DARK SHADOWS FORUMS
General Discussions => Current Talk Archive => Current Talk '24 I => Current Talk '03 I => Topic started by: Philippe Cordier on January 09, 2003, 07:30:07 AM
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My question refers to the "prop" music box used on the show. Does anyone know what happened to it? At one of the last two fests, KLS talked about how nice it was, but she didn't say what happened to it after the show (and I don't remember anyone asking about that).
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I'd be interested to know that too. Unless it was given to (or taken by) one of the actors on the show, I'd have to guess that it wound up back in the props department at the ABC studios in New York along with the other props, costumes, sets, etc. after the series went off the air. Various set pieces and furnishings were eventually recycled for use on other shows - I know that part of the mausoleum set turned up on All My Children years later, which films in the same studio where DS was taped.
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Wow someone must have it!
jennifer
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This information may have been posted here, but the mini-replica is being offered for sale for $150 from the Dark Shadows Festival.
I could kick myself for not buying one back when it was "only" $40 ... I was advised against it at the time by two posters ...
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I was sorting through some stacks of papers the other day, and I coincidentally discovered a printout of a post made to the VantageNet board on 3/6/00 by Sheila March regarding the original Josette's music box. Apparently this question had come up at the DS festival in 1999, and it was stated that many costumes and props from DS were donated to Fordham University, so that is a likely place where the original music box might have ended up. (I wouldn't be surprised, though, if it ultimately ended up in someone's personal possession after that!) According to Sheila's post, KLS remembered the music box as a lovely item, while Stuart Goodman recalled it as a tacky thing held together with tape.
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Financial considerations, sadly, preclude my attending the festival in NYC this year, so upon a little deliberation I decided to console myself and purchased one of the few remaining Josette's Music Box replicas now in the hands of the Dark Shadows festival.
I just knew that if I didn't buy one now, I'd be unhappy the rest of my life -- and would probably return from the afterlife in search of one ... I had seen one of the replicas at the festival in Anaheim, so I knew pretty much what it looked like, the size, etc. I know some posters a couple of years ago complained that it was tiny, plastic and chintzy.
Well, I must say that I was delighted when I received my mint-condition music box within a week of ordering it from the festival.
The music box actually looks quite attractive on one of my bookshelves. The plastic base with the filagree looks the best; but the plastic lid, though it reproduces the design of the original cover exactly, so far as I can tell, does have more of that "plastic" look. However, we could hardly expect that a collectible item for a TV show would actually be glass and copper (as I take it the original box is supposed to be).
The size seems to be perhaps 2/3 scale, based on visual comparisons with the music box in "House of DS" (the quickest way I was able to do a comparison). Does anyone know if the music box in HODS was the same one used on the show?
A close comparison between the music box in the movie and the MPI replica shows that the original is much bigger around and slightly taller and the filagree pattern does not go up as high on the glass as it does on the plastic model.
The music piece in the replica plays "Josette's Theme" with a clear, ringing quality ... It seems to play perhaps a dozen bars, and I can't recall for certain if that is the extent of the original song or not.
Does anyone know if the 1996 MPI music box (which is the one I purchased) is identical to the one offered in conjunction with DS back in 1970? Were the materials used, the size, shape, pattern, design, decorative features, color, and tone of music exactly the same?
Who produced/distributed the 1970 version of the music box?
One other difference between the replica and the one on the show is that the top lifts off the replica completely (rather than tilting back), and the melody doesn't play when you lift it off -- you have to wind the bottom!
To be continued ...
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I was able to revise my original post, so this won't have to be continued after all. I had also planned to launch into a commentary about other memorabilia reminiscent of DS, but I just noticed Birdie's thread on "DS in everyday life," which will be perfect ...
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A couple of my questions have been answered. I have been told in a personal communication from a DS Festival representative that no one knows what happened to the original prop music box*, and also that there is no information whatever on who produced or marketed the 1970 music box replicas.
*(Except, I might venture to guess, whomever actually has the music box ... I think someone has it and knows what it is!) - Vlad
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I did hear a while ago that Michael Stroka swiped the prop music box as a gift for his then girlfriend -- how much truth there is in that is anyone's guess, though.
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...and also that there is no information whatever on who produced or marketed the 1970 music box replicas.
Perhaps someone who possesses the 16 Magazines of the era may be able to find an ad for the sale of the music box which inturn may state the info you are looking for?
Never say die!
Dom
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Perhaps someone who possesses the 16 Magazines of the era may be able to find an ad for the sale of the music box which inturn may state the info you are looking for?
Never say die!
Dom
I seem to remember the ad being posted in the multimedia area [i think] of the archives here - so when everything gets going again and those areas are reopened I'll bet it comes back, too!
I did a quick glance thru a few years of 'teen mags' in the closet, and didn't happen upon it, or I would post it myself. And note of detail, '16' did not have any ads for any product other than '16' produced products [like their 'address of the stars' book, or 'official '16' 40 wallet photos'] - in fact most of the 'major' teen mags like Tiger Beat, Flip, TeenSet did not have the ads we all remember. You had to go to the 'B' list like 'Teen World' 'Teen Top Ten' 'Teen Car Mats Of The Month' to get to the cheezy ads [but believe me, the X-ray glasses did NOT work!]
cheers,
Ringo
[who has a whole new respect for the MB, M'nite, Dom and the behind the scenes efforts!!!]
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I seem to remember the ad being posted in the multimedia area [i think] of the archives here - so when everything gets going again and those areas are reopened I'll bet it comes back, too!
This is the first chance I've had to look for it. I found this one of the box (called musicbox.jpg, duh!), but haven't figured out yet which image file is the ad.
(http://www.dsboards.com/MUSICBOX.jpg)
[who has a whole new respect for the MB, M'nite, Dom and the behind the scenes efforts!!!]
Flattery will get you everywhere. [wink2]
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Ack, it was right in front of my face...
(http://www.dsboards.com/BOX.jpg)
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LOVE BALLS?!!! THIGH BELTS?!!
Midnite.....what sort of collection have you got there?
rainey
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LOVE BALLS?!!! THIGH BELTS?!!
Midnite.....what sort of collection have you got there?
Isn't that hysterical?!
I think the ad is from MB's collection. [lghy]
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I think the ad is from MB's collection. [lghy]
:-X
rainey
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That ad is a real scream, Midnite. I was around at the time and I NEVER saw these ads. I wonder whether they were limited to certain areas of the country.
The idea about Barnbas projecting himself forward and backwards through time with it is a hoot, too. Makes the damned thing sound like a real menace!
And then there's the line about the compartment for Milady's jewelry or "other secrets"! PLEASE help me not to go there...
Gothick
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And then there's the line about the compartment for Milady's jewelry or "other secrets"! PLEASE help me not to go there...Gothick
Marsha sca-reams!
Kisses to Lady T
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That ad is a real scream, Midnite. I was around at the time and I NEVER saw these ads. I wonder whether they were limited to certain areas of the country.
It was published in several different national magazines, Gothick. Perhaps you just never came across the right one at the right time.
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What "other secrets" d'you suppose Josette kept in there anyway? Milady's diaphragm? LOL
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I think the ad is from MB's collection.
It was posted in the Members' Archive by mfmdpt from the old AOL DSO Files section.
Hopefully the archive will be opening up again soon. It's just that I never seem to get around to making all the code changes to it that I want to have in place before it opens again. :(
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Flattery will get you everywhere. [wink2]
A certain someone had better hope that's true. (http://www.dsboards.com/adminsmileys/$90d1.GIF)
And that a certain other someone is in a forgiving mood when that other someone decides to grovel. ;)
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Gosh, gee, thanks, guys!
I just knew someone had to have some of the information I was interested in. I didn't stop to think of the efforts involved in tracking it down/retrieving it, etc., though.
So it was Barnabas' music box, given to him by Josette, hmmm ...
I'd still be curious, if anyone has one of the old music boxes, how it compares with one of the knew ones. Going by the picture in the ad, the 1970 version was actually quite different -- though I'd heard that the more recent version was supposed to be identical.
$4.95, hmmm ...
It was posted in the Members' Archive by mfmdpt from the old AOL DSO Files section.
Wonder whatever happened to that old curmudgeon!
:)
BTW, and I know this is probably a question/comment for another area of this forum, but I do so wish it were possible to print out from this board. Anything you print out is BLANK!!
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THe original 1970 music box was made by Paul Randolph Associates. The box was made of cheap thin plastic, and sold mainly in the major movie magazines of the time. It was never sold in stores. Because DS popularity was waning by late 1970, the box sold very poorly. The company went out of business not long after DS went off the air, and must have been stuck with a warehouse full of them!
THe 1996 reissue by MPI is near exact to the original 1970 box, even down to the cheap thin plastic and pattern. It's stamped with the 1996 date so as not to confuse it with the original issue. My biggest gripe with the MPI version is in the music movement. The 1970 movement plays Josette's theme in exactly the same tempo and speed as was heard on the show. However, the MPI movement plays the theme way too fast! I am grateful to MPI for at making an effort in the reissue, but the music movement could have been better.
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Thanks for the valuable information, doombuggy.
The tempo of Josette's theme is rather swift-paced in the recent music box -- sprightly rather than haunting. I found that slightly disappointing, but I know that music box themes offer do vary somewhat from the original. Interesting to know that the original replica played the music slower. That was just the type of info I was looking for.
*****
BTW, I hope no one took offense at my comment about the long-absent mfmdpt -- it was meant in jest ... I do miss his comments as I view him as the greatest living repository of DS knowledge! :)
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One more question regarding the original "prop" music box used on the show (I keep forgetting to post this question):
Was the prop used on the show actually a music box? And if so, what music did it play?
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BTW, and I know this is probably a question/comment for another area of this forum, but I do so wish it were possible to print out from this board. Anything you print out is BLANK!!
Hi Vlad,
I didn't want you to think anybody was ignoring your comment. :)
The print feature was disabled, and though I can't foresee that you'll be able to print images any time soon, you can still copy and paste text into another program that'll print it. But before you do that, you should check out guideline #9 in the forum rules... You cannot use what's been posted here anywhere else unless you have the author's written permission beforehand. As far as images go, your best bet is probably to just write the *owner* of the image to ask if they'll send you a copy.
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Thank you -- I will check out the forum guidelines. I don't post anywhere else; my sole purpose for wishing to print out things is for my own personal reference. I sometimes like to re-read posts/threads when I'm at home (where I don't have a computer); also, some people's ideas are worth saving in my DS reference files (stored on top of my bookcase!)
:)
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I don't post anywhere else; my sole purpose for wishing to print out things is for my own personal reference. I sometimes like to re-read posts/threads when I'm at home (where I don't have a computer); also, some people's ideas are worth saving in my DS reference files
I understand. But you know I had to say it, right? ;)
(stored on top of my bookcase!)
:)
:)
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Sharon Smyth who played Sarah Collins in 1967 said in an interview way back in the early 80's, that Josette's music box was not for real. It was a decorated piece of glass the prop men had attached a lid too. The music was played in the control room whenever they would lift the lid on camera. On occasion you can see that they were not as quick on the take in the control room, and the music would start, or stop a few seconds off sync of the lid!
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Sharon Smyth who played Sarah Collins in 1967 said in an interview way back in the early 80's, that Josette's music box was not for real. It was a decorated piece of glass the prop men had attached a lid too. The music was played in the control room whenever they would lift the lid on camera.
This would tend to agree with what Sheila March reported hearing Stuart Goodman say about the Music Box used on the show. KLS's memory of the music box, as I heard her relate it at a DS festival, was quite different!
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I am sure that Sharon Smyth is correct and the music box used on the series was nothing more than a prop. Kathryn probably assumed that it was real because she knew that both the cane and ring that they gave Barnabas were bought in local NY shops.
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How could KLS not know if the music box was real or not? What other performer spent more time in it's presence?
Barnabas and Willie were CONSTANTLY turning the thing on while they had her in the old house. They used it like mothers use wind-up musical mobiles to put the baby to sleep!
"Shhhh Maggie...I mean Josette......stop fussing.....listen to the music....remember that you're Josette......!"
Either it played music, or it didn't. Seems an odd thing to have forgotten.
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Perhaps it's a credit to the DS prop makers that they created such a realistic looking thing like Josette's music box and made it look so real. Even if the music box was real which I doubt, it never really played the music. All of that came from music supervisor Sybil Weinberger who was in the control room. (She later went on to marry producer Robert Costello) She selected all the cues to be heard that day, and they were then recorded on the audio track while the show was taping live. The actors by the way, could not hear the music while it was playing. That would have been too distracting.