2010 Festival Update

The Dark Shadows Festival has issued an update on its 2010 event, taking place on July 16-18 at the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel & Convention centre. Guests include Jonathan Frid (Barnabas), David Selby (Quentin), Lara Parker (Angelique), John Karlen (Willie) and, making a debut appearance, Kathleen Cody (Hallie Stokes). There will also be an "extra-special pre-convention event" taking place on the Friday afternoon before the convention, and the Festival encourages fans to arrive on Thursday 15, so as not to miss out.

The Festival has arranged a discount rate at the convention hotel for the event of $129 per night plus tax (valid Thursday-Sunday). To reserve a room, call 1-818-843-6000 (Ask for Reservations Department). You must mention Dark Shadows to get the discount rate.

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

In an interview with Collider.com, Dark Shadows movie producer Graham King has updated the status of the proposed feature film, set to star Johnny Depp as Barnabas. Contrary to earlier indications, King says that filming is not due to begin until 2011, as work continues on the script.

"I know that Johnny is dying to do it and passionate to do it..." says King, adding that production cannot progress "until everyone feels that the script is in a good place." As previously reported, John August has been working on the screenplay for Dark Shadows.

To read the full interview, click here.

Big Finish Accepts Story Submissions

Big Finish Productions are to begin accepting story submissions for their Dark Shadows CD Audio Dramas. If you are interested in writing for the range, there is now a set of Writers' Guidelines available, detailing how prospective writers can prepare their pitches. For more information, email webmaster@collinwood.net

Staged Reading with Marie Wallace

Marie Wallace (Eve) is to take part in a staged reading of War Wounds by Terri Campion, forming part of the ARTC Winterworks event. The production takes place on February 2 from 7.30pm at the Roy Arias Studios, Fifth Floor, 300 West 43rd Street, New York City. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

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. 

At the time of Dark Shadows' production, she was quoted as saying: "I was a great fan... The children would come home from school and before homework, before tea, we would sit down and watch Dark Shadows. I just wanted to kind of join the club." To read a full obituary from the Los Angeles Times, click here.

Movie Costume Designer Announced

Footwear News reports that Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood will be working on Tim Burton's upcoming Dark Shadows feature film. "It's really the most fun a person can have, because Tim really lets you do your thing," she says. 

Atwood's numerous film credits include Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Sleepy Hollow, plus award-winning designs for Chicago and Memoirs of a Geisha. 

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. 

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.

The book is the second in a series of deluxe hardback reprints of the classic 1960s Dark Shadows comic books from Gold Key, and is due out on July 29 2010, priced $49.99. Amazon are currently offering the book at a 30% discount, and it can be pre-ordered by clicking here.

Michael Currie: 1928-2009

The Portland Press Herald has reported the death of actor Michael Currie, who played Sheriff Jonas Carter in the early episodes of Dark Shadows. Michael died on December 22 at his home in Freeport, Maine, aged 81. His other work included appearances on M*A*S*H, Soap, Dallas and Cheers. For a full obituary, click here.

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.

His career included roles on Broadway, stints on Secret Storm and As The World Turns, plus a long-serving position working for the Actor's Equity council, which he held until earlier this year. To read a full obituary, click here.

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:

"Do you swear to reveal to this jury of your peers, the truths you’ve withheld from your lord and master?"

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...

"I received an email from Lara Parker saying that she'd always wanted to do something where she and Kathryn Leigh Scott could really go at it,” reveals author Debbie Smith. "I immediately thought that was a wonderful idea." 

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.

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. 

The project had previously been delayed by director Tim Burton's ongoing commitments on his current project, Alice in Wonderland. Dark Shadows producer Graham King, updated the production's status at a recent press conference for The Young Victoria, revealing that pre-production is underway:  

"We've been working on the script a lot... John August wrote the first screenplay. We're making some changes, but the film's going to be in production [by] September or October of next year."

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.

Dark Shadows: The Complete Collection Volume 2 is due out on July 29 2010 and includes digitally restored strips, plus bonus content and other features. To pre-order the book at a 30% discount from Amazon, click here. Volume 1 is still due out on March 29 2010 and can be pre-ordered by clicking here.

Ron Sproat Dies

It is with sadness that we report the death of longtime Dark Shadows writer Ron Sproat. Ron died at his apartment in Manhattan of a heart attack on November 6, aged 77. In addition to contributing numerous scripts for Dark Shadows, Ron was a key player in the development of the character of Barnabas, who cemented the show's transition into mainstream popularity. 

In addition to his work on Dark Shadows, Ron contributed scripts to several other soaps, including Strange Paradise, Never Too Young, Secret Storm and The Doctors. His other television credits included United States Steel Hour and General Motors Presents. Latterly, he worked as a magazine and feature writer, and as a lyricist contributed to musicals such as Ravenswood and Abie's Island Rose.

He is survived by his sister, and Frank Evans, his partner. Click on the links to read obituaries from Playbill and Variety.