Monday, February 8, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Actor Updates
- David Selby (Quentin) was a recent guest on Canadian talk show Unscripted. The episode can be viewed online here. He's also due to appear in the upcoming story of Facebook movie The Social Network, scripted by The West Wing's Aaron Sorkin.
- Lisa Richards (Sabrina) is currently on stage at the Pittsburgh Playhouse in Pulitzer Prize-winning drama The Buried Child, which runs from February 5-21. For more information, click here.
- Julianna McCarthy (1991 Mrs Johnson) guested in the February 2 episode of CBS' NCIS: Los Angeles. The episode can be viewed online here.
Dark Shadows Movie Update
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Big Finish Accepts Story Submissions
Staged Reading with Marie Wallace
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Jean Simmons: 1929-2010
Veteran Hollywood actress Jean Simmons, who played Elizabeth Collins Stoddard in the 1991 Dark Shadows revival, has died following a long battle with lung cancer. Jean passed away at her Santa Monica home on January 22 aged 80. Her career included numerous classic films, including Black Narcissus, Guys and Dolls and Spartacus. Monday, January 11, 2010
Movie Costume Designer Announced
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Credit's Due
I love the Dark Shadows closing credits. At the close of each episode, the closing music would wheeze into life over a static shot of one of the studio sets, complete with reassuringly abstract shout-outs for "Miss Scott's Clothes by Junior Sophisticates", "Fashions by Ohrbachs" and "Bat by Bill Baird". Some of these tableaus are striking, some are humdrum, and very once in a while, comes a credits backdrop that stands out from the crowd, be it beautiful, bizarre... or just a bit dodgy. Here's a countdown of five of my favourites:
5. Episode 903: One of the highlights of the Leviathan storyline is a particularly bizarre dream sequence from genius writer Violet Welles, which sees Elizabeth terrorized by fairground impresario David Collins and a pair of freaky robotic mannequins. Doubtless the Dark Shadows props buyer experienced no small measure of satisfaction when the mechanic marvels were given pride of place, at the end of the show, cheerily waving goodbye to the viewers.4. Episode 991: The Seventies had made it to Collinwood, and soon no dream sequence was complete without a spangly backdrop courtesy of the resident Dark Shadows disco ball, resulting in this closing credits trip into the subconscious. All that's missing is a funk remix of the theme tune.

3. Episode 1062: Barnabas and Julia have journeyed through a mysterious space-band-time-warp-disturbance (delete as applicable) to the faraway year of 1995, where Collinwood lies in ruins. Alas, this vision of the future proved to be a disappointingly conservative one, clothed exclusively in plaid shirts and nylon fibres. So, rejoice then, in the futuristic wonder of Victor Flagler's spacey table lamp, flashing in distress as the credits play us out.
2. Episode 928: Another corker from the Leviathan sequence sees one-shot supporting artiste Mrs. Hutchins' Budgie step into the limelight. Cue mild seasickness from the viewing nation, as it sits rocking on its perch looking distinctly nonplussed.
And finally...

1. Episode 703: Clocking-off time at West 56th Street, and first out of the door is man-about-town Jonathan Frid, sashaying into frame with some smart casuals folded over his arm. A bonus point too for the balletic 'oops' moment, as he realises his mistake and quickly tries to veer out of frame. Stunning.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Second Comics Collection Cover
Hermes Press have unveiled the cover image for Dark Shadows: The Complete Series Volume 2, which features a great vintage rendering of Barnabas Collins stalking a victim. Click on the thumbnail for a larger view.Monday, December 28, 2009
Michael Currie: 1928-2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Conard Fowkes: 1933-2009
Theatermania has reported the death of actor Conard Fowkes, who played lawyer Frank Garner in the early episodes of Dark Shadows. Conard died on December 14 at the age of 76.Friday, December 11, 2009
Final Judgement Due in January
Big Finish's next Dark Shadows audio drama is out on CD and download in January. Final Judgement is an all-new audio drama starring Lara Parker and Kathryn Leigh Scott in an exciting story that sees Angelique and Josette fighting for survival. Here's a teaser synopsis:In the afterlife, Josette has made a pact with the Dark Lord to try Angelique for crimes against true love. But Josette’s time spent as a restless spirit has taken its toll. Is she strong enough to take on her old adversary? If Angelique is convicted, then her soul is forfeit, restoring Josette to life and beauty. If not...
Final Judgement is the second release in the new series of Dark Shadows Dramatic Readings, following on from September’s Curse of the Pharaoh. From January-May 2010, there will be five new stories, including scripts by Stephen Mark Rainey and Torchwood novelist James Goss. To order online, click here.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Dark Shadows Movie Confirmed for 2010
It's been a long time coming, but SciFiWire reports that Dark Shadows has been confirmed as Tim Burton's next film. The big budget feature film will begin shooting in late 2010, starring Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins. Saturday, December 5, 2009
Second Volume of Gold Key Reprints Announced
Hot on the heels of the announcement of the first volume of 1960s Dark Shadows comic book reprints, Hermes Press has confirmed the release of a second volume, due out in Summer 2010. The publisher plans to issue the entire series in five hardcover books.


