I want to thank you all so very much for your comments. They mean a great deal to me.
Charles Norris was a big man. He had the build of an ex-athlete, a large head, and he sported a Van Dyke. He was an imposing man with a sardonic sense of humor. He was the first Chief Medical Examiner in the city of New York, circa 1918. He was one of the original founders of what would be forensic medicine as we know it today. He’s also one of the lead characters in The Poisoner’s Handbook, the film PBS is producing for their American Experience series, which just filmed in Prague in the Czech Republic.
I mention Mr. Norris’s size and general appearance because it’s one of the main reasons I got to see Prague and take on a wonderful and challenging role. I gave what I thought was a good audition, but when I finished the casting director said, in amazed tones, “Are you related to Charles Norris?!” I offered that, to the best of my knowledge, I was not. “Are you sure?!” “Well…I’m fairly sure, yes.” Everyone in the room seemed very amazed and pleased. They thanked me, and I left the audition for the cold, windy afternoon in Manhattan feeling that my chances on booking this might be pretty good.
And so they were. Yes, I got the job because I have good credits and I gave (if I do say so myself)) a really good audition (who knows why the muses are with you one day and the next they’re MIA?), but what nailed it was that I could look, with a little help, like Charles Norris. And that is why I got to go to Prague. If I had done a good audition, even a brilliant audition, but looked, say, like the songwriter Paul Williams, I never would have walked across the Charles Bridge, seen the Prague Castle, or (to my great shame) eaten half a roasted duck paid for by PBS. (Insert sigh from Claudia, longtime vegetarian.)
The director (Rob Rapley) is American, as was my co-star, the wonderful actor Chris Bowers who plays the key role of Gettler, the other half of the team that changed the face of forensic medicine.
Bellevue Hospital Lab – Charles Norris is perched on the stool at left, Gettler is in the suit on the right.
We shot most of it in a huge, cavernous and abandoned building on the grounds of a currently active mental facility. In this dank and freezing building (you could see your breath), Czech workmen faithfully recreated the lab used by Norris/Gettler in the notorious Bellevue Hospital of the early 20th century. There was also a morgue. I have some production stills which are incredible but I’m not allowed to share them with you yet.
It was pretty eerie. One scene called for me to do an autopsy using a live, Czech actor (as the corpse) who had to endure lying on a cold gurney wearing a speedo! Between takes workers turned on a kind of turbo heater and covered him in blankets. (I felt a little guilty as my wardrobe worker and great gal “Gaby” rushed to my aide between takes with a large down jacket!). If you look very closely when the film airs, you might just see goosebumps and a shiver here and there from the “corpse” as I go about the business of examining his teeth, scalp and nose. It was cold in there!
Everyone was commenting about how strange it was to be filming on the grounds of a mental facility. One day while riding in our van from the hotel to the location, I suggested that maybe we were the mental cases who only thought we were making a film but were, in reality, patients at the facility. This got a huge laugh, as everyone elaborated on the idea. “The camera is really just a cardboard box!” And so on. It became a kind of running joke.
Vojta – First Assistant Director and a great guy.
Some of the other actors in the smaller roles were American Ex-Pats now living in Prague. One had married a Czech lady and now had a newborn. I could understand the lure of living there. It has so much history. It’s written in every cobblestone and street sign. Even the architecture has that strange combination of communist sensibility with old world beauty. I’ll admit my historical knowledge regarding this region is sketchy at best, but this place was under communist rule less than thirty years ago! Pretty interesting.
The actual filming, the day to day work, was no different from anywhere else. You spend a lot of time waiting. “Hurry up and wait” is the clichéd reference to working in film. Luckily, I had a toasty-warm trailer to hangout in between scenes. And, despite the language barrier, I had some wonderful talks with the Czech crew, especially the trusty “Gaby” who made it her business to keep me comfortable and in the right suit for the right scene. Her English was pretty good, though she just about gave up on trying to teach me how to say “thank you” in Czech. I was, in this regard, a disappointment.
Walter Matthau once said the a film shoot on location looks more like a military takeover. He was right. So many trucks! So many cables, and equipment, and catering tents with lots of good food! I’ll end this part of my story with a photo taken after we “wrapped” the shoot. The means, as you probably know, we finished! So many good people in this photo. And memories for a lifetime!
Cast and crew – taken on the set right after we wrapped.
Charles Norris, I’m glad you were a big man!
In Part 3, I’ll take to the streets!
Don
Hi everyone, I hope you’re enjoying this series!
Claudia and Don- so interesting!!! It is amazing how much you look like him! When I saw the pic at the top of the page I couldn’t believe it
I have loved both installments and hope there is more to come.
Wanted to tell you i ran right out to the library and got the book on which this was based :) Can’t wait to get into it. Will you be notified as to when it will air in the US? Please let us know
Oh Don what an amazing experience. You certainly could be kin to your character. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Judy
Thanks Don for taking us behind the scenes…this is really fascinating! What an amazing opportunity for you! ;)
Gosh, another good post, and so very interesting for those of us that will never what acting and production are like!
Don! I can’t wait to see the finished PBS presentation. I think I missed something. When does it air? You certainly are a spitting image of the man! I’m loving the guest blogs. It’s a nice way to learn more about Claudia’s favorite guy.
WOW! What a facinating trip! I will have to read up on this man and his story. You make him sound so facinating! I love how you write about your trip and work. You should blog more often as I can see that you lead an interesting life. (maybe you can open your own blog?). You paint a picture with your words. I can picture the places and events through your words. Well writtten. I am looking forward to part 3! Thank you for bringing us into your life in the theater and I will never watch a program any longer without wondering what all was involved with the making of the program. (I am not as good as expressing my thoughts as well as you are). Lets just say I am enjoying your series. Claudia isn’t the only one in the family with a way with words!
Another great chapter of your visit! I am looking forward to the next one~
Don you are amazing. I love how you are taking us along with you on this trip. you are a talented writer, do you know that? Now insert horrible gasp from SIL about the darling, cute, sweet duck. If you say you ate lamb I am never hugging you again.
Mere.
Thanks so much for sharing this with us. So glad you gave a great audition along with your perfect looks to get the role. Looking forward to the next installment and please be sure to let us know when it will air.
Laura
What an uncanny resemblance! Looking forward to the finished project!
Thank you Don for this latest installment of your memories of your visit to Prague. I’m so glad you were able to do this eventhough it took you far from home. I can’t wait to see the finished product. It sounds like it will be very interesting. Thank’s again for sharing.
Your resemblance to Mr. Norris is amazing. I can see why they were so excited when you walked in for your audition. Also, as one that is not involved in this line of business, I appreciate your narration of the events that took place. I’m still shuddering for the poor guy on the slab! Can’t wait to see it! I think we will be expecting more posts from you while Claudia is away.
Thank you so much for telling us your story. Congrats on getting that part! I look forward to when it airs!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Fascinating! So Chuck Norris is actually a Forensic guy! Couldn’t resist. Don your resemblance to Charles Norris is amazing and I’m enjoying your descriptions of the cast/crew and location. Now I am determined to read this book. Ann
WOW..I would swear that is you sitting at that table Don!!! That is totally amazing..maybe you should check your family history to see if you are related..I am looking forward to your tour of the streets..Thank you for sharing this with us!
Thanks Don – so interesting! I hope we get to see it in Canada (I love forensics too). As for the duck, sounds yummy. I may have to roast one this week ;) J
You really do look so much like him – they say everyone has a twin but not nearly a century apart! Prague sounds fascinating, and I’m sure Claudia has forgiven you for the duck incident! Thanks for sharing with us, look forward to reading Part III.
Don,
This was an enjoyable read. So glad you bore such a striking resemblance to the character you played. That really is amzing how they all kept asking if you were related to him when you auditioned! When I saw that picture, at first I thought it was you in costume!
I had to laugh at the part about you and your colleagues laughing about who were the real inmates. Do you remember a movie starring Alan Bates where he was the keeper of an asylum in Europe when the Nazis marched through and the townspeople srambled out of the way, leaving the people in the asylum behind? I think it was maybe called “King of Hearts”? The inmates got out and took over the town and had their own way of doing things, and when the townspeople came back, the inmates preferred to go back into the asylum rather than to live with the supposed “sane” people. Alan Bates, who had fallen in love with a “ballerina” inmate, was shown in the last scene, stark naked with a birdcage in one hand, standing outside in front of the asylum. I had to smile when I thought of that movie.
Hope you all stay warm over there and enjoy the rest of the trip. Looking forward to reading Part III.
Thanks to you for sharing your adventure and to Claudia for sharing her blogger platform.
A safe journey to each of you as you travel to and from home…
XO,
Sheila
Hi Don & Claudia~~~I’m really enjoying these posts. Can’t wait to see the program when it airs. Don, your audition was meant to be & the door was open wide. Not just for the striking resemblance to the real person but for your talent! I went to an audition once for the play “You Can’t Take It With You”. I wanted to play the part of the female leads sister. The girl who went before me was so good that I just wanted to leave before the director called my name. I excused myself & that was the one & only time I entertained thoughts of being an actress. Anyway~~~love the presents you brought back for Claudia~~~you know we all think she’s wonderful!! Have a terrific week.
Linda
Hi Don,
I couldn’t wait till you posted part 2. What a great experience for you! Kind of ironic that you played the role of a man
centered around NY and how you both look alike in ways. Perfect! Besides the cold weather in Prague was there anything
else you disliked? Thanks for sharing your adventure and talent. I’ll be glued to the TV with my Husband when it airs.
PS. Can I have your autograph?
Take Care,
Liz
Thank you for the great posts. We look forward to watching the PBS program, so glad you got to take part in it!
Thanks, Don! I am very excited to see the production. We have loved every American Experience program we have seen (we’re huge PBS watchers here).
I am very interested in seeing Prague through your eyes. Interesting that PBS chose to shoot in Prague – I suppose it is easier to recreate early 20th century NYC there than in modern day NYC!
As I have told Claudia, I hope that someday your work brings you to Juneau (home of Perseverance Theatre). We have an extra room if you and Claudia ever find yourselves here!
Hi Claudia and Don; what a great experience and thank you for sharing in such great word pictures (as well as photos). Certainly waiting to read your next guest post Don. Thanks Claudia for sharing.
Joy
Life certainly is odd, isn’t it? Because of how a man looked a hundred years ago, a man today gets a wonderful opportunity to work and travel. Makes you think sometimes! Very interesting post. I find it amazing they shot it in a relatively short amount of time. And I’m with Liz– can I have an autographed picture? I actually do have a collection.
Thanks so much for the “much awaited” 2nd edition Don. How fascinating. I am so looking forward to seeing this and it will be even more fascinating with the “inside info” you have shared.
Claudia, thanks for having Don share (or talking him into it) I miss your posts BUT am enjoying the guest posts so much …How about you always BOTH post :)
Congrats on getting the part-the resemblance may have helped BUT I would say your talent carried it home!
Mare
Don, I hope you can tell everyone is “roped” in and waiting for your next chapter. Thank you so much for taking your time and sharing such an adventure.
Claudia, I read the comment from “Mare” and I think she had a good idea about having you Both post. I know we all have our own lives, but every once in awhile a person comes across a Great book and is never disappointed with the next chapter…that is what I have found in your post. Now you have given and extra goodie by sharing your Don with us. Thank you (BOTH).
Debi
This is so much fun :)
What a great experience..Memories for a lifetime..thanks for sharing..
Thank you Don, this was very interesting. Can’t wait to see the show. I will sit there and yell “There he is! There he is!” every time you come on the screen.
Don I am so glad you had this amazing experience and are sharing it with us. I also am amazed at how much you look like Charles Norris. I can’t wait to see this production! I am enjoying your stories and behind the scenes look at filming. Looking forward to part 3~
Linda
You’ve given me such interesting historical facts to think about. I’m so glad you got to experience this, Don. I still want to sit on a porch someday while you serenade us.
Brenda