SHADOWGRAM
The Official Dark Shadows News Updates Yahoo Group
Marcy Robin's Cyberspace "Dark Shadows" News Updates
An Official Internet Publication of SHADOWGRAM -The Official "Dark Shadows" Published Newsletters
http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/ShadowGram/

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Number 230. December 6, 2010

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Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,

ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS), announces the following breaking news in this Online News Update "bulletin."

**** CHRIS PENNOCK IN STAGED READING
**** JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT – "INCEPTION" MOVIE ON DVD
**** JONATHAN FRID OFFERS AUTOGRAPHED 2011 CALENDAR
**** MARIE WALLACE IN MAGAZINE INTERVIEW
**** JOHNNY DEPP MENTIONS DS IN "VANITY FAIR" INTERVIEW

--- CHRIS PENNOCK IN PLAY READING

SG Update #227 reported Chris' participation in "the first West Coast staged reading of the award-winning play SHADES at the Women in the Arts Festival" in Palm Springs, CA 11-6, produced by the LA Women's Theatre Project." The play "is about the effect war has on those who come home and how men and women cope with issues and communicate differently." (Press release)

Chris (Jeb, Cyrus/John, Sebastian, Gabriel) relays that they received a standing ovation. Another staged reading with the same cast is planned to benefit the Palm Springs USO. Following the presentation will be a catered 3-course buffet dinner with the playwright, director, and actors.

The performance is 12-19 at 2:00 at the theater at Villa Portofino, 73313 Country Club Dr., Palm Desert, CA.

Theater tickets are $7 and the dinner is $25 if ordered by 12-14 or $30 thereafter. Reservations are by credit card and can be made by calling Julie Miller at 760-404-1178 at the Villa Portofino.

---- JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT'S "INCEPTION" RELEASE 12-7

Joseph (1991 DS David, Daniel) has shared with the SG print issues about INCEPTION, the psychological thriller from director/writer Christopher Nolan. The film was one of the summer's biggest – and most intriguing – box-office hits. It comes out from Warner 12-7 on DVD and Blu-Ray.

He plays "Arthur," a vital member of an elite "team of thieves, artists, and scientists" who "can enter the subconsciouses of powerful men to steal their secrets or plant ideas." It "is confusing and pretentious at times but is also visually stunning and clever. In its second hour, it keeps 4 different action movies spinning simultaneously. It's a bold, exciting film." (LA Times 12-5)

---- JONATHAN FRID: AUTOGRAPHED 2011 CALENDAR

Jonathan (Barnabas, Bramwell) announces a new calendar filled with personal photos is offered through his official website: www.jonathanfrid.com

The website announces:  "Our 2011 Jonathan Frid Autographed Calendar is now available Throughout the 2011 calendar year we will continue to make this calendar available to everyone. Each month displays a unique picture from a time in Jonathan's life with interesting facts to go along with each month, and comments from Jonathan himself.

"This special calendar can be delivered before Christmas Day but orders must be in by December 8th to guarantee delivery."

http://jonathanfrid.com/New%20Site/contact/salesforcalendars2.php

PURCHASING CALENDARS - Instructions:

FOR QUICKEST DELIVERY
You may purchase through Paypal: login to your account at http://www.paypal.com and send a payment of $25.00 to "jffeedback @ gmail.com" (no spaces) with the attached note: "Calendar".

BY POSTAL-MAIL DELIVERY
"You can complete your purchase by sending a cheque to "Jonathan Frid" in the amount of US $25.00 ($20 cost of calendar and $5 cost of shipping) sent to the mailing address as follows:
Mark Lawrence / Jonathan Frid
3270 Prospect Dr., Unit 86
Burlington, Ontario Canada
L7N 3M5

*** SG NOTE: If you are paying with a check (cheque) mailed in a regular envelope, please be sure you put $.75 in postage stamps (first ounce) on your envelope or the US Postal Service will not deliver it to Canada. (The US $.44 / Forever stamps only apply for first ounce postage sent to American addresses.)

"Thank you for your interest in obtaining your very own autographed copy of the 2011 Calendar" from Jonathan.

---- MARIE WALLACE IN MAGAZINE INTERVIEW

Marie (Eve, Crazy Jenny, Megan Todd) tells SG an interview called "Marie Wallace, On Stage & In Shadows" is in the Scary Monsters #77 magazine, due out in late Dec.

Also, Big Finish Productions released its new DS audiodrama CD "The Dollhouse" in late Oct. Marie reprises her character `Jenny" and Terrayne Crawford reprises her "Beth Chavez" character.

---- JOHNNY DEPP IN COVER ARTICLE/INTERVIEW

Popular actor Johnny Depp is featured in the newly-released January 2011 issue of Vanity Fair magazine. He discusses various subjects, noting that DS is "something I want to do. The script is close now, really close, and, you know, it's just a question of myself and Tim and the writer ((Seth Grahame-Smith)), basically the three of us, getting together and signing off on various scenarious. But it's really gotten good. In the last three weeks, it's gotten f*****g good."

Since the project was first made public in July, 2007, SG has detailed its progress and status. Johnny and director Tim Burton are lifelong DS fans. Johnny mentioned in interviews over a decade ago ((quoted in SGs at the time)) that he loved DS as a boy. He tried to comb his hair a la Barnabas and play-acted the character. Recent SG Updates noted the revised script is being finalized and production is expected to begin in April.

As of now, there is no official word about the story, casting, filming schedule, marketing, or other specifics, including a possible release date. SG will have confirmed developments in the SG Online Updates and the SG print issues.

Marcy Robin
ShadowGram@aol.com
ShadowGram1@yahoo.com
www.ShadowGram.com

Creative Character Engineering Inc., who provided character effects for the WB TV pilot, shares their work on DS at http://www.creativecharacter.com/gallery/index.html

From Gallery of Concept Art:  a victim

From Makeup Gallery:  character on the train, Barnabas makeup in its 1st stage, Barnabas makeup in its 2nd stage

From Body Parts Gallery: Kelly Greer's withered head

April 8 - 10  More info:  http://www.rubberroom101.com

Celebrity guests to include (according to "Friends of Jerry Lacy" on Facebook):  Jerry Lacy, Lara Parker, Kathryn Leigh Scott, Chris Pennock

SHADOWGRAM
The Official Dark Shadows News Updates Yahoo Group Marcy Robin's Cyberspace "Dark Shadows" News Updates

An Official Internet Publication of SHADOWGRAM - The Official "Dark Shadows" Published Newsletters

Posted through the ShadowGram YahooGroup address:  http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/ShadowGram/

ShadowGram@aol.com

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Number 227. November 6, 2010

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Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,

ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS), announces the following breaking news in this Online News Update "bulletin."

**** WARNER BROS. ANNOUNCES EXPECTED START DATE FOR NEW "DS" MOVIE
**** JIM STORM IN PLAY
**** CHRIS PENNOCK IN PLAY STAGED READING

---- PRODUCTION TO START ON NEW DEPP / BURTON DS MOVIE

SG announces: After 3 years of development, Warner Bros. studio has confirmed that the new DS movie starring Johnny Depp as vampire Barnabas Collins will begin filming in April of 2011, under the direction of frequent Depp collaborator Tim Burton.

Seth Grahame-Smith, author of the recent best-selling novel "Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter," has completed the approved script for DS, which will include familiar characters from the original 1966-71 TV series and new story elements as well.

Casting has not yet begun for the film but will begin soon as part of the pre-production process. SG will announce and update.

Depp's next film, being released in December, is THE TOURIST, co-starring Angelina Jolie. There has been speculation that Jolie could possibly be considered for the role of Angelique, the witch who cursed Barnabas as a vampire in the 1700s. It also is possible that actress Helena Bonham-Carter may appear in the DS movie. The girlfriend of Tim Burton, Carter has appeared in previous Depp-Burton productions, including SWEENEY TODD and ALICE IN WONDERLAND.

Prior to filming DS, Depp will be shooting the next installment of his Disney movie series PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN. Among his other credits with Burton are SLEEPY HOLLOW, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, and ED WOOD.

In July 2007, SG reported when the planned film was first publicly announced. SG also has noted that Depp is a childhood DS fan, along with his sister, who is a producer on the upcoming film. It will be in production for several months and is not expected to be released before the end of 2011, or sometime in 2012. It has not been definitely announced yet if the movie will be presented in 3D.

It is hoped some original DS actors might be seen in cameo roles.

SG PREMIERE-ANNOUNCES:

DS composer "Bob Cobert's original theme will most certainly be integrated into the musical score of the new movie, though the retired composer will not be directly involved."

SG's Official Online News Updates and SG print issues will provide more breaking announcements as further confirmed details become available in the weeks and months ahead.

Variety 11-5 has the following article.

"Depp, Burton reunite on 'Dark Shadows'
Warner Bros. to distribute project long in the works

Warner Bros. has slotted its long-simmering "Dark Shadows" project for a spring production start with Johnny Depp starring.
Depp has been attached to star and produce with Graham King's GK Films and Depp's Infinitum Nihil for the past three years with Tim Burton expected to direct. Richard Zanuck, Christi Dembrowski and David Kennedy are also producers.
Seth Grahame-Smith penned the script.
Kennedy brought the project to Depp from the estate of Dan Curtis, the producer-director who created the vampire soap opera that aired weekdays on ABC from 1966 to 1971 with 1,225 episodes.
Studio hasn't set a release date for the big-screen project."

--- JAMES STORM IN NEW PLAY

Jim (Gerard Stiles) stars as "Dunn" in the new play PHANTOM LUCK, now at The Lost Studio in Los Angeles, through 11-28.

LA Times review 11-4: "Fevered landscapes of the mind are a specialty of playwright John Steppling, whose new play uses the seedy, obsessive terrain of the professional gambler as a jumping-off point to explore the lives of loners who haunt society's interstitial cracks " in "a fiercely uncompromising deconstruction of a heist caper." The playwright does not "settle for the conventional elements of the crime genre. From the opening monologue — a meditation on statistical odds and the Monte Carlo fallacy delivered by a grizzled gambler named Dunn — the play's existential subtext becomes its primary subject matter." Dunn and his ex-con partner-in-crime present "street-smart discourses on Old Las Vegas, horse racing and the origins of face cards (that) resonate with timeless themes of coincidence and luck, aging and mortality, and multicultural theology." The play is "heady stuff, not for the intellectually incurious."

PHANTOM LUCK is at The Lost Studio, 130 S. La Brea Blvd., Los Angeles, with evening performances Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to 11-28. Tickets: $20. (323) 933-6944 or www.gfnation.wordpress.com.

--- CHRIS PENNOCK IN PLAY READING

SG regrets that I received the press release for Chris' appearance too late to make a pre-announcement. General information follows and the upcoming new SG #119 print issue will report.

Press release 11-5: Chris participated in "the first West Coast staged reading of the award-winning play SHADES at the Women in the Arts Festival" in Palm Springs, CA 11-6, produced by the LA Women's Theatre Project." The play "is about the effect war has on those who come home and how men and women cope with issues and communicate differently."

Marcy Robin
ShadowGram Editor / Publisher
P.O. Box 1766
Temple City, CA 91780-7766
YahooGroup: Shadowgram1@yahoo.com
Official Website: www.ShadowGram.com

Apparently, the tour at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery not only points out the crypt whose exterior served as the Collins Mausoleum in House of Dark Shadows, but it also takes visitors inside.

A friend just told me about a segment on cemetery tourism, hosted by Rita Braver, that was part of the recent Sunday Morning Halloween show and that eavesdropped as a Sleepy Hollow tour guide stood in front of the crypt and told visitors, "This became the home of Barnabas Collins the vampire. ... Come in!"

The entire segment has been uploaded to YouTube-- Tombstome Tourism:  The Creepiest Cemeteries-- and that part is 1:08 into the video.  Enjoy!