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> October-November 2004
| Curtis
Saves Milly |
November
30 2004 |
The
Hollywood Reporter has announced that Dark Shadows
creator Dan Curtis will direct Saving Milly,
a new CBS television movie. The film is based on Morton
Kondracke's book of the same name, which chronicles his
wife's ordeal with Parkinson's disease. Bruce Greenwood
and Madeleine Stowe head the cast, with a script by Sleepless
in Seattle scribe Jeff Arch.
| Selby's
Larva |
November
30 2004 |
Dark
Shadows may be gone from Sci-Fi, but fans can catch
David Selby (Quentin) in the channel's upcoming original
movie Larva, airing on Saturday January 15 at 9.00pm
EST. Here is Sci-Fi's teaser blurb, plus a publicity still
of David from the film. Click on the image for a larger
view.
|
Just
because they're small, that doesn't mean they can't
kill you! A small western ranching town finds
itself on the front line of a war against a new foe
— one that strikes from within. As time runs
out and an infestation of mutant larvae inches closer
to tainting the national food supply, a lawyer and
a doctor team up in a last-ditch effort to avert tragedy.
Vincent Ventresca (star of the Sci-Fi original
series The Invisible Man) and supermodel Rachel
Hunter star in this gut-wrenching glimpse into
an all-too-possible modern-day disaster. |
|
With
thanks to DavidSelby.com.
Photograph © Sci-Fi Channel 2004
| News
in Brief |
November
30 2004 |
•
In an interview for the Angel Yearbook magazine,
Alec Newman (2004 Barnabas) touches briefly on Dark
Shadows and the rewards of fantasy roles: "The
stuff I am usually attracted to is slightly more epic or
ambitious. There is a terrible habit with... actors - a
fear of anything they think is over-the-top. You can't mumble
your way through Frankenstein, Angel or Dark Shadows,
you have to step up to the mic and embrace it. I love to
do that."
•
The Bennetts: An Acting Family, a new book
celebrating the life of Joan Bennett (Elizabeth)
amongst others, is now available from US bookstores. To
order the book from Amazon.com, click
here.
•
Pomegranate Press have unveiled a new look
website.
To visit it, click
here.
•
The elusive David Henesy (David) has donated
a recent photograph to the Dark Shadows
Online site, which plans to interview him soon. Pay
a visit by clicking here.
•
David Selby's (Quentin) poetry book My
Mother's Autumn, a collection of writings dealing with
the grieving of a parent, has been added to Amazon's online
catalogue. To purchase it, click
here.
•
MPI Home Video have announced merchandise
plans for 2005, including a CD collection of the entire
Dark Shadows music library, plus a
series of collector's jigsaws.
With
thanks to MsCriseyde and ShadowGram
| DVD
Collection 16 Extras |
November
19 2004 |
MPI
Home Video have confirmed the extras for January's Dark
Shadows DVD Collection 16:
|
Dark
Shadows DVD Collection 16 ·
Released January 25
 ·
Episodes 816-855,
presented on four disks
· Disc 1: David
Selby interview
· Disc 2: Nancy Barrett interview
· Disc 3: Dan Curtis (Creator)
interview
· Disc 4: George DiCenzo (Associate
Producer) interview
· Collectable postcard
· Region 0 Encoding/NTSC (Compatible with
players worldwide)
Order
now at a discount price from Amazon.com |
|
| New
Blood for Festival |
November
18 2004 |
The
Dark
Shadows Festival website has posted some news for next
July's gathering in Hollywood, California. The guest list
now promises rare appearances from Jerry Lacy (Trask)
and Geoffrey Scott (Sky Rumson). Also announced is
a "World Premiere Dark Shadows drama,"
with "stars portray[ing] their original characters
in an all-new sequel on stage."
| Pilot
Takes Flight in Fangoria |
November
18 2004 |
Further
to our previous coverage, we can
confirm that horror journal Fangoria's behind the
scenes feature on the WB Dark Shadows pilot hits
US newsstands from December 7. The article features an in-depth
discussion with writer Mark Verheiden, plus previously
unseen photographs. The cover - complete with an appropriately
grisly picture of Ivana Milicevic as the mutilated
Angelique - can be seen left; click on the thumbnail for
a larger view.
With
thanks to Darren Gross
| Don
Briscoe Obituary |
November
12 2004 |
In
direct response to the low-key media coverage of actor Don
Briscoe's recent death, Memphis news source Commercial
Appeal has published an extensive obituary. Drawing
upon comments from family and Dark Shadows castmate
Roger Davis, it addresses many unanswered questions
about Don's life outside the spotlight, confirming the cause
of his death as heart disease. To read the piece, click
here. You will be required to register on the site,
free of charge.
| Don
Briscoe Tribute |
November
6 2004 |
Our
friend Helen Samaras enjoyed a long-term correspondence
with Don Briscoe, who died last week. She offers
a personal perspective of Don and their friendship:
|
The
circumstances around Don Briscoe's death for
me are a bit strange but then again that's kind a
normal for me...
I
was fortunate to meet Don 10 years ago. I had taken
a trip to Memphis from October 27-31 1994 along with
Walter Down and Guy Haines. Walter had been in contact
with Don for a while and asked if we would be able
to meet with him while we were in Memphis. Don very
graciously agreed.
Don
met us in the lobby of our hotel and we had a wonderful
afternoon with him. That day started a 10 year on-and-off
writing correspondence for me. He wasn't a big writer,
but the letters were always so sweet. He would address
mine to Helen of Troy and the return address was always
Chris Jennings and underneath Don Briscoe and his
address. Sometimes it was just notes I got or doodles
when I had sent him photos to autograph for an auction
I was having at a Halloween party I was hosting. In
the last few years we didn't write as much mainly
due to my not being as good a correspondent as I once
was.
It's
funny, when I found out about his passing I had just
finished (that day) a letter for Don with a packet
of photos I had made up for him. He didn't have many
pictures of himself from the show and when I would
find something I would send it. I will miss him terribly.
Not many people knew that I had an ongoing correspondence
with him. I chose to keep it that way. The one thing
I will remember the most about him was that I have
never met anyone who could match his hugs. Bear hug
is an understatement. He could squeeze the stuffing
out of you.
It's funny, on Wednesday morning I was getting ready
for work and I decided to put a movie in my VCR. I
looked at the side of the machine and decided on a
particular tape. The tape was not cued and there was
another movie playing, so I decided to rewind. I rewound
the tape part of the way and stopped and hit play.
To my surprise it was a TV version of House of
Dark Shadows. The tape was right on Don's scenes
and I was reminded to get that packet out to Don.
It was hours later that Stuart emailed me and told
me that Don had passed away. I was shocked and heartbroken.
I will remember him with much affection. |
|
| Farewell
Don Briscoe |
November
3 2004 |
Earlier
today we reported on the death of Don Briscoe (Chris
Jennings). Dark Shadows fan Ed Shoulta, who
broke the news to us, attended Don's funeral service this
afternoon and shares these words:
|
November
3, 2004. Memphis, Tennessee
It's
strange to lose an old friend that you've never actually
known.
That's how I felt today on attending the funeral of
Cecil Donald Briscoe, known and loved as Don
Briscoe, the actor who played Chris Jennings among
his many roles on Dark Shadows. I never actually
met Don Briscoe, though he lived in Memphis as I do.
The fan web sites indicated that he wished largely
to be left alone and I respected that wish. I almost
wish I had not, as I think I would have loved to have
known him and we might have become good friends. By
all accounts from his sister and nieces he was a fine
man, and a wonderful uncle, despite the health problems
that prevented him from fully enjoying his retirement
and which made it impossible for him to attend the
Dark Shadows reunions and festivals.
His family was pleased that at least two fans had
come, representing the thousands that I'm sure will
mourn as the word spreads of his demise.
Three days after his Halloween death, it was an appropriately
dreary day for a Collinwood funeral, with grey, drippy
skies as 35 mourners sat for the short service in
a Memphis funeral home, including a reading from one
of the letters from St. Paul to the Romans followed
by a brief sermon and eulogy. But Collinwood funerals
always were short and sweet, weren't they?
I was sad to see so few mourners and so little fanfare
for this wonderful actor. But I had to realize that
with just a brief obituary in the news, on the day
of the service, many who would have liked to come
would not be able. I know that his many fans would
have overflowed that small chapel, given half a chance,
and I made sure that his family knew that Don will
never be forgotten by his fans.
I almost felt that I should be comforting the remaining
cast members of his television family, but of course
they were not there. And I also rather wished for
some comforting for myself, as a few unshed tears
stung at my eyes for the loss of an old friend I've
spent many, many moments with as I re-watch the programs.
I felt as if I knew him well through the characters
he portrayed.
Just as his characters on Dark Shadows usually
had great problems, Don Briscoe's later life was beset
with difficulties, but he forged on with the help
and support of his loving family. Did I say unshed
tears a moment ago? Not so unshed now. Rest in peace,
Don. Your difficulties are finally at an end.
|
|
| Don
Briscoe: 1940-2004 |
November
3 2004 |
It
is with sadness that we report the death of actor Don
Briscoe, who played Chris Jennings and other characters
throughout the run of Dark Shadows, along
with the movie House of Dark Shadows. Don died
on October 31 at his home in Memphis, Tennessee. He was
64.
Don's
acting career began on stage in New York with roles in Friends
and Romans, Come Back Little Sheba and The Tavern.
In 1969, Don appeared in the groundbreaking Off-Broadway
play Boys in the Band, which also starred Dark
Shadows actors Keith Prentice and
Chris Bernau. The project proved to be
one of his favourite roles.
Don
left Dark Shadows abruptly in
1970 due to health issues. He essentially retired afterwards
and returned to Tennessee, though he occasionally acted
in community theatre over the years that followed. Latterly
he was a member of Coleman Avenue Church of Christ.
To
read more about Don's life and career, click
here. We offer our condolences to his friends and family.
With
thanks to Ed Shoulta
| Dean
Wilson |
October
28 2004 |
Today
we received word of
the untimely death of longtime Dark Shadows fan Dean
Wilson, who passed away on October 19 after a brief
period of illness. Dean was a personal friend, and a familiar
face in the Dark Shadows fan community.
In
recent years, Dean sponsored two charity shows by Jonathan
Frid at his hometown of Crawfordsville, Indiana, raising
money for worthy causes. An ardent collector of the show's
memorabilia, Dean was unfailingly generous with his personal
archive, contributing to countless Dark Shadows projects,
including this site. Our condolences go out to his friends
and family.
| DVD
Collection 16 Cover |
October
22 2004 |
MPI
Home Video have issued the cover artwork for January's
release Dark Shadows DVD Collection 16; click on
the thumbnail image for a larger view. The bonus interviews
for the set should be confirmed soon. Amazon.com
continue to offer the title at a 30% pre-order discount
with free shipping:
Pre-order
Dark Shadows DVD Collection 16 from Amazon.com
| 2005
Festival Venue |
October
20 2004 |
Further
to our previous coverage, the 2005
Dark Shadows Festival will be held at the Renaissance
Hollywood Hotel, located in Los Angeles, California.
The hotel is within short distance of both the Burbank and
LAX airports. A discount room rate for the Festival weekend
of $139.00 per night is available by calling 323-856-1200
and quoting "Dark Shadows". Online bookings can
be made via the hotel's website,
using the discount code DSFDSFA to ensure you receive the
same reduced rate.
With
thanks to ShadowGram
| Pilot
Heads for Fangoria |
October
18 2004 |
The
January issue of horror journal Fangoria is to feature
a major feature on the WB Dark Shadows pilot. Promising
previously unseen photographs, a review, plus a detailed
interview with scriptwriter Mark Verheiden, the magazine
hits newsstands in December.
With
thanks to Darren Gross
| DVD
Collection 16 |
October
9 2004 |
Dark
Shadows DVD Collection 16 has been announced for
release on January 25 2005. The set features episodes 817-856,
offering more thrills and spills from 1897, continuing Charles
Delaware Tate's discovery of his true powers and the arrival
of Lady Kitty Hampshire. 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 16 from Amazon.com
With thanks to Gary Mosher
| Ivana
Meets Frankenstein |
October
2 2004 |
While
2004 Barnabas
Alec Newman heads the upcoming Hallmark Frankenstein
production, his Dark Shadows co-star Ivana Milicevic
(Angelique) can shortly be seen in an alternative adaptation
for the USA Network. Billed as "a modern retelling
of a classic tale", USA's Frankenstein TV movie
airs on October 10. The production's official
website includes a video interview with Ivana.
With
thanks to Fran Robert
| Newman
Speaks on Pilot |
October
1 2004 |
In
an interview with Zap2it
promoting his upcoming Frankenstein miniseries, latter
day Barnabas actor Alec Newman has commented on the
fate of the Dark Shadows pilot. "There
was a lot of politics with it. I haven't seen the whole
thing, but I've seen parts of it that I was very happy with.
The word was that it just wasn't quite as cohesive as they
wanted it to be."
"I
know there was stuff going on behind the scenes, as there
always is with network television, which was the new lesson
for me. But as far as I'm concerned, if everybody was that
unhappy with the situation around a pilot, just imagine
the hell that it would have been to go to a series with
it. Everything for a reason," he concludes philosophically,
"but I had a lot of fun."
To read the complete interview, click
here.
With
thanks to James Marco
| Bennett
Biography |
October
1 2004 |
The
life of Joan Bennett (Elizabeth) is soon to be chronicled
in The Bennetts: An Acting Family, a new biography
by Brian Kellow. From the publisher:
"The
Bennetts: An Acting Family is a chronicle of one of
the royal families of stage and screen. The saga begins
with Richard Bennett, a small-town Indiana roughneck who
grew up to be one of the bright lights of the New York stage
during the early twentieth century. In time, however, Richard’s
fame was eclipsed by that of his daughters, Constance and
Joan, who went to Hollywood in the 1920s and found major
success there.
After
a slow start as a blonde ingenue, Joan dyed her hair black
and became one of the screen’s great temptresses in
films such as Scarlet Street. She also starred in
such lighter fare as Father of the Bride. In the
1960s, Joan gained a new generation of fans when she appeared
in the gothic daytime television serial Dark Shadows.
Constance
and Joan were among Hollywood’s biggest stars, but
their personal lives were anything but serene. In 1951,
Joan’s husband, producer Walter Wanger, shot her lover
in broad daylight, sparking one of the biggest Hollywood
scandals of the 1950s."
The
Bennetts: An Acting Family will be published on November
15. To order the book at a discount price from Amazon.com,
click
here.
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