Reply With QuoteWell I'm one of those who enjoyed the revival series in the 90s too. Ben Cross&Jean Simmons were wonderful in that!
Soap Addict
Granted it was 1991 when the Dark Shadows prime-time series made its debut, and met an untimely demise amidst news coverage of the war and numerous time slot changes, but I for one LOVED the attempt to bring back one of my favorite daytime shows in a night-time format.
A big-screen adaptation, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins, is due out in May.
Thought it might be fun to discuss the original daytime show, and the primetime attempt of the early 90's.......in anticipation of the big screen release in a few months.
Aspiring soap scribe
Well I'm one of those who enjoyed the revival series in the 90s too. Ben Cross&Jean Simmons were wonderful in that!
Contract Poster
I LOVED the original series and am all for discussing it. The revival series had its charms and I wish it had stayed on the air. Several of the actors were well-cast. I agree that Jean Simmons was a wonderful choice for Liz, but I have to also say I found Cross's Barnabas a bit too cold and arrogant, although Cross is a very fine actor. Had this not been Dark Shadows, I would have liked him. I liked his scenes with Sarah. I also thought Barbara Steele was a marvelous Julia -- different from Grayson Hall's version, but an inspired choice. I also think it was smarter to have Victoria Winters be the one who looked like Josette, rather than Maggie Evans. That was actually an improvement from what they did in the original, IMHO.
I have been to several of the DS festivals, and at one I viewed the pilot of the series made in '04 for Fox that was never picked up. It was quite gruesome and gory. Oddly enough, I DID really enjoy Alec Newman's version of Barnabas, despite the fact he looked nothing at all like either Frid or Cross. Frankly, I think Newman nailed the character better than Cross did. He was able to convey a real sense of vulnerability. The difference is that Newman studied Frid's version before playing him, and Cross did not. There is a short clip on www.alecnewman.net (the actor's official website). It's under Media then show reel, then you select Dark Shadows. The blonde in the scene is the Victoria Winters.
There's going to be a special screening of the new movie in LA at midnight May 11th, the day it opens. I'm still waiting to hear more details, but I'm pretty sure some of the cast members will be there. I don't know about Frid though. On his website he said he'd like to go, but it was a long way for him to go for basically one night. He said he would be more inclined to go to a NY premiere event. He has a cameo in the movie, and so do a few other of the original cast members.
All the DVDs of the original series are being advertised on Amazon as a new release. It comes in a coffin shaped package and there are 161 DVDs. They had them on sale for $420, although you have to pre-order them as they won't be out until April 10th.
I really wish this series would be back somewhere on TV.It's much more fun discussing it that way, plus, more fans come out to the events.
Last edited by Harold's Bone; 01-28-2012 at 03:57 PM.
Aspiring soap scribe
^^^^^Thanks for the link. I've wanted to see the '04 version but haven't been able to find it. It'll be nice to see at least a clip of it. Thanks again!
I'd love for the series to be put back on the air again too. I thought for sure SyFy would've have done/picked up a remake of the show by now but no such luck
Soap Addict
Glad to see there's interest in Dark Shadows, one of my favorite shows. ;0)
I liked the way the original series took existing classic stories and 'wrote their own version of it'.... though some were better than others.....
I was looking forward to seeing Quentin Collins show up on the new show....and (as another response states)...having Victoria be the Josette doppelganger was to me a far better choice than Maggie....definitely. ;0)
Contract Poster
They were very funny about showing the '04 pilot at the two fests -- each time, we were warned not to make any recordings of it. We were also told that since it wasn't finished, it was unedited and I think they even substituted music from who-knows-where, as the scoring had not been done. That scene on Alec Newman's website led to a truly memorable first meeting between Victoria Winters and Angelique. I am not sure if I loved or hated it. There used to be a clip of the '04 opening on youtube, but I can't find it anymore.
I think MPI Home Video and probably Dan Curtis productions are making too much money off the original series DVD sales to offer the rights to show the original series on TV at a reasonable price. I am pretty sure Chiller TV would show it, if they could, as they have shown "House of Dark Shadows" and the '91 series a few times. I used to go over to their board regularly to ask for it to no avail
Soap Addict
I read that 'House Of' and 'Night Of' are both being prepped for DVD release this year. ;0)
Contract Poster
Thanks for the info!Originally Posted by GuidingLite
The really big deal of the two releases is Night, since I think it's being restored with footage that was lost for a long time? Anybody know for sure? I didn't think Night had very much to do with the original Dark Shadows. The thing was so atrociously edited as to be almost unwatchable.
Contract Poster
The new Dark Shadows Movie trailer will premiere on Thursday, March 15th, on the Ellen show.
Soap Addict
Awesome...I'm VERY excited for the film...;0)
Contract Poster
Me too GL! My goodness, it's been 4 1/2 years since the original announcement!! And I've been waiting for it that whole time. So I can't help being somewhat excited. I wish I could make the movie premiere in LA - they are having a special event for it, but it just isn't feasible for me.
Soap Addict
Well.....now that I've seen the first trailer for Dark Shadows....I have already decided to avoid it....it looks to be another egregiously bad 'interpretation' of a beloved show.....it's like the 'Land of the Lost' feature film compared to the original show.....slaptstick 'fish out of water' humor (if you can call it that) relying on a 200 year old vampire being in 1970's culture....and a complete and utter departure from the 'gothic romance' of the original soap and the revival series in the 1990's......in other words....a crapfest.....<sigh>....I'm terribly disappointed.
Scriptwriter
The trailer wasn't even good camp!
Senior Board Member
I'm looking forward to it. The trailer made me laugh. I wasn't a Dark Shadows viewer, but love a well done Burton film and this looks like it is the latter, so I'm pumped!
Aspiring soap scribe
Now I've not seen the trailer yet. Is the new movie a comedy? If it is then sounds like I'd like it as much as I did the thought of that proposed Dallas feature film that was to be a sendup of the original
Scriptwriter
It appears to be, Ivan. Most of the "jokes" seen to be Barnabas' attempts to adjust to the groovy '70s. It looks like the same movie Burton & Depp have made a hundred times. There's one scene of Barnabas brushing his fangs and the camera pans to the mirror where we see the toothbrush moving and of course, Barnabas is invisible. HA HA, right? That's the level of humor. As I said, it's not even good camp. I'm keeping my $$$ to buy the original on DVD!
Aspiring soap scribe
^^^^Good gravy Carolina. When will the genius minds of Hollywood learn it's not necessary to reinvent each and every wheel??
I'm with you on this.I think I'll keep my money in my pocket.
Contract Poster
I totally and utterly agree. I hate to be so upset over a darned MOVIE for Pete's sake.. but it's just awful.
It's not even funny, unless you are a two year old. I enjoyed the "Dragnet" movie, which was a comedy based on a dramatic series, but that was actually FUNNY, and much of the humor was an affectionate humorous exaggeration of the original. This whitefaced, idiotic cartoon character in DeppShadows has nothing whatsoever to do with Barnabas from the series. Dan Curtis must be whirling in his grave. It's no accident that Depp/Burton acquired the rights AFTER Curtis died.
I agree with all of you in everything you've said. Where do I even begin?? Perhaps dialing back a year or so ago when Depp/Burton gave interviews about how much they loved the series, and would respect the original. It's hard to believe they even WATCHED the show, much less ran home from school to see it.
There is no way that Barnabas should be a whitefaced cartoon -- he's supposed to be able to blend in with humans. Take that away, and it removes most of the suspense that was in the series for almost the whole time it was on -- he was always in peril of being exposed as the creature that he was. It looks like the whole family knows what he is from the beginning in this version. And apparently he can walk around during the daytime. Again, a departure that removes suspense and drama. This scriptwriter does not know how to write anything but a "hero that saves the day" which is exactly what we seem to be getting. That's what I was afraid of when I heard he was writing this. This is the author of "Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter", and "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies".
Really really disappointed and dare I say, upset.
Scriptwriter
Here's the trailer:
http://youtu.be/wpWvkFlyl4M
Are any true DS fans anxious to see this?
Contract Poster
Even non-fans of the original series are panning it. I viewed 4 different reviews of the trailer on youtube. None of the people reviewing the trailer had seen the original series. Two of the reviewers were 12 years old, tops, and they didn't think it was funny. That's how low the level of humor is in this film. Only one of the 4 liked it. Interestingly enough, almost all the reviewers like the first part of the trailer, which is exactly what the DS original series fans are liking.
Soap Addict
Yup, the first part of the trailer looked AMAZINGLY good...and I was so excited...and then it completely fell apart.....
Contract Poster
The Cult Radio A Go Go folks (internet radio station) had a DS segment devoted to a discussion of the trailer and the movie last Saturday night. Jim Pierson, who is creative consultant on the movie, was on. Even with a last minute announcement about the DS discussion, they maxed out the number of listeners they could have. It was the best rated radio show they'd ever had. I missed it, even being on their email list, but you can download it here:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/b62i3n
I will warn you it's their entire live radio show on Saturday night, 4 hours of it. The first part was preaching by "Vanity", who's turned religious. Remember Vanity 6? Prince's protege? The DS stuff isn't til around the middle. Jim's the Dan Curtis Productions rep and what a politician. Anyhow, the two DJs had a booth at the last fest, and they had a lot to say about how disgusted they were about the trailer.
Last edited by Harold's Bone; 03-20-2012 at 09:32 PM.
Contract Poster
I finally have something GOOD to report... they've released Danny Elfman's score for the movie, and I had expected the worst and was pleasantly surprised. It's not Cobert for sure, but Elfman has taken the original cues and music and updated them. They retain the vibe and a hint of the original music. Kudos to him for a job well done.. I will post the link but first I must warn you there are MAJOR SPOILERS in the song titles!!
S
P
O
I
L
E
R
S
P
A
C
E
http://www.watertower-music.com/rele...earch=WTM39283
Contract Poster
Sad news.. I was informed by Shadowgram that Jonathan Frid has passed.
Senior Board Member
I read about Jonathan Frid's passing as well. RIP.
Senior Board Member
Also read that original cast members including Frid make cameos. Interesting.
Aspiring soap scribe
That was Johnathan Frids last on screen appearance.
Contract Poster
Yeah, Jonathan Frid, Lara Parker, David Selby, and Kathryn Leigh Scott all made appearances. It's kind of sad.. but if you go over to Lara's website, she talks about how she and KLS literally had to hold poor JF up while they were shooting... and they tried to get him a chair but he wouldn't have it, and apparently having an assistant offer him a chair really ticked him off. Lara said the second morning they were there, he wanted to go back home (before shooting!) and packed his bags. Maybe he got a look at Johnny Depp's ridiculous Barnabas. Lara's site is laraparker.com.
I'm not taking these cameos as an endorsement, BTW.. I have no plans to ever see this Depp movie.
Last edited by Harold's Bone; 04-29-2012 at 02:23 AM.
Contract Poster
The revival series was my first exposure to Dark Shadows. I remember staying up at night and catching and episode of it on the Sci-Fi channel. I was hooked and every night the next week or two I'd stay up and watch it. And then they had that huge cliffhanger where Victoria finally got back to the present, and I tuned in the next day waiting to see it resolved and it was over!!! My little 10 year old heart was broken. A couple years ago, I picked the series up on dvd and was surprised at how well it held up. I thought Ben Cross made a very good Barnabas.
Contract Poster
If you dislike the new movie based on the trailers (and seriously, I don't see how the movie can be good if they contain those bits in the trailers), there is a "Boycott Tim Burton's Dark Shadows" facebook page. I think you have to login to facebook and do a search.
Maxie, I thought that was terrible how they left that cliffhanger too!
Scriptwriter
EW gave Dark Shadows a B+.
Contract Poster
So far, as of May 12th, rotten tomatoes website has it as Rotten, based on only 42% of the reviews being positive.
Contract Poster
Hey guys.. Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie/Josette on the original series) is holding a sort of discussion online and at one point she mentioned that the original series will be back on the air towards the end of the summer, but the venue isn't known yet! I sure hope she's right! Jumping for joy!
Contract Poster
They're having a ghost hunting event at the original Collinwood, Seaview Terrace in Newport RI with the guys from the ghost hunting show on SYFY May 18th. You can go to idealeventmanage dot com with a slash careymansion dot html. Sharon Smyth (Sarah, and ghost of Sara) will be there along with Kathy Cody, who played Carrie Stokes. I wish I could go. I'm not much into ghosthunting, but love the idea of being able to roam around the place.
So the movie sucked really bad...
I have been watching the original series now since December its so good! I am already into the 400's, I have the coffin set.
Does anyone else wish they would continue the series from where it left off years ago back in 1971? I think it would be an interesting thing to watch especially if they did it as a daily soap.
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