The
late Grayson Hall remains one of the most
beloved members of the Dark Shadows cast, immortalized
as Barnabas’ partner in crime, Dr Julia Hoffman. Fans
can now learn more about her life and career in Grayson
Hall: A Hard Act to Follow, a new biography by R.J.
Jamison. We caught up with the author to talk about
the new project…
Where
did your interest in Grayson begin?
Grayson is a unique actress, lauded by many critics for
her talent, yet she did not temper her idiosyncrasies. I
find that terribly appealing, especially today when everyone
looks, talks and dresses the same. There is no mistaking
Grayson Hall for anyone else—for better or worse she
was her own woman on her own terms. That’s very admirable
in my estimation.
So,
what made you so keen to tell Grayson’s story?
To me, she’s infinitely fascinating – her energy,
her unique manner, appearance. Some might not see the beauty
there but I think her radical individualism is terribly
appealing. Being a celebrity was not paramount to her—and
I think it’s interesting, in our pop-obsessed culture,
to look at that and her unique career and see that she didn’t
chase the greater public acclaim pony when it was set right
before her. Why? To many, that is the question.
And
do you think you’ve found the answer?
I feel she chose not to give up what she loved – New
York City and the stage – for a life she had already
lived, during her first marriage, and did not enjoy. She
did not want to play Judith Fellows – her Night
of the Iguana character – over and over again,
an uptight sexually repressed woman, which was her polar
opposite.
So
how did you set about piecing together Grayson’s timeline?
Steve Shutt, as many people know, dreamt of this book for
many years and was astounded no one else was pursuing it.
But he had other commitments and areas of interest, so when
I bulldozed into his life with my boundless energy, he said
“You know you could do this.” He said that for
a year before I finally said “Okay, I’ll do
it, I want to do it!” I built upon his collection
of materials, which included fan club newsletters and New
York Times reviews of plays, with many hours at the New
York Public Library at Lincoln Center, and time spent at
libraries in Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Nantucket, and
through new interviews.
Sylvia
Miles, producer Louise Lortel and Grayson celebrating
the successful run of Jean Genet’s The
Balcony (1960-61). © New York Public
Library. Used with permission.
|
Did
your interviewees uncover any new facets for you?
Interviewing Sylvia Miles was a big turning point because
she opened up the door to actor and writer Frederic Kimball,
whose memory and recall was astounding. After that I kept
moving forward. Then there was the response of Grayson’s
family, who had seen the depth of my research. For example,
when I asked them when Grayson was really born, Matt Hall
replied, “You probably know better than I!”
What
were you trying to achieve by writing this book?
Grayson was a vibrant woman. She was not Judith Fellows
or Dr. Julia Hoffman. And the fact that people so strongly
perceive that she was as staid and uptight as those two
creations is a testament to her brilliance as an actor.
She was very flamboyant, sensual and colourful, with the
mouth of a truck driver. Also, though in every interview
related to Dark Shadows I’ve seen, and even
with me, Sam Hall has been upfront about Grayson getting
him the job on Dark Shadows. However, the myth
persists among fans that she was on the show only because
he was head writer. That simply was not true. Dan Curtis
was very fond of Grayson and the reason for her prominence
on the show.
And
did you uncover any surprises along the way?
While I suspected, due to my research, that she had been
married before Sam, the actual revelation was startling.
And though I’ve uncovered only a little about that
marriage—it is interesting considering the impact
I perceive it had on her. Also the vital élan with
which she lived and experienced life, so different from
what we get on screen, was quite fun. She was terribly theatrical
but could live a full life offstage, which not all actors
can do. She was almost two people in one. Though Grayson
didn’t mince words and didn’t take much crap
from anyone, her flamboyant outer shell was meant to keep
people at bay—and it often worked. Those who knew
her well realized how sensitive and vulnerable she truly
was.
©
New York Public Library. Used with permission.
|
How
significant do you think the Dark Shadows era is
within Grayson’s overall career?
She was recognized almost every day until the end of her
life because of Dark Shadows. It allowed the Hall
family to stay in New York and not relocate to Ohio, as
they were contemplating when Grayson got the call for Dr.
Hoffman. Until that time, they’d scraped by and relied
on both their families for financial support. So career-wise
it was very helpful, particularly to Sam. I think, as I
say in my book, artistically it may not have been all that
momentous to her personally, but it’s important to
many of us because Dark Shadows introduced us to
her. Without that, there would’ve been only a handful
of supporting film roles. Her stage reputation would not
have made it beyond New York City.
Now
you're at the end of the writing process, how would you
sum up Grayson?
A grand dame, loving mother, steadfastly loyal friend and
genuinely kind. A curious creature.
Summing
up, who do you think this book will appeal to?
Anyone who is at all curious about Grayson or who enjoys
reading about individuals who unremittingly do their own
thing. If you feel like distinctiveness is not readily apparent
in our actors today, and pine for someone who was grandly,
beautifully idiosyncratic, you will enjoy this account of
Grayson’s life. If you are curious about the theatre
or theatrical personalities, you should pick up the book.
To
order Grayson Hall: A Hard Act to Follow
from Amazon.com, click
here.
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