Warner Bros. has released a new featurette to tie in to Dark Shadows, focusing on “The Legend of the Vampire.” While offering a cursory history of the undead, it features more footage from Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows and behind the scenes interviews.
Michelle — Hi Marty,
I like the intro to Barnabas story line. John Karlen's face as he opens the coffin is priceless. He...
Marty — Hi Michelle
After watching those B&W outside location shots yesterday I was reminded how Jonathan Frid never appeared in any of...
Michelle — Hi Marty,
Welcome. I remember your frequent posts on this site last year.
Glad I gave you a little push to re-watch...
Marty — Hi, Michelle
Used to frequent these parts last year when for the build-up and then release of the movie. I've just...
Michelle — Hi Patrick,
So glad you answered. I've been off for two days.
I've just posted on the various topics on this site...
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Ed Gross
April 26, 2012
I’m really beginning to feel like Michael Corleone in Godfather III, only he was referring to the mob when he said, “Every time I think I’m out, they pull me back in!” As Willy Wonka would say, “Strike that, reverse it.” I started watching this featurette and was getting a little psyched, then a TV commercial for the movie came on in which Barnabas catches fire in sunlight and someone throws a bucket of water on him.
“Every time I think I’m in, they pull me back out!”
Jack
April 27, 2012
Thanks Ed,
I have never been “in” with this film. This “Featurette” does nothing but remind me of what a great chance consciously bypassed, and instead we are presented with this, this, this… MESS! Burton’s film is simply that; a mess! Thank goodness Christopher Lee is in it to remind us old timers of what a horror movie could be. The sound of his voice is music to my ears. By comparison, Depp in the same scene, looks and sounds even more ridiculous than previously. I simply loath his portrayal. It is CAMP, CAMP, CAMP and more CAMP! But then again, I’ve never liked him or his movies and never will.
I adore the way Jonathan Frid ignores Depp’s silly caricature, when entering the door of Collinwood! LOL Just as we all should ignore him and this travesty of Dark Shadows. I’m out, I’m out! I’m “early” out! And plan to stay out. On to the Avengers, Batman and the rest of the entertaining summer movie fare.
Marty
April 27, 2012
If you pause and still-frame when Jonathan Frid enters the door you’ll see that he smiles and gives a slight-bow to Depp, then moves on. His appearance here is just meant to be a little “cameo”–what did you expect him to do…fall all over Depp?
Jack
April 27, 2012
Yes he does give a “slight-bow” and that is just my point. A slight bow is the surest form of ignoring. Believe me, I done that too many times. His appearance was intended to be only a cameo??? No! Say it ain’t so? Well, shucks, I’m just speechless. How clever of you to inform us of this. Wow. I’ve learned something. Thanks.
Marty
April 27, 2012
Well, Jack, for a man of Frid’s age I suppose that “slight-bow” is all he could manage…what did you want there, Jack…have him make a long pause in mind stream and say–”hey, look–I’m paying my homage to Johnny Depp”??? –very-poor observing skills there, Jack.
DMarieD
April 27, 2012
If you read Lara Parker’s blog you will see that poor Jonathan was only vaguely aware of where he was, what he was doing, and why when he went to England to film the cameo last year. Do you seriously think that Burton just let the four of them onto the set without specific direction? My sources tell me that Jonathan was supposed to have a more prominent cameo but, to the dismay of Burton and Depp, he was physically and mentally incapable.
Marty
April 27, 2012
Wow–thanks for some clarification on this…
I did look like both Katy and Lara were handling Jonathan with extra-care there on either side of him.
Jack
April 27, 2012
“I started watching this featurette and was getting a little psyched, then a TV commercial for the movie came on in which Barnabas catches fire in sunlight and someone throws a bucket of water on him.”
Ed,
When was this trailer on? You have got to be kidding? No? Oh the indignity of it all. Yet I must admit, this is the best laugh I’ve gotten out of this whole thing. It makes true blue fans such as myself, want to ‘camp” out and be the first to get in to see the movie. Wink, Wink.
Nathan Sanders
April 26, 2012
Thanks for posting this awesome featurette. Seeing Christopher Lee and the original cast members was wonderful and I can’t wait for the movie to open.
Lon
April 26, 2012
The only interesting part of the featurette was the black and white scene from the original series with Barnabas and Julia. It was nice to see the late Jonathan Frid, David Selby, Lara Parker and Kathryn Leigh Scott enter Collinwood and an In Memoriam for Jonathan Frid. There are simply no other words to describe this “film”.
Marty
April 26, 2012
Ed, I feel like I’ve been on a wild roller-coaster ride for a month now…mostly going down but then experiencing peak-moments like this featurette you’ve offered. Tears really came to my eyes when Frid walked through those doors…seeing him moving and gesturing for the last time…
Seeing Christopher Lee with Depp doing a pretty decent job with him in that scene has left me with a pause in this wild-ride again…it’s almost as if whoever is releasing this stuff has a timely-pulse on what’s been going on here and just when you think–ok…that’s enough, I’ve had it–up comes this little sparkly wonder…
OK…here we go again….
Marty
April 27, 2012
I recently re-watched Lugosi’s Dracula not too long ago and noticed that, in certain scenes–he’s wearing more heavy white make-up and his lips are full red…almost like he’s wearing lipstick. Also, seeing that shot from Nosferatu here is clearly something Depp was taken with; his Barnabas is a combination of Lugosi’s Dracula, Nosferatu, with Frid’s bangs. Jonathan Frid’s portrayal of Barnabas will never be topped–he will forever “be” Barnabas in the eyes of many. I’m slowly coming round to see that Depp realized this, and his portrayal is obviously a totally different take on the character; when he first sits down in his scene with Christopher Lee–his stare does remind me of one of Frid’s mannerisms.
DMarieD
April 27, 2012
Marty,
I couldn’t have said it better- I believe were are all about to experience a “sparkly little wonder”- and I am very excited!
Marty
April 27, 2012
DMarieD
I remember back that you saw something in this way before I did–well, it’s taken a long while, but recent discoveries here have given me cause for a reflective pause, and yes, I’m beginning to see some excitement in this, too!
Rob
April 27, 2012
Surprisingly, this featurette didn’t include the two most obvious cinematic vampire references used for the new Burton film – George Hamilton in “Love At First Bite” and Leslie Nielson in “Dracula – Dead And Loving It”. A proud legacy indeed.
Nathan Sanders
April 27, 2012
I don’t believe the film is going to be a broad comedy like “Love At First Bite” and “Dracula – Dead And Loving It”. Like many Tim Burton films it will be a mix of gothic drama, horror, action & humor. When I first saw the full-length trailer I was disappointed because it looked as if it were going to be a spoof and just over-the-top silly. But after I heard the samples from Danny Elfman’s score – I realized that there had to be more to this film than meets the eye of the crappy trailer Warner Bros put together. After seeing the featurette I’m even more convinced that the film will be right up my alley. I believe it will be an original and unique take on the “DARK SHADOWS” story with all the magic and gothic storytelling I loved so much in the original series. Of course, I could be wrong – I haven’t seen the film yet and I may not like it when I see it. And if that is the case, I will express my opinion and dissatisfaction to anyone who asks me. But I’m not going to make a judgement that I’m going to hate it until I’ve actually seen it for myself. I do believe that Warner Bros. needs to fire the marketing firm that put that awful trailer together as it is an obvious attempt to pull in a certain demographic on opening weekend. There were several scenes in the featurette that would have been better to have used in the trailer than what we got on March 15th. If I were Warner Bros. I would get a new trailer together and do it fast. There is obviously a lot of layers to this film and the love that Burton & Depp feel for the original series comes through more in the featurette than in any previous trailer or tv spot. I can’t wait for opening weekend and I hope the film does not disappoint the majority of DS fans. You can’t please everyone but I’m hopeful that most of us will be entertained and feel that the original series has been honored and well-served.
chris
April 27, 2012
complete with balls and boob jokes…
Jack
April 27, 2012
Ain’t it the truth? Ain’t it the truth?!!!!!!!!
Nathan Watson
April 28, 2012
Well said, Nathan
I am in 100% agreement with you…..
Jack
April 27, 2012
Marty
April 27, 2012
Well, Jack, for a man of Frid’s age I suppose that “slight-bow” is all he could manage…what did you want there, Jack…have him make a long pause in mind stream and say–”hey, look–I’m paying my homage to Johnny Depp”??? –very-poor observing skills there, Jack.
I did not “want” him to do anything. The rest of the original cast (Selby, in particular) definitely look longer and appear to observe with more curiosity than does Frid. He does exactly what I “wanted him to do” and what was needed, which is make only the merest observance of the clownish Depp. Even the blind can see this.
My observations skill are quite sufficient to me and your opinion of them is not of the smallest importance.
Marty
April 27, 2012
“I did not “want” him to do anything… He does exactly what I “wanted him to do” and what was needed, which is make only the merest observance of the clownish Depp. Even the blind can see this.”
Which is it?
Jack
April 27, 2012
April 27, 2012
“I did not “want” him to do anything… He does exactly what I would have “wanted him to do” and what was needed, which is make only the merest observance of the clownish Depp. Even the blind can see this.”
Marty
April 27, 2012
Oh…thanks for the inclusion now of “would have”…
Jack
April 27, 2012
You are most, welcome. Hope this inclusion satisfies such a discerning eye.
Rob
April 27, 2012
You could put a Bernard Hermann score on “Porky’s Revenge” and you’d still get “Porky’s Revenge” (albeit with a better soundtrack().
DMarieD
April 27, 2012
I am so thrilled that in my lifetime, and in the lifetime of the surviving original cast members and Jonathan Frid, that so many miilions of $$ were spent to keep the fantasy of Dark Shadows alive. It must have been a labor of love for Burton and Depp- they certainly don’t need the money and it was a risky venture indeed!
Toby
April 28, 2012
I find this featurette to be frustrating because it just shows what a truly great film this could have been if it had taken the straight approach and left out all the stupid humor. The film LOOKS fantastic…Visually, to me, it’s right on!!!
But, man, what a letdown with regard to the humor…it’s a pity…
This could have been a brilliant film.
Rob
April 28, 2012
Toby – Yup, exactly.
DMarieD
April 28, 2012
ATTENTION:
HollywoodTeenTV has released several clips from the movie. NO COMEDY! MUST SEE!
Marty
April 28, 2012
Ohhh, s…! I’ve just seen the clips. Well, my wild roller-coaster ride of emotions has just come to a crashing halt on this. What truly lackluster acting and a horrendous script; I just despise what they’ve done to the Hoffman character (yes, Grayson Hall WILL be rolling-over in her grave) –do these guys really take themselves seriously that this thing is anything more than, yes–Barnabas meets the Adams Family???
I truly had some hopes with that featurette with the original cast members and Christopher Lee–but that’s only going to be a momentary “breather” from the rest of this sordid mess!
Marty
April 28, 2012
Another thing that enrages me is this new Depp interview (Google HollywoodTeenTV , Dark Shadows–and you’ll find all these clips) where he laughingly brushes off the ’70s and the people living at that time as being just oblivious idiots as to what was happening around them then. Depp–you’re a real jerk-off!!!
DMarieD
April 28, 2012
I interpreted what Depp was saying about the 70′s totally differently. I think he was saying that 1972 was chosen because aesthetically and culturally it would have been a particularly shocking time for an eighteenth century gentleman to find himself in. In addition to lava lamps, pet rocks, hippies, disco music, etc., the sexual revolution was in full-swing, hemlines were high, and slang was spoken at the dinner table. Don’t forget that at 49 years old, Depp was 9 or10 years old in 1972, as many of us Bloggers were, so I doubt he meant that he and his contemporaries are all “oblivious idiots”.
Marty
April 28, 2012
Oblivious in the sense that we didn’t have then our “refined sensitivities” of today. It’s just not fair to compare one decade against another; I had some great times in the ’70′s–the time of my youth–and then what we experienced all around us was just great; I wouldn’t trade the great stuff we experienced then for all the “crap” that today’s youth have to go through! They’re using what they perceive to be a time of “absurdity” as the basis for their game-plan in all this. Well, I still don’t believe that the time was “absurd” (Depp’s words). Some beautiful people I knew and loved passed away during that time and they enjoyed what was happening around them at the time to the fullest! How dare he shrug-off that time as being nonsensically absurd!
DMarieD
April 28, 2012
I loved growing up in the ’70s, but I wouldn’t want circa 1972 home furnishings or clothing, would you? The red, white and blue geometric foil wallpaper in my bedroom was pretty bizarre.
Marty
April 28, 2012
Ahhh, the more bizarre the colors, the better!
Marty
April 28, 2012
I also loved my Frye Boots and the wild-looking frizzed-out hair style my girlfriend did on me! Listen’ to Lennon’s “Mind Games” and crusin on a late summer evening with thunder in the air while listening to “MacArthur Park”–ahhh, it didn’t get any better than that!
DMarieD
April 28, 2012
I didn’t like Eva Green at all, but overall, I thought the rest was quite good. It captured the tone of the original much better than I expected. It’s amazing how much more serious it is without the silly trailer soundtrack. The way Depp’s Barnabas talks about the history of Collinwood reminds me so much of how Frid’s Barnabas talked about the Old House when he first moved in. Spot-on, if you ask me.
Nathan Sanders
April 28, 2012
I love the heightened melodramatic style – reminds me of the moments when DARK SHADOWS would go so beautifully over-the-top. I’m most intrigued by the relationship between Barnabas & Elizabeth and how loyal they both are to the Collins family and its legacy. There’s a sweetness to the humor, and I think Johnny has done the impossible – which is make a blood-thirsty monster endearing to the audience. Jonathan Frid accomplished this in the series and, for DARK SHADOWS to work, we must care about Barnabas and his epic struggle. This is the reason, for me, that the 91 Dan Curtis series didn’t work – I never felt anything for Ben Cross. He was just a monster. I feel that Burton & Co. took the right approach for a 2012 audience and there’s obviously a lot of love for the source material on-display in the clips. It’s DARK SHADOWS but they’ve made it their own. Thumbs up and as Barnabas would say, “Well done.” Here in my little town outside Atlanta, they have a 12:01 am early Friday morning and I play to be there with my popcorn and M&M’s. My town goes to sleep pretty early so I imagine it will be more like a private showing. I’ll see it again Friday night with an audience and that way I’ll get a feel as to how it’s playing for the masses. May 11th can’t get here soon enough for me. I love what I’ve seen and can’t wait to see the complete movie.