Same actors playing different parts

Yes, there are different actors, or "players," portraying different roles in each of the seperate episodes. Including John L'Ecuyer, George Bloomfield, and John Pepper. The reason for this, I believe, is because the writers are trying to match this series as closely as they can with the period these pieces were written for. This is same reason for the musical intros, and the 50s style animations. By making the supporting cast members rotate parts, it makes this series feel more like an old travelling show, with its different players. It took me awhile to adjust, but when I did, it made me appreciate these films even more.

I agree about being upset about the cancellation. Although, all good things must come to an end. This is just another series that was almost too good for television. However, the episodes that were made were be classics forever.

For the most part, I didn't have a problem with actors playing different parts in different episodes; one time I found it annoying was in episode 2.1, "Death of a Doxy", in which Kari Matchett played both Julie Jaquette and Lily Rowan (although she only appeared as Lily very briefly as the other end of a phone call from Archie), but this was a case of the same person playing two distinct parts in one episode. The only other time it bothered me was having Wolfe's attorney Nathaniel Parker played by Hqarant Alianak in "Prisoner's Base" but by George Plimpton in "Death of a Doxy" and "Murder Is Corny".

One cast member I was glad to see shuffled was Saul Rubinek. He was better as Lon Cohen than as Saul Panzer (which he played in the debut movie, "The Golden Spiders"). I don't think Rubinek projected the best image for Panzer, whom Archie had occasion to admit - in the books at least - that Panzer was a better operative than himself. Conrad Dunn more properly portrayed Panzer's sharpness, wit and acumen.

Haven't you been to any summer plays where the cast plays multiple characters?

That aside, here are two good examples where where it was done:

1) "Mission: Impossible"; number of episodes: 171; aired: '66-'73[1].

2) "Scene of the Crime". Part of the short-lived "Crime Time after the Prime Time". The one which had the longest lease on life was "Silk Stalkings".

For the sake of trivia, the shows were: "Silk Stalkings", "Sweating Bullets", "Tropical Heat", and "Scene of the Crime". "Scene of the Crime" was like "Mission: Impossible" in the sense each actor|actress played a different role each every week.

This is only my opinion, but I see some powerful assets from this type of thing: the cast has an opportunity to present their entire range of their ability on camera, they're also challenged to have a role prepared in time. Also, if a cast is stuck with a role they find displeasing, they know they won't be trapped in it - and an extension of this is they won't be role cast later in their career. Oh, and producers|directors will have access to all of their work in this type of situation. When they've seen the work and the project they're casting, they can say, "Oh! This would be perfect for <x> in their role of <x>!" Let's bring them in to read for it. Think about the cast of Seinfeld. Some consider that to be the best show ever. TV Guide certainly thinks so. But we've already seen the curse. Yes, they have enough money to never work again, but for now, they're typecast - aside from Jerry returning to standup comedy. Which of those four aren't typecast? How many cast members from "Nero Wolfe", "Scene of the Crime", or "Mission Impossible" were in the same boat? (I know of a couple but it's nowhere near the other shows)

Yeah, at first, I was a bit confused. I didn't really get the point until I was a little into the season. Like, i was like, didn't I see her last week? But she was somebody else. Surprisingly, due to my astronomical IQ, I didn't figure it out right away. But once I did, I loved the idea. It doesn't take me very long to get into it, and I appreciate the familiar faces.

Terri

Check me out @ tdcellardoor.blogspot.com

I always thought that is was a throw back to an old radio mystery show, where the same voice actors would play different characters week after week.

I for one love it. Looking for familiar faces every episode is sort of fun, finding out who each actor will play this week.

Some characters stick out, however. My sister and I don't let an episode go by without yelling out "Dinkie!!" I even yelled it at my tv when he showed up as a plumber in a commercial.

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Yes they were trying to a repretory/stock theatre company feel by having a group of actors.


Its that man again!!

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