The Major Problems of “HEAVEN AND HELL: NORTH AND SOUTH BOOK III” (1994)
Any fan of the John Jakes’ NORTH AND SOUTH trilogy would be more than happy to tell you that the worst entry in the author’s saga about two American families in the mid 19th century was the last one, ”HEAVEN AND HELL: North and South Book III”. Those fans would be speaking of the 1994 television adaptation, not the novel itself. Unlike many of these fans, I do not share their low opinion of the three-part miniseries. But I will not deny that ”HEAVEN AND HELL” had its share of problems. Below is a list of I consider to be its major flaws.
*Use of Montages - The miniseries did not hesitate to use montages to indicate a passage of time. Most of these montages centered on the Charles Main character, portrayed by Kyle Chandler. The problem with these montages was that they had exposed a blooper regarding Charles’ rank with the post-war U.S. Army in the first episode.
During a montage that featured Charles’ early courtship of actress Willa Parker (Rya Kihlstedt), Charles either wore corporal or sergeant stripes on his jacket. It went like this – Charles first wore corporal stripes, a fringe jacket and then sergeant stripes. And after the montage, Charles wore corporal stripes again.
*Orry and Madeline Main’s Presence in Richmond - BOOK II ended with Orry and Madeline Main (Patrick Swayze and Lesley Anne Down) attending the funeral of family matriarch, Clarissa Main. However, ”HEAVEN AND HELL” began with Orry and Madeline staying at a friend’s home in Richmond, in order to raise funds to feed the defeated post-war South. What in the hell for? The pair had a burnt home, an estate and family to care. They had no form of income or cash. And yet, they left their devastated home to raise funds for a cause that would have been implausible for them to achieve.
I realize that screenwriters Suzanne Clauser and John Jakes wanted an excuse to get Orry in Richmond so that he would be murdered by his old nemesis, Elkhannah Bent (Philip Casnoff). This could have been achieved in simpler fashion. For example, Clauser and Jakes could have used a funeral for an old comrade as an excuse to get Orry and Madeline to Richmond. This seems simple enough to me.
*Augustus “Gus” Main’s Age - In an article I had written about ”NORTH AND SOUTH: BOOK II”, I had pointed out that the screenwriters managed to foul up the age of Augustus Main, Charles Main’s (Kyle Chandler) only son by his first love, Augusta Main. Jakes and Clauser managed to repeat this mistake in their screenplay for ”HEAVEN AND HELL”. The third miniseries began with young Gus around the age of five. According to Charles, Gus had been born just before the war. Where did this come from? It was bad enough that Gus looked older than he should have in ”BOOK II”. Then they aged Gus even more, despite the fact that only a few months had passed between the second and third miniseries. Worse, Gus failed to age, as the story for ”HEAVEN AND HELL” progressed. Especially since the miniseries was obviously set between 1865 and 1868.
During my last viewing of ”HEAVEN AND HELL: North and South Book III”, I was surprised to discover that a good number of its so-called “bloopers” originated from writing mistakes that appeared in both ”NORTH AND SOUTH” and ”NORTH AND SOUTH: BOOK II”. Those “bloopers” include:
*Cooper Main - Prodigal Son - In John Jakes’ literary saga, South Carolina planter Tillet Main and his wife Clarissa had one nephew – Charles, and four children – Orry, Ashton, Brett and the oldest offspring, Cooper (Robert Wagner). However, Cooper was never featured in the first two miniseries. His appearance finally came in the third miniseries, ”HEAVEN AND HELL”. Those fans who had never read Jakes’ novels had accused the producers and screenwriters of creating the character for the miniseries. Personally, I never understood why the screenwriters of ”NORTH AND SOUTH” and ”NORTH AND SOUTH: BOOK II”had failed to include Cooper. After all, his presence proved to be vital to the saga by the third novel.
My only problem with Cooper’s presence in this third miniseries is that Jakes and Clauser had failed to create a back story to explain his disappearance from the first two miniseries. This failure made his appearance in this third chapter rather incongruous.
*Charles Main and Elkhannah Bent in Texas - Another plotline that took the fans of Jakes’ saga by surprise was the revelation that Charles Main had served under Elkhannah Bent in Texas, during the late 1850s . . . before the Civil War. No such story arc had been present in the first miniseries, ”NORTH AND SOUTH”. However, this plotline was present in Jakes’ 1982 novel. The first miniseries did show Charles serving in the U.S. Army in 1850s Texas. It also revealed Bent as an Army officer, visiting New Orleans, Louisiana around the same period. And New Orleans had served as one the main terminals in and out of Texas, east of the Mississippi River during the early and mid 19th century.
Charles’ past with Elkhannah Bent proved to be one of the major storylines in third story. The screenwriters for the miniseries had no choice but to include it. Especially since Charles and Bent’s past history played a major role in Jakes’ story. Most fans would probably hate for me to say this, but I believe that the screenwriters and producers for ”BOOK I” made a major mistake in their failure to include Charles’ experiences in Texas in the miniseries. Especially, since it proved to become an important storyline.
*The Return of Stanley and Isobel Hazard - I am surprised that many fans of the saga were surprised to see Stanley and Isobel Hazard (Jonathan Frakes and Deborah Rush) footloose and fancy free in this third miniseries. After all, they were last seen in”BOOK II” facing prosecution for war profiteering. As it turned out, the couple was never investigated or prosecuted for war profiteering in Jakes’ second NORTH AND SOUTH novel, ”LOVE AND WAR”. Also, ”HEAVEN AND HELL” portrayed Stanley pursuing a political career, something that never happened in the first two miniseries. Yet, the literary Stanley Hazard had began his political career as far back as the second half of the first novel, ”NORTH AND SOUTH”. Again, another so-called “blooper” in ”HEAVEN AND HELL” originated from the screenwriters’ failure to be faithful to the novels when it counted.
*Revelation of Madeline Main's Ancestry - In the first miniseries, "NORTH AND SOUTH", the character Madeline Fabray LaMotte Main learned from her father that her mother was a quadroon (one-quarter African descent) and that she was an octoroon (one-eighth African descent). She eventually revealed this information to her love, Orry Main. Her secret ended up being exposed to both Elkhannah Bent and her despised sister-in-law, Ashton Main Huntoon (Terri Garber) in the second miniseries, due to Bent's discovery of a painting of Madeline's mother in a New Orleans whorehouse. Somehow, the Mains' local neighbors - including the local Klan leader, Gettys LaMotte (Cliff DeYoung) - learned about her ancestry. I would love to know how they managed this, because Bent and Ashton never had the opportunity to expose Madeline's secret. In fact, the entire storyline regarding the exposure of Madeline's ancestry is riddled with a good number of bloopers that originated in Jakes' first novel,"NORTH AND SOUTH".
*Miscellaneous Characters - Characters last seen in ”NORTH AND SOUTH: BOOK II” failed to make an appearance in the third miniseries:
-Semiramis – the Mont Royal house slave was last seen engaged to another one named Ezra. Both had been given land to farm by Clarissa Main in the last episode. A former slave named Jane (Sharon Washington) took Semiramis’ place in the third miniseries. However, Semiramis was only featured in the first novel. And Jane was featured in both the second and third novels.
-Ezra – Semiramis’ future husband and a character that had been created solely for the second miniseries and not featured in any of the novels.
-Hope Hazard – George and Constance Hazard’s (James Read and Wendy Kilbourne) had been a month before the Civil War broke out in the first miniseries and was seen in the second miniseries. However, she never existed in any of the novels. The literary George and Constance had two children – William and Patricia – in all three novels. And they were seen in ”HEAVEN AND HELL”.
-Virgilia Hazard – Portrayed by Kirstie Alley, George Hazard’s younger sister had been killed at the end of ”BOOK II” - executed for the murder of a congressman. However . . . this never happened in the second novel. And her character played a major role in the third novel. Unfortunately, she did not appear in the third miniseries. Her presence was sorely missed by me.
”HEAVEN AND HELL” was not a perfect miniseries. Its production values did not strike me as impressive as the first two miniseries. And it had its share of flaws. However, I was surprised to discover that it was a lot more faithful to Jakes’ third novel, ”HEAVEN AND HELL” than ”BOOK II” was to the second novel, ”LOVE AND WAR”. More importantly, a good number of changes made by the screenwriters of the first two miniseries produced some of the “bloopers” found in ”HEAVEN AND HELL”. I could accuse Wolper Productions and the screenwriters of ”NORTH AND SOUTH” and ”NORTH AND SOUTH: BOOK II”for failing to consult author John Jakes on how he would continue his saga in the third novel. But the problem is that Jakes also happened to be one of the screenwriters for all three miniseries. While co-writing the first two miniseries, he should have stood his ground and resisted some of the major changes made in them – especially in the second miniseries.
"THE MANY LOVES OF RAFE McCAWLEY"PART 2 - The Shelby BelleLONG ISLAND, NEW YORK; DECEMBER 1940 . . . The two officers walked away from the station, desperately trying to resist the urge to rub their painful backsides. "Why in the hell do they have to stick those damn needles there?" Rafe grumbled. "Haven't they ever heard of the arm?" Danny glanced warily at this friend. He recognized that disgruntled voice anywhere. It was a sign of Rafe's bad mood. And Danny suspected that the older man's present mood had nothing to do with the shots they had just received."Okay Rafe, what's your beef?" Danny demanded. "And don't tell me that it's the shots. You were already pissed before you received yours."Rafe responded with a glare. "Oh really? And what exactly am I pissed about?""Mary Ann.""Her name was Mary Jo, Danny!" Rafe retorted. "Not Mary Ann! Godalmighty! Did you dislike her so much that you can't even remember her name?"Danny took a deep breath. Amazing. Nearly fourteen years had passed and Rafe still bore a grudge. "Dammit Rafe! I was almost ten years old at the time! I didn't know any better and I was feeling insecure about the whole thing. Besides, you didn't have to dump her."A heavy sigh left Rafe's mouth. "I guess you're right." Both he and Danny stepped into the line for the next station. Ahead, a youthful-looking nurse with blonde hair, wrapped a black blood pressure band around a soldier's arm. Rafe continued, "I guess I shouldn't have abandoned Mary Jo like that. But I wouldn't have done it if you hadn't turned on me, like that." Brief hostility flared in his dark brown eyes."I know." Danny hung his head low. "I'm sorry I did it, Rafe. It's just that . . .""What?"Danny shrugged. "I don't know. I reckon I was jealous."Rafe took a step forward in line. So did Danny. The former heaved another sigh. "It sure took you a hell of a long time to admit it. Oh well. I guess Mary Jo and I weren't meant to be, after all. Especially, after her family moved, later that summer."Danny remained silent. He decided that the less said about Mary Jo Burnett, the better."Besides, Mary Jo ain't the only one you stopped me from seeing," Rafe continued. "Remember Lila Hopkins?"Memories of lilac perfume, a bedroom, decorated in canary yellow, and a voluptuous chestnut-haired woman in a creamy yellow silk robe, flooded Danny's thoughts. Oh yes. Lila Deakins. He doubt there was a young man around his age in all of Shelby County, who would not be able to remember the Shelby Belle."Yeah, I remember Lila," Danny replied. "And if you expect me to feel guilty for what I did, you might as well hold your breath. Because I don't. You were out of control, Rafe. Remember?"* * * *SHELBY, TENNESSEE; JULY-SEPTEMBER 1931 . . . Strains of "I'm Through With Love" poured from the two-story frame house, situated in a hollow, off Shelby Road. Two adolescent boys, one fifteen years-old and the other, fourteen, stared at the house from behind an Oldsmobile, parked several yards away."That's it," Rafe said with breathless anticipation. "The Shelby House. C'mon." He stepped from behind the Oldsmobile and started toward the house. Seconds passed before he realized that Danny had not moved an inch. "Hey Danny! C'mon!"Anxiety flared in his best friend's brown eyes. "I don't know, Rafe. I'm not sure about this."Rafe heaved an exasperated sigh and grabbed Danny's arm. "C'mon scairdey-cat! She ain't gonna bite you.""How do you know?" Danny demanded. "You haven't been here, before."Which was the truth. Rafe had first heard about the Shelby House, two months ago - when he had spotted a woman leaving the local bank in town. It took one glance at her heart-shaped face - just once glance - for the fifteen year-old to fall in love. Well, perhaps fascination would be the best word . . .Rafe heard his mother's disdainful sniff at the young woman. "So, that's the Shelby Belle," Brewton McCawley declared in a disapproving tone. "Looks more like trash to me." Her eyes brimmed with hellfire and righteousness. A look Rafe had never seen in his mother's eyes. "Rafe, I hope you never have anything to do with women like that. They're nothing but trouble."
The wrong words for anyone to say to a curious and lovesick fifteen year-old. Mrs. McCawley's warning had only increased Rafe's interest in the beautiful woman. And his determination to meet her. To learn the true identity of the "Shelby Belle", he asked several men around the county. Men who would never say a word to his parents. Or hesitate to answer. He received his answer from a local mechanic named Farley Bates.
"Ah, the Shelby Belle!" the stocky man had declared in a wistful tone. "You must be talking about Lila Deakins."
An impatient Rafe demanded, "Who is she?"
Farley gave the fifteen year-old boy a knowing look. "Probably the most infamous whore in this here parts. The most beautiful . . . and the most expensive. 'Course, after one gander at your pretty face, Lila just might give you a discount. Or let you stick your carrot in for free."
"You think so?" Rafe bit back his tongue, when he realized how hopeful he sounded.
A smile creased Farley's grimy face. "Boy, you are really smitten over that gal. Tell you what." He dug into the pockets of his overalls and retrieved a handful of bills. "Here. Why don't you use this money for a visit to the Shelby House. There's enough for your friend, Danny. You two are practically brothers." After Jake Walker's fatal heart attack, three years ago, Danny had moved in with the McCawley family.
"Hey, thanks Farley! I really appreciate it!" Rafe had beamed at the mechanic, before stuffing the bills into his pockets . . .Danny said, "You mean it was Farley who gave you the money for this? What if your daddy finds out? After all, Farley does fix his airplane.""C'mon Danny! What do you think Farley is gonna do? Confess? Not if he wants Daddy to continue hiring him." Rafe grabbed his friend's arm. "Now, c'mon! You act like we're going to a hanging."The two boys slowly approached the house. A tall, black woman, holding a broom, stepped onto the porch and peered at the new arrivals. "What are you two boys doing here?" she demanded.Feeling more nervous than he looked, Rafe cleared his throat. "We're here to see the Shelby Belle," he declared. Did his voice crack?The woman scrutinized the two boys with world-weary eyes. "Uh huh. Ain't you boys a little young to be coming to a place like this?" Before Rafe or Danny could respond, she added, "Never mind. Miz Lila likes 'em young, anyway. C'mon in." She stepped aside, while the pair entered the house.Nice place, Rafe thought. His eyes drank in the old-fashioned furnishings and well-stocked bar at the other end of the parlor. Aside from the bar, the interior of the Shelby House reminded him of the McCawley residence.The housekeeper set aside the broom and started toward the staircase. "Have a seat. And I'll let Miz Lila know that she has company." As she started upstairs, Rafe and Danny nervously sat down on the nearest sofa.A minute later, two scantily clad young women entered the parlor. Both Rafe and Danny stared at the abundance of flesh that stood before them. Giggling, they approached the two boys. "And who might you be?" asked a leggy blonde with bright blue eyes and heavy make-up. Still staring, neither boy seemed able to respond.A throaty voice said, "They . . . are my customers." All eyes riveted upon a shapely woman, whose heart-shaped face not only possessed delicate features and hazel-green eyes, but was also framed by wavy auburn hair that bobbed near her chin. She wore a yellow Oriental gown over a pale-green full slip and stockings held up by green garters. Yet, none could hide the curves that made the other two women resemble schoolgirls."If you two girls don't mind," the Shelby Belle continued, "I suggest you scram! I assume you have other things to do." The two women scowled at their colleague and left the parlor. Hazel-green eyes focused on Rafe and Danny. "Now, who's first?"Rafe shot up from the sofa like a bullet. "Me!" he crowed.The Shelby Belle gave him a sultry smile and indicated the staircase.* * * *"First time, young man?""Huh?" Inside the yellow-and-white bedroom, Rafe sat on a large bed and gawked at the prostitute. Who was in the process of removing her robe.The Shelby Belle smiled and stepped forward. Grabbing one arm, she gently forced Rafe to his feet and began to unfasten his shirt buttons. "I said, is this your first time?"Rafe nodded, "Yes ma'am.""Oh honey, you don't have to call me that. Makes me feel like an old spinster. My name is Lila. What's yours?" She slowly removed his shirt, following his undershirt.Trembling, Rafe remained rooted to the floor. "My name is Rafe. Rafe . . .""That's okay, honey. No need for last names." Lila slid the green slip off her body. The fifteen year-old Rafe found himself staring at the prostitute in all her naked glory. His entire body grew immediately hard.Rafe gulped. Aloud. "Did you say something, honey?" Lila asked."No ma . . ." Rafe paused and took a deep breath. "I mean, no. No, I didn't."Lila slowly walked toward Rafe and gently shoved him on the bed. "Well Rafe. Let's see about getting you out of those pants. Shall we?" Slender hands reached for the fastener to Rafe's trousers.* * * *Rafe knew that for as long as he lived, he would never forget those first thirty minutes with Lila Deakins. She had introduced him to a world of sensuality and passion he had never thought possible. He almost had to fight a surge of jealousy when time for Danny's minutes with the Shelby Belle arrived.Twenty minutes had passed when Danny finally returned downstairs to the parlor. Only a blind man would not have noticed the dazed expression on the fourteen year-old boy's face."Well?" Rafe demanded. "How was it?"Danny took a deep breath. "It was . . . I, uh . . . Gee! I've never been through anything like that before," he finally declared.Rafe grinned and threw an arm around his friend's shoulders. "Thought you might feel that way. Hell, I feel as if I just had the best day of my life! I'm gonna come back here, if it takes me a year."* * * *It took Rafe, exactly two weeks to pay a second visit to the Shelby House. Reluctant to ask Farley for extra funds, he saved enough from the money he had earned from his paper route.Much to his delight, Lila greeted him like an old friend and proceeded to teach him more on the joys of sex. "Oh honey, you seemed to be real good at this!" Lila declared breathlessly, after their bout between the sheets. "For a youngster, you sure do put many of my other customers to shame." She drew a long fingernail along the middle of Rafe's bare chest. "I'd like to see you again."Rafe let out a heartfelt sigh. "I wish I could, Lila, but . . .""But what?""I, uh . . . I probably won't be able to see you for a while."Lila's voice oozed with disappointment. "And why not?"Rafe replied in a low voice, "Money. I . . . I won't be able to afford to see you for at least a month or two.""Hmmm." Lila pressed her soft, warm body against Rafe's. "Tell you what. I usually don't start work until two o'clock in the afternoon. If you can make it over here before then, maybe we can spend some time together - free. How do you like that?" She gave his left thigh a squeeze.It took all of Rafe's self-control not to throw himself on Lila's body and plant it with a thousand kisses. Instead, he cried out in delight, "Hey, that's swell of you, Lila! Thanks!" He kissed one of her cheeks.A pink flush crept up the prostitute's face. "My pleasure, honey," she warmly replied.* * * *Rafe could not wait to tell Danny, after leaving the Shelby House. He had meant to convince his friend to join him for his second visit, but the latter had a doctor's appointment in nearby Memphis. Rafe had to wait until after his mother and Danny's return, to reveal Lila's delightful proposal."You think that's wise, Rafe?" Danny's voice expressed concern. The two friends sat on their beds, inside the bedroom they shared. "I mean . . . I reckon it's okay for that one visit. But every day?"Rafe could not believe his friend's attitude. "It won't be everyday," he protested. Just once in a while. Hell, how many fellas can claim they've been with the Shelby Belle that many times?""Anyone with enough money," Danny calmly replied. "Like Carl Jordan's daddy."A snort escaped Rafe's mouth. "Lance Jordan couldn't buy six minutes with Lila! At least, not anymore. Especially since he lost all his money after the stock market crash, nearly two years ago.""Well, there are other men with . . ."Exasperated by what Rafe saw was his friend's stubbornness, he cried out, "Good Lord, Danny! What are you getting at?"Danny sighed. "What I'm trying to say is that Lila Deakins isn't the type of gal you should waste your time with. Dammit Rafe, it ain't healthy being involved with a whore like that!""She ain't no whore!" Fearful that his parents may have overheard his outburst, Rafe added in a lower voice, "Lila happens to be a lady."Danny shrugged. "Maybe she is to you. But she ain't to other men. And if you keep seeing her, maybe you'll catch something. Like the crabs.""Lila makes sure that both of us are clean before we . . . well, you know."To Rafe's surprise, Danny's face turned red. Even after a trip to a whorehouse, his friend managed to remain shy about sex. "Okay, what about this?" Danny continued. "What if someone who knows your folks, sees you there? I reckon there are a few of your daddy's friends who drop by the Shelby House, every once in a while."Rafe barely heard Danny's words. "Maybe," he murmured. "Then again, maybe not. Lila wants me to visit before she starts work around two. I reckon no one would see me, if I do that.""Rafe . . ."Mrs. McCawley's voice rang from the hallway. "Rafe! Danny! Time for supper!""Yes ma'am!" Rafe shouted back. He shot his friend a reassuring grin. "Don't worry, Danny. Everything will turn out fine. You'll see."* * * *Rafe and Lila only had another six weeks together. Whenever the opportunity arose, Rafe usually found himself at the Shelby House, anywhere between eleven and two o'clock. The housekeeper, Velma, would allow Rafe to enter the house through the back door and from there, he would make his way to Lila's bedroom. The back door was the only impediment to Rafe's otherwise perfect month. Lila had insisted that he use it - in case of a close call with an unexpected visitor.That close call eventually happened, one afternoon in early September. After Velma allowed Rafe through the back door of the Shelby House, he immediately sprinted upstairs. He made his way along the second floor hallway, when the door to Lila's bedroom swung open. Rafe immediately assumed it was the love of his life. He started toward the open door, when the sight of a familiar figure stopped him in his tracks. The figure turned out to be one of his father's poker friends - Mr. Bateman. Rafe quickly darted into an empty room nearby and waited for the man to head downstairs. Later that evening, Rafe told Danny about his close call. Two days later, his relationship with Lila screeched to a halt.* * * *He stared at the auburn-haired woman with disbelieving eyes. "Say that again?" he demanded.Inside her bedroom, a scantily clad Lila heaved an impatient sigh. She retrieved a cigarette from a tin box on her dresser and stuck it between her teeth. "You heard me, Rafe. It's over. I don't want you here, anymore.""Why?"Hands on hips, Lila glared at him. "Because it's over. Dammit boy! Are you deaf? It was fun for a while, but not anymore. I need to be with someone new." She struck a match and lit her cigarette."Like that fella who was here, two days ago?" Rafe demanded.Hazel-green eyes rolled upward in disgust. "Good Lord! He was right! You really are too young for me.""He?" Rafe's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Who's 'he'?"Lila took a puff on her cigarette. "No one in particular. Just forget it.""Does that mean I can . . .?""No!" Lila's harsh response came as a slap across the face. Rafe blinked. "No, that doesn't mean you can come back. I don't want you here, anymore! Period! How many damn times do I have to tell you?""Why?"Lila retorted, "Because you're too young for me! And I don't want to go to jail for messing around with fifteen year-old boys!"Rafe's eyes widened in shock. "I never told you I was fifteen years old," he murmured. "How did you . . .?""Never mind on how I found out," Lila shot back. She paced back and forth across the room like an angry tigress, puffing on her cigarette. "All that matters is that you stay the hell away from this place, until you're old enough. Maybe you can come back in another two or three years from now. I suggest you stick to girls around your own age. Miz Enid and the rest of us don't need a spell behind bars for statutory rape. Now get out of here!" Lila pointed an angry finger at the door.His head hung low, a defeated Rafe dragged his feet toward the door. All sorts of thoughts and emotions whirled within him. How could Lila throw him out like that? And who exactly was this 'he'? Certainly not his daddy's friend. Mr. Lammers had not even seen him. And who told Lila that he was fifte . . .An ugly suspicion immediately formed in Rafe's mind. A suspicion that projected in the image of his best friend. "Danny!" Rafe paused and confronted Lila. "It was Danny who told you I was fifteen! When did he talk to you?"A guilty expression flitted across Lila's face, before the latter hardened. "It doesn't matter who I talked with!" she snarled. "Just get the hell out! You're bad for business!""And you're bad for me, lady!" Rafe retorted. "If a fella can call you one!" Filled with anger, he marched out of Lila's room, slamming the door shut. It would be his last visit to the Shelby House.END OF PART 2
