Recently I discovered vintage mysteries on one of the Hallmark channels and am enjoying delving into such shows as Columbo, Diagnosis Murder, Matlock, Hart to Hart, and especially Murder She Wrote. While watching these series from the 1980s and 90s, a fascinating talent named Doran Clark caught my attention. There is something magical and enigmatic about her, whatever role she plays. I first noticed her in an episode of Matlock entitled The Vacation. In that one she played a hit woman hired to murder an old school chum. Her reaction upon being found out was minimalistic and chilling. She had a semblance of a marble statue about her, compartmentalizing her profession while displaying a tiny and deeply buried thread of tension and remorse. Although she played in a number of television shows and movies, Doran Clark is not always easily recognizable. In fact she’s rather like a chameleon. It’s not just that her hair and clothing changes. She changes. I guess that’s what good acting is all about. After seeing her in Matlock and an enthralling episode of Murder She Wrote called Angel of Death, I decided to dedicate a Vintage Friday blog to her. To my astonishment the next night I watched two thirds of another episode of Murder She Wrote entitled Deadly Lady before realizing the actress portraying one of four sisters was none other than Doran Clark.
The dark haired actress makes a brief appearance in this movie trailer on You Tube:
I love seeing the old mystery shows with their parade of guest stars. One of the best and most versatile was Doran Clark. Kudos to the actress for such outstanding and entertaining performances. Do you enjoy vintage television mysteries? Which are your favorites?
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic in Romance
I love these old programs too, Flossie. I enjoyed the Miss Marple series as well as Murder She Wrote. Lovely post and dedication to a very talented actress. Thanks for sharing.
Daisy, Miss Marple in all her incarnations is my favorite. I don’t think I ever got to see the Angela Lansbury version, much to my dismay.
I’m with Daisy: Miss Marple, Murder She Wrote. But I add Columbo, The Saint, Kojak, Agatha Christie: Poirot! And of course Dallas that here was a real wonder seeing the opulence and easy-going life of the “capitalist”world.
I’ve never seen the actress, I think, but in my opinion she has something of Marylin Monroe in the way she moves.
Well, she was the dark haired one that had the brief scene in that video. I also love Miss Marple. Yes, Dallas was enthralling, and I liked Falcon Crest.
Dick Van Dyke in Diagnosis Murder, Angela Landsbury in Murder She Wrote, and Andy Griffin in Matlock are a few of the oldies that I enjoy. I agree with Carmen that Doran Clark had that same seductive quality as Marylin Monroe. Enjoyed the article.
The shows you mentioned are some of my favorites, Loretta. I’m glad to have rediscovered them all these years later.
I love old Mysterys especially Matlock I don’t guess I remember this actress though
Matlock is really something, Cathy.
Doran’s grandfather was WWII General Mark Clark who led US and combined Allied forces in recapturing Italy from the Nazis.
Wow, that is wonderful to know, Tom!
Hi Flossie,
you were kind enough to give me a mailing address for Dorian Clark. I feel badly that i lost the address that you dug up for me.
I have a detailed scrap book of Dorian Clark’s life that my grandmother put together.
there is article after article of her grandfather and grand mother,newspaper stories with mark clark and my grandparents photoed together along with letters to my grandparents when his sorrow was deep losing his first wife.
EVERYTHING is so well documented.
I need to send a letter to Dorian first > i would hate for this piece of history to get lost in the mail
Thank you so much
Kim Kole
Kim, her business address about ten years ago, according to Ten. Tronck’s Celebrity Directory was:
Doran Clark 6399 Wilshire Blvd. #414 Los Angeles, C A 90048
Sorry I don’t see anything more current, but I hope it works for you. Let me know. I so hope you can get in touch with her.