So... why'd they kick James Hall?

[GooberCollins]

Okay, I got my Collection 6 a few days ago and have all but the last disc to watch, which will complete my DS viewing and bring me full circle with the show. Anyway, I searched on the boards for this to make sure it hadn't been posted already, and I couldn't find anything, so, why exactly did they recast Willie? Oh, I'm not saying that James Hall was better than, or even as good as, John Karlen, but what exactly was the problem with him? Sorry if this has been posted already. 

[Midnite]

Here are a couple of the topics that address this:

James Hall & John Karlen

James Hall (the 1st Willie Loomis)

[Nelson Collins]

I don't know (or don't remember) myself, but speaking for myself, when I first "met" James Hall, he seemed much more in the James Dean Rebel without a Cause model, minus the angst and plus a lot of sociopathy.  His performance was twitchy and genuinely frightening.  I was really creeped out by it.  He was an excellent actor and [spoiler]I totally believed that his Willie (no pun intended) would have raped Carolyn or Vicki if he'd had half a chance and I totally get that Carolyn would feel threatened enough to pull a gun on him.[/spoiler]

I suspect because the character as played by Hall was so unsympathetic, that TPTB felt it he had already taken the role too far in that direction that he couldn't believably be pulled back enough to act as Barnabas' servant.

I, too, would be eager to know a more official reason why he was recast.

[Midnite]

I, too, would be eager to know a more official reason why he was recast.

KLS' explanation (see Reply #2  ) is the only one I can offer you, sorry.

[GooberCollins]

Thanks, Midnite. I guess I overlooked those on the search.

Anyway, the alcohol problem explanation makes sense, seeing as how that was the reason for Mitchell Ryan's replacement with Anthony George.

[Nelson Collins]

Thanks midnite.  I completely overlooked your earlier post.  Apologies.

It's interesting to see my comments in one of those earlier threads.  Almost exactly the same as the ones I made above!

 

[David]

Does anyone seriously think that James Hall played Willie with even the slightest conviction?
Other DS actors may have flubbed lines, but at least they obviously "felt" and "knew" their characters, and had a strong screen presence.

Hall's Willie was like watching a high school production of
Blackboard Jungle!

David

[Nelson Collins]

Well, I've only seen Hall's take on Loomis once, but I didn't like Hall's interpretation at all.  Whatever the actor's abilities, His Willie was unlikeable and unsympathetic and IMO would not have been able to capture a tenth of the pathos and empathy that Karlen brought to the role. 

It may indeed have been a drinking problem that got Hall fired, but as far as I (the viewer) am concerned, it really had more to do with the production staff realizing they had simply made a mistake and cast an actor totally wrong for what they wanted from the part.

[GooberCollins]

I agree that Hall's not even half the actor John Karlen is; I just wondered about it, because I did think that Hall was at least competent.

[IluvBarnabas]

James Hall was great as the sleazeball....you got to give the guy that much. Do I see him believable as the broken-spirited, forced-against-his-will servant of Barnabas....no. Don't ask me why but I just can't see Hall as a convincing, remorseful Willie. Even to this day, I can't put my finger on it.

[B.Collins]

i heard somewhere no i don't know where i had i think read it? heard in an interview? i forget.well i hadn't heard anything about him drinking too much. "Mitch Ryan" yes that's why he got fired. too bad though he's a damn fine actor. who could have been good for the show much LONGER than his character was on the show afterword. anyways, the reason i heard about james hall leaving was cuz he had trouble reading the monitor. & that's why they said david ford left. he had trouble reading it which is why the made him blind & why his ghost has the glasses on too. so he could read the monitor. i think they said Karlen had trouble with it at some point to. buut i forget it i heard that. soo bear with me on that one i could be wrong. yes he wasn't that GREAT of an actor buut he was no Johnny Karlen. who is i agree a by far MUCH better choice. but the actors do like a tad alike if ya have noticed. well at least back than anyways, i don't think they would NOW cause Karlen is the size of a house now. hehe

[Midnite]

i don't think they would NOW cause Karlen is the size of a house now. hehe

I have to disagree.  He had slimmed down some when he attended this year's Fest.  I thought he looked fantastic.

[B.Collins]

really? he finally lost weight? well good for him. maybe since he's what 75 his doctor told him he has to slim down, & it may affect his heart. & no i don't wish no ill will towards him. if he just wanted to lose weight that's a better thought i think. wouldn't you say? buut good for him  though. you have any pics?

[Midnite]

you have any pics?

Here's one of Borgosi's attached photos:

John Karlen & Roger Davis

More were posted after the July Fest that you can find with a simple search.