DARK SHADOWS FORUMS
General Discussions => Current Talk Archive => Current Talk '24 I => Current Talk '04 I => Topic started by: Patti Feinberg on February 06, 2004, 11:59:41 PM
-
Does anyone know anything substantial about Thayer David?
I did a google, and the best I could come up with was:
http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hc&id=1800061043&cf=biog&intl=us
which isn't very good (BUT...SCROLL DOWN!!)
So, if anyone is in the know about our beloved Prof. Stokes, please tell me/us.
Thanks,
Patti
-
What do you want to know?
Born in Medford (a suburb of Boston)--real name was David Thayer Hersey--family made money in paper mill biz.
Went to Harvard and helped found Brattle Theatre. Was in the same circle as poet Frank O'Hara and artist Edward Gorey in the late 1940s. Did lots and lots of theatre, including Shakespeare and classical roles.
Had lots of character roles in films, but also had big career doing voiceovers for radio commercials in the Sixties.
Married film actress Valerie French. The marriage didn't last, but apparrently their friendship did.
Alex Moltke Isles mentions that he carried a torch for her while they were working on Shadows together. Presumably, his warmth helped her endure some of the difficult scenes they had together in his first storyline. Jonathan Frid mentioned that even though Thayer was basically the same age as himself and Louis, he was very avuncular and caring of all of them. Grayson knew Thayer professionally before Shadows, and she was a friend of his wife's. KLS enjoyed Thayer's company a lot. There's a wonderful series of photos of Thayer and her out antiquing taken by Ben Martin during the Sixties, in the original "My Scrapbook Memories of DS"--I wish those photos had been retained in the revision.
Some of his post Shadows work is really worth checking out. My favorite is his version of Nero Wolfe. When will it be released on any format???
Steve
-
Thayer David bio, DS Journal Online (http://www.collinwood.net/cast/david.htm)
Thayer David bio, Dark Shadows Online (http://www.darkshadowsonline.com/where-david.html)
Patti wrote:(BUT...SCROLL DOWN!!)
???
-
Broadway credits: http://www.ibdb.com/person.asp?ID=37392 (http://www.ibdb.com/person.asp?ID=37392)
Article about the Brattle theatre: http://www.brattlefilm.org/first100.html (http://www.brattlefilm.org/first100.html)
Not much, but something anyhow.
He's probably in some of the reference books, Patti. I can do a looksy on Monday if you want (or perhaps one of the other librarians here can oblige 8) )
Anything in particular you want to know?
-
Hi, while we're on the subject, how does one go about finding out what others have written about Thayer, let's say, in their autobiographies for example? I haven't a clue of how to go about it.
Thanks,
dom
-
Hi, while we're on the subject, how does one go about finding out what others have written about Thayer, let's say, in their autobiographies for example? I haven't a clue of how to go about it.
Do you have specific autobiographies in mind? If not, if you have a list of his credits, look and see who he worked with and then take a stab at finding material by or even about those people (directors, actors, etc.). Biographies are sometimes better because they tend to be a lot more objective and if the author was any good, they checked up on the facts.
If you do, then indexes will help. If there are no indexes and sometimes there aren't, then short of reading the whole book, I'd skim through (e.g. he worked with such and such during a specific period of time, so find that section of the book first).
I think you'd be best off starting with reference sources, then going to the periodical and I&A indexes and databases, and books, etc. Anyone doing serious research is going to be spending quality time with the microfilm readers though :P
-
I believe Thayer did the voice of the comic book character "The Kingpin" on a "Spiderman" rock and roll album released around 1972 as well. I have it and it's pretty funny...
:)
John
-
Thanks for the tips Luciaphil! :-*
dom
-
Thanks everyone (especially Midnite :-* ).
Has anyone ever heard anything that either M. Stroka or T. David said about acting with one another?
Any articles, etc (no gossip please).
Maybe someone heard something at a 'Fest'?
Thanks
Patti
-
I remember an interview with David Selby from a few years ago -- it was done for a website or something.
In it he talks a bit about Thayer, and working with him in the mini-series Washington Behind Closed Doors.
I went and found the link:
http://www.dagonbytes.com/film/shadows/selby.htm
(That's the extent of MY research for the month) lol
And for those interested parties who haven't seen it.....
(Hi Gothick!! [wave] .....Hi Julia99.....)
David also talks a little about Grayson. [hello]
-CLC
-
Never read this one before...That was a awesome interview. thank you Connie for posting the link. David Selby really talked alot about the daily going-ons and the behind the scenes of DS. i noticed "ed" the DS expert (which he did know alot about DS), did not correct Dagon when he said John Karlen was a doctor in NODS. and david Selby agreed with him. from what i remember, is that john Karlen & Nancy Barrett were both husband & wife mystery writers in NODS. correct me if iam wrong about this?
-
from what i remember, is that john Karlen & Nancy Barrett were both husband & wife mystery writers in NODS. correct me if iam wrong about this?
Robert, I remember too that he was an author. And part of a "popular husband and wife novelist team" according to the teletype.
-
Never read this one before...That was a awesome interview. thank you Connie for posting the link.
Yer welcome. ;)
;D
-
:)Thank you for posting that interview, Connie... it was great!
8)I sure wish Thayer David was here... my favorite interview with him is the "Ron Barry" one. It's so nice to hear his voice on that one! You get to hear him talk as an actor about the roles he and the DS people created. I hope you have that CD.
;DI was lucky enough to meet Michael Stroka. He was a wonderful man... he seemed surprised that DS had such a lasting effect on so many people. He was grateful and unassuming.
"We shall never forget any of them."
-
I sure wish Thayer David was here... my favorite interview with him is the "Ron Barry" one. It's so nice to hear his voice on that one! You get to hear him talk as an actor about the roles he and the DS people created. I hope you have that CD.
Which CD is that on? I would love to hear the interview. I don't have any DS CDs -- are there other Ron Barry interviews on them?? I've only heard the Selby phone interview and I love it. (Wow - big surprise, huh!)
;D
-
Hi Connie, thanks for this link! It was fun to read David's words about Grayson, Thayer, and of course, Johnny!
I do wish they would get someone to correct all the typos on that site, but you can't have it all, can you?
As I recall it, there's a slightly truncated version of the 1968 Ron Barry interview with Jonathan, Grayson, Humbert, Don Briscoe, Robert Rodan, and the unflappable Roger Davis (urghhh), on the Varese Sarabande reissue of the original Dark Shadows soundtrack album (the one from 1969). They had a lot of room on that CD because the original LP was so short.
Unfortunately, the Thayer David Ron Barry interview has yet to be issued on CD, but a fan was kind enough to send me a tape of it, and I think Bobubas sells it, too.
Best, G.
-
Unfortunately, the Thayer David Ron Barry interview has yet to be issued on CD, but a fan was kind enough to send me a tape of it, and I think Bobubas sells it, too.
I do indeed have several of the Ron Barry Interviews on a two disc CD set. The set includes: All four of Jonathan Frids appearances, (his 3rd appearance included Grayson Hall, Humbert Allen Astredo, Roger Davis, Don Briscoe, and Robert Rodan. Two phone interviews with Thayer David. Also included are a few trailers promoting Frids upcoming appearances on the show, as well as 11 different radio commercials for the theatrical films, House and Night of Dark Shadows.
http://bobubas.topcities.com/index.htm
Click on COLLECTABLES button and then click the CD&Book button for information. :) I currently have only 4 sets available for sale. If you wish to reserve a copy please e-mail me at; Bobubas@aol.com and in the subject line type RON BARRY INTERVIEWS to do so. As a bonus to those who order I will include a copy of this rare photo below that was taken at Grayson's apt. on that morning in 1968 that the cast drove up to Easton,PA to appear on Mr. Barry's show. :)
(http://members.aol.com/bobubas/grayapt.jpg)
-
;) Two Things
1.) I bought that CD from Bobubas a few years ago and my wife and I love them. Roger Davis hasn't changed in 30 years. He still tries to answer every question no matter who its asked to. Quite an artifact, and great to hear the cast relaxed with their real sense of humor.
2.) Along Thayer lines, I am curious if anyone knows where he was laid to rest. I'm also curious to know the same information about Grayson, Joel Crothers and any other cast member's gravesites anyone has visited. I made a point of visiting Bela Lugosi's and Dwight Frye's when Diane and I went to DS in Los Angeles. Its nice to be able to pay your respects to your favorites.
-
http://www.findagrave.com (http://www.findagrave.com)
No idea if any of them are listed, but it's a cool site.
-
No idea if any of them are listed, but it's a cool site.
An entry for Grayson can be found there under the "nonfamous" names. Her burial site is not included, however.
Bette
-
who's Ron Barry?
Bob...did you record these?? No, that sounds weird (even for me ::) )....without sounding creepy, where did you obtain them?
They sound great....
Patti
-
as well as 11 different radio commercials for the theatrical films, House and Night of Dark Shadows.
Most of these have to be heard to be believed because they're THAT bizarre!! [lghy]
-
who's Ron Barry?
Bob...did you record these?? No, that sounds weird (even for me ::) )....without sounding creepy, where did you obtain them?
Ron Barry was a disc jockey for W.E.S.T radio in Easton,PA. While home sick one day he happened across an episode of DS, and like the rest of us, fell in love with the show. He made several trips down to the NYC studio to watch tapings, and made friends with several members of the cast.
Over the past 13+ years I compiled the interviews from private collectors, auctions, and collectable dealers.
MB, you are so right, the radio spots are a real hoot. :)
-
No idea if any of them are listed, but it's a cool site.
Luciaphil, while I love Findagrave and have haunted it (all puns intended ;) ) for hours at a time, Thayer and Grayson's info just ain't there :-[ I should have mentioned that when I asked. So, any of you other loyal, nut case fans like myself know? I once heard Grayson was in NY. I know Joan Bennett is in Lyme CT, just not sure where.
Cyrus aka Michael
-
I believe, GH's family wants the location kept private, but IIRC, it is in NYS somewhere. Not that that helps :P
Bennett's in Pleasant View Cemetery in Lyme, CT.
-
I believe Thayer did the voice of the comic book character "The Kingpin" on a "Spiderman" rock and roll album released around 1972 as well. I have it and it's pretty funny...
For years I took it for granted that Grayson Hall was on that Disney Haunted House album. I was shocked to learn that she was not. I'm 99.99999999999999999999999999% certain that Thayer David played the Kingpin on the Spiderman Rockomic album, but it was uncredited. Does anyone have absolute confirmation that he was indeed on it? Was his role referred to in any interviews or publicity for the record, etc?