Great topic, but hard to limit to just five. But here goes: (in no particular order)
1. Louie Edmonds as Roger (hysterical & haughty), Joshua (even more hysterical & more haughty) & Brutus. I know Brutus wasn't a big part of 1841 PT, but Louie made the most of his scenes. I especially love when he's laughing at Bramwell & Catherine when they talk of their plans for the future ("Plans! Plans! Ha-ha-ha-ha!") I had the honor of viewing this scene w/Louie at his NY apartment back in the early 90's & he was delighted he was so wicked in the scene.
2. John Karlen as Carl. Carl was a bafoon, but we loved him anyway didn't we? He made, I'm sure, the majority of viewers laugh w/honest glee at his manic acts.
3. Thayer David as Prof. Stokes. The man couldn't have been funnier if he tried. That scene when Barnabas tells him he wants to go back in time to save Vicki & he scoffs, "What do you think I am Mr. Collins?! Some sort of travel agent in time?" Ooh, or how 'bout when he notices a certain table in Barnabas' drawing room & goes to inspect it. He tells Barn that the maker of it was the "finest cabinet maker in all of New England. Pity he was drunk when he made this!" Classic!
4. Grayson Hall as Julia (no one can beat that ANGST of Julia pining for Barnabas. Also, Grayson was quite an accomplished actor but I'm convinced she deliberately over-acted as Julia, for the amusement of the audience I presume. Whatever, she was, to coin a James Lipton phrase, a DELIGHT to watch. Also enjoyed her as Natalie (she got some of her best lines in 1795) & Magda-she was just so over-the-top as Magda.
5. Nancy Barrett as Pansy, she was just too funny as Pansy, 'nuff said.
Honorable mentions: Frid as both Barnabas (you HAD to feel sorry for him when he'd give that hang-dog look) & Bramwell who was too hot for words. Have never thought Frid was that good looking, but when he played Bramwell he WAS sorta sexy. I credit that to the scripts & the hairdresser.
Also have to mention Joan Bennet, she was pure class in every role & lastly Clarice Blackburn. To go from frumpy, grumpy, HILARIOUS Mrs. Johnson to the frighteningly menacing zealot that was Abigail Collins. True talent.
