Comments for Blog of Dark Shadows

Comment on Dark Shadows: Post Your Reviews Here! by Marty

Marty — Sat, 19 May 2012 10:47:24 +0000

Hi, Tom

Yes, came across this sometime ago. I felt for Jonathan here; he’s obviously showing his age at this point and Pierson just kept drilling him on specific points. He was getting very tired through all the questioning. I remember someone at the time saying what an “ornery old man he was”, but give the guy a break. I did have to laugh when he talks about his co-star, Grayson Hall; he makes fun of her “long eyelashes” constantly blinking at the teleprompter and that he never cared for her much. People were upset by that comment, yet in advanced age you’d be surprised how many things just seep-out from memories long past. Jonathan was 84 at the time and I can’t help but wonder what an ordeal this was for him. It’s still a joy though to watch and hear him reminisce.

Comment on Dark Shadows: Post Your Reviews Here! by Tom

Tom — Sat, 19 May 2012 10:07:26 +0000

Now hear this, everybody-I found it by accident, and don’t know if anybody has seen it.

Jonathan was interviewed for the Archive of American Television for two hours back in 2008 by Jim Pierson (the fan that made it big) while Frid was at the Burbank convention. Listening to him, you can see the wealth of subjects he commanded-and this is what I saw when I met and chatted with him at his apt and elsewhere. Cut and paste on your browsers:

http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/jonathan-frid#

Comment on Dark Shadows: Post Your Reviews Here! by Penny

Penny — Sat, 19 May 2012 05:14:40 +0000

What a waste – what a let down after the hype!! Okay, the 1960′s tv show still has an amazing following – fans, after 40 years, still flock to annual festivals, dvds for the series sell out in days for preorders and toys from the show sells for hundreds of dollars – checked the price for music boxes, canes, rings,puzzles, etc ? Rather than cash in on the DS fame and affection, the movie belittles the beloved cast members – it turns Grayson Halls’ character – Dr. Hoffman into a fool, Barnabas into a shell and Willie Loomis becomes a crippled old drunk. How does all of this add up? After the movie, I really felt I deserved a refund on the ticket cost — No kid will ever rush home after school to watch is disaster.

Comment on Dark Shadows: Post Your Reviews Here! by Sabaah

Sabaah — Sat, 19 May 2012 04:19:35 +0000

First of all, this movie was labeled as a “COMEDY.” Secondly, one of the script writers is Seth Grahame-Smith of “Pride & Prejudice & Zombies” fame. The original series, back in the 1960s, had it’s funny moments. I mean, a majority of the time, the actors where given their lines moments before they were being filmed. They had no budget and no time. There are times when you can see the boom mic above their heads. No, it’s not a serious film and it’s not meant to be so. I think if they (Burton & Depp) had gone the serious route, fans of the original would even be more disappointed. The 1990 revival is decent as well because you can tell that the actors had more time and blessedly they had more of a budget. And Barnabas being more of a monster makes sense. I mean, if you were locked away for 200 plus years, you’d be pretty pissed off too. And really, having Carolyn as the bitchy teen daughter really does work. And so what if she ends up as a werewolf? It’s better than her being sexually attracted (and then bitten) by Barnabas. Plus, it brings in the werewolf curse to the big screen as it was tied to the Collins family in the original series. No adaptation or film will ever please everyone-ever. At least be happy that with the release of this film, which as a comedy is enjoyable and well done, that it’s introducing new fans to the original series. Right now, the original series is “popular” on Netflix instant queue thanks to Burton and Depp. And I bet that when it’s released on DVD, there will be deleted scenes that feature Jonathan Frid and the other original cast members more. Any person who knows about filming can tell you that at least a third of the movie is left on the cutting room floor. That’s just the nature of the business. Plus, the most important thing to remember is that Johnny Depp is a HUGE DS fan as well. Frid was his inspiration to be an actor. I myself have been working on a DS novel for the past 2 years while in grad school. Maybe, just maybe, with new legions of fans being created by this film, the series could be revived for TV once more and given the attention it so sorely lacked in the 1960s.

Comment on Dark Shadows In Your Hands: What Do You Do With It? by joshy

joshy — Sat, 19 May 2012 03:12:22 +0000

I like your idea a lot Liam! I would love to see if fleshed out in a trilogy like you described. I like the idea of Barnabas being more terrifying in his vampire form. I would really make this much more terrifying. I would change some elements hear and there to make it more of a spooky, atmospheric story. I would use Sarah as a ghost a lot in the first movie haunting Collinwood especially Victoria Winters. I would spend time having Julia being possessed by Angelique and maybe burying Barnabas alive. I would certainly not want an exact re-telling of the original. It needs a fresh approach but without sacrificing the main story arc. It would be a horror movie, gothic romance, soap opera hybrid. It would have no comedy except to make fun of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. The story would be told from Victoria’s point of view since she is moving into this house to be a governess. It would open with the original narration from the first episode with Victoria riding the train to Collinsport and the Collinwood them playing. First movie would end with a cliffhanger a la the soap opera world. I would end it with Victoria disappearing from the seance and Phyllis Wycke taking her place only for Phyllis Wycke to be possessed by Angelique!!! I think my DS movie would be a cross between The Others, Sleepy Hollow, and Bram Stoker’s Draculua.

Comment on Dark Shadows In Your Hands: What Do You Do With It? by David

David — Sat, 19 May 2012 02:45:24 +0000

Proof positive!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzdndt8OwIU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Comment on Dark Shadows: Post Your Reviews Here! by Mr. B

Mr. B — Sat, 19 May 2012 01:15:02 +0000

P.S. Beware the are going to re- release with the above 8inch figures – the Barnabas 8inch figure again!!! Do not buy on ebay now they will rip you off!!! If someone knows what discs in the coffin set contain the restored bloopers I would really need to know!!! Many Thanks, B

Comment on Dark Shadows: Post Your Reviews Here! by Mr.B

Mr.B — Sat, 19 May 2012 01:07:41 +0000

Actually they have made several promo items – The Blood Bag , Lava light-up pen, shirts, Barnabas ring { Depp Version} and the really cool Wolf cane letter opener in a box like the ring {Depp version } ! Also Collins Cannery shirts , Angelique shirt with her company symbol on it , etc. These are promo items only , and they could have made great money on these for sale to the public , but these were given away at the sneak previews and premiers – I presume. So if you want to buy these you must deal with ebay!!!!?! Not fair , because I think in most cases the people who were lucky to get these really did not care – that is why they are selling them! If they had spares I could see, but still! You , me ,and other people would love to have some of this stuff. I for one will eventually get some ,but like hell am I going to pay the prices on ebay now! Go and see -you will faint!! In November the second set of mego style 8 inch figures are released – Willie, Quentin and Josette! Get those! In July, 2 wolf canes will be released one plastic , {$20.00?} , one wood {$80.00?] .Still must double check price they changed it before! Thanks for reading, B

Comment on Dark Shadows In Your Hands: What Do You Do With It? by imfunny2

imfunny2 — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:19:34 +0000

Regarding the idea that Victoria is Liz’ daughter spec, after watching the pre-barnabas part of the original, I began a story where Elizabeth had a brief affair with Bill Malloy, and discovered she was pregnant. Just before she would have begun to show, she was sent out of town by her father Jamison in a rage, to avoid a scandal. She had been learning the business but all of that ended because Jamison wanted to punish her for her ‘transgression.’

Paul Stoddard met Elizabeth shortly after she returned to Collinsport, and they married about a year later…etc. She did not hold a position of power again until Jamison’s death.

Elizabeth always knew of the orphanage where her child was, and which child was hers, supported her financially and brought her to Collinwood with the hope of (eventually) revealing her identity .

Comment on Dark Shadows In Your Hands: What Do You Do With It? by Nathan Watson

Nathan Watson — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:14:37 +0000

You’re welcome, Marty.

Another thing that came to mind. Mark Verheiden (who wrote the 2004 pilot of DS) said that they’d made plans to cast John Karlen in the new version had it gone to series. I think he said the hope was for John Karlen to play Professor Stokes….

as for David Kennedy being related to Ruth Kennedy, I just don’t know. It could be the case. I really don’t know where/how David Kennedy came into the picture. From credits, it appears he only worked with Dan Curtis on his last 3 productions (the 04 DS, Saving Milly and Our Fathers) but whoever he is, Dan apparently had a great deal of trust in him.