Author Topic: The Mysterious Victoria Winters: Betsy Durkin (Read 5684 times)

VictoriaWintersFan · « **on:** April 13, 2004, 09:07:14 PM »

(May contain spoilers)

I am currently watching disk #2 of Set #11 and have just watched the last episode of Alexandra Moltke (very sad to see her go) and have seen the new "Vicki". She isnt a horrible actresss, but she just isnt Victoria Winters.

Does anyone know who Betsy Durkin is, as in previous roles? I know she only lasted on the show for 10 episodes, but why was she chosen for Victoria? Also doesn anyone know why they didnt just write Victoria off instead of try to recast the role. It would have been better to see Victoria leave with Alexandra (though I have yet to see the final appearence of Victoria as I have not seen any of these episodes after)

Shane

Cassandra Blair · « **Reply #1 on:** April 14, 2004, 04:46:44 PM »

You know, I was just watching some of Betsy Durkin's eps on video the other night. I thought the same thing - she isn't really a bad actress, it's just impossible to accept her in the role of Vicki, after we've gotten so used to Alex Moltke in the role.

Unfortunately, I don't know anything about Durkin, or how she was selected. She's a pretty girl though, and I think she bore as much of a resemblance to Joan Bennett as did Alexandra Moltke (though in a different way).

The only thing I've ever been able to find out about Betsy Durkin was that when she was hired as Victoria, she already had some experience on stage. It's also possible that she worked as a choreographer. Dark Shadows appears to be her only on-screen credit.

Stuart · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2004, 02:03:51 AM »

She was a singer as well - there were a couple of records with her vocals on issued about the same time as her DS stuff.

Gerard · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2004, 01:02:51 PM »

I'll betcha the only reason why Betsy Durkin got the part was because her father probably owned the building which housed the ABC DS studio.

"But Mr. Dirkin, we already offered it to a girl named Raquel Welch. She's done some fine work already and..."

"I don't care, Mr. Curtis. Either my daughter gets the part or tomorrow you'll find yourself filming your little show in front of Ohrbachs. Betsy, sweetheart, come in here!"

"Yes, Daddy."

"You got the part! Right, Mr. Curtis? Isn't the wonderful, honey!"

"Yes, Daddy."

"Betsy, darling, don't slouch."

"Yes, Daddy."

Gerard

Raineypark · « **Reply #4 on:** April 15, 2004, 02:24:58 PM »

You're wicked, Gerard.

Gerard · « **Reply #5 on:** April 15, 2004, 06:10:14 PM »

Quote from: Raineypark on April 15, 2004, 02:24:58 PM

You're wicked, Gerard.

Yes, Dadd.... I mean, yes I am, ain't I!

Gerard

Joeytrom · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2004, 02:53:50 PM »

Alexandra Moltke left kind of quickly as Dan Curtis released her from her contract. They didn't have enough time to have AM do a farewell episode and the character was too established to have someone just state that "Vicky left me a not stating she has left Collinsport for good".

Jacklyn Smith was a possibility to be the new Vicky but she refused the role.

VictoriaWintersRox · « **Reply #7 on:** April 17, 2004, 06:42:31 PM »

ROTFLMAO, Gerard!

I have to say I greatly dislike Betsy Durkin in the role. I don't know if she was just miscast (since I haven't seen her do anything else) or if she was just a bad actress. She just didn't seem like Victoria to me. Carolyn Groves was a much better fit, IMO.

Josette · « **Reply #8 on:** April 17, 2004, 09:43:36 PM »

I think Betsy was too energetic. Vicki seemed more passive. Even when she was investigating something and really getting into it (especially during the earlier parts of the show), she still seemed quiet and gentle. Betsy's version was too "gung ho."

scout75 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 19, 2004, 04:03:47 PM »

I still think Betsy Durkin looks like Monica Lewinsky.

I'm assuming she's the one that Alexandra Moltke met in recent years, as stated in one of the DS DVD interviews.

Gerard · « **Reply #10 on:** April 20, 2004, 11:52:31 AM »

I think most everyone of us who were kids back in the sixties had one babysitter who was just like Betsy - you know, that combination Gidget-The Rock look and personality. In their own way they were pretty, but for some reason you never were snotty around them, unless you wanted to spend the duration of your time under their care folded up into a box and set in a corner.

Gerard

Cassandra Blair · « **Reply #11 on:** April 20, 2004, 03:10:46 PM »

Too right Gerard! My version of Betsy was my cousin Charlene, who, when she babysat, played the best games with us, but would brook NO nonsense.

Wonder if David and Amy were similarly intimidated by the "new" Ms. Winters?

jennifer · « **Reply #12 on:** April 20, 2004, 03:22:14 PM »

my problem with The Icky Vicki was her voice. She just did not fit in with the rest
of the cast.

jennifer

Gerard · « **Reply #13 on:** April 20, 2004, 10:26:23 PM »

Quote from: Cassandra Blair on April 20, 2004, 03:10:46 PM

Wonder if David and Amy were similarly intimidated by the "new" Ms. Winters?

I'll betcha, Cassandra, that if the Newmisswinters had somehow survived, David would not've dared locked her up in some forgotten, secret room for days on end. I'm sure after awhile, the rambunctious lad would've been pleading with Roger: "Please, father! Send me to boarding school! Make it Switzerland! Anywhere! And you don't even have to bring me home for Thanksgiving, Christmas or even summer vacation!" As for Quentin's ghost menacing the governess, well, that haunting would not have lasted very long.

Gerard

Cassandra Blair · « **Reply #14 on:** April 20, 2004, 10:44:44 PM »

Gerard, you are too much!

Poor David, he had enough to deal with before that iron butterfly The New Miss Winters came to stay!

And the mental picture you've conjured of of Betsy Durkin 'going off' on Quentin's ghost is amusing me no end! He wouldn't have stood a chance against her.

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