In
1998, Pomegranate Press followed up its comprehensive coverage
of Dark Shadows in print with a detailed overview of
the show's history on the big screen in The Dark Shadows
Movie Book.
During
her short introduction, Kathryn Leigh Scott shares the genesis
of Dan Curtis' scheme for the show's transition from small
to the big screen. Then a trio of cinema co-stars, Kate Jackson,
Nancy Barrett, and Lara Parker, contribute some candid comments.
Kate
Jackson offers a professional perspective on camera confidence
and proof of her equestrian experience. The seemingly bashful
Nancy Barrett becomes more personable on paper with the admission
of nearsightedness, a reaction to latex, and some culinary
creativity. Elsewhere, the prolific Lara Parker once again
displays her polished pen in the spirit of a larger than life
Angelique.
On
the factual side, Darren Gross, the film historian who has
long championed the restoration of both films, does a fantastic
job of capsulizing Collinwood at the Cinema, which
is chuck full of technical tidbits and trivia treats. Out
from Maggie's House of Dark Shadows Diary springs a
somewhat surprising satirical side of the overwise wholesome
Scott (who is apologetic) with the frustration of filming
fuelling some deliciously caustic asides.
There
are a number of black and white photos integrated throughout,
which include a dedication portrait pose of Grayson Hall,
and a centrefold of 42 color photos taken both in front of
and behind the camera.
Copies
of the original screen plays are included in the publication
with director Dan Curtis' cryptic notes both in and out of
the margins as well as a floor plan drawing of Lyndhurst to
illustrate filming locations for specific scenes that numbers
collate with dialogue in the script. "I was as surprised
as anyone when Dan Curtis allowed me to reprint his own personal
working scripts for the two Dark Shadows films,"
comments editor/ publisher Kathryn Leigh Scott. "It was
great fun to read Dan's notes and stage directions. Of course
he planned every shot in advance, but lots of changes happened
on the set during rehearsal, too. I knew as I paged through
the scripts that fans of the Dark Shadows films would
be as fascinated as me in seeing how Dan made his creative
choices."
Finally,
an informative Editing Summary is provided by Darren
Gross, exposing those eliminated scenes and their estimated
running times from that of the release prints of both films.
"I
really think it's one of Pomegranate's best Dark Shadows
books." says Scott proudly. The Dark Shadows Movie
Book offers a fascinating retrospective and stand-alone
source to celebrate the show's history on the silver screen.
US
Readers: Order
this book from Amazon.com
UK Readers: Order
this book from Amazon.co.uk
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