That's fascinating about Suicide Notations.  I wonder if that videotape still exists.  And I wonder if director J. S. Hall was identical to actor James Hall.  Taylor Mead, Ronald Tavel, and legendary Jackie Curtis were all part of Andy Warhol's circle.  Grayson acted in two plays by Ronald Tavel.

I did think there was something very "different" about James Hall when I finally got to see his episodes at some point in the 1990s... and that's very much born out by your notes and research. Again, thanks!

G.

Wow, Midnite.  This is awesome!  One of the fascinating aspects for me is that I read references to Grayson studying with Uta Hagen back in the early 1950s, I guess--and if I remember correctly, Grayson (then billed as Shirley Grayson) was Uta's understudy in the critically acclaimed play THE MAGIC AND THE LOSS, around '54 or thereabouts. Uta Hagen didn't do too many films, so far as I am aware.  She made a huge impression on me when she appeared on one of the talk shows (Mike Douglas, I think?) to promote that Tom Tryon film, THE OTHER.

Wonderful write-up! 

Thanks again,

G.

That's one of my favorite Thayer scenes from his non-Shadows work.

G.

Hilarious.  Craig Slocum always seemed to be in a completely different show from everyone else.

G.

Fans,

Tonight's holiday viewing was Universal's HOUSE OF DRACULA (1945), in my opinion the best of the three serious "monster house" films from the period.  Again, a major plot point in DS was borrowed for this film--in fact, offhand I can think of at least two major plot points from this story that turned up in our show.

I find myself surprised to say that I'd still rate ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN higher than this HOUSE OF DRACULA, considering the series as a whole--my inner fanboy just can't stop bouncing up and down in my seat at the thrill of finally seeing Bela Lugosi play Dracula again.

Patti might be interested to know that A&C MEET FRANKENSTEIN includes a climactic battle between Dracula and the Wolfman.  Maybe that's where Ms. Twilight got the idea of vampires and werewolves being mortal enemies.

G.

An interesting switch on anything else I've ever seen is offered in RETURN OF THE VAMPIRE in that the werewolf only shifts shape when he's under the vampire's control.  It was a psycho-physiological result of the young man, Andreas, being "infected" by the vampire's evil.  I thought that was an interesting take on lycanthropy.  It would be interesting to know just who came up with that idea.  I don't recall it occurring in any other film or TV show.

G.

How cool that Buzz got some screentime again!

If ya feel it, SIT IT!

G.

You know you're an obsessed fan of a certain actress when the question that goes through your mind reading the above remains:  "Is Pierson FINALLY going to release Grayson Hall's Playtex commercial on the new DVD??"

G.