Audio Dramas Update

Big Finish Productions' series of Dark Shadows audio dramas continues apace, with several new CDs due out in the coming months. In addition to the previously announced Echoes of Insanity, released later in July, Curse of the Pharaoh, starring Nancy Barrett (Carolyn) and Marie Wallace (Eve) will follow in August. More details will be released soon, but in the meantime, here's a sneak peak from the recording, showing Nancy and director Joe Salvatore in studio.

The latest issue of Big Finish's online magazine Vortex features an interview with Dark Shadows sound designer Nigel Fairs, discussing his work on the new stories. Download it for free by clicking here.

Out of Print Books on Kindle

Amazon have begun offering a selection of out-of-print Dark Shadows reference books as digital editions, available for viewing on their Kindle handheld reader. The titles available are The Dark Shadows Companion: 25th Anniversary Collection, the Dark Shadows Almanac: Millennium Edition and Dark Shadows Memories: 35th Anniversary. To order, click on the hyperlinked titles.

New DVD Releases for September

TVShowsonDVD reports that MPI Home Video are to release two new Dark Shadows compilation DVDs, showcasing the classic scenes from two of the show's most popular characters, Barnabas and Quentin. The Curse of the Vampire features material from the introduction of Barnabas and 1795, while The Haunting of Collinwood condenses the ghost of Quentin's possession of David Collins. Both releases are due out on September 15. Here's some advance information and cover graphics:

The Curse of the Vampire

Cursed by the scorned witch Angelique, Barnabas Collins returns to Collinwood as a creature of the night. The character of Barnabas Collins, a sympathetic vampire, turned the Dark Shadows series into a must-see event for over 20 million viewers. In this special release, the story of how Barnabas was cursed as one of the living dead is detailed in a selection of scenes from the most popular episodes. pecial features include a new interview with Jonathan Frid (Barnabas).

Pre-order The Curse of the Vampire at a discount price from Amazon.com

The Haunting of Collinwood

High atop Widows' Hill, off the stormy Maine coast, sits the foreboding Collinwood, home for centuries of the wealthy Collins family. An exorcist is summoned after the children a Collinwood are possessed. In this special release, the story of how the ghost of Quentin Collins haunted the eerie estate of Collinwood is detailed in a selection of scenes from the most popular episodes. Special features include a new interview with David Selby (Quentin).

Pre-order The Haunting of Collinwood at a discount price from Amazon.com

Dark Shadows Movie Delayed Until 2010

Collider.com reports that filming on the upcoming Dark Shadows feature film, starring Johnny Depp, has been delayed until 2010. As previously announced, Depp will star as Barnabas Collins, and Tim Burton, Depp's long-time collaborator, is pencilled in to direct. Speaking at a press conference for his new movie Public Enemies, Depp gave an update on the project: 

"Dark Shadows is happening. Tim is working on Alice in Wonderland which is obviously quite a large piece of work there. So when Tim is done with Alice and we get the script, which is very, very close, in order we’ll probably attack it next year. It’s exciting... very exciting. It’s like a lifelong dream for me. I loved the show when I was a kid. I was obsessed with Barnabas Collins. I have photographs of me holding Barnabas Collins posters when I was five or six. I’m very excited to do it.”

Audio Dramas Offer

Amazon are offering a great deal on the latest batch of Dark Shadows audio drama reissues. For a limited time, The Skin Walkers and The Path of Fate, starring Lara Parker and David Selby, plus The Wicked and the Dead, starring Jerry Lacy and John Karlen, are all available at a 32% discount from their retail price. Each CD contains an original hour-long story, with sound effects and music. To order, click on the linked titles. 

David Selby in Mad Men

David Selby's (Quentin) official website reports that he's just filmed an appearance for AMC's acclaimed 1960s drama Mad Men. The unplaced episode, titled The Greatest Generation, sees David guest starring as Horace Cook, Sr. No airdate is set yet, but the new season begins airing from August 16.

Echoes of Insanity

Big Finish productions have announced the final title in their current series of Dark Shadows dramatic readings, which is due out in July. Lara Parker and John Karlen star in Echoes of Insanity, which explores the shady past of Willie Loomis.

Framed by Barnabas to protect his secret, Willie lies injured in the Windcliff Institute, haunted by the memories of his ordeal. His only hope is the mysterious golden angel who appears in his dreams, but does she have her own agenda?

The script is by D. Lynn Smith, a new contributor to the range, whose screenwriting credits include episodes of Murder, She Wrote, Touched by an Angel and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. "Watching the show as a child, Angelique and Willie always particularly intrigued me," she explains.

"Angelique was a witch, she was also a strong, intelligent woman who knew what she wanted and went after it – a great role model at a time when female role models were hard to come by. Willie was wild and handsome and brash. Writing this story gave me an opportunity to explore Willie's adventures before Collinsport, exploring a past to which the original series only alluded."

Echoes of Insanity is available on CD and download from the Big Finish website.

House of Dark Shadows on Demand

Following on from its recent addition to the Itunes store, the 1970 Dark Shadows movie House of Dark Shadows is now available to watch online on demand from Amazon. For more information, click here.

Movie Screenwriter Speaks

John August, the screenwriter for the upcoming Dark Shadows movie, starring Johnny Depp and Tim Burton, has spoken about the project at a recent personal appearance.

Discussing his work at the Rancho Mirage Public Library, John revealed: “Dark Shadows is the next thing [I’m writing] that shoots. Johnny’s producing, Tim’s directing... and it’s great, it’s going to be so much fun. So we’re just figuring out when we can start shooting – when Tim will be free.” 

To view a video of the complete question and answer session, which touches on many aspects of his career, visit John's official website.

Festival Hotel Sells Out

ShadowGram reports that the Newark Airport Renaissance Hotel has sold out of its discounted room allocation for August's Dark Shadows Festival convention. Fans still wishing to attend are advised to try the Hampton Inn Newark Airport and Hilton Newark Airport hotels, both of which are located nearby.

The Dark Shadows Festival takes place on August 14-16, with special guest of honour Jonathan Frid (Barnabas), plus other members of the cast. For more information and registration details, visit the Festival's official website.

Dark Shadows Movie for 2010

News on the proposed Johnny Depp big screen Dark Shadows adaptation is still thin on the ground, but Shocktilyoudrop reports the promising appearance of Dark Shadows on a recently-issued Japanese press release schedule from Warner Bros, penciling the film in for a winter 2010 release. More news as it comes.

Sam Hall Speaks Out

Nostalgia website TVParty has posted a new interview with Sam Hall, prolific Dark Shadows scriptwriter and widower of actress Grayson Hall (Julia Hoffman). He discusses many aspects of the show in frank detail, and touches on other parts of his life and career. Check it out by clicking here.

Revival Series Bargain

For a limited time, Amazon.com are selling the 1991 Dark Shadows revival series DVD for just $14.99, a saving of over 60 percent from the retail price. The three-disc set features all 13 episodes of the prime time remake, starring Ben Cross and Joanna Going. To order, click here. As previously reported, Amazon are currently offering half-price discounts across the Dark Shadows DVD range.

In addition to stocking the discontinued Barnabas Collins action figure, Amazon have also started offering another Dan Curtis-related horror – Majestic Studios' replica of the Zuni doll from Trilogy of Terror – which can be yours to tread warily around in the comfort of your own home by clicking here.

House of Dark Shadows on iTunes

While DVDs of the Dark Shadows films aren't due until 2010, House of Dark Shadows has recently been made available in digital download format via the iTunes Store. This new release makes use of a recent 16:9 widescreen transfer from the original materials, offering superior picture quality to the VHS version. The movie retails for $9.99.

A Postcard from the Past

"Dear Julia,

How are you? Weather in 1897 is lovely, and I've bought a nice new furry collar for my cape. Am thinking that I maybe should have paid more attention to Stokes' warnings about dangerously altering established history. Might only be a hiccup, but this week I've managed to dispatch Laura Collins in a ball of flame, and then turned Dirk Wilkins into a vampire, resulting in a rampage across the Collins estate, ending in the murder of Rachel Drummond and Carl's girlfriend Pansy.

Oh yes... Carl. Ended up murdering him as well, after he discovered my secret. And might have picked a bit of a fight with Reverend Trask... yes, he's here too. But otherwise, things are going quite well.  I think the Collins family are very fortunate to have me here to look after them. 

Anyway, must get back to it... hope all's well.

Barnabas."