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> August 2004
| DVD
Collection 15 |
August
26 2004 |
Dark
Shadows DVD Collection 15 is newly confirmed for
release on November 23. The set features episodes 776-815,
continuing the period shenanigans of 1897 with the arrival
of the omnipotent Count Petofi and his aide de comp (or
should that be camp?) Aristede. The cover image and bonus
interviews should be confirmed shortly. Amazon.com are currently
listing the title at a 30% discount with free shipping:
Pre-order
Dark Shadows DVD Collection 15 from Amazon.com
| Night
Restoration Progresses |
August
24 2004 |
The
screening of recovered footage from Night of Dark Shadows
proved a highlight of last weekend's Dark Shadows Festival.
During the presentation, it was announced that pre-emptive
work has begun re-recording lost dialogue in preparation
for the film's restoration, the first concrete development
for the project since Dan Curtis' missing director's
cut was uncovered in 1999.
To
date, actors Nancy Barrett, Diana Millay and
John Karlen have loaned their vocals to the project.
It is hoped that the remaining cast members will record
their contributions by the end of the year. It should be
noted that at present there is no completion date or release
set for the film.
With
thanks to Darren Gross and Jim Pierson
| Return
to Collinwood |
August
22 2004 |
The original audio play Dark Shadows: Return to Collinwood
can now be ordered from MPI Home Video, with wider
distribution mooted for a later date. Presented on two CDs,
the play runs to 106 minutes, with a retail price of $24.95.
Click on the thumbnail image for a larger view.
Written
and directed by Jamsion Selby, the play rejoins a
number of the classic cast in the present day for the reading
of Elizabeth's will, and stars David Selby, Kathryn
Leigh Scott, John Karlen, Nancy Barrett,
Lara Parker, Roger Davis, Marie Wallace,
Chris Pennock, Donna Wandrey, James Storm
and Terry Crawford.
| Pilot
Presentation Comment |
August
22 2004 |
The
recent Dark Shadows Festival brought fans their first
glimpse of the failed Dark Shadows pilot, when its
associate producer Jim Pierson hosted a brief montage
of clips from the episode. So, what's the verdict?
|
Comment...
After months of speculation and recriminations, the
failed Dark Shadows pilot finally made a fleeting
debut. On one level it was a heartening experience,
in the wake of the recent "unsalvageable"
slurs, and on another, a disappointing glimpse at
what might have been.
Alec
Newman's Barnabas projected sensitivity and pathos,
mixed with a winning high intensity, while Marley
Shelton made for a straight-laced, slightly sheltered
Victoria. Clearly not stupid, this Vicki is definitely
no woman of the world either. Alexander Gould's
David managed to be genuinely scary rather than just
mildly precocious, and Blair Brown offered
an outrageous yet utterly acceptable take on Elizabeth
- less of a matriarch and instead a fragile woman
precariously gripping onto her sanity.
Director
PJ Hogan's controversial take on the show certainly
had this viewer won over. Yes, it doesn't look how
Dan Curtis might have directed it, but approached
on its own terms, it is sweeping, rich and evocative
- this Dark Shadows is a resonant grand fantasy,
an epic haunted fairytale. From the breathtaking Collinwood
interiors, replete with their offbeat, almost Expressionist
lighting, it makes for challenging and unique viewing.
It may be an extreme take on the material, but it's
a gamble that pays off in spades.
My
favourite image was the billowing apparition of Angelique
standing in the graveyard. Beautiful, alluring and
dangerous all at once - it seemed to encapsulate in
a single shot everything that Dark Shadows should
be. On the basis of the material shown, the show's
new producers managed to bring the format into the
21st Century with style, confidence and aplomb. That
their efforts should have met with such disinterest
is a crying shame. |
|
| News
Round-up |
August
22 2004 |
•
MPI Home Video have revised the bonus interviews
for Dark Shadows DVD Collection 14. The release will
now feature comments from David Selby (Quentin), Kathryn
Leigh Scott (Maggie), plus ABC-TV publicist James Butler
and ABC-TV executive Leonard Goldberg. To order the set
from Amazon, click
here.
• Dark Shadows DVD
Collection 15 is tentatively slated for release on November
23, concluding 2004's DVD schedule.
•
Marie Wallace (Eve) is writing
a career memoir, On Stage and in Shadows. Promising
unseen photographs for Marie's personal collection, it is
due out in early 2005.
•
John Karlen (Willie) will appear at
Hollywood's Egyptian Theatre on August 27 at a screening
of his cult horror film Daughters of Darkness. He
will discuss the film with director Harry Kumel after the
presentation. For
more information, call the box office on: 323-466-3456.
• Marley Shelton
(2004 Victoria) has found favour
on another John Wells production. She will appear
as a regular cast member in the new season of The West
Wing.
With
thanks to ShadowGram
| Diana
in the Kitchen |
August
22 2004 |
Actress
Diana Millay (Laura Collins) has published a new edition
of her cookbook, I'd Rather Eat Than Act, including
rare photographs and recipes from Diana's celebrity pals.
From the publisher:
"I'd
Rather Eat than Act contains dozens of great recipes,
as well as anecdotes about author Diana Millay's
appearances on dozens of classic TV series—plus a gallery
of rare photos.
Diana
Millay has played colourful characters on dozens of
classic TV shows and several films. In Tarzan and the
Great River, she swung through the jungles of Brazil
with the lord of the apes. On Dark Shadows she haunted
Collinwood as a mysterious creature called a Phoenix. Other
credits include Broadway shows and TV series Father Knows
Best, 77 Sunset Strip, My Three Sons, and many others.
Along
the way, she’s collected recipes from co-stars—the
best of which are included here."
To
order the book from Amazon.com, click
here.
| Bobblehead
Prototypes |
August
22 2004 |
Shown
below are prototype images for MPI Home Video's next
three Bobblehead dolls, Angelique, Quentin
and Josette. Click on the thumbnails to see full
images. At present, no release dates have been been confirmed.
. 
. 
| News
in Brief |
August
5 2004 |
•
Hot on the heels of the announcement of their range
of Dark Shadows action figures, Majestic Studios
have scooped a license to produce a range of mini-busts
and statues of Barnabas and Quentin. At present, no release
date or price has been set.
• Donna McKechnie
(Amanda) returns to the stage in Side
By Side By Sondheim, which runs at Ventura,
California's Rubicon Theatre from August 18-22. For
more information, call the box office on 805-667-2900.
•
The 2005 Dark Shadows Calendar,
due out at next week's Festival, celebrates Jonathan Frid's
portrayal of Barnabas, with rare and previously unseen photographs
of Collinwood's undead star.
With
thanks to ShadowGram
| Kathryn
Leigh Scott Interview |
August
4 2004 |
Kathryn
Leigh Scott (Maggie) is interviewed on the August 9
edition of radio's Sci-Fi Overdrive, offering "her
own take on the WB pilot's failure," say the show's
producers. The programme airs at 3.00am ET, followed by
a repeat of last month's chat with Dark Shadows marketing
director Jim Pierson directly afterwards. For more
information, visit the show's website by clicking here.
With
thanks to Joey Donovan
| Festival
Events Schedule |
August
3 2004 |
The
Dark Shadows Festival have issued a tentative schedule
of events for August's Tarrytown event, which can be seen
below. Of particular interest will be the half hour presentation
on the WB Dark Shadows pilot. The Festival promise
that the project will be: "discussed by associate producer
Jim Pierson and a sneak peak will be shown... your only
chance to get a glimpse of the 2004 versions of [the] Collinwood
characters."
Friday August 13
16.00: Registration Opens
18.00: Opening Ceremonies and Skit
18.30: Dark Shadows Video Surprise
19.00: On-stage: Marie Wallace and Denise Nickerson
19.30: On-stage: John Karlen and Kathryn Leigh Scott
20.00: On-stage: Lara Parker
20.30: Autograph Session and Dark Shadows TV Publicity
21.00: Movie - House of Dark Shadows
22.45: Movie - House of Dark Shadows
Saturday August 14
10.00: Dark Shadows Highlights and Fan Videos
12.00: Fan Panel Discussion
12.30: Video Vault: King of Queens (Dark Shadows Plot)
13.00: On-stage: Kathryn Leigh Scott
13.30: On-stage: Jamison Selby discusses Return to Collinwood
14.00: Charity Auction
15.00: Night of Dark Shadows Restoration: Host Darren
Gross, with David Selby, Lara Parker, John Karlen and Diana
Millay
16.30: Nancy Barrett Cabaret Performance
17.15: Autograph Session and Dark Shadows Music Videos
19.00: New Dark Shadows Celebrity Interviews
19.30: Dan Curtis Career Discussion and Tribute
21.00: Costume Gala with Free Refreshments
22.30: Movie - The Blue Girl starring David Selby
Sunday
August 15
10.00: Dark Shadows Highlights
11.00: Inside Dark Shadows Panel
12.00: On-stage: Marie Wallace and John Karlen
13.00: On-stage: Diana Millay and Denise Nickerson
14.00: Charity Auction
15.00: 2004 Dark Shadows Pilot Sneak Peek
15.30: Dramatic Performance: The House
16.30: On-stage: David Selby and Autograph Session
19.00: Banquet with the Stars
With
thanks to the Dark Shadows Festival
| Pilot
Round-up |
August
2 2004 |
•
TV Guide's online Ask Matt column discusses
the Dark Shadows pilot this week, noting that a private
screening for critics took place last month, and picks up
on some of the explanations of the project's failure heard
in recent weeks. To read it, click
here.
• Alec
Newman (2004 Barnabas) will be seen in the Hallmark
Channel's upcoming Frankenstein production, playing
the eponymous mad scientist. The production airs on October
5 and 6.
•
Jason Shaw (2004 Joe) has signed
a one-year talent holding deal with Dark Shadows
pilot producers John Wells Productions. This agreement should
see Shaw integrated into the cast of an existing or upcoming
project from the Wells stable.
With
thanks to Taeylor Gabriel and Lum Edwards III
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