AN INTERVIEW WITH PEG DIXON

Overjoyed at Jean Paul’s return to the fold, Ada immediately reestablishes a bond with her cousin, recalling the old days when they played together as children, and longing for a return to a normal life. The character of Ada was to remain an important character throughout the majority of the Desmond Hall storylines, providing an identifiable grounding in reality for the viewers during all of the supernatural goings on.

The character of Ada was also (apart from recasting after the pilot episode) the only instance of the replacement of a major character with another actor. Originally played by Peg Dixon starting with the first Desmond Hall episode (episode 66), Ada was subsequently played by actress Jan Campbell starting with episode 96. Overall, Ms. Dixon played Ada in a total of 12 episodes, ending with episode 90.

Although only in the series for a brief time, Peg Dixon had already enjoyed a substantial career prior to being cast in the program, particularly in the area of voice talent. Along with voicing the character of Mrs. Donner (and others) in the classic TV show Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer in 1964 (right).

Ms. Dixon also leant her considerable voice talents to a string of classic animated 1960’s series featuring the Marvel Superheroes, produced by Famous Studios and Gantray-Lawrence Animation. Amongst others, these included Captain America, The Mighty Thor, The Sub-Mariner, The Hulk, and Iron Man (left).

Perhaps most famously, Ms. Dixon voiced the character of Betty Brant, secretary to J. Jonah Jameson in the classic animated Spider-Man series, which aired from 1967-1970. Spider-Man was also produced, in part, by Steve Krantz, head of Krantz Films and creator of Strange Paradise.

Strangeparadise.net recently located Ms. Dixon, now retired from acting and enjoying a new calling writing poetry, and asked her to share some of her memories of working on Strange Paradise.


StrangeParadiseNet: Thank you so much for taking the time to share some of your Strange Paradise memories with us. We’re certainly thrilled to be talking to the “original” Ada Thaxton! To start with the basics, how did you wind up getting cast in the show?

Peg Dixon: I was cast in the part after auditioning along with several other actresses. 

SPN: We recently re-watched your storyline and we strongly feel you brought so many subtleties (and a certain vulnerability) to the character of Ada, subtleties that, for whatever reason, were somehow lost later on during the show.  Thinking about this, can you recall approaching the role in any particular way?

PD: My own slant on it was influenced by the title and script, "Strange Paradise".  I rather expected the production, in some subtle ways, would have an edge to it, unlike the average soap opera. So I played my part accordingly. 

SPN: As we know, the character of Ada was played by Jan Campbell after episode 90. Can you give us any insight as to why the change was made?

PD: Why did I leave?  Well, I played the role of Ada for a few months.  During that period, I received no feedback from the director…good or bad, so I played the role the way I personally interpreted it.  Then one day I received a phone call to tell me that I was being replaced on the show!

SPN: What are your thoughts on any reasons behind your replacement?

PD: I feel that from the beginning I must have interpreted the character in a different way than the director. I had never worked with him before so can only assume that he had a different concept in mind. Unfortunately, he did not communicate with me at any time to let me know how his interpretation differed from mine.  What can I say?  Except that he was entitled to his opinion.

SPN: Did you have any indication that there was a difference of opinion on the director’s part about your portrayal of Ada?

PD: I knew nothing of any differences of opinion until I received a phone call, telling me that I was being replaced.

SPN: What was your reaction to being replaced?

PD: I was an actress who was used to playing leads and receiving nothing but the best parts, and so you can realize how I felt!  You may imagine my shock. But to this day I cannot explain it! 

SPN: Looking back now, what are your thoughts on your experience?

PD: For forty years I worked with much success with the very best performers in top-class productions in Toronto and elsewhere. One faculty I was known for was my ability to "take direction".  I couldn't help feeling that I was given no opportunity to display this ability during my time with "Strange Paradise".  (Though I felt --and still feel-- that my own concept was right!)  In any case, I was at that time starting to consider retirement from my profession as an actor. I had had a highly successful career, working with wonderful, talented people, and I had many deeply satisfying memories to take with me!  My Canada Pension was shortly due for me, so not too long afterwards I happily retired!

SPN: Did you watch Strange paradise at all after your departure?

PD: I did a little - to try to determine just where I went wrong! Not coming up with a satisfying answer for myself, after that I don't think I felt compelled to follow it any more, as you might imagine! 

SPN: Your scenes with Colin Fox and Jack Creley were so great.  Did you keep in contact with either one of the actors (or anybody else from the show)?  Jack Creley passed away in 2004 (as you may know) but Colin Fox is still acting.

PD: Jack Creley had a great sense of humor and was fun to work with!  I didn't realize that we had lost him -- I am sorry -- he will be missed.  I have always had great admiration for Colin Fox.  He is a performer of the finest sensibility and intelligence -- it was so satisfying to share a scene with him!  It's good to know he is still going strong!

SPN: Did you happen to know Jan Campbell (who played Ada after you did)?

PD: Oh yes -- Jan Campbell and I were good friends and she did a fine job in succeeding me.  Wherever she is now, I wish her well! 

SPN: Thank you so much for sharing some of your memories with us.

PD: Thank you so much…It's been fun to have been in touch!

As mentioned, Ms. Dixon now enjoys a quiet life concentrating on her writing and poetry. She has kindly allowed us to reproduce one of her poems here. Her comments:

“I do believe that this is everyone's favorite poem of mine!  It was one of my very first published and has been reprinted in a number of books and journals!”

shimmering shapes
above the dark hills
northern lights  
imagining I feel
magnetic fingers

Our kind thanks to Ms. Dixon for talking with us about Strange Paradise.