Not sure why, Joey, but one common thing for many of the DS performers was that they often did other things while on the series, whether it was a play, some more TV work, a film, whatever, so they (or should I say their character) would suddenly be gone somewhere. Undoubtedly, that's what happened to David Ford. Probably doing a commercial for Tide of Marlboro or something. Joan Bennett was the one who was always busy with other projects, hence her frequent and long absences. They were always sticking her in a hospital or institution (like during the Laura and the 1897 storylines), or elsewhere, but don't wanna say that as it would be too much of a spoiler. My favorite was the Parallel Time plot when so many of the performers had to take a leave to do House of Dark Shadows. Seemed that they all had relatives to visit, even the Danverish Hoffman. Wasn't she spending time with her sister? I just can't imagine that.
"Well, sis, whatchya been up to back at that clunky old mansion?"
"Oh, the usual, cleaning, planning menus, bringing my evil mistress back from the dead."
"Nothing new or interesting then?"
"Nope."
"Well, let's play some cribbage. Say, did you hear about Cousin Mathilda? Seems she..."
Gerard
