and LANA TURNER as CONSTANCE COLBY

[Jason!]

I remember discussing this at another site, but I can't remember if we did here, so if it's been discussed already, forgive me (I did try searching).

Do you think Lana Turner would have made a better Constnance Colby than Barbara Stanwyck, who complained endlessly?

[Benny JR]

Do you think Lana Turner would have made a better Constnance Colby than Barbara Stanwyck, who complained endlessly?

Yes. Lana was way more classier and plus, she appeared in the "Peyton Place" film and appeared on "Falcon Crest" too. So she could have been listed in media surrounding "The Colbys" as a some-what soap actress regular. Nothing against Barbara Stanwyck, but I always felt her voice was slightly annoying (I found it hard to understand her scratchy voice sometimes as I have a bit of a hearing problem) and she looked like a giant cotton bud too, LoL!

[Jason!]

Stanwyck was a class act, but could be the bitch at times. In her later years, she just became very difficult to work with. She became a reclusive of sorts after her home was burglarized, and she was in constant pain from an accident filming one of her many westerns. She was also old school Hollywood, and on top of things, she didn't get what Shapiro promised her: tight scripts and to work with her old buddy Linda Evans. She was a demanding woman but still one of my favorites.

But the character of Constance was just too good to just write out. It was rumored Stanwyck would make limited appearances in season 2. I think this is what should have been done in the beginning. She should have been a "special guest star" and make limited appearances because there were several times Connie was just there to be seen with nothing to do at all. One can see why Stanwyck complained. However, Lana Turner was classy and still very beautiful. FC should never have gotten rid of her. I always wanted a catfight between her and Jane Wyman but guess everyone was afraid one or both might break a hip!

And while I loved Stanwyck's scenes with Stephanie Beacham, I can't help but wonder what they would have been like with Turner. I've always thought Turner was a better actress than she's ever been given credit.

I'll have to do a Turner credit later, but I think she could have and would have been a great Connie.

I think the character would have been better if there had been more devotion from both the writers and the actor.

[Colbyco]

I would have prefered La Turner starring as Conny. I love her scenes opposite Jane Wyman and she had much more class & style then Stanwyck... it would have been great. Imagine S2 when Sable voted against Jason in business. Jason & Conny vs Sable & Zach....

[SnarkyOracle!]

I really have to disagree about this. For one thing, I don't think really think Lana Turner had "class"--- she had a certain star quality, yes, but her slightly creepy role on FALCON CREST seemed more apt.

There's a coldness to Turner which, although right for some things, isn't what I'd look for in Connie. But then, I really like Stanwyck. I just think they should have used her more.

But then, I think Miss Ellie was the secret star of DALLAS. And I aint talkin' Donna Reed, either...


I dunno--- I just have all these images of Jack Lord and Lana Turner trying to chat up Sable and it isn't woking.

[willie oleson]

Barbara Stanwyck was too good for the role of Constance, I mean for the role as we know it.
Saying that Lana Turner would have been better for that part...isn't a real compliment, is it?

The Colby mansion was a bit crowded IMO, I think "Constance" would have been better as a special guest star (Jacqueline Perrault-style).
OR she should have been the show's leading villain (Angela Channing-style) but that was a bit difficult with characters like Zach and Sable.