INTRODUCTION

Considering the changes made to other, later scripts during Strange Paradise's first 13 week cycle of episodes, the pilot script survived relatively intact in terms of of structure and major plot points. Primarily, the changes made to the pilot consisted of changes in tone, where certain subplots were either removed or given less importance by the time the episode was televised.

CJOH Studio "A"

Work on the pilot episode for Strange Paradise began the week of May 12, 1969, with rehearsals and blocking. The pilot was shot on May 17th and 18th. The primary location used for taping was Studio “A” of CJOH television in Ottawa, which consisted of scenes in the great hall, the French Leave Café, Alison Carr’s lab and the crypt. For scenes set in Dan Forrest’s office and conference room, actual offices at CJOH-TV were used, with the main boardroom doubling for the conference room. Veteran Hollywood director Herb Kenwith, who had directed such notable series as “Here's Lucy” and “Star Trek” was tapped to direct the pilot.

Casa Loma

The location chosen to represent the chateau was Casa Loma, a local tourist attraction in Toronto, built in 1911 by wealthy Canadian businessman Sir Henry Pellatt. Exteriors were filmed in early May of 1969 by a crew from CJOH television and consisted mainly of establishing shots of the mansion and a few shots of Quito climbing the steps to the mansion which were used in the pilot. Other than these scenes, no outside broadcast filming was done for Strange Paradise. Exterior shots continued to be used sporadically in the openings to Strange Paradise episodes until the show shifted its location from the chateau on Maljardin to the Desmond ancestral home of Desmond Hall, after which only static photos were used.

One major change that occured in the program happened just before filming on the pilot was scheduled to begin. The original actor cast in the role of Jean Paul Desmond, Jon Bayliss, bowed out early in rehearsals and was quickly replaced by Colin Fox, who was offered the part shortly after informing his agent he was ready to work again following injuries suffered while filming the series “The Three Musketeers.”

Aside from the obvious change to the lead actor before full filming began, the pilot script and its eventual realization on screen are very similar. The main changes are subtle ones, most notably the de-emphasizing of any romantic relationship between Dan Forrest and Dr. Alison Carr. Some of the most interesting items that didn’t make it to the screen are summarized below:

• Although unnamed in the actual televised episodes, Dr. Menkin is given a first name, Kurt, in the script for the pilot episode.
• Similarly, Dan Forrest’s secretary, although equally nameless in episode one as it appeared on screen, has a full name (Ruth Gibson) in the pilot script
• Quito is the first character seen in the televised version. In the script it is Doctor Menkin.
• Originally, Alison was to have an unrequited love for Jean Paul. This plotline is significantly toned down in the televised episodes, as is the subplot of romance between Alison and Dan Forrest. There was originally supposed to be a plotline concerning the competition between Dan and Jean Paul for Alison’s affections
• The pilot script specifically outlines the dates of Jacques life: 1660-1689, yet despite this the dates on his coffin in the pilot read 1760-1789. This is corrected for later episodes.
• The coffin used for Erica’s body that was used prior to her being placed in the cryonics capsule was a real one, purchased from a local funeral home in Ottawa
• The character of Beryl Forbes, played by Nonnie griffin in the pilot, was originally to fill the role of voodoo priestess. When Griffin declined to continue with the series, her character was recast into Vangie Abbott, played by Angela Roland.
• Vangie was originally to be called Natalie Banks, and was the owner of the French Leave Café rather than just a waitress.
• The conjure doll used in the pilot is different than the conjure doll that appears in subsequent episodes, which has a rounder, darker head and face. The differences can be seen most clearly in episode 52, when the cryonics capsule is opened.
• The interior set of the mansion does not resemble Casa Loma's interior nor the description in the pilot script
  

Following completion of the pilot episode and a few dramatic “vignettes” for use in sales promotions for the series, Krantz Films, producers of the Strange Paradise pilot, secured an agreement with Metromedia Broadcasting to produce “Strange Paradise” as a series in the United States. Before any further episodes were filmed, however, some casting changes were made. Executives at Metromedia specifically requested as part of the contract with Krantz Films that Colin Fox, who played series lead Jean Paul Desmond, be retained, but other cast members were fair game

Beryl Forbes

Dan Forrest

SECTIONS


PART ONE
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PART TWO
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PART THREE
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PART FOUR
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PART FIVE
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PART SIX
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PART SEVEN
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PART EIGHT
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PART NINE