DARK SHADOWS FORUMS
General Discussions => Current Talk Archive => Current Talk '25 I => Current Talk '02 I => Topic started by: VAM on March 27, 2002, 04:34:06 PM
-
Soon to enter is Craig Slocum as Noah Gifford. Here is the guy, who won brownie points from Dan Curtis' then wife for the part. Upon his debut, it makes you wish the evil hunk Frorbes proceeded on his own. Oh well, I guess it was time for more comic relief!
-
Soon to enter is Craig Slocum as Noah Gifford. Here is the guy, who won brownie points from Dan Curtis' then wife for the part. Upon his debut, it makes you wish the evil hunk Frorbes proceeded on his own. Oh well, I guess it was time for more comic relief!
All I can say is that in this case, I do wish (no disrespect to the late Mr. Slocum) Mrs. Curtis had kept her opinions to herself. Slocum did bring a sort of seedy realism to Harry Johnson, I suppose, but that's about all I can say for him.
Luciaphil
-
When I first saw these episodes, I was shocked to see Craig Slocum return for another character! He wasn't that good an actor to begin with. "What were they thinking" I was saying to myself at the time.
-
His first episode, I thought "He must be the producer's wife's brother." Turns out, I was close to being right!
-
According to what I read, Craig Slocum was a personal friend of Katherine Leigh Scott's and was called upon at a moment's notice to step into the role when it suddenly dawned on the writers they hadn't cast the part the day before they were scheduled to shoot his first scene! I think he was viewed favorably for stepping in on such short notice and was so grateful for the job they kept him around for awhile.
-
According to what I read, Craig Slocum was a personal friend of Katherine Leigh Scott's and was called upon at a moment's notice to step into the role when it suddenly dawned on the writers they hadn't cast the part the day before they were scheduled to shoot his first scene! I think he was viewed favorably for stepping in on such short notice and was so grateful for the job they kept him around for awhile.
Curious, where did you happen upon this information?
-
Mrs. Curtis did seem to intrude a bit. . Craig Slocum and the other influence will be seen when Vickie returns to 1968. . apparently it was MRS. Curtis who convinced her husband, Danny, that Grayson looked better without the wig. . .
-
According to what I read, Craig Slocum was a personal friend of Katherine Leigh Scott's and was called upon at a moment's notice to step into the role when it suddenly dawned on the writers they hadn't cast the part the day before they were scheduled to shoot his first scene!
According to Dark Shadows Memories by TLATKLS, that was Ed Marshall who took over after Craig Slocum left the show. They had met in Uta Hagen's acting class and she recommended him for the role.
Good shot there Chris! I hear that sometimes the actor's themselves didn't know who was in what role day to day!
[shadow=teal,left,300]Always, Minja[/shadow]
-
I am very much looking forward to the soon arrival of Craig Slocum! He is my favorite actor. I like him best as Harry Johnson. Mr. Slocum was given small roles with very few lines, and not much action. He did a pretty good job considering what he was given to work with. He was not given the opportunity to display his talent. He has done a lot of television roles. A complete list of his acting credits can be found at:
http://members.tripod.com/~MrJuggins/cheryl/credits.htm
Mrs. Curtis is a very smart woman. She must have seen some good acting ability, otherwise she would not have had her husband cast him in Dark Shadows. Chris2, you have mistaken Craig Slocum for Edward Marshall, who played Harry Johnson in one episode.
-
Chris2, you have mistaken Craig Slocum for Edward Marshall, who played Harry Johnson in one episode.
Thanks Craig_Slocum for clearing that matter up.
-
:-*Can you give a list of the small roles Craig Slocum appeared in on Dark Shadows and the episode numbers? ?!? ?!?
-
Craig Slocum played 2 roles on Dark Shadows, Noah Gifford, helper of Nathan Forbes in the 1795 Flashback, and Harry Johnson, son of Mrs. Johnson, the housekeeper at Collinwood, in the Adam storyline 1968. Here's a list of the tapes and episodes he is on. The first 5 listings are Noah Gifford, all the rest are Harry Johnson.
Ep.# Video Volume
439 V. 42 #2
443 V. 43 #1
444 V. 43 #2
455 V. 45 #3
456 V. 45 #4
472 V. 48 #5
542 V. 62 #4
543 V. 62 #5
552 V. 64 #4
578 V. 69 #5
601 V. 74 #3
610 V. 76 #2
612 V. 76 #4
613 V. 76 #5
615 V. 77 #2
631 V. 80 #3
659 V. 85 #4
-
:D I am looking forward to him being on especially since Mrs. Johnson will have a bigger part I hope. Thank you or the information. One other question. Does anyone else play the part of Harry Johnson?
-
:D I am looking forward to him being on especially since Mrs. Johnson will have a bigger part I hope. Thank you or the information. One other question. Does anyone else play the part of Harry Johnson?
If I recall correctly, Ed Marshall played the part for one episode, after which the character was never seen again, with no explaination given for his absence. The role was never really developed, and, unfortunately, the character's introduction did not result in much more screen time for Mrs. Johnson
-
Mike, Thank you for much for letting me know about the strange disappearance of Harry Johnson. I bet there is a story behind this mystery. I hate it when a character disappears and is never mentioned again. Does anyone have any educated guesses why this came to be? I am also thankful to know so I will not get my hopes up too high about seeing more of Mrs. Johnson. :-[ :-/
-
The last I heard Harry Johnson and Adam joined a caravan and went from town to town selling snake oil remedys. They now currently reside with Jim Morrison somewhere deep in the Ozark Mountains.
Seriously I thought Noah was a very cool looking pirate. It was unfortunate that he was Nathan's patsy, because if the two of them appeared on celebrity boxing, my bet would be on Noah.
-
Curious, where did you happen upon this information?
KLS's book "My Scrapbook Memories of Dark Shadows."
-
Hi Cheryl, I liked the character of Harry Johnson too. :) I also enjoyed him as Noah Gifford as well. I felt he could have done so much more with the character had he been given a chance. I felt that his character was alot like Willie's. The both of them were used as pawns by others. Willie was used by Jason & then Barnabas, and Harry, by Nickolas Blair to do his evil bidding. Even as Noah, he still got the short end of the stick and was used as a pawn by Forbes to get what he wanted. >:( The actor that replaced him for one episode, never did do him justice. I always enjoyed viewing all your websites on Craig and feel it's such a shame that he had to pass away at such a young age.
-
So many of the Dark Shadows actors got to be very dramatic and have romantic scenes which kind've established them as the top characters. Craig Slocum wasn't given a chance to reach his full potential. I have seen him in other roles, including romantic scenes, and I thought he was great. The Dark Shadows writers could have done a lot more with the character of Harry Johnson. There were some good opportunities for some dramatic scenes, there might have also been good stuff for him and Mrs. Johnson. It would have been nice to know more about her too. The Adam storyline wasn't about them, but still they could have done lots with those characters, given Harry Johnson more to do, and especially a love interest, if only they had let Carolyn and Harry have a real romance. It's too bad that Craig wasn't there that one day when Edward Marshall took over the role. It would have been fun if Harry had met up with Quentin's ghost! Carol, I'm glad you enjoyed my Craig Slocum Website, http://members.tripod.com/~MrJuggins/cheryl/slocum.htm
Craig may be gone, but he is not forgotten. He did also have a fanclub when he was on Dark Shadows. I wish more people would get enthusiastic about him. Yes, it is such a shame that Mr. Slocum passed away at such a young age from diabetes. How unfortunate that he was stricken with this disease. He lives on in my heart, and I adore him.
-
(snip)Thank you for much for letting me know about the strange disappearance of Harry Johnson. I bet there is a story behind this mystery. I hate it when a character disappears and is never mentioned again. Does anyone have any educated guesses why this came to be? I am also thankful to know so I will not get my hopes up too high about seeing more of Mrs. Johnson. :-[ :-/
There are one or two scenes between the wonderful Mrs. Johnson (who I adore) and her son that are definitely worth watching. Kind of gives you a new slant on what Mrs. J's home life pre-Bill Malloy was all about.
If I had to guess as to why Harry disappeared, I would venture two theories:
Cheryl wrote: The Dark Shadows writers could have done a lot more with the character of Harry Johnson. There were some good opportunities for some dramatic scenes, there might have also been good stuff for him and Mrs. Johnson. It would have been nice to know more about her too. The Adam storyline wasn't about them, but still they could have done lots with those characters, given Harry Johnson more to do, and especially a love interest, if only they had let Carolyn and Harry have a real romance.
1. I have to disagree here. Other than pursuing a Johnson family story (which would have been fine by me; I always wondered about the Johnson children, including the nameless married daughter), but there was really no where to go with the character. Harry is pretty much a small time, seedy, unappealing sort. Only way to give him a plausible and reciprocal love interest would probably have to involve the ending of mankind as we know it. :) Carolyn, as written, liked bad boys, but Harry . . . um, no. Would never, ever have happened.
And not much else to do with ol Harry. I mean, he's not an ill-conceived character, but this is the type of guy who steals change from a blind person in an empty room and then manages to get caught 8) Loser with a capital "L". Jason and Willie for all of their numerous faults managed to give off an air of competency.
2. Dan finally realized that his wife was no judge of acting prowess. Maybe Slocum did well in his other roles, I really am no judge of that, but I never thought he was all that great shakes an actor based on what he did on DS.
Luciaphil
-
I agree there are some pretty good scenes with Mrs. Johnson and Harry, also with Adam, Carolyn, and Nicholas Blair. As to why Harry disappeared, I was told by a most reliable source that it was because the Adam Story was coming to a close. Adam himself just disappeared too as I recall. So my theory is that Mr. Slocum left to do something on his own. He was on Broadway too, and went back and forth from the east and west coasts, also did a tour. He started acting when he was 17 years old, and passed away at 38. He did a lot in that 21 year period. On Dark Shadows, wasn't "Mrs. Johnson's daughter", only mentioned once by Mrs. Johnson, very early on in the series? I have thought this was another one of the writers blunders and they forgot what was said, so it turned out instead Mrs. Johnson had a son. As I recall also in the show, the character of Dr. Hoffman was to have been a man. Harry Johnson did not know who he was dealing with, the Collins family notorious for supernatural goings on, Nicholas Blair a warlock, and don't forget Monster Man Adam, there was also a witch, vampire, and ghosts on the premise besides that. Not exactly a good place for even a good con man to single out his victims. Harry had all odds against him. This group would be a challenge for anyone! We all have different opinions about the actors on Dark Shadows, and we all have our fave. Craig Slocum is mine!
-
On Dark Shadows, wasn't "Mrs. Johnson's daughter", only mentioned once by Mrs. Johnson, very early on in the series? I have thought this was another one of the writers blunders and they forgot what was said, so it turned out instead Mrs. Johnson had a son.
The daughter was mentioned more than once and we learn that she is married. No reason why Mrs. Johnson could not have had two children.
Luciaphil
-
Craig was great as Noah, at least THAT character served a purpose. [spoiler]Noah was hired by Nathan to kidnap and kill Daniel. Noah posed a serious threat to the survival of many Collins generations to come. Fortunately Vicki put an end to that threat with one quick bullet. lol[/spoiler]
But Harry.......other than being a what, ninth, tenth wheel in the whole Adam storyline, he really wasn't very important in the scheme of things.