbed their lines and looked at cue cards BUT no one and I mean NO ONE was as bad as Joan Bennett.
I enjoyed Grayson Hall's character. she was believable and i often empathized/sympathized with her charactb68er. The only person who could really act was John Karlen (Willie) IMNHO
"Pleasedon'ttry2checkmewhenitcomes2MY OPINIONitllbeawasteofurtime&energy Thanks" -
belfastbailey — 15 years ago(December 21, 2010 04:03 PM)
I absolutely agree with your statement that positively the best actor in that troupe was John Karlen. He was simply amazing100% believable and I enjoyed his every performance!!! I have several hundred episodes left to find, but have thoroughly enjoyed the first 490 or whatever it is I have. In fact, they got me through some boring days this past summer during a 7-week layoff! LOL Long live Dark Shadows! Oh, and yes, Grayson was just a bit of "WTF" in my opinion. Her face and demeanor really lent themselves to this role.
-
moosefeathers — 15 years ago(March 16, 2011 02:23 PM)
as a child of 10, watching this show, that woman intriqued me. when i was able to collect all the sets and watch, i was loving every minute of her as she made that character what it was. anyone else playing her would have been killed off as originally intended, i think.
her portrayal of Magda was also excellent.
Not sure what you were expecting from a soap opera that went horror. most of those actors were theater actors. Joan Bennet was not the worst. Frid was the worst but if you watch, he was able to incorporate the forgetfulness and searching for the teleprompter into his character, which made him more unique.
Swing away, Merrill.Merrill, swing away -
Moon_and_New_York_City — 15 years ago(April 06, 2011 05:58 AM)
I thought she was a great actress, perfect for this show - and please don't disparage her Oscar nomination until you've actually seen "The Night of the Iguana"; she more than held her own on the big screen against the likes of Richard Burton and Deborah Kerr, with her memorable portrayal of Miss Fellowes, the repressed lesbian school teacher. I can still hear her saying, "Don't make me take steps, Shannon!"
As for the flubs, these were classically trained theatre actors, used to weeks of rehearsals! For "Dark Shadows", they often got their scripts on the day of filming and because of production costs and union working requirements, ABC would rarely do second takes and the cameras would just keep rolling. In one classic scene, you can even hear the script prompter off-stage, repeating the lines back for one of the show's older actors! It was basically live television.
"the best that you can do is fall in love" -
laleporati — 14 years ago(September 04, 2011 05:59 PM)
You also have to realize that Dark Shadows, like all soap operas at that time, went out live on the air. There was no taping where the actor could re-do a line. Is it any wonder they relied so heavily on the teleprompter and would flub their lines? Frankly, I don't know how actors managed back then. Doing 5 shows a week live with new dialogue every day. They must have all breathed a sign of relief when they started pre-taping soap operas!
-
ContinentalOp — 13 years ago(June 20, 2012 10:43 AM)
''Generally on dark shadows every actor seemed to have difficulty acting hysterical, probably due to lack of retaping, even Karlen was hilarious. Check out his reaction to the Dream Curse.''
HAHA! True! His overacting was shocking in that scene because he is one of the better actors on the show, he is a great actor in fact. He usually is better at acting hysterical, though.
Grayson Hall is the best at acting hystericalOK she is probably the hammiest with her ''NooooooOOOOOAAAAAAHHHHAAHHHOOOOOOOOOOO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!''. But she is also a great actress which is why she was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe.
If you hate Jesus Christ and are 100% proud of it copy this and make it your signature! -
LaPfieffer92 — 13 years ago(January 18, 2013 10:41 AM)
you know thats the thing about talking on imdb, you always come across hateful aholes who have no meaning in life but to made extremly disgusting hateful comments towards believers. wake up and realize the error of your ways jerk!