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| 2008 Festival Announced |
August 28 2007 |
The 2008 Dark Shadows Festival will take place on July 18-20 2008 at the Burbank Airport Hotel and Convention Center. Full information will be posted on the Festival's website as it becomes available.
| Johnny Depp Signs Dark Shadows Deal |
August 7 2007 |
Variety reports that Johnny Depp's production company Infinitum-Nihil and Graham King's GK Films are developing a new Dark Shadows feature film, in association with Warner Bros. Dan Curtis' former colleague David Kennedy will co-produce.
Depp is most famous for the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise, along with Gothic fare such as Edward Scissorhands, one of several collaborations with director Tim Burton. In previous interviews, Depp has confessed his love for Dark Shadows and the character of Barnabas, though it is currently unclear if he actually intends to appear in the project.
To read the initial Variety report, click here. We will continue to report on the development of this exciting new development.
| Angelique's Descent Audio Book |
August 7 2007 |
Big Finish Productions have recorded a new CD audio book of Angelique's Descent, featuring Lara Parker reading her classic Dark Shadows novel. The story is split into into two double-disc releases: Part 1: Innocence and Part 2: Betrayal. The productions include sound effects, atmospheric music and special dramatised sequences.
Angelique's Descent will debut over the weekend of the Dark Shadows Festival and will be available generally from August 20. To order Angelique's Descent and hear a preview of the audio book, click here.
| The Beginning Volume 2 |
August 7 2007 |
MPI Home Video have confirmed the general release date for Dark Shadows: The Beginning Volume 2, which will be available from October 30.
The set features episodes 36-70, covering the murder of Bill Malloy and the show's first ghostly visitor. Bonus features include a Collinsport History hosted by Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie), plus interviews with Alexandra Moltke (Victoria) and series unit manager Michael Brockman. Amazon are offering the release at a 30% pre-order discount. To preorder the set from Amazon, click here.
| Festival Welcomes Frid |
June 17 2007 |
The Dark Shadows Festival have scored a considerable coup by tempting Jonathan Frid (Barnabas) to make a rare convention appearance for this Summer's celebration. Jonathan last attended a Festival in 1993.
This year's two-day event takes place at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown, New York on August 17 and 18. Jonathan will be appearing on August 18 only, and will sign autographs at that evening's closing banquet celebrations.
Other guests for the weekend include Lara Parker (Angelique), Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie) and Marie Wallace (Eve). For more information visit the Festival's official website.
| Dark Shadows: The Beginning DVDs |
June 17 2007 |
The long-awaited early episodes of Dark Shadows finally reach general DVD outlets this summer with the release of Dark Shadows: The Beginning Volume 1 on August 28.
The release features the first 35 episodes, with special features including a newly-shot introduction from Alexandra Moltke (Victoria Winters). Future volumes are expected to follow on a bi-monthly schedule. Amazon are offering the set at a 30% pre-order discount. To preorder the release from Amazon, click here.
| The Legend Reborn |
June 17 2007 |
Big Finish Productions have released Dark Shadows: The Legend Reborn, a special CD documentary about the making of their series of original audio dramas. The double disc release features over a dozen interviews with the cast and crew of CD, plus an album of Joseph Fox's haunting scores from the series.
Big Finish are currently working on the second series of Dark Shadows audio dramas, which will record later this year. To order The Legend Reborn or read more about the series, click here.
| Movies Come to DVD |
March 20 2007 |
In a recent web-chat, Warner Home Video confirmed that they would be issuing the Dark Shadows spin-off movies, House of Dark Shadows and Night of Dark Shadows, on DVD later this year. The double-movie set will feature new digitally restored widescreen transfers. The possibility of including additional bonus material is currently under discussion. We'll continue to report on this exciting development.
| Grayson's Act Praised |
March 20 2007 |
TV Guide featured a rave review to the biography Grayson Hall: A Hard Act to Follow in their March 5 issue. "As sharp and campy as Hall herself, and a terrific way to celebrate the soap's 40th anniversary," enthuses columnist Michael Logan. The book can be purchased from Amazon by clicking here. To read this site's interview with the book's author, click here.
| Audio Dramas Continue |
February 14 2007 |
Big Finish have released the latest two titles in their series of Dark Shadows CD audio dramas, The Christmas Presence and The Rage Beneath. Information and cover artwork is shown below. The company have confirmed that a second series of stories will be produced in 2007.
The Christmas Presence: As Christmas draws near, Quentin issues an arcane invitation into the unknown. Meanwhile, as children are reported missing across Collinsport, the festive season brings Collinwood new terrors, when a persuasive spirit seeks to divide and conquer...
The Rage Beneath: As a storm rages across Collinsport, ancient forces are stirring throughout the town. The waters of the ocean hold dark secrets for the Collins family - secrets that must be revealed once and for all. As a malevolent power takes hold, Quentin finds himself facing a final confrontation…
The Christmas Presence is written by Scott Handcock. The Rage Beneath is written by Scott Alan Woodard and guest-stars Robert Rodan (Adam). Both discs are directed by Gary Russell, with David Selby, Lara Parker, Kathryn Leigh Scott and John Karlen forming the regular cast.
March sees an additional release, The Legend Reborn. This double-disc CD set takes listeners behind the scenes with interviews about the series and includes a full soundtrack album to the first season. To read more about the series and order online, click here.
| New Merchandise |
February 14 2007 |
MPI Home Video have released The Complete Dark Shadows Music Collection, a special eight CD set of Robert Cobert's classic music from the show. Including many rare and unheard arrangements, plus outtakes and deluxe liner notes, it can be purchased from Amazon by clicking here. Amazon are also now offering Return to Collinwood, the 2004 Dark Shadows audio drama sequel on CD. To order it, click here.
MPI have also begun releasing the first 209 episodes of Dark Shadows on DVD, under the title Dark Shadows: The Beginning. These releases are currently only available by subscription from MPI's DVD Club, but are expected to become available through general retail outlets in the future.
| Craig Hamrick: 1966-2006 |
October 1 2006 |
It is with sadness that we report the death of Craig Hamrick, who passed away on September 24, following a four-year battle with colon cancer. He was 39. Craig was a familiar and greatly respected member of the Dark Shadows community for over 10 years and will be greatly missed. He is survived by family and his long-term partner Joe Salvatore.
Craig is best known to Dark Shadows fans for his Dark Shadows Online website, one of the net's biggest Dark Shadows information sites. He maintained a personal website and produced sites for many of the show's actors, including David Selby, Lara Parker and Marie Wallace, and collaborated with friend and mentor Louis Edmonds to write Big Lou, an intimate and revealing biography of the actor.
His extensive research on the Dark Shadows cast resulted in Barnabas & Company, an illuminating book which uncovered many previously unknown facets about the show's actors. He was in the process of completing a revised edition at the time of his death, which promises to expand greatly on his previous work.
Outside of the Dark Shadows world, Craig worked as an accomplished writer, designer, editor and photographer. The unflagging optimism and courage with which he faced his illness was utterly characteristic of this inspiring and generous man. We will be paying tribute to Craig on this site in the near future.
Memorial contributions can be made to New York City Animal Care & Control, an organisation that cares for abandoned and unwanted pets. Please indicate that your donation is in memory of Craig Hamrick and send it to the following address:
Development Department
New York City Animal Care & Control
11 Park Place, Suite 805
New York, NY 10007
| News
Bites |
October 1 2006 |
• Big Finish have released their first two Dark Shadows CD audio dramas, featuring the original cast in all-new stories. The House of Despair and The Book of Temptation are available now from the range's official website.
• Another Dan Curtis TV movie makes its DVD debut with the release of The Norliss Tapes, a creepy 1973 thriller starring Roy Thinnes (1991 Roger). To order it from Amazon, click here.
• David Selby (Quentin) has signed to play a recurring role in a new HBO series. Tell Me You Love Me is expected to debut in 2007, with David appearing in nine episodes.
With
thanks to MsCriseyde
| Grayson
Hall Biography Released |
August
20 2006 |
Grayson
Hall: A Hard Act to Follow is a new career biography
from author R.J. Jamison. The book delves into the life
of the woman behind Julia Hoffman, with rare photographs
and in-depth interviews:
Grayson
Hall was a widely acclaimed New York Theatre actress,
1964 Academy Award nominee, and co-star of the 1960s-70s
Gothic television serial, Dark Shadows. Here for
the first time is a survey of her life and career which
takes place in the world of New York writers and artists
beginning in the early 1950s; a world that revolved around
serious intellectual discourse, cocktails, cigarettes and
theatre! This book reaches back to Grayson's earliest stage
appearances in 1942 as a teenager on Long Island; her extensive
stage work in regional theatre and in New York City; her
television and film appearances including three early New
York arthouse films, the avant-garde French film Qui
êtes-vous, You Polly Maggoo? and her Oscar nominated
turn in The Night of the Iguana.
R.J.
Jamison tells us more about the book in an exclusive
interview. To order the book from Amazon, click
here.
| The
Book of Temptation |
August
2 2006 |
Big
Finish have issued the cover artwork for their
second Dark Shadows audio drama,
The Book of Temptation, due out in September. Here's
a teaser synopsis:
As
the repercussions of Quentin’s return are felt, Maggie
Evans finds herself the target for a terrifying supernatural
attack. What lies in wait in Collinwood’s abandoned
wing? And can Quentin and Angelique contain the evil of
the house once and for all?
The
story stars David Selby, Lara Parker,
Kathryn Leigh Scott, John Karlen
and Daphne Ashbrook. It is written by Scott
Handcock and directed by Gary Russell.
Click on the thumbnail for a larger view.The CD can be pre-ordered
now from the range's official
website.
| Bloopers & Treasures DVD |
August
2 2006 |
MPI
Home Video are to issue a special 40th Anniversary
DVD, Dark Shadows Bloopers & Treasures.
The DVD features the compilations Dark Shadows Bloopers
and Dark Shadows Music Videos, previously issued
on VHS. Dark Shadows In Salem finds Lara
Parker (Angelique), on location in Massachusetts,
recalling where the actual witch trials took place. Also
included is long-lost footage of Dark Shadows actors
appearing on game shows, promotional spots with
Jonathan Frid, and much more.
The
compilation is due out on November 21. To pre-order the
disc at a discount price from Amazon, click
here.
| The
House of Despair |
June
27 2006 |
Big
Finish have issued the cover artwork for their
first Dark Shadows audio drama,
The House of Despair, due out in September. The
story is presented in three episodes, in the style of the
original show, complete with cliffhanger endings. Here's
the teaser synopsis:
After
years of wandering the world, Quentin Collins is coming
home. But the Collinwood that awaits him is no longer the
sanctuary he remembers. As the town of Collinsport hides
in fear from otherworldly powers, Quentin vows to unite
old friends and reclaim his birthright…
The
story stars David Selby, Lara Parker,
Kathryn Leigh Scott and John Karlen.
It is written by Stuart Manning and directed
by Gary Russell. Click on the thumbnail
for a larger view.The CD can be pre-ordered now from the
range's official
website.
| DVD
Collection 26 |
June
27 2006 |
MPI
Home Video have released the cover artwork and
extras information for their release of the show's final
episodes, Dark Shadows DVD Collection 26.
The set features the last 19 episodes of the series, plus
over three hours of bonus material, including never-before-seen
rehearsal footage, promotional spots, trailers and behind-the-scenes
home movies.
|
Dark
Shadows DVD Collection 26 ·
Released September 26
 ·
Episodes 1227-1245,
presented on four disks
· Full-length Documentaries: Dark
Shadows Tribute
and Dark Shadows 25th Anniversary
· Compilations: Vampires and Ghosts,
Dark Shadows Scariest Moments and The Best of
Barnabas
· Featurettes and Montages: The
Making of Return to Collinwood, Before
the Shadows, A Fan Remembers,
Dark Shadows - The Beginning,
Beyond the Shadows
· Collectable postcard
· Region 0 Encoding/NTSC (Compatible with
players worldwide)
Order
now at a discount price from Amazon.com |
|
| News
in Brief |
June
27 2006 |
•
MPI are to release a collector's
edition DVD of Dan Curtis' classic TV movie
Trilogy of Terror, which features John
Karlen (Willie). It can be pre-ordered from Amazon
by clicking here.
• Alexandra
Moltke (Victoria) has produced a new documentary
film, The Healing Gardens of New York, due for PBS broadcast
on July 27.
With
thanks to ShadowGram
| Audio
Dramas Update |
June
5 2005 |
Big
Finish Productions have launched Dark
Shadows Reborn, a new website for their upcoming range
of original CD audio dramas, which recently recorded in
Los Angeles. The site includes a teaser trailer, plus story
and cast information. David Selby (Quentin),
Lara Parker (Angelique), Kathryn
Leigh Scott (Maggie) and John Karlen
(Willie) form the regular cast.
The
first two CDs, The House of Despair and
The Book of Temptation, are released in
September. Both will debut at the 40th Anniversary Dark
Shadows Festival on August 25, and will be available
generally the following week. November sees a second batch
of CDs, with the release of The Christmas Presence
and The Rage Beneath. Each disc
retails at $15.00 (£10.99 in the UK), and can be pre-ordered
on the
site. A special discount price is offered for fans pre-ordering
all four titles.
MPI
Home Video have released the cover artwork and
extras breakdown for Dark Shadows DVD Collection 24
and 25, which are reproduced below.
|
Dark
Shadows DVD Collection 24 ·
Released May 30
 ·
Episodes 1143-1185,
presented on four disks
· Disc 1: David
Selby interview
· Disc 2: John Karlen interview
· Disc 3: James Storm interview
· Disc 4: Dan Curtis (series creator)
interview
· Collectable postcard
· Region 0 Encoding/NTSC (Compatible with
players worldwide)
Order
now at a discount price from Amazon.com |
|
|
Dark
Shadows DVD Collection 25 ·
Released July 25
 ·
Episodes 1186-1226,
presented on four disks
· Disc 1: David
Selby interview
· Disc 2: John Karlen interview
· Disc 3: Lara Parker interview
· Disc 4: Mary McKinley (costume
designer) interview
· Collectable postcard
· Region 0 Encoding/NTSC (Compatible with
players worldwide)
Order
now at a discount price from Amazon.com |
|
• Grayson Hall's (Julia) oscar-nominated
turn in Night of the Iguana can now be
enjoyed on DVD. To order it from Amazon, click
here.
• Donna McKechnie (Amanda) has penned
her autobiography, due out in September. Time Steps:
My Musical Comedy Life can be ordered from Amazon.com.
• Replacement
Victoria Winters actress Betsy Durkin also
joins the publishing ranks with the newly released Dressing
the Man You Love: A Woman's Guide to Purchasing, Coordinating
and Caring for His Classic Wardrobe. To order it
from Amazon, click
here.
With
thanks to ShadowGram and the Dark Shadows Festival
In
an exciting development, Big Finish Productions
have announced that they are to produce a range
of original Dark Shadows audio dramas,
featuring members of the original cast. Big Finish
is a UK company who produce licensed drama for a number
of series, including a bestselling range of Doctor
Who CDs.
Four
single-CD stories will be recorded soon, with the first
two titles debuting at August's Dark Shadows Festival.
The
CDs will be available by mail order and through retail outlets.
"It
is bittersweet that, on this 40th anniversary of Dark
Shadows, we have just lost the mastermind behind
Collinwood and its characters, creator-producer Dan
Curtis," comments Jim Pierson,
Marketing Director for Dan Curtis Productions. "Dan
knew that his legacy of gothic mystery and magic would live
on. He greatly loved his original group of actors and it
is truly fitting that they are helping to continue his Dark
Shadows dream."
"I'm
delighted that Big Finish is able to add
Dark Shadows to its range of audio dramas,"
said Jason Haigh-Ellery, MD of Big
Finish and co-producer of Dark Shadows.
"We are making sure that these new audios can be enjoyed
by listeners new to Dark Shadows as well
as long-time devotees of the original TV series."
The
producers of Dark Shadows for Big
Finish are Stuart Manning and
Jason Haigh-Ellery. Darren Gross
serves as Script Editor. Executive Producer for Dan Curtis
Productions is Jim Pierson. www.darkshadowsreborn.com
will unveil extensive information about the project on June
5. The site currently features a press release, detailing
basic information on the production.
| Dan
Curtis: 1927-2006 |
April
12 2005 |
It
is with sadness that we report the death of Dark Shadows
creator Dan Curtis. Dan died at his home
in Brentwood, California on March 27, 2006. He had been
diagnosed with a brain tumour late last year.
A
memorial service was held on March 31 at Eden Memorial Park,
Mission Hills. Representing the Dark Shadows community
were David Selby, John Karlen
and Jim Pierson, acting as pallbearers,
with Barbara Steele giving a reading. Dan's
daughters and novelist Herman Wouk also
spoke.
Memorial
donations can be made to Dr. Jeff Cummings' Alzheimer's
research, c/o UCLA Alzheimer's Disease Center, 710 Westwood
Plaza, Suite 20238, Los Angeles CA 90095.
A
special section of the site has been created, hosting tributes
and obituary information for Dan. To visit it, click
here.
| VHS
Range Signs Off |
March
26 2006 |
MPI
Home Video have announced that their Dark
Shadows VHS range is to be discontinued at the
end of June. The show's archive has been in print for over
10 years and is being phased out in favour of MPI's ongoing
DVD Collections.
The tapes will remain available while stocks last. For a
list of volumes, visit the site's online
store.
With
thanks to ShadowGram
Supernatual
sleuth Kolchak finds himself at the mercy of Barnabas Collins
in a new short story collection celebrating the classic
Night Stalker series. Kolchak:
The Night Stalker Chronicles is an illustrated
paperback featuring 26 stories, which can be ordered from
Amazon by at a discount price by clicking
here.
With
thanks to the Joe Gentile
| The
Salem Branch |
December
16 2005 |
Lara
Parker's (Angelique) long-awaited Dark Shadows
novel The Salem Branch is confirmed for publication
on July 11. The cover artwork is seen below; click on the
thumbnail for a larger view. From the publisher:
"As
the original Dark Shadows storyline ended, Barnabas
Collins had escaped the curse of the witch Angelique and
found his way back to humanity after two hundred years as
a ravenous vampire. Now actress Lara Parker, Angelique herself,
reveals the next dark twist in this saga of love and cruelty.
Barnabas
Collins is ready to embark on a new life and marriage with
his savior, the virtuous Dr. Julia Hoffman. But when Antoinette,
a beautiful '60s flower child with a shocking resemblance
to the immortal witch Angelique, rebuilds the Old House,
his past returns to haunt him. Discovering a grisly corpse
in the basement -- where his own casket once lay -- Barnabas
realizes another vampire has invaded his domain.
Did
Antionette summon the vampire or is she as innocent as she
is beautiful? And what of her daughter, Jacqueline, confined
for delusions of witchcraft, to the local sanitarium? The
roots of the Collins family's power and wealth go deep....
Back to the corrupt witch trials of of Salem itself...
Barnabas's
fight to protect his family from this new threat will take
him back through time to an evil moment in America's history.
Two hundred years ago, Jacqueline's previous incarnation
was tried and condemned to hang as a witch in Salem. Desperate,
she spilled the blood of her newborn babe to curse the greedy
and corrupt judges --including a Collins. How powerful is
her malevolent curse, and how much of her fate and her witchcraft
does present-day Jacqueline remember?"
The
large format trade paperback will be published by Tor
Books, priced $12.95. Lara's official
website has been revamped to tie in with the release.
To pre-order the book from Amazon.com at a discount price,
click
here.
With
thanks to Craig Hamrick and Lara Parker
Congratulations
to Kathryn Leigh Scott, whose CD audiobook
Dark Shadows Memories has been praised
in a recent chart of recommended audiobook titles in trade
magazine Publisher's Weekly:
"Scott is an engaging, melodious and supremely knowledgeable
tour guide." The double CD set features Scott's narration
with Robert Cobert's original soundtrack.
To order it at a discount price from Amazon, click
here.
With
thanks to Kathryn Leigh Scott
S.E.
Hinton's Dark Shadows inspired novel Hawkes
Harbor comes to paperback on October 4. The book was
originally written for the HarperCollins Dark Shadows
range, before being rejected due to concerns over content.
Undaunted, Hinton altered the character names, allowing
a vivid alternative take on the show. To pre-order the book
from Amazon, click
here.
To
view older news stories, click here.
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