Oh, Louis would have been a hoot in that role!
I agree. Though at least from what's been written, it doesn't seem like he was ever in contention.
One thing that was interesting was that when
'Curse' of Dark Shadows was first announced, there was a bit of misinformation as to who would be in it. An article in 16 magazine, which normally had their facts correct when it came to DS, said:
"...the next MGM full length, color
Dark Shadows movie. It's called
Curse of Dark Shadows (working title) and it stars and features nearly every one of your
DS favorites!
Jonathan Frid: It is highly unlikely that you will see Jonathan in the
Dark Shadows movie. ... he feels that continuing with the "Barnabas Collins" role in
Curse of Dark Shadows will actually stymie him in the quest to resume his
serious acting career.
David Henesy: Acting-wise you can be quite sure you'll be seeing David in regular and guest roles on many top TV shows and its just very possible that he will be doing a featured role in
Curse of Dark Shadows.
David Selby: At press time, David Selby was trying to make the agonizing decision of whether or not to star in a Sam Shepard play at the American Place Theatre in New York City or to accept a starring role in
Curse of Dark Shadows. Both opportunities are equally inviting to David, but since he feels that his future is primarily on the Broadway stage, it's not unlikely that David will ultimately choose to do the Sam Shepard play. However, keep your fingers crossed and wish
real hard--and it may be that he will change his mind and we'll soon be seeing him in the
Dark Shadows movie!
Dark Shadows regulars you'll be seeing and hearing about are: Jim Storm, who is co-starring in the off off-Broadway play
Mad Dog Blue (St. Mark's church Theatre in New York City) and who may be in the movie...Roger Davis, whom you've seen gangs of in such googies as The Movie of The Week
The River Of Gold and in guest roles on other top TV shows, is
almost definitely in the movie...Grayson Hall (whose husband Sam is writing
Curse of Dark Shadows) is a definite for the movie...Christopher Pennock will definitely be in the movie...Lara Parker, will be co-starring in
Curse of Dark Shadows...Mike Stroka, is
almost definitely in the movie...Also look for Joan Bennett, Jerry Lacy, John Karlen, Kathy Cody and a number of other DS regulars in the movie...Denise Nickerson has gotten a powerful head start in a brand new segment of
her acting career--movies and TV starring roles. If you missed her in the Movie of The Week
The Neon Ceiling. keep your eyes peeled for her forthcoming motion picture
Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory...Tom Happer, who was a brief but beautiful
DS regular, is still "at large" and hopes you'll soon be seeing him not only back on the tube, but on the big silver screen too!"
Obviously Joan Bennett, David Henesy, Kathy Cody, and Roger Davis were not in the film (and thank heavens for that when it comes to RD). And given the script, one has to wonder who they might have played - but then, perhaps the script wasn't complete at the time the article was published...
I'd completely forgotten that David Selby was choosing between the play and the movie...
And it's interesting that the article doesn't mention Nancy Barrett or Kate Jackson at all...