The other big announcement was that they are contemplating a new format for the festival next year -- a cruise somewhere off New York...personally I'm not sure I would want to be trapped on board with 700 DS fans...
I neglected to mention that the opening to the tribute for Jonathan Frid was a recorded reading/video from David Selby. His words were beautifully expressed and ended to the effect that the night is long, but candles burn on in the night. I would like to get a copy of what he wrote.The recording was made in San Diego a couple of weeks ago. The words are drawn from a letter to Jonathan that was posted on David Selby's web site:
Sarah was played by Sharon Smyth (who I actually miss at the Fests - but I digress...).Yeah, Sharon's fun. Somebody asked her to sing London Bridge Is Falling Down, and she had us all sing it with her. I thought: "Only at a Dark Shadows Fest could there be a group singalong of London Bridge."
I don't know how the actors would feel about being on a boat with fans. You can't sign up under an assumed name like you can at a hotel. There are legal manifests and with terrorism as it is those list are scrutinized. You have more freedom in a hotel to escape people but even on the biggest ship there isn't any place you can really "hide". Don't misunderstand, the actors do socialize. I have spent many an evening over drinks in the lounge with them, but there comes a time when they do need time to themselves or for private conversations and many fans don't understand.But as I said at the time, a Dark Shadows cruise sounds like fun, with or without the stars.
The great thing about the NY Fests is that I can indulge my interest in DS, and when it gets to be too much (as it always does...), I can hop the subway and spend a few restorative hours in a museum or just wandering.
I would be flabbergasted if the DS actors agreed to a cruise with several hundred DS fans. If it was a cruise of a few hours, maybe.
On the several cruises/crossings I've been on, I've seen scores of celebrities, from actors/actresses to authors to politicians. From my experiences, it's rather remarkable how other passengers leave them alone when they're "off duty" - many will give lectures and presentations, and have a time set aside for autographs, but beyond that, I've never seen anyone bother them on the "confinement" of a passenger ship.
david selby...david selby...his wife and an assistant were sitting alone at a table selling david's books.
I personally am much, MUCH more upset over WB's reneging of their promise to restore the NoDS film for the disc release than I am over anything to do with the Burton/Depp ... project. I am nearly as upset over various aspects of the handling of the October release of the films but won't go into that now.
Though at least if we can believe Pierson, the restoration of NoDS will eventually take place.
AND since the depp film has largely left theaters and will very soon be out on DVD you'd think they might have actually, you know, showed it at some point in the event's programming.
I always wonder if the JP guy has his head screwed on tight. I have thought for a long time that it's been time for the Curtis family and anyone else associated with DS to find some way to flush him. The guy doesn't have an ounce of business sense inside his head.
But, for a film to qualify, it usually has to have finished its theatrical run. Plus, a public exhibition costs a fairly hefty sum. So showing Depp Shadows at this year's fest had, at least, two things going against it.
this is second hand but i heard on FB that during the q&a with KLS she was asked what she thought of the maggie/vicki "merger" in the film...Michael, I was there for all of KLS's question and answer session, and I don't remember anything like this. And I find it hard to imagine her saying such a thing; she's always very diligent about putting a positive spin on everything.
supposedly she replied that it was "ridiculous" and "made no sense". i'll second that. it was my least favorite part of the film.
can anyone here confirm her remarks?