Mont HoDS #225

[Patti Feinberg]

Today's CE/A Mont; HoDS #225: "Jeff...." Is this Jerry Lacy? Does he play Jeff? I *thought* Roger Davis was in it, but, of course, this could be a famous case of FDSMS (let's see how many of our newer cousins know what this is!!)

Patti

[Gothick]

Patti, you must mean "false Dark Shadows memory syndrome."  There are still some scenes I'm convinced I saw that just aren't there.

The screen capture that is displaying for me from house of Dark Shadows is captioned with a quote of dialogue from Jeff Clark, who was indeed portrayed by Roger Davis.  However, onscreen is a character portrayed by Paul Michael, also known to fans of the original series as KING Johnny of the gypsies.  As in "Magda, you lyingk geeeep-seeee!"  I forget if the character has a name.  In the scene, he's giving Jeff a message from Roger & Prof. Stokes, and Jeff, who's just woken up from a nap, is asking when Paul Michael's character saw Roger & Stokes.

Best,  Steve

[Cousin_Barnabas]

This man always bothered me.  For a long time, I thought he was the Innkeeper and that Jeff was at the Collinsport Inn.  But then I got the script and it simply called him "Old Man." 

I always had a sneaking suspicion that he was under the control of Barnabas and that he was setting Jeff up...  It's one of those weird DS movie mysteries.  The character definitely raises more questions than answers. 

[Gothick]

I agree, Cousin.  I think we're meant to take it that Stokes and Roger did give the man the message in good faith and he just took his time delivering it, but one does wonder...

G.

[Gothick]

At least it was a nice excuse to have Paul Michael do a cameo in the movie. 

G.

[Nicky]

There's something quite sinister about that character.  I just rewatched HoDS the other night, and was struck during that scene by how cagey Jeff looks as he covers his lap with his coat just after the Old Man wakes him up. 

[Uncle Roger]

Never gave this character much thought before but it certainly raises some interesting questions. Could make for some interesting fan fiction

[DarkLady]

I've wondered occasionally whether P.M. had a bigger role originally but it ended up on the cutting-room floor. He didn't really get enough screen time for me to form an impression one way or another.

I've also always wondered where the writer/s came up with the name St. Eustace Island.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Scene #225 is the only scene in the script to feature the Old Man, and it plays out in the movie closely to the way it appears in the script, with a few variations here and there:

225  INT: DRAWING ROOM - COLLINWOOD - NIGHT

     CLOSE SHOT of Jeff lying on the sofa, sleeping fitfully.
     After a moment he opens his eyes and something he sees
     causes him to sit up with a start.  There is an OLD
     MAN dressed in seaman's garb standing over him.

                          JEFF
               Who are you! What're you
               doing here!

                          OLD MAN
               I rang the bell outside, but
               no one answered, so I just came
               in. I got to find Sheriff
               Patterson.

                         JEFF
               What for?

     The man takes a folded piece of paper from his pocket.

                         OLD MAN
               Mr. Roger Collins and another
               gentleman told me to give him
               this.

      Jeff takes the paper from him.

                         JEFF
                Let me see that.

      He opens the note, reads it. He stops reading and looks at
      the old man.

               They've gone to St. Eustace Island?
               When did they give you this?

                         OLD MAN
               About five-thirty.

                         JEFF
               What time is it now?

                         OLD MAN
               Close to seven o'clock --

                         JEFF
                    (angry)
               Why did you wait until now to --
               oh, never mind. You got another
               boat?

                         OLD MAN
               Sure.

      He watches as Jeff grabs his jacket and makes sure he has
      the pistol and silver bullets.

[DarkLady]

Awesome! Thanks, MB!

[Patti Feinberg]

Two things: Gothick, of course you're going to know FDSMS, but you got one word slightly off (at least by how we used to play).
I really can't remember the scene MB & other's mention; I haven't seen HoDS in quite a few years; I own it on VHS...but, I have the whole series of DS (via ScyFy) on VHS too.

Is Jerry Lacy in HoDS?

Thanks!

Patti

[Uncle Roger]

Yes, he is the minister at Carolyn's funeral.

[Gothick]

Humbert Allen Astredo also appears, as a doctor attending Maggie.  I'd completely forgotten about his role in the movie until a few years ago when he popped up in one of MB's captures!

G.