I view the special effects missteps in two ways. First, I appreciate that, for the most part, they were ambitious and cutting edge for a daytime serial of that era. When they succeeded, it was magic. Perhaps the reason they look so primitive and tacky today is because of how far the state-of-the-art has progressed since then -- but in many instances, DS was the first to attempt it, and perhaps the show that inspired latter generations to develop and refine its technique. I'm reminded of a PBS documentary about silent film star Buster Keaton, which explored how he was the first to attempt effects that are considered old hat today. But he was the first! I'm always fascinated to explore early, raw genius, without all the refinement.
Second, as a forgiving fan, I strongly feel that these instances of imperfection contribute to the charm of the show. I'm not sure how high the level of enduring affection would be for DS, had the effects and the actors' delivery always achieved perfection.
Gerard, I still had a B&W set in the '60s (and most of the '70s), so some effects that might have appeared more obviously tacky in color were lost on me.
It's my understanding that DS was not a low budget show in every respect. I seem to recall hearing that much money was in fact spent on special effects and costumes, so that in many instances (with obvious exceptions), the special effects weren't cheap as much as primitive. Can someone clarify?
Yes, Robin V, that shadow stretched believability. I howl at how its "victims" were so afraid of it, resisting the temptation to yell at my TV set, "Why are you screaming at a cardboard shadow?"
That shot of Nicholas and Cassandra wasn't the best, but it certainly beat the scene from 1897 when Laura, Tim, and Nora are fleeing the fire at Worthington Hall. I think the crew must have set a cardboard house on fire and made the actors run past it. Perhaps the house was supposed to be in the distance, and that's why it was out of proportion. ProfStokes
Very funny, ProfStokes! In addition, I chuckle at how (if I recall correctly) the next scene was back at Collinwood -- several miles away from Worthington Hall -- yet the actors were trying so nonchalantly to ignore all the smoke that had wafted into the foyer and drawing room sets.
Ben