The Sheila Variations

Bravo, Sheila!

I agreed with so much of what you said.

You know, I hope Dean Stockwell reads it.

Loved your choice of films. And thank you for including Quantum Leap. It was the thing that turned me on to Dean Stockwell. People might not take it seriously because it's "just a TV show"--but it's 95 hours of terrific work from him.

But what was that crack about Battlestar fans? LOL!

I'm forwarding it to Israel, ye olde art dealer. You know - you're never too old to appreciate the fact that someone out there appreciates you!!

Thanks Karen - glad you liked!!

Oh and the BSG fans ... hahahaha There were 3 or 4 young guys ... circling around Stockwell ... staring at him from afar, etc. ... trying to get up the guts to approach him ... I thought to myself, "Hmmm. Bet those are Battlestar fans ..." Just something about them. And later, one of them got up the guts to talk to Stockwell (this was outside) - and I overheard him say, "Mr. Stockwell - I'm a huge fan of you on Battlestar Galactica ..." Bingo! (bango bongo ...)

"...he is going to become a werewolf in front of the President of the United States, and that just cannot happen!"

That sentence should be included in all publicity material for this film.

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!

That's a great post Sheila. I like Stockwell the older actor much better than Stockwell the younger actor. I don't dislike the earlier performances, I just think he is so much more relaxed and enjoyable in the later ones. I liked COMPULSION when I saw it years ago and remember thinking the same thing about Dillman with the overacting.

And I loved him in QUANTUM LEAP, I thought he was just hilarious as Al.

One of his early tv roles I always liked was the Twilight Zone episode "A Quality of Mercy" where he plays an American Lieutenant who is put into the shoes of his enemy, a Japanese Lieutenant in WWII. He does a good job playing both characters.

Jonathan - I haven't seen that Twilight Zone Episode - although I've seen stills from it. There's a lot of his TV stuff I still haven't seen ... and many of his movies are still unavailable. I find it unbelievable that Secret Garden is not available on DVD. I mean - Stockwell AND margaret O'Brien are both still alive - they could provide commentary, or at least interviews ... It's a classic, dammit!!

My fall has been insanely busy (excuses excuses) but I need to get back to my Quantum Leap re-caps. I had so much fun doing them.

Oh - and about Compulsion - Stockwell originated the part on Broadway, and Roddy McDowall (his old classmate) played the other part - and was apparently incredible - but when it came time to cast the film, contractual obligations put Bradford Dillman into the part.

I think he's okay - he does a good job playing the blunted maturity level of that guy - he just doesn't have the grace that Stockwell does, in terms of how to act and be an actor. He's always acting with a capital A ... and some of it's quite good - but, to my taste, you forget Stockwell is acting at all. At least I do when watching him in Compulsion.

My only complaint is that now I want to turn on my DVD player and just watch Quantum Leap until it's over... And I have to do homework and plan lessons.

Drats to you, Sheila O'Malley!

Jen - ahhhhhh, my work here is done!

:)