Dear Cassandra,

Don Briscoe's character, Donald, is the best friend (and former, uh, snuggle buddy) of the protagonist of the ensemble play, Michael.  (I believe that future DS performer Christopher Bernau played Michael opposite Don Briscoe, and I've often wondered whether Briscoe might have encouraged Bernau to join the cast of DS).  In the film version Donald was played by Frederick Combs, who originated the part in the initial production.  I think Don and Chris were the replacement cast while the originals were making the movie which was directed by William Friedkin.

Boys in the Band is set at a birthday party and tells the story of a group of friends through the snapshot of one evening they spend together.  It was the first successful gay play in which the fact that the characters were gay was just a given, not some major dramatic revelation unveiled at the climax of the play, and is often described as the first gay play in which none of the characters is killed or commits suicide.

The style of it ranges from acid wit to florid melodrama, with occasional flashes of innocence and debauchery to leaven the mix.  I quite like the movie version--some people hate it.

To Scout:  Don Briscoe wasn't responsible for his hair on the show; stylist Irene Hamalain was.  

Gothick

This whole scene between Quentin and Laura is DS at its finest.  I always get chills watching that scene!

As for the voice, I agree with Ms. Hoffman about Tim Shaw!

Gothick

Since nobody else has apparently bothered to notice, I just have to say what a luscious bit of Broadway charm we have in Don Briscoe's Tim Shaw.  The character may be a creep, but I just love looking at him in those Victorian clothes.  And imagining him out of them, heh heh heh.

That little collar is so dear. So very Dudley Do-right.  Love the little flips on the hair, too.  Of course in the real 1897 it would have been lacquered solid with hair oil.

This was around the time when Don was doing DS by day, and appearing as Donald in Boys in the Band by night.  I've tried and failed to find a publicity photo of him in the role.  I would be obliged if anybody ever does put their hands on one if they could let me know.

Regards,  Steve

Joan Bennett's wardrobe for 1897 is truly fabulous.  I like her clothes as Judith much better than what she was given to wear as Naomi, though the latter matriarch had some very grand ensembles to wear.

Whoever else asked why the Collinses are being so hugger-mugger about Jenny--you have to keep watching--there are still more revelations to come about Jenny.

Gothick

Raineypark, if you think today's episodes were sick, I devoutly hope that your VCR fails the day of Jamison's matriculation at the infamous Worthington Hall!  Tomorrow's shows (presuming that that wretched network is going to air the series tomorrow--I have completely lost track) are very distasteful as well, if memory serves.

The whole Trask family really does give new meaning to the concept of hypocrisy.  Unfortunately, the whole murder charge thing against Rachel and Tim doesn't get much beyond acting as a convenient Diabolos ex machina for the writers.

Best wishes,

Steve

This was brilliant!  I'm dying here!  call the ambulance!

Steve

At a certain point, the directors became very fond of those profile-to-profile two-shots in DS.  It's not just Barnabas; I've noticed it with Magda and other characters as well.  They are often very effective.  Presuambly the actors had to stand so close to one another in part for technical reasons, but it also amped the energy phenomenally of a given scene.

Don't fret too much, we did have good breath mints back in the Sixties!

Gothick